Worlds best single CR123 flashlight?

[gottawearshades]

I really, really don't want to get into a surefire firefight 🙂welcome🙂, but you're asking a different question.

I think HDS/NT/Ra/Henry are the very best single-123A flashlights in the history of man. One of these lights goes everywhere I go.

However, I have several Surefire lights--U2A, A2, Milky L1, and others--which, if my hose was burning down, I would definitely save, after my wife and my laptop.

It just so happens that Surefire doesn't make a light that covers 90% of my flashlight needs and fits in my pocket.

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...

 

[DHart]

It just so happens that Surefire doesn't make a light that covers 90% of my flashlight needs and fits in my pocket.

So true for me as well.

My general use needs (which none of my Surefire's meet) include a combination of features/functions:

•pocketable (3.5 to 3.75" in length)
•runs on rechargeables (AA 14500 or RCR123) I use primaries for B/U only
•super low low (like 1 lumen, or so) - instantly available
•super bright high (Q5 or R2) - instantly available
•continuous output ramp to select an appropriate intermediate level for the objectives of the moment
•memory to come on at pre-set level
•wide, floody beam along with bright hotspot (no need to be a high-ranking "thrower")
•silent clicky (I'm finding I really like this, it is very useful)

For me... these are the hallmarks of ideal, "general-use" flashlights and I have two lights
which meet these hallmarks magnificently: LF3XT (w/RCR123) and D10 (w/R14500 or AA NiMH).

 

[pobox1475]

^ +1. That sums up most of my desires as well. Currently carry a NiteCore NEX. 200lm high with user settable secondary low. Durable, easy to use and so far reliable. After carrying it clipped to my pocket I find a clip indispensable and am hoping to find a way to mount a clip on the Clicky I intend to get.

 

[DimmerD]

Have you actually received a shipping confirmation, or is this based on the latest, rumored shipping date?

According to MattK at Batteryjunction he has the tracking numbers
and I will shipped 1 Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. My order number was low enough that I got in on the first order, WOOT!

 

[TKC]

For ME the McGizmo Haiku IS the perfect single cell CR123 light. It has a clicky switch & 3 levels of light.

 

[StinkyButler]

John_Galt:
Only 1 version of the Ra Twisty had the red option through the use of a secondary emitter near the main one. In fact, I don't even think it was actually an emitter, but something else. Not an option on the Clicky's.

Both the Ra Clicky and the Twisty offer customizable programming for each of their levels.

All electronics are fully potted in all the Ra's.

As for mods, you may wanna search.

 

[PsychoBunny]

So true for me as well.

My general use needs (which none of my Surefire's meet) include a combination of features/functions:

•pocketable (3.5 to 3.75" in length)
•runs on rechargeables (AA 14500 or RCR123) I use primaries for B/U only
•super low low (like 1 lumen, or so) - instantly available
•super bright high (Q5 or R2) - instantly available
•continuous output ramp to select an appropriate intermediate level for the objectives of the moment
•memory to come on at pre-set level
•wide, floody beam along with bright hotspot (no need to be a high-ranking "thrower")
•silent clicky (I'm finding I really like this, it is very useful)

For me... these are the hallmarks of ideal, "general-use" flashlights and I have two lights
which meet these hallmarks magnificently: LF3XT (w/RCR123) and D10 (w/R14500 or AA NiMH).

I agree with you esp about the silent clicky.

Dont ya hate those lights that go, CLICK! CLICK! so loud it wakes up someone, or you loose the advantage of "surprise".

I like those nice quite clickies with a nice tactile feel to them.

 

[Drywolf]

My favorite EDC is the RA120 twisty, although I never carry it with a CR123. I use this light with the 18650 tube and an AW protected cell. It fits my hand perfectly and allows easy one hand use. I also feel a little safer carrying it, as it is solid and extends a little bit on each side of my clinched hand. I had to send it back for repair (cold solder joint) and HDS did the repair quickly and returned it fast. Since the repair I have used it exclusively. If this light gets lost it's going to hurt but not 500-1000 dollars worth of pain. Lastly it has a real nice beam, three usable levels and the tint is pleasing to me.
I love the high dollar Ti lights I've owned and they are near perfect, but I would hate to lose one or do real damage to them.
Frank

 

[DimmerD]

Have you actually received a shipping confirmation, or is this based on the latest, rumored shipping date?

Batteryjunction has confirmation.

 

[Pontiaker]

I agree with you esp about the silent clicky.

Dont ya hate those lights that go, CLICK! CLICK! so loud it wakes up someone, or you loose the advantage of "surprise".

I like those nice quite clickies with a nice tactile feel to them.

Nope I want the clicky to be loud and clear, I hate the silent ones. My forward clicky lights are silent and very surprising as a momentary light and in a tactical situation this is how it will be used. When you need it full on it wont matter if you hear it or not. I want to know/feel a positive click so even in my pocket or out of direct sight I know it clicked on.

 

[Pontiaker]

I really, really don't want to get into a surefire firefight 🙂welcome🙂, but you're asking a different question.

I think HDS/NT/Ra/Henry are the very best single-123A flashlights in the history of man. One of these lights goes everywhere I go.

However, I have several Surefire lights--U2A, A2, Milky L1, and others--which, if my hose was burning down, I would definitely save, after my wife and my laptop.

It just so happens that Surefire doesn't make a light that covers 90% of my flashlight needs and fits in my pocket.

Man I really dont get you guys that just cant say a bad thing about Surefire? WTF? They are not perfect, hence them not getting mentioned here. They make lights for a diff market than 99% of the people here, Flashaholics, on CPF. They are made more for certain professions and in some cases newbies to lights not us.

You do see them alot here, after thay have been modded mainly because they do make a great quality built light. But thats not enough for most CPF'ers:thumbsup: Their good lights but they are not freakin Magic.....Geezus....

You can also see by reading this thread that lights to most people here are very personal, there are a ton of different ones and its tough to get two people here that love the same thing, like yes but really love it? Nope.

Good luck in your search, just about all the lights here are awesome lights that might fit what your looking for but you have to ask why do we all have so many diff lights and always seem to have something for sale in the Marketplace....:laughing: It seems to be a very personal choice and most of us have bought all the lights mentioned in this thread but only kept the one we personally mentioned here.Remember to have fun finding that right one for you too!

 

[mwaldron]

You do see them alot here, after thay have been modded mainly because they do make a great quality built light. But thats not enough for most CPF'ers:thumbsup: Their good lights but they are not freakin Magic.....Geezus....

Heretic! My A2's are magical!

Surefire is a great introduction to what a quality light should feel like, but they no longer (probably never did) cater to CPF's ideals of innovation and they don't play the brightness game.

When I got my first Surefire (an L2, before I had heard of CPF) I remember thinking, "Wow, if I were going to build a light saber I'd start with this as a host." Now I think I'd build it from an M6, but otherwise my point is unchanged.

Over the last 3 weeks my Ra Clicky has grown on me quite a bit. Especially the last week since I got the replacement tailswitch that works. It covers almost everything I ever need from a flashlight. Very low low, bright high, long runtime, small(ish) for EDC. I've almost completely stopped using my A2's and my P2D. 2 of my A2's have been sent to the basement for inclusion in go bags and the last one (red on my nightstand) hasn't been touched since I was finally able to program an extremely low low on the 140ct.

Ra has problems. Their finish is crap, pure and simple. I should not have needed a replacement tailswitch. Lights should not flicker on low (thankfully mine doesn't). The light should turn on when you hit the button. They have fixed the electronics problems, and they were great about taking care of my defective tailswitch. As for the finish, it annoys me, but the truth is it's going to get beat up anyway. It's a black mark on them for not paying closer attention to their manufacturing process but in the end it doesn't effect usability at all.

Surefire by their nature cannot provide the same levels of customization. Every light must perform identically to every other, there is no room for user customization because that can lead to unexpected operation and confused operators.

A Surefire is a box-end wrench. Get the appropriate wrench for the bolt or you won't be satisfied with the results.

A Ra is more like a Hydrokinetic Adjustable Wrench, continously adjustable using 1 button.

 

[gollum]

I'm real happy to see the nitecore EX10 in there
Its in my rotation of edc due to its easy UI,silent PD and tough good looks
and small size too,
something that puts me off the Ra and why I sold my novaTac 120p

 

[DM51]

lights to most people here are very personal

That is the part of your post that needs emphasising, over and over again. Lights are personal!

Everyone has their personal favorites, for their own personal reasons. It is no good members trying to force their own choices down other members' throats. It won't work, and it just annoys people when someone tries to tell them their choice is a bad one.

What is best for one person won't be best for another. If only everyone just accepted that...

Please, no more squabbling here.

 

[Pontiaker]

That is the part of your post that needs emphasising, over and over again. Lights are personal!

Everyone has their personal favorites, for their own personal reasons. It is no good members trying to force their own choices down other members' throats. It won't work, and it just annoys people when someone tries to tell them their choice is a bad one.

What is best for one person won't be best for another. If only everyone just accepted that...

Please, no more squabbling here.

Yeah you hit the nail on the head. Lots of good choices here, you just need to try a couple of them or see some in person somewhere and pic what you like:thumbsup:

 

[cave dave]

Lights are like Girlfriends, some start out kinda blah but really grow on you and some start out like WOW! but then annoy the heck out of ya. Spend some quality time with your significant other in the dark tonight! I'll be doing some RA diffuser beamshots myself.

I can't believe I just said that. :shakehead

 

[tebore]

Lights are like Girlfriends, some start out kinda blah but really grow on you and some start out like WOW! but then annoy the heck out of ya.

I don't know why but that cracked me up.

They're both fun to watch flashing and even the bad ones can be good as long as it's dark enough. :laughing:

 

[PsychoBunny]

They're both fun to watch flashing and even the bad ones can be good as long as it's dark enough. :laughing:

Best quote of the day!! 😀 :laughing:

 

[Pontiaker]

I don't know why but that cracked me up.

They're both fun to watch flashing and even the bad ones can be good as long as it's dark enough. :laughing:

Thats pretty funny, both yous guys! Great analogy but Iam not going to let my wife read it.😀

 

[pobox1475]

and they don't play the brightness game.

They should.

***Note*** I do have a L2 in my BOB.