Oddjob
Flashlight Enthusiast
I'd take a Ra Twisty and a Ra Clicky. :twothumbs
Worlds best single CR123 flashlight?
- Thread starter PsychoBunny
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I'd take a Ra Twisty and a Ra Clicky. :twothumbs
h2oflyer
Enlightened
I don't know how many 1x123 lights there are out there, but the best that I have combining build quality, output and runtime has to be the Nitecore Extreme.
Walter
Walter
Tec40
Newly Enlightened
The best for me now, is the Nitecore EX10. It has now become my favorite 1-CR123 flashlight. I just hope that Nitecore will come out with a Q3-5A LED EX10. I just love that warm tint.
angelofwar
Flashlight Enthusiast
With-out reading into it, and keeping with what (I think) the op had in mind, I would say the L1.
pobox1475
Enlightened
I have heard that the warm tint LED's are not as efficient 🙁 .
Walter, from my limited experience with high quality 123's I have to agree. I love mine :rock:
http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm438/pobox1475/Knives/IMG_0574.jpg
[over-size image replaced by link - DM51]
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Bluehinder
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2005
- Messages
- 82
Surefire Backup. Perfect size, great build, I've yet to see anything out throw it. Every single cell I bring home ends up second to the E1B. That includes NEX, EX10, LF3XT, and PD20. It's the perfect interface for me. Two levels, brain dead simple. Half the time my Nitecore's get funky.
The Clicky is great, but for "the best", I read about too many problems with the switch. Not the light I want in my fox hole. I'd love to have someone convince me I'm wrong, because I'd like to own one.
The Clicky is great, but for "the best", I read about too many problems with the switch. Not the light I want in my fox hole. I'd love to have someone convince me I'm wrong, because I'd like to own one.
looks like the RA clicky is popular...
soon there will be loads of small lights with the Mce and P7 emitters and
multi mode etc... these will be the most useful "best" ones to own ... your choice will be ... how much do I want to pay
soon there will be loads of small lights with the Mce and P7 emitters and
multi mode etc... these will be the most useful "best" ones to own ... your choice will be ... how much do I want to pay
Sgt. LED
Flashaholic
Can I have a Ra Twisty with a Diamond Dragon LED in it? lovecpf
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sappyg
Enlightened
now that there appears to be three seperate scenarios in play i will try to address all three.
i have limited experience w/ single cell CR123 lights. i have 4 and of those i am completely confident in all of them. of all of the lights i own the one that i depend on every day and has in essence taken over the role of several lights is the Ra EDC T. Ra lights are 2 or 3 lights rolled into one. this light has no equal. all of my other lights have nearly become shelf queens now.
the light that i would choose without hesitation (given all three scenarios) would be a RA 140GT (warm) with a tacticle switch.
edit: i forgot about the 2 light caving thing....... make that 2 RA 140GT's
i have limited experience w/ single cell CR123 lights. i have 4 and of those i am completely confident in all of them. of all of the lights i own the one that i depend on every day and has in essence taken over the role of several lights is the Ra EDC T. Ra lights are 2 or 3 lights rolled into one. this light has no equal. all of my other lights have nearly become shelf queens now.
the light that i would choose without hesitation (given all three scenarios) would be a RA 140GT (warm) with a tacticle switch.
edit: i forgot about the 2 light caving thing....... make that 2 RA 140GT's
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Outdoors Fanatic
Flashlight Enthusiast
:)>
Flashlight Enthusiast
I own 10 and 2 Twisty's and none of mine have switch problems. There will be no need to convince you once you own one... even the lower priced models will be enough to make a believer out of you
Illumination
Flashlight Enthusiast
PsychoBunny
Enlightened
We have alot of votes for the Raw clicky, so, I am going to buy one!!
To me, here's what I look for in a well made light:
Finish and machining quality: if its anodized, is it even, and missed spots?
Are there any rough spots or burs? Check the threads, are they well
machined, tight and smooth as butter? What grade of metal is used?
Whats the thickness? Is the battery tube a thick guage, or is it thin and
easy to dent?
Parts: Check the IC board, is it high quality, How do the solder joints
look? Are the contacts and spring gold plated? If clicky, take it apart,
are high quality parts being used? Are there any "weak points" that look
like they could wear out soon? What is the lens made of, tempered glass,
or plastic? How symmetrical and well made is the reflector?
UI: How well does the light operate? Is it reliable, logical, accurate,
robust?
Ergonomics: How well does it feel in the hand? Does it have a nice tactical
feel? How is the weight?
Warranty: Does the manufacturer stand behind their product? Does it have a good unlimited warranty against defective parts and workmanship?
Are parts and upgrades readily available?
I know there are other things I look at to, owner feedback, reputation, etc. but this is the main stuff 🙂
If you guys could add what you look for that I forgot, please chime in.
To me, here's what I look for in a well made light:
Finish and machining quality: if its anodized, is it even, and missed spots?
Are there any rough spots or burs? Check the threads, are they well
machined, tight and smooth as butter? What grade of metal is used?
Whats the thickness? Is the battery tube a thick guage, or is it thin and
easy to dent?
Parts: Check the IC board, is it high quality, How do the solder joints
look? Are the contacts and spring gold plated? If clicky, take it apart,
are high quality parts being used? Are there any "weak points" that look
like they could wear out soon? What is the lens made of, tempered glass,
or plastic? How symmetrical and well made is the reflector?
UI: How well does the light operate? Is it reliable, logical, accurate,
robust?
Ergonomics: How well does it feel in the hand? Does it have a nice tactical
feel? How is the weight?
Warranty: Does the manufacturer stand behind their product? Does it have a good unlimited warranty against defective parts and workmanship?
Are parts and upgrades readily available?
I know there are other things I look at to, owner feedback, reputation, etc. but this is the main stuff 🙂
If you guys could add what you look for that I forgot, please chime in.
flashy bazook
Flashlight Enthusiast
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2007
- Messages
- 1,139
I see Surefire L1 and McGizmo Ti-PD-S have both been mentioned (and I prefer the PD-S to the Lumasol for reasons I have posted elsewhere) so I won't belabor the point.
For another idea that I haven't seen mentioned here, I would add a 1x123A Surefire 3P (or clone) with a Malkoff M30 drop in (which you can get in warmer tint if you prefer).
The drop in itself is quite tough, and the design of these "surefire legos" is itself very reliable. The tubes are tough and anodized to HA-III standard. Bezels are available in stainless steel as well if you want, including crenelations (if you don't want, you can get smooth and black all the way, or even black with stainless steel crenelated edge).
The 3P is quite small and manageable in size, but with the standard "C" bezel size it packs a good punch in terms of throw. If you need flood, it will accept the standard Surefire diffuser as well.
In terms of UI/tailcap, you again have a choice, from a pretty good Surefire selection - tactical and high quality clicky, to a variable intensity custom made clicky.
If you want other accessories, the formfactor is so popular you can find them. E.g., you can get a lanyard ring in standard size, rings (custom or Surefire made), etc.
A big advantage of this whole concept is that as LEDs get more powerful and more efficient, you can just get a newer drop in and improve your light with minimal cost. Not so easy with a "single" flashlight design.
In other words, you can tailor the flashlight to your liking by choosing the different parts. Not so easy to do with a "single" pre-made flashlight!
For another idea that I haven't seen mentioned here, I would add a 1x123A Surefire 3P (or clone) with a Malkoff M30 drop in (which you can get in warmer tint if you prefer).
The drop in itself is quite tough, and the design of these "surefire legos" is itself very reliable. The tubes are tough and anodized to HA-III standard. Bezels are available in stainless steel as well if you want, including crenelations (if you don't want, you can get smooth and black all the way, or even black with stainless steel crenelated edge).
The 3P is quite small and manageable in size, but with the standard "C" bezel size it packs a good punch in terms of throw. If you need flood, it will accept the standard Surefire diffuser as well.
In terms of UI/tailcap, you again have a choice, from a pretty good Surefire selection - tactical and high quality clicky, to a variable intensity custom made clicky.
If you want other accessories, the formfactor is so popular you can find them. E.g., you can get a lanyard ring in standard size, rings (custom or Surefire made), etc.
A big advantage of this whole concept is that as LEDs get more powerful and more efficient, you can just get a newer drop in and improve your light with minimal cost. Not so easy with a "single" flashlight design.
In other words, you can tailor the flashlight to your liking by choosing the different parts. Not so easy to do with a "single" pre-made flashlight!
PB,
Please be aware that all Ra models have missing anodize specs. It is a well known "feature". I wouldn't call the threads "as smooth as butter" either.
tebore
Flashlight Enthusiast
That really sucks.
The Twisty's anodizing is perfect and the thread really is buttery smooth. I wonder what changed between the Twisty and the Clicky.
I would guess nothing at Ra has changed. The diference is between you and me and how we define things.
The anodize on My Ra Twisty tail is perfect but the head part isn't, I bet you never noticed the specs, but they are probably there. Since I can't twist it one hand I wouldn't consider it "butter-smooth" but you might. The only "butter-smooth" light I have had is the FF3 with brass threads, everything else pales in comparison. Raw aluminum on raw aluminum just won't ever be "butter smooth" on any light IMO.
The anodize on My Ra Twisty tail is perfect but the head part isn't, I bet you never noticed the specs, but they are probably there. Since I can't twist it one hand I wouldn't consider it "butter-smooth" but you might. The only "butter-smooth" light I have had is the FF3 with brass threads, everything else pales in comparison. Raw aluminum on raw aluminum just won't ever be "butter smooth" on any light IMO.
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