Hi BLF’ers,
I am in the process of selecting one (or more!) CR123 (16340/RCR123A capable) flashlights for EDC pocket carry. I already own too large a multitude of AA and AAA beauties for Keychain duty (DQG AAA, Olight i3S, Thrunite Ti(4), etc). The only 16340 format lights I presently have are the Trustfire Mini-05, and the latest version CNQ Bullet.
Currently considering the following: Olight S10R; Nitecore EC11/EA11; Eagletac D25C/A Ti 2014; SWM V11R; Nitecore SRT3.
Does anyone who actually owns more than one of these in their latest revisions have any experience or opinion? How would you personally rate them?
Options now down to Nitecore EC11 or ET D25C (preferred size over AA equivalent formats). Also the D25C has function benefits over the D25A: D25C is capable of programable Memory mode, and D25A head is made in one piece, and therefore its glass lens is not user replaceable.
D25C Ti is 2014 model, so perhaps limited life until refresh model is produced?
I do like the Olight S10R - however it is underpowered compared to the latest Nitecore E-series, the clip ridge can become annoying and reports of charging feature being intermittently unreliable. So ruling that out.
Constantly Variable options reduced to Sunwayman V11R or Nitecore SRT3. Jetbeam RRT01 ruled out due to lack of tail clicky (a pocket necessity for me unless it’s a AAA twisty!).
Nitecore SRT3 might be due for a revision as it is under-performing by almost half compared to the latest E-series. Also lacking the E-series features of Portable Multimeter and Signal using the secondary LED.
The maintenance of the control-ring on these two lights worries me slightly. Is the SRT3 as ’easy’ to dismantle and re-grease as the guides on V11R? Is the ring on SRT3 proven to be any better or worse than the competitors?
Prefer the SRT3’s bonus modes (one mans hated disco is another mans useful bonus!), and the notched ring indents during mode selection, over the single function V11R. But it is over-sized for the battery formats and V11R is a more pocket-friendly and attractive package.
Thoughts and opinions would be very much appreciated.
Many thanks as always,
Hirsh
“I do like the Olight S10R – however it is underpowered compared to the latest Nitecore E-series, the clip ridge can become annoying and reports of charging feature being intermittently unreliable. So ruling that out.”
Maybe you should reconsider the S10R. I believe that the charging issue has been taken care of. Underpowered? - I have found that its high level is plenty for me. There is very little I can’t do with 400 lumens that I can do with 900 or something higher. I carry the light everywhere and find it to be the most versatile light I have. Nitecore has very poor run times, IMHO, and the S10R is execllent in that area. The clip is a little annoying but I have found it to be useful. Most of the time the light just goes into a pocket - really hard to tell that it is there. Also, with the included battery and charging dock I think it is a very good value.
I pretty much walk out the door every day with either a V11R (XM-L U2,) or a D25C Ti. clicky, so I have both and run both with AW/Kinoko IMR 16340s.
I have other lights that I carry here and there—SWM M11R, Xeno E03 and a ShiningBeam I-Mini, but for 99% of my carry it’s one of the two above.
The ET has modes, but those modes over two groups are pretty sufficient for most of my needs. It’s slightly thinner and shorter than the V11R and it looks sharper, but that variable control ring is extremely flexible.
Right now, you can get the V11R XM-L2 U2 for $40 before shipping, from Illumination.com. Last Wednesday, I finally broke down and ordered the AA extension ring and on Friday, I opened up the package and they had mistakenly sent me a new V11R, so I emailed them and they made me a great offer.
I ended up buying a second AA extender, one for each light and I’m waiting on those.
For $50, with AA extender, sans shipping, that’s a no brainer, even if you like the looks of the Ti. better.