Help wanted: suggestions for groomsmen gift flashlight

Ric at cngualitygoods and fancyflashlights does engraving. Also has a new site, think it’s edc something. Don’t know where to begin with light choices.

not 18650 but I would really enjoy one of these as a gift: http://www.zebralight.com/SC5-AA-Flashlight-Cool-White_p_161.html

over 500 limens on a single AA battery!

The engraving part is a toughie .

How about a Convoy S7 , the stainless steel one .

Maybe room on one of the flats for some engraving ... ?

You might ask Max or someone else who’s had good contact with sellers to see if you can arrange a private deal, given the quantity you want is fairly large.

I don’t know about engraving, but I vaguely think that laser engraving is now fairly widely available — maybe even locally.

Congratulations!
For the ease of recharging you can check out Olight’s line of lights that have a charging base, not sure what size you want. Here’s the single 18650
S30R
I’m not sure how to engrave them, there could be a local shop around that would do it.

I would also look into AA lights, they’re the easiest to power, but of course don’t have the maximum output of a Li-ion. The Thrunite Archer series look good to me (2xAA NW has 500 lumens and decent throw I think), I’m thinking of getting one myself.

The Armytek Tiara a1 pro is an awesome headlamp, it has a very even spill of light and probably close to 500lm on 1 rechargeable AA. Also, it ran continuously for 20 days on the second lowest mode so the driver is pretty efficient, I love a good low mode and it has the lowest I’ve seen.

Thanks for all of the help and suggestions everyone! It definitely helps get the juices flowing. The Olight S30R II was the one on my mind but I’m still very open to everyones thoughts.

I do want to stay with the 18650 for capacity purposes though. I would go AA but then my friends may run alkalines and I can’t stand alkalines leaking and ruining everything. Plus when we are out in winter, the 18650’s perform flawlessly in the cold (and it gets insanely cold up here).

Congrats!! If you want small…… maybe something like the Fenix E12. It’s only a AA light with 120 lumens but extremely pocketable (even in dress pants). It has two small flat areas milled out. One has the Fenix logo but the other is blank, leaving room for engraved or laser cut initials or last names.
As far as 18650…. there are so many I don’t know which to choose. :slight_smile:

As a side note…… I lived in Winnipeg for 18 years. :slight_smile:

That link doesn't work for me.

Here's another one: ;)

http://www.gearbest.com/convoy-bd03-_gear/

I am currently an LED Lenser lover, and always a zoomy lover. So my first suggestion is to look for an M7R or a P5R.2 that is within your price range on Ebay. Lensers are often available for a fraction of the listed price, maybe from stock intended for Asia.
The other zoomies I know are below your price range, but you might get a BLF member to modify them.

I used Maratac Stainless AAA, polished, for my wedding party. Maybe an AAA light for the keychain?

There is an LED Lenser P3 version that is keychain size, takes one AAA cell and appears to have typical Lenser total internal reflection + convex lens, Fresnel-like, variable focus optics. Even LED Lenser USA’s price is within your budget. http://www.ledlenserusa.com/p3-afs-p-184.html#start=12

There is also a P2 AFS. It is a smaller AAA light, with two zone optics, but I don’t think it focuses.

if you insist on it being li-ion then i would recommend a light that uses two cr123’s like some of the fenix or nitecore lights…. if you go with 18650 then you will have to either explain what battery and charger to get or get it for them. with the cr123’s you can buy a 10pack for 12.50 online and get each guy a light with batteries. most non-flashoholics probablaby prefer to not mess with rechargeables and or non protected cells.

You want a light that’s:

  • rechargeable
  • powered by 18650
  • engraveable
  • $50-70 price point

How about the Nitecore MH20. It’s right in your price range at $64 from Battery Junction. It’s also rated quite highly and has built in USB recharging. From most reports it sounds like its the best 1x18650 flashlight available with built-in recharging.

The exterior is Type III hard anodized aluminum. It should be just as engraveable as any other anodized aluminum flashlight. However, there is text on the light so engraving would likely have to be done around the head or maybe the tail where there’s a bare space.

If you’re looking to create a commemorative flashlight with lots of fancy engraving you may wish to consider buying a titanium or stainless steel flashlight. A shiny light might look more memorable even though functionally it won’t be nearly as useful as the MH20.

Lights with 2xCR123 in series are somewhat dangerous. When one cell runs down faster than the other cell it can become reverse charged by the charged cell. When this happens the empty cell rapidly vents oxygen and heat. This results in the flashlight exploding. As a gift to your groomsmen who aren’t flashlight experts, It might be better to get them something with a single-cell.

Nitecore MH20 is my recommendation as it’s highly rated, state of the art, powered by an 18650 and has built-in USB charging.

I thought the protection circuit would prevent that. I’ve had a pd30 for 6 yrs without trouble. but yes you are correct in the usb lights solve a couple of the problems

you can gift the cerakote SK68, they look awesome!!!

together with a set of Eneloops and a XTAR charger.

that's good enough for your engagement.

A protection circuit on the driver that cuts off power when voltage drops too low should minimize the chances of battery explosion. However, not every 2xCR123 light has a protection circuit in its driver.

Given your criteria, I doubt you’ll find anything better than the S20R or S30R. I prefer the smaller of the two overall, but it looks like the S30R has a nicer clip with the ability to attach bezel-down.

It’s not what I’d personally choose, but I don’t like built-in charging and I usually stick to lights which are fairly easy to mod. However, the S20R/S30R should be very nice for people who don’t have a charger and aren’t interested in modifying it.

I like my Olight S10 Ti quite a bit. Great host, and the stock insides are pretty decent too… but the insides of mine have been completely replaced. :slight_smile:

I meant the protection in the cell

Jetbeam C8 has my recommendation if you wanna stay within your budget.
Furthermore, it also comes with Jetbeam 2400mAh battery and micro USB cable, so it’s ready to go even for a non-flashaholic.
Not sure on the engravable thingy though