Making the switch from budget to nice

smrtprts

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Feb 18, 2010
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Looking for an EDC light similar to my Ultrafire A10 but not KD/DX.

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.
____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)
__x__2-4 inches. (Pocket carry)
____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.

__X__I want common Alkaline batteries. (AA, AAA, C, D)
____I want lithium batteries. (coin cells, CR123, AAA, AA...)
__1*14500__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.)
____Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box.)
__X__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.)
____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.)
__X__I want multiple light levels. (some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
__(nice to have, not nesissisary)__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, _________)
____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
__X__Kobuton/self defense features
____Non-sparking Intrinsically Safe (IS) for use in explosive environments

I have been looking at various Nitecore and Fenix lights but there are just so many! Thanks guys.
 
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gcbryan

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Re: Making the switch for budget to nice

You say "but no Chinese" but the ones that you've mentioned looking at Fenix and Nitecore are made in China.
 

sol-leks

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Re: Making the switch for budget to nice

I'm assuming the OP just means no DX/KD.
Check out the fenix store and four seven's.
I'm guessing you will either want a quark AA, quark AA tactical, a nitecore D10 or a fenix LD10.
 

smrtprts

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Re: Making the switch for budget to nice

You say "but no Chinese" but the ones that you've mentioned looking at Fenix and Nitecore are made in China.

I just meant no DX/KD, sorry.

Hmmm, doubting there's any US made lights that fits all the criteria and go for $40-60...

See above

I'm assuming the OP just means no DX/KD.
Check out the fenix store and four seven's.
I'm guessing you will either want a quark AA, quark AA tactical, a nitecore D10 or a fenix LD10.

Thanks for clearing that up. Thanks I will look into it.
 

Hondo

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Re: Making the switch for budget to nice

At the high end of your price range, but the Nightcore Defender Infinity (NDI) seems to cover all of the bases. Two modes by head twist, lower mode programmable, forward tactical clickie and a fairly aggressive crenelated bezel. Can use any AA including 14500 Li-Ion.
 

Robin24k

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Re: Making the switch for budget to nice

I would say also check out the Maglite XL100, fits well at the lower end of your budget and is also Made in USA. :thumbsup:
 

smrtprts

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Re: Making the switch for budget to nice

I have it narrowed down to the SR3 and Extreme R2...
 
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skyfire

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Re: Making the switch for budget to nice

I have it narrowed down to the SR3 and Extreme R2...


both those use 1x cr123a. in my opinion, 1xcr123a makes a better pocket edc. i would suggest the quark 123. nitecore ex10. the jetbeam RRT-0 is very nice, but cost a bit more than you might want to pay for. and of course the Ra clicky, which is way over your price range.

for AA lights, check out the nitecore d10, nitecore ndi. quark AA, jetbeam jet-1 pro. i suggest these, and not the LD10 because these can use 14500 li-ion which will make it much brighter.
 

smrtprts

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Re: Making the switch for budget to nice

Quark uses OTF right? What about Nitecore?
 

zwerky

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Re: Making the switch for budget to nice

I have it narrowed down to the SR3 and Extreme R2...

i have the extreme r2, for what it's worth, mine died on me (shorted out: i heard a whining sound and a funny smell and then nada, no light) after very little use. besides that, i like the light a lot -- it's a decent thrower and plenty bright. i find it a little bit on the chunky side, so i edc my ex10 r2.
 

hyperloop

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i own an EX10 R2 as well and must point out that the Trustfire protected RCR123s will not fit in the light, i mean, it can fit, just that the piston will not work.

I use Soshine unprotected RCR123s in my EX10 R2 and it works just fine, just remember to check voltages regularly (am quite anal about that and even have a charger in the office so that i can top up the cell on a regular basis).

Even though you have mentioned no DX/KD, i must say that the Akoray K-106 from KD is serving me very well, i am now carrying that to work on a daily basis with a few other lights either on me or in my bag.
 

smrtprts

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i have the extreme r2, for what it's worth, mine died on me (shorted out: i heard a whining sound and a funny smell and then nada, no light) after very little use. besides that, i like the light a lot -- it's a decent thrower and plenty bright. i find it a little bit on the chunky side, so i edc my ex10 r2.

Oh man thats not good.

i own an EX10 R2 as well and must point out that the Trustfire protected RCR123s will not fit in the light, i mean, it can fit, just that the piston will not work.

I use Soshine unprotected RCR123s in my EX10 R2 and it works just fine, just remember to check voltages regularly (am quite anal about that and even have a charger in the office so that i can top up the cell on a regular basis).

Even though you have mentioned no DX/KD, i must say that the Akoray K-106 from KD is serving me very well, i am now carrying that to work on a daily basis with a few other lights either on me or in my bag.


Thanks for the heads up.

Quark 123 and mini 123 look nice as well.

Which batteries do you guys recommend? Ill probably get those at DX.
 
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smrtprts

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If I were to increase my budget to $100, what else would you recommend?

Is the RRT-0 worth the extra $30 over the Jet-I pro 3.0? Also, it sounds like no Trustfire 123 batteries fit which means I will have to go with AW's?
 

RedForest UK

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Remember that the SR3 is on sale at half price ($60) at 4sevens at the moment. :thumbsup:
 

smrtprts

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Feb 18, 2010
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I definately recommend the Quarks. Cheap, reliable, quality, and have a great overall useful beam.

Over the jetbeams and SR3?

Remember that the SR3 is on sale at half price ($60) at 4sevens at the moment. :thumbsup:

Right right. The Jet-1 is $56 after 20% off at bugout gear and the RRT-0 is $88 after the same discount.

I am worried about all CR123 lights not being able to take DX batteries due to their length.
 

SR.GRINGO

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The Nitecore EZ123 is on sale for $35 at battery Junction. The deal breaker for me is no RCR123´s.
 

smrtprts

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Feb 18, 2010
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I have it down to the Jet RRT-0, Jet I Pro 3.0 and SR3.

Unsure if the RRT is worth $30 more. If it is, why is it rated for 180 lumens on AA when the jet I is 240 on AA? Makes the AA extender not worth it.

Sounds like all three lights have their problems. Jet's have preflash and SR3 has the blink glitch.
 
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