Versatile everyday carry flashlight?

[The_Bard]

Hi all, long time fan, first time writing and all that :P

I've been meaning to buy a flashlight for some time and did some research, but I'd like to see if there's some other options I didn't know or consider around (or some custom flashlight options since I know nothing about that).
First of all some generic info:

1) I don't NEED a flashlight for any particular reason, I just WANT one, because I like them and all I had till now was cheap and bad ones.
2) I want something versatile that I could use to read a book in the dark, light a room or someone a couple of hundreds of meters away.
3) I could justify a need for it citing lots of activities I might need it for, but I won't bother to annoy you guys with excuses :D

That said I looked around, did some research and after all that I was thinking of getting a EagleTac TX25C2 XM-L2 U2 with the optional pack, from what I understand it has a great power but can be toned down (even if it doesn't have the control over it I'd hope), a decent durability with the option of making it bigger to insert more batteries if I know I'll need to operate for longer, a diffusal filter I hope would help getting a bit more flood when using it lighting closer areas, and overall seems to be well built and sturdy. I found a shop that will sell it at around 118€ (+ shipping, but I have to order something else from there anyway), that in dollars it's around ~150$

But before actually getting it, I wanted to make sure I didn't miss anything! Is there anything else I might want to consider with similar or better specs? I might consider even a higher pricetag (up to 180-200$) if the difference is worth it.


And here the routine Q&A

1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
____I will be mail-ordering or buying online, so this doesn't matter.


2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest! :-)
____Less than $150.
But I will consider spending more if it's worth the cost.
____I’m flexible, tell me what you gotJ.

3) Format:
____I want a flashlight.


4) Flashlight-specific format/size:
____Every day carry medium (4-7 inches).
____Holster carry.

5) Emitter/Light source:
____LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)


6) Manufacturer:
____I want to buy a light from a traditional mass producing manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
____I would consider getting a light that is pieced together (for example a “host” or flashlight body from one manufacturer, and a “drop-in” emitter from another source). Under the right circumstances, this path can provide more options to the consumer to meet specific needs, and can often be easily upgradeable as technology improves.


7) What battery type do you want to use?
All is good as long as it's rechargeable
____I intend to use rechargeable nickel chemistry (NiCad, NiMH, NiZn)
____I intend to use rechargeable lithium (li-ion) chemistry. Feel free to specify a size if you know which size you want (14500, RCR123/16340, 17500, 17670, 18650, etc.)
____I want a light with an integrated rechargeable battery. (Note: these choices may be very limited unless you are looking at spotlights)


8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need?Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is impossible).
____I want ridiculous amounts of lumens (800+ lumens).
Because I want them, even if they're not needed, but I'd like to be able to regulate the output too.


9) Throw vs. Flood: At what distance will you be most likely to use this light? Select all that apply.

I'd like for it to work well in all the situations, but if I had to choose a situation where it excels, I'd go with...
____150+ yards (I want maximum throw possible)


10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum output).

____90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
____3 hours + (I critically need this light to run on max for extended periods in between battery changes/charges).


11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase “you get what you pay for” is very accurate for flashlights.

____Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
____Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival).


12) Switch Type and location (choose all that apply):

____I don't care.
But if it's something I could use with a pair of gloves on it'd be better.


13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.

____I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
____I want a beacon mode.


14)Material/Finish/Coating

____Anodized Aluminum – either type II or III (Hard Anodized) (Aluminum, specifically HA, is the most common material/finish for today’s flashlights).
____Titanium (durable and nearly as lightweight as aluminum, but can be moderately to significantly more expensive).


15) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any below.

Nothing, special, but the more additional features, the better.

 

[Vortus]

The TX isn't expandable for more batteries, for that you need the eageltac G25C2 MKII. In single battery form, about the same size as the TX. Rear switch instead of a side switch. Same head twist for modes, though the G25C2 has a better UI I think. And the G25C2 also has a much nicer diffuser set up as its an aluminum flip up set up so you can flip up or down as needed. Its a bit more, but even with the filter and diffuser kit and the extension, your still under $200. Its a very good light and set up. Read the review in the review section, along with others to see if they fit your needs more.

 

[The_Bard]

The TX isn't expandable for more batteries, for that you need the eageltac G25C2 MKII. In single battery form, about the same size as the TX. Rear switch instead of a side switch. Same head twist for modes, though the G25C2 has a better UI I think. And the G25C2 also has a much nicer diffuser set up as its an aluminum flip up set up so you can flip up or down as needed. Its a bit more, but even with the filter and diffuser kit and the extension, your still under $200. Its a very good light and set up. Read the review in the review section, along with others to see if they fit your needs more.

Nice one, when I saw the G-series from Eagletac in the store the "example picture" was of the gx25l2t so I ignored them because I thought they were huge D: The diffusal and other filters from the G25C2 are really better than the screw on version of the TX.
It really looks better than the TX and it's just 5€ more.

Anyway, just for info, the TX does have the battery extenders with the YRGB optional pack

[LIST]
[*]3 cells extension body tube for three CR123A/RCR123A
[*]4 cells extension body tube for four CR123A or two 18650 li-ion
[/LIST]

 

[weekend warrior]

According to their website the TX25C2 has the same expandabiltiy as the G25C2, up to 3x18650 li-ions.

 

[The_Bard]

Thanks, at the end I think I'll go with the G25C2 MKII.
One additional question though, I noticed that the batteries are not included (no surprise there), so I must get at least one of those too, and a battery charger.
I've been reading a bit around the forums for info on batteries, but I barely found any useful info (not saying there isn't, just I didn't find it), the only thing I got out of the past couple of hours of research has been a phobia of eploding li-ions and toxic gasses spewing nickels. At the end of the day, from what I understood, it seems li-ions are a tad better, especially at maintaining the charge among other things so I think I'll go with one (or two) of the li-ion 18650.
I also saw that it seems they are quite different based on the brand and model, but I didn't find any chart or comparison or anything that could help me decide what to look for. Does any of you guys have a suggestion? (Or a link to some info, that'd be great too).
Meanwhile, I'll keep looking

Edit: there's just soo much info around, I'm getting an headache T_T

 

[KeeblerElf]

A highly recommended cell on CPF is the AW protected 3400mAh 18650. It's a high-quality Panasonic cell with protective circuitry. It's also sold through several reputable dealers online (AW's thread in the CPF Marketplace does not seem to have the 3400 capacity cell). There are other good brands out there as well, but I own several of the AW 3400's, and I've never had a problem with any of them. As for a charger, I use the Nitecore i2 myself (about $15 - $20). Others can give you much more information about batteries and chargers than I can, though.

Maybe someone can confirm for you that the AW fits in the G25C2 MKII, as there are sometimes issues with 18650's fitting into lights.

 

[Poppy]

The Eagle Tac brand of batteries is also highly regarded.