Do yourself a favor and get yourself a BLF Q8. You should be able to pick one up with a code or discount for 40-65. Prob the best light you’ll get for that money. Then get one of the new Emisar lights, D4, D1 or D1S. I’d also highly consider one of the Convoy L6. Consider tints. Many new people find through experience that neutral tints make it easier to resolve colors and that can be useful. But others genuinely like 6500 k. Lots of good chargers. I’ve had really good luck with Xtar chargers. Batteries, don’t get fixated on a brand name. The cell inside is what’s important, but it’s important that it’s a genuine Samsung, Panasonic, or LG.
Never skimp on quality batteries and charger. Lots of good options to choose from. Basically stay away from anything the has fire in the name (except Surefire). Look for OEM brands like Panasonic, LG and Samsung. Avoid garbage like Trustfire, Ultrafire, Tenergy and Nuon. The XTAR VP2/4 or Nitecore D4 are solid, easy to use Li-ion chargers.
Consumer first. Probably not ready to start modding just yet. Still trying to get my head around tints, throw, flood, UI…all the details.
I love to spend other people money! :smiling_imp:
Lii 500 charger - $25
BLF A6 3D tint - $25
BLF Q8 - $50
Samsung 30Q button top x 4 for the Q8 - $22
Samsung 30Q flat top x 4 for A6 and other lights - $20
Total $142 - all items can often be found cheaper on sale or with coupons
That would be for what seems like a decent starting point with two must have BLF lights.
Edit: Now let’s spend some more…
Convoy C8 XPL HI classic small thrower - $20
Emisar D4 XPL NW amazing 18650 pocket rocket (and water boiler) - $60
Jetbeam Jet I MK robust EDC twisty AA/14500 light - $15
Jetbeam Jet µ same thing even smaller AAA light - $12
BLF or Singfire 348 AAA one mode SS tube light - $8
Sanyo UR14500P x 2 - $10
That’s another $125 for 5 other good and useful lights and a couple 14500.
OP, if you want "a" nice flashlight, pick your liking.
Next, get in the single-item-check-out<->restraining-order<->no-trespassing line, so you can not return to this establishment.
Any of the BLF special editions are solid. A6, Q8, X5. Convoy L2, L6, C8 or S2. Thrunite TC20 or TN42 if you want something more high end/best in class. Emisar D1/D4 are can’t miss options too.
This here is a really nice start, when you get the a6, also get the 18350 battery tube. You can get it as the astrolux s1 which is the same light. It is a real sweetheart with the short tube. https://m.banggood.com/Astrolux-S1-XPL-1600LM-7-4modes-LED-Flashlight-18650-18350-p-1012721.html?rmmds=detail-bottom-alsolike
If i were going to add one more light to this list it would be something smaller like the olight s1A. This really fits nicely in the pocket but you can still hold on to it, it has a great beam, and super low moon mode.
What I can recommend from what I have:
- Emisar flashlights - the D4 is really cool, puts out a lot of power from s small host, albeit not sustained. The D1 is more practical and has the same cool user interface
- Convoy S2+ host + MTN-electronics 17mm FET+1 driver + a couple of emitters with different tints (cool, neutral and warm). This would be a modding starter kit as you would only need to solder 2 wires on the LED board, super easy, results in a great flashlight if you don’t want to mod any further, output still can be raised if you like to keep modding.
- Batteries with higher capacity for longer run times: Sanyo NCR18650GA or Samsung 35E. They both can sustain 10A discharge, so you are not trading capacity for all that much discharge rate. If you only buy a handful for now, the 30Q will give performance on lights that make use of higher drain without giving up to much capacity. The Sony VTC5a (lower capacity and higher discharge) and VTC6 (same capacity as 30Q, higher discharge) are also popular choices on the forum
- A headlamp
- Lii-500 charger
- Nitecore TIP (the high CRI version)
What I’d get if I had the budget:
- BLF Q8
What I wouldn’t get if I was starting:
- Any luxury materials (flashlights made completely out of copper/titanium) or special editions
- Anything from more expensive brands
- Flashlights that run on a battery type I don’t already have. I’d start with 18650s, and only after a while flashlights that use 18350s, 16340s, 26650s, etc
Thanks. Others have said similar things!
Just saw your light collection - WOW!
Now that’s a list! Thanks for taking the time to do this. It’s a big help as I try to figure out whether I like cool or warm, which UIs I like, battery issues, etc. Much appreciated.
A couple of people sent PM’s that suggested lists very similar to this. With 2 or 3 saying the same thing, my confidence goes way up. I appreciate the suggestions.
Thanks for the tips on dipping my toe into modding. Those details will help me order! Also, I like the advice about batteries. This whole thing is about to get really interesting.
And Thorfire. Generally good stuff.
And genuine(!) UltraFire, at least as far as lights.
But then there are fakes of even good brands and models (eg, the 30Q, HG2, etc.).
Generally, Fasttech and GearBest will sell the genuine articles over in China, and lots of places here in the states (I’ll let someone else rattle off some names).
Avoid fly-by-night sellers on Fleabay and the like. You’ll likely get a cell filled with sand or flour…
Regarding Tint, CRI, UI, batteries and other considerations, you won’t really know until you’ve tried a few dozen lights, and own a drawer full of batteries. :laughing:
Anyway, whatever your preference are, you often end up liking a light for just one reason (cute, small, bright, cheap, easy to use, material…) regardless of all other qualities. :person_facepalming:
Samsung 18650-30Q are often for 12.99$ with coupon
or Sony VTC6 for 16.99$
Convoy S2+ desert tan below 20$
Convoy C8 XPL HI around 20$
Jetbeam Jet-1 MK 12.99$ coupon
Keeppower or e-fest 14500 protected
Headlamp
Skilhunt H03 25.99$ coupon
Nitecore HC60 36.99$ with coupon
BLF Q8 48$
Astrolux MF01 78$ coupon
Astrolux S41
Nitecore TIP CRI 217 or Tini with coupon 20-30$
none of the following lights are your typical Low CRI 6000k Cool White
they are all High CRI 4000k
18650 option… read review: JAXMAN E2 Nichia this light also has an 18350 option (this light offers a choice of either 4000k or 5700k, both high CRI) It uses PWM, which gives it a demerit in my snobby view
“Light” Pocket carry,
AAA Lumintop Tool w Nichia, the Titanium version is most pocket friendly read review
AA… this Zebralight read a review of a similar Zebra
16340 Olight S1 Mini High CRI definitely read this review
keychain USB rechargeable: Manker Lad w Nichia
Notes and suggestions
Storing Lights with LiIon cells in a hot car may not be wise, but there are plenty of cheap Cool White, Low CRI 18650 options.
Eneloop AAA and AA are Fun, for me. Imo AA Eneloop is a candidate for car storage, thought disposable Ultimate Lithium are better.
Using unprotected lights with unprotected cells may not be wise
For lights that do NOT have built in low voltage protection, use protected cells
Buy lights that have a way to let you know when the battery is getting low, so you don’t have to take the cells out and use a meter on them repeatedly and unnecessarily.
What I carry most
the range of color they offer me (two on left are modified)
Can’t really go wrong with a convoy S2+.
For headlamp, have a look at skilhunt H03, coupons always available somewhere to bring the price down to around $30.
Lumintop tool is a nice AAA light with a satisfying tail clicks (well, more satisfying than the practical twisty switch most AAA lights use)
If another batch is ever made, the BLF-348 is really nice for the money.
Fun-wise, Emisar D4 is pretty rediculous for size:output, comes in multiple “flavours” of LED so you’ll have to make a choice! Puts out a floody beam. I don’t routinely carry mine as I find the side switch is a bit too easy to press, it’s more of a “take if you know it’s going to be dark” kind of light.
TN42 is also a fun one, throws a beam of light rediculously far, Astrolux M02 might give it a run for itsoney, cost wise, but I’ve not looked at any of the reviews.
Bought a loudspeaker once that came with a brick inside the cabinet. I appreciate the heads-up about batteries. I’ll stick to names that are known for reliability & service.
I’ve seen the recs for things like the Q8 and such, but for a good light for a “beginner”, I can recommend a few things.
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Boruit RJ02 headlamp — Hands-down the most useful light I have for “doing stuff”, whether it’s grubbling around in bags or a cabinet, when you don’t give much thought to holding the light with one hand and grubbling around one-handed with the other. Having both hands free is a breath of freedom you can’t appreciate until you experience it, and then you’ll NEVER want to go back. They’re <10bux each, so get 4-5 of ’em. Seriously. Built-in charger, so all you need is a usb cable and you’ll never even have to open it up.
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Convoy S2+ tubelight — General purpose almost-do-anything light. Get some 20mm TIR lenses which’ll just drop-in and replace the reflector, no soldering or anything needed, and you’ll be able to go from spot to flood in whatever increments you want. Get a few of those to play with, a 6×7135 and the LED with the 4C tint. You’ll thank me later.
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Convoy C8 or variant, eg, the Sofirn C8F — No collection is complete without a mini-thrower like the C8, period. All the C8 variants, that’s a thread in itself. The new Sofirn I mentioned with the side-switch kicks ass.
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Jetbeam Jet-I, Sofirn SP10B, for AA/14500 lights — if you want a pockettable EDC light, either of these will do nicely, a twisty like the Jetbeam or side-clicky like the Sofirn. The Jetbeam automatically locks out when you untwist it (duh), and the Sofirn has an electronic lockout, or just untwist the end-cap a half-turn or so.
I happen to EDC a nice simple 1-mode ’502 (Ultrafire WF-502B), a dinosaur in today’s flashlight world, but I like drop-ins and being able to throw a new one together in one sitting if I want to. Forgot where I left off trying to use a 26mm TIR lens instead of a reflector, but that would be awesome…
Then, after all that, yeah, if you want to piss away some bux, get gee-whizzums lights like the Q8 and such. Nothing wrong with Q8s, as I got 2 of ’em, but they’re Special Purpose lights that’ll otherwise end up being shelf-queens like my L2s and such. You’re not gonna carry one around in your bag, let alone on your person, so… why?
One of my faves, ’though of course no longer available, is the Sofirn SF31W, in warrrrrrm-white. Wonnnnnnderful. Beautiful beam, great color, nice UI, quickly became my go-to light at home, especially at night.
Gimme. :smiling_imp:
What he said…
Seriously.