Opinions about not-so-budget EDC flashlights

I am guilty... I like some not-so-budget flashlights...And thinking of getting a couple of them.

So, what do you think of:

LumaPower IncenDio V3

ShiningBeam S-mini XP-G

Thrunite neutron flood 2CR

Fenix PD31

JETBeam Jet-III Pro ST BVC Cree XP-G R5

Sunwayman V10R

Lumapower Incedio (mine is old version with Cree R2)

Pros

  • the smallest forward clicky I ever now
  • GITD tail cap and lens o-ring
  • generous accessories : lanyard, holster, twister, diffuser (don't know if new version offers same things)

Cons

  • ugly clip (new version has new clip design)
  • anodized not so good, although it says HA III, mine has a few flaws in about a year in normal usage
  • highly over rated lumens, manufactured rated at 250 lumens but compared to others flash, I think it is about 160-170 lumens

Sunway M10R R5 (don't have V10R, but basically this is the same flash with diff UI)

Pros

  • very good build quality
  • quiet deep reflector for a small flashlight, balance between throw and flood
  • I think lumen rate are accurate
  • accessories also has good quality, quality lanyard, thick o-ring and tail cap button

Cons

  • clip is rather dangerous to the flash, if you don't careful when you installed/uninstalled it, could scratch flashlight body

I am also watching almost the same flash with you, although don't have those lights I have a few things to share

ShiningBeam : discard, not support registered shipping
Thrunite 2C : discard, only support CR123, not 18650, and don't like the UI
PD31 : discard, don't like the UI
Jetbeam : my choice, but postpone, cause have ordered Yezl Z1, probably if Z1 is good, won't order it

If you're guilty, I'm guilty....

The Thrunite neutron is mighty tempting... ditto on the s-mini.

Have the Incendio (R2 version) and it went poof on me in less than 2 months of casual use. I loved the form factor of this light and it is one of the few smallish lights with a forward clicky that could still tailstand. If I was assured it would work for an extended period, I would probably get the newer version.
Have had my eye on the Smini lately and that light looks my type of light and ive heard some really good things about it. Though the budget Yezl z1 seems to be a comparable light at a better price.

[quote=ky70] ...Though the budget Yezl z1 seems to be a comparable light at a better price. [/quote]

That's the one I've had on order now for awhile (z1 xml). Had I gone with the s-mini, Bryan would have had it shipped an in my hand in 2 days. Grrr....I'm getting more and more impatient every year.

Yezl Z1 - XML is really promising. Medium should be great for every day use and high is always there for a quick burst.

Match, we ordered Z1 the same day, is yours also displayed as unshipped in your account?

[quote=Aleister]

Match, we ordered Z1 the same day, is yours also displayed as unshipped in your account?

[/quote]

Yes. Still showing unshipped. I'm taking solice in the fact that a lot of folks have received their orders even though their status at cnqualitygoods never updated.

Same here. I'm just waiting to be surprised when it shows up.

I'm waiting for my Jet-III Pro ST BVC from KD. It is cheaper there, and Jet-III Pro ST is easily moddable. I'm planning to put R4 neutral in it.

http://www.kaidomain.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductId=11211

hey i own an olight T20 R5... we all have some over priced flahlights...

but i got it for 30 dollars lmao nothing like a 60-80 dollar flashlight at a steal like that!

I find that the clip on the V10R hasnt scratched the HA at all after a month of carry. The HA is sooo hard, that it hasnt even lost its matte finish, but the clip has totally lost its paint, and has even got a polish where it touches the torch!!. Lines that appear on the torch, rub off, its actually the paint from the clip...

That said, the HA will chip off the V10R (and M10R) becasue its on the harder side of most coatings, combined with the sharper edges as observed by myself and a friend.

Also while im at it, have a look at the nitecore EX10 SP. If you understand the importance of properly lubricating o-rings and preventing excessive lube, a nitecore PD EX10 SP is a worthy torch for a not so budget EDC. normally in the 50-60 mark, boaz is selling some of the last ones around on the BST part of this thread for 42 shipped US, +3 intl.

A friend of mine has the ShiningBeam S-Mini in neutral tint. Really nice light, not as bright as my Spark ST6 280OW but that one is driven at 1.7A (feels a bit to high) while the S-Mini draws 1A, but the difference in output is surprisingly small. Nice and floody to which I find perfect for EDC. The feel of the light isn't top notch but that's only due to the thin walls since it is so small.
The biggest problem in my book is that the neutral tint is WAY to cool to be acceptable as an neutral light, but since you're not interested in neutral that's not a problem.

But a question: are you sure you want a 18650-light as an EDC light? Myself I find even the S-Mini to big to carry comfortably in my pockets with wallet and keys. In that regard a 16340 is the biggest I would carry and since the difference between a 18650 and 16340 flashlight mainly is the runtime and not so much output I think a 16340 works perfect as EDC.

Just something you might want to think about. :)