Recommend me an EDC light, a headlamp, and a high-throw light

[moozooh]

Hi, first-time poster here. 🙂

I've never been too much into flashlights, but I have done a bit of hiking and spelunking enough to understand the possible advantages and disadvantages of various aspects of portable lighting. The recent Cree LED advancements made me really excited about the amount of power that can be packed into a small body and unleashed even with the most trivial of power cells. But, considering the vast difference in experience between myself and you hobbyists, I need your advice to help me make the right choices.

So, I need three lights. I have time until summer '12 to order them. Also keep in mind that I live in Moscow, Russia, so some things common to you may not be easily available for me (and vice-versa).

1. A small EDC/backup light. Priorities:

• needs to be driven by a single AA, but input versatility (AAAs and CR123As are reasonably common here as well) is a bonus;
• needs regulated output; working full-power from 1.2 V rechargeable Eneloops XX would be perfect;
• multi-mode, high power efficiency; needs to have a stable output for at least 12 hours with medium or medium-low power, over 24 hours at low power setting;
• needs to be light, durable, and minimally water-proof (such as, usable in heavy rain);
• neutral white is very much preferable, but anything 75+ CRI would be good;
• preferably under 80$.

Currently l'm looking into ZebraLight SC80; seems to be right up my alley, but it seems it might be worth it to wait for an XP-L offering (T-series?).

2. A headlamp. Priorities:

• AA or AAA format batteries, the exact amount of cells doesn't matter much, but being divisible by a factor of two (for easy charging) is a bonus;
• multi-mode, high-power efficiency; this will be the main light source, and in certain circumstances it will be on most of the time;
• regulated output is a must;
• should be minimally durable and water-proof (heavy rain, etc.);
• floody (long throw isn't necessary); as close to neutral white as feasible, 75+ CRI is a must;
• easy to wear, no external wiring or battery racks;
• preferably under 100$, but will consider more expensive options.

Not sure what to choose here. Again, looking at ZL's catalog, H502w seems to be worth waiting, but maybe there are better offerings?

3. A high-power, long-throw flashlight. Priorities:

• 70+ meter throw for pinpoint highlighting, the ability to re-focus for more spill/flood would be a bonus;
• should deliver 700+ lumens for at least 1.5 hours, preferably 2+;
• as lightweight as possible (battery weight should be taken into account as well), ~450 grams at most, preferably under 350;
• CRI and low-power modes are largely irrelevant;
• should work with AA, AAA, CR123A, C, or D batteries, since 18xx0s/26650s/RCRs are notoriously hard to find here, and 14500s are uncommon to say the least;
• under 70-80$. This will be the least used light in general.

No idea what to choose. Please help me out here.

Also, while I'm at it, I'll probably ask for a good bicycle light as well. I tend to ride in late evenings a lot, so, while street lighting is fine here, having a good light would be handy. The priorities are as following:

• at least 3 hours of regulated output with any rechargeable batteries (preferably AA, AAA, or CR123A);
• a reasonably floody 200+ lumen beam, preferably 300;
• compact rainproof body;
• weight, wiring, efficiency, CRI, etc., are irrelevant;
• preferably under 70$.

Thanks in advance!

 

[joe1512]

You might wanna try reposting as 3 entries:

1) Consider an itp A2. 1xAA, keychain sized light. Actualy the A3 is smaller using an 1xAAA and just as bright...less runtime. An itp A1 uses a CR123 and will have more runtime and brightness. Oh and its XM-L btw as the latest emitter.

3) All I can think of is the old itp A6 Polestar (80 bucks) which is 600 lumens but pretty floody. TK40/41/45 are 100+ dollars and use 8xAAs. TK70 is 200 bucks and uses 4 rechargable Ds, but is big and heavy. I mean, you ARE ordering this stuff online right? So why not simply order the 18650s and charger? A 1x18650 light with an XM-L emitter will be perfect for your needs.


4) Bike lights. I use cheap 1x18650 MC-E light for 20 bucks from dealextreme. They work just fine. I'd also recommend flood to throw lights with 3xAAA, as they are shorter and more easily mounted onto a bike vs 2xAAs.

 

[JoVo]

Perhaps the Jetbeam BC40 is suitable as a thrower for you.

Depending on how much you use your lights I would suggest to get 18650 batteries and a charger, too.

 

[Gregozedobe]

2) Have a look at the Spark SD52 headlamp and see what you think (there have been reviews/discussion in the Headlamps sub-forum). The ZL H502 looks promising, but ZL's production schedules seem to have fallen behind due to the unexpected popularity of the SC600.

As far as charging batteries in pairs, is that because you are using a charger that can only charge two batteries at once ? This type of charger isn't the optimum for batteries because different batteries have different charge/discharge characteristics (even two of the same model from the same batch, made by the same manufacturer) and so need individual charging channels for best results. The most popular (with experienced CPFers) AA and AAA batteries are Sanyo eneloops and the most recommended charger is the Maha C9000. I have one and find it very good for maintaining and charging my eneloops.

 

[moozooh]

Oh my, I've completely forgotten I'd created this thread; I apologize. –_–

I've been looking at various size/weight and runtime specs, and Zebras are pretty much unbeatable at this point, aren't they? I'm virtually convinced H502 is the way to go for a trekking/camping/spelunking AA-based headlamp, though Spark SD52-NW is a very close call. By rough estimates, the SD52 runs around 1.5 times longer on the same output as the H520, but takes twice the batteries, and is somewhat larger/heavier. I've yet to see what the difference between w and d versions of H502 is, though. I'm thinking the latter would suit me better, but only if it doesn't noticeably fall behind the former's brightness on med and low modes. Then again, I'm planning to use it with a 3000 mAh Energizer L91 lithium cell, so it should theoretically go above the Eneloop reference spec anyway. Eagerly awaiting lightbox tests with lithium cells!

As for the thrower, it appears that ZL's (again) SC600—the 6300K version—offers exactly as much power as I need, and can be comfortably used as an EDC too! I've pondered on the use of 18650—the largest problem I'd considered at the time of writing the OP was that in the case of an emergency or somesuch it would be very hard to come by a spare 18650 cell: there are only like half a dozen web stores that deal these in the capital, while an AA are abundant even in the most remote villages. Bearing this in mind, using these cells on long trips would be potentially problematic, and carrying around many cells isn't very practical (or very safe, to an extent) either. But after learning of SC600's runtime I would consider getting a couple 3100 mAh AW cells; on a trip they should be able to provide it with enough juice for at least a week each if used discreetly, which is quite enough for me. Still can't wrap my head around how Zebralight does all this optimization, it's crazy.

As for the chargers, I've since learned that there are intelligent chargers able to charge cells separately and switch modes as they reach a certain voltage in the cell. Is there a significant difference in performance of these chargers? I'm looking at a Jetbeam IntelliCharge i4 which costs around 30$ here as opposed to the 80$+ Maha, and can charge both AA cells and 18650s. I've found that an earlier i4 model was recalled for... well, being poop as I see it, but the revised one is as good for this price as it gets. Am I correct?

And finally, regarding the bike light, I've already ordered a Blackburn Flea 2.0 based on four Nichia LEDs. Got it mainly for compact size and the ability to be charged from USB or a solar panel, which is pretty much perfect for all of my current bike needs. If I start riding in the woods at night I'll consider getting a more powerful light. 🙂

Thanks for all your input so far!

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