Which regulated LED flashlight on my shortlist should I choose?

[enforcer]

As long as none of these regulated LED flashlights go dead on you without warning that the battery/s are running flat.
I made a shortlist as I can't decide what one to choose.
As those 4 all seem very good, in different ways.

I need a regulated LED flashlight that has very good flood to light up your pathway/surroundings very well.
Throw I'm not as bothered about for my use. But still will be useful for a few uses.
Like searching for my cat when he goes missing for days on our dark allotment sometimes.

As I need the flashlight for walking in the dark at night in dodgy areas. Trying to find things in the loft cupboards or dark corners of the shed.
And for adjusting the controls and turning on and off my huge active subwoofer under my computer desk where I can't see anything clearly.

So the torch would need to be able to go down to a low setting, so I don't get blinded in a confined space.

Last but not least, it would need to have to be the most efficient for it's battery/s life and be able to fit in the pocket of at least a jacket or jeans.

My shortlist is:

Fenix TK20
Nitecore Extreme
Surefire G2 LED
Surefire 6PL LED

Can't decide which one of those is the best for my needs.

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Gunner12]

The Nitecore Extreme is the smallest of the four, so I'd go with that. Neither the G2L nor the 6PL have multimode.

There could also be other lights that fit your requirements. The Fenix PD20, Quark 123, Jetbeam Jet-I, Dereelight C2H and a few more could work.

 

[Hack On Wheels]

Tk20 will have a nice neutral tint and long runtime with an 18650 battery, but then it won't have the option of a really low output, just High or General...

NC Extreme will have a lower low, be a bunch smaller, easily fit into just about any pocket, but also have a shorter runtime (when not using low modes for battery preservation).

 

[Marduke]

Tk20 will have a nice neutral tint and long runtime with an 18650 battery, but then it won't have the option of a really low output, just High or General...

NC Extreme will have a lower low, be a bunch smaller, easily fit into just about any pocket, but also have a shorter runtime (when not using low modes for battery preservation).

TK20 is 2xAA...

 

[enforcer]

Tk20 will have a nice neutral tint and long runtime with an 18650 battery, but then it won't have the option of a really low output, just High or General...

NC Extreme will have a lower low, be a bunch smaller, easily fit into just about any pocket, but also have a shorter runtime (when not using low modes for battery preservation).

Fenix TK20 with a Fenik E01 (for the low output uses) maybe would be my best option then?

I could always slide that clip in the TK20 over my belt if it didn't fit in my pocket.

Can either of them take lithium type of batteries though?

As the Fenix TK20 takes AA, so is say, Energizer Ultimate lithium suitable in those torches?
As that could extend the battery life, if so.

 

[Ajax517]

I have the TK20 and it is a nice all-around light. The settings are great for out in the dark yard or under the desk. The run times are very good on either setting.

However, it is a 2xAA light so it's not very pocket friendly. It's more of a drawer or backpack light.

What about the Fenix L1T? Two modes, 1xAA, good runtime.

 

[mcnair55]

Take a look at the Ring Automotive cyba lite range.I bought one over the weekend, a single AA cell,so impressed buying another 2 different types.

Sold in many retail outlets such as Home Base etc or search there web site for a trade outlet.

All 3 have regulated supply,really nice quality lights plus they will not break the bank.

 

[Gunner12]

The Tk20 is also pretty large for a 2 AA light. It is a good light, but definitely not pocket friendly, well, unless you have huge pockets and/or don't mind a large object in your pocket.

The TK20 works quite well with Lithium AAs, but good rechargeable batteries would be the cheaper option and you'll get similar runtimes anyways.

If you want neutral white and small, the Dereelight C2H could work. You can also get the 1 AA extension if you want to use AA batteries.

 

[enforcer]

I have the TK20 and it is a nice all-around light. The settings are great for out in the dark yard or under the desk. The run times are very good on either setting.

However, it is a 2xAA light so it's not very pocket friendly. It's more of a drawer or backpack light.

What about the Fenix L1T? Two modes, 1xAA, good runtime.

Fenix L1T looks like a possible one to go for, thanks.
And could get the Fenix TK20 at a later stage, if a brighter one was needed.

Nitecore Extreme looked impressive until I just found the low setting is only 2 lumens which is very dim.
And the high setting is 75 mins, not that long.

 

[enforcer]

Take a look at the Ring Automotive cyba lite range.I bought one over the weekend, a single AA cell,so impressed buying another 2 different types.

Sold in many retail outlets such as Home Base etc or search there web site for a trade outlet.

All 3 have regulated supply,really nice quality lights plus they will not break the bank.

Reliable though? As I haven't heard of that make. As most of those real cheap lights don't last or ain't as bright as they say they are.

Always wondered about the make Ultrafire, they are pretty cheap, but look well built and use with Cree leds which are high quality.
But don't know about the quality of rest of the internal parts like regulator or connections, switches etc.

 

[mcnair55]

Reliable though? As I haven't heard of that make. As most of those real cheap lights don't last or ain't as bright as they say they are.

Always wondered about the make Ultrafire, they are pretty cheap, but look well built and use with Cree leds which are high quality.
But don't know about the quality of rest of the internal parts like regulator or connections, switches etc.

Bought mine at Home Base, popped the receipt in a safe place, has a 12month ticket on it.Ring supply lots of UK garages with there car bulb range,have a decent reputation.

 

[Gunner12]

The Nitecore Extreme has 3 modes, high(max output), user defined output, and strobe. 2 lumen is how low it can go for the user defined output, but you can set it to anywhere between 2 lumen and max output.

I've never heard of Ring Automotive lights. Do you have a link?

How much runtime are you looking for? Remember, a small bright light will have short runtime. There is no way around physics.

 

[enforcer]

The Nitecore Extreme has 3 modes, high(max output), user defined output, and strobe. 2 lumen is how low it can go for the user defined output, but you can set it to anywhere between 2 lumen and max output.

I've never heard of Ring Automotive lights. Do you have a link?

How much runtime are you looking for? Remember, a small bright light will have short runtime. There is no way around physics.

Ah cool, never knew the Nitecore Extreme had more than 2 settings and the user defined output.

An hour or 2 at the most when walking for a few miles in the dark.
And then very short intervals of maybe say 15-20 mins to look for items in dark places. And even less for adjusting music equipment controls.

So without changing the batteries, I want them to last about 6-8 hours runtime or more.

Probably will save more in the long term if I use rechargeable ones though.

 

[HDS_Systems]

Enforcer,

You may want to look at the EDC Executive. It offers 4 preset brightness levels, from very dim to very bright, with a medium default brightness setting. It has a medium width beam making it a good match for your intended application. Runtimes are very long - 20+ hours at 12 lumens. 1+ hours on High. And it properly handles rechargeable batteries.

Henry.

 

[Lightcrazycanuck]

I would put the Quark 123 on your short list.

 

[enforcer]

I finally found two almost ideal flashlights:

Both have orange peel reflectors which gives me more flood that I want.
Also the piston drive thing sounds much better over a normal switch.

Nitecore D10 (although I read it was discontinued), the uk Nitecore site still sells it.
So wonder whether it's best to get the Nitecore D10 SP instead?
In case Nitecore can't source parts for the Nitecore D10 once the uk store stops selling it.

But then the Nitecore D10/D10 SP looks tiny and I'm afraid to loose it. Unless I put a very long neon lanyard on it.
But has the option of a separate purchase red filter with screw on white diffuser attachment.

So maybe the Nitecore D20 is better, although it won't fit in a pocket, it could clip to my pocket or belt?


Very hard decision.... before I part with my cash.

If anyone can think of another flashlight that can be bought in the uk.
That takes 1 or 2 AA's, and has that orange peel reflector and piston drive, it would be most useful.

 

[tylernt]

But then the Nitecore D10/D10 SP looks tiny and I'm afraid to loose it. Unless I put a very long neon lanyard on it.

Wait, the D10 is an AA light, right? I consider my AA light (Fenix LT1) a bit chunky (at least for pocket carry); I would never consider using "tiny" as an adjective for it. In fact, I'm thinking of replacing it with an AAA light to get something a little slimmer and more pocketable for EDC.

 

[enforcer]

Wait, the D10 is an AA light, right? I consider my AA light (Fenix LT1) a bit chunky (at least for pocket carry); I would never consider using "tiny" as an adjective for it. In fact, I'm thinking of replacing it with an AAA light to get something a little slimmer and more pocketable for EDC.

D10 is a single AA light, but any smaller wouldn't fit in my big hands. However it being only 130 lumens at max. And would consider it tiny, if I dropped it in the dark on grass when it not switched on, it would be hard to find it.

So bought the D20 instead, and measured up and seems to fit my jacket pocket and since it's winter, I'll be wearing my jacket most times outside.
Will be getting another flashlight in the spring thats in between the size of the D10 and D20. Or might just get the D10 SP (as D10 remaining stock will be probably sold out here by then , if it's discontinued in the uk as well).

 

[Moonshadow]

D20 is a great choice - it's quite floody and also bright enough for outdoor use.

The Surefire F04 diffuser and F05 red filter fit straight on.

If you like the adjustable brightness of the D20 I think you would be disappointed later on by the D10SP with its three fixed levels. Might be worth bagging a D10 while they still have rampability.

 

[enforcer]

D20 is a great choice - it's quite floody and also bright enough for outdoor use.

The Surefire F04 diffuser and F05 red filter fit straight on.

If you like the adjustable brightness of the D20 I think you would be disappointed later on by the D10SP with its three fixed levels. Might be worth bagging a D10 while they still have rampability.

Sounds exciting!

Just looked up on stockist for Surefire gear, and there's a blue filter that will fit as well.
£12 each ain't at all bad for the filters either, cheers.