Opinions on Elzetta lights

I am looking for opinions on Elzetta lights, as the next two lights I plan on buying are the Charlie and the Bravo models. ( Then I will get back to the cheaper lights after I have a couple tough potted lights ) I know the cons to the light might be Cost, Non-rechargeable cells except the Bones model, although Overready bores them to a 18650 size. Other cons might be output 900 lumens. They are however true lumens for almost 1 hour . Then there is the fact that you get one or two levels of light.

I do not mind the CR123A only factor. (I have over 100 SF123A cells. ) I can live with the cost of these lights for them being tough ( fully potted electronics ) 100% waterproof and simple operation UI as simple as click on/click off. I have the Surefire P2X Tactical and the P3X Tactical lights , but they are not the quality of Elzetta though, also the optics on the Elzettas will make them different too as will the tint.

Opinions on these lights is appreciated!

Disclaimer: I’m not the target market for these types of lights

With that said I think I would rather go with a PFlexPRO which takes standard 18650’s, has more configurable firmware and emitters, and is still potted. Sure their website doesn’t have a bunch of tacticool AR’s on it but I think the lights should hold up just the same, with better configurations (IMO) for half as much money.

I have an AVS Bravo that was bored for 18650 by Oveready. Only reason I bought it is I found a good deal on it used. It is a fine light but if I were in your position and wanting a simple operation, potted, and highly reliable light I would look at Malkoff first.They have a similar, if not better, reputation for quality and customer service, but offer many more options for beam type, output, tint, voltage range, etc. plus 18mm bore as standard.

I don’t doubt their reliability, but you’d be getting 2014 tech at 2014 prices

I looked at their website. There is no mention of driver specs or even what emitter and tint are used. That would be a bit of information I would expect to get with a $200 dollar flashlight regardless of how well it’s made. If we had driver specs we would be able to tell if we could run 2 16340’s in the light instead of CR123’s. I imagine it would accept a 16650 without a problem. Those cells are a bit harder to find but they are still running around. I agree, I would look toward the Malkoff or even a Armytek.

They’re a top notch weapons’ light for critical applications, like SureFire.

If you’re not into the ‘shooty’ stuff, or have firearms, there are probably better/cheaper choices out there.

Chris

I have lights on quite a few of my firearms. I have had a few surefires. had a streamlight or two as well. They lasted for a year or so. They broke. Got tired of sending them back. I started buying lights that had what I wanted and making them work for me. They have been going strong for years now. I am not one to leave anything well enough alone. :slight_smile:

A few of my fellow deputies carry them and regard them highly. For work or duty use these are in the top pick list. CR123A’s aren’t an issue as they can be found for a buck a piece or less and have a 30 year self life. The Bones model is 18650 ready.

I still have a bravo with avs head, and a m60 based 2 cell light. Meant to sell them though.

I do not like the beam from avs optics. The m60 light has a beam similar to that of a surefire e2d 200 lumen, still inferior though, beam has a ring, and less throwy.

I will not recommend bravo avs to my friend for $200. Maybe they have their values in terms of extreme reliability, I just don’t have a use for that. Similar situation for my hds, I agree it is a nice light, but not $200 nice to me. Again just too lazy to put them for sale.

Most of the quality Panasonic CR123As made in the USA and Japan, as well as the Sanyo~Japan sourced cells, have an expiry date of 10 years, not 30 years, but yeah…they should be a monetary problem for ‘departments,’ or people buying Elzettas.

It’s like the Ferrari owner worrying about tires, or an oil change.

Chris

Thanks everyone !

I found a lot of valuable information to consider. Also, it is so refreshing not to see fanboys in the posts. Just honest opinions. Exactly what I was looking for.

I like so many different lights from so many different manufacturers and for so many different reasons it is impossible to keep up with them. I think I will end up buying just the Charlie first or a Malkoff which I have also been looking at, however still can’t find the right one for me. I do have weapons and this light might go on an AR or AK. Thanks again everyone.

I am not looking for light that takes an 18650 unless it also takes 2 CR123A’s. I need a light that has cells that are CR123A’s. I only have one light that does not fit this criteria the Olight X7.

Without going into specifics too much, certain people are training now in sub zero temps for our next war. While I will not be in said war to my knowledge, I need to be prepared for anything. As should every single person right now on earth. I mean that.

I know some of you know just how bad things are about to get, and you better be prepared for NO one helping you and EVERYONE trying to kill you. I am sorry but the grim truth is if you are not prepared for no water, no food, no electricity, no emergency services, no medicines you might need, no communications except ham radio, no vehicles that will work unless they are older than 1995 (to be sure) you need to check your current conditions. I am sorry to get off topic here but if you think the markets are strong and the economy is strong, you are wrong. PERIOD!!! We are modern day Rome. Heads up people. I only say this to help my friends.

The AVS head can take 6-9 volts in regulation. AVS stands for Auto Voltage Sensing. At 6 volts you get 650 lumens on the 2 cell Bravo body and 900-930 really on the 3 cell Charlie body.

I am pretty sure the emitters are XM-L2 still.

I gave Elzetta lights serious consideration for a while, but eventually realized that while they are incredibly rugged, they’re far too over-built for my needs. I do not have any firearms so I don’t need weapon mounted lights that can deal with that kind of shock. My lights are not exposed to frequent hard knocks, submersion in mud, etc. If they were, I’d likely consider an Elzetta.

Which lights worked for you may I ask? If you are breaking Surefires even diving into rocks I can tell you been there done that and swam across rivers afterwards firearm submerged with the WML dozens and dozens of times my friend.

Please let me know what is better because I will be first in line to buy one.

Thank you for your input. I have only several LEO friends, but none of them have heard of Malkoff or Elzetta. Such is life.

Thank you very much for you opinion. Yes , I completely agree that not everyone needs a top tier weapon light and for those people the over built light is most likely not price justified. I understand that, In fact I have my next two light purchases narrowed down to a D18 and an Elzetta Charlie. If the Charlie works for me, I will be getting several. If the Emisar D18 works for me I will be getting more of them as well.

Thank you for your thoughts.

I completely respect your opinions and reasons why you have not sold them. I have Hinderer knives I should sell, and a lot of Benchmade highly limited runs (as in 50 made total) I should sell them as they are not being used, but I am not paying Bladeforums another dime just to sell my knives. I have been a member there since 1999 one year after they opened in Oct 1998. I am not paying 30 USD a year anymore to make someone rich to do nothing.

EDITED* Can you please explain why you do not like the optics from the AVS head sir ? Do you think the Charlie with the extra lumen would help or not?

Of course with no food, water or electricity we will all have a plentiful supply of CR123 batteries…

“Without going into specifics too much, certain people are training now in sub zero temps for our next war.”

IDK if Antarctica is really prime real estate. If that becomes arable land we have WAY bigger problems to worry about. :frowning:

We are training for Russia. And yes some of us have thousands of 123a cells. :person_facepalming:

But don’t worry Iran is next on our list according to people who planned every war since 1991.