I have many 18650 lights and for EDC I especially like the ones those can also accept 2xCR123 for their emergency backup availability. Although some of the lights I have are fairly small, like Thrunite TN12 and ET D25LC2, I see with 18650 compatibility lights usually get slightly thicker. Although it wisest to use charged, high capacity 18650 batteries, I can source SureFire batteries for around $20 for 12 and I like to keep a pair of them in my lights web they are idle.
18650 lights are thick, 1x Cr123 lights are tiny, 1xAA lights are weaker, 2xAA lights are lengthy. I sometimes feel I may be happier having a solely 2xCR123 light in my small bag, just for availability and power/ size ratio, and since XPG2 emitters have a nice throwy beam with dry good efficiency I could have an XPG2 in it instead of XML.
Which 2xCR123 light would you recommend, thinking it should be smaller than a 18650 light, powerful enough like over 320 lumens and have XPG2 emitter, and around $40-50 range? I’ve found 4Sevens lights, Olight T20 G2, Eagletac D25C2 already but would like to hear real world experiences and other alternatives I probably have missed.
Of course an Olight S20 is small for 18650. But there is also ET D25C2 that looks much smaller than D25LC2 in comparison. It looks 16mm vs 18mm on paper but 18650 lights are usually bored to 19mm for double wrapped cells.
Yeah, I think I ’d just look for a thin 18650 light to use with either 18650 or 2xCR123. To me, the versatility is worth the extra mm or so difference in width. Reminds me that I still have a lightweight short & thin, twisty 18650 on my wish list.
I keep inexpensive and chunkier lights with 2xCR123 in my cars due to the heat. And then I just rotate spare, charged 18650s (and a couple more lights with 18650s in them) into my day bag which doesn’t stay in the car.
Not all drivers work as well @ full 6v, but if they can handle it they usually are bright.
I have a Surefire G2 Nitrolon and an ITP E50 for the moment. Not for SureFire but ITP feels much thinner at the tube than even my thin D25LC2. I could get a SF E2D if they were reasonable in price. I keep a 17670 in my G2 and I have a 3-18v drop in I adjusted for lower output. Still much bigger than many 18650 lights. You can feel how thin a CR123 light be when you hold a 1xCR123 light like Fenix E15 in your hand.
Can you please comment on your 2xCR123 lights then.
Now it comes into my mind, I have an ET T100C2 and a T20C2 those accept 18650 cells freely. P20C2 and P100C2 look much petite and could be better EDC lights for sure.
that is the only 2x cr123 ight i have had, like i said it was a great light, even if it was not the highest output for the cost. but i think its a little bigger than your looking for
that D25C2 looks nice along with its 18650 brother
Kind of tangential, but not all AA lights are “weaker”. You might want to consider a ZL SC52 or SC52W (if you like NW). They are TINY, and can use either 1xAA or 1x14500, and, on 1x14500, are SUPER bright.
Believe me, I have them all ZL SC52 and I6 Paladin I mean. I know how nice lights they are. 2 hour runtime on 250-300 lm and XPG S2 with a good tint or an XPG2 R5 is what I’m looking for in smallish lights. Like ET P20C2 or Olight T20. P20C2 is way too pricey, P100C2 is on sale but only two modes and without a clip. Olight T20 looks like it fits the bill, as long as you don’t have a better suggestion.
The solarforce L2M is a super light in a small package and with the right drop in you can use a single 18650 or a single 123A or 16340 then you have a very small light and with the XP-G2 it’s great. The option of small size or larger for longer run times is really hard to beat. It’s a high quality host. I really can’t say enough about the one I have.
Oh… I didn’t think of that one (even though I’ve been looking at it myself). Also Solarforce-sales has a combo deal now, where you get the L2M plus their new XM-L2 U2 drop-in, I think.
ZL SC52 and I6 Paladin I mean. I know how nice lights they are. 2 hour runtime on 250-300 lm and XPG S2 with a good tint or an XPG2 R5 is what I’m looking for in smallish lights. Like ET P20C2 or Olight T20. P20C2 is way too pricey, P100C2 is on sale but only two modes and without a clip. Olight T20 looks like it fits the bill, as long as you don’t have a better suggestion.