I’m a fan of the Klarus Mi7. The max output listed is 700lm.
The only issue is that the switch protrudes from the body of the flashlight so it is prone to accidental turn on. If you are going to carry it in a pants pocket you need to lock it out.
The Mi7 turns on in high (quick press) or moonlight mode (long press)
I don’t know if this will be considered a “custom” or a “production” flashlight (maybe the 1st, I guess), but is probably one of the brightest lights on 14500.
It is made by our fellow member vestureofblood, a.k.a. Matt, a.k.a. AdventureSportFlashlights!
“Everyday Carry Brass” - 1536 lumen (on XPL-HI V3-1B and using a high-drain 14500 battery)!
Really like my Wuben E05. High power, small form factor, and magnetic tailcap. UT-01 is bright, small, and I like the UI, but the known switch problems and on/off problems using 14500s make buying one a risky proposition. Both of mine have the 14500 problem. Get the Wuben E05
Wuben E05 is very bright on Turbo (4 brightness levels when used with 14500). But when using AA, it has only 3 brightness levels, and its brightest level on AA is not so bright.
Lumintop Tool AA v2.0 lists 650 lumens on Turbo mode, but would seems to be a bit brighter than 650 lumens. The brightness spacing is more logically spaced than the Wuben E05 (on 14500, big gap from “High” mode to “Turbo” mode).
Lumintop EDC05 is another candidate, 800 lumens on Turbo (must program it first, since it’s set to 75% level from the factory).
~
comparing Klarus Mi7 vs Lumintop Tool AA v2.0
Mi7 is the left beam while Tool AA v2.0 is the right beam
Nitecore had a 900-1000 lumen single 14500 - the EA11, but it’s discontinued. They also had another very similar one with slightly different UI - MT10A, also discontinued.
To me, there’s a distinct difference between the 500-700 lumen lights, and the 900+ lumen ones. Below 700 lumens the lights are using conventional ICR 14500, so most cells, including protected ones, work. The 900 lumen ones need high discharge IMR chemistry.
Impressive output ,BUT who is willing to pay $219 for a AA light whose battery can NOT maintain that output for long! Not me!! I would take the Wuben E05 and then buy another modded EDC and still have enough money to buy a $65 bag of Merrick Buffalo and sweet Potato for CAPO!!! :+1:
Sure, I’m with you too Still, in what concerns being “the brightest”, this surely reaches a place into the top ranking!! (I wish I could have it, though :money_mouth_face: )
The more I know this flashlight world, the more I’m inclined to choose better runtime over more output! The Wuben E05 seems to be a very good one or the best in the budget range to be bright and have decent runtime on a 14500 cell!
You are right,it qualifies for the brightest! :+1: I was just looking at it from a practical point of view.
OT- I see you are from Portugal. I hope you bring me good luck!!!
I have a date at noon[6pm Roma time] w/ a woman whose blood is from Portugal but she was born in France. Her mom and dad moved there after her 2 siblings were born. She speaks French, Portuguese and of course English! She is Pretty and seems like a sweetheart,I must be on my best behavior!
Okay, I thought we were comparing apples to apples, not oranges.
AKAIK, the Zebralight SC5 is the brightest single AA light on the market, that uses a NiMH cell. Yes, there are plenty of 14500 lights that are brighter, possibly including the Armytek on a 14500.
Advertised, or independently tested? Issues with the Prime’s optics are well documented by now, and I do not believe the advertised OTF output for any model.