Wanting Two Lights - Which two would you chose?

[Zeusdafreak]

I would like to purchase my first two quality flashlights. I have been lurking here for a while. I think I have decided on most likely purchasing two lights, one thrower for bragging rights, and another compact carrier as bright a possible. I would need the EDC to be able to light up a 20 foot open trailer full of furniture and merchandise and force the other 4 guys with budget lights to turn their lights off. We live in the country so having a nice thrower also would be very useful. In the Mississippi Delta you can see A LONG WAY in every direction. The ONLY quality lights anyone knows here is Streamlight Stingers but I would prefer a light with better performance.

I would prefer to be able to use AW18650 for both lights. I can buy a Pila charger and a few AW18650 2600mAH batteries and I would be covered on power.

I have been looking at the Jetbeam MX1 for the first light. I like what I have read about it and it seems to fit what I am looking for.
I thought since I liked the Jetbeam MX1 why not go with a Jetbeam EDC. they have several models to choose from that also use the 18650 batteries. There is the Pro III, and RRT 1 and RRT2.

I guess my question is this. If you were to buy two lights for general use purposes which two would you buy? Keep the budget under say $250 for each light. Disregard the charger and batteries. I am looking for quality, performance, and also a little shock factor would be nice. We are in the ice age here and the best light in town would be a Streamlight. The guys here think that Streamlight hung the moon. I would like to show them that there are other quality options out there with much higher levels of performance.

 

[Locoboy5150]

For the large light I'd suggest a TK30 since you like the 18650 power source. It is a great mix between a throw and a flood light. Its beam pattern also does not have any donut hole like the Jetbeam MX1. (At least I think that I've read here before that the MX1 was described as "The King of the Donut Holes.") I can live with most beam artifacts, except for donut holes, which have bugged me ever since I first turned the head on a Maglite over 20 years ago. That may not bother you as much though.

 

[skyfire]

looks like youve done lots of research, i think the m1x is a great light, it would be my first choice for a large light.

and using only 18650 is a great idea. i think kind of the same way where i dont want to use so many battery sizes. i was drawn into the cr123a size, but wish i had gone with the 18650 instead. as of now, all my lights use either cr123 or AA. and i use alkalines for AA.

that said the jet lll st would be nice. i love the size and form factor of that light, plus it looks really nice. i have a quark 123-2 and theyre abount the same size. its very comfortable in my pocket. some would say its too large, but for the output, runtimes, from my pocket, it cant be beat. and still puts out the same amount of light, if not more, than most medium size light.

the rrt2 and jet lll M i would call a medium size light, not comfortable in inside of your pockets, and weight balance is top heavy. if a light would have to be holstered carried, ill rather go with a m1x. and then have the jet lll st as a pocket light.

 

[skyfire]

another thing,

i might have read somewhere that the aw2600 flat top cells dont work great with the m1x.

pila charger very recommended.

you can buy all your stuff from the same merchant too. he has good prices, service, and 10% off for cpf members

bugoutgearusa.com

you should email and ask him if the m1x works with the aw2600.

 

[awid]

By edc do you mean keychain or pocket carry?

http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-41/mini-L-dsh-mini/Detail

This would be excellent for a pocket carry 18650 light with lots of punch. Then you could get the turbo head and there you have your great thrower.

 

[Zeusdafreak]

The TK30 looks to be an excellent suggestion. I will research this light a little more this evening. I now have choices!

I too like the Jet III's looks. I will look into this one as well.

It was my mistake when talking EDC. I really meant a compact flashlight that could carry 1 or 2 AW 18650 batteries. It didn't have to be super small or anything, just a good all around carrying light.

Thanks for the input. I really appreciate the opinions. I look forward to comparing these this evening.

 

[bunnywunny1]

I have a jetbeam m1x and a fenix tk11 r2

I don't regret getting the m1x one bit, I LOVE IT everyone I show it to is impressed with its brightness and throw.

You cant go wrong with the tk11 for everyday general use.

BTW, the aw 2600mah flat tops don't work on the latest version of the m1x.

 

[Ronin]

I'm a Malkoff fan so I would recommend a Maglite with a Malkoff 2-3 cell drop-in. I've got the older XR-E and the newer XP-G and I am always amazed at the throw when I take them out. You can get an adapter to run 18650. For carry and maybe at work you could go with a MD2 also 18650. Run a M30 drop-in or M30F for flood whichever you choose. Check it out to see if the size is ok. It's great to be able to upgrade these as newer drop-in's come out. I have a few to change out whenever I want.

 

[linterno]

Recently I wanted to do exactly what you want and I have decided to go for Jetbeam Jet-III M as EDC and Thrunite Catapult as a thrower.

Initially I tought about Jetbeam M1X as a thrower but I decided not to go with it since it doesn't work with just 1x18650, what Catapult does.

 

[skyfire]

i was just checking out the lumapower d-mini vx, and it seems the brighest, smaller single 18650 light. and its really bright!

also you can get a quark 123-2 and buy the 18650 body. or you can also buy the 3 parts to make up the light for about $74 to save extra cost. but you wont get the extras, the holster($10) is really nice, but the rest of the extra i never use.

i have a friend ive known since childhood, and have convinced him to get the M1X. since hes tired of changing 3 AAAs every few days at work. and also recommended him the jetbeam lll pro st for more practical uses, but think ill recommend or suggest him the d-mini vx as well. hes a tightwad, so im trying to help keep his cost down using only 18650 type lights.

 

[Zeusdafreak]

Well I just pulled the trigger on the MX1 so theres not sense in debating much more about the thrower for now. I got the one in the market section for $130 that is LNIB with the extender and a holster. I think it was a fair deal.

If the Aw 18650 2600mAH flat top batteries won't work in the MX1 then which batteries would be the next best that I should order. Keep in mind I plan to order multiple batteries to cover both lights and backup batteries in charger.

I will look into the lumapower now and see what it has to offer. thats for the suggestions and keep them coming. I am enjoying this.

Zeus

 

[berry580]

I think M1X and Jet-I PRO V3 w/14500 would be awesome.

a 18650 as EDC in my opinion would be slightly too bulky.

 

[old4570]

Many multi mode lights to chose from out there :

I would say you want at least a 2 mode SSC P7 / MC-E
The other would most likely want to be a P60 host , possibly XR-E R2 or a XP-G R5 ... Since you want common batteries .

You just need to know what you want ..

How much throw ? 100 Yards ? 200 Yards , 300 Yards ?
Almost all lights will throw 100 Yards ... Esp in 18650 size ...
200 You may want a dedicated thrower , or a larger head MC-E / SSC P7
300 + Yeah :candle: Some will , some wont .

 

[bunnywunny1]

Nice, good choice with the m1x!

Any button top batteries will do, the next best would probably be the aw 2200mah 18650s

 

[LED_Thrift]

...and using only 18650 is a great idea. i think kind of the same way where i dont want to use so many battery sizes. i was drawn into the cr123a size, but wish i had gone with the 18650 instead...

+1 on that

as of now, all my lights use either cr123 or AA. and i use alkalines for AA..

Time to get you some Eneloops, they work great, save money, stay charged until you need them, and high powered lights run brighter .... but the BEST part is they don't leak.

 

[thawk]

I was kinda in the same boat as you.

Ordered a Quarts AA tactical, along with 14500 batteries for an EDC option and just normal usuage

About to order an Eagletac T100C2 smooth for the thrower/more powerful light of the two.

I did alot of reading on this board for many weeks, and there are literally hundreds of good options. For me, these two options meet my criteria very well! I wanted a small, good quality, AA light that was very well regulated on 14500 and could also have the option to use normal AA batteries in an emergency. Also wanted a 18650 light that would not break the bank, weapons mountable, durable, 18650 regulated, and excellent light ouput/throw. Hope this helps!

 

[skyfire]

+1 on that

Time to get you some Eneloops, they work great, save money, stay charged until you need them, and high powered lights run brighter .... but the BEST part is they don't leak.

i agree, and have considered it. lately i would remove my AA alkaline cells from my lights on a regular basis when not using my d10 or zebralight h501 because of fear of leaking, and it really annoys me. i buy cheapo AA lights now (recently just ordered a romisen). and i figure if im going to use rechargeables id rather go with rcr123a or 18650.

if i did get some eneloops which is very likely in the future, getting a tk40 is a 99% probability.:twothumbs

 

[Zeusdafreak]

So if I order batteries today I should NOT get the AW2600 if I want them to work in both my lights. It was suggested that the button top AW 2200mAH batteries would be the next best option. Any other opinions before I pull the trigger on a battery choice? I ran across a 18650 battery comparison post a while back but cannot seem to find it now. Any opinions on best button top options?

 

[Zeusdafreak]

i was just checking out the lumapower d-mini vx, and it seems the brighest, smaller single 18650 light. and its really bright!

also you can get a quark 123-2 and buy the 18650 body. or you can also buy the 3 parts to make up the light for about $74 to save extra cost. but you wont get the extras, the holster($10) is really nice, but the rest of the extra i never use.

i have a friend ive known since childhood, and have convinced him to get the M1X. since hes tired of changing 3 AAAs every few days at work. and also recommended him the jetbeam lll pro st for more practical uses, but think ill recommend or suggest him the d-mini vx as well. hes a tightwad, so im trying to help keep his cost down using only 18650 type lights.

Excellent choices here.

I also read up on the Lumapower d-mini vx and the ultra version. It is very tempting considering how bright. I really think that a 2x18650 would be small enough for my every day carrier as long as it had a slender profile. I like the specs of the Olight M21 but I'm not crazy about the style/size of it. I don't know what it is but the style/size looks a bit bulky to me. I still have not decided against the d-mini though either. Ahh, decisions, decisions.

 

[bandersnatch]

also you can get a quark 123-2 and buy the 18650 body. or you can also buy the 3 parts to make up the light for about $74 to save extra cost. but you wont get the extras, the holster($10) is really nice, but the rest of the extra i never use.

The Quark 123-2 uses a high-voltage (3-9v) head, so you're probably better off getting a Quark 123, Quark AA, or Quark AA*2, which use low voltage (0.9-4.2) heads, if you're going to add a 18650 body.

By edc do you mean keychain or pocket carry?

http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-41/mini-L-dsh-mini/Detail

This would be excellent for a pocket carry 18650 light with lots of punch. Then you could get the turbo head and there you have your great thrower.

+1, I love my Mini; it's bright, small, not too expensive, and runs on 18650. You won't get quite as many lumens as with a Quark, but the beam is beautiful.

So if I order batteries today I should NOT get the AW2600 if I want them to work in both my lights. It was suggested that the button top AW 2200mAH batteries would be the next best option. Any other opinions before I pull the trigger on a battery choice? I ran across a 18650 battery comparison post a while back but cannot seem to find it now. Any opinions on best button top options?

Based on what I've read on here, AW's are easily the most reliable 18650 battery, so if the 2600s don't work for you, 2200s are probably best. You could also try some cheaper DX batteries, which may work almost as well (with a little bit of luck), but if you're putting 'em in a good light, it makes sense to get good batteries. Go for the 2200.