Recommend me a 18650 light

[Andyy]

I have the Solarforce L2 and the Fenix L2D already but I want a third light.
I like the striking bezel on my Solarforce, but the light failed me when I encountered a fight (people attacking a train conducter)

So I decided that I needed to buy a more reliable light.
I want:
a bright light with a good throw
It has to be compatible with 18650 batteries
about the same size/a little bit bigger than my Solarforce
a striking bezel (not required) or at least, not with a flat head.

So any recommedations?
I like to keep it under $100

 

[Gunner12]

I think this would be better in the LED flashlight section, not the LED discussion section.

You can get a 18650 body for the Solarforce. Also did you know what part of the Solarforce failed on you?

 

[bstrickler]

You could get a Surefire 6P, get the body bored for an 18650, and get a Lumensfactory 3.6v 250 Lumen LED driver, and you'll be set.

Surefire 6P: $62

P60 Dropin: $30

Boring services: ~$10-$20

If you can't afford the boring service, you can use 17670's in the 6P.

~Brian

 

[Hack On Wheels]

I have the Solarforce L2 and the Fenix L2D already but I want a third light.
I like the striking bezel on my Solarforce, but the light failed me when I encountered a fight (people attacking a train conducter)

So I decided that I needed to buy a more reliable light.
I want:
a bright light with a good throw
It has to be compatible with 18650 batteries
about the same size/a little bit bigger than my Solarforce
a striking bezel (not required) or at least, not with a flat head.

So any recommedations?
I like to keep it under $100

3 things...

1. You would definitely get better/more help in the LED Flashlights section, hopefully a mod will move this thread for you.

2. How exactly did the L2 fail you? Did it fail to light, was the strike bezel ineffective, or something else entirely? Knowing how it failed would make it far easier to recommend another flashlight.

3. People were attacking a train conductor? In the Netherlands?? I'd be interested to hear the story behind this... the trains seemed quite civil and organized when I visited there.

 

[yellow]

Jetbeam Jet III Pro Ultra,
imho the best 18650 light atm

 

[Andyy]

3 things...

1. You would definitely get better/more help in the LED Flashlights section, hopefully a mod will move this thread for you.

2. How exactly did the L2 fail you? Did it fail to light, was the strike bezel ineffective, or something else entirely? Knowing how it failed would make it far easier to recommend another flashlight.

3. People were attacking a train conductor? In the Netherlands?? I'd be interested to hear the story behind this... the trains seemed quite civil and organized when I visited there.

Excuse me for placing this thread in the wrong section.

The light was dim when I wanted to use it, it couldn't be the battery because it was freshly charged.
And Solarforce, I have a feeling with it that I can't trust it when I encouter a real combat situation

And the attackers were 2 guys, they didn't bought train tickets and refused to leave the train when asked to.
Afterwards I heard that they were probaly drunk.
(They were running away when I arrived at the scene)
(the light failed when took it out to search for a few things they dropped)
(btw, the light is just a aid, I can fight good enough myself (Krav maga)


I think I'm going to buy a Jetbeam III M with a R2 , good choice?

 

[Hack On Wheels]

Excuse me for placing this thread in the wrong section.

The light was dim when I wanted to use it, it couldn't be the battery because it was freshly charged.
And Solarforce, I have a feeling with it that I can't trust it when I encouter a real combat situation

And the attackers were 2 guys, they didn't bought train tickets and refused to leave the train when asked to.
Afterwards I heard that they were probaly drunk.
(They were running away when I arrived at the scene)
(the light failed when took it out to search for a few things they dropped)
(btw, the light is just a aid, I can fight good enough myself (Krav maga)


I think I'm going to buy a Jetbeam III M with a R2 , good choice?

No worries about the thread being here, you would just get more replies if it was elsewhere, that's all.

If you want a rock-solid light for potential use in combat situations then you might want to look into a Surefire with a high powered LED drop-in, or perhaps a Malkoff MD2.

The Jetbeam III M is a very appealing light, I would love to get one if I didn't have my budget tied up on other things. The user interface seems to be great and the build looks very solid and durable. A good choice as far as I can tell.

I'm also a big fan of the L-Mini II (from Shiningbeam) for an 18650 light, but it doesn't have a strike bezel and is fairly compact and lightweight. It sounds like you would be happier with a light that has a bit of heft to it.

I hope they didn't hurt the train conductor!

 

[yellow]

I think I'm going to buy a Jetbeam III M with a R2 , good choice?

I dont like those "usual" armchair hero tactical lights, therefore opt extremely against them normally.
That typed, the "M" does not feature all those useless "teeth" and edges somewhere around the body that only make it difficult to pocket a light, so seems just fine. Sleek and elegant looking, but still with the option to use the stanless steel front and end parts.

What I would not like is, that the high mode can not be set by user.
The factory high setting of my Jet III Pro ST was 1.3 A current draw, meaning the 18650 can not give me a minimum of 2 hours runtime, therefore programmed down. With the M that option is not possible.

That the M features "only" one additional user settable level ... I prefer three (therefore the Pro Ultra), but having two levels is also quite good, so ...

 

[JeffInChi]

I think I'm going to buy a Jetbeam III M with a R2 , good choice?

Yes, that is a good choice. They even sell an aftermarket s.s. bezel top that matches the bottom. Not sure where though. tacticalleds.com sell aftermarket strike bezels, but for $25.

Good luck.