(first post, I'm brand new, but I've been reading a lot about 18650s, and their next gen counterpart the 20700s and 21-70s.)
I have an ecogear FX tk120X 1600 lumen that I got as a gift from my dad a few years back, but I've been looking for something a little brighter, and higher quality to replace it. The reason I want to replace it, is that I prefer using 18650s, because they are just more convientient to me, and I trust them more than disposables and rechargable batteries made to be a replacement to disposable alkalines. Why do I say this? Well, a little bit ago, I bought a duracell durabeam ultra for 20 dollars from Costco, and it significantly outperformed my ecogear, rated for a higher output. This made me lose a lot of trust for the ecogear.
What I love about both flashlights is that they can both 'zoom,' allowing them to function both as throw, and floodlights. My response, for a while, has just been to switch to the duracell. Only problem is that I use it daily working on my car, and using it around the shop that I work at, on things like cars and engines, but also outdoorsy things, since I have a dog, and a big yard. Using that light so much means I go through about 4 C batteries every two weeks or so, sometimes even faster. This is pretty wasteful in terms of how much I'm spending on batteries.
What I want in a light is:
If you guys have any suggestions that'd be nice. It's hard to find a good review site that doesn't just post whatever has the best amazon reviews. In the mean time, I'll keep looking
also, please excuse typos. My keyboard is falling apart.
I have an ecogear FX tk120X 1600 lumen that I got as a gift from my dad a few years back, but I've been looking for something a little brighter, and higher quality to replace it. The reason I want to replace it, is that I prefer using 18650s, because they are just more convientient to me, and I trust them more than disposables and rechargable batteries made to be a replacement to disposable alkalines. Why do I say this? Well, a little bit ago, I bought a duracell durabeam ultra for 20 dollars from Costco, and it significantly outperformed my ecogear, rated for a higher output. This made me lose a lot of trust for the ecogear.
What I love about both flashlights is that they can both 'zoom,' allowing them to function both as throw, and floodlights. My response, for a while, has just been to switch to the duracell. Only problem is that I use it daily working on my car, and using it around the shop that I work at, on things like cars and engines, but also outdoorsy things, since I have a dog, and a big yard. Using that light so much means I go through about 4 C batteries every two weeks or so, sometimes even faster. This is pretty wasteful in terms of how much I'm spending on batteries.
What I want in a light is:
- The ability to 'zoom' or 'focus' the beam so I can either light up an entire room, or focus on something far away.
- Runs on 18650 cell, or some other li-ion cell. Would prefer 18650s since they are easier to find, and are usually cheaper.
- has an evenly spread beam, which both makes it easier to see what I'm doing and around what I'm doing, and doesn't unleash my inner OCD, which is why I avoid mag lights
- Is somewhat water prrof or water resistant. I work with lots of oil and water, so I would like it to be able to survive the occasional splash, but it doesn't need to be literally submersible.
- durability isn't super important, but I would like it to feel solid, and I also want it to live for as long as it can. I don't want it to be a 'break in a month' durability level, but it doesn't have to be able to survive a nuclear blast
- a nice, wide grip for my big hands.
- a reasonably long battery life, so somewhere around 2 hours on high, but preferably more.
- Brighter than both of my current lights
- cost isn't super important. I'd be okay with spending a little more for somthing better. Also,it doesn't need to be ridiculously lightweight, small, portable, etc. As long as it isn't absurd, than I'm fine. I'd also be okay with having to use lots of 18650 cells, but only if it causes it to last longer than other options.
- It doesn't matter what kind of bulb it is. I haven't really researched HID bulbs, but I do know that they are incredibly bright. As long as it is bright, uniform light, then I'm fine.
- it has to be reliable, and long lasting. I don't want something that breaks in just a few weeks of normal use. Heat dissipation may help with this.
If you guys have any suggestions that'd be nice. It's hard to find a good review site that doesn't just post whatever has the best amazon reviews. In the mean time, I'll keep looking
also, please excuse typos. My keyboard is falling apart.
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