Quest for the perfect (1)CR123 flashlight

[11tonytiger]

Iv'e been on a quest for some time now looking for the best (1) CR123 light that fits my needs that won't break the bank.Thanks to the suggestions of the members here I have come up with two I really like.

Sunwayman V10R and Novatac Special Ops. I'm leaning towards the Novatac but am concerned about the advertised 120 lumen max as compared to the Sunwayman 210 lumens.Truth is I use the lower powers most of the time but I do want a powerful beam if I need it. Just curious as to what you guys thoughts are on these lights.

Thanks T

 

[Bigmac_79]

I can definitely recommend the V10R, it's an excellent general purpose and edc light. You can check my review on it through my sig line.

BTW, the current version uses a T6 emitter, with a max of over 400 lumens. If you wait a little longer, you can get a V11R, for a max of 500 lumens.
Sent from my mobile device. Please excuse brevity and typos.

 

[FPSRelic]

Just to be clear, the Novatac special ops is actually a 2 x cr123a light, so the v10r wins right there. but even if you looked at the single cr123a versions I'd still say the v10r. Personally I'd ignore the 500 lumen turbo mode (I HATE lights that give you a high mode with a "don't use it for more than 5 minutes" warning!), but even with it's regualr "high" mode of 190 lumens, it looks like it might be able to throw that XM-L light pretty well. I guess the question for me would be with one throws better, the v10R at 210 lumens with it's XP-G, or the v11r at 190 with it's XM-L?

 

[reppans]

Do you mean the Novatac Storm?

I'd personally trade 100 lumens (~40% perceived brighter) for 200 hrs of addition runtime... Just in case, you know.

 

[11tonytiger]

Sorry ,I did mean the Storm.

Thanks T

 

[Z-Tab]

The V10R is an excellent light that I would gladly recommend to anybody. The Storm... that's a bit more of a roll of the dice.

Though Novatac has made decent lights in the past, I think the Storm is not doing their brand name much good. That said, they can be picked up for quite a bit less than the V10R.

 

[mauiblue]

I've been mentioning on other threads that my new Jetbeam RRT-0 is quite a performer. Uses a CR123, RCR123, or even AA cell with the extension tube. This is definitely working out for me.

 

[11tonytiger]

I did look at the Jetbeam and really like it but at over $100 it is over my budget.

 

[jalal20]

Haiku

 

[reppans]

I take a look at a Quark 123 R5 if you're on a budget, with CPF discount currently on sale in the low $40s. Over 200 lumens high, 300+ hrs runtime on moonlight, great selection of low modes, best warranty and customer service you'll find under $100. Only thing I don't like with their 1x123 is the fixed, non-reversible clip.

 

[LightWalker]

To see the Sunwayman V10R has a 1 lumen for 35 hours runtime is a deal breaker for me.

 

[cland72]

To see the Sunwayman V10R has a 1 lumen for 35 hours runtime is a deal breaker for me.

Right?! I wonder why they can't get at least triple that out of 1 lumen...

 

[reppans]

Right?! I wonder why they can't get at least triple that out of 1 lumen...

Variable magnetic rings draw overhead power to be in a "ready" status, probably in the 10ma range, or roughly equivalent to a 4 lumen mode. A 0.2 moonlight modes use about 1ma, so it would reduce a moonlight runtime by about 90%.

However, having said that, 10ma is not material if you tend to use your lights high most of the time.... it really only kills the lower lumen runtimes. That's the price for the rotary convenience.

 

[fl0t]

Between the V10R and the Novatac I would choose the V10R any day of the week. CPF'rs seem to like that model a lot. Novatac's quality has been decreasing in the past years.

Aside of the the Novatac quality dead topic, I suggest you to take a look at the new JB RRT-01. They advise a 100 hours on 0.005 lumen.

 

[mauiblue]

I did look at the Jetbeam and really like it but at over $100 it is over my budget.

???
With the coupon code and free shipping from a CPF vendor I got mine under $100🙂

 

[selfbuilt]

FYI, I reviewed the related V10A XP-G R5 here, and found its min mode to be far lower than 1 lumen. I estimate ~0.02 lumens on NiMH, and ~0.05 lumens on 1x14500. I would imagine the V10R would be generally comparable.

In terms of build quality and reliability, there is really no comparison. While the Storm may make an accceptable "beater" light, it is not in the same category as the modern V10R.

 

[mbw_151]

I can't tell exactly your price point, but the HDS EDC-120 is $99.95. If your budget is big enough to cover this plus shipping, you're in position to stop looking, order and start waiting. HDS has had some subcontractor issues and are a little backlogged. There are several threads that discuss this so I won't elaborate further. As so many of us have found, you can spend over and over trying to get what you want for a little less or bite the bullet once, be done and be happy.

 

[Fireclaw18]

Here are some options for CR123 sized lights (note I only use li-ion rechargables in my lights so can't speak to their effectiveness when using primaries):

1. Sunwayman V10R / V11R - Main difference is body styling and that the V11R uses a slightly more powerful U2 emitter. Good reliable flashlight with an infinitely variable adjustment ring. No reverse polarity protection though so get it right the first time. V10R has max output 460 lumens. V11R max output 500 lumens. Both lights use a control ring at the head of the light and a forward clicky button at the back. Very unlikely to turn on in your pocket. If you want to adjust the brightness after turning it on you'll have to flip the light 180 degrees in your hand. Or you can adjust brightness before turning it on.

2. Jetbeam RRT-01 - Smaller than the Sunwayman V10R / V11R and at least as bright (my RRT-01 is much brighter than my V10R T6). Rated brightness on 16340 is 500 lumens with its T6 emitter, but might be pulling higher than this on fresh IMR cells. Perhaps 550-580 lumens. Battery compartment easily holds 16340 or larger capacity 18350 cells easily. Operated exclusively through the control ring which ramps smoothly from off to max. Infinitely variable. No need to flip light in hand 180 degrees to get to all the controls. Very unlikely to accidentally turn on in your pocket. Downside: Gets hot much faster than a V10R at max so prolonged max output is not recommended. Also costs slightly more than a Sunwayman. Smooth shallow reflector gives decent throw with very wide spill, but the beam pattern is ringy.

3. Sunwayman M11R - Looks very similar to a Jetbeam RRT-01 in controls and size. Battery compartment won't hold 18350 cells, but since the light is so underdriven, use of IMR cells isn't needed. Run with a 750 mah protected AW ICR cell. This light is not infinitely variable so you won't have nearly the control of the other lights. 230 lumens output.

4. Zebralight SC80 - Feels extremely secure in the hand due to extensive well-placed knurling. Operated with a convenient forward clicky electronic switch. Perfect beam pattern and available in neutral and high CRI tints, which give better color rendition at the cost of brightness. Versatile as it can run on both AA and 123 sized cells. Deeply recessed and stiff button is nearly perfect: very unlikely the light will turn on in your pocket so tailcap lockout isn't necessary. Downside: compromise battery compartment means the light is fatter than it needs to be for a AA light and longer than it needs to be for a 123 sized light. One-button interface is excellent, but it is possible to accidentally click to max brightness, especially when you're groggy from just having woken up in the middle of the night. Its XPG emitter only emits 220 lumens so it isn't bright compared to the other lights listed above.

5. Zebralight SC31 - Supersmall 123 sized light with side clicky, perfect beam and available with nice warm neutral tint. Cheaper than some of the other lights listed above. Downside: must use tailcap lockout to prevent accidental activation in your pocket. No knurling so might be slippery in hand. And only 220 lumens or so in cool white.

6. Nighteye EYE 10 - (not yet released) - from its picture it looks a lot like the Jetbeam RRT-01, but with a cheaper price, better emitter, and better beam pattern due to orange peel reflector. This might be THE light to get if it's infinitely variable and driving its emitter as hard as in the RRT-01.

7. Nitecore MiniX - Supersmall twisty light - much smaller than the other lights I named. Downside: twisty interface can be difficult to use one-handed. Heats up very quickly at max. Quality feels cheap unless you get more expensive titanium version.

 

[Fireclaw18]

FYI, I reviewed the related V10A XP-G R5 here, and found its min mode to be far lower than 1 lumen. I estimate ~0.02 lumens on NiMH, and ~0.05 lumens on 1x14500. I would imagine the V10R would be generally comparable.

In terms of build quality and reliability, there is really no comparison. While the Storm may make an accceptable "beater" light, it is not in the same category as the modern V10R.

If you want a light with a great low mode try the Jetbeam RRT-01. The control ring ramps the light output smoothly from down all the way to off. I was able to get it so low that even staring into the emitter from 6 inches away with dark adapted eyes in a dark room I could barely see it. And even then I got the impression that the light would go lower still but the limiting factor was my eyes and not the light.

Of course there's little practical need to have a light that goes that low. But it is kinda cool.

 

[Torchaddict]

I've been looking at CR123A lights for awhile, and I have to say that the HDS-EDC 120 is pretty near the top for me. Bomb proof, easy, customizable UI with shortcuts, lifetime warranty (transferable warranty as well!). Advanced protection and regulation circuitry... All for less than $100. Can't beat that. If you want, you can replace the emitter with an upgrade (XML for 200 lumens), but it does void the warranty.

Control rings sound cool, but to me, they're just another gimmick and it gets tiresome looking at what position the ring is in before turning on the light. Give me simple!