What lights do I need in my collection?

[raccoon]

Check out the OP of this thread for some good deals on the Tiki and Mini One:

https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/51147

You might need to do a text search for "Tiki" or "Mini One" to find the deals.

...

EDIT:

Here's a deal for the Seeknite S11:

[Bort]

@patmurris

Not sure what you consider a collection… but it seems to me you’re just started.

I like simple, the fewer lights the better, but i want to cover all situations

To start with the classics, i’d consider a couple Convoy S2s and C8s. They come in a variety of body colors and emitters, including hight CRI, UV, red, green and blue.

I have a 800+ meter throwing light (P30) so that covers the C8. I might look at a new more powerful S2, mine is for sale being XM-L. UV would be very interesting.
I never considered colours, but would be interested in a light that has all three and can choose between them.

Soda can lights like the BLF Q8, now somewhat deprecated in favor of the Sofirn SP36. Astrolux MF01S, Emisar D18, FF Rot66 Gen 2…

26650 lights like the DQG Tiny 26650 3rd, Astrolux MF01 Mini, Emisar D4SV2…

Pocket rockets like the Emisar D4V2, Lumintop FW3A and variants…

21700 lights…
AAA/10440 keychain lights…

There is quite some room to round up your collection.

An interesting list.
In the end i want simple, if i was starting over i would want a thrower, a lumen monster, an all purpose light, a keychain light, a 4AA high lumen regulated light, 1AA and lantern (the Moon RC2 is a very interesting design that i never expected to be my most used light).
That said colours and UV are interesting as well.

I have some of this covered already though if money were not an issue i would start over with a clean slate and buy higher end examples of each category.

[Venice]

A Rotary??

[how_crazy_is_this]

I would suggest adding a Manker E02II to your collection. (4000k high CRI version). In addition to the excellent beam (TIR) and high CRI, the clip is fantastic. It is simply the most useful light I have for dog walking and indoor hands free use. Simple and useful UI. Fantastic moon modes. Can clip to most anything. So small and discrete it is the only light that I have that I will wear as jewelry. Clipped to a hat brim in is an excellent headlamp. A good right angle light is a very excellent part of any collection.

[raccoon]

Do you have a decent headlamp?

I like the Lumintop HL3A, which is very similar to the FW3A.

(I'm a sucker for stepless ramping.)

[azj]

I don’t see any UV lights in there. That’s a whole other rabbit hole to explore

[Lightbringer]

90whatever-CRI TO46R and/or E2L. Both are reeeeally nice flooders.

[patmurris]

@Bort

I like simple, the fewer lights the better, but i want to cover all situations
…
I have some of this covered already though if money were not an issue i would start over with a clean slate and buy higher end examples of each category.

Those are real words of wisdom and it sounds so simple. Thanks.

I wish i could have just bought THE light for each situation i could think of and be done with it - like forever, but that did not happen. Because you learn from each new light and understand more about LEDs, beam shapes, reflectors, TIRs, tints, CRI, drivers, UI… And more cool lights come up… with more lumen, usb charging, aux leds and lighted buttons, ramping… And there is also that particular situation where you just want to have fun with lights, and that has no tangible boundaries.

Speaking of 4xAA lights, you may want to check the Sofirn SF11 - which may have been mentioned above…

A UV light is quite fun and possibly useful. If you get a S2, be sure to get the one with 7135x5 and ZWB2 filter.

I only came aware of colored throwers recently with the Noctigon K1 and Convoy C8. Not sure what’s the most common use case but it makes a fun light saber.

[Kwispelhond]

That SF11 from Banggood Sofirn themselves sells it for just over half of that number! On their own site and via Aliexpress

https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/32796254593.html?albpd=nl32796254593&acnt=494-037-6276&aff_platform=aaf&albpg=449349191507&netw=u&albcp=1626925412&sk=UneMJZVf&trgt=449349191507&terminal_id=5b31704ce5f44ef1a4d18a5f74a5cc6f&tmLog=new_Detail&needSmbHouyi=false&albbt=Google_7_shopping&src=google&crea=nl32796254593&aff_fcid=1fc4f39c55bf480c9a685550d2db225c-1622067102826-00480-UneMJZVf&gclid=CjwKCAjw47eFBhA9EiwAy8kzNJTzepA1AMLD5B0R1q8m5yHZMUsoZq5yoLfDRweAhs6IFMIS8_M83BoCeJgQAvD_BwE&albag=63599479084&aff_fsk=UneMJZVf&albch=shopping&albagn=888888&isSmbAutoCall=false&aff_trace_key=1fc4f39c55bf480c9a685550d2db225c-1622067102826-00480-UneMJZVf&device=c&gclsrc=aw.ds

[patmurris]

@Kwispelhond

That SF11 from Banggood :person_facepalming: Sofirn themselves sells it for just over half of that number! On their own site and via Aliexpress

Page Not Found - Aliexpress.com

Thanks to mention it. Link updated. :person_facepalming: :+1:

[jon_slider]

[quote=Bort]

@sp5it

What else would make for a well rounded collection or needs upgrading?

since you like AA, I suggest the Lumintop Tool AA with a High CRI Nichia

[RobertB]

@raccoon city

My other favorite flashlight is the BLF-D80v2.

Yes, I have the original D80 from years ago, and the newer D80 with the SST40. Both great lights

[Bort]

@azj

I don’t see any UV lights in there. That’s a whole other rabbit hole to explore

Indeed, i do not know what wavelengths are available or what the differences are between them

@raccoon city

Do you have a decent headlamp?

I like the Lumintop HL3A, which is very similar to the FW3A.

(I’m a sucker for stepless ramping.)

I have a cheap Home Depot headlamp in the glove compartment.
I use the Moon RC2 clipped to my shirt as a headlamp, works quite well to be honest

@how crazy is this

I would suggest adding a Manker E02II to your collection. (4000k high CRI version). In addition to the excellent beam (TIR) and high CRI, the clip is fantastic. It is simply the most useful light I have for dog walking and indoor hands free use. Simple and useful UI. Fantastic moon modes. Can clip to most anything. So small and discrete it is the only light that I have that I will wear as jewelry. Clipped to a hat brim in is an excellent headlamp. A good right angle light is a very excellent part of any collection.

I have considered a sidelight, never tried one, might be useful.

[Unheard]

@Bort

@raccoon city

My EDC, which is my favorite flashlight, is the Lumintop FW3A.

I don’t know if you want or need it, but it’s very nice.

That looks like an awesome light.
I had forgotten to mention Olight S2. I actually want to upgrade it becasue it has about 400 lumens and i could use more. But similar form factor with magnet in tail seems to cost upwards of $100.

Emisar D4V2. Sideswitch, tailcap with magnet can be ordered. Get the stainless steel bezel, too. It’s a bit more expensive than the FW3A, but a whole different class qualitywise.

[raccoon]

Speaking of side switches, the Sofirn SC31 Pro is basically a FW3A with a side switch instead of a tail switch.

It's cheap as dirt, but be sure to get the Pro version if you want stepless ramping.

[wle]

you have to have something that uses Anduril

FW3A is a great light

or FW1A

my EDC, i have been through a BUNCH of others!

Anduril is a pretty great UI

The FW3A has been a reliable, small, good platform for anduril

[azj]

@Bort

Indeed, i do not know what wavelengths are available or what the differences are between them

Look for 365nm hosts, preferably with a LG led. As someone mentioned above, a Convoy S2 is popular. You also want a ZWB2 filter on it to filter out the visible light, which makes a HUGE difference.

Sofirn also recently came out with a version of their SP33 that’s decent but does not have a filter, but you can find the filters elsewhere (I believe it takes about a 19.5mm, or you can get a 20.5 and file it a bit).

You can also look for posts on here from djozz, he’s the resident UV testing expert, more or less :), like this one

4 more 365nm UV-leds tested

Last december I updated my test method for 365nm leds and tested 4 leds (link). With the same method I tested and extra four 365nm leds and put all 8 in one chart. I think that this chart is getting way too busy, so for any more tests in the future I will only plot a selection of old tests for comparison. I measure the leds in my usual way, I test one bare led, if possible on a DTP-board, cooled very well, starting at low current and at each increasing current setting letting the led settle …

[flightless22]

Must haves for me:

Thrunite Ti3 (emitter swapped): AAA Keychain with firefly mode

FW3A / D4V2: Ramping pocket rocket

S2 with CSLNM1: Pocket thrower

Sofirn IF25 : Variable tint 2700k - 6500k SST20

Wurkkos WK30 : LH351D 5000k, Red, UV

LT1 : The Lantern

Modded Boriut D10 (modded): Headlamp

[mortuus]

@raccoon city

My EDC, which is my favorite flashlight, is the Lumintop FW3A.

I don’t know if you want or need it, but it’s very nice.

u need the fw21 pro too or do u have it?

[CR888]

@wle

you have to have something that uses Anduril

FW3A is a great light

or FW1A

my EDC, i have been through a BUNCH of others!

Anduril is a pretty great UI

The FW3A has been a reliable, small, good platform for anduril

My 1st Lumintop light was the FW4A…I thought great more lumens, emitters & being newer perhaps any of the bugs were solved/improved etc. But nobody here seems to rate the FW4A but everyone loves the FW3A…never understood that. I’ll get the 3A version perhaps in brass or titanium to see what the fuss is about. I kinda like Lumintop.