RunTime King?

[Cribbage]

RunTime King?

One of the 'categories' I use to help define (justify?!) my light purchases is runtime.

Having done quite a bit of research here, with the incredible minds that share their knowledge, it seems the Surefire L-1 on low is the runtime king. I have more than one, and the runtime on low is literally days.

Is there anything that even comes close to this?

It needs to be pocketable (12V car batteries don't count) and have a useable amount of light.

The Fenix E0 is probably next, with 12 hours of light, but it is at the bottom scale of useable light.

The Inova X1 with the reflector, is nice at 8 hours, and has what I am looking for in output (more is always welcome, but no at the expense of runtime).

Arc AAA-P is about 5 hours.

Anything else out there that you can think of? Especially in the CR123, AA or AAA platform.

My goal for this classification is to have lights that have enough output for completely dark environments (inside the house at night, moonless nights, finding your way around at 2:00 AM), but be able to run for an incredible length of time, and be able to squeeze the last bit of use out of CR123s.

Input welcome!

 

[Coop]

Princetontec attitude has pretty good runtime, but isn't very bright. PT claims 150 hours on 4 AAA.

 

[tebore]

How about the HDS EDC series on the lowest setting can run at least 700hours.

 

[l1s125]

Quickbeam reviewed the UK eLed (not the zoom) and quit the runtime test after 10 hours of perfect regulation. IIRC there was less than 3% decrease in output over those 10 hours. So at least 10 hours of unchanging, useful output.

I don't know what the maximum runtime is, but it should be pretty long. Maybe someone else knows if its a true contender for runtime king.

 

[Cribbage]

How about the HDS EDC series on the lowest setting can run at least 700hours.

I'd love to have one. But I rank that wish right up there with capturing a unicorn!

 

[tebore]

I'd love to have one. But I rank that wish right up there with capturing a unicorn!

They are out there in the BST forum. I got 2. It's not that rare.

You did give me a warm fuzzy feeling for making it sound like I have a really rare light.

 

[Pax et Lux]

My own runtime kings (with FlashlightReviews.com runtimes) are:

Gerber Infinity Ultra: 10 hours 48 minutes
http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/gerber_infinityultra.htm

Nite Ize Minimag module: 10 hours 49 minutes
http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/niteize_mag3led.htm

Rayovac Industrial w/Lambda PR SMJLED Bulb: 40 hours 16 minutes
http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/smjled_bulb.htm


While the IU and Nite Ize have long runtimes, they stint on output (I regard the former as an indoors light, the latter something to drop into the car). Not really a runtime contender. But the SMJLED is amazing - usable light for a long, long time.

Of course, a 2-D light is only pocketable in a big coat, and I'm not entirely sure they are still available. However, isn't there supposed to be a new Nite Ize for C and D Mags coming out? Aren't the new Cree Surefires supposed to be runtime Kings?

 

[simonsays]

How about a Pak-Lite running a 9v Lithium cell? 1200 hours on low....

Simon

 

[Casual Flashlight User]

How about the HDS EDC series on the lowest setting can run at least 700hours.

+1.

Add a 2x123 tube for around 1400 hours.

CFU

 

[nerdgineer]

My VB-16 puts out a still usable glow at it's lowest setting (about 1.5 cd at the center of the hotspot). I calculate it should be able to run at that level for about 2500 hours before the protected 18650 cuts out.

 

[chevrofreak]

Of the lights I've tested, the McGizmo XR27C put out useful light for just a bit over 3 days on low mode with a primary. Being a single cell light, that's pretty impressive runtime.

 

[Flying Turtle]

Eternalights last hundreds of hours on the lowest settings.

Geoff

 

[zx7dave]

Streamlight Twin-Task 3C (about the size of a SF M6) runs 160 hours on 3 "C" batteries at the 3LED setting. Cost of the light is only $35 at G.I. Joes. You also have a Incandescent light option for more output (6 hours life) or a 6 LED setting lasts 100 hours. http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u110/zx7dave/StreamlightTwin-Task3C.jpg

 

[Rob187]

Heliotek HTE-1 shown to have around 7 hours of perfect regulation.
Eternalight Elitemax on lowest level - runtime quoted as being around 1200 hours.
Lightwave 4000. Big, heavy, not that bright but massive runtime.

 

[jnj1033]

Fenix P1D series. Somebody here did a runtime test that yielded 11+ hours regulated on low. I have the Cree version, and the low setting is bright enough for just about everything I use the light for (about twice as bright as a Nite-Ize Minimag). Plus, you have the option of much more light if you need it.

Not really pocketable, but the MagLED PR upgrades are good for 20-40 hours regulated depending on which size you have.

 

[paulr]

Take a stock 2aa minimag, drill out the reflector to make the hole accomodate an LED and replace the bulb with a Nichia or comparable LED (make sure to get the polarity right, try both ways if you have to, you won't blow the led at such low voltage). Put in a pair of L91 lithium cells and you'll get a usable amount of light for weeks nonstop.

 

[Cribbage]

All fantastic ideas, thanks!

The Minimag idea is intriguing.

 

[2xTrinity]

I've yet to try this myself (though I will as soon as my next shipment from Dealextreme arrives...) but I've heard that you can run a Fauxton light off of a single 2032 battery as opposed to two 2016s. You end with a lot less light, but enough to be usable. Howevber, since current draw is so much lower, and the energy in a 2032 is more than 2 2016s, you end up with consistent light output for many many hours. The final step is to throw in a more efficient LED, such as a Nichia or Jeled (I put a few of these in my DX keychain lights, still running off 2016s though. I have some 2032s on the way)

 

[Oddjob]

From my personal experience I like the EO for AAA and the Gerber Infinity Ultra for AA. 10 to 12 hours may not seem like much compared to others mentioned but they are affordable, have nice round, small form factors and they retain some aesthetic appeal. No offence to the Safe light but I would rather pull out a Gerber Infinity Ultra or Fenix EO in non flashaholic company but that's just me.

 

[Aaron1100us]

My Nightstar will last forever. No batteries. Its not bright at all but in pitch black darkness, its enough.