Looking For a 2xCR123 Luxeon Utility Flashlight

With its advertised 30 lumens (likely less) and broad spot, the Streamlight Jr. Lux is a great utility light for general tasks up to about 25 ft. out. Beyond that, while still relatively effective for a flashlight in its class, the Junior hands over functionality, particularly outdoors, to lights that are better suited for tasks in the 25 to 75 ft. range. While I'm not looking for throw just for the sake of throw, I am looking for a 2xCR123 Luxeon flashlight with a bit more snot than the Junior, a little brighter, a little tighter without loosing too much utility to keep it from being a great all around flashlight. Of course I'm looking at the usual cast of characters, the Peli M6, the Scorpion, the TL-2, the T3, the E2L, but these, because of their tight beams, seem to be mostly Xenon replacement spotlights. I am, however, taking a closer look at the Inova T2 and XO and the Longbow Mini. Do these lights have that little extra "oomph" that I'm looking for? Or should I consider a "throwier" beam. I'd prefer a clickie with momentary over a twistie and any rear mounted switch over a side switch. Smaller is better as this may be my EDC. Runtime is good too. My request is easy. I'm looking for the perfect flashlight!!

73
dim

I have/had the Pelican M6, TL-2 LED, TL-3 LED, Gerber LX 3.0, SL Task Light, and the Streamlight Jr.

None give me the throw I want either. My GerberLX must have had a bummer Lux, as it wasn't significantly brighter than any of the others.

I purchased two hand selected 3 watt Nuwai's from Third Shift, the TM 115 I think is the number. High/low switch like the Streamlight 2L 3 watt. They have a deep smooth reflector that out throws anything else I own, approaching a 2L incandescent in throw. I like them a lot, and use them in preference to the others. The low level is super nice too, for long life, when you don't need the throw.

You might PM him to see if he has some more. I think he was putting in some TWOK's/TWAK's, etc. in a few that were sub-standard.

Re: Looking For a 2xCR123 Luxeon Utility Flashligh

Take a look at the QIII's mother TM301-3. Nice little 3W with two stage tail switch and good combo of spill and throw. Its going for less than $50 at the following sites and in the B/S/T threads from time to time.

Ebay Seller

AmondoTech

Re: Looking For a 2xCR123 Luxeon Utility Flashligh

The 115 has a large, almost turbohead sized reflector. About the size of the SL TL-3's. It gives more throw because of that.

Re: Looking For a 2xCR123 Luxeon Utility Flashligh

I'd suggest a T3 unless you need something that's usable for extreme close range work--for exaple, finding keyholes in the dark.

Concerns over the half angle of the T3's beam are vastly overstated. The beam is wide enough to be useful at ranges as short as one meter. The T3 is too bright to be usable in the dark at such close range, however. The reflected spot will wreck night vision and leave the viewer seeing green afterimages for a few seconds.

Don't know anything about it except what's in the thread, but waion usually has good lights at very good prices, and he's offering this for $20 shipped.

Take a look at the Nuwai ALX-352L 5W with 3 light levels.

Re: Looking For a 2xCR123 Luxeon Utility Flashligh

IMO, the ALX-352L (and its 3W sibling) are too big and heavy to be usable for EDC.

Re: Looking For a 2xCR123 Luxeon Utility Flashligh

Don't forget the Pila G2.

Re: Looking For a 2xCR123 Luxeon Utility Flashligh

He's looking for a UTILITY light not a EDC.

Re: Looking For a 2xCR123 Luxeon Utility Flashligh

[ QUOTE ]
Roy said:
He's looking for a UTILITY light not a EDC.

[/ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]
Smaller is better as this may be my EDC.

[/ QUOTE ]

Re: Looking For a 2xCR123 Luxeon Utility Flashligh

Utility and EDC - and throw and flood with power, good runtime, "affordable" (did I say cheap?) and a clickie with momentary on. Is that asking too much?.....

Maybe I'm missing the point of a two stage switch. To me, if I want light, I want light NOW, whether I need it or not. As well as wanting it off just as quickly without futzing with the switch.

JohnK - It's not that I'm not looking for throw per se, but more of something that doesn't get too washed out beyond a few feet, outdoors, or with the slightest bit of ambient light. But still be useful within a few feet without creating "tunnel vision"

[The T3 is too bright to be usable in the dark at such close range, however.]

enLIGHT - Too bright?
Really, with what little side spill the T3 may have at close range (not point blank) perhaps it is more of what I am looking for than a T2.

Of course the T2 does have that appealing 5 hour runtime. And then there is the soon to be released Peli M6 III HA and the Longbow mini, it looks sooo nice, the Scorp looks cool and the TL-2 appears quite small and...and .. -={Brain Explodes}=-

Of course if I was a REAL flashaholic, I'd buy ALL of them.

Too many (expensive) hobbies (radios ain't cheap ya'know), not enough clients.

73
dim

Re: Looking For a 2xCR123 Luxeon Utility Flashligh

How do you define a "utility light"?

The possibility of using rechargeable batts is always something I look for in a light. I've stopped using my 4D Maglite for all-around-work (is this "utility"?) because it's too big for some things and I can get more light with a smaller light. That's why I recommended the G2. I have a Peli M6 that I could've recommended but dim had it in mind already.

Re: Looking For a 2xCR123 Luxeon Utility Flashligh

As fate would have it, larryk has a XO3 with a clickie, and a T1 for sale. I just PMed him. I'll see how it goes.

Utility, in my eyes (when I'm not being blinded), is synonymous with a "Jack of all trades" - not really a specialist, but competent in a little bit of everything - very much like the SL Jr. LUX. While it may loose the edge to a specific flashlight for a specific task, it always seems to be the flashlight you want when you just need a light.

73
dim

Re: Looking For a 2xCR123 Luxeon Utility Flashligh

My Luxeon 3W from Ruby electronics is very small (4.8''long), and bright as T3, with good throw and spill, the runtime is same as Nitestar 3W ,really excellent and cheap. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Re: Looking For a 2xCR123 Luxeon Utility Flashligh

[ QUOTE ]
dim said:
[The T3 is too bright to be usable in the dark at such close range, however.]

enLIGHT - Too bright?


[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah. If your eyes are dark adapted, the reflection from the hotspot is blinding if the T3 lights up a high albedo object at close range. You really don't want to use a T3 to check the time on your watch or light up a white car from less than a few meters.

Re: Looking For a 2xCR123 Luxeon Utility Flashligh

HaHa enLIGHT -

I understood what you meant. I was making as if I didn't understand the concept of TOO BRIGHT. A Mag85 sounds just right for checking the watch. - If only it was EDCable.....Besides, whats a little night blindness to a flashaholic?.../ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

BTW - I PayPaled larryk for the XO3 and T1. I'm looking forward to some night blindness myself - As well as actually being able to see a bit better at night - since thats what this was all about in the first place.

73
dim

Re: Looking For a 2xCR123 Luxeon Utility Flashligh

[ QUOTE ]
JohnK said:
The 115 has a large, almost turbohead sized reflector. About the size of the SL TL-3's. It gives more throw because of that.

[/ QUOTE ]

As far as I know, the TM-115x is no longer available

Re: Looking For a 2xCR123 Luxeon Utility Flashligh

My Q-3 is great all around EDC, But if I had to choose a light for throw I would choose the T3. For compact size and Throw T1. Its hard to go wrong with Inova's price and quality

Re: Looking For a 2xCR123 Luxeon Utility Flashligh

Steve, glad I got two when I could. I really like the lights !

Thrid Shifts hand picking the tints helps too.