Ra Clicky vs. LiteFlux LF3XT for EDC

[wingnutLP]

I think it depends on what you are looking for in your light and only you can decide which is better for your needs.

Despite the same form factor they are actually really quite different lights...

For me I don't need a bomb proof light so the LF3XT fits my needs perfectly.

What are your list of priorities from most important to least important. For me I wanted in order of importance

Flexible UI
Low weight
Small size
Ring free beam
durability (to abuse rather than use)
Didn't care about cost much
Didn't care where it was made

I ended up with a Liteflux...

 

[johnfolsomjr]

Wow! Thanks to everyone for the opinions on these lights!

They'll both help you see in the dark places.

Exactly.

Really I'm looking for a very simple light, but I think that to get what I want I'm going to have to go high-tech UI. Really all I'm after is a two-stage light that I can set both stages to what I want them to be. And that's it - I don't want a strobe function popping up, or have to ramp it to what I want. Just a simple light with two user customizable levels. In a perfect world, I'd end up with a LunaSol or one of the new Surefire A2L lights, but I just can't justify the money.

 

[callmaster]

Ra builds a specialized light that also happens to fulfill the degrees of 'EDC' in one way or another. It's specialized because it was designed with particular physical usage variables in mind: Significantly sized aluminum body to absorb heat, to fit in the hand fully, and protect the electronics. Impact resistant battery terminals further protect the internals from damage. Thick lens and tough SS/Ti bezel with aluminum reflector increase durability further. Enormous clip, which really 'retains' the light to whatever you've attached it to. - It's designed to be more than a 'programmable' flashlight.

Electronically, the UI is fixed on the Clicky. Meaning that you only get 4 separate and permanent channels to access, and each channel can be set to any of 1-22/23 levels, including four signals. There's also a separate and concise menu system for specific operations. That's it.

My opinion is this:
What You EDC really depends on how you use flashlights daily/nightly, and what circumstances surround your life.

The LF3 might just get you by and soothe your need for customizing a UI, if that's all you're after.

The Ra just might change your idea of necessary EDC forever.

They'll both help you see in the dark places.

I carry a Ra.

An excellent description. If I didn't already have some Ra Clickies, I'd get one immediately after reading that.

 

[jimmy1970]

No clip, means no go for me! I always clip my light inside the top edge of my jeans pocket (Novatac). I can hardly notice its' there. If I put a light deep into my jeans pocket, it becomes very noticable and annoying.

Clicky would be my choice (but with an aftermarket Ti clip).

James...:thumbsup:

 

[Flying Turtle]

Not having a clip is my only real gripe about the LF3XT. I'm the same way about not liking a heavy lump in the bottom of my pocket. Hanging it from a belt loop by the lanyard works pretty well, but I'm sure I'd carry it more if it had a clip. I'm still expecting a good solution to pop up.

Geoff

 

[StandardBattery]

There must be something about making the clip that causes so many lights not to appear with one. Maybe it's making them removable, or just that they have to be made on separate machines from separate material.

This one with the 1/4" screw it would seem pretty easy for someone to make a clip and attach it. It might have a tendancy to turn and come loose, but most people probably would not mind using a little locktite an a big head screw which are very common for this type of thread.

I see they said it is meant to be a keychain light, but of course not everyone is going to want to use it that way.

I'm still excited about it. We need more AA light choices, especially if the price is right.

I actually don't really care for clips for carry purposes, but they are great for anti-roll. My NT is the only light I have found to absolutely need a clip because of it's size. Larger than that and I put it in my coat pocket or bag. Smaller and I can usually get it in a pocket without any annoyances. The clips can be handy during travel though and a good one does not get in the way. Depending on what you where for clothes though I can see clips being critical.

 

[gmcjimd]

For me its like buying work boots.I have specific needs that a work boot must provide like steel toes,metatarsal guards and good arch support for standing and walking on concrete all day.They must be well built to hold up to the daily grind at work around sharp steel and coolant spray.Its the same with an edc light in that it must meet YOUR requirements. Flashlight "A" might be all the rage for some folks but it may not fit the bill for you. My light's get pretty hard use and the Ra line seem to fit the bill for me but that does not mean that everyone else should use them to😵nly you can decide wich one is best for you.
Just buy em both and sell the one that doesn't make the grade😀

Just my 1 cent worth
Jim

 

[johnfolsomjr]

Just buy em both and sell the one that doesn't make the grade😀

I like that attitude

 

[gmcjimd]

Hi there John
There are probably 20-30 lights out there that would make a GREAT EDC for most people.There are some better than others but overall most are very good lights.I gave a co-worker an old Fenix P1D with a leef clicky body that I used to carry but it was not what I really wanted as an EDC light.You would have to pry it from his cold dead hands to get it from him now as it is HIS favorite light and he uses it every day.He absolutely loves my Ra clicky but he would never buy one because of the price:shrug:

We all have our own needs, Go figure:thumbsup:
Jim

 

[sappyg]

Really I'm looking for a very simple light, but I think that to get what I want I'm going to have to go high-tech UI. Really all I'm after is a two-stage light that I can set both stages to what I want them to be. And that's it - I don't want a strobe function popping up, or have to ramp it to what I want. Just a simple light with two user customizable levels. In a perfect world, I'd end up with a LunaSol or one of the new Surefire A2L lights, but I just can't justify the money.

another shameless Ra plug here...... you can program the promary and secondary settings on the Ra and never notice the other settings at all..... double click high or low and that's it. a Ra can be as simple as you want it to be.
IMHO it has limited carry options out of the bag so to speak but the light itself and versatility it offers are top notch. if you don't like it i'm sure you could sell it here in a quick hurry.

 

[DHart]

The RA has strong appeal for sure and I'm thinking I may pick one up in a couple of months.

I do have an LF3XT which I have great appreciation for and use constantly. Small, light, potent, amazing beam, versatile, quick to minimum (a very low low!) quick to maximum, and instant ramping access makes for a very useable and versatile light. Light comes on at the previously memorized level. Amazingly, in spite of it's extensive programmability, I get all I need from it with just three simple commands.

When "on":

• click-click to go to min. (really nice faint glow... probably less than 1 lumen)

• click-clickhold to go to max. (perhaps 100 lumens or so? I don't know)

• presshold to ramp up or down, release when you reach the level you want memorized

And sometimes I do use the built-in voltage meter.... five taps yields a precise reading of the cell's voltage under load. Nice!

Simple to use. And did I mention the beam? Nice bright central beam that softly and very gradually transitions to a nice bright spill area. No rings or artifacts. Nice cool-warm tint. A super useful light for a wide range of general applications. Tailstands for candlemode... something I use a lot, late night in the bedroom. Runs on primary or RCR123. I use nothing but AW protected RCR123's which seem to last forever in this light.

Yes, the Ra has appeal for sure, but the LF3XT sure keeps me very, very happy for a paltry $60.

Available from a USA dealer, eliteled.com

 

[mbassoc2003]

So I'm looking for a new EDC light and I've pretty much narrowed it down to the Ra Clicky or the LifeFlux LF3XT due to the amount of customization I can do to the UI. Does anyone have opinions one way or the other, or should I be looking somewhere else?

I have a 10 day old Ra Clicky Tactical with both button options (i.e. a spare battery tube). I'll let them go for $200 and I'll throw in a brand new LF3XT with it. So you can try them both out for size.

I'd post a link to an alternative Marketplace thread, but for whatever reason the administrators won't allow new members to sell through the Marketplace, and they don't respond to e-mail enquiries.

 

[PetaBread]

I love my LF3XT, the UI is great and is everything I wanted. I still do want

to get a Ra clicky though, just in case I have one of those "clumsy" days.

:mecry:

 

[callmaster]

I love my LF3XT, the UI is great and is everything I wanted. I still do want

to get a Ra clicky though, just in case I have one of those "clumsy" days.

:mecry:

It's certainly built like a tank. I've dropped it a ton of times already. Not one visible scratch as of yet and it's working great.

 

[m16a]

It's certainly built like a tank. I've dropped it a ton of times already. Not one visible scratch as of yet and it's working great.

I have had the exact same experience so far. I swear, the thing is built so well, everytime I drop it, not only do I move my feet VERY quickly out of the way (I have some personal experience in saying that this light HURTS when dropped on bare feet), but I have genuine fear that my floor surface will go ...

I have a dent in my living room from when it fell down my steps and landed..

 

[Ainsley]

I know some don't like 'old' threads like this to be dug up but I thought it'd be better than posting a new, similar one.

I am going through the same decision process between these two lights and have been unable to make up my mind. If i ge the clicky it will be a custom warm white version, and if i get the LF3XT I will pick up some Q3 5A emitters to mod it with. So here are my thoughts on each light:
Clicky
- Seems to be more efficient
- I get a Warm version without tracking down 5A tint emitters
- Very robust, and probably more reliable
- Has a clip (well, at least it has holes already for a custom Ti clip)
LF3XT
- Much more compact and pocketable.
- Less $

I will be using this light for some of my outdoor adventures, it will augment my Zebralight H30 and SF 6P with Deree 5A drop-in.
In terms of EDC it will also be my coat pocket light when I need extended illumination; I have my LF2X on me every day, but I wouldn't want to be going on a walk or hike with it.

Any added input would be greatly appreciated, I have a good handle on the features and functions of both lights but impressions from those that own and use both would really help.

 

[Flying Turtle]

For me a good part of a flashlight decision has to do with my degree of flashaholism. I know there will be new/better lights emerging on a regular basis that I'll wish to own. This is one of the reasons that I have trouble justifying the top-of-the-line lights. Also, I tend to be frugal/cheap. Size is always another big factor, too. For me smaller is always better. Based on these things, the LF3XT was an easy choice. For my typically gentle usage it will serve me well until that irresistible new light shows up.

Geoff

 

[DHart]

I would have no qualms about taking my LF3XT on hikes or camping. But neither it nor the Clicky would be my primary light on such a venture... I would always want to take at least three lights on an outdoor venture where I might need a flashlight. A multi-level 18650-size light (like the Jet III-M or three-level Dereelight MC-E) would be one of them, and my LF3XT and D10 as backups to that. All with fresh power supplies. I'm sure the clicky would fill the role as backup to the 18650 just as well.... but the cost of that light puts me off. Personally I find the D10 and LF3XT to be plenty rugged for my use. If I think there's a decent possibility that I might need a flashlight on an out of doors venture, I wouldn't want any less than three lights. No matter how rugged a light is, it could be irretrievably lost/dropped... three is two, two is one, one is none.

As an EDC, and especially as an adjunct to your LF2X, I wouldn't want to (nor would I feel the need to) pack anything larger or heavier than the LF3XT. Then, having the seemingly extra ruggedness of the clicky, at the cost of larger and heavier, isn't something I would choose.

If the money is no biggie at all, then buy them both. They would each be nice to have.

I have heard of no problems with the LF3XT; everyone who has one seems to love it.

RA owners also seem to love their RAs, but a number of them have cited quality problems with the RA... perhaps it may take a little time for the RA to settle into production without any problems... I don't know.

You might want to visit this thread:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=231400

 

[Ainsley]

Thanks for your input everyone!

DHart, I was watching that thread grow from the initial post... I think it may have persuaded me to pick up the LF3XT. The clicky just seems too bulky for my EDC uses.

 

[DHart]

I think it may have persuaded me to pick up the LF3XT. The clicky just seems too bulky for my EDC uses.

For EDC, size and weight are important considerations. I don't even use my LF3XT for EDC... for me, that role is better filled with a Romisen RC-C3 Q5. Super bright, great beam, super reliable, simple twisty with pushy-momentary* capability, about $21, small, light-weight, runs on primary CR123 or AW protected RCR123. Use with or without clip. This is one I give all of my family members as gifts... they love it. I carry it in my front jeans pocket. Romisen builds great lights and for the money, they are no-brainers.

* If you twist the light just slightly off, you can use it in momentary by just squeezing the light slightly... a nice feature!