New to the forum and I guess I am curious what everyone considers their most indispensible light, i.e. if you could have just one light what would it be and why? I guess let's limit it to those that use 18650 style batteries.
A well driven C8 XM-L without question. Something like this. Plenty of lumens, decent mix of flood and throw and just about pocketable size-wise.
The above is based on your criteria of just one 18650 based light.
For me this would be the Zebralight SC600.
One of the smallest 18650 lights so very easy to carry.
Perfect regulation
Light Output
- High: H1 500Lm with 750Lm turbo in the first 5 min (2hrs) or H2 200Lm (5.9hrs) / 330Lm (3hrs) / 500Lm (2.1hrs) / 4Hz Strobe
- Medium: M1 65Lm (18hrs) or M2 21Lm (50hrs)
- Low: L1 2.8Lm (280hrs) or L2 0.1Lm (80days)
Huge spill so lights up a wide area but more than enough trow to be very useful outside.
Low voltage protection, safe to use with unprotected cells.
X 2
X 3
I like the C8 for overall performance, but I usually grab my UF2100 as it's nearly as bright and can be easily slipped into my pocket...and takes a Solarforce pocket clip.
The UF2100, cheap enough(was 14$) to don't think about the safety of my light when I use it xD, ok quality, is the only 18650 that I carry with me with no reasons, and that I used more(excluding the keychain aaa light), others are too big, is also a good hands warmer on high(pro in winter big cons on summer)
all are good suggestions in this thread..sc600 would be my vote..
my vote goes to the Zebralight H600. it's almost the same as the SC600, but is a little more versatile since it can double as a headlamp.
I have no doubts that is way better the zebralight sc600, but is 100$ with clip out of my "flashlights budget"
Another c8 recommendation here. Uf2100 if you want something smaller and sc600 if you want to pay more, and get more. All good advice in this thread.
I use the sc600 as my EDC, but I use the uf-2100 when I am concerned about losing my EDC..I recommend the uf-2100 as a bright all around light..for the cost it's a great bright light..
If you hadn't put the stipulation of the light being a 18650, my light would be my Fenix TK41 which uses AA batteries.
So, for a 18650 light, I am torn a little. Would I pick a thrower Olight M3X which is a larger light with using 2 18650 batteries and has a limited usefulness in many situations? No, I don't think so. I think I would go with a single 18650 light.
Do I want smaller and easier to carry or a little largerand heavier but with more output? Decisions, decisions. It would be either my Shiningbeam Blaze or my Shiningbeam S-mini XP-G R5.
I use the S-mini the most and it's usually the first light I grab when heading out to put the chickens away at night because it fits in my shirt pocket and I hardly notice I'm carrying it. It's as handy as any light I own. Small and light weight but still throws fairly well and more than enough output for almost any situation I will encounter.
The first I would choose if my Shiningbeam Blaze. Still small enough to carry easily but it has the output of a Zebralight SC600 and doesn't have the stepdown after a few minutes and it's 40% less money. The quality is equal to or superior to most any other light and I have no doubt it will hold up in the long run and withstand the test of time.
If I answer this question literally, I need my only flashlight to be in my pocket and the only pocketable 18650 of mine that has clip and is forward clicky is Nitecore IFE2.
But, if pocket flashlight doesn't count, I would go for Solarforce L2T Ace with a MF/UF 3-mode XML dropin or a Fenix TK35.
A 504B with a hard driven XML drop in.
Wow. Looking at the Nitecore IFE2 I'm wondering what makes a 2xAA 260 lumens light worth $129.95 on sale at Battery Junction and a regular price of $175? That has to be the most expensive light of it's type on earth. The beam adjustment ring must be something. Does look nice though.
An S-mini from Shiningbeam.
Will run twice as long as those hard-driven C8's, slips into my pocket easily, has a nice warm beam, way better quality, and no blinky modes. I don't usually need to see what is 3 blocks down the street, as exciting as a C8 is, I get way more use out of a light that I need to just illuminate my backyard, my engine bay, find the dog when walking, etc.
For me it's a tough call between an XM-L P60 and a C8. The P60 will give you plenty of output in a compact size and also give you the ability to easily swap out emitters when they evolve. However, the C8 gives more throw (with enough flood) in still a fairly compact size. I've been pleased with the Keygos KE-5 but I'm gonna be purchasing the 2-mode Romisen from Shiningbeam because it's supposed to have the best build quality of the C8's and still at a budget price. Also, no blinkies!
If you have to pick just one then I'd probably just go with the C8.
+1
Very compact, decent, easy to fix if needed, great with H,M,L only drivers. Many options for customization (lenses, drop-ins, reflector type, pressure switch.., even good for weapon mount, Bikie light, plenty of easy to find spare parts...)
What's not to like? Aesthetics may not be to everone taste (try a solrforce or skyray body for some variation) and it's a rather lousy as a thrower even with a hard driven R2. It is also very budget friendly. Apart for versatility and customization possibilities does not particularly excell in any area.
They could be had for 13usd in the DD xmas price cuts with a poorly driven XM-L in it. Quite a bargain if you already planned to at least swap the driver.
C8 is definitely flashlight of the year 2011. It was first really cheap, widely available, properly heatsinked high lumen flashlight with excellent xm-l led and very good optics.
How ever getting a really good sample can be tricky as there are many C8 style flashlights on the market that have some differences. Although in most cases these differences are subtle they can make quite a big difference in real life.
As I see it C8 is perfect for someone that is willing to learn and not afraid to make some modifications if needed.