What is the best hight lumen 18650 EDC

LEDBE
notsofast

notsofast

Enlightened
Joined
Dec 27, 2009
Messages
428
Location
Vagabond
My M20 Olight is too big for EDC. Looking for something powerful, short, and sleek. What do you flashaholics recomend (custom or commercial). Is a host with a dropin the way to go?


Thanks.
 
I'm using a Quark Tactical 123-2 with the 18650 battery tube. 5.45" long, 0.86" diameter and measures 220 OTF lumens :twothumbs
 
Have a look at this:

Elektro Lumens DeCree-XPG using the new Cree XPG LED
Approximate 325+ Lumens

Mineral Glass lens (hardened glass, 2mm thick, impact and scratch resistant)
Battery: Li-Ion 18650, rechargable (uses only one battery)
325+ lumens, TBA lux
Overall length is 4 3/8 inches
Diameter of head: 1.211" (Smaller tactical design head)
Diameter of body: .986"
Weight with battery: 5.8 oz. (Battery not included when flashlight purchased)
Weight without battery: 3.2 oz.
Run time: 2.5 hours
Comes standard with Cree XPG LED.
Collimating lens focuses to a narrow 5.5 degree beam, small amount of side spill.
Twisty on/off/momentary tail cap switch.

http://elektrolumens.com/DeCree/DeCree-XPG.html
 
quark 123-2 is small enough to edc, and packs a punch. you can get a 17670 battery, or get the 18650 tube.
Jetbeam pro st has a nice form factor, a little bit wider, and longer than the quark, but can take 2xcr123 or a single 18650.
 
The Quark is a nice option, but I personally dislike the extra length with the spacers that the 18650 tube adds to the light. I stick to 17670's with no complaints in my Quark because of that reason.
 
sqchram said:
How about this light from joshconsulting?
http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=214261

Or the limited lumapower d-mini ultra?
http://www.batteryjunction.com/lumapower-ultra-d-mini-vx-ultra.html
Click to expand...

Was going to post mine, but didn't want to sound like a shill :)

Anyway, mine is very similar to the Lumapower in size, but has a 35% shorter runtime in exchange for 45-50% more output (the joys of custom binning). That and mine costs slightly more, and takes 2xCR123 instead of 1xRCR123 along with 1x18650.
 
joshconsulting said:
Was going to post mine, but didn't want to sound like a shill :)

Anyway, mine is very similar to the Lumapower in size, but has a 35% shorter runtime in exchange for 45-50% more output (the joys of custom binning). That and mine costs slightly more, and takes 2xCR123 instead of 1xRCR123 along with 1x18650.
Click to expand...

Heh, that light is awfully tempting, but I'm half hoping that someone snatches it up, so it doesn't plague me knowing its there and available.
 
BIGLOU said:
What about the new Eagletac T20C2 MK II XP-G at 380 OTF.
Click to expand...

Where did you get the 380 OTF? The sales thread at http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=213891 gives 300 OTF\380 emitter, and that's likely under perfect conditions, all manufactures except Surefire seem to overrate OTF readings by 10-15%+, and emitter lumens by considerably more.

But someone could have tested this as 380 OTF in a sphere independently, so I'll reserve judgment to avoid eating my words :)
 
These Eagletac numbers get more ridiculous every day. :)

Lumapower D-Mini VX Ultra is a pretty nice, smallish light.

So are the Wolf Eyes MC-E lights, very nice form factor.


I can't wait til Dereelight puts out their SST-50 pills.
 
Download makes/made a really slick MC-E EDC -- I think he's now producing the same basic design but with an SST-50 instead, which is better yet.
 
Malkoff MD2, and add Genes dropin of your choice. I like P60 hosts because you can just replace the module when new emitters come out. Cree just announced they reached 200+ lumens at 350mah in their test labs.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for all the input. Yes most of the recommendations are the size of my M20 if not larger.

I had not seen the MG mini II which is the size I am looking for, after all an 18650 size light can only get so compact. My concern with it is the quality.
I like Downloader's design. I assume he used high quality components. Electrolumens looks to have a great track record but the head diameter and weight is more than I want. Malkoff's also is too big but quality and price is right.

Why can't I be content with what I have now? After all I before I found this website I didn't want anything more that my 3 maglights (AAA, AA, and 2D), none of which I used much and the AAA ate batteries at an unacceptable rate.

It all started innocently enough with a terralux dropin for my AA minimag. What I really wanted was a good AAA. Being a sucker for a deal I bought the Christmas special from Olight. It has been down hill from there. I now use my flashlights a lot. I did get the what I think is the ultimate thrower, (smallish, with cheap batteries/good run time) DEFT FTP. FUN LIGHT! When I get the perfect 18650 I will not buy another light! I promise!!

I think I need help but I know I won't get it here from my fellow psychos...Thanks a lot!
 
you should also consider the Sgt Burkett, its the same shape as the mini II.
There are a ton of DX lights that meet your criteria, the risk there of course is the build quality and post sale CS.
 
jhc37013 said:
The MG Mini II is the smallest brightest 18650 light I have but I think all shiningbeam has is the neutral tint in right now.

http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-By-Manufacturer-cln-MG/Categories
Click to expand...

+3.

The Sgt Burkett is smaller but only available BST, whereas the MG L-Mini is selling new now for less.

Picked one up recently for similar reason, I wanted smallest functional 1x18650 possible.

The fit and finish is ok (not SF standard for robustness of course) and certainly much better than what the price might lead one to expect.

To be frank, I find it a little large for daily pocketing but I keep mine in the backpack or generally around as needed. I would consider it a mid-range thrower, nowhere near the same league as the other lights mentioned. (Unless you get the optional Turbo head, which I now wish I had, just to try out.)

Two other reasons I now like this pocket rocket even more now that I've played with it a while are -
(1) very easily modable/upgradeable. Parts are easily accessible requiring no effort to crack open (if needed), and
(2) the neutral/warm-white Q4 emitter.

But be warned you might get bit by either the modding- or warm-white bugs and go down yet another rabbit hole.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

L
Settling the Debate: What’s Actually the Best Flashlight Host to Mod for Ultimate Performance?
Replies
0
Views
538
lashflight
L
B
Nightcore EDC 23
Replies
8
Views
517
1936jdb
1
T
What is a good replacement for Olight Baton S15R?
Replies
1
Views
602
Hooked on Fenix
H
sparkyv
What is the purpose of UV flashlights?
4 5 6
Replies
119
Views
14K
Luff
L
Orion
What Flashlight Takes the NL1816R [18350] Battery?
Replies
3
Views
764
Hooked on Fenix
H

Latest posts

Top