Hi all,
Currently EDCing a LD01 but lately I'm finding it's not exactly fitting the bill, mainly on two counts; 1) starts on medium, 2) low not low enough. I have a Quark AA and really like it's 0.2 lumen moon mode (is that the right term?) but the body is too big. I'd considered the Preon but its 1.8 lumen is a little high
To that end I'm looking for a replacement with the following features
- 1x AAA
- moon -> low -> med -> high (can have more levels but must start in low and logically get brighter or let me choose the order)
- moon mode, 0.2 lumen works, lower ok but would rather not higher
- beam pattern similar to ld01 is fine, not too narrow,
- a high similar to the ld01 or preon would be good.
- warm tint preferable but not a deal breaker
- trit groove would be nice
When I first started looking for a AAA last year the liteflux LF2XT had poped up on my radar but I discounted it due to some issues it was having at the time. Now I'm thinking this may be an option however I'm a little unclear on the output and whether it meets my needs.
For completions sake here's the checklist
0) What Region/Country/State will the light be purchased in?
____I will be mail-ordering or buying online, so this doesn't matter.
1) Price Range: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
____I could spend $40-60.
____I am willing to spend $80-$120.
2) Format:
____I want a flashlight.
3) Length:
____I don't care.
____1-2 inches. (Keychain sized)
____2-4 inches. (Pocket carry)
4) Width:
____I don't care.
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. (AAA)
6) How much light do you want? Sometimes you can have too much light
____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)
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)------------------------------|-------------Flood/close-up
(similar to ld01 or floodier)
8) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims (like some LED lights). but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries.
similar run time to ld01 would be good here,
9) Durability: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
____Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box.)
8) Switch Type:
____I don't care.
9) Switch Location:
____I want a push switch on the back end of the body.
or
____I want a rotating head switch.
10) Operational Modes: Check all that apply.
____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.) - this mode not a deal breaker
11) Is it important whether the body is metal or plastic/composite?
____I want a metal-bodied 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).
____Waterproof – IPX-8 is fine
____Non-reflective/dark finish (stealthy/hard to find)
____Corrosion resistant or hard-anodized finish
____Belt/Jacket clip
Currently EDCing a LD01 but lately I'm finding it's not exactly fitting the bill, mainly on two counts; 1) starts on medium, 2) low not low enough. I have a Quark AA and really like it's 0.2 lumen moon mode (is that the right term?) but the body is too big. I'd considered the Preon but its 1.8 lumen is a little high
To that end I'm looking for a replacement with the following features
- 1x AAA
- moon -> low -> med -> high (can have more levels but must start in low and logically get brighter or let me choose the order)
- moon mode, 0.2 lumen works, lower ok but would rather not higher
- beam pattern similar to ld01 is fine, not too narrow,
- a high similar to the ld01 or preon would be good.
- warm tint preferable but not a deal breaker
- trit groove would be nice
When I first started looking for a AAA last year the liteflux LF2XT had poped up on my radar but I discounted it due to some issues it was having at the time. Now I'm thinking this may be an option however I'm a little unclear on the output and whether it meets my needs.
For completions sake here's the checklist
0) What Region/Country/State will the light be purchased in?
____I will be mail-ordering or buying online, so this doesn't matter.
1) Price Range: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
____I could spend $40-60.
____I am willing to spend $80-$120.
2) Format:
____I want a flashlight.
3) Length:
____I don't care.
____1-2 inches. (Keychain sized)
____2-4 inches. (Pocket carry)
4) Width:
____I don't care.
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. (AAA)
6) How much light do you want? Sometimes you can have too much light
____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)
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)------------------------------|-------------Flood/close-up
(similar to ld01 or floodier)
8) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims (like some LED lights). but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries.
similar run time to ld01 would be good here,
9) Durability: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
____Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box.)
8) Switch Type:
____I don't care.
9) Switch Location:
____I want a push switch on the back end of the body.
or
____I want a rotating head switch.
10) Operational Modes: Check all that apply.
____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.) - this mode not a deal breaker
11) Is it important whether the body is metal or plastic/composite?
____I want a metal-bodied 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).
____Waterproof – IPX-8 is fine
____Non-reflective/dark finish (stealthy/hard to find)
____Corrosion resistant or hard-anodized finish
____Belt/Jacket clip
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