Your favorite / nicest / coolest / best flashlight of 2024?

[ChibiM]

The year is almost to its end...

What is/are your best flashlight(s) of 2024. (Must be bought/received in 2024)

Can be in any category, or multiple categories, including headlamps, bike lights.

For example:

Best EDC: x flashlight
Best budget: y flashlights
Best keychain: z flashlight

Please use the full name of the flashlight.
Eg: Acebeam TK16 and not: TK16

Here are the ones CPF members liked in past years:

Best of 2023

Best of 2022

Best of 2021

Best of 2020

Best of 2019

Best of 2018

Best of 2017

Best of 2016

Best of 2015

Best of 2014

Best of 2013

Best EDC of 2012

 

[bykfixer]

Good to see this one back for this year. Thank you @ChibiM! Thank you very much. 👍

My favorite/nicest/coolest/best flashlight of 2024 is actually:
Favorite/nicest/only/best flashlight of 2024 but it's not cool, it's neutral.....
The new Lumens Factory Seraph SP-6M in half body format using a Lumens Factory module designed for the Pentagon X1 flashlight. The module uses a 519A at 4000 kelvins. Fed by a Battery Station CR123.

Smooth stainless bezel ring added.

I added a Streamlight clip and Elzetta wrist strap.

 

[tech25]

Keychain: Olight imini 2. The optic gives a nice, useful beam and the way to turn it on and off is so convenient!

 

[ChibiM]

bump.... this thread is sad

 

[scalpel_ninja]

Best EDC: Elzetta Alpha A113 modified with de-domed Nichia 519A 4500K

Best budget: Convoy T3 titanium with de-domed Nichia 519A 5000K

Best keychain: tie between Prometheus Beta Ti and Peak LED Eiger SS with Nichia 219B 4500K

 

[desert.snake]

Best EDC: Malkoff MDC 3.4-6V SST-20 4000K with CR123 unshrouded body

Best budget: Convoy T3 Aluminium with silver paint, Nichia 519A 5000K

Best keychain: I don't know what this is, a friend gave them to me. 1 battery 2023, LED installed from unknown company 3300K CRI around 93-94

 

[ilikeguns40]

519a 4500k SS Eiger and a 219b 4500k Ti Reylight Lanapple.

 

[knucklegary]

Fireflies NOV-Mu v2 ~ 9x FFL351a 3700k Cri95 5500lm 1x 21700 ~ Finish MOA Fossil Grey...
This lil' baby will light up a warehouse with style!

 

[PaladinNO]

I'll get some pictures Tomorrow™.

Best EDC for me this year have to be a split between the Fenix LR35R and Emisar Noctigon K9.3.

Actually, I'll give the best EDC to the LR35R - those 10.000 Lumen cannot be denied. A major upgrade from my previous 3000 Lumen EDC.
And I'll give the best allrounder to the Noctigon, considering it can be specified to what you need it for.
I went with E21A 3500K hCRI + W1 Green as the perfect late-night walking light. And with RGB auxiliary lights, it looks pretty even when it's not in use (my first light with this feature, and it blew my mind!).



Best "budget":
I have barely used it yet (it arrived very recently), I will give to the Wurkkos FC11C. Nichia 519A, 4000K.
Doesn't have the versatility of the Noctigon, but it doesn't have the price or the size either. 18650 cell, and it's light enough to be slipped into a pocket and forgotten and still have the power and runtime I would want and need at most times. The perfect travel companion.



Best "waste of money (but in a good way)":
Emisar D4K dual-channel Copper. Nichia E21A 4500K + E21A 3500K (that 4000K mix CRI 98 is a true magnificence to behold).
This is the one light where I finally had to admit to the world I am a collector of lights and just a...buyer and owner...of 70 lights.
I always knew this copper light would not be used, other than living in a clear glass jar on my shelf with the auxiliary RGB LEDs shining. It will be an art piece, and I have no far not even touched it without wearing gloves.

EDIT:
Added pictures

 

[gurdygurds]

The only light I EDC is if there's one on my keyring. I had an i3e in the past, but had it modified to 15 lumens or so. Didn't understand the need for the 90 lumens for an hour or so. Now that I have a standard i3e, I get it. Used in short bursts the runtime isn't a big deal. Use it a lot and I'll change the battery. Still plenty of runtime to change a tire at night or something like that. The Zebra is just the coolest. AA, AAA, and levels galore in a nice tidy little package.

 

[Hooked on Fenix]

Nitecore NWL20 worklight. Gives 600 lumens of floodlight in a compact package run on a 21700 and is USB-C rechargeable. Has COB l.e.d. and spotlight, along with red l.e.d.s to avoid bugs and red flashing for roadside emergencies. Paired with a small solar panel, it's good for off grid, camping, maybe even backpacking on short trips or for groups. It's utility is most in how many ways it can be used. It can be strapped to a chest strap of a backpack for a chest light in place of or in addition to a headlight with the carabiner clip. Can be hung on rope, string, or branch with carabiner clip. Can be folded out straight and held in hand like a handle. Can be stuck to metal like under the hood of a car or a refrigerator with the magnets. Can be sat flat on ground for looking under a car or angled for lighting up an area. Only costs $35 with battery.

 

[Sabrewulf]

Just got my Reylight few days ago.
Triple 519a 5700 dedomed.

And noctigon m44, I believe 519a 4000 and 5000 dd.

Both done by skylumens.

 

[F89]

This light could fit into a few different categories, but for me it's the best light of 2024.
Surefire EDC1-DFT

 

[Jean-Luc Descarte]

Best EDC: Sofirn SC13 Nichia

I was interested in this light ever since first launch, but the ugly hideous SST40 they were using killed my interest. Once Sofirn announced that it would come out with a high CRI Nichia 519A option on a more neutral tint, I just had to have it.

I was ready for it to be enjoyable, and it is. The body form factor is satisfying to hold, the beam looks pretty even for a Fresnel lens, and the 519A on 5000K (especially mine that seems to have either neutral or slightly negative duv) is canned daylight. What I wasn't ready for is how handy it is. For indoor environments, the beam angle is downright perfect, the tint doesn't clash with indoor lighting at all, and for a small torch with an imperfect driver it sure has a long battery life. I used it consistently every workday for a month since I got it, and only today did I have to charge it; mind that this was with the battery charge it came out of the box with, that likely wasn't full for transport safety reasons.

Figured I'd get a minitorch for pure fun, ended up with an extremely satisfying EDC that's gonna stay in my rotation for a long time. Score! 🥳

Note: For the price I got it, it also mogs the "Best Budget" category.

 

[Schokokeks]

Good to see this one back for this year. Thank you @ChibiM! Thank you very much. 👍

My favorite/nicest/coolest/best flashlight of 2024 is actually:
Favorite/nicest/only/best flashlight of 2024 but it's not cool, it's neutral.....
The new Lumens Factory Seraph SP-6M in half body format using a Lumens Factory module designed for the Pentagon X1 flashlight. The module uses a 519A at 4000 kelvins. Fed by a Battery Station CR123.
View attachment 71180
Smooth stainless bezel ring added.

View attachment 71181
I added a Streamlight clip and Elzetta wrist strap.

I very much liked the SP-6M I got, too.

I don't see a 519A 4000K Drop-in, are you sure it's 4000K? Did I miss a batch?

Also, which stainless bezel did you use, and did you end up needing to get the tool to swap it? I've been toying with this idea...

Best EDC: Elzetta Alpha A113 modified with de-domed Nichia 519A 4500K

Best budget: Convoy T3 titanium with de-domed Nichia 519A 5000K

Best keychain: tie between Prometheus Beta Ti and Peak LED Eiger SS with Nichia 219B 4500K

I'll second most of this, save for the de-doming, haha.

I got an A113, too, and it's GREAT. I am not sure if I prefer the flood optic and the standard clicky, so I have a crenelated clicky I swap optics and caps around with, and I really like both configurations.

The A312 configuration with the Thrym is amazing, but the A123 (floody, high/low) with the speed click is really growing on me.

I did a T3 with 4000K 519A, and love it.

And, I decided to use a SS Eiger to try out a warm, high CRI LED, and...I'm in love.

Best EDC: Malkoff MDC 3.4-6V SST-20 4000K with CR123 unshrouded body

Best budget: Convoy T3 Aluminium with silver paint, Nichia 519A 5000K

Best keychain: I don't know what this is, a friend gave them to me. 1 battery 2023, LED installed from unknown company 3300K CRI around 93-94

View attachment 71348

I did an unshrouded CR123 body with an M61WLL, and it's just...so good.

I have a silver T3, but I have the red SST-20 in that, because it's really easy to spot in low light, and that's my low light light, haha.

519a 4500k SS Eiger and a 219b 4500k Ti Reylight Lanapple. View attachment 71362

The Prometheus clip on the Eiger is really, really good. It's kind of pricey, and seems like it wouldn't be such a big deal, but man...

This light could fit into a few different categories, but for me it's the best light of 2024.
Surefire EDC1-DFTView attachment 71827

While I don't know if I can say I have a single favorite (especially after I just seconded like half a dozen candidates), I might narrow it down to the EDC1-DFT. It's so, so cool. Great quality, and amazing performance. I especially love the checkering, because it's fine enough to feel smooth with light pressure, but VERY grippy with pressure.

 

[bykfixer]

@Schokokeks the stainless bezel was added as an option. It was in a drop down menu for an additional $1.50. It was on the light when it arrived. Howthehell to remove it? Got me. Maybe a raquetball squashed against the bezel and twisted could work.

There are no 4000kelvin Pentagonlight modules yet....
Mark asked me for some measurements from my collection at one point and sent me the neutral module as a thank you when he had finished the others.

 

[Schokokeks]

@Schokokeks the stainless bezel was added as an option. It was in a drop down menu for an additional $1.50. It was on the light when it arrived. Howthehell to remove it? Got me. Maybe a raquetball squashed against the bezel and twisted could work.

View attachment 72058


There are no 4000kelvin Pentagonlight modules yet....
Mark asked me for some measurements from my collection at one point and sent me the neutral module as a thank you when he had finished the others.

Ah, okay. I bought mine with the drop-in.

It's only $10 more to essentially add the SP-6M if you're already buying a drop-in, so it's kind of a no-brainer to get a pretty good host for that little upgrade.


I think I found the bezel that works:

Lumens Factory

www.lumensfactory.com

 

[Notion]

The only light I EDC is if there's one on my keyring. I had an i3e in the past, but had it modified to 15 lumens or so. Didn't understand the need for the 90 lumens for an hour or so. Now that I have a standard i3e, I get it. Used in short bursts the runtime isn't a big deal. Use it a lot and I'll change the battery. Still plenty of runtime to change a tire at night or something like that. The Zebra is just the coolest. AA, AAA, and levels galore in a nice tidy little package.
View attachment 71369

I just got the idea to try AAA eneloops in my sc53c, it actually works without rattling!

Best Budget: Edoluc Glow Arrow Smooth ( got it at introductory price )
Best Custom: FireArc Nebula