Need carry light recommendation

LED Flashlights – General Info
1

Please help me select a primary, go-to pocket light. (Is there a form for this?)

1. Complement my other carry lights - I don't want to duplicate them, I want to bracket them

- Keyring: iTP A1 EOS XP-E Q5

CR123 w/ Low 1.8, Med 35, High 190 lm (iTP specs)

- Pocket: TBD

- Daybag: SunRay S-R5 XML T6

18650 w/ 5 modes (draw TBD, probably a 600 - 800 lumen high)

- Truck: Taotronic TT-FL03 XML T6 w/54mm head

18650 * 2 w/ Low 225, Med 450, High 900 lm (estimates on draw)

2. Constraints

- Maximum length 4.75" or 120mm (including head)

- Max body diameter 21mm or .83" (body and tail)

- Max head size: may be up to 25mm or 1" x 1" wide and long, angle OK

- Battery must use rechargeable and not be AAA

- Secure clip (head up if oversized, tail up otherwise)

- High must be appreciably brighter than A1 High (say 285+lm)

- 2 brightness modes at minimum, low under 100 lumens

- Cool or neutral, not warm

- Under $35 US shipped

- Rain-proof

3. Preferences

- Not easy to accidentally turn on, safe lockout without risking lost part

- Multi-size battery & circuit (e.g., 2 * RCR123 or 1 * 18650 or any AA)

- High (500+ lumens) , mid (200+ lm) & low (~70 lm) modes

- Waterproof to 6-10' in accident

- Durable but not heavy for size

- Under $20 (features below less valuable)

- Size under 100mm long and 20mm diameter

- Not black (OD, desert tan, blue, etc.)

4. Possible picks

ShiningBeam S-mini (BLFuser discount)

http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-208/ShiningBeam-S-dsh-mini-XM-dsh-L-T6/Detail

http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-152/ShiningBeam-S-dsh-mini-XP-dsh-G-R5/Detail

UltraFire V6-T60 XM-LT6 (needs clip)

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/ultrafire-v6-t60-xm-lt6-5-mode-1200-lumen-white-led-flashlight-with-strap-black-1-x-18650-100162?r=43033281

FUBROTHER T6-281 Stainless Steel XM-L T6 (needs clip)

http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/fubrother-t6281-stainless-steel-xml-t6-led-5mode-led-flashlight-18650-p-9491

Ultra/UniqueFire UF-2100/variants

http://www.tmart.com/UniqueFire-UF2100-CREE-XMLT6-8W-1000LM-3-Mode-Flashlight-Black_p144726.html

Skyray/UniqueFire G6 (heavy?)

5. Probable rejects

Balder SE1 - tail too big

Xeno E03 - Not bright enough, needs clip

TrustFire R5-A3 - not enough lumens?

2

What did you end up with GottaZoom?

I have an UltraFire 2100, I prefer it to the SR-5, which for some reason just doesn’t do it for me. The R5-A3 is a great little light, and for it’s pocket ability I have never found it lacking lumens, I love it’s low mode on alkies. Since I have more than one pocket, it seems a waste not to have a light in a few of them at least, you know how it is :wink: If I wear a jacket, I have my favourite UF 980L in one of them.

Lately I have been carrying This Zoomie , which is one of my favourites, nice flood and can still get some distance when zoomed out. Bad PWM on the lower modes though, if that bothers you. there are a few versions of this one popping up though, and I have just ordered another to see how it is. Size is pretty close to your requirements

P.S. I found this thread because I just ordered the stainless one in your list from an ebay seller. It’s a very nice looking light, does anyone have it?

3

Wow - this was one of my first posts and it seems ages ago (at least in terms of new lights). LOL, they could have put some more pictures up with that ebay light - got a another sample with more pics/specs? I’d be very interested in something like that if it takes 2*CR123 or 1*18650.

Only a few days after my OP I decided to give the A01 to my son for his birthday instead of putting it on my keys and it has become his EDC clipped inside his coin pocket ever since.

The short answer is I have one of E1320’s custom driver 2100s coming with (hopefully) a firefly low. This one light should meet almost all needs (except for low spill throw). The R5-A3 might have been fine, and is still the only light I have regretted NOT buying. The bright XML turbo option won out as I will use it fairly frequently for short bursts.

I wanted something about 10% narrower to fit a particular spot on a phone holster I sometimes use, but unfortunately the 2100 won’t fit and will be pocket or clip carried instead. I’ve carried the SunRay enough to get comfortable with a 18650 in a pocket.

TheShadow was kind enough to give me some new options. So now the current lineup looks like:

- Keys: Fauxton

- Wallet: T10 alongside (Ti inside if pocket is very narrow)

- Pocket: 2100

- Bag: Asperic 501b + spare light + spare primaries

- Truck: TauTronic/Trustfire

In process:

- Lithium primaries (2*CR123) in car lights (TBD)

- TT/TF above to house

- T10 or Ti on paracord key fob

4

TheShadow did? I think you're using the wrong username. ;)

5

Oops LOL!!!

Sorry, just 1 name on this (and any) forum.

6

Got my stainless FuBrother last week. It really is nice, more floody than the UF2100 and smooth, no nasty sharp bezel to chew my pockets and fingers. And, it tail stands beautifully! Slightly slimmer than the 2100 and about the same length.

Nice fit and finish, threads are well cut but don’t feel as definite when you start them as some others I have.

It has a nice tint, nice warm one and the reflector and bezel unscrew so you can use it in candle mode, nice feature. Nice brass pill. Part of the pill is visible as the brass band you see at the head. Front bezel and battery tube thread onto it.

PWM on low is not bad, although medium and low are not really a lot less bright than high compared to most other lights.

It seems to take a few minutes to forget last used mode, so sometimes I have to cycle through modes to get back to low, otherwise I can’t fault it. Oh, except for the chocolate starfish pink rubber boot on the switch, bleh.

7

You should do a short review on it. That boot is . . umm . . different - GITD? Hard to imagine more floody than the 2100! You could do a beamshot comparison on the lights you’ve talked about in this thread, too.