New to CPF - quick hello, and question on a new light

[tomcat017]

Hello Everyone,

Thought I should probably introduce myself first, as I'm new to CPF. My name is Mike, and I'm in NY, USA. I guess I'm new to this, though I've always liked flashlights, lighting, and optics in general. Just never knew there were so many others out there . I've had quite a few "standard" lights (maglights, few low-end LED lights that I really like, 2,000,000 candlepower spot, etc.), and just purchased my first "high-output" light--the Wolf-eyes 6M explorer. Got it the other day from PTS, and I love it. I was definitly impressed (though I know it's only my first light). I have a feeling that many more lights will follow in the future . Of course, I'm on a budget like everyone else, so the collection may take a while .

Anyway, I've been reading a lot (mostly posts here on CPF) and I'm, starting to think about what to choose as a second light (though it may be a while before I can actually buy it). I definitly want to go with another incandescent (which is why I posted here), and wanted to ask for some recommendations:

I love the WE 6M, but I think I want to get with something that has a wider hot-spot. Although the non-self-discharge of regular 123As is atractive, so is the money that I can save with rechargeables--so I have a slight preference for them (though I would buy a regular 123A light). Size is not as much of a concern as run time, brightness, and quality. I'm looking at the G&P R500, some of the bigger WE lights, the Surefire M3 (which doesn't seem nearly as bright?), and a few others. I also thought about mod-ing a 4D or something, or maybe sending it out to someone since I'm a n00b at this. What do you guys think? It doesn't have to be the absolute brightest thing in the world (need something to look forward to ) but a wider beam is important--not a flood--just bigger than the 6M. I have a friend who modded an SL-20 with an SL-35 lamp and a larger battery. It seems like a really great light, and I thought about just doing that as well.

Well..sorry for the ranting--its my first post. Thanks in advance for any help you can offer! Look forward to spending time on CPF.

 

[Glen C]

Welcome Tomcat. Probably worth remembering you can get a rechargeable kit for your 6M, just give PTS a call

 

[DoubleDutch]

tomcat,

Welcome to CPF. Much to choose from. Maybe you need to narrow the field a bit by getting some more experience with your Wolf-Eyes, and get to know what you miss most in that light. That will be your next light, probably. Although, the CPF mantra is: "Buy this and that". Don't know about your financial position but you might also start ordering high end lights without delay.

This will make the bottom of your wallet come up quicker than a fart under water, though...

Kees

 

[tomcat017]

Welcome Tomcat. Probably worth remembering you can get a rechargeable kit for your 6M, just give PTS a call

Thanks Glen. I actually got the rechargeable version of the 6M when I ordered it.

Maybe you need to narrow the field a bit by getting some more experience with your Wolf-Eyes, and get to know what you miss most in that light. ...you might also start ordering high end lights without delay.
This will make the bottom of your wallet come up quicker than a fart under water, though...

yea, I've seen everyone posting about how addicting/wallet-emptying this can be. Unfortunately, I can see the addiction coming already. Like I said, I think the thing I miss most about the 6M is the size of the hot spot. Of course, for some applications the 6M is perfect. For others, a wider beam would be good. I suppose thats why you say "Buy this and that." I agree

. But as you said, I should probably get some more experiance with this light--which I would have to do anyway while I save up for the next. By high end lights, do you mean Surefires? It seems that they are the best--but the WE was kinder to my wallet, and everyone seemed to have great things to say about them. I certainly love mine. I suppose the SFs are superior though? WEs seemed to be brighter, on flashlightreviews.com anyway. OK--thanks for all your help!

 

[Lighthouse one]

The new cree Huntlight FT-01 and Lumapower M1 should have a good spill and plenty of power. They both can run the 18650 batteries- the best set up going now. I'm surprised you aren't impressed by the wolf eyes spill. I have a 3.7 volt sniper with the new Lumens Factory bulb running an 18650 battery- and it's just a great light with plenty of spill and a wide powerful spot too.

 

[Paul_in_Maryland]

If you decide to go for an incandescent wall of light, here are some recommendations:

• Wolf Eyes Rattlesnake 13V (3x150A or 3x168A cells)
• Wolf Eyes 2x168A (Sniper + 168A extender) with Surefire P91 lamp assembly
• FiveMega 3x18650 Stinger Mod with axial lamp (a bipin)

if you don't need to use rechargeables, then also consider the G&P T12 or its rebadged clones, but make sure you get the 200 or 225-lumen version of the G120 lamp. You can run it on AW's protected high-current RCR123A cells (1.5 amps) but the lamp will hotflash if powered by anything larger.

Have you seen the beamshots by me and others in this forum, under the thread called something like Lumens Factory EO-0 (With Beam Shots)"?

 

[tomcat017]

Thanks Paul. :thanks: I was actually looking at the WE 13V Rattlesnake. You mentioned the G&P T12--what about the G&P R500? I think it throws out more light, and it is also rechargeable. Well--I womt be buying anything right away anyway. I definitly check out your beam shots post! It might be kind of stupid, but I don't want to get the brightest thing out there either--that way I'll have something to look forward to. Like I said, I think I'd just prefer a wider beam--so I'll check out your post--thanks! I've got lots to learn--especially about batteries, and matching them to the lamp, etc. Thanks everyone for your help!

-mike

 

[woodrow]

tomcat, welcome to cpf. In my short time here, I have learned more about quality lights than I ever thought possible, and there are many here MUCH more knowledgable than me.

I do not have a rattlesnake 13v but everyone here who has one seems to really like it. I have the gl4 550 luman light. It is around the same brightness but feeding it is expensive. If you do not like continually buying 123's I would reccomend the wolfeye's light.

I have had a sf M3. It is not all that bright and has a wierd oval hotspot. I did not like mine, but it was VERY well made. You will not find that level of fit and finish on most chinese lights. If you are looking for a brighter light, for the money the rattlesnake or gl4 would be hard to beat.

 

[tomcat017]

Thanks Woodrow (and to everyone who's been uber-helpful). Yea, the rattlesnake may be the way to go. Or I may try to mod an SL light, as my friend did--I think I would enjoy that project.

I've heard a few less-than-shining things about the SF M3 now. Mostly about the hotspot shape, and the brightness. But everyone raves about the quality. So, short of the 10X dominator (which I dont think I can ever justify buying) which of SF's lights seems to be the brightest/best beam characteristics? Thanks again! 'night (here in NY anyway) -mike

 

[Glen C]

Tomcat, I am biased, but I would consider the rattlesnake with Lumens Factory 700 lumens lamp. PTS has them both.

 

[tomcat017]

yea, I think, when I eventually buy the next light, that will be the one. Though I may go for something a bit lower than 700 lumens. Can you run that 700 lumens light off of the standard battery? About how much runtime would you get? This may be a real newbie question, but do you work for PTS Glen? I've already talked with Mike over e-mail, and he was really helpful. Thanks for your help again!

Oh, and does anyone know, which of the SF line (excluding the 10X dominator) is their brightest? Just curious, as I likely can't afford it

 

[westfork]

Tomcat, I recently tried a lot of the available lamps in the WE Rattlesnake.

-The 700 lumen EO-13 from LumensFactory powered by three 18650 cells is definitely impressive. An extreme thrower but still a very wide hot spot that kind of produced an intermediate distance flood.

-For a short to mid-range floody beam I really like the RICO alpha-9 lamp (on two 18650 cells). It is very white and seems more powerful that the stated 250 lumens. Thanks for the recommendation Paul! The EO-9L from LF is rated at 450 lumens on the same set-up. It has a narrower more intense beam that is less useful at close distance but reaches out farther than the alpha-9.

Lloyd

 

[Glen C]

Tomcat, I don't work for PTS, just know they look after people in the states. I am a huge fan of the value for money proposition of Wolf Eyes, so much so that last week I purchased the Australasian distributorship. I have other flashlights, but for a first tactical style WE are good value, much the same as the chinese are in small EDC Cree with brands like Fenix, etc

 

[tomcat017]

Hey westfork--thanks. Where might one buy the RICO alpha-9 lamp. I could only find it as a weapon-mounted light. Yea--the 700 lumens lamp is really tempting--but like I said, I think I want to start conservatively, so that I don't spoil myself right away.

Glen C: Yea, from what little interaction I've had with PTS and wolf-eyes products so far, I am super impressed!

 

[CLHC]

Welcome to CPF!

Oh, and does anyone know, which of the SF line (excluding the 10X dominator) is their brightest?

Hmmm. . .The SF.Beast(s), SF.Hellfire, followed by the SF.M6—:thinking:

Enjoy your stay! :wave:

 

[tomcat017]

heheh...my fault, I should have specified.... What is SF's brightest light under $250-300?

 

[Glen C]

Tomcat, you will find that many here don't use what other people would call "reasonable pricepoints" for flashlights

:lolsign:

 

[jayflash]

Welcome, Tomcat.

 

[Cribbage]

Wooo whooo!! FRESH MEAT !!!

But really, welcome to the club Tomcat! This is the second greatest addiction you will ever enjoy

!

Just leave your wallet at the door; it will be forever again empty

Remember,

is your best friend!

 

[Paul_in_Maryland]

Hey westfork--thanks. Where might one buy the RICO alpha-9 lamp. I could only find it as a weapon-mounted light.

AFAIK, it's sold strictly by "airsoft" (paintball?) dealers, nearly all of whom are located in Asia. That's where I bought mine. Google this set of words:

RICO alpha airsoft