One cell CR123A Powerhouses

Qmotion SIS

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Aug 31, 2010
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I'm a police officer looking for a pocket backup flashlight that I can keep on my key chain.

From the reading I've been doing I've made a list of power hitters that won't cost you an arm and a leg..

I'm looking for the most bang for the bux that puts out near 200 lumens or better. I already own an Eagletac T20C MkII, P100C2, Solarforce L2 sand.

Because of the popularity and simularity to other threads I've compiled a list in review to include 2 cell AA batteries.


COMPACT FLASHLIGHT POWERHOUSES



1*CR123A:

Fenix PD20 Q5: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=250989 new model: http://www.fenixlight.com/viewnproduct.asp?id=59

NITECORE ez 123: http://www.nitecore.com/goods_detail.php?id=13

Nitecore Extreme: http://www.nitecore.com/goods_detail.php?id=8

Nitecore EX10: http://www.nitecore.com/goods_detail.php?id=12

Dereelight C2H: http://flashlightconnection.com/Dereelight-Flashlights/C2H/C2H-Cree-XP-G-R5-Flashlight-Black-HAIII-finish-p307.html

Olight T10: http://www.batteryjunction.com/specialedition-t10-olight.html

Zebralight SC30: http://flashlightconnection.com/Zebr...tint-p289.html

LumaPower IncenDio V3: http://www.batteryjunction.com/incendio.html

Jetbeam RRT: http://www.jetbeam.com.cn/links/pro/rrt0.aspx

4Sevens Quark 123, 123 mini: http://goinggear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14_43&produ cts_id=325 ,
http://goinggear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14_43&produ cts_id=1649

ITP SC1 ELUMA: http://www.batteryjunction.com/itp-sc1-flashlight.html


2* AA flashlights:

Eagletac P20A2 MkII, P100A2, P10A2: http://flashlightconnection.com/EagleTac-Flashlights/EagleTac-Personal-Series-Flashlights/EagleTac-P20A2-Mk-II-Flashlight-XP-G-p300.html, http://flashlightconnection.com/EagleTac-Flashlights/EagleTac-Personal-Series-Flashlights/EagleTac-P100A2-p62.html , http://flashlightconnection.com/EagleTac-Flashlights/EagleTac-Personal-Series-Flashlights/EagleTac-P10A2-p58.html

Fenix LD20: http://www.fenixlight.com/viewproduct.asp?id=118

Nitecore D20: http://www.nitecore.com/goods_detail.php?id=10

Dereelight Javelin: http://flashlightconnection.com/Dereelight-Flashlights/Dereelight-Javelin/Dereelight-Javelin-3S-XP-G-R5-LED-p283.html

Olight T25-T: http://goinggear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14_23&produ cts_id=1909

Zebralight SC50: http://goinggear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14_20&produ cts_id=623

Lumapower Vantage: http://www.batteryjunction.com/lumapower-vantage.html

Jetbeam JET-I PRO EX V3.0: http://www.jetbeam.com.cn/links/pro/jet1proexv3.aspx

4Seven Quark AA**, R5 Edition: http://www.4sevens.com/product_info.php?cPath=297_305&products_id=1620

ITP SA2 ELUMA: http://www.batteryjunction.com/itp-sa2-flashlight.html


Have fun. This is just a tease to get you started. There are numerous possibilities out there. Impossible to try and list them all. I tried to choose high quality and stay away from the high budget items.

Don't forget your CPF discounts from various vendors.
 
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Not for nothing, but I have the PD20 and it may be a bit on the heavy side for a keychain light. You may want to check out a 1xAA form factor light...they tend to be smaller and lighter for hanging on a keychain.

The PD20 is a great pocket EDC light on the other hand. I've had mine for over a year now and it's been dropped, nicked, scratched and it still keeps on ticking.
 
PD20 should be great, I own it's big brother the PD30, thats my back up light.
It's a little too big for an upper coat pocket but I really love how good a thrower it is for it's size.

I'd like to see the beam shots and Lumen difference of the above lights.

Only single cr123 light I have is the Eureka, its a cool little light but I'm not sure it's built well enough. :)
 
The PD20 is an excellent light. I've been seeing it's variants ever since it was the old P2D (actually since it was an L2T with a 1x123 aftermarket body). Really can't go wrong with that one, though you might also want to check out the 4Sevens Quark 123. Same basic format with a couple different modes thrown in.
 
I've had several keychain sized lights: Fenix L0D, Lummi Raw NS, Maratec, Quark Mini... The ATP AAA light is nice (Same light as my Maratec which is quite bright using a 10440)

However I'd recommend a 4 Sevens Mini CR123. I have the Mini CR2 Warm on my keys and it is amazingly tiny and bright, the perfect keychain light! For duty use I'd probably recommend the more common CR123 battery.
 
I wanted to stay with the CR123A size because I already have a stash of CR123A's. I like the PD20 and have found the older PD20 Q5 available for about $20 cheaper than the new PD20 R2. The Quark 123 mini is a nice alternative but I prefer a clicky over a twisty.

I think these were the final choices:

Fenix PD20 Q5: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=250989 new model: http://www.fenixlight.com/viewnproduct.asp?id=59

NITECORE ez 123: http://www.nitecore.com/goods_detail.php?id=13

Nitecore Extreme: http://www.nitecore.com/goods_detail.php?id=8

Nitecore EX10: http://www.nitecore.com/goods_detail.php?id=12

Dereelight C2H: http://flashlightconnection.com/Dereelight-Flashlights/C2H/C2H-Cree-XP-G-R5-Flashlight-Black-HAIII-finish-p307.html

Olight T10: http://www.batteryjunction.com/specialedition-t10-olight.html

Zebralight SC30: http://flashlightconnection.com/Zeb...t-SC30-Flashlight-Neutral-Warm-tint-p289.html

LumaPower IncenDio V3: http://www.batteryjunction.com/incendio.html
 
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Of the ones you list above, I've heard the best things about the C2H and the EX10. Not sure about the C2H but the EX10 is available in a neutral white; not quite as bright but gives much better depth perception and color rendition, which I'd imagine would be very helpful in your job.

Strictly speaking though, neither of these are "keychain" lights, and given that you might want to check out the Zebralight SC30; one of the smallest and brightest 123 lights out there, has multiple modes and a nice clicky switch so it's easier to use than similarly sized 123 lights that are twisty lights.
 
Out of the lights you narrowed of down to I would go with the dereelight c2h. It is brighter with better UI and tint than the others.

Do check out the Zebralight sc30 as mentioned above.
 
I like the looks of the Zebralight. I've added it to my list.


I think any or all of these are decent lights. I probably just need to pickup anyone that I get a good price on and call it a day before I go crazy....lol.
 
I like the Zebrlight SC30 and the Dereelight C2H because of their size. I think I would like the R5 led in the C2H the best. But I'm tempted to take a deal on the Fenix PD20 Q5 for $46.50 including shipping.
 
I like the looks of the Zebralight. I've added it to my list.


I think any or all of these are decent lights. I probably just need to pickup anyone that I get a good price on and call it a day before I go crazy....lol.

That is frighteningly easy to do here... :sick2: it's easy to get overwhelmed by all the different options and information.

In the end it will pay off and you should get a light on your first try that should meet your needs pretty well.

But then you'll most likely get bitten by the bug like most all of us here have and then realize you need another light for another type of situation you commonly find yourself in...

Then you'll realize you want to try a different type of emitter and tint...

Then you'll realize you want to try a different form factor for different runtime/size characteristics of different types of cells...
:whistle:
 
I've narrowed them down to 5 choices now.

#1- Fenix PD20 Q5, 3.2",..............................$46.50 w/shipping

#2- Olight T10-T, XP-G R5, 3.46",.....................$49.95 w/shipping

#3- LumaPower IncenDio V3, XP-G R5, 3"........$54.80 w/shipping

#4- Dereelight CH2, XP-G R5, 3.46",...............$56.55 w/shipping

#5- Zebralight SC30, XP-E, 2.6"....................$59.80 w/shipping

They are all decent lights.

The Zebralight SC30 will fit my pocket/key chain best but is the most expensive.

The Fenix PD20 will give me the most bang for the bux.
 
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I would vote for the PD20. I like the Quark regular 123 as well. I don't have either right now.

The tactical version my not be well suited for pocket carry to avoid accidental activation.
 
This just keeps getting better.

I think I'll get 2 of them for the hell of it. I'll definately get the Fenix. The second one will go to the lady.

I already own a Eagletac T20C MkII, P100C2 and Solarforce Sand L2. These I use for my weapon and the house.

Does this mean I have the bug already?:sick2:
 
I've narrowed them down to 5 choices now.

#1- Fenix PD20 Q5, 3.2",..............................$46.50 w/shipping

#2- Olight T10, XP-G R5, 3.46",.....................$54.50 w/shipping

#3- LumaPower IncenDio V3, XP-G R5, 3"........$54.80 w/shipping

#4- Dereelight CH2, XP-G R5, 3.46",...............$56.55 w/shipping

#5- Zebralight SC30, XP-E, 2.6"....................$59.80 w/shipping

They are all decent lights.

The Zebralight SC30 will fit my pocket/key chain best but is the most expensive.

The Fenix PD20 will give me the most bang for the bux.

If the only reason you're considering the PD20 is the price, then don't get it. Better to spend an extra $15 and get the light you want than be annoyed with the cheaper light that isn't really what you want.

The other three lights are close enough in price that price shouldn't figure into your decision at all. Make your choice based on things that you're likely to notice every time you use the light (or every time you stick it in your pocket).

--flatline
 

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