Aloha everyone,
I’ve been wondering why there doesn’t seem to be a lot of love for the 18350 in right angled lights, then I did some checking and found out that there doesn’t appear to be a lot of lights in that form factor.
I’m a big fan of headlamps and right angled lights. The flexibility that they offer make them indispensable to me for EDC and disaster preparedness. To give you an understanding of my degree of illness, here is a list of my partial inventory of lights that fall under the category of right angled and/or headlamps:
- Nitecore HC30, CW
- Xtar H2 (2)
- Xtar H1 (2)
- Skilhunt H15
- Nitecore NU30
- Nitecore NU20
- Klarus AR11
- Thrunite TN20 (2)
- Fenix HL10 (2016)
- Manker E02 - Cree
- Manker E02 - Nichia
- Maratac TPF AAA (2)
- Lumintop HL AAA
- Cooyoo Fermion
Right off the bat, for me, the adjustable angled lights like the Klarus AR11 and Thrunite TN20 are out for EDC. I don’t mind having one in my pack (actually like them), but I can’t seem to bring myself to trust something that moves and needs to maintain reliable electrical connections. Also virtually any gain that I get from the swivel head can also be had by adding a magnet to the clip of a right angled light. Furthermore, these are all powered by 18650 and the swivel mechanism greatly increases the overall length, reducing it’s effectiveness for me in the EDC role.
One of my first right angled lights was the HC30, which I really love. I rarely EDC just a single light, but if I had to, it would probably be the HC30. The problem that I have with it is that it’s too big for my normal EDC. I typically EDC 3 lights minimum. Clipped to the placket of my polo I usually have an AAA powered right angle light like the Maratac TPF, Manker E02 or Lumintop HL AAA. It’s there to provide me with install access to a hands-free light for any closeup work and for illuminating my path in the dark. I like something floody here, color rendition isn’t as important and run time is typically short (rarely needed for more than 5-10 minutes). There is usually some sort of tactical tube style light (probably tail switched) in my front right pocket. Usually 14500 or 18350 powered, possibly 18650, but rare. I’m a lefty so blade usually occupies the front left. Front right cargo pocket is where I carry a right angled light, clipped to the front and a strap to go with it in the pocket. This is the light that I’m looking to replace. In that position I don’t need the long run time that the 18650 affords me. I’m willing to give up run time for a more compact carry. That’s why I looked at the Xtar H1, H2 and the Skilhunt H15. Frankly, the H1 and H2 are quite large, considering their power plants and are older models with lower max outputs. Yes. the H2 is smaller, but the decreased capacity of using 16340 doesn’t offset the minimal reductions in size/weight. The Skilhunt H15 came close to fulfilling my needs and the TIR gives it nice, floody output, something I’d prefer over throw in a headlamp. Size wise, it wasn’t much smaller than the HC30, but at least it offered both AA and 14500 compatibility. To clarify, one of the main dimensions that I’m looking to decrease is the overall length of the light, due to the way I typically carry and attach the lights.
I’ve been looking at the Manker E03H and probably will purchase one, but I’m also very interested in a 18350 powered headlight. The issue that I’m having with the E03H is it’s lack of 14500 support and somewhat pedestrian 350 lumen turbo output (240 if I opt for the Nichia, which I probaby will).
The arrival of my recent order of Aspire 18350 (1100mAh) batteries got me thinking that my collection is lacking any 18350 powered headlamp. I’m thinking that the 18350 might be able to provide me with the shorter tube that I’m looking for and more capacity than a 14500 will provide.
I think my dream 18350 headlamp would have (in no particular order) the following:
- Good low mode, sub lumen would be nice, but 1-1.5 acceptable.
- Near as possible 1000 Lumen turbo
- Warm or Neutral output
- A few more modes reasonable spaced between turbo and moon
- IPX8 Preferred
- Rechargeable
- button and flat top compatibility
- Magnetic tail cap.
- Battery test/level indicator (edit - added)
- Deep pocket carry clip, hopefully reversible. Also, what’s up with having to remove the clip to use the headband?
- Reasonably throwy output. I prefer floody output for headlamps, but that’s easily accomplished with a pop-in diffuser or film. Not so easy to go the other way.
So I’ve been looking at a couple of offerings from Armytek, the ELF C1, the Tiara C1 and the Armytek Tiara C1 Pro. I’m leaning towards the Tiara C1, as it’s only $5 more than the ELF and has more modes PLUS magnetic charging and water proof to 10 meters. For the extra $5, I’ll take the magnetic charging over the micro USB. For the life of me, I can’t figure out the difference between the Tiara and the Tiara Pro. Any help would be appreciated. Also, if anyone has comments about these lights or any other 18350 angled head lights, I’d love to hear what you all think.
Mahalo
