What’s the current choice for compact, single CR123 twisties?

Bronco

Enlightened
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Los Angeles
Some time ago, I gave my mom an affordable, durable, compact, single CR123 primary, twisty light to keep in her purse. I honestly don't recall the brand, but it was simple, dependable and served her well for many years. Unfortunately, it recently went missing. Which light would you recommend for a replacement?
 
Why not consider an AAA light? They have come a long way in efficiency in recent years. Lots to chose from. I like the Maratac AAA, Peak Eiger, and Jetbeam Jet-U. Use a primary lithium battery, of course.
 
If you want simple and robust, buy a Peak Logan.
Slightly thinner, and the Eiger is even better - so long as you don't need the capacity.

You can also e-mail Robyn and ask for it to be a single mode light. I have all single-mode peaks, and they're fantastic. The Eiger with the Prometheus clip on the keychain model is...peak, haha.
 
If you want simple and robust, buy a Peak Logan.

I have a couple older 18650 Peaks laying around somewhere that I do remember being very solidly constructed.

How are they doing these days with that QTC stepless dimming feature? That's what ultimately turned me off to their products. Admittedly, my purchases came within the first year or two of them rolling out the QTC tech, but it would never work reliably for me. Most I could get was maybe two months where the light would dim properly. After that, it would just go directly to full bright. I even went so far as to purchase a sheet of the QTC material myself. But here again, the dimming capability would fail in short order.
 
Foursevens mini. Not the cheapest, but currently on sale.

I couldn't find confirmation on their site that the Mini would run on lithium primaries, but the YouTube reviewers seem to say that they're a go.

I'm thinking about the Jetbeam Jet II MK as a possibility. It seems to check most of the boxes as a compact, single cell CR 123A twisty with no buttons or crazy UI, a decent build quality from an established brand and a good price point at around $30.
 
I'm thinking about the Jetbeam Jet II MK as a possibility.
good option, but the LED is Low CRI, same for the Elzetta version

Foursevens mini.
agree

the Mini has the added benefit of a High CRI LED, imo it would be a worthy upgrade. It also has a nicer form factor and better clip.

The one potential demerit, or advantage, depending on your perspective, is that it has a Tailmagnet. This can be Very Useful, otoh, it can be aggravating when it grabs onto stuff you did not mean to.

specs show the Mini has a Voltage range of 2.0V-4.2V, so that means Yes to CR123a Primaries.
 
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You can use cr123s in the foursevens mini, but I'm sure I've read somewhere on here that you mustn't use burst mode as that is only suitable for high discharge RCR type cells.
I guess that means it would pull too much current from a primary.
 
While the FourSevens Mini MKIII will function on low/med mode using standard (R)CR123's, it is not recommended. Accidental turbo mode of the light can damage (R)CR123cells not rated for => 5C discharge rate and possibly create an unsafe condition to avoid. Standard RCR123 and CR123cells do not provide enough amperage output. The "converter" driver of the MIni MKIII is designed for 4.2V RCR123 high discharge cells, like shipped with the light. The original MKI Mini driver's were rated 3V, a primary 123 cell. The MINI MKIII Driver/LED may be modded and/or replaced at user's discretion.
From the Foursevens picture/question thread.
 
You can use cr123s in the foursevens mini, but I'm sure I've read somewhere on here that you mustn't use burst mode as that is only suitable for high discharge RCR type cells.
I guess that means it would pull too much current from a primary.

I don't think that should be much of a problem considering burst requires 2 quick twists to activate, so it could probably just be ignored as a mode.
 
You're probably right. My family only use the first mode on any multi-mode light I give them 🤣.
It's hard enough for them to remember which way to twist it to turn it on.
It's important to point out battery safety though as no one wants to be around a cr123 when it goes bad.
 
I don't think that should be much of a problem considering burst requires 2 quick twists to activate, so it could probably just be ignored as a mode.
Just a note of caution. It has been my experience that lights of this design, which lack a 'proper' switch, have been intermittent in their control in actual use, and control 'glitches' have been common. This has typically and frequently resulted in unintended output level shifts (skipping to next output level beyond the desired level). If one of the 'contact' points is raw, unplated Al, this is practically unavoidable with the ones I have owned and used, and is likely the case with any such light due to inevitable surface oxidation. If both 'contact' surfaces were of an acceptable material, and there's little thread slop, they could theoretically work reliably, but that is not typically the case in my experience. In all those cases in my experience, one of the 'contact points' has been the raw, unplated end surface of the body / batt tube.
 
It has been my experience that lights of this design, which lack a 'proper' switch, have been intermittent in their control in actual use, and control 'glitches' have been common.
it is true that twisties can be turned on inadvertently with sideway pressure.

I stopped carrying my Maratac twisty, when I saw light through my pocket material, which put lateral pressure on the head, when I was bending down.



A twisty carried in a purse is less likely to get accidentally turned on than a light carried in a pocket. It may be possible to unscrew some lights, far enough that lateral pressure wont turn the light on.
 
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After a bit more thought:
The Foursevens and the Elzetta both come with rechargeable batteries which are not ideal for non-flashaholics/non-enthusiasts.
I think the Jetbeam Jet-II MK would be a good option for Bronco's mom. It's a nice simple good all rounder.
 
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I'll just add: If anyone knows of any proper electrical switch on the market / used in the electrical / electronics industry designed / built with raw / unplated Al contacts (other than in a flashlight), please let me know. My mind is open. If you can't think of one, ask yourself why.......
 
Just about any kind of switch can have an accidental activation and reliability issues. I've carried both clickies and twisties in my many years of being a flashlight geek, I've had far fewer problems with twisties than clickies.
 
I have a couple older 18650 Peaks laying around somewhere that I do remember being very solidly constructed.

How are they doing these days with that QTC stepless dimming feature? That's what ultimately turned me off to their products. Admittedly, my purchases came within the first year or two of them rolling out the QTC tech, but it would never work reliably for me. Most I could get was maybe two months where the light would dim properly. After that, it would just go directly to full bright. I even went so far as to purchase a sheet of the QTC material myself. But here again, the dimming capability would fail in short order.
I just skip the QTC entirely. You just e-mail Robyn and let her know you want it single mode. I just get mine as single mode at full power.

Twist on. Twist off. Couldn't be simpler!
 
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