"Hi, My name is Flashnut and I'm flashlight addict."
(Crowd responds)
"Hi Flashnut"
So that's about where we're at....I love flashlights (and pocket knives as well). I'm here because I get all excited when I see someone holding a really nice flashlight I've never seen before, or heard about but haven't experienced yet. It's kind of embarrassing but if Trekkies can do their thing......
So now that we're amongst friends, I was hoping you guys could help me. I'll try to make it as short as possible. I have been looking for a light to replace my old Techlight Lumenmaster from years ago that was a Costco special.
Great lights but they're aging badly. Since then Costco has moved on to these Duracell brand horrors. It's sad. I've purchased and chucked em all. Everything else I've found is either too long and skinny..almost like heading towards a roll of nickels or even a penlight..or just...too long period. A lot of times the size of the flashlight means it's running on a small cell so the battery doesn't last, and I don't care what the cell is inside if I can recharge the thing and the phatness of the handle is holding a big cell for long run time. I have the Olight S1 baton (500 lumens) and an S1R Baton II (1000 lumens) that I love but they're not the best for walking because they heat up and the cell won't last very long that way. The other popular Olights (S2R) seems skinny for me as well. The M2R might hold water. Their R50 Pro seeker seems like it could be cool ..but might be too big and ...more than I really want to spend.
So I'm looking for a bad ass walking light with lots of flood and an easy hotspot that throws but isn't too dramatic. Roughly the size of the handle bars on a beach bike that sticks out just a bit on each side of your fist...like maybe a roll of quarters or just bigger. If you could see or feel the Techlight sit in your hand you'd totally get what I mean. It's a real beauty. So think 4.5 inches to 5 inches long...and then 1.5 inches or so in width at the tip of the lens. Enough girth to hold a bigger cell and get some real run time on it. Think... holding your shlong if you're a sad white dude like me. LOL. Think 1000+ lumens. and...under 80 bucks. I've looked at the Thrunite TC20 but it seems a bit phat at the lens so popping it into your pocket seems a bit difficult....and the Sofirn C8F. That one seems bad ass and I'm pushing towards it but...if I'm honest I can't really tell by the pictures and videos...but it seems juuuust a bit too big as well at the tip.
The crazy thing is you would think this wouldn't be that hard. Some lights have a hot spot that throws far but then the flood sucks...or the flood is great but it doesn't throw...or they don't blend well so it makes it harder to see...or...on and on. I'm not a perfectionist but this stuff just seems pretty simple to me. When it's right it's right...Right? So...any ideas on certain lights would be appreciated. May you live long and prosper!
If you want to stay in the same size range get an Astrolux S1. You can get in an 18650 or 18350 configuration. It also produces over 1000 lumen when needed. Look for coupons. Should be able to get one for @ $16 to $20 on sale. There should be plenty of reviews online.
Edit- The light itself is not rechargable. Thrunite TC15 would be my choice if rechargeable is a hard requirement.
Why would he want a C8? It’s a single emitter SMO light. He doesn’t want a thrower, he wants more flood than throw but still maintain a bit of throw. C8 is a horrible walking the dog or whatever light. I take that back, if your leash was 150 yards long then yes, the C8+ would be ideal.
The C8F is much better suited to this task. The ramping UI will let him dial in the exact amount of light he wants. Double click will hit turbo if he needs to reach out and find something a 100 yards away. 21700 cell will give nice long run time at reasonable levels.
Emisar D4S might be a good choice as well as long as he isn’t expecting extended periods of full brightness use.
Lumintop ODF30C is another good choice.
Thorfire BLF Q8, another great choice if weight isn’t a deal breaker.
Sofirn C8T....cool I'll make a note....what was the first one again? Totally kidding. The convoy C8+ seems to be a real crowd pleaser but it also seems to have a massive hotspot in the middle that throws a bit far from what I've seen. But I'd have to see it in person to know for sure. Great price huh? Thanks for the heads up. It's on the list
He doesn’t want a thrower, he wants more flood than throw but still maintain a bit of throw.
You called it. I just bought the Sofirn C8F and the Sp33 in case I want something smaller......but I also plan to buy a few more lights as well because...I love em. lol. So thanks for the help.
The lumintop odf30C looks A lot like the Olight R50 pro seeker. Could be a winner if I get into the C8F and don't like it or its not meeting my needs.
Emisar D4S might be a good choice as well as long as he isn’t expecting extended periods of full brightness use.
Called it again. I looked at these just the other day ...I guess they're Zebralight knockoffs? Or..? But they sound like they're great lights...and a cool size that utilizes that phatness for a bigger cell which is nice. I heard "Advanced Knife Review" on youtube talk about this light and he mentioned the same thing...that it can get hot if you plan on using it over like..a thousand lumens for a bit too long. I don't think I'd need that much light so we're in the clear. But that's probably the same thing with the C8F. It should be fine under 1500 lumens right?
Thorfire BLF Q8, another great choice if weight isn’t a deal breaker.
You just called all of the lights I've looked at seriously...the Q8 is a bit phat for me...but it's close as hell to what I could use. If the d4 had a bit of a larger head...JUST..maybe JUST a bit longer...but damn it if it isn't in that perfect area. So the D4 is on the list as well.
Anyway..thanks for your help.
Peace
Flashnut.
p.s. I have no idea how to copy and paste in a quote so it's in boxes like you did....or make sure that I'm responding to everyone here the right way so....meh...it is what it is for now.
I’ve become a Flashaholic as well. I spend umpteen hours researching. I guess it could be worse.
I’ve purchased a bunch. Sofirn, SP32A v2. Very nice light, great small size. SP33 I really like! SP36 way Bright. A little big but still cool! C8F, Nice light but a little too yellow of tint. I tried several Sofirn 14500 lights but didn’t care for them.
I have and like the Nitecore HC33 headlamp. Great UI always starts in Low if wanted. Also have the Wowtac A2s, Nice light but the UI is not the greatest.
A nice surprise was the Wuben L50. Very Bright, Cheap. Tint is a little too cool and a little blue. I’m excited to get the New Wuben To50R!
I really like the 14500 lights!! Small but still bright. I have the Wuben E05. Nice but the spacing between hi and Turbo is too big. Needs a 500 Lumin mode.
I have several Lumintop Tool AA 2.0. Great little light. Love the diffuser as well. Also have the Lumintop EDC 05. I like it better than the Wuben E05. It does get hot fast in Turbo. It starts in low or has memory.
My Favorite 14500 light is the NICRON N7. 2modes, high is just as bright as my Sofirn sp32 in high not Turbo. Love this little light. Has some nice throw as well. I keep several. I bought a Zebra light headband for several and it makes a great headlamp.
