Help me decide on a flashlight purchase

You can see the archived poll results on the Wayback Machine:

https://web.archive.org/web/20221220093741/https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/72494

No, these are not direct competitors, but I’m getting a small amount of money for an extra gig I did, so the wife won’t complain if I use part on another flashlight. This one does not necessarily fill a specific need so its more of a luxury purchase. Looking for output in a small package.

The Thrunite is the brightest light on the market on a single AA Nimh being tested at up to 240 lumens OTF. On a 14500, tests have been coming out at whopping 450 lumens OTF. The advantage is that it is very pocketable so I can use it as my edc. It is not a budget light.

The Solarforce with drop-in can run on 18650, 2xcr123a, or 3xaaa. People who have them seem to think the drop-in can put a true 800 lumens on 2xcr123a. When you figure loss when placed in the l2i, I’m guessing that it will probably be about 550-600 lumens. Its still small but its not really pocketable like the Thrunite. It would be something that I would throw in the book bag that I carry around, but it will be occasional use only.

The question is what do I want to do. I currently don’t run any li-ion batteries and I’m not sure if I’m ready to go there yet, but perhaps I may in the future. I currently don’t own any cr123a lights either. The Solarforce has brighter output and if I bought it I would also buy several cr123a batteries to power it. I would also have the 3xaaa battery power option, but I have no idea how bright it would be on 3xaaa. I know not nearly as bright, but I would really like it to be 200+ lumens. However, it will likely remain my only cr123a/18650 light for a while so I do want to mess around with batteries only for that light? Plus while I have a few lights in the 3xaaa format, theya re a bit of a pain to deal with. The Thrunite is not as bright, buy may be brighter on 1xaa than the Solarforce on 3xaaa. It can run on the batteries I have and if I ever decide to go to li-ion, I would go 14500 and I would be able to power a number of lights in my collection with those.

Flashlights currently in my collection: ITP C7, Ultrafire C3 SS, Trustfire F23, Fenix LD20 Q5, BLF DeLight, Coast led lenser minitac (the famous pay shipping of $3.50 and get the light free deal), Maglite 2D led, Duracell Daylite 3xaaa, X2000 zoom, Rayovac Xtreme SEC1W2AA in Silver.

BUY BOTH !

( CPF Mantra )

Laughing

I think Neutron .

I like the Neutron, but I have no experience with it. My only concern is that even at 450 lumens, it may not seem as bright because the hotspot will be more spread out but less bright than say a 300 lumen XP-G. Though I don't know that. I like that you can set the loose and tight modes to what you want and essentially have a 2-mode light.

For the price of the Neutron, it seems like you could get a Solarforce L2P host and a Manafont Ultrafire XM-L drop-in, which is a nice setup and an 18650 will last at least twice as long as a 14500. But if you want something compact, it's the Neutron for sure.

I'm a little concerned with that as well, but wouldn't that be the case with msot XM-L lights? I would think the Solarforce would suffer form the same probelm to some extent. I'm also interested in the Zebralight SC51 as it rocks on nimh and is less floody, but it does not get much boost from a 14500 at all if I eventually go that route. Not sure if I'd like the side clicky and the light turning on in my pocket either.

XM-L's will be more floody, but if they are driven hard (2.5-3A) they will put out 600-800 lumens and it won't matter. At 3A, an XM-L will have more throw than an XP-G at 1.4A, while also putting out 3 times as much light overall. What I worry about with the Neutrons is they are driving the XM-L at maybe 2A (even less with a NiMH; I suspect the XM-L was a last minute substitution for a XP-G) so there is more light output, but less throw.

Between the two, I would pick the 1A with the neutral tint. I don't have one yet, but I really neutral tints and low lows...

Just for the record; it needs to be said, we are comparing a $60 flashlight to a $31 (total built price) light. Anybody here honestly, would prefer the Neutron as a gift if given a choice between the two. Another thing in favor of the Neutron for me at least, is that I don't yet have a single AA XM-L light so, there's that.

But, here's the thing Sir; you're moving in a new direction with your flashlight experience and so far, no lithium ion lights. Sooner or later you're going to make this jump. That same $60 will get you an L2i host, a 5-mode SF XM-L, 2 SF 18650 batteries and a charger. In addition to then having an XM-L/18650 powerhouse with an extra battery and charger, you will also have the 3 x AAA option or CR123 x 2 for future drop-ins.

None of this means the Solarforce is the better light, it probably is not. But if you're a flashaholic, the Neutron is simply a high quality flashlight purchase. The Solarforce moves your hobby in a new and versatile direction.

gettheL2iFoy

Just to update everyone. After much agonizing, I have decided to go with the Thrunite and then to also dive into 14500 and buy the Xtar Mp1 charger and trustfire flames. With discounts, I'll be out $66 for everything. The possiblity of having a 450 lumen OTF screamer in the pocket was too much to resist.

The Solarforce will go on my Christmas list, along with the ITP A3 or A2 in stainless, and an unknown thrower (maybe MRV clone or Uniquefire HS-801?).

Post some beamshots when you get it , please .

I'll make an attempt to do my first full review. I'll try to do beamshots against my LD20 Q5 and my Itp C7. I haven't done any before so we'll see how it goes.