Police Officer - Looking for Single Cell 18650 Light - Mild Muggle Warning

LED Flashlights – General Info 18650 Flashlights
1

This is my first post here. I have been lurking for years on both BLF and CPF. While my obsession with flashlights started around 3 years old. I never really bought any super serious flashlights, it’s always been more of an impulse purchase of the standard big names from big box stores and Costco specials. I carried a modded Techlite Lumenmaster 200 for a few years, and when I say modded, I literally just switched the electronic switch for a on/off clicky from a cheap dollar store flashlight.

At present, my department issues us some POS 2xCR123a flashlight that eats batteries like no tomorrow, I presently carry a JETBeam Jet-1 MK as a backup in the Molle of my body armor with an Energizer AA Lithium cell. I find myself always having to use the JetBeam since my issued one dies all the time.

Anyways, now that the introduction is done this is what I am looking for:

-Tail switch (must have)
-Water-resistance since I am regularly rained on (must have)
-Can run on 1x 18650 or 2x Cr123a (Ideal but not 100% mandatory, I like this option as my department supplies us with unlimited Cr123a cells)
-Clip or has a clip readily available for separate purchase
-Micro USB or USB C rechargeability (Ideal and would definitely be a plus but can live without)
-Does not have a million modes (must have)
-Has memory of the last mode and can start from high or turbo mode (must have)
-Has reasonable throw
-Is capable of 1000lumens
-Must be reliable, a flashlight is crucial part of my kit.

As for cells, I am new to the game and have always shied away from non off the shelf batteries as I liked the idea of being able to get the batteries anywhere, but I am now ready to make the jump to rechargeable lithiums. My main concern here is protected vs unprotected cells, I keep the flashlight clipped to my shoulder loop on my body armor, opposite shoulder from my radio and the last thing I want is an explosion right next to my face so I need some guidance here. That said, it seems that in order to get decent output from lights, unprotected cells are needed?

I have been looking at a few lights:
BFL A6: Seems like a great contender, lacks charging and the ability to run on 2x cr123 cells.
Convoy S2+ XML2 T6-4C: Seems like a staple of any collection, lacks a clip (can buy separately) and does not take 2x cr123a cells.
Sofirn SP31 v2.0: Seems like a great contender as well, I can get this one on Amazon same day and comes with a cell (unprotected) and charger. That said, I am not 100% about the electronic mode switch on the side and not sure if it can start in high mode?

I am open to any suggestions, thanks for taking the time to read my long-winded post.

2

convoy c8 is a good thrower and very reasonible priced

convoy s2+ is a good thrower also and nice sized for a pocket

both very cheap and value for money

next i would recomend is a lumintop fw1a pro or a fw3a
both very good lights

id not think about cr123s and just use 18650s

clips on the lumintops are good

convoys you would have to buy the clips seperately

the lumintops have protection so it wont turn on if the battery is very low etc

check you tube for some fw3a reviews

good luck and welcome

3

i’d look at streamlights, they are purposely made duty lights, most of nypd carried them.

4

My Lumintop FW3A has been supremely unreliable. Many others have had issues too. It has a great form factor and interface, but I would never count on it in a life or death situation or where I don’t have a backup light available. If I was in your position, I would probably go with something mainstream like a Streamlight or even Fenix as they seem to have better 18650 support at this point than Surefire.

5

Single 18650 light that takes protected batteries.
Forward clicky switch.
Always starts on high or can be programmed as such.
Minimal modes

6

I’ll second the vote for the Fenix lights. The PD35 or UC35 are great and meet all your requirements except for starting on high. They start on the last setting used. The UC has a charger built into it and the PD doesn’t.I

I have both and prefer the PD (no charger) because the charger port plug tends to get lost too easily. I just keep a few 18650 spares in my kit.

7

It’ll be harder to find a tailswitch light that has both mode memory and a shortcut to start at turbo. That basically requires a tail e-switch, and those aren’t common on the market at the moment (the FW3A springs to mind, but it has its own drawbacks). The only one I’ve got that does that is the Lumintop ED20-T, and I think that light has been discontinued (which is too bad - I really like it!).

My recommendation from lights I own would be the Sofirn SP31 V2.0. Forward-clicky tail switch, with a side switch to change modes (with mode memory). Takes both 18650 and CR123 cells, and has a battery life indicator in the side switch. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have integrated charging. It’s basically the same as the Fenix PD35, but probably a bit cheaper. It’s also throwier than many other tube lights in its class because of the (dedomed) LED that it has.

8

Depending on your budget, I would say something like the Olight M2R Warrior or Warrior Pro.
It has:

- magnetic charging

- uses 18650 protected battery (the one from Olight is the one that can be charged in the flashlight)

- it can use 2xCR123a batteries

- has tailswitch (electronic) that can be configured for momentary turbo (1500 lumens) + momentary strobe or momentary turbo + constant turbo (1000 lumens)

  • has sideswitch that can start in the: moonlight (long press); last used mode (single click); turbo (double click); strobe (triple click)

Only eventual con for you is that the side switch has several modes :zipper_mouth_face:

9

It doesn’t fit every single one of your qualifications, as it can only come on instantly to the memorized mode or the the highest level or to strobe mode, but the Nitecore i4000R fits all of the other ones I think. It uses a 5000mah 21700 battery, but can also use 2xCR123 batteries, and it comes with a sleeve so they don’t rattle.
It also comes with a holster that looks useful for law enforcement , and much more effective and easy to get the light out of, than your average nylon holster.

Here’s a link to a review of the light:

https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/61004

There was also a coupon or group buy for it on here, which made it $90 instead of $120 I think.

10

streamlight strion DS has that, etail switch as well as side switch,

11

Oh, neat! I guess I just don’t have enough exposure to lights outside of my usual price range.

12

i got a friend of mine, who is a nypd, strion ds hl for new years, she likes it. i paid iirc 130usd, with a charging cradle, and 12v plug, it also takes regular mini usb plug. it does take some practice to get programming right, at first i did not realize it was e switch and, could not get it into program mode, unlike regular clicky, half press and hold is not the same as press and click.
however, even thou it uses 18650, it is not regular 18650, it is a special one with ring contacts, only streamlight sells those,

13

Unlimited issue CR123As? I’d get a First-light T-Max or Tomahawk, with TRS kit. They have a tremendously useful UI that includes instant access to turbo, a well thought out carrying system and good runtime on primaries as well as the ability to take 16340 cells. There’s also color and strobe options that do not affect the normal UI usefulness (separate buttons). Price on the secondary market is much lower than retail.

Otherwise, I don’t think any of the lights you’ve been looking at are great choices. Something like the Streamlight HL-X is a much better choice than the S2+ for example. The former has a much more durable light engine including potted electronics and will stand up to incidental abuse much better.

14

Get an Olight M2R Warrior. M2R Warrior

BLF M2R Warrior Review

CPF M2R Warrior Review

It is one of the few Olights that does NOT need to use an Olight proprietary 18650 battery, and can run on two CR123A batteries.
It meets all the requirements on your list.

15

While this is BLF and we love C8’s and S2’s as a go-to beginner light, I really don’t think they are the right light for the kind of (ab)use that they will unavoidably receive as part of your kit. I have abused the hell out of some lights and trust them fully and completely, but it’s still not the same when it can literally be your life on the line.

A resounding “hell no” to the FW3A as a duty light.

They are more $ than the typical *B*LF light we like around here, but in this case something with a proven track record among first responders is worth the price of entry IMO. Streamlight, not sure what Surefire is up to these days. Zebralight and Fenix are the consumer brands worth considering IMO.

16

Check out Elzetta since you get free 123 cells.

17

track down a Solarforce P1 or Surefire P6 body—
And add a rock solid potted drop in like a SportTac.
Simple, weatherproof, and able to take abuse.

18

Acebeam L16. Nuff said!

19

Thanks to all who posted! I did have a look at the FW3 last night before posting and while it looks like a fun light to have, IMO, for my purposes it’d be too complicated and potentially unreliable.

I went with the Fenix PD35 V2. A store local to me had them on clearance for the equivalent of $49 USD!

I am also going to look into the Olight M2R Warrior as well, it looks like an awesome light, albeit 2x the price of the PD35 but does have a few extra features that I like.

20

In your backyard you have Armytek. The three models to look at are Viking, Predator and Dobermann. All take 1-18650 or 2-CR123A’s. Tighten the head for on/off only, slightly turn and you have the mode selections. They are very tough and extremely water proof. I have the three and like them, very duty light designed. If you take the 18650 plunge then the Sanyo/Panasonic NCR18650GA is the best. Protection won’t be needed as Armytek has low voltage cut off. For $5.00 the XTAR ant MC1 pro is the charger I use. 18650 will be brighter than 2-CR123A’s.

The BLF A6 shorty single 18350 is a good shirt pocket light.