back from much travel, learning about flashlights anew and thinking about the past

flashy bazook

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Jan 7, 2007
Messages
1,139
Hello fellow flashaholics! I've been out of commission for a while
due to much work and especially travel, both here in the US and
abroad. So I'm now busy catching up with the world of flashlights
and seeing what's new.

On the other hand, I got a good chance to use my flashlights under
various conditions for extended periods of time, and thought it is
now a good opportunity to write down a few impressions - what
worked, what didn't, what I think I did right and what could be
improved. Mainly, of course, what new flashlights I can rationalize
getting in the immediate future!

My philosophy is generally that one needs several different kinds of
flashlights, there isn't a "one flashlight to rule them all" out
there, although for general use one can make such an argument for
one special type of EDC light (more on this later). I should mention
a few lights that I already have: these include a Streamlight with
UV capability, a very efficient multi LED model, and another one in
a molle firefighter design; Fenixes L1D and L2D CE's, and the
original P1D CE; Lumapowers - Formula 1, M1, and the transformer M3; a first-gen SF L1 LED (red); a few converted Maglights, Luxeon K2's for the 3xDs, and Opalecs 3xLED for the 2xAAs; and my pride and joy, a Ti PD McGizmo (the batch right before the Mules came out).

First, some very general conclusions:

--modern LED's work amazingly well, I got nice white tints without even trying for all my flashlights, and really like the color rendition (even for complicated, multi-colored objects, such as a bookshelf full of different kinds of books). No issue with those that prefer incans, it's just my own personal preference. None of my LEDs (speaking of the lights themselves) have failed.

--The multi-LEDs overall haven't worked as well as the powerful
single-LED varieties (CREE XREs, Seoul P4s, and even older
Lux-IIIs). They retain some efficiency aspects (the 3xC streamlight
can supposedly keep light going for 336 hrs), but that's about it.
The K2 modified Maglights work fine if left in a car or some box in
the basement (if you have one), since you don't need huge efficiency
and the large formfactor generates sufficient power. A cheap
solution that doesn't have to be all that better to be good enough.

--I find that the flashlights that I tended to have used the most
have at least one relatively powerful "max" setting. That means
bigger than 40 lumens, at least, and preferably no less than 60-80.
Extremely low settings (think 3 lumens or below) have also proved
inadequate, even for reading in the dark. (my eyes are not getting
any younger, that's for sure!)

--the "molle" design is really useful to have around the house and
seems underappreciated (I found a comment by elektrolumens that his Angelux designs are a continually strong stealth seller for him, and I can see why!). There is simply nothing more useful than being able to put down and get some light in a desired direction in a direction parallel to the floor when you need to check something at the back of a cupboard or a cable behind a computer.

Next, some more concrete conclusions:

--I have been a very strong proponent of the Fenix L1D and L2D CE's. In terms of UI and ability to produce strong, useful light and
runtime, I have to say that these have delivered. And because they
use AA's, I have used them extensively during my trips abroad. There I found they worked great, both for indoors and various outdoors activities. But...after my most recent trip, the flashlight stopped working!! Not that means anything about the reliability of this particular model or the brand, but from all the flashlights I
mentioned above this was the only one to suffer such a defect. I
need to investigate further what went wrong (right now, I do not
know exactly what is the problem, I've just been too busy to track
it down).

--On the other hand, the P1D CE has been used extensively under
fairly abusive conditions (it's hanging outside a portable bag so it
bangs around all the time, including when the bag is thrown into a
car or to the floor). It has never failed, it is simply an amazingly
powerful and useable light and has a tiny size for the
functionality. I've also gotten admiring questions when I pulled out
the strobe function in out-of-the-way restaurants and such (OK, the
people may not have been as sophisticated as your average
flashaholic reader, but still).

--I have also been a proponent of the Lumapowers, and these have
worked wonderfully - no failures, just strong output and runtimes.
The M1 I've tended to use outside, because even with the OP
reflector it tends to produce a narrower beam, with a BIG throw, and the M3 inside. Maybe because I am lazy, I seem to have used the transformer M3 in a 2x rechargeable AA configuration most of the time (a few times also in a 1xCR123A configuration as an EDC). In all configurations it has delivered (and I just saw there is yet a new option of a turbo-head with a bigger reflector for the M3, which
naturally I need to order ASAP!!). I confess that after a while I
gave the F1 away as a gift and the person I've given it to hasn't
used it as much as I thought they would - so it has turned out to be
a bit of a disappointment. Still, even it produces a very nice
floody kind of indoors beam.

--my old-time SF L1 has been getting less use, something about the
loo low level of power and the optics, hard to put my finger on
exactly what it is, but it does not illuminate items to a sufficient
"resolution" somehow. On the other hand, I did an experiment where I compared its output with that of a normal white tint reasonably
powerful LED that was filtered to a red color against the L1.
Obviously, the conclusion was that an LED that is originally "tuned"
to red is much more efficient (orders of magnitude, I would guess).
I should add here that having diffusers is incredibly helpful (I
have a F04 diffuser plus red and blue filters) and adds useability
to any flashlight that can use it. But still it does not get rid of
the benefit of having at least a red LED flashlight at hand.

--Finally, the Ti PD McGizmo just comes closest than anything else
to the "one flashlight to rule them all" standard. I must confess
than when I first received it I wasn't sure whether I would like it.
But, the more I use it, the more I want to use it. Somehow it
manages to do a great job even in completely diverse circumstances:
indoors, the "low" setting is just about enough to be useful in
low-light conditions, and the "high" to illuminate whole sections of
a large area. Even outside, the "high" can illuminate useful parts
of the immediate environment. The beam itself is very useful - the
combination of the hotspot and the spill somehow works amazingly
well. I could write a lot more on the usefulness of the piston plus twisty UI, but ...I must impose some wordlimits somewhere! I've used a F04 diffuser with it and it works as a kind of room lamp - amazing! (and cheaper than buying the mule plus the normal PD!!) And I haven't even tried to use it underwater, which this particular
flashlight can apparently do easily. Flawless--at least technically.
The one flaw is that it is just so good, and expensive, I find that
I am careful as to when and where I use it, and would not (for
example) take it abroad. Too easy to imagine a situation in a poor
country's airport where it could be confiscated! (boo, hoo, hoo...).

The future?! So what do I need next?

--I need something extra for travel abroad. I think definitely two
small and light formfactor not very expensive flashlights, one a
1xCR123A for the portability and power, and one a 1xAA as backup
given the easy (and cheap) availability of the AA batteries. The failure of the L1D CE has scared me, as I would not have had a backup had this happened while I was abroad so two small separate flashlights from now on. Not the Lumapower M3, since if I were to lose one of the parts, I would lose the whole kit! Ideally, the two would have interchangeable tubes. Based on some reviews by x2x3x2, the two could be the new Hyperion plus the Jetbeam which supposedly can interchange tubes (though I need to check if this is true of all versions of these models).

--I would like to have a smaller molle formfactor with a more
general (less focused/high throw) beam than the Streamlight. The
pentagon molle is not powerful enough. So I am awaiting for
something with at least a CREE LED. Elektrolumens and his Angelux series of flashlights is the obvious (only?) possibility, but
somehow the formfactor of those military lights seems off to me (and what is that thing sticking out of one side? Very unsightly).

--I need (OK, not "need" exactly, more likely crave) one
mother-of-all-power LED flashlight (not up to HID standards, but
maybe bigger than the new Lumapower MRV - so we need a breakthough of some kind here). One that can hit some hundreds of meters of throw that is bigger than a tiny focused beam of light. Elektrolumens I suspect will be a primo supplier here! I saw a pre-order list on his website that I need to get onto ASAP.

The timing

--obviously, I can't buy everything at once! (and I even forgot
about those new lithium glowtubes which are finally starting to
appear, at least as pre-order items...).

--and, what about new technology? Is there a newer and greater LED about to come out? (what is this "rebel" I saw mentioned here and there?). It would be a mistake to buy everything in one type, as all could then become obsolete at the same time!

--Novatak/HDS would probably deserve a separarate chapter, but maybe it's worthwhile to wait until some reported quality issues shake out? (and something similar showed up with the new SF L1 - so there is value to waiting until sharper eyes have checked a new product out). Since I have the Ti McGizmo PD I don't really need the Novatak, unless I would be using it abroad, but then it does not have the AA tubes available yet. And it borders on the "too expensive to carry abroad" type.

Finally

--again to thank all flashaholics for sharing their knowledge here
with all those who, like myself, can spend some time at certain time
periods but have to bug out during others and cannot be experts all
the time.

--and if anyone is moved to comment on any aspect of the above (even if it is to tell me I'm off my rocker on something!), please go right on ahead!!
 

Gunner12

Flashaholic
Joined
Dec 18, 2006
Messages
10,063
Location
Bay Area, CA

paulr

Flashaholic
Joined
Mar 29, 2003
Messages
10,832
That's unfortunate about your L1DCE failing. In some ways it seemed like the ultimate travel light. I just got one, and a Peak Pacific 1aa titanium high power light (in Peak lingo, "high power" for the Pacific seems to mean around 20 lumens for 12+ hours runtime on an L91) which looks incredibly tough if somewhat heavy and bulky.

For affordable 123 lights, I like the Fenix P1CE a lot (one level, no modes, and better build quality than other Fenixes I've examined so far). In the price-no-object category, the Spy 005 (2nd gen) is my favorite, and I've been wanting a McGizmo Mule for close-up use. The venerable original McLux with the flood reflector is still really nice in this regard too. Of course the PD-S also sounds fantastic; I just haven't yet had a chance to personally try one.

And YAYYY!!!! Fenix-store.com is now taking preorders for a Rebel 80-based Fenix L1T, an incredibly welcome introduction for those of us who like AA cells and don't like computerized UI's. Why no Rebel 100 though? They still think the non-computer lights are 2nd class citizens, I guess.

I believe AA's are the best choice for general travel use. 123's can be ok if you want something powerful for occasional use when your AA light isn't bright enough. And 1AAA is still a great keychain edc form factor.

I think I might go ahead and preorder a Rebel L1T in the hopes that it's an AA counterpart to the P1CE.
 

ZebraLight

Enlightened
Joined
Apr 13, 2007
Messages
310
Location
Irving, Texas
The upcomming ZebraLight H50 is a small angle head 1AA light with a CREE LED, similar to the 'molle' design you mentioned.

https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/169180

SiliconPocketClipCPF.jpg


It can be used as a headlamp or a general purpose flashlight. I have been using our preproduction unit on a daily basis for a while, mostly as a flashlight standing on its tail end. The H50 beam is of flood type, without hot spot.
 
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