Best 3 of 2013

I bought my NW ET D25C last year, along with two rechargeable 16340s (also ET), and it has made me very happy. After a couple of years of rotating through several edc lights, this one has hit the sweet spot of intensity, color, size and the right modes for my needs. We moved this year and the D25C was probably the single most useful tool for the whole process.

If I had to list another one it would be my XinTDv4, which has relegated my TK41 to permanent hall closet duty.

Those are the two outstanding ones, but if I had to name a third, for sheer budget fun, I finally got a Sipik SK68 clone (Ultrafire) 3-mode that I run on an equally budgety trust fire 14500. After reading about these for a few years I just wanted to see one in person, and it’s a kick. So much fun for so little money.

1 - FF4
2 - k40vn
3 - Shocker (mod by Tom E.)

Can’t make up my mind about the order but these three.

FF4
TM26
Modded FF4

1. Nitecore tiny monster TM11
2. Zebralight SC 600 (WARNING !!! i mean mark 1 because on MK II they changed the bezel from removable threaded to press fitted :_( and that way they made it even harder to swich emitter…) so i actually paid a little more money to buy new but older model from EBAY… :Sp )
3. Convoy M2 (3C tint)

Best purchases 2013

- Zebralight SC52

- Nitecore SRT3

  • Sunwayman D40A

Have to ask myself which I reach for and which is just WOW
Anyway, here they are

1. Sunwayman D40A, impeccable quality and every mode you ever need, best of all it uses AA’s

2. That little $2 Zoomer from Wallbuy’s sale, once I did the head reduction mod it has the best flood of a small house light. Use it constantly.

3.Convoy L4 from Wallbuy’s lucky money sale, less than $20, Fantastic quality, AR lens, Cigar grip and hidden strobe. No need to mod it, it is perfect.

Thanks, great thread!
Keith

Supbeam K40 (group buy)
Int’l Outdoor XinTD C8v4
HD 2010

Other candidate for my purchase in 2013 is CNQG brass 18650 and unpopular Bronte RA10 (although have rather strange UI, mid - high - low strobe, mine can start from high if fully tighten the head).

I think I only bought 3 torches in 2013. In descending order of favour:

Int’l Outdoor XinTD C8v4 - great build, excellent tint, fantastic mix of flood and throw.

Roche F12 - my EDC for the last few months. Really good dark sand coloured finish. My only niggle is it has strobe modes that I never use.

Thrunite Ti - a bit disappointing really. This might sound a bit picky but the low mode of (supposedly) 0.04 lumen seems too bright!

I’m sure 2014 will bring in lots of interesting new torches.

1. Firefox 4 FF4 HID

Amazed by the natural colours. Amazed by the throw!

2. UniqueFire C8

Cause I gave one to dad and he’s happy.

3. Convoy S3

Small enough and bright enough for daily chores.

BTU Super Shocker – Tom E. mod
All I can say about this light is “Woah !!!”

TK75vn Killer Throw de-dome – Vinh Nguyen mod
Extremely serious focused throw with wide flood

TK75vn 5000k dome on – Vinh Nguyen mod
The large hotspot, warmer tint and massive lumens is simply eye candy.

Honorable mention.
EagleTac MX25L3 Kit – Future mod candidate.

1. Supbeam K40L2
2. Nitecore P25
3. Ultrafire C20
:wink:

I have boought a LOT of lights in 2013. Hard to pick only 3, as i have to many “favourites”.
i guess the first 3 choices would be:

- Olight SR90

- Nitecore P25 Smilodon (modded)

  • SkyRay Kung M4 XM-L U2 model, (the gun-metal one i have from brotherhuang1983 that is brighter than everything else i compared it to.)

Also the three runner ups would be:

- a 20-mode Sipik SK68 extendable (modded)

- Olight S20 Baton

  • Roche F12 (Sand colored, and modded with 4-modes including Moonlight)

please elaborate :open_mouth:

Tbh it’s hard to remember which were pre-2013 and which after, it’s a tough choice anyway…

1. SC52w, Zebralight are just impossible to beat imo as long as you get a good one. Top efficiency, top UI, top size/output ratio, top quality finish.

2. I would have to give this one to one of my homemade Convoy S2s, probably the XM-L2 T6 4C 3-mode 2.8A max one. I made a few last year, but when you take into account the fact that you pick your tint, emitter (so beam profile), and output levels/modes, then I think the performance and quality for the price is better than anything else out there at the moment.

3. Tough call between a Surefire E2L which I got a good deal for 2nd hand, a Sunwayman D40A, an Olight I6 (self-modded to 4C tint) and an Olight I3S.

I think it has to go to the D40A, as it offers so much power and versatility in a small size running on AAs. It’s just the light I’d always hoped would be available, although the I3S has had more use so far.

All mine are from May 2013 on~…that’s when I caught this disease!

Olight S10
Convoy S3 w/XML2-5C1 - Qlite 3A
L3 L10 4-mode w/Nichia
_

Most Honorable Mention:
Fenix TK75
Convoy S2 w/XPG2-3C - Qlite 3A
Olight i3S
JetBeam RRT01
Jacob A60
Ali C12 w/XML2 U3

It was a standard original Sipik SK68, but modded with a neutral white XR-E, a 20-mode grouped Modes 7880 driver, ( http://dx.com/p/3w-5w-20-mode-regulated-circuit-board-for-flashlights-7880 )
and a thread-in extension tube so it runs on a single AA Eneloop or two AA eneloops for more output.
Its best single AA thrower in my collection on Highest mode, and runs for weeks on the “weak” moonlight mode.

1) Ultrafire C20, modded with XP-G2 R4 5A4 on a custom 15mm Sinkpad, shorted current limiting resistors

Like the forward switch and e-switch combo.

Gonna sound like a Solar Force shill…

L2M w 18350 and a E1320 modded emitter. My favorite EDC.
L2M w 2 x 18350 and a DBCstm modded K-3 MT-G2 head. Never fails to surprise and impress each time.
SkyRay King. Or SF2200. or the BS Terminator. Use them all about equally for the last 6 months.

Solarforce L2P
Solarforce L2T
SolarforceL2N
Solarforce L2M
And a couple of L2s just for the hell of it. :slight_smile: I do like them Solarforces. :bigsmile:

#1 - Armytek Wizard Pro Wide (Warm)* …headlamps are just so functional in so many ways. This thing has taken the torture of being covered in ice and snow, and operating flawlessly in –40c temperatures. Love it!*

#2 - Uniquefire UF-T20 …self modded with: de-domed xp-g2 on Sinkpad, driven at 2.8a and the pill was modified to focus better under full zoom. This thing is a pocket monster.

#3 - Sunwayman V20c-y…infinitely variable with the most insane low, and a factory installed neutral xml installed. I love the clicky indents from ’off’ too ’high’ and then to ’strobe’. No messing around. Simple beautiful UI.

Can I mention my 2012 purchase is still my go-to…a 4sevens Quark tactical aa2 modded with a warm tint xml and programmed with a moonlight and turbo mode. Love this light!!