flashlights

jackknifeh · #101

Minibear453 wrote:Slightly off topic, but is there a flashlight that can run on one, or two AAs? I want something for EDC, but also want something stronger for camping. Does something like this exist?

I don't have a lot of lights or experience but I have a Fenix E11 that uses one AA battery. It has two brightnesses. You turn it on with a button on the back end of the light. With the head screwed in all the way that is the brightest setting. Untwist it just a little and the brightness is somewhat less bright. Look up the light to see the exact lumens.

http://www.fenixlight.com/viewproduct.asp?id=151

My yard is one acre and I walk my dog with this light. It is plenty bright enough. My dog's leash is a retractable 16' long leash. I can easily see way past her, I'd say another 20' - 25' for a total of about 35'. The light cost between $25 and $30. I'm sure it would be way more than enough for any tent, even the tents for an entire family. I also have a Fenix LD01 that uses one AAA battery. It has 3 brightnesses. It cost about $37. I walk my dog with it also with no problems. I think it's max lumens is about 75. I really can't believe how bright these little lights are.

Maybe this will help.

The next one I get for a "real" flashlight :) would be the Fenix LD40. It uses 4 AA batteries and gets VERY bright for my needs. In my small town I think if I turn it on at 4am everyone would just get up and go to work, thinking the sun came up. :D I think it's about $40.00.

Jack

Minibear453 · #102

Thanks. Sorry, I was a bit unclear. I'm looking for a light that does 1 AA and 2 AAs, with some sort of extension or something to allow the extra AA. That way, I can have it small for EDC, but larger for camping and night hikes.

Bert T · #103

Gonna find me another forum. You guys just cost me $134.99. Just teasing, but reading this thread reminded me that it probably has been 15 years since I updated my vehicle Mag flashlight. So after doing some searching, I decided to get the Pelican 8060 LED Tactical Flashlight 8060-001-110. I just placed the order.

Bert

mkd · #104

minibear. maybe not what you want but worth looking at! http://www.flashlightreviews.com/ or you can join this forum and they will answer any question you have on flashlights. http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/sho ... ight/page2

DRKBC · #105

Love My new Fenix, nice range of power, great throw and good at short distances as well.

DeathBySnooSnoo · #106

I can't say that I get those lights that use one switch for power and one for modes...just seems awkward and more work than it should be. I think that getting to modes with one switch makes working the light far easier, especially if you are trying to use the light in an emergency situation.

DRKBC · #107

DeathBySnooSnoo wrote:I can't say that I get those lights that use one switch for power and one for modes...just seems awkward and more work than it should be. I think that getting to modes with one switch makes working the light far easier, especially if you are trying to use the light in an emergency situation.

Personally I don't mind it. You have to turn the light on at some point and once you do the other button just cycles through the different levels of brightness and if you hold down for a second it strobes, down for another and it turns the strobe off.
I like having the different power levels on the button as its a one handed operation as opposed to having to hold the flashlight and then turn the head of the flashlight with your other. I had that system before and I didn't love it JMO.

DeathBySnooSnoo · #108

I like the Zebralight setup, where the one side switch does everything. The Klarus set up with 2 switches on the tailcap is pretty good too. IMO the one tail cap switch then a forward switch to control the level seems too much hassle. Of course people have differing opinions...but I just can't seem to make it logical or user friendly when I imagine using those lights that work that way.

Blerv · #109

I'm with you bud. ZL's U.I. is genius.

DRKBC · #110

DeathBySnooSnoo wrote:I like the Zebralight setup, where the one side switch does everything. The Klarus set up with 2 switches on the tailcap is pretty good too. IMO the one tail cap switch then a forward switch to control the level seems too much hassle. Of course people have differing opinions...but I just can't seem to make it logical or user friendly when I imagine using those lights that work that way.

Your right just depends on what you like or what your use to. When I am using it though I must say I don't really think about it much, it seems fairly natural. I can do everything with one hand and I like being able to go through the levels without turning the light off. for me its better to be able to control the light from the front switch as opposed to the tail cap only because that is how I carry it. The tail cap switch on this one just memorizes the setting you leave it on which is also handy.
I think I mentioned this but one thing I would like is to be able to go down the power ladder as well as up. This way I wouldn't have to go to max power to get to low.

Blerv · #111

The ZL interface will be copied soon. In fact, I think Nitecore already has a model that does (I'd have to check to confirm).

From one button, side mounted:

* from off you can go directly to low, medium, or high instantly
* from high you can go to low instantly, medium to low instantly or high directly by holding a second, low to medium by holding a second or high in about 1.5.
* a double click operates each sub-mode while on: low to moonlight, low-med to medium, low-high to high (aka turbo) or strobe depending on how set-up.

My complaint with ZL is they currently don't have a thrower line. They are also not modular like Dereelight, Solarforce and Surefire so custom/replacement pills and what-not are impossible. They all have a headband but otherwise accessories are lacking.

With models like the SC600 I'm surprised more people dont know about them. Pocketable 18650 light with a .2 lumen moonlight to 750 lumen turbo? Um...plz.

DeathBySnooSnoo · #112

Blerv wrote:The ZL interface will be copied soon. In fact, I think Nitecore already has a model that does (I'd have to check to confirm).

From one button, side mounted:

* from off you can go directly to low, medium, or high instantly
* from high you can go to low instantly, medium to low instantly or high directly by holding a second, low to medium by holding a second or high in about 1.5.
* a double click operates each sub-mode while on: low to moonlight, low-med to medium, low-high to high (aka turbo) or strobe depending on how set-up.

My complaint with ZL is they currently don't have a thrower line. They are also not modular like Dereelight, Solarforce and Surefire so custom/replacement pills and what-not are impossible. They all have a headband but otherwise accessories are lacking.

With models like the SC600 I'm surprised more people dont know about them. Pocketable 18650 light with a .2 lumen moonlight to 750 lumen turbo? Um...plz.

I want the SC600 so much!! Just trying to find the $100 that it costs is tough...plus batteries and a charger!

That is interesting about nitecore....

Blerv · #113

I just checked, the SmartPD line (EX11.2 and D11.2) can move low or high while on. Not sure about off-to-on select ability but they look pretty cool.

Same here on the SC600! I'm afraid it would displace my custom Macs light, which says a ton for a production piece. Hard to find a blaster with moonlight too.

DeathBySnooSnoo · #114

Yeah that low to high is a huge range!! Which I think is great. I love the 2 stage setting for each level. And esp that it rembmers it...

I'll look at those nitecores...looking for a new light. Want something hand sized but powerful...mightjust have to suck it up and shell out the $100 for that ZL though! Not sure that anything else will be better!

nakahoshi · #115

Blerv wrote:I just checked, the SmartPD line (EX11.2 and D11.2) can move low or high while on. Not sure about off-to-on select ability but they look pretty cool.

Same here on the SC600! I'm afraid it would displace my custom Macs light, which says a ton for a production piece. Hard to find a blaster with moonlight too.

I had a D11.2 and I sold it because it had really bad parasitic drain, and would kill a battery in a couple of days (While never turning it on!) I have had at one point every version of the Nitecore Piston line and they are fun to play with, but they never got it 100% right.

I have been into (Good) flashlights for awhile now, and the ZL SC600 is the best EDC I have ever carried.

I have 2 of them (one for home, one for work)

The floody output is perfect for my needs (at work)

I charge my batteries every 2 weeks with daily usage, It has never ran out on me in the field. The run times are just awesome.
It has survived multiple drops onto concrete, its been covered in mud, its been dunked in water and it still looks brand new.

(I do not use the pocket clip, I use a holster)

-Bobby

DeathBySnooSnoo · #116

Damnit....now you are really making me want one!!! Really wish that they went on sale...

nakahoshi · #117

Its definitively worth it! My friend found one for $82.00 on CPFMP, hope you find one!

-Bobby

Mike79 · #118

My preon 2 crapped out on me. Now I'm trying to decide between the fenix ld20 or the 4sevens quark AA-2 R5.

Blerv · #119

nakahoshi wrote: Its definitively worth it!

-Bobby

Thanks for the insight Bobby! I've just admired the light from afar :) .

Mike79 wrote:My preon 2 crapped out on me. Now I'm trying to decide between the fenix ld20 or the 4sevens quark AA-2 R5.

Either is going to throw much better due to head size alone. They will unfortunatly be a bit fatter in pocket. The Quark has a moonlight mode which is a huge win for me personally but some don't care.

If you want another great option check out the Dereelight Javelin. It uses the p60 dropins and runs on 2 or 3 AA's. You can also use the C2h head to make it more narrow. Ultimately you can customize/upgrade as you see fit rather than trashing it.

Mike79 · #120

There's a new quark AA-5 that runs an upgraded LED(XP?) kicking out a HUGE 280 OTF lumens compared to the previous one that kicked out 205 lumens.

For an extra 5 bucks I might wait for the new model to re-stock.

Thx for the input though. I too, prefer having the moonlight option.