High CRI, 500+ lumens, clicky, tiny, titanium, CR123 or 16340

benh

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Sep 2, 2005
Messages
169
I have an Olight S1 Baton Ti that's been my EDC since late 2015. While i have really loved this light, I have the itch to upgrade.

I like the fact that this light can take a CR123 or an 16340, and love the tiny size and great performance.

I HATED the magnet in the tailcap, because all of the other stuff in that pocket would stick to it, so I removed it, since it was easy to do.

I'm looking for a replacement for this guy.

My desires are:
  • At least as small as my current S1 Baton Ti. I carry this in dress pants, and need small.
  • 500+ lumens
  • 60-ish minute runtime at medium/high
  • Neutral tint, high CRI (High CRI is a nice to have, not a hard requirement.)
  • Balanced beam pattern, with some throw, but usable in small areas is more important than lighting up the moon. The beam pattern on the S1 Baton is actually fine.
  • Multiple levels (moonlight, low, medium, high. Turbo is nice but not required)
  • Titanium
  • Durable. This is very important. I'm not saving lives here, but want something that'll endure the usual insults without a hiccup.
  • Clicky, either tailcap or side. I do not want a twisty.
  • Ideally will take a 16340 or similar rechargeable for day to day, and be able to use a CR123 primary in a pinch. An AAA form factor battery would be ok, but I tend to prefer the aesthetics of single CR123 lights.
  • I'm happy to remove the battery to charge it, but if it can be recharged in the light, great.
  • No non-removable magnet in the tailcap.


I'm not overly price sensitive. For reference, this light displaced a Ra Clicky Ti as my EDC. For the perfect light, I'll pay a few hundred bucks without much heartburn, but I'm not TRYING to spend a lot. I was shocked at how much light I could get for $75 with the Olight.

I'd probably just go with an Olight S1RII Ti, but I really dislike the magnet and it seems like it's not only not removable but integral to the charging scheme.
 

AVService

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Dec 30, 2011
Messages
2,163
I *really* don't like the magnet in the tailcap/base, and it seems integral to the charging mechanism.

Find a way to kill the magnet with heat and charge outside of the light!

On the other hand if its not broken why fix it?
The light you already have seems ideal from your own admission and list?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Sos24

Enlightened
Joined
Jan 18, 2018
Messages
508
The Fenix E16Ti is the smallest CR123/16340 flashlight I am aware of. I do not know what the CRI is of the emitter and it does have a tail magnet that I do not know if it is removable.

If you are willing to go slightly longer but a little narrower, I recommend checking out the EagleTac D3c Ti or D25c Ti. They're the smallest CR123/16340 flashlights I know with tail clicky and no tail magnet. They both can come with a Nichia 219C CRI-92 LED. SkyLumens' also has a Eagletac D25Cvn version with 95cri SST20 emitter.
 

benh

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Sep 2, 2005
Messages
169
Find a way to kill the magnet with heat and charge outside of the light!

On the other hand if its not broken why fix it?
The light you already have seems ideal from your own admission and list?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It's not broken, but it's not optimal. More lumens/longer runtime would be nice. The side clicky is getting easier to press so it comes on in my pocket more, and the rubber is degrading. High CRI would be nice.

Basically, yes, what I want is an upgraded/optimized S1 Baton. I'm beginning to think that maybe I should just have SkyLumens find a new S1 Baton and mod it for me.
 

benh

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Sep 2, 2005
Messages
169
The Fenix E16Ti is the smallest CR123/16340 flashlight I am aware of. I do not know what the CRI is of the emitter and it does have a tail magnet that I do not know if it is removable.

If you are willing to go slightly longer but a little narrower, I recommend checking out the EagleTac D3c Ti or D25c Ti. They're the smallest CR123/16340 flashlights I know with tail clicky and no tail magnet. They both can come with a Nichia 219C CRI-92 LED. SkyLumens' also has a Eagletac D25Cvn version with 95cri SST20 emitter.

Thanks. That Fenix looks really interesting. Shame about the finish.

The EagleTac D3C looks *really* nice. Very nice aesthetics, high CRI, a bit longer than I'd prefer, but hey.

Those are two really nice options I was unaware of.
 

archimedes

Flashaholic
Joined
Nov 12, 2010
Messages
15,780
Location
CONUS, top left
Emisar D4Ti 18350 ?

Can't safely use a primary cell, but otherwise meets your criteria I think, including various emitter options.
 
Last edited:

benh

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Sep 2, 2005
Messages
169
Emisar D4Ti 18350 ?

Can't safely use a primary cell, but otherwise meets your criteria I think, including various emitter options.

The Emisar is interesting too. I think it might be a bit too fat overall, but wowsers, that's a heck of a high CRI powerhouse.
 

benh

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Sep 2, 2005
Messages
169
Update:

I've been carrying an Eagtac D3C for a bit. It is nice, but ultimately I'm not sure it'll be the light for me. I'm not a fan of the head twist mode change, though I've been getting used to it.

On the other side, I just got an Acebeam TK16-AL with 3 SST-20s at 95 CRI. This is a pretty pretty great light.

I agree with those who have said that it could be an 18350 light of the same size if the knurling were less gnarly, and that extra energy would be welcome. I'm eagerly awaiting the Ti version, which I think will be my next EDC.
 

PartyPete

Enlightened
Joined
Aug 14, 2015
Messages
486
The Acebeam definitely was the first thing that came to mind. Hopefully it serves you well.

I think they definitely should make another model to accommodate a slightly larger cell as well.
 
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