Having finally been introduced to neutral white LEDs I want to get a pocket light for EDC. The light will be replacing a Maratac AA. It will ride in my pocket for mundane tasks like looking under my desk and nooks and crannies, nothing crazy. I would like a clicky switch and to run on enloops or alkaline batteries(I can get those from work). I have a more powerful light in my bag, so it does not need to be a powerhouse. i would like a good mix of throw and flood.
With that said, I believe I have narrowed it down to the Balder SE-1 or the Xeno E03. Both are available in NW.
When I started reading your post, Dennis the first thought I had was an SE-1 in NW so I'm glad it is on your short list. I say go for that one. Much more durable with fewer problems than the Xeno's, which are known to have switch issues.
:| May I ask why? (why not E03 I mean). Have one, like it. Not the best, yeah, but works with both NiMh and li-ion, came in dozen of LED flavors (tints, size), no PWM, not-so-bad regulation...
Just my 2 cents, and I don't saying SE-1 is bad light.
I wouldn't get the XENO as an EDC for one main reason...no pocket clip.
However, if you're willing to spend a little bit more; check out the EagleTac D25 clicky series. I picked up the D25A with a neutral white XP-G as an EDC when I don't want to carry the large Zebralight SC600w and I love it. The thing is absolutely tiny and loaded with modes. Comes with a holster and lanyard too. The holster is the nicest holster I have ever seen come with a flashlight...ever.
Yeah, agreed, could be useful (for some). Balder has clip, ok, but it point upwards, and EagleTacs (that I like, btw, very nice light :love: ) clip point downwards. For carrying a light, EagleTac clip is good. Balders clip is good if you want to clip the light to the cap, for example.
I have to tell you, if you do decide to pick one up, you will not be disappointed. Here's why I love the light and have even started carrying it to work instead of my Zebralight:
1. The tint of the LED is perfect. The Zebralight neutral white is very yellow. The Eagletac has a slightly purple tint and matches the color of a metal halide lamp perfectly. I LOVE that.
2. The tighter beam of the Eagletac (over the floody beam of the Zebralight) lets me see brake pad thickness on vehicles easier because the floody bright light, found on the Zebralight, is not reflecting off of the wheels washing out my vision.
3. It's unbelievably small. It fits in the battery tube of my Zebralight with room to spare. (Diameter, not length). I can't even tell it is in my pocket. The clip lets it sit unbelievably deep too.
4. From moonlight to "turbo". Several hidden modes too. It does everything I want in a light.
5. Powered by eneloops. No more worrying about a flashlight exploding in my pocket, in a customers car, in my face, or even in my mouth (yes, sometimes I will hold a light with my mouth. Not the best idea, especially with a lithium cell).
Not say that I don't love my Zebralight, it is the best hiking light I have ever owned but when it comes to the light I keep in my pocket, the Eagletac takes the cake.
I like the look of the eagle tac but who doesn't .. it looks like a nitcore D-10 and even stole the design of the clip ...why not sunwayman vr-10's did too ..it's sexy light .. needs a clicky ... I love the SS bezel too
"1. The tint of the LED is perfect. The Zebralight neutral white is very yellow. The Eagletac has a slightly purple tint and matches the color of a metal halide lamp perfectly. I LOVE that."
- Slightly purple tint with NW? :| I thought purple, green, blue tint variations could be seen on CW bins, but not on NW. Hm, interesting, because I really want to have NW light (especially for better color rendering).
"5. Powered by eneloops. No more worrying about a flashlight exploding in my pocket, in a customers car, in my face, or even in my mouth (yes, sometimes I will hold a light with my mouth. Not the best idea, especially with a lithium cell)."
- lol :bigsmile: Use GP Recyko in my Klarus and it's more than enough. Too heavy to hold it with my mouth, so I bought Lumintop Worm (1xAAA) :bigsmile: (and I do it quite often lately, helps to keep my hands free)
Believe me, I have been through several cool and neutral white lights. They all have different tints.
The cool white lights I have:
Streamlight Knucklehead uses two Rebel LEDs. The light is cool but not blue. It's almost a grey white light and I really like that but it does have the muted/washed out look of any other cool white LED. I also have a Streamlight ProTac 2AAA that uses a Cree XP-E and it has more blue but still not too cool. My YEZL Z1X uses the coolest XML I have ever seen, it's like 8000K HID car kits from ebay. I don't like it at all.
My neutral whites do this:
Zebralight is very yellow, almost too yellow but looks amazing in the woods. The Spark SL6 is slightly cooler but still yellow. More of a creamy white. The XENO E03 is a pure neutral white. No color, just white. But it looks weird to me, like it is missing something. The Eagletac matches a metal halide lamp perfectly and the only other light I have seen do this is the ThruNite Neutron 2A in neutral white that I gave to my mom. It is the exact same color and the only XML I have ever seen like that. My 4Sevens Quark X 1232 is green. Not horrible green but it is definitely green.
My only warm white is the Preon 2 high CRI. It is warmer than incandescents. I don't use it much. I should probably sell it.
Oh man, the clicky model is the way to go. I HATE twisty lights and had to try this new mini clicky model. That is what makes this light even more win. It tailstands like a rock too.
