L3 Illumination L10 with Nichia 219 high CRI - FANTASTIC light for the money! I prefer the 4 mode, but 3 mode might work for your needs.
Having had a few of them, I recommend you pass on the R5-A3, RC-R5, and P31. The faults you acknowledged should rule them out. I have never seen an R5A3 or P31 with different low modes personally. (Doesn’t mean they don’t exist…) The RCR5 is OK, but just so-so IMO. The L10 is a much better light. Even if you have to rig up a clip, or forgo it altogether, I can not recommend this light enough.
Wow, you guys are wonderful. Thanks for the fantastic response! So, let me try to respond to some of these suggestions so far:
@Kreisler: Yep, the Eagletac D25A is a beauty, that’s for sure. But the thing is, there are no Eagletac dealers that ship to where I live. And furthermore, sometimes I want to buy a decent flashlight for a friend or family member, and I would never give away anything this nice or this expensive to somebody who doesn’t know or appreciate flashlights. (Yep, I’m stingy. See the name of this website. )
@stevetexas: Thanks for the suggestion. The L10 looks nice, but I prefer clickies and I really like a pocket clip. Also SBflashlights doesn’t ship to where I live, despite its name being similar to my “SB55637” username.
@jacktheclipper: You rock!
I love my Uniquefire AA-S1 even with the standard OSRAM emitter, but as you mentioned the lack of modes is a bit of a bummer.
I forgot about Balder, they do have some decent options. I think I like the HD-1 a bit better, because the SE-1 doesn’t appear to tailstand. But the HD-1 is starting to get into more expensive territory. What’s a good Balder dealer that has free international shipping? CNQ?
@RedForest UK: Thanks a lot for the suggestion. I personally avoid Thrunite because of their dishonest business practices.
Many thanks Alex, I really appreciate the offer! I just don’t like to create extra work or expense for others. This post is both for my shopping and for any other random visitor that is looking for the same thing. So it would nice to have a source for some of these top picks that ships directly from China. Anybody know of an international L3 Illuminations L10 dealer?
SB, would you rather have a free trip to the spa? LMAO.
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If SB decides to let us thank him for his work, I will also be in.
Maybe someone that knows his address can organize this without him knowing. :bigsmile:
It would be a honor for me to help give something back to you SB for the work you do.
Please reconsider the offer. You are not asking us for this we are gifting it to you as a way to say thank you.
Thanks for all you do.