Brightest straight-body 2xCR123 light?

I've got the EagleTac D25LC2 with the Nichia 219B emitter, but I'm craving something brighter. However, I REALLY like the straight tube design where the head is the same diameter as the body. Their XM-L2 version puts out 620 lumen, but I can get almost that from my Sunwayman V11R running on a 14500.

So, if my V11R can put out 520 lumen at 4.2V, are there any straight-tube 2xcr123 lights than can put out more using the higher 6.4V from the two primaries?

KQL said:

I've got the EagleTac D25LC2 with the Nichia 219B emitter, but I'm craving something brighter. However, I REALLY like the straight tube design where the head is the same diameter as the body. Their XM-L2 version puts out 620 lumen, but I can get almost that from my Sunwayman V11R running on a 14500.

So, if my V11R can put out 520 lumen at 4.2V, are there any straight-tube 2xcr123 lights than can put out more using the higher 6.4V from the two primaries?

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The CR123's are your limiting factor, as they are hard pressed to maintain that kind of draw. If you went to IMR 16340's, you could bump up the performance. The run time on CR123's is going to be short at the actual max output number.

KQL said:

So, if my V11R can put out 520 lumen at 4.2V, are there any straight-tube 2xcr123 lights than can put out more using the higher 6.4V from the two primaries?

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Wouldn't the light likely have some sort of a buck circuit bringing the voltage down anyhow?

The FourSevens QT2L-X with burst mode at 780 lumens may interest you, its body is not really that straight but it is only 22mm wide.

Have you looked at the fenix PD35? 850 lumen stock. Runs 18650 or CR123's. I got a custom one from Vihn and it is crazy bright on one 18650. I haven't tried it with primaries yet. It's around 1400 lumens.

Nitecore P12 - 950 lumens

I really like my NiteCore P12 950 lumen light.


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Great suggestions, thank you. That PD35 sounds great, I don't see it on Vihn's list of lights, was it a special run? (Edit: found it) Are standard 18650's capable of running it (I have some EagTac 3400's), or would I need higher draw IMRs? Other members of the household use these lights too, and I want to keep the number of precautions I'd have to communicate to them to a minimum.

Watching my wife's eyes glaze over while I was explaining the Zebralight interface to her, now that light only gets used by me. That's a win-win I guess.

I hate to be nit-picky, but both the PD35 and the P12 are an inch longer than the D25LC2, but might be worth it for the lumen bump. Are the stated lumen levels (PD35=850,1400vn, P12=950) using the ANSI standard?

Boy, that 1400 lumen PD35 sounds nice.

Regular 18650s will run the PD35 just fine. Your 3400s will do the trick. It is supposed to be 900 lumens on 2 CR123s. I really like mine!

To be clear, I was asking if EagTac 3400 would run the modified 1400 lumen pd35. But I'll just reach out to Vihn.

Dan FO said:

Regular 18650s will run the PD35 just fine. Your 3400s will do the trick. It is supposed to be 900 lumens on 2 CR123s. I really like mine!

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Thrunite tn12 2014 - 1050 lumens

KQL said:

To be clear, I was asking if EagTac 3400 would run the modified 1400 lumen pd35. But I'll just reach out to Vihn.

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My mistake.

Southpaw1925 said:

Thrunite tn12 2014 - 1050 lumens

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This one looks good too, and for only $45. But I think the 5000k pd35 from Vihn is probably in my near future.

Mountain Electronics SSSP is pretty bright for a pocketable straight-body light. It's a modified Convoy S6 with triple XPG2 at up to 6 amps. Around 1500 lumens OTF.

It doesn't run on 2xCR123 though. For max possible output run it on a single high-drain 18650 cell like a Samsung INR 20R.

Entire light made to order including all the mods preinstalled is around $60.

I placed an order for a Fenix PD35 this morning from REI. I considered Vihn's modified light, but in the end I like being able to use the cr123s if needed, not just 18650's. Thank you everyone for the input.

KQL said:

I placed an order for a Fenix PD35 this morning from REI. I considered Vihn's modified light, but in the end I like being able to use the cr123s if needed, not just 18650's. Thank you everyone for the input.

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Any particular reason you chose the PD35 over the P12?

Ryp said:

Any particular reason you chose the PD35 over the P12?

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1) I have several Fenix lights and have been happy with them.
2) SelfBuilt's comments on quality of "feel" in his comparison review.
3) I have a local REI that I can return the PD35 to if it doesn't suit my needs.
4) The biggest complaints with the PD35 that it a) doesn't tail stand and b) doesn't have a low-low mode don't figure into my projected use for it.
5) The PD35 has been measured to be around 950 lumen, so that's a wash with the P12, and the TN12.
6) After being disappointed with the quality of my D25LC2, my first EagleTac, I wanted something that will just work out of the box, instead of taking a chance on a new-to-me brand.

In fact, the TN12 was my runner up choice, and I may still get it as an extra light in the future.

REI has the P12, and it's $15 cheaper than the PD35. It also throws farther than the PD35 and can tailstand. The ~100 lumens between the 3 lights will barely be noticeable, and the P12 has a battery voltage indicator which none of the other 2 lights have.

Ryp said:

REI has the P12, and it's $15 cheaper than the PD35. It also throws farther than the PD35 and can tailstand. The ~100 lumens between the 3 lights will barely be noticeable, and the P12 has a battery voltage indicator which none of the other 2 lights have.

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Didnt realize REI carried Nitecore. And sure enough, my local one has them on hand. Will definitely check it out first hand next time I'm there.

Does anyone have a phone number for Vihn? I am interested in his mods for PD 35 or Army Tec Barracuda, my 2 new lights. Only want to mainly use 18650s w 26 or 34 mah. Thanks.

Charles