Odd, because I was under the impression from this thread that the preference was towards the Clicky, but I'm not gonna go back and count votes. I prefer the Ra Clicky over the twisty. I've been playing with both and the Extra length of the clicky feels better, it has 4 levels instead of three and I like that. ( I had to make a choice what to give up on the twisty and it ended up being the really low low). It is much much easier to reprogram. Can be operated easily and quickly one handed. For EDC I think its the better light.
Worlds best single CR123 flashlight?
- Thread starter PsychoBunny
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Odd, because I was under the impression from this thread that the preference was towards the Clicky, but I'm not gonna go back and count votes. I prefer the Ra Clicky over the twisty. I've been playing with both and the Extra length of the clicky feels better, it has 4 levels instead of three and I like that. ( I had to make a choice what to give up on the twisty and it ended up being the really low low). It is much much easier to reprogram. Can be operated easily and quickly one handed. For EDC I think its the better light.
PsychoBunny
Enlightened
I dont know, I bought a clicky because I hate twisties.
But I do suppose twisties are inherently more reliable due to fewer
moving parts or whatever!
For me it would be the Nitecore extreme Golden Dragon Plus and the Fenix P2D Q5.
Hello to all.
I'm in the marked for a new flashlight and was contemplating a surefire light,since I was under the impression that these were some of the best flashlights.
Now I'm surprised that surefire doesn't get mentioned a lot in this thread.
How come?
Is the Ra really so much better than,say,the L1 or E1B?
Thanks in advance for your reply!
Raoul...
I'm in the marked for a new flashlight and was contemplating a surefire light,since I was under the impression that these were some of the best flashlights.
Now I'm surprised that surefire doesn't get mentioned a lot in this thread.
How come?
Is the Ra really so much better than,say,the L1 or E1B?
Thanks in advance for your reply!
Raoul...
brighterisbetter
Flashlight Enthusiast
+1 The amount of threads in that thing are insane. ~400 lumens regulated for ~25 minutes on a single CR123......hard to beat. :thumbsup:
As for other worthy contenders: E1B, LS20, Nautilus, Ra Clicky or Twisty, EX10
DHart
Flashlight Enthusiast
Speaking for myself, I love my Surefire lights and I have a bunch of them, mostly single CR123 (L1, E1B, E1e, 3P, 6P, Z2 etc.). BUT, many of the lights mentioned in this thread offer much more versatility, output flexibility, lower low, higher high than most Surefire lights offer. And much as I appreciate my Surefires, they see very little use lately, since I got my LF3XT and my Nitecore D10. These lights offer so much more than the Surefires and are less expensive. Doesn't mean Surefires aren't great lights, because they are great for what they offer, but most of their models really can't compete with some of the newest lights on the market for features, low lows, high highs, versatility and price. :twothumbs
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m16a
Enlightened
PB, that is exactly how I feel about Twisty switch lights. Exactly why I have a Ra Clicky instead of a Twisty. As for the reliability factor, you hit the nail dead on the head about why Twisty's are more reliable. Less parts to break. The Clicky will be less durable, but it is the same type of "less" as saying that $20 is less that $20.50. It isn't a significant loss. Enjoy your Clicky! :twothumbs
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Ralls
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2006
- Messages
- 197
My vote definitely goes to the Ra - IMO, it is the best in its' class or even in any class! I've owned lights from Surefire, Fenix, Muyshondt, Novatac, Streamlight, Inova, Arc, LRI (Photon), Petzl, Princeton Tec and probably some some others that I've forgotten about. I think the Ra trumps them all. Granted, it does not fill every application, such as when you need hands-free and only a headlamp will suffice. It is just a great multi-function light. They do have a bit of a learning curve, but I think that they're relatively easy to learn - you just have to sit down with it for a half hour to an hour and then it will all be old hat!
It is also still going through some growing pains - it is still a relatively new light and it seems like every manufacturer is having issues these days now that most lights now come with some sort of multi-function processor. We have to keep in mind, too, that this is a relatively niche market and that these companies are small with limited funds and resources and therefore have to rely somewhat on customers to be beta-testers. With Ra, though, Henry is indeed a stand-up guy and stands behind his products 100%. I've had experience first-hand and have never been let down by him.
Having said all this, am I implying that all other lights are crap? Definitely not! I've owned quite a few Surefires and they are definitely excellent lights. I also really like my Petzl Tikka XP headlamp - one of my most used lights apart from the Ra. If I could afford McGizmos lights, I would probably be singing praises to McGizmo, as well. Ra's may not be the prettiest lights as they are very utilitarian in design and that's okay by me.
In the end, no matter what light you choose, it is going to be a compromise to some degree or another - you just have to choose the light that suits you best. Keep in mind, too, that as rapidly as LED technology is moving these days, all of our "bright" lights now will be dim in 2-3 years time. Sad but true. 🙂
It is also still going through some growing pains - it is still a relatively new light and it seems like every manufacturer is having issues these days now that most lights now come with some sort of multi-function processor. We have to keep in mind, too, that this is a relatively niche market and that these companies are small with limited funds and resources and therefore have to rely somewhat on customers to be beta-testers. With Ra, though, Henry is indeed a stand-up guy and stands behind his products 100%. I've had experience first-hand and have never been let down by him.
Having said all this, am I implying that all other lights are crap? Definitely not! I've owned quite a few Surefires and they are definitely excellent lights. I also really like my Petzl Tikka XP headlamp - one of my most used lights apart from the Ra. If I could afford McGizmos lights, I would probably be singing praises to McGizmo, as well. Ra's may not be the prettiest lights as they are very utilitarian in design and that's okay by me.
In the end, no matter what light you choose, it is going to be a compromise to some degree or another - you just have to choose the light that suits you best. Keep in mind, too, that as rapidly as LED technology is moving these days, all of our "bright" lights now will be dim in 2-3 years time. Sad but true. 🙂
Yes you can program the Twisty, good choice btw, and i can tell you that my personal 100TW can be easily manipulated with one hand 🙂.
pobox1475
Enlightened
Really 🙂. I have my cart before the horse, but am curious what the procedure would be?
StinkyButler
Newly Enlightened
That's very good to hear about the 1-handed operation. Thanks!
Dang thing just needs to get here, waiting is the hardest part.
Waiting is sooo hard.
The twist action will be a little stiff at first but after use and a little extra lube (supplied) on, under and around the o-ring area you will be one hand twisting like a champ :thumbsup:.
On mine the o-ring was causing the greatest amount of friction (not the threads but a little lube here is also needed) until i did the above mentioned procedure.
This one is easy, the Fenix PD20. Out of the box this one cant be beat for price, size and performance hands down. A single 123 light has been my absolute favorite for awhile now and I have tried a ton of lights up against first the p2d and now thw PD20 and I cant find anything that comes close to it out of the box for what I want in my 123 EDC light.
I have never been impressed with the output of the RA or its size/price and would never carry the twisty model....
Love the McGizmo Haiku but have not bought one yet and have not had the chance to compare one to my other lights.
Matt
I have never been impressed with the output of the RA or its size/price and would never carry the twisty model....
Love the McGizmo Haiku but have not bought one yet and have not had the chance to compare one to my other lights.
Matt
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I like the output but hate the fat size and the price.
Yep you got that right. The only thing I buy SF's for now are hosts!😀
My PD20 out throws my SF e1b's no problem....And its not a crappy green tint like my E1b's...
DimmerD
Enlightened
Surefire Titan T1A because they are available now and mine should be here next week!
Have you actually received a shipping confirmation, or is this based on the latest, rumored shipping date?
I realize this is off topic, but I didn't want to start a new thread for just a few questions...
1) How does Ra have a red low? Is it accomplished with another red LED (seperate from the main LED)?
2) If it doesn't have a second red LED, where can I find multi color high power LED's (and how are they wired, what type of drivers would you need)?
3) Is the Ra Clicky programmable?
4) If so, are all modes programmable?
5) does the Ra Clicky have a low red option?
6) Are the electronics potted? Seeing how durable the Ra product line is, I would stand to think so.
And finally...
7) Can anyone point me to any mod threads about Ra lights?
Thanks in advance, and sorry for going off-topic.
1) How does Ra have a red low? Is it accomplished with another red LED (seperate from the main LED)?
2) If it doesn't have a second red LED, where can I find multi color high power LED's (and how are they wired, what type of drivers would you need)?
3) Is the Ra Clicky programmable?
4) If so, are all modes programmable?
5) does the Ra Clicky have a low red option?
6) Are the electronics potted? Seeing how durable the Ra product line is, I would stand to think so.
And finally...
7) Can anyone point me to any mod threads about Ra lights?
Thanks in advance, and sorry for going off-topic.
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