PILA G3 as an EDC?

[diggdug13]

Ok, here it goes I'm too picky.. I'm looking for a bright EDC and I would like to know what everyone thinks about a PILA G3 for a EDC (I won't beable to buy it till after christmas cuz the kids and wife come first always) but I would like to know if this is the bright EDC that I'm looking for. If you can tell me the pros and (if there are any) cons it would be appreciated.

Thank you
Doug

 

[X33]

I carry a Pila GL3 with a white LED tailcap as EDC.Its certainly a bright incandescent. I never used it long enough to run out of batteries yet. Burn time on Incan is about 50 mins advertised. Its nice to have the PILA batteries in it. I'm using a leather holster that I won in a CPF raffle a while ago from greatholsters.com. I prefer that to the PILA nylon sheath, although there's nothing wrong with the Pila sheath. Its quite well designed. If you stick a 35mm milky plastic film canister on the LED cap you have a 30+ hours area light, candle type mode. I recommend the GL3R. You can get the whole light as a set with PILA batteries and charger, LED tailcap I think. Any probs PM me. cheers

 

[Phaserburn]

The GL3R is a very versatile light. Well made, nice detail, smooth construction. The headlamp is very bright and has a nice, smooth beam; more flood than spot, but it does throw a quite respectable distance. The led tailcap I got modded by Milkyspit w/ 4 Nichia leds, a nice upgrade in brightness. The Pila li-ion cells make this light a homerun, as you can use either end without a single thought to batteries.

 

[diggdug13]

Where would be the best and cheapest place to buy one, Perferably from a fellow CPF memeber. I won't beable to buy one till after christmas, cuz I've spent all my on my wife and kids presents this year so dad will have to wait till later for his X-mas present.. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[greenLED]

Buy from JS Burly's. He's a very respected CPF member and Pila flashlight dealer. He's also hosting this passaround.

I EDC'ed the GL3 for a couple of days. Too big for pocket-carry, but it would be great to use a holster. The light is "just" the right size and has a well-balanced body. The construction is very solid. This is *by far* the brightest light I've seen so far (I'm used to 2-cell lights). It throws an amazingly even beam with sort of a diffuse hotspot and lots of spill. The LED tailcaps are really nice (the red and the green are *bright*, although their beams are not perfect). The white tailcap needs major improvement (already done by Milkyspit). Swithching the LEDs requires that you insert the batteries in a certain way (positive way towards the back, IIRC). You will only be able to use the incan if you insert the batts any other way. Having rechargeable Pilas is a nice feature. The light does get very warm when the incan is on for a while (it won't burn your skin). I remember the light shutting off suddenly but I forget if this was because of thermal issues or low batt.

 

[diggdug13]

Thank you for the info on the GL3 I'll keep it in mind, isn't the PILA G3 abit smaller and better suited for a EDC?

 

[yellow1]

i don't think there's a whole lot of difference in length between the G3 and the GL3. in fact, the pila site states that both lights are 165 mm long. so don't EDC this in your pocket, use a holster.

personally i like the G3 because it is fully waterproof up to 3m, and the tail-switch is non-slip rubber. the GL3 is only water resistant, as the LED tailcap functions as the on/off switch.

either way, if you do end up with a pila light, might i recommend the G3R version. i've gone through 2 sets of batteries in a week, and it gets to be a bit expensive... thus the recommendation for the rechargeable version.
fyi, the Pila dealers on CPF are:
Bug-out Gear
JS Burlys

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif * whoops, had an extra dealer in there * /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Bravo25]

I have adapted SF P90, and P91 Lamps to fit mine. I do cary it with me in a brief case but don't edc because I have not yet got the rechargeables. The P91 is good for 15 minutes runtime, and that gets expensive. Even though it is one bright sucker.

 

[Phaserburn]

The GL3R does make a nice coat pocket carry. In Norway, I'm assuming you'll be wearing a coat more often than not. While the head does get warm with extended incan burns, it certainly doesn't effect the light in any way (like the way heat negatively effects an led) and isn't nearly hot enough to cause you any thought. If you use the P91 for 15 minute burns, that is a bit different. Unless you've got a specific short term run and throw application, the stock Pila lamp is really more than enough to get the job done, and in style at 130 lumens.

 

[TonyBPD]

The P91 in the G3 is just sick. Very nice.

 

[madecov]

For an EDC you might consider the GL2R. A bit fatter than a Surefire G2 but still rechargeable and nice and bright.

 

[TonyBPD]

How does the GL2 lamp assembly compare to the P61?

 

[madecov]

About 1/2 way between P60 and 61. wider side spill than a Surefire