I have been looking into getting a new flashlight for EDC use. Right now i have a Fenix E11 that i LOVE, and a streamlight Nano that i got from willy with a spartan topper. I like the nano too as a keychain type light but its not always bright enough for me.
Im not really looking for the brightest light in the world, but want something bright enough for my uses. I have never needed a brighter light than the fenix E11, but that doesnt mean i wouldnt LIKE a brighter light.... but anything close to as bright as the E11 would work for me.
I guess looks of the flashlight will be a huge deciding factor really, i know looks have nothing to do with the function, but i want a cool looking light.
I want the price to be under 100, under 70 would be better but id max it at 100.
Right now the lights i have looked into are listed below... But i have never used or held any of these lights in person, but i know some of you guys have these, at least a couple of these....
Olight S10-L2 Veleno Design D2, Id get this with the tritium. Because it looks badass. Sunwayman C15A , id get this with the AP-12 spike, because it looks badass.
Id be open to other lights as well.
So what do you guys think... What light would you choose and why?
Last Edit: Jan 24, 2014 2:09:15 GMT -8 by worldwood
Post by willydigger. FB inFamous on Jan 24, 2014 7:13:19 GMT -8
The O-light is a cluster fuck of a light. Really cool, but that clip and goofy side push button is a bitch.
The D2 is a trinket light. It's serviceable for a kick ass backup, but I wouldn't rely on it as a primary light due to the battery.
The C15 looks worse than the S10. I'd get the S10 over that.
I personally use the SWM M11R. Super low for finding stuff at night without blinding yourself. Medium for a good working light, and high for watching the fox sneak around. It had a hidden strobe for catching peoples attention if you need it. The detent isn't great, but I prefer it over the V11R and it's less expensive.
That Smurfing Forum is no bueno and HI SPONGBOB. - Kilroy Psychosis is refreshing like a cool glass o' lemonade. - T. YOU HAVE MY AXE, WILLARD DIGGERD OF WESTEROS, FIRST SON OF THE FROG KING - Q Where is the satisfaction in watching other people accomplish things? - Short Make woopy, make waffles make like the wind. - Roy
Where do you want to carry it? In my jeans pocket I have a 1×AAA light (Klarus MiX6 SS) on a self-made dangler, 1×AA would probably be comfortable, too. In my bag I have a 1×CR123A (Sunwayman V10R) which could be in my jeans as well, but it would start to bulge. I don’t notice the MiX6 at all but only when I use it. Lights with 2×AA, 1–2×CR123A or compact 18650 models can be carried comfortably in a bag or a jacket or on a belt holster.
Next criterium: what kind of UI do you want? Twisty, different kinds of clicky, tail cap or side button, momentary on, mode button, selector ring, etc. … combinations of them …?
Do you want different modes like normal, strobe, beacon, SOS, … or better without disco? Just simple on/off?
Do you have a preference for a certain light color? Cold white, natural white, warm white, blue, red, green, UV, IR, …?
Listen to WillyD. He's a flashlight snob, to judge by all the bitching we heard when he was trying to find the perfect light.
If the M11R makes him happy, it will make anybody else happy, too.
I prefer the term excited explanations.
That Smurfing Forum is no bueno and HI SPONGBOB. - Kilroy Psychosis is refreshing like a cool glass o' lemonade. - T. YOU HAVE MY AXE, WILLARD DIGGERD OF WESTEROS, FIRST SON OF THE FROG KING - Q Where is the satisfaction in watching other people accomplish things? - Short Make woopy, make waffles make like the wind. - Roy
Willy the M11R looks good too, wish they made a spike for it. I picked the C15 because of the optional spike and it takes AA batteries, not a requirement but always a plus. I really like that spike though LMAO what do you see wrong with the C15, or is just the looks of it?
I also wish there were options for flashlights with tritium slots. The only one i know about is the veleno designs one, are there others?
Batteur, My only real requirements is that it looks cool and be about as bright as my fenix E11 or brighter. I dont have much experience with lights so im not even sure my preferences. I dont really need any strobe or SOS features but wouldnt mind them. The color could be the normal flashlight color LMAO the streamlight nano has a little yellower look than the fenix e11, it looks whiter, i guess the whiter light is good.. but again that wouldnt be a huge deciding factor either. If the light is too big to be comfortable in my pocket i would either have some kydex made for it or get a pouch holster for it.
I dont really need another light, the Fenix works excellently, i love the light really... Im just wanting a "cooler" looking flashlight. The fenix is kind of plain, but those Sunwayman's look cool.
Here is how i carry my fenix E11 when im in the woods.... I had a kydex neck sheath made for it...
Post by willydigger. FB inFamous on Jan 24, 2014 8:23:44 GMT -8
You're a fucking diva Woody.
Personally I don't care about tint. I used to like clickys, but after owning the M11R I think that is the best UI.
There are a lot of light junkies out there. I'm not one, so someone might come in and kick me in the nuts, but here is my outlook.
I prefer a single CR123. Excellent battery light and generally a smaller light. I prefer the 3.0v RCR123. The 4.2V super powerful rechargeables turn a functioning light into a super beacon. The M11R Serius (the fancy Ti version) has a tiny spike attachment. You might be able to get one for the normal M11R.
I need a light that has a low-low for midnight sneaking. Even the Nano is too bright for that. Medium for actual work, like changing an outlet. Say 20-30 lumens. A high to look out back and flood say 100+ lumens.
The M11R twisty is nice since you don't have to twist it back and forth to change modes. You just twist and the more you twist the brighter it gets, but it has stop detents that help hold it in the setting you leave it in.
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The Olight requires you to hold the button to cycle up the light. That's an annoying delay. If you hold down the light to get to moonlight mode is saves that setting so the next time you turn it on it's in moonlight.
That Smurfing Forum is no bueno and HI SPONGBOB. - Kilroy Psychosis is refreshing like a cool glass o' lemonade. - T. YOU HAVE MY AXE, WILLARD DIGGERD OF WESTEROS, FIRST SON OF THE FROG KING - Q Where is the satisfaction in watching other people accomplish things? - Short Make woopy, make waffles make like the wind. - Roy
The V10R has a magnetic control ring similar to the M11R, but a tail cap clicky with momentary on. What you really might like is that you can choose the brightness when it’s off by rotating the control ring. It can use CR123A/16340 by default and AA with optional extending tube. And there are multiple Ti versions, too, but I didn’t look into the differences.
Anyway, regardless which one you choose, I’d want to get one capable to use lithium primaries. Then you can store it in a BOB for years in changing temperatures, including freezing, and have a working light when you need it.
I will most likely be choosing between the V10R and M11R. Can you get rechargeable batteries for both of these? Are there issues if using rechargeables? I heard on some lights they overheat if you use rechargeables.
It looks like the AA extender works for either of these models so i could get that and use the Eneloops i have but if the light works better with another battery id rather use it, i just prefer rechargeables.