Wow... great contributions, guys. Thanks for making this such a great thread.
Thanks for the response, I thought you may have missed my post.
Yeah, sorry for the rediculous diversion. :scowl:
In response to the original post, I'll quickly tell you about my soon-to-be edc system. I do carry the Preon 2 in NW now and soon I will get the Zebralight H501w.
Preon 2 as a utility light (convenience) that is clipped to my pocket which I can quickly access for general tasks. H501w for several reasons that the Preon just doesn't do: extended runtime, moonlight mode, hands-free use (with included pocket clip), and the pure flood beam.
These two lights seem to make a great combo to handle many different situations. The Preon 2 has a very bright high mode and is quick to access. Anything it lacks, I believe the H501w compensates for, at least in the edc role. Just thought I'd share my thoughts.
I think your set-up is excellent. The Preon is remarkably capable and so is the 501. (I have a 501 as well which I sometimes use to read by or when working on something where I need hands-free mobile illumination - great light for that!)
I'm going to get the AAAx2 body for my Preon I and see how that is clipped in a pocket. For the most part, though, for my daytime EDC use, the Preon I is more than sufficient in runtime and output (10440) to not need the second cell. But I can see that if traveling, having the second cell body would be very useful in case you needed to buy more batteries and could only get AAA alkalines... then you'd need the AAAx2 body if you wanted to still have that stellar output!
Maybe you should consider a different carry method? As recommended above I use a Tec Accessories P7 suspension clip and find I can carry a much bigger light and yet still be way more comfortable than anything bouncing around in the bottom of my pocket. Using this method thinner lights are more comfortable than fatter lights and length doesn't matter so much as long as it doesn't bottom out. My current fave is a MiNi AA hanging from the P7. I can't even feel it is there. But I have done Cr123 clicky lights like this as well and its pretty unobtrusive.
This is an excellent point indeed. I've resisted using clips on my lights for a long time... I just never felt the need as I was ok with them riding in the bottom of the pocket - until doing that with slacks/suit/loose type pockets. Jeans not bad at all as the pockets are smaller and closer to the body so the light has much less movement while walking. For me this quest is more associated with pants having larger, looser pocket designs - not so much so with jeans. You are absolutely right that a thin, lightweight AA, if hanging, is significantly less noticible in the pocket than riding at the bottom. The carry method does make ALL the difference. I'm thinking I will reconsider getting a P7 after reading all the positive comments about it.
Yes, let me second the notion that this has been a great thread. I've enjoyed it, engaged with some very nice people and leaned a few things.
Couple thoughts and questions.
After hearing all the complaints about thread issues in the Quark mini series I almost didn't buy one but I ended up springing for a Mini CR2 and the threads are perfect......just the right amount of drag and smoothness for efficient operation. Love the thing. It finally dawned on me after years of reading message boards and reviews on the web that it's the folks who have problems with a product who tend to be more vocal and this can skew the impression of a product even if it's only a smaller percentage of the production run that has the issue. It's not that the issue isn't real but sometimes it needs to be taken with a grain of salt.
EZO... same here. I find the threads on my MiNi123 are just fine. Yes, you can make it squirrely with the modes if you get the twist point right at activation, rather than fully on or fully off. No big deal. Great light with AMAZING output, not only for it's size, but the output from the MiNi123 neutral tint on a 16340 li-ion equals that of my Malkoff M60 driven by two RCR123 li-ons in my ceiling bounce test. That's pretty wild!
DHart, I know this question has probably been addressed elsewhere on CPF multiple times but rather than go on a scavenger hunt I'll just ask you. The finish on the Preon I looks like it could be sorta' slippery. An old cheap smooth finished light I had with a tail clicky would start to slip through your fingers when the tail switch was pressed if they were just a little sweaty or greasy. The Preon I with the tail clicky option has always seemed very appealing to me but 'til now I've shied away from it for lack of any knurling. What's your experience so far?
While some say the finish seems sort of rubbery and less slippery because of that I will say that in my experience the finish of the Preon is not so "rubbery" that it gives me good traction. For me, it's a pretty smooth finish. And it could be argued that when pushing the clicky, the light may tend to slip a little. But so far, in use, I haven't found it to be a problem, either. The clicky doesn't require much force, especially to change modes when just a soft touch to the side of the tailcap button is all that's required. I like this clicky a lot!
I almost feel nervous quoting you - but I'm not on the phone or wearing glasses
Jas... that is good! Makes my day.
Just don't try to twist my words around to say something other than what I meant and we're FINE! :devil: :thumbsup:
Anywho, how well do you feel the Preon I and LF2XT compare to each other? I've held both of these in high regard, giving the edge to the LiteFlux, but would love your input. With the clicky on the Preon I, are the sizes comparable? Which UI, beams, etc.,
Thanks, - Jas.
Right now my Preon I is getting much more attention than my LF2XT is. A good part of that is because of the newness of the Preon. The output with my Preon is significantly higher than that with my LF2XT.
The hotspot on the Preon is about twice the size of that with the LF2XT and the spill circle is about 50% larger on the Preon. Characteristics of the beams are similar, very soft edge between hotspot and spill, basically a beautiful floody light with a nice central emphasis. Tint wise, the LF2XT is creamier and more neutral while that of the Preon is colder (bluer in comparison). Seen on it's own (not with any side-by-side comparison) the tint on the Preon is fine and not overly cold, but in a side by side on a white surface you can easily see that the tint of the LF2XT is creamier, more neutral. For me, this is a case where the output of the Preon is significantly higher enough for me to not really miss the creamier tint of the LF2XT. AS we all know, creamier, more neutral tints generally equate to less output, all other factors being equal.
With the clicky, the Preon and the LF2XT are virtually the same size with tiny differences... Preon clicky button makes the Preon about 1/16" longer (negligible difference). The bezel diameter of the Preon is the same as the LF2XT, but the body of the Preon tapers as it moves back toward the tail, giving it a little slimmer profile there... kind of sexy, if that term can be applied to a flashlight! :laughing:
Obviously, the LF2XT is a much more sophisticated light. I love the instant low and instant max. I love the ramping. And the last level memory. I love the built in battery tester. And the creamy tint and beam. I don't use the complex programming interface of the light. Just the basic operations of the light as I mentioned in this paragraph are all I need from the light.
And it is this last point (basic operations are all I need most of the time) that puts the Preon in the same overall level of usefulness to me - but at a much lower price point. For general use, the less sophisticated Preon meets my basic illumination needs about as well as the much more sophisticated LF2XT. Just my experience, others may vary.
As we all know, the perfect light for all times and all uses has not been devised and probably never will. "Different horses..." as the saying goes. I like all of these lights in different ways for different times, different needs, different pants (slacks vs. jeans), and sometimes just for the sake of something different for a few days.
=====
One other excellent option (with a bit more orientation toward throw) that is very small, very light weight, and quite potent is the LD01 running on a 10440 with a Streamlight Microstream clicky rear end. Good friend Kestrel turned me on to this combination and it's a really good one. Forward/momentary soft clicky with three levels, pocket clip, and brilliant output on 10440. Virtually identical size to Preon I with clicky, but a little more throw oriented due to XR-E emitter. Sweet!
Im a creative little mc-gyver fanboy so i always test stuff like this out when i buy sometning new😗 some things works , some things dont. This works very well. the tighter the o-ring is, the better. I use a small fat one (1/2 the daimeter of the quark .)
