Rechargable Flashlight for Rural Yard Use?

Gemster

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Looking for suggestions for an LED flashlight using single 18650 battery for use in our wooded yard to put the dogs out and check on wildlife.

We have a Strion LED which is a good size but I have quite a few 18650 batteries for a ZebraLight headlamp that I would like to put to additional use.

The headlamp is short focused, bought to use in the shop and serves well at it, but it's not the tool for yard work. Also, headlamps are not the best for quick and accurate redirection used outside because we need to not be inadvetantly blinding the dogs when they move around.

I also have a Lumintop TD-15X that gives good light but it doesn't run long and I thought perhaps there is newer technology that might help with that.

Preferences would be: price up to $150 max for the bare light, size 6" to 7", palm held, not too focused with a bit of spread instead of intense narrow hotspot, and a light that runs out the battery at high output setting without automatically dimming part way there (that's a whole other annoying story).
 

M61T MD2 Flashlight, great light good throw with some spill.

 

M61T MD2 Flashlight, great light good throw with some spill.

The writeup says it is porentially dangerous to eyes, so it doesn't fit my needs for tracking the dogs.
 
The writeup says it is porentially dangerous to eyes, so it doesn't fit my needs for tracking the dogs.
Every flashlight with more then a couple lumens output can be dangerous to the eyes, Its just a general warning that every manufacturer has to put in their paperwork. You wont be able to track anything with a 5 Lumens light. Most other modern flashlights running on 18650s will put out even more light then a MD2. The regular MD2 (M61) is more diffused and will be less blinding at a distance, but throw less far.
 
Looking for suggestions for an LED flashlight using single 18650 battery for use in our wooded yard to put the dogs out and check on wildlife.

We have a Strion LED which is a good size but I have quite a few 18650 batteries for a ZebraLight headlamp that I would like to put to additional use.

The headlamp is short focused, bought to use in the shop and serves well at it, but it's not the tool for yard work. Also, headlamps are not the best for quick and accurate redirection used outside because we need to not be inadvetantly blinding the dogs when they move around.

I also have a Lumintop TD-15X that gives good light but it doesn't run long and I thought perhaps there is newer technology that might help with that.

Preferences would be: price up to $150 max for the bare light, size 6" to 7", palm held, not too focused with a bit of spread instead of intense narrow hotspot, and a light that runs out the battery at high output setting without automatically dimming part way there (that's a whole other annoying story).
I strongly recommend the Olight Warrior X; I have both the 2000 and Pro 2250. What makes these lights special, is their 60 degree spill cone for throw; ZebraLight and most of the others have a relatively floody 80 degree spill cone. Imho, the Warrior is a walking and perimeter scan light while the others are working lights for closer stuff
 
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I recommend the Olight Warrior

I strongly recommend the Olight Warrior X; I have both the 2000 and Pro 2250. What makes these lights special, is their 60 degree spill cone for throw; ZebraLight and most of the others have a relatively floody 90 degree spill cone. Imho, the Warrior is a walking and perimeter scan light while the others are working lights for closer stuff
Another good thrower is the Olight SR52 Intimidator. It holds three 18650's and has about 62 degrees of spill. I carry that one in my vehicle for address spotting, etc. Fwiw, I EDC a ZebraLight SC600 for working on stuff; my Olights are for walking, driving, and, search & rescue

Edit; btw, I had to add 1/4" diameter magnets onto my unprotected 18650's to get the SR52 to work properly. If your 18650's are protected, they will work perfectly as is
 
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Looking for suggestions for an LED flashlight using single 18650 battery for use in our wooded yard to put the dogs out and check on wildlife.

We have a Strion LED which is a good size but I have quite a few 18650 batteries for a ZebraLight headlamp that I would like to put to additional use.

The headlamp is short focused, bought to use in the shop and serves well at it, but it's not the tool for yard work. Also, headlamps are not the best for quick and accurate redirection used outside because we need to not be inadvetantly blinding the dogs when they move around.

I also have a Lumintop TD-15X that gives good light but it doesn't run long and I thought perhaps there is newer technology that might help with that.

Preferences would be: price up to $150 max for the bare light, size 6" to 7", palm held, not too focused with a bit of spread instead of intense narrow hotspot, and a light that runs out the battery at high output setting without automatically dimming part way there (that's a whole other annoying story).
Check out Fenix FD series lights with adjustable beam from spot to flood.
 
I would suggest checking out the Astrolux EC01. Under $50 shipped with included 21700 battery. Comes with a sleeve for 18650 battery use, so you can use your spares. Has built in USB-C charging too, so no need for a separate charger (some 21700 batteries are too long for older chargers, but that's not a concern due to built-in charging).
Uses Anduril firmware so it's quite customizable if that's your thing. Also has a "muggle" mode so you can give it to a non-flashaholic, and don't have to worry about them setting things on fire with it.
 
Convoy c8 you can get it in several colors. The quality will absolutely surprise you. The beam / spill are incredible. And the price will make you smile. Contact Simon at the Convoy flashlight store on Aliexpress. Make sure you get the Convoy flashlight store. There are several sites that sell Convoy. But Simon's store is the only official representative of Convoy . Trust me you will be happy you did .Jim
 
Looking for suggestions for an LED flashlight using single 18650 battery for use in our wooded yard to put the dogs out and check on wildlife.

We have a Strion LED which is a good size but I have quite a few 18650 batteries for a ZebraLight headlamp that I would like to put to additional use.

The headlamp is short focused, bought to use in the shop and serves well at it, but it's not the tool for yard work. Also, headlamps are not the best for quick and accurate redirection used outside because we need to not be inadvetantly blinding the dogs when they move around.

I also have a Lumintop TD-15X that gives good light but it doesn't run long and I thought perhaps there is newer technology that might help with that.

Preferences would be: price up to $150 max for the bare light, size 6" to 7", palm held, not too focused with a bit of spread instead of intense narrow hotspot, and a light that runs out the battery at high output setting without automatically dimming part way there (that's a whole other annoying story).
Probably smaller than you're looking for but I have used the Fenix PD35 v2 for a couple years now and it's been a great light. Quite bright and good runtime.
 
I've already made two recommendations from lights I've enjoyed for years, but this thread got me looking at the newest models, and, I *really* like the Fenix PD40R v2.0 because it's 3000 Lumen and has a spill angle of 65 degrees. It's native 21700, but they include their Alf-18 adapter for 18650's too. I may have to get one for my collection..

Interestingly, said PD40R has a 440m range, compared to 600m for the Olight Warrior X pro 2250, and, if it's range you need most; there's a Warrior X Turbo for 1,000 meters!

Fwiw, my Olight SR52-ut weighs-in at 800 meters. Pick your trade-off between spotting distant things with an aspheric lens and using a bare lightbulb for close-up working; no single light can do it all. YMMV..
 
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I strongly recommend the Olight Warrior X; I have both the 2000 and Pro 2250. What makes these lights special, is their 60 degree spill cone for throw; ZebraLight and most of the others have a relatively floody 90 degree spill cone. Imho, the Warrior is a walking and perimeter scan light while the others are working lights for closer stuff
Except that the Olight uses proprietary cells because they want you to only buy Olight. The OP has several 18650s already on hand.

Klarus has some good lights I can suggest. The XT11GT has quite a bit of output for its size.
 
I understand your criteria is to utilize 18650s that you already have, but for the money you're talking about the Streamlight DS HPL is worthy of consideration. Daughter has rural property and uses it for what you're describing. Great throw and plenty of spill, long runtime, always charged and ready by the back door.

I have MD2 and other single 18650 lights but consider those carry lights. When I'm home and it's dark, I prefer a more substantial size light lin hand for extended periods of use rather than a smaller light heating up in 'turbo' mode or whatever.

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