Suggestions for a incandescent edc please!

[xochi]

Well,
I believe I'm led'ed out. I just recieved my Lionheart and while it is about as sweet as a led light gets these days it still leaves me wanting due to the murkiness of leds. Something about the light just seems hazy. Funny, that ghostly haziness used to really intrigue me.

I'm looking for a pocketable incandescent. I want a nice white clean beam. Throw isn't a huge concern but I'd really like to use pilas with it and I'd LOVE to be able to use unprotected cells with it. Multiple brightnesses would be a huge plus. Is there anything like that out there? How are the pila flashlights? How pocketable/white are they? What about the A2?
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Hoghead]

The A2 would be my choice, but it won't take Pilas.

The Pila G2R might be what you want. I don't have one, but I've handled one of Jon's and it's a well made light. I would get a LED tailcap and a clicky tailcap if it were me.

 

[bwaites]

How much size can you tolerate in an EDC?

The Strion or one of the Pilas makes sense as you want a rechargeable, but the E2 series is much smaller and can be just as bright.

Bill

 

[voodoogreg]

I would say a E2e or 2d, with batt station 123's at a buck a piece almost no need in RC's. and I also like the strion, i have used one and expect to see one under the tree.

I got into flashlight's and CPF because of LED's. and lately i too have kinda gone back to incan's, especially my E1e, becuase of the same effect you mention.VDG

 

[jayflash]

I wonder how practical multiple output levels are for incans. Unlike LED's, incans are less efficient at lower than "design" levels.

At this point, for incandescent flashlights that are mass produced, does anything eclipse the E1 & E2?

 

[pjandyho]

I guess a multiple level incand may not be possible as it will damage the bulb. An A2 Aviator is as close as what you can get for multiple level design. The other being the Streamlight Twin Task 2.

 

[Hoghead]

How about a E2e with an E2C adaptor so that you could use a Pila 3.7 volt lamp in a Z44HA bezel and drive it with a Pila 168S. You might need one of the free springs from J.S. Burly to go around the stock spring in the head.

 

[xochi]

Hoghead: That sure sounds exotic! Where would I get all that?
I'm seriously considering the a2, I just wish surefire didn't want me to grab my ankles for the bulb assembly replacement.



bwaites: The E2 is likely about the size I'm looking for, perhaps as large as the A2 but that's about the limit. How white are the surefire bulbs compared to the dorcy spyder and the brinkmann maxfire?

voodoogreg: Good point about the 123's.

 

[Hoghead]

The A2 really is the way to go. The lamps last a long time.

The E2e/E2C/Z44 HA with the Pila 3.7 volt lamp lets you use Pila cells.

And of cource J.S. Burly's is the place to get your Pila cells & charger

Get a E2e or L4 body, the E2C, Z44 HA from jcciv or B/S/T. You need to decide if you want a Z52 LOTC or a Z57 clicky before you start getting the parts together. I recommend jcciv because he is not only great to deal with, but you might be able to get most of what you need in one order.

LPS Tactical is another good source for parts. They have free shipping.

Enjoy & keep us posted on what you decide and how you like it.

 

[bwaites]

White.

Both the high output and low output lamps are about as white as non-overdriven incandescents can be.

I actually prefer the A2 beam a tiny bit over the E series, but it isn't a huge difference. For an EDC, the A2 makes huge sense and it is always with me if I have any bag or similar luggage. (Briefcase, etc.) If I'm in shortsleeves and no coat, I go with a twisty tailed VIP in my pocket, either with the big head or the stock head with reflector.(But its ALWAYS with me.)

Bill

 

[Minjin]

Rather than cobling a bunch of parts together, you could just buy one of these:

http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/vitalgear_f2.htm

Mark

 

[paulr]

Geez, if you want a li-ion incandescent, why not get a Strion instead of kludging up something much more expensive that needs external charging? Pilas are a nice way to retrofit CR123-powered lights but you're better off with something designed for rechargeables to begin with.

 

[beam_me_up]

4D Mag lights make great EDC's! Just strap on a shoulder strap and your set for the day!

 

[mossyoak]

e2e all the way!

 

[xochi]

I saw an e2e with an mno3 in it today, I was real impressed with the size/brightness of that little bugger. Does anyone have a picture showing an e2e next to an A2?

I picked up a streamlight twintask today and while I wouldn't consider it for edc for the price it's a nice little light.

As far as the Strion is concerned, I'm tempted . Looked at one today and it puts out alot of light. I'm hesitant because once it's dead, I'm stuck. No changeing the battery. That was one thing that I liked about the using something with pilas. It's looking like something rechargeable isn't really all that important, just icing on the cake. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Greg]

Well, if you want something with different brightness levels for a cheaper price take a look at the streamlight twin task series. Comes in 1, 2 CR123 models, and they are pretty bright.

As for regular incan, I have a PM6 and I love it. Can't beat the price either.

 

[SJACKAL]

[ QUOTE ]
beam_me_up said:
4D Mag lights make great EDC's! Just strap on a shoulder strap and your set for the day!

[/ QUOTE ]

Hey, reminds me of Nicholas Cage carrying that big tube on his back whole day in movie National Treasure, you should go with the 6D M@g!

I suggest a SF6P with P90 lamp driven by two R123s. If you got more money then a C2 or M2 will be nice too.

 

[bjn70]

That's an idea- get a 6D mag, dump out all the batteries, and fill it with E2E's. Pull one out and use it, then when it runs down put it back and pull out the next one, and so on.

 

[paulr]

Xochi, nothing stops you from changing the battery in a Strion. Any place that sells Strions will sell spare batteries. Just keep one in the light and a charged spare and you're good to go. They even have a charger configuration that charges both the light and the spare at the same time.

 

[xochi]

I didn't realize that Paulr, do you have any idea what kind/size cell the Strion is based on? I've heard that the contact terminals are both on one end but I think it might be interesting to investigate makeing a tube that would allow swapping out bare cells.