High output (around 400 lumens and upwards) LED flashlights using CR123/RCR123 batts

Hi guys! I'm a super newbie.
My first new thread.

Can you guys recommend to me a good, reliable LED flashlight that utilizes CR123 or rechargeable CR123s that give awesome output of at least 400 lumens and up? Seem to see only the 300 lumens kind.
I want something super bright, kinda interested in fenix's tk45, but they use AA's, hoping to see some 123s.


Thanks for your attention!

Help newbie?

If you are considering rechargeable CR123s , why not go for proper batteries like the 18650s ... They have the power !

Go for a Solarforce L2 with whatever dropin you desire ... Theres a huge choice in many modes and different power outputs ... The 18650 battery will handle it.

The L2 in the sand colour is beautiful ... I have three of them.
.

Wow thanks march.brown!

Ummmm, i just got into this hobby and just got some rechargeable 123s with a charger so thought of utilizing them more often.

18650s.......then i have to invest in another set of batteries and chargers

You can get an L2 and a Thrunite 1.5A drop-in. It makes 493 lumens at the led. The drop-in is available in 2.7V-4.2V or 2.7-9.0V. In that way you can use your rechargeable 123's without investing in 18650's. Hopes this help. .

don.gwapo, thanks for the heads up!
How's the build quality of Solarforce?

Oh wait, 4 cr123s for close to 500 lumens?

Anything more impressive?

You should also check Surefire M3LT which is actually being released ATM. It will have(has) 400 OTF lumen output from 3 CR123 cells

Perhaps the Fenix TK30 is what you're looking for.

Reasonably priced. Will take CR123s or 18650s when you want to invest in Li-ions and a charger.

Fenix say it can do 630 lumens.

Hmmm maybe my question should be, for a flashlight that uses cr123, which provides the greatest lumens?

Wow!
Any 900+ lumens ones?

I am so greedy for power

The Jetbeam RRT3 can do 1200 according to Jetbeam, using 6x CR123 cells and again can take 18650s when you want it to.

oh my goodness thank you!
I'll check them out.

I'm also pretty shallow, i love great-looking lights, any suggestions for powerful yet pretty ones?

Fizban said:

Wow!
Any 900+ lumens ones?

I am so greedy for power

Click to expand...

Get a surefire compatible host.

Go see the nailbender. Ask him for a 3 level (hi/med/lo) directdrive SST90 dropin for a surefire.

Get a McClicky Brass+ switch for your tailcap.

1000 lm in your pocket, or 1200 otf w/18650s.

treadmarks said:

Get a surefire compatible host.

Go see the nailbender. Ask him for a 3 level (hi/med/lo) directdrive SST90 dropin for a surefire.

Get a McClicky Brass+ switch for your tailcap.

1000 lm in your pocket, or 1200 otf w/18650s.

Click to expand...

WOW!

Ok I don't really understand the terms you used cos I'm very new to this.

What?

How do I get what you just said?

1000-1200 lumens in my pocket sure is COOL!

treadmarks said:

Get a surefire compatible host.

Go see the nailbender. Ask him for a 3 level (hi/med/lo) directdrive SST90 dropin for a surefire.

Get a McClicky Brass+ switch for your tailcap.

1000 lm in your pocket, or 1200 otf w/18650s.

Click to expand...

You wouldn't even get close to 1200 OTF lumens without a resistance mod to the spring.

And as someone who actually did this, I'm going to strongly recommend against doing that:
https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/272300&page=4

If you look at the test results, I got close to 1200 OTF lumens, but it quickly dropped by 200-300 lumens within 30 seconds.

Not to mention, the adhesive holding the glass dome onto the emitter to focus the beam was loosened from the heat of the testing.

I also melted down about 5 switches from the massive current.

I would strongly suggest one of these if you want a SAFE 1000+ OTF lumens in your pocket:
https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/267366

The aluminum version will be $155 once he gets them up and running. It's pricey to be sure, but if you accidentally fried Nailbender's module and order another one to replace it, you'll likely end up paying $160 anyway. I'm personally set on the copper version.

That being said, there's no problem if you run the Nailbender drop-in "as-is", that is, without messing around with it like trying to lower the resistance in order to increase the lumens.

Fizban said:

Hi guys! I'm a super newbie.
My first new thread.

Can you guys recommend to me a good, reliable LED flashlight that utilizes CR123 or rechargeable CR123s that give awesome output of at least 400 lumens and up? Seem to see only the 300 lumens kind.
I want something super bright, kinda interested in fenix's tk45, but they use AA's, hoping to see some 123s.


Thanks for your attention!

Click to expand...

Eagletac M2XC4. Takes 2 X CR123 or 2 X 18650. Outthrows just about anything. REALLY bright.

treadmarks said:

Get a surefire compatible host.

Go see the nailbender. Ask him for a 3 level (hi/med/lo) directdrive SST90 dropin for a surefire.

Get a McClicky Brass+ switch for your tailcap.

1000 lm in your pocket, or 1200 otf w/18650s.

Click to expand...

I have one of these, pretty much as described, with Nailbender DD single-mode SST-90, McClicky+Brass and 18650 battery. It cranks out some light, no doubt, with the biggest hotspot you've ever seen.

For a simple light, using 123's, I would just get a 6P host and then use a Nailbender SST-50 drop-in. The stock 6P twisty should work fine with that, and you don't need any boring of the body. I believe you'd get 400-500 OTF lumens with a SST-50 and RCR123's, but someone correct me if I'm wrong.

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Olight M30 Triton. 3 or 4 123's, or 2 18650's. 700 Lumens. I don't know if it is 700 or not, but mine is great!

A malkoff MD3 wildcat, www.malkoffdevices.com