Need a new light for work

Hey Y'all i purchased a HDS recently and have been using it at work eating through 1-2 Cr123's a night is taxing. I also picked up a ZL H32F headlamp and love it but it also eats CR123's at a rate of about 1 a night. So i ordered a new headlamp the H600Fd Mk4? If i recall so a 18650 headlamp. I'm looking for a flashlight that's also 18650 or if there's a better battery choice i am open i can cancel or modify my ZL order.

I work nights and in in the dark so need something with good output and long runtime. I'm on average working in the dark 5-8 hours a night.

Not it overly huge prefer something the size of the old surefire fury? If anyone remembers that light.

Cost is not a huge factor.

Thanks for any any help guys. I'm working on helicopters in Afghanistan.

Too many options you have here. Any 18650 light with a 200-400 lumen mode from popular brands like zebralight, fenix, olight... would work for you. With a 3500mAh 18650 many lights can do 4hours at 200-400lumens.
18650 is a great choice imo.

If you like your HDS, then you can buy a 18650 body for it.

One example can be zebralight sc600 IV HI. One high mode is 264lumen for 5.6 hours. At 127 lumen it can do 13 hours.

I thought about getting the 18650 body for my HDS but i figured i might as well get a new light i don't save much by getting just the body. I am extremely impressed with my H32F headlamp from ZL so i may try out a flashlight from them i will look at the sc600IVHi thank you

I'd look at Malkoff. Maybe an M61. 325 lumens and a simple twist of the head puts it in low mode to conserve power. Very durable considering where you'll be working.

+1 on the Malkoff MD2/M61 set up. It can operate on 1x18650 or 2xCR123. I carry one with me everywhere. Helluva flashlight.

I like the Malkoff idea except the grip. They're made to slip n slide to n from holsters. Although not slippery I think grip is a high priority in this case.

A SureFire G2x Pro starts out with a good general light to peer inside dark places and guide your steps. Then a 2nd click engages a nice high beam that rivals lights with higher rated output. It's ergonomics are for bare or gloved hands as well. Side by side with my 650+ lumen Elzetta Bones hardly shows a difference. Comes in tan, black, olive drab or yellow too.
Figure $50-75 depending on the source.

One more thing....

THANK YOU!!!

The thing that really keeps the SureFire lights off of my radar is that SureFire does not design their lights to use rechargeable cells. You may be able to find a workaround using 3.2 volt LiFePO4 cells like K2 energy. But I have a feeling that if SureFire knew rechargeable batteries where used, it would void the warranty.
I don't use any lights that don't use rechargeable cells, especially at work, where flashlight use can be extensive.

Protac 2lx

If it were me, I'd be disappointed relpacing the HDS with anyting but another HDS or a Malkoff. Their build quality, runtime and beam are things others strive to emulate. Of course there's the Oveready BOSS, if you're happy with the price. There's some blemished ones on the site, I think.
I'd get an MD2 with a drop in that suits your needs or a new tube for the HDS.
That's my 27 pence.
P

And THANK YOU too.

bykfixer said:

A SureFire G2x Pro

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+1
g2x pro with 16650 cells. Good runtime. Very light weight. Dead reliable

cp2315 said:

+1
g2x pro with 16650 cells. Good runtime. Very light weight. Dead reliable

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I didn't mention 16650's because for the life of me...
oh, never mind I've been trying to fit a 17650 in mine.
Doh!

Was going to say "16650's don't fit in mine" but I just looked at the battery. Duh...
Ok, 17650's don't work.

Yes surefire and 16650's have worked well for me, 2500mah tank is pretty decent. My biggest work lights(right now) are the 6p and G2, fed 16650 fuel with a triple 219b 4500k and a single 219b mule.

I just find the 6p a perfect size, just feels great in hand with the knurling(gripy) as well as solid. Not only that, a classic light which you can add a modern day p60 if preferred. That way you can pick your modes and beam type/colour temps to your preferences.
Zebralight really do offer a compact light , with a larger tank to run on. Offer some excellent run times, if any light can get you through 5-8hrs, a ZL should! Very efficient drivers, programmable to suit your application, very easy to EDC for an 18650 light. As you can see, smaller than a HDS rotary.

18650/16340/16340


Pretty tough/hardy as well, potted and tough ano which has impressed me holding up well on a few fumbled drops.

Choices choices,

Oh, for the HDS get some 16340 cells, maybe 4 of. Little 2 bay charger(xtar or nitecore will do), that way after a $20-$30 spend, pretty much free to run HDS. There will be a good amount of cell swapping though, but means you can enjoy your HDS as is(in compact form compared to the 18650 body anyway) without the cost or waste. Just a thought, the 18650 body would make sense, but the price point and postage is not too friendly imho.

Hey guys busy few days

will the 16340 "drop in" my CR123 HDS?

I really like my zebraLight H32F can the 16340's work in it as well?

Ive purchased the new ZL H600Fd mk4 so 18650 and was trying to figure out if i needed button or flat top, protected or unprotected. There's so much to choose from in regards to batteries.

Also for a charger I'm thinking about the xtar VP4 thoughts?

ven said:

Oh, for the HDS get some 16340 cells, maybe 4 of. Little 2 bay charger(xtar or nitecore will do), that way after a $20-$30 spend, pretty much free to run HDS. There will be a good amount of cell swapping though, but means you can enjoy your HDS as is(in compact form compared to the 18650 body anyway) without the cost or waste. Just a thought, the 18650 body would make sense, but the price point and postage is not too friendly imho.

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i feel stupid i was googling RCr123 batteries the other day i just never saw they are referee to as 16340's

Hey, it's alright. We don't know how to mend a helicopter.
P

jlittle said:

i feel stupid i was googling RCr123 batteries the other day i just never saw they are referee to as 16340's

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Its cool, yes 16340(RCR123) are a similar size 16mm wide and 34mm long, to the cr123, except 3.7v nominal(4.2v fully charged) compared to 3v nominal. Yes supported with HDS , all i use as CR123 cells would be too expensive for me in the UK. They tend to offer around 1500mah in the tank, where as 16340 cells are closer to 700mah. So run times are less with 16340 cells, but once you have charged one, 2 or 3 times................its as good as free to run. Hence why several spare 16340 cells would be a good idea, in some capsules ready for use for example .

ven said:

Its cool, yes 16340(RCR123) are a similar size 16mm wide and 34mm long, to the cr123, except 3.7v nominal(4.2v fully charged) compared to 3v nominal. Yes supported with HDS , all i use as CR123 cells would be too expensive for me in the UK. They tend to offer around 1500mah in the tank, where as 16340 cells are closer to 700mah. So run times are less with 16340 cells, but once you have charged one, 2 or 3 times................its as good as free to run. Hence why several spare 16340 cells would be a good idea, in some capsules ready for use for example .

Click to expand...

thanks for the reply and what would be a good charger if i have several 16340's and a few 18650's?