New pocket light quest.... bigger light performance in a very small light

[Gusto]

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?

In regards to said scavenger hunt, here's a link you might find useful: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showpost.php?p=3261995&postcount=21

That last sentence is especially true. After some amount of use, oils do build up on the body of the light and make it quite slippery. I lather up some soap and water in my hands and kind of rub the preon down then rinse it off every 2 weeks or so. Doing this totally restores the grip. Kind of a nuisance, I suppose, but the Preon won't tear up your pocket over time and it looks very elegant. I see it as a "gentleman's light", 😎 which is why I baby it and dread dropping it. 😱

 

[DHart]

the Preon won't tear up your pocket over time and it looks very elegant. I see it as a "gentleman's light", 😎 which is why I baby it and dread dropping it. 😱

Indeed, it is elegant and makes a perfect "gentleman's light".

 

[kdaq]

OK... then there's the new Lumapower "Trust".... DANG! 😱

On a similar quest myself, I've been EDC'ing the Lumapower TRUST-1 for the better part of a week now. I'm very impressed - performance on 14500 is fantastic, and it's a solid little light. On top of that, biggest surprise to me is how much I like the stock clip.

I also have a Mini-123, and it certainly dropped my jaw the first time I popped an RCR in there. The TRUST-1 / 14500 matches the output level to my eye, but does so in a form-factor that I find much more usable. Highly recommended!

 

[Font size]

The TRUST-1 / 14500 matches the output level to my eye

What are the spec's on that light?

 

[DHart]

On a similar quest myself, I've been EDC'ing the Lumapower TRUST-1 for the better part of a week now. I'm very impressed - performance on 14500 is fantastic, and it's a solid little light. On top of that, biggest surprise to me is how much I like the stock clip.

I also have a Mini-123, and it certainly dropped my jaw the first time I popped an RCR in there. The TRUST-1 / 14500 matches the output level to my eye, but does so in a form-factor that I find much more usable. Highly recommended!

Thanks for that input, kdaq. I'm on a self-imposed flashlight buying moritorium at the moment, but that light will be on my radar... I especially like the comment about the clip... I'm much more clip aware now than I was when I didn't like using clips. Now I do! :thumbsup:

I don't like using the clips on any of my Quarks (though they're good quality clips) because they don't allow for deep pocket carry... the tailcap sticks out above the pocket. My preference is for clips like on the D10, where the flashlight is pretty much sitting entirely in the pocket. Obviously, many flashlight designs don't allow for a clip with deep pocket carry.

 

[JA(me)S]

DHart and jorn,

Thanks for your thoughtful and considerate responses - if I had either one in my pocket right now, I would commend myself for making the right decision.

I picture myself extolling the virtues of the LF2XT to a friend at length and in great detail - even showing him my mini laminated operational flowchart (my imaginary friends are so patient). At the end of my little dissertation, he looks at me and without saying a word, pulls out his Preon (w/3.7v) points it at the sun and 'click' - makes all the shadows around us disappear...

 

[DHart]

DHart and jorn,

Thanks for your thoughtful and considerate responses - if I had either one in my pocket right now, I would commend myself for making the right decision.

I picture myself extolling the virtues of the LF2XT to a friend at length and in great detail - even showing him my mini laminated operational flowchart (my imaginary friends are so patient). At the end of my little dissertation, he looks at me and without saying a word, pulls out his Preon (w/3.7v) points it at the sun and 'click' - makes all the shadows around us disappear...

That's a cool little vignette, JA(me)S! Makes me smile.

 

[DHart]

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.

Dave... thanks again for the suggestion. A fellow forumite kindly offered up a spare P-7 to me for the cost of shipping! I've sure met a lot of kind and generous folks here... wonderful people. Anyway, I accepted, but insisted on covering his cost on the clip. Should be here later this week.

 

[DHart]

Cool, I'll keep an eye out for your post. I can't wait to hear your thoughts on the Nitecore EZAA R5, especially regarding the new UI.

Thanks 🙂

EZAA R5 review (exceptionally brief!)
Hey man, the EZAA R5 arrived today. And it'll be going back. Not sure if it's just my sample or they're all this way, but the output is low (EV 4.5 vs. EV 5.0 with the Preon R5 and my D10 R2 - as measured in ceiling bounce test all lights on li-ion power). A change of 1EV is equivalent to halving or doubling the measured output. So that makes the output of my EZAA R5 about 75% of the Preon R5. And the beam is a bit ringy... something I didn't expect of the XP-G emitter. The UI is, well, just ok. Head turning is easily done. Ramp speed is useable. Flashes at 50% and 100% are helpful. Honestly, I now know I'll never use this light! Just not "wowed" at all. However...

PREON I status report:
And still, the little red Preon I with clicky tailcap and 10440 is making me smile -big time- every time I handle it or turn it on. Big thumbs up on this little bugger! Fantastic little light with amazing output and a beautiful, very useful beam.

 

[applevision]

EZAA R5 review (exceptionally brief!)
Hey man, the EZAA R5 arrived today. And it'll be going back. Not sure if it's just my sample or they're all this way, but the output is low (EV 4.5 vs. EV 5.0 with the Preon R5 and my D10 R2 - as measured in ceiling bounce test all lights on li-ion power). A change of 1EV is equivalent to halving or doubling the measured output. So that makes the output of my EZAA R5 about 75% of the Preon R5. And the beam is a bit ringy... something I didn't expect of the XP-G emitter. The UI is, well, just ok. Head turning is easily done. Ramp speed is useable. Flashes at 50% and 100% are helpful. Honestly, I now know I'll never use this light! Just not "wowed" at all. However...

Excellent mini-review. Clear, concise and with a strong opinion. This is the kind of review I LOVE because it really gives someone a sense that between a couple of options (in this case the Preon and the EZAA), where there is a clear winner (the Preon, of course!). Thanks, DHart.

-Applevision

 

[DHart]

Excellent mini-review. Clear, concise and with a strong opinion. This is the kind of review I LOVE because it really gives someone a sense that between a couple of options (in this case the Preon and the EZAA) the EZAA is the clear winner. Thanks, DHart.

-Applevision

Actually, the Preon I is the clear winner for me, but YMMV as they say. 😗

 

[Starchaser]

EZAA R5 review (exceptionally brief!)
Hey man, the EZAA R5 arrived today. And it'll be going back. Not sure if it's just my sample or they're all this way, but the output is low (EV 4.5 vs. EV 5.0 with the Preon R5 and my D10 R2 - as measured in ceiling bounce test all lights on li-ion power). A change of 1EV is equivalent to halving or doubling the measured output. So that makes the output of my EZAA R5 about 75% of the Preon R5. And the beam is a bit ringy... something I didn't expect of the XP-G emitter. The UI is, well, just ok. Head turning is easily done. Ramp speed is useable. Flashes at 50% and 100% are helpful. Honestly, I now know I'll never use this light! Just not "wowed" at all. However...

Thanks DHart for the brief review, sorry it wasn't even close to what you expected. Lol, that was a long wait for such a disappointing performance. I wonder if your experience with the low output is isolated to your sample, or if it is the norm for the new EZAA R5? Was it just as bad with a L91 lithium battery?

It would be nice to hear from anyone else that has the new EZAA R5 to see if they have experienced the same.

Now you can divert the refund from your EZAA R5, and get the JETBeam BK135A. 🙂

 

[Gusto]

Hello again, DHart. 😗 I'm still a newb at flashoholism and as such, I just found out about the Lummi Raw lights... wow, these things look

I'm curious to hear thoughts about the Raw Ti/NS/SS in this role of ridiculously bright and compact edc. It seems to be just about perfect, albeit a tad pricey. Maybe I'll start saving for the Raw Ti. :naughty: I certainly wouldn't have any durability anxieties about it.

http://www.lummi.co.uk/Raw_Ti.html

 

[DHart]

Thanks DHart for the brief review, sorry it wasn't even close to what you expected. Lol, that was a long wait for such a disappointing performance. I wonder if your experience with the low output is isolated to your sample, or if it is the norm for the new EZAA R5? Was it just as bad with a L91 lithium battery?

It would be nice to hear from anyone else that has the new EZAA R5 to see if they have experienced the same.

Now you can divert the refund from your EZAA R5, and get the JETBeam BK135A. 🙂

Ya know, even if the output was closer to what I would expect from an R5 and the beam was not at all ringy, this light just doesn't inspire me at all. Sorry to say. I just don't need another light that will wind up in the drawer that's already too full! I've got my RMA# and back it will go.

BK135 is now a closer possibility, mostly because I love the LOOK!... but my D10's are just so sweet, I don't know. :shrug: It's hard for any AA light to measure up to the D10, that's why they're so high on the "Flashaholic's MUST HAVE list" on CPF.

But amazingly, and I mean, REALLY... the Preon I with a clicky tailcap and 10440 is STILL rocking my world! Great price, amazing light. Highly recommended! I'm not sure I want any more 123 or AA lights (I do have a bunch of those already.) Between the Preon I and a couple of D10 R2s and a bunch of Quarks and a couple Litefluxes... this guy's pretty content for the moment.

Looking forward to pocket clips for my D10's! That will make a huge difference in "carry-ability" of the D10 and I love that the D10 clip allows full/deep pocket carry. D10 R2 is a force to be reckoned with - superb UI and great output/beam. The BK still lives a bit in the shadow of the D10, for me, I must say. Too bad about the D11. That's why I ordered a second D10 R2 while I still could.

 

[DHart]

Hello again, DHart. 😗 I'm still a newb at flashoholism and as such, I just found out about the Lummi Raw lights... wow, these things look

I'm curious to hear thoughts about the Raw Ti/NS/SS in this role of ridiculously bright and compact edc. It seems to be just about perfect, albeit a tad pricey. Maybe I'll start saving for the Raw Ti. :naughty: I certainly wouldn't have any durability anxieties about it.

http://www.lummi.co.uk/Raw_Ti.html

Hey man... I looked at the Lummis last year and while I thought they looked pretty cool, for some reason I just wasn't motivated enough to pounce on one. No doubt they're great lights that one would probably love. But somehow, I'm just not "there" on ordering one.

And I may look crazy for saying this, yet again, but I'm in a Preon I clicky/10440 daze right now and totally thrilled with it. For $37 plus $11 for the clicky tailcap... that's an amazing little powerhouse with a nice clicky UI, for not much money really, considering the prodigious output and the wonderful beam. Kind of where I'm at right now, I guess... :shrug:

I'm just not the guy to ask about the Lummis at the moment. 🙁

 

[Starchaser]

But amazingly, and I mean, REALLY... the Preon I with a clicky tailcap and 10440 is STILL rocking my world!

I love the clicky, though mine seems to be a bit erratic in that sometimes it takes some presses to get it to change modes. Seems if I rotate the metal clicky cap a little bit I can get it to work properly for a while. Either the Preon clicky design isn't quite ready for prime time just yet, or I got a wonky one. Still, I love it. Anyone else have any issues with the Preon clicky operation?

DHart... It's good to hear your so pleased, and enjoying your new red Preon 1. 🙂

Did you ever get the clicky tailcap on your Preon 1 to work properly?

Just wondering as you say, if you got a wonky one, or if maybe the clicky tailcap doesn't work as well on the 1A Preon.

 

[DHart]

DHart... It's good to hear your so pleased, and enjoying your new red Preon 1. 🙂

Did you ever get the clicky tailcap on your Preon 1 to work properly?

Just wondering as you say, if you got a wonky one, or if maybe the clicky tailcap doesn't work as well on the 1A Preon.

Starchaser... it seems that I didn't have the tailcap screwed on tightly enough. Ever since it screwed it down good and tight, it runs flawlessly.

I get nothing from 4Sevens for my evangelism, but I like spreading my enthusiasm when I'm enjoying it. If anyone is looking for a really small, really potent, really exciting pocket light, may I recommend a Preon I with a clicky tailcap running on a 10440! Your existing pocket lights may suddenly start feeling just slightly under-appreciated. 😉

P.S. Toss in a AAAx2 Preon body with your order and have a AAAx2 pen light extrordinaire when you want it, or a single AAA torch when you want that.

 

[Starchaser]

Starchaser... it seems that I didn't have the tailcap screwed on tightly enough. Ever since it screwed it down good and tight, it runs flawlessly.

Thanks DHart... good to hear that its working properly. I think adding the clicky tailcap was a great idea, and no twisting... just what you wanted. :thumbsup:

Nothing wrong with spreading enthusiasm, and letting everyone know when your really happy with a new light.

Sounds like your "New pocket light quest was a big success!" 🙂

 

[DHart]

Thanks DHart... good to hear that its working properly. I think adding the clicky tailcap was a great idea, and no twisting... just what you wanted. :thumbsup:

Nothing wrong with spreading enthusiasm, and letting everyone know when your really happy with a new light.

Sounds like your "New pocket light quest was a big success!" 🙂

Yes, I am very happy with how things turned out. I'm actually surprised that it came out as it did with the Preon I totally captivating me. Today I'm ordering a yellow Preon I with clicky for my wife... she loves mine and wants one of her own! Preon par-tay!

 

[kdaq]

What are the spec's on that light?

Specs can be found in the Lumapower TRUST-1 announcement thread.

Sorry for my slow reply on this - don't mean to derail the current conversation!