What's your favorite form factor?

[Big_Ed]

Not considering other aspects of lights such as brightness, runtime, flood, throw or other differences, what form factor feels the best to you?

Mine would have to be a Mag 2C. It just feels really good in hand. Big enough to keep a good grip on it, but not too heavy like the D cell variety.

 

[LumenHound]

I'll also go with the 2C due to it being a great host for a ROP-LE. I like being able to put it in the back pocket of my jeans and not having to worry about it falling out when I'm moving about the camp site.

Second best would be a simple single AA format light.

I'm a fan of smaller lights so CR2 and even 10180 cell lights have a place in my list of real world favorites.

 

[popcornpicker]

Single AA. An AKOray K-106 is always in reach.

 

[OceanView]

I have long liked the 4AA form factor, like the Streamlight ProPolymer or UK eLED. Slim enough to easily slip into any pocket and an easy shape to hold. And long enough not to feel too small.

 

[Mjolnir]

I tend to like longer thinner lights. I find them easier to balance in my hands. They also have more inertia that provides some resistance when rotating the wrist to turn the light, which I prefer. I have a Gerber LX3.0 that is a pretty good example of this. However, it uses 3 AA batteries and isn't all that bright compared to LED lights today. AA's also aren't really the best energy source either. I suppose 2 18650 would also be similar to 3 AA, but with much more energy.
However, IMO nothing beats single 18650 lights as far as size and capacity goes.

 

[KingGlamis]

A 2xCR123A light with a tailcap switch is my favorite. Fits easily in a pocket or in a belt holster and when you pull it out you only have to put your thumb on the tailcap to light it up, no rotating the light to search for the switch.

 

[kramer5150]

General use:
A 1x18650 capable SF-C2. Grip ring, belt clip, anti-roll features.

EDC:
1x16340, tube shaped, as small as possible, aggressive knurl, tail stand.

 

[Sgt. LED]

:thinking:

3 CR123

1 18650

:D


:tinfoil:

 

[parnass]

Lately, I have favored 1AAA and 1AA lights for daytime carry because they are easy to carry in a shirt pocket.

For nighttime walks, I opt for long runtime (4+ hour) 2xCR123A lights.

 

[Zeruel]

I prefer 1xAA and 2xAA tubular forms. Sleek is the word. :)

 

[bloke-gear.com]

I'll have to say 3xCR123A such as the M3. In my opinion, a very well balanced light. Not too long or short either.

 

[brighterisbetter]

Oh man, that's a tough question :confused:

I'd have to say either a 2x123 or 3x123 would be the winners for me. I definitely like the diameter of a 2C m@g but those hosts always seemed a bit heavy so that's why I'm not placing it at the top of my list.

So any E-series 2x123 or the M3's 3x123 seem just about perfect IMO. The M3 is very well balanced overall (both weightwise and dimensionally), but it's not exactly pocketable in every scenario. So by process of elimination, I'm gonna pick any SF 2x123 E-series host as my favorite for comfort.

 

[StarHalo]

1xAA, the ultimate in simplicity and compatibility, darn skinny too.

 

[Kestrel]

The SF C3 body, an optimum width to length ratio for me, the grip ring is in just the right place, and the two flats fit my hand perfectly while carrying compared to the round 9P-type shape.

 

[BlueBeam22]

Pistol grip style spotlights are.;)

In terms of flashlights it would have to be large 2D CREE XR-E throwers and large rechargeable LED throwers such as my Dorcy 220 lumen.

 

[sORe-EyEz]

its 2 x CR123 for me... most lights with that form factor has a comfortable diameter. :takeit:

1 x AA should be good too but i do not have a fav light in that form factor. should i get 1 such light? :shrug:

 

[PhantomPhoton]

1X18650 (2 side by side is nice too) It's always nice for an 18650 light to be CR123 compatible for during a pinch.
I also like 1XAA and 4xAA(2x2). 2xAA isn't bad either.

 

[brucec]

The 6P is oh so comfortable to hold. Just the right heft, length, width with no protrusions or grooves running along it's smooth knurled surface. For me, no other light feels as good in the hand as the 6P. I think I'll go hold it now.

 

[Zatoichi]

The 6P is oh so comfortable to hold.

I tend to agree. The 6P and similar are my favourites in actual use, though not always the most practical. Single AA 'tubes' like the D10 are my ideal EDC's.

 

[NonSenCe]

my number one wish..
easy to make:
2 cell light side by side. (preferred with 2 aa, so 85-100mm long and about 20mm wide oval shape about 35mm at widest.)

harder to make: cellphone size and shape. think cheap nokia phone sizes. (very similar to above but slimmer)

rather easy to make: 4cell light 2 long 2 wide. Underwater Kinetics 4aa that was my EDC for several years.

and then comes the ones already available with good leds, normal plain tube lights:

1cell lights size for pocket carry: 1aa or 1 cr123s. ( i like the length of d10 (90mm or so) instead of many cr123 lights that are too short to my hand for comfortable hold)

my sweet spot goes in range of:
85-120mm length
18-38mm wide (38mm if oval shaped)


see more of my ideas:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?p=2899087

and even more of the same:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=221311