Looking for a new EDC - Checklist inside

WHT_GE8

Enlightened
Joined
Jan 27, 2009
Messages
205
Location
Orlando, FL
Short Essay Question: What do you intend to use this light for?

Looking for a new every day carry, currently have a TK10 but I guess im bored of it now :crackup: I want something very solid and heavy feeling sort of like the TK10. It feels great in my hands. I sort of like how the head on the TK10 is bigger than the rest of the body, and definately want a tactical type switch I guess you could say with momentary on. Prefer it to run on 1x 18650. Want a very floody light with minimal throw/hotspot. Some accessories would be nice. Size isnt that much of a concern since I usually just have it in my cargo pockets. Prefer ~250 or more lumens.


0) What Region/Country/State will the light be purchased in?

__x__I will be mail-ordering or buying online, so this doesn't matter.
____I am in North America. More precisely I am in _______________.
____I am in South America. More precisely I am in _______________.
____I am in Europe. More precisely I am in _______________.
____I am in the Middle East. More precisely I am in _______________.
____I am in Africa. More precisely I am in _______________.
____I am in Asia, Japan or Micronesia. More precisely I am in _______________.
____I am in Australia. More precisely I am in _______________.


1) Price Range: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest! :)

____I only want to pay $1-10.
____I can spend $15-30.
__x__I could spend $40-60.
__x__I am willing to spend $80-$120.
____I have no limit!

2) Format:

__x__I want a flashlight.
____I want a headlamp.
____I want a lantern.
____I want a portable spotlight.

3) Length:

____I don't care.
____1-2 inches. (Keychain sized)
____2-4 inches. (Pocket carry)
__x__4-9 inches. (Holster carry)

4) Width:

__x__I don't care.
____I prefer a long narrow light.
____I prefer a short wide light.

5) What batteries do you want to use? Alkaline batteries are easier to find and less expensive but don't pack as much stored energy and are don't work well in cold temperatures. Lithium batteries have long shelf life (10+ years, great for stored emergency lights) and are not as affected by cold but must be kept dry and are more expensive. Rechargeable start expensive, but if used frequently pay off quickly.

____I want common Alkaline batteries. (AA, AAA, C, D)
____I want lithium batteries. (coin cells, CR123, AAA, AA...)
__x__I want a rechargeable system. (an investment, but best for everyday use)

6) How much light do you want? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is impossible).

____I want to read a map, or find a light switch, in a dark room. (5-10 lumens)
____I want to walk around a generally paved area. (15-20 lumens)
____I want to walk unpaved trails. (40 lumens)
____I want to do Caving or Search & Rescue operations. (60+ lumens)
__x__I want to light an entire campground or dazzle an intruder. (100+ lumens)

7) Throw vs Flood: Which do you prefer, lights that flood an area with a wide beam, or lights that "throw" with a tightly focused beam? Place an "X" on the line below.

Throw (distance)----------------------|----------------x------Flood/close-up

8) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims (like some LED lights). but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries.

____20 min. (I want the brightest light for brief periods)
__x__60-240 min. (1-2 hours)
____240-360 min. (4-6 hours)
____360+ min. (More than 6 hours)

9) Durability: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.

____Not Important (A "night-stand" light.)
____Slightly Important (Walks around the neighborhood.)
__x__Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box.)
____Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Self-defense, Survival.)

8) Switch Type:

____I don't care.
____I want a sliding switch. (Stays on until slid back.)
__x__I want a "clickie" switch. (Stays on until pressed again.)
__x__I want a momentary switch. (Only stays on while held down.)

9) Switch Location:

____I don't care.
____I want a push or sliding switch on the body near the head.
__x__I want a push switch on the back end of the body.
____I want a rotating head switch.
____I want a rotating end-cap switch.
____I want a remote control.

10) Operational Modes: Check all that apply.

____A simple on-off is fine for me.
__x__I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
____I want multiple light levels. (some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
____I want a strobe mode. (blinks to show location.)
____I want a tactical strobe. (Flashes rapidly to disorient an opponent.)

11) Is it important whether the body is metal or plastic/composite?

____I don't care.
__x__I want a metal-bodied light.
____I want a plastic/composite light.

12) Special Needs: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Circle any below or write in your own comment(s).

____Red (night vision preserving) filter
____Other filter colors (Amber, Green, Blue, _________)
__x__Waterproof – how deep: _____________
____Non-reflective/dark finish (stealthy/hard to find)
____Polished silver or brightly colored finish (for easy locating)
____Corrosion resistant or hard-anodized finish
____"Hybrid" light (bright incandescent combined with long running LEDs)
____Built-in second (or spare) lamp or filament
____Belt/Jacket clip
____Holster
____Wrist/Neck Lanyard
____Kobuton/self defense features
____Non-sparking Intrinsically Safe (IS) for use in explosive environments
 

NonSenCe

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Dec 23, 2008
Messages
1,573
Location
below polar circle.. in country which used to make
jetbeam military. tk12. eagletac t20.

my personal favorite is still the jetbeam because of its adjustability.

i dont have any of them.. i am still ok with tk11 and lmini2+turbo head as my 18650 throwers... i cant justify getting yet another one, which is bit like em.

yeah getting "bored" to a flashlight is a never ending cycle when it starts.. then you end up with 4 similar type of lights.. any that "could" do the job but you still crave for new one..

(my dilemma evolves with AA sized edclights.. jetbema pro1. quark. d10. akoray. itp c7. and then i have another one with 2AA size, itp c8, eagletac p100, romisen n3 etc.. and then with 18650 lights.. hahah)
 

flatline

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 6, 2009
Messages
1,923
Location
Tennessee
Look at the MG PLI. I'm not sure that it meets your runtime on high (claimed 700 lumens), but medium is as bright as High on a single emitter light. It's a very floody beam with wide hotspot that blends into the spill (there's at least 2 excellent reviews somewhere here on CPF...if I have time to come back and edit this post later, I'll find them and add the links).

Just checked Shiningbeam's site and it is sold out, but a new batch is due very soon (next week?).

Disclaimer: I don't have a PLI, but I plan on getting one of the next batch. I do have the L-mini II which uses a very similar driver a is also made by MG. I love it. Can't wait to get a PLI.

--flatline
 

WHT_GE8

Enlightened
Joined
Jan 27, 2009
Messages
205
Location
Orlando, FL
The PLI looks like a winner. It has a very nice beam and is supposedly getting a better beam with the redesigned head. I'm definately waiting for the next batch, in black. That camo color is ugly.
 

ionizedsky

Enlightened
Joined
Dec 30, 2008
Messages
226
A Malkoff MD4 body with a M60MC-E running 2 AW 18650 2600mah should run better for you I think. Not to mention it would probably run at least an hour and Half if not longer at full power with out overheating. I think the MG will get pretty hot in the 2x 123 body/ 18650 body.
 

lights

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Dec 14, 2007
Messages
30
Malkoff MD2 with either M60F or M30F, perhaps with a warm tint, with his two level selector ring. Absolutely bomb proof light, especially if you replace the stock kroll clicky with a maglight tail cap and use it as a twisty.

Mr Malkoff has a good thing going...
 

WHT_GE8

Enlightened
Joined
Jan 27, 2009
Messages
205
Location
Orlando, FL
A Malkoff MD4 body with a M60MC-E running 2 AW 18650 2600mah should run better for you I think. Not to mention it would probably run at least an hour and Half if not longer at full power with out overheating. I think the MG will get pretty hot in the 2x 123 body/ 18650 body.

Thats my dream setup, but unfortunately its extremely pricey. Ive debated on the MD2/M60F but with the 2 selector ring it will be more than $120 which is pretty pricey for a ~200 lumen light.
 
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