Worlds best single CR123 flashlight?

[IceRat]

Talkin' fluff...

I absolutely LOVE the UI and brightness of my P2D Q5.

Click. On low. Bump. Medium. (whether right away or minutes later). bump. high.

I rarely use Turbo except to show off or compare brightness to other lights.

But I felt strongly enough about my P2D that I bought another!!!

+1 and if you compare runtime and brightness the P2D seems to blow the others away. But I can see someone needing a tougher light for work.

I lost too many lights to spend over $100 on a pocket sized one too.

I really like my P2D/L1D/L2D system(I have all of the battery tubes).:twothumbs

 

[PsychoBunny]

Okay, I continue to get used to my Ra clicky, and am likeing it more
and more as I play with it.
After a while, I may be attached to it actually 😀

Though there are other single cell EDC's out there to consider.

Like the Nitecore Extreme.
I think that may be my next purchase

I do love my little D10. I go nowhere without it 🙂

 

[DHart]

I do love my little D10. I go nowhere without it 🙂

Yeah, me too! :twothumbs Nitecore hit one totally out of the park with this. The D10 is an incredible light and, for me, my D10 R2 is a "must have" light!

 

[m16a]

Okay, I continue to get used to my Ra clicky, and am likeing it more
and more as I play with it.
After a while, I may be attached to it actually 😀



I do love my little D10. I go nowhere without it 🙂

Keep using that Clicky. It will quickly become your favorite light! 😗

As for the D10, despite my love of the Clicky, I still carry my faithful D10 everywhere with me as my back up EDC. I don't think it will ever be unseated from this role.

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

I only see one major and one possible problem with the Ra Clicky light.

Major is price. Possible is the UI. Since I don't KNOW the UI, it only remains a possible problem.

That said, if I try to learn another UI I will just be spinning my wheels.

P2D was MADE with ME in mind!

 

[mwaldron]

My P2D has been my "at work" carry for about a year now, it was very nice and great on batteries.

It's been replaced by a Ra Clicky for no really good reason. The Ra isn't brighter, it's not easier to use (nor is it harder), it's not better on batteries, it's larger.

The Ra does have a better tint than my P2D Q5, but I hate cold tints in general so that held little appeal for me.

I started carrying the Ra in preparation for seeing a Warm White version (coming soon!) and it just grew on me. I'm using it for everything while previously I had 3 different lights I used on a daily basis. I carried the P2D because an A2-WH was too large for my dockers, I had an A2-RD on my nightstand, and I had that A2-Wh with my jeans.

The big problem is I'm forgetful and I forget to move it from my nightstand to my pants pocket in the morning and I'm without all day. The only real solution I see is More Ra! :devil:

(P.S. I still <3 my A2s, although they are starting to feel neglected.)

 

[ClancyO]

No love for the PD20? 4 levels (8-180), great UI, very pocketable and I added a tactical switch.

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

Shape of PD20 turns me off. P2D comes out of holster for use EASY!

 

[Cosmo7809]

Shape of PD20 turns me off. P2D comes out of holster for use EASY!

Agreed on that.

Also a big fan of P2d. I love that when walking back to my car in the dark or making a quick run outside I can twist the head fully and know first click is highest output, and that I do not have to cycle though a few modes to get there.

P2D for me. And besides goes with jeans, dress clothes anything. Small and slick, love it.

 

[nbp]

Why no love for the BitZ? I vote BitZ my fav 123 light.

Made by our own HgRyu with really no apparent flaws in my opinion (except that low-low can't utilize the memory feature). Attractive, HA coating, tiny for pocket carry, Ti pocket clip, creamy white P4 with flawless smooth as butter beam, trit slot, tailstand ability, and limited production. Currently my only custom light, and it's nearly perfect.

:thumbsup: HgRyu. I anxiously await your next creation!

 

[rockz4532]

Shape of PD20 turns me off. P2D comes out of holster for use EASY!

Same, I love the P2D, and even after a year of EDC, it has none but one scratch, since I've been using the holster.

 

[gollum]

I really love my Bitz
it is a very nice custom light that is good value
however I find it rarely makes my edc rotation because
its a twisty... takes me too long to twist it on ...😱
knurling is very nice but too aggressive for pockets unless solo
seems a bit too nice for edc
I'd hate topass it to some uneducated photon needy schmuck who will drop it🙁 they never realise a flashlight can be worth more than$6.99:shakehead

 

[Moonshadow]

Nitecore Extreme body but with the piston drive out of the EX10 would take some beating !

 

[Blindasabat]

I keep thinking of all the smaller, cheaper, more expensive, custom, & customizable lights, but it seems to always come back to the SureFire L1 for me. Grippy, simple, access what level you want NOW, momentary, and OMG no need to explain modes to anybody I loan it to - they figure the entire UI out faster than I could explain it. Nothing hidden from them for their own safety...no surprising strobe or blinky effects from trying to turn it off 😱..😳
And E-series body compatibility (as long as you know what you are doing!) is a plus.

That said... the Ra clicky, HDS, & yes, Novatac hide their modes well and people can pick one up & just use primary with satisfaction all day ...then I can access the customization easily & it does what I want mostly (see L1 above) how I want it. So close runner-up are Henry's lights.

My budget (in CPF terms) nominee is the Nitecore EX-10. Small, nice UI, lowlow level, good clip. Excellent EDC.

 

[DHart]

Blind.... I have a love/hate relationship with the L1. I think the L1 is a great light too and I have one. I like the press a little for low, press hard for high, and the output level when used with an RCR123.

But every time I use the light, I invariably want constant brightness, then having to use two hands and then twist just seems so much less convenient than a quick one-handed click offered by other designs. I suppose if the L1 were the only light I used, I might become more accustomed to it and not find the required twist to be so inconvenient compared to simple clicking... I guess that's why there are so many switching designs being created... to please many different preferences.

 

[Blindasabat]

Yeah, if you use constant on more often, then a clicky is more likely what you want. I typically use shorter burst of light - and low light at that - so the L1 works for me more often. And I have a "few" L1 style lights around the house & car, so I'm more used to them. I have 4 L1's plus another 3 or 4 McE2S two stage (just like the L1) equipped lights put together at any given time.
I like clickies too - I take them out for times when they work for my particular task. I have a Milky HDS (140-ish) and a NT120P/T WW mod (out for SuperNova treatment to make it a triple-modded light!) and I won't give up either of them. But I have & use more L1 & L1-type (L1 on other bodies with McE2S) lights overall.

...every time I use the light, I invariably want constant brightness, then having to use two hands and then twist just seems so much less convenient than a quick one-handed click offered by other designs. I suppose if the L1 were the only light I used, I might become more accustomed to it and not find the required twist to be so inconvenient compared to simple clicking... I guess that's why there are so many switching designs being created... to please many different preferences.

So using mine more, I easily do the twist one handed. ...oh, wait, that didn't come out right.

 

[richardcpf]

I dont know what you guys think but to nominate the worlds best CR123 flashlight we should consider all aspects. Performance, durability, usefulness and price.


"Hey look at my new flashlight, it has reinforced titanium alloy body, dual diamond coated lens, 5 custom user modes and a super low of 0.01 lumen!"

"Errr... no offense but... my $50 P2D is still brighter."

 

[DHart]

richard... the thing is, there really is no overall "best" as each individual places differing degrees of importance/value on various features and factors. One man's best is another man's ho-hum. And as for price, what's excessively costly for one man is of no consequence to another. The good thing is that there are are a lot of great single 123 lights, but no "best".

 

[DM51]

... the thing is, there really is no overall "best" as each individual places differing degrees of importance/value on various features and factors. One man's best is another man's ho-hum. And as for price, what's excessively costly for one man is of no consequence to another. The good thing is that there are are a lot of great single 123 lights, but no "best".

EXCELLENT post! That is the most important thing for everyone to understand. We all have different opinions, priorities and requirements. You have put it very well - thank you!

 

[justlux]

For me it's my Surefire E1B, which i sometimes keep in my handbag. It's well made and very bright.