What was the last LED light you purchased and why?

[Monocrom]

Could you imagine a fully sentient virus? I mean, I guess viruses are already AI, except their directives have been corrupted...

A sentient virus.... If only we were so lucky. One that is aware, smart enough NOT to kill off its host. Doesn't make the host too sick. Perhaps a bit of tiredness. A virus careful not to be detected. Just exists. Feeding off of the host, doing its best to spread to others. Wanting its host to live a long time. Perhaps causing vomiting if too much processed foods are ingested. But not doing so when fresh, healthy foods are consumed. Being in the background. Host has no clue how ill he truly is.

Well, you've stimulated my Writer's imagination. If I worked as one at Hollywood, I'd steal your idea. Latest Horror blockbuster, that might not actually be one.

 

[dc38]

A sentient virus.... If only we were so lucky. One that is aware, smart enough NOT to kill off its host. Doesn't make the host too sick. Perhaps a bit of tiredness. A virus careful not to be detected. Just exists. Feeding off of the host, doing its best to spread to others. Wanting its host to live a long time. Perhaps causing vomiting if too much processed foods are ingested. But not doing so when fresh, healthy foods are consumed. Being in the background. Host has no clue how ill he truly is.

Well, you've stimulated my Writer's imagination. If I worked as one at Hollywood, I'd steal your idea. Latest Horror blockbuster, that might not actually be one.

It's not my idea, just a hypothesis lol.
It's probably already been done, where viruses were developed to serve and help life evolve, but then they get corrupted along the way when they gain sentience. They become jealous of life, and initially seek to exploit life as parasitic, but then gain the level of self awareness and learn "ego" from humans. Then they start to manipulate humans to do their bidding, etc etc..

 

[Monocrom]

It's not my idea, just a hypothesis lol.
It's probably already been done, where viruses were developed to serve and help life evolve, but then they get corrupted along the way when they gain sentience. They become jealous of life, and initially seek to exploit life as parasitic, but then gain the level of self awareness and learn "ego" from humans. Then they start to manipulate humans to do their bidding, etc etc..

Please tell me more. You make a great Muse.

 

[buds224]

Last one(s) I purchased were multiples of the Wurkkos TS10 in titanium/copper, white MAO, and black. The black is listed at only $9.99 so it was a great value. Triple HICRI, RGB Auxiliary lighting, 14500, metal rear clicky button, Anduril version 2. Hard to believe a light so compact and packed with features can sell for only 10 bucks.

 

[ebuchner]

I look forward to your impressions..

The SPL120 has arrived! Since I was confident I was gonna like it, I ordered one for quite cheap that has some dings all over, plus another NIB one for not much more that can serve shelf queen/occasional carry duty, especially if I have the heavily used one modded. It already feels right in my hand/pocket and on average I really like the interface, but I can tell I'm going to want to unlock it and change the programming a bit. The strobe mode has almost no utility to me, and the fact that it has only two stock brightness levels (120L and 30L) really hold it back for my purposes. I get the impression that the 120L rating may be overselling it a bit as a Surefire MN10 assembly running on two old 18500 cells seems brighter.

I also disassembled the body to the greatest extent allowed by the threadlock (neither head and bezel budged with just fist torque), cleaned everything up with denatured alcohol, stretched the signal spring a bit, hit all electrical contact surfaces with deoxit, and finally applied nyogel 760G to the threads and O-rings.

It also came sans a pocket clip, so I'm checking with HDS to see if their clips are backwards compatible with the legacy Novatac models. If not, I've also put out a feeler on WTB to see if someone has one or two.

I've also got a few 22mm UCL and UCLV3 (slightly different thicknesses, 1.75mm and 1.90mm respectively) lenses on order. The flashlightlens website specifies 22.61mm lenses for Novatacs but they just weren't in stock in the correct thickness range. So if I ever get the bezel off I'll get to find out if any of them fit. That said, I was worried that the AR coated polycarbonate lens would be scratched to heck, but the deep, relatively high aspect ratio bezel seems to have done a stellar job of protecting the lens over the years. Hopefully it'll continue to hold up with more pocket carry.

As I get more accustomed to the light, I think I'll start leaning towards getting it at least an emitter swap to something with a lower color temp and higher CRI (ideally 3500K to 4000K 519a). I'll always lean towards those qualities seeing as how I'll always be carrying a torch for overdriven xenon/halogen lights .

I could not tell you why the photos are rotated, so they're just gonna have to be sideways 🤷‍♂️

 

[dc38]

The SPL120 has arrived! Since I was confident I was gonna like it, I ordered one for quite cheap that has some dings all over, plus another NIB one for not much more that can serve shelf queen/occasional carry duty, especially if I have the heavily used one modded. It already feels right in my hand/pocket and on average I really like the interface, but I can tell I'm going to want to unlock it and change the programming a bit. The strobe mode has almost no utility to me, and the fact that it has only two stock brightness levels (120L and 30L) really hold it back for my purposes. I get the impression that the 120L rating may be overselling it a bit as a Surefire MN10 assembly running on two old 18500 cells seems brighter.

I also disassembled the body to the greatest extent allowed by the threadlock (neither head and bezel budged with just fist torque), cleaned everything up with denatured alcohol, stretched the signal spring a bit, hit all electrical contact surfaces with deoxit, and finally applied nyogel 760G to the threads and O-rings.

It also came sans a pocket clip, so I'm checking with HDS to see if their clips are backwards compatible with the legacy Novatac models. If not, I've also put out a feeler on WTB to see if someone has one or two.

I've also got a few 22mm UCL and UCLV3 (slightly different thicknesses, 1.75mm and 1.90mm respectively) lenses on order. The flashlightlens website specifies 22.61mm lenses for Novatacs but they just weren't in stock in the correct thickness range. So if I ever get the bezel off I'll get to find out if any of them fit. That said, I was worried that the AR coated polycarbonate lens would be scratched to heck, but the deep, relatively high aspect ratio bezel seems to have done a stellar job of protecting the lens over the years. Hopefully it'll continue to hold up with more pocket carry.

As I get more accustomed to the light, I think I'll start leaning towards getting it at least an emitter swap to something with a lower color temp and higher CRI (ideally 3500K to 4000K 519a). I'll always lean towards those qualities seeing as how I'll always be carrying a torch for overdriven xenon/halogen lights .

View attachment 82992View attachment 82993View attachment 82994
I could not tell you why the photos are rotated, so they're just gonna have to be sideways 🤷‍♂️

Fyi, you CAN pop the bezel with hand strength and a pair of gloves+paper towels or mousepads. Rubber side towards bezel, glove on that, and other hand holds the light. Compress while loosening and it'll break the loctite. Did it on 2 of my spl120's so far lol.

In short, treat it like a child resistant pill bottle.

 

[ChipDale]

The last flashlights I purchased are

a) Convoy M21B MAO LHP73B 5000K
b) Convoy S2+ Red LHP531 3000K

The reason is I just want to try LHP73B and LHP531... In my comparison, a) is brighter than Lumintop FW21 X9L SBT90. b) is as same bright as Emisar D4K 519A.

 

[jon_slider]

I'm checking with HDS to see if their clips are backwards compatible with the legacy Novatac models.

I asked HDS if their clips fit a Novatac, they said no:

"Our current pocket clips will not fit the Novatac - the diameter is too small. The clip ID is 0.930 whereas the Novatac requires an ID of 0.950."

The oveready stainless clips can be reamed out to fit the Novatac:

this thread has these oveready clip photos:

I hope you find a Novatac clip through your WTB ad.. there are a couple different versions (my pics, but the lights and clips are sold):

I like the second version best, because it has a flatter bend near the tip

the clip on the Gold Storm is flimsy, and the ring has a split in it.. not very desirable..

------------------------------------

Today I bought a Convoy T3 UV light, including zwb filter and battery, for under $20. Because my cat caught a mouse in my basement, and I want to identify any rodent waste including Urine. So I can clean thoroughly.

You may know that rodents harbor Hantavirus, and that Gene Hackman died recently, after his wife's death from Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, in an upscale residential development in the foothills of Santa Fe.

 

[ebuchner]

I asked HDS if their clips fit a Novatac, they said no:

"Our current pocket clips will not fit the Novatac - the diameter is too small. The clip ID is 0.930 whereas the Novatac requires an ID of 0.950."

The oveready stainless clips can be reamed out to fit the Novatac:

Y'know that's not entirely disheartening. The fact that they're ID is too small (HDS and Overready both, it seems) as opposed to too big is honestly a convenience. If I really convince myself that I need one and get fed up looking/waiting around, then I can probably spend an evening Taking 0.020in from the ID of a clip with some elbow grease 💪 and sandpaper.

 

[Monocrom]

Ordered a bunch of stuff recently from B&H. As far as just the lights....
LED Flashlights = Maglite ML300L Safety pack, (free) Nitecore Tube v.2, and Nitecore TM12K. That last one was an impulse buy. Not kidding, and don't regret it.

As to why?.... Realized I don't have a bright flashlight that can run off of 2D batteries. I do now! Yes, THAT was the reason for the Mag. model. Tube v.2 was free because I bought the Maglite model. TM12K is Nitecore showing off what they can do in a small handheld. Nothing more! And, I decided I wanted that novelty. Is it pragmatic? Hell no! But I already own every pragmatic flashlight out there with multiples in each category.

This is something you buy just to screw around with for fun.

 

[AMD64Brunette]

Rovyvon E5 high CRI. (4000K).

Wanted to try something new.

 

[jon_slider]

Ordered another Gold Wurkkos Wk03, because I gifted mine, modded to Red, to a family member

I like to use the Wk03 as a spare battery carrier and charger, to support my 18650 Zebra

The Wk03 comes w a Button Top 18650 that wont work in a Zebra. But the Wk03 also charges and works with the Flat Top 18650 that the Zebra uses.

 

[sbslider]

Bought a Zebralight SC5w Mk II. I had purchased one several years ago and sold it, as I didn't understand the UI well and it seemed like sort of a waste of $.

I probably overpaid for the one I just bought ($90), but I want to compare it's low output mode run time with my H53c N. If I don't fall in love with it I can likely sell it . . . . . (and maybe regret it again) ;-)

 

[jon_slider]

Zebralight SC5w Mk II... I want to compare it's low output mode run time with my H53c N.

congrats...
I look forward to your low mode testing.
I hope you will use the AA White Eneloop that ran for 19 days on Level 3 in your 2024 H53c N ;-)

some info (edited for clarity) regarding SC5 LiIon use: (does not affect your lowmode AA use)

The SC5 II has four inductors. It will work fine with fewer inductors, but the efficiency goes down. I've opened many SC5 IIs and found one inductor disconnected or missing.
... SC5 IIs have issues with H1 and do not reach or maintain the advertised output. I have several modded SC5 IIs kicking around here I keep meaning to sell as Li-ion only because I don't like the way they behave on AA.... Absolutely no LVP though, so personally I would only use protected cells.

 

[sbslider]

congrats...
I look forward to your low mode testing.
I hope you will use the AA White Eneloop that ran for 19 days on Level 3 in your 2024 H53c N ;-)

some info (edited for clarity) regarding SC5 LiIon use: (does not affect your lowmode AA use)

I'm not sure which AA White Eneloop I used, as I have several. I do plan to see what mode has the lowest current, and give one of them a go. I could start with the AA Eneloop, and perhaps directly compare with an alkaline. We'll see, it will be here sometime next week.

 

[jon_slider]

I'm not sure which AA White Eneloop I used

Im not picky, any AA Eneloop will do ;-)

none of the SC5 outputs match H53c N outputs

but we could compare your SC5 test result to SC5 specs

 

[Monocrom]

So.... went a tiny bit overboard earlier today.
1- Two Coast G36 2AA flashlights.
2- Manker E05 II flashlight
3- RovyVon Angel Eyes E4 Ti flaslight
4- Rescue A6 Emergency tool.
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

1- My LUXPRO 2AA decided to just crap out on me and stop working.
Was my Around The Neighborhood light whenever I stepped out of my apartment.
Just completely dead. LED isn't fried. Change of batteries did nothing.
The G36 is its replacement. One to keep, one for around the neighborhood.

2- Very impressive little light, in a very small and very friendly EDC form-factor.
Cost extra due to the new Tariffs as I ordered directly from the maker.

3- Too interesting NOT to get one. A very unique dual-fuel flashlight. Again cost me extra ($30 more) due to the Tariffs imposed. And, buying direct from RovyVon. Technically cast me $200.

4- Rescue tool with one of the features being an LED light included. Fits into the cigarette-lighter port. Also features a seat-belt cutter, and a window breaker. Hopefully I never have to use it.

 

[orbital]

+


Teaser:

Titanium 21700 light with this nichia B35AM emitter @ 3500K*
= it's enroute =

*scored one of the highest CRI possible (would make it the warmest tint I own)

 

[billfires]

Bought a Kobalt flat 1000 lumen rechargeable for $35.00. It is a Streamlight Edge imitator at 1/3 the price. It is my EDC pocket light.

 

[russprechtl]

I picked up:

A Zebralight SC54, because I didn't have a ZL with a 519A emitter and I love the UI. In addition, the design of the switch on the 54 makes it much less likely to activate in a pocket (my SC51 gave me "hot pocket" all the time and required a tail cap unscrew lockout. The 54 hasn't done it once).

A Lumintop Tool 3.0 Ti, because I really wanted a titanium version. I had Vinh modify it for me with a 4500K 519A emitter, so I get another awesome titanium AA light in my preferred flavor.