Hi,
I have recently become interested (my wife might say “consumed”) with modern LED flashlights. We have moved to the country and for nighttime dogs walks and other excursions, I have decided on a flood headlamp for primary illumination. I want to be able clearly to see where I am putting my feet (i.e. copperhead snake territory…!) without having my vision affected by a bright hotspot. But, I also would like a second, relatively compact and pocketable flashlight capable of peering into the brush/trees in order to check out whatever may be rustling the leaves. Long range really isn’t needed for this and a wide, smooth, but bright beam profile seems like a good choice. With this in mind, I have been drawn to the 3 LED single 26650 form.
I have done a bit of searching and there aren’t a lot of offerings in this category. After reading several reviews I concluded my needs would be met by the “non-budget” Foursevens MMU-X3. I am well familiar with the Surefire 6P and actually like the similar UI. However, I soon became aware the company now only offers the “Regen” model with proprietary battery and onboard charging. I am simply not interested in being locked into proprietary battery packs. Goodbye, 7777s.
After some more “googling”, it seems there are but few pocketable, compact, multi-emitter “search lights.” The DQG Tiny Triple 26650 came up. Ahhh, really interesting. But, it looks to be a pure flooder with rather limited range. Not really what I am looking for. Flood is the headlamp’s job.
Next, was the Shadow SL3. It seems to have been discontinued by most of the vendors, but CNQG is still showing it listed. However, the head, at 65mm / 2.5 inches, seems a bit large to be pocket friendly.
http://www.cnqualitygoods.com/goods.php?id=1816
Next identified as a possible candidate was the Luckysun F3X. At ~8 inches long by ~2 inches wide at the head (200mm X 50mm), it can probably be stuffed into a LARGE pocket… :-(… It seems to be a new offering and has no reviews that I can find. …Really need some beamshot comparisons for this light…
https://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10010120/4098702-luckysun-f3x-led-flashlight-gift-set
Of course, the Olight SRmini triple XML2 came up in the searches. At ~5 inches long by ~2 inches wide (132mm X 42mm) it looks pocketable, albeit a bit hefty with the three 18650s. And, a bit wide for using a “cigar grip”… Its a flooder, but the sheer output of +3000 lumens on turbo would most likely provide enough range to more than serve my intended purpose. Not exactly budget, either.
I could easily give up on the idea of a triple and decide to poke holes in the darkness with a Supfire L5 single emitter 26650 at 5.7 inches long by 1.8 inches wide (145mm X 40mm.)
So, BLFers, I am just dreaming about the usefulness of a pocket friendly, small-ish diameter triple-emitter head, single 26650, wide beam profile, medium-distance searchlight? Or is there one available that I have overlooked? I am presently not into modding (too many other hobbies.)
Thanks for any suggestions.