EDC Suggestions for a Noob (Please)

If you don't mind, can one (or more!) of you either directly suggest some models, or point me to articles where I can review lights to fit my need? I'm not even sure where to start, though I've started in the CR123A forum (where I've received some nice help) and I am looking everywhere from there. The CR123A lights are about the right size but do not seem to be the power level I am seeking.

  • I'm looking for a form-factor of 3 - 4 inches (75 to 100 mm) <-- the closer to 3 (75 mm) the better
  • I'm looking for 1k+ lumens. I know that is no longer the scale to determine actual brightness, but I'm still a noob (I am open to other suggestions)
  • Neutral white is my preference, but warm or cool are ok
  • A mix of throw and wide area. I have about a 1/3 acre I am trying to get bright enough to make out dogs
  • I need a minimum run time at the 1k lumens of 30 minutes but prefer 1 hour (this allows me multiple nights/mornings of use before a recharge)

  • I mentioned in the CR123A section that I have an OLightS1R; it is nice, but just isn't powerful enough, long enough.
  • I don't care one way or another if it charges batteries internally to the light or if I need to remove them to charge them
  • Water tight would be really nice
  • $50 or less is preferred

That's all I can think of for now.

Thank you for any help you can provide.

Will

16340 is a small and rather anæmic cell, but it’s really compact. Compare a 16340 light like the Jet-II with any 18350 light like a FC11/SC31pro/S2+ and shorty tube. The former is way more compact, but the latter is way more powerful. You don’t get both, unless you want a runtime of only 13min.

I would suggest you visit Convoy on Aliexpress. On 1/3 acres an S2+ would be about perfect. but you could step up to a triple or quad and just use the brute force. BTW, they have 18350 tubes for the entire S line, I think. My wife loves the S2 I built her with an 18350 tube.

I have several of the Lumentop FW3A’s and FW1A’s and they are very compact 18650 lights the are fantastic to use and fit a pocket very well. If you pocket one, do use the lock feature… they can start a fire on the highest modes and have touchy switches.

Another compact, great light is the Emisar D4V2, Both Convoy and International Outdoor have very good support and wonderful LED tint choices.

If you are in a hurry or want state side support look at Mountain Electronics. The support, again is really good and orders do not take weeks to get here.

I have several 16340 lights and find them very hard to recommend due to the poor cell performance, 18350 lights get better but are still not amazing from a runtime standpoint. But, they do have their uses. I find that improvements in AA/14500 lights are big enough now that they are useful, but still limited. But, I will admit to owning several.

Welcome aboard, enjoy the new rabbit hole! :slight_smile:

Matt

First, thank you for your advice. Second, I don't understand all the configurations of this light:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32564860692.html?spm=a2g0o.store_pc_groupList.8148356.38.2ad614f2Mr2NJi

Do they mean 8 cells when they say 7135x8?

Thank you again!

Wellp, even 16340 lights do have their purpose. Same reason people use AAA/10440 lights…

No one is going to use an AAA light to go rooting for truffles at night. But a lot of people won’t even carry an AA light, when I’m good with EDCing an 18650 light. Tastes vary.

So yeah, 18350 lights are small, but to some people, they’re still too big, and will deal with only 16340 lights at best.

And compare a Jet-II with a shorty S2+ or SC31pro. It’s a fairly big difference side-by-side, in the hand and in the pocket.

that is a tall order… and pretty much rules out any battery smaller than 18650

here is a runtime graph for a highly respected brand of light, that could meet your stated output and runtime goals:

pic is a link to an excellent review site

it is about electronic components… not relevant to your quest for sustained 1000 lumen lights…

The S2+ cannot sustain 1000 lumens….

click the runtime graph for the whole review:

7135 denotes the “current regulator”, if you will, that manages the power from the cell (battery) going to the LED in the flashlight. Each one allows 350 mA of current. Maybe a piss poor analogy, but think of a river dam with several gates to regulate water flow. The more you have/open, the greater volume of water released. The more 7135’s on a board, the more power it can supply from the cell to the emitter. In a nutshell, that’s what your looking at in the description. There are far more knowledgeable folks here who could do a better job of explaining it, but that made it simpler for me to understand when I first started learning about flashlight electronics.

Hey! Thanks! If I remember my electrical basics... Having 8 channels delivers more current with less resistance; if that had to be done in serial, there would be more resistance, correct? Now I'm going to have to go look, LOL.

Yeah, the Zebralight checks most of the boxes, but is outside my $$$ limit at $119. Even could I avoid the fight with the wife, I don't want to pay that much for a light I may misplace because it is small. Thanks, though.

From the description:

My S2+ in 7135*8 configuration with XP-L HI emitter can get a bit toasty after a while of running on full brightness, but it’s manageable. Alas, as others already pointed out, it will not maintain 1000 lm output for an hour.

Also, the ones with biscotti UI are more configurable.

+1 for Zebralight. Worth every penny.

Zebralight for sure. Worth the extra money. I have several and at least on of them gets carried every day. Without fail they always work and they take a beating very well.

The SC52w is usually in my pocket but that one won’t meet your requirements. Looks like the 700 would work for you. If you can give up a bit of that run time the 600 series is smaller and rides in a pocket a lot easier as well.

I guess it is the second time I suggest this light this week:
https://ylplight.com/en/katalog/1/ruchnye-fonari/unicorn-10/

102mm
neutral white
$46
uses 18650, so you have longer runtimes (but not at 1000lumens, no way)

Check this review from zeroair:

Forgot I had an Amazon gift card! I just spent it on the Unicorn. :-)

I'm likely going to save up for the Zebralight, since it checks most if not all of my boxes. But the unicorn looks fun, so I'll enjoy one of those in the mean time.

Thanks, everyone!

excellent choice
congrats

Im glad you got the High CRI option, hope you like it

will be interested to hear if the sustained 400 lumens on high proves to be enough for your application

please share your impression after you get the light
enjoy!

The good news is that I got my light today, way earlier than I expected!!! The bad news is that "batteries are not included" LOL. Do y'all have suggestions for good batteries? I'm making a trip on Sunday, so I'll want to either get the battery before Sunday, or I'll have to have it delivered to the in-laws...

Thanks again -- you guys are awesome.

Will

Sanyo/Panasonic NCR18650GA or Samsung INR18650-35E probably the two best out there. Lots of runtime and enough current for you highest settings.

Firstly, thanks for the quick response.

Secondly, I realized I hadn't searched before I opened my big reply box... On this forum, it is suggested that the "Samsung INR18650-36G" is also a really good option... But I can find neither of them on Amazon, for example. Any places you can suggest I should buy them? I'm still searching, by the way.

Thanks again!

Should be able to find something in your local “vape” shop…might be a little pricey though.

Here is a good place to start

I would avoid Amazon and Ebay for 18650s

sc31 pro