Hi, I have done quite a bit of searching for quite some time now,and most likely not searching properly. I can’t seem to find any 18650,single mode,twist on twist off flashlights. I won’t be using it extensively,So I don’t need it to be an expensive flashlight. Anything from as low as $3.00 to a max of $35.00. I joined these fine forums after not being able to get the job done.Time for the experts like you guys to chime in. I know you guys have the answers . Thanks
The surefire & pelican lights of old have LED models now with twist on and off as before. They really pale in comparison to the newer LED light technology and are very overpriced for what you’re getting.
I recently bough the Imalent HR20 Headlamp & Multi-purpose light for $28 with a coupon. It’s both a headlight or L-Shape flashlight with built in USB recharging and a twist dimmer/on/off control on the base. It’s really pretty cool and employs the CREE XHP-HI LED at 1,000 lumens.
There is also the Nitecore SRT series of lights that have the “smart ring” for mode controls that although spendy are extremely good lights.
Hi, Thanks for your response. Since this will be just a flashlight just used once in a blue moon. I would like to keep the price between the $3.00 and $30.00 price tag. I’m not sure after looking I will have any luck finding a 18650,single mode, twist on twist off flashlight. So far the best I have found is a olight i3e EOS which has 2 of the 3 options I was looking for .It just doesn’t run off an 18650 for longer battery life. Though I could just swap batteries quicker I supose. One reviewer of the olight 13e EOS said after 5 minites the flashlight was so hot that he couldn’t hold it without a glove on. Is this the truth about this flashlight. If so ,this would be a dealbreaker for me. Does it really get this hot. Also how long does the olight i3e EOS battery last on it. I have a enloop AAA rechargeable battery. I was hoping not to half to resort to this smaller flashlight,but if there are no 18650 flashlights with single mode and twist on off switch then this may be the flashlight for me with the twist switch and one mode. No one seemed to mention the flashlight getting very hot in 5 mins on other reviews.Nothing beats talking to flashlight experts like yourselves. Thanks
Nothing coming to mind here. You may need to build it. If you can solder, you can easily modify most lights that have anodized threads. Most lights have a 17mm diameter driver. This driver would give you reverse polarity protection, low voltage protection, and one mode. You determine the out put by the number of AMC7135 chips you leave/add/remove from it:
https://www.fasttech.com/product/1127406
For the switch, I usually just use a US Penny. I pound it into a dome shape and put it in place of the switch.
If you don't want to mod an existing light, consider contacting BLF Member RMM. He has a great shop and provides many customization options.
I would suggest the Imalent even more vigorously if your price range is $30 or less because the light will do double duty as a headlight or compact L-shape handheld. The light has good temperature control.
The olight you are referring to is a AAA Luxeon light. I have heard it gets hot as well. It’s also very low lumen output compared to 18650 powered XP-L HI or HD units.
I bought my Imalent for a deal from Trevi-Lux.
https://www.gearbest.com/headlights/pp_428912.html?lkid=12634346
It was under $30 shipped priority to the U.S.
Hi, Thanks for all the great replies so far,and all the great sugestions, Moding a flashlight might be a good option as well. The reason I thought I’d go with a twist switch was because my cheap skywolfeye tly-6501 tail switch went on it. Cheap junk I guess after reading here. It was doing what I needed,but I didn’t like the strobe feature at all. It looks like the switch can pop out and be replaced. Do you guys know of a better quality switch that will fit in that flashlight to replace the old one. I think the whole flashlight is only worth $5.00 shipped ,So I wouldn’t want spend a fortune fixing it. I see lots of taillight switches sold on fleebay,but even the seller can’t verify it will work in my flashlight. If it helps the flashlight has low high and strobe. Also do I half to buy a 3 mode replacement switch, or can I just buy a 1 or 2 mode switch to avoid the strobe part of it. Thanks for everybodies help so far.
Not one mode but look at the Jaunt D5.
https://m.gearbest.com/led-flashlights/pp_424919.html
If you change your mind about the twisty requirement, try a convoy S2+.
Edit to add: tailcap switches just control power from the battery, the computer chip in the driver circuit at the head end, behind the LED is what controls the modes, it “knows” when to change modes by sensing you switching the light off and on again within a set period.
Edit2: whoops, just realised it’s discontinued at Heartbeat, there are a few floating around AliExpress etc though.
If you are willing to forego the twist feature and go with a tail switch on/off and separate mode switch (2 switches), on-board charging and great quality, go with the Zanflare F1 for $20! 1240 lumens, modern xp-l hi LED. or the Imalent I suggested above, lol
Hi, I checked out that jaunt d5 II flashlight. Is it a 18650 battery type. It looks to be the twist on off like I was looking for. Also since the other poster said the modes were controlled by other means,does that mean I am just looking for a 1 mode switch,with the switch just having to be of better quality than the original tailcap switch. Who knows what exact switch would fit in that skywolfeeye TLY-6501flashlight for sure, and where can they be purchased from. I’m not sure if the TLY-6501 has anything to do with it. I just see it in very small print below the skywolfeye ,and thought I’d include it to make sure you guys had all the info listed on the flashlight. Thanks
I seem to remember that the ZanFlare F1 uses an XP-L HD V6 (similar to the BLF A6 / Astrolux S1)…
Solarforce L2 XP-L V6 cree led 830 Lumens 18650 BLK 1 Mode Flashlight $25.50 on the Solarforce site. Look around maybe find it cheaper. Then add
Tailcap-Momentary-On-Off-Switch-for-SureFire-6P-9P-G2-G2X-G2ZX-6PX-Flashlight Aluminum $5.00 from Ebay. Total with shipping around $35.00 and the Solarforce is easy to Mod.
I have several in mod. status at the moment.
Hope that helps
The Zanflare F1 is a good option. Otherwise you can request a convoy s2+ with biscotti firmware from the official convoy aliexpress store (biscotti is by default for the desert color,but you can request it for other colors for $1 more by messaging the seller after starting the order rather than paying. You can also ask for the discount for blf members if you are cost adverse ).
The last mode group in biscotti is a single mode (100% high)
Hi, Thanks to everyone for all your replies. After reading reviews ,I ended up purchasing a convoy s2+ flashlight. Keep up the great work on this site. It is truly awesome.