Low Power RED LED flashlight

LED Flashlights – General Info
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Hello, my first post on here. I’ve seen a few posts about red flashlights but wanted to get some feedback on what I’m considering and any other suggestions.

I’m looking for a flashlight that will primarily be used in a low power red mode. I’d like to predominantly use it to be able to check on the kids when they are sleeping/going to sleep without tripping over toys and other bedroom hazards. Secondarily, I would also use it for the occasional camping trip. I want the light to be red as soon as I turn it on, without having to go through multiple clicks or starting out with white.

“Must haves”: low powered and red capable, either by filter or dedicated red LED, be able to turn it on in low powered mode in red. I don’t want to have turn it on at a high setting or in white and then switch to red and/or low powered. This unfortunately rules out the Fenix LD15R, even though I like the right angle form factor, as I understand it, it only remembers the white settings and I’d have to start in white then switch to red each time.

Strong preference for a rechargeable unit.

Slight Preference for an 18650 battery.

I’ve been looking at a few options. The first being the Fenix PD35 V3.0 Flashlight with the red filter adapter.

Although this one is kinda spendy, it seems very high quality and comes with a rechargeable battery. I like that this would remember if I keep it in ECO mode (5 lumens) and at that setting it has a listed duration of 230 hours. So even though using a filter isn’t as efficient, that is still plenty of time, and as a bonus, I could take the cap off to use it as a white light, although I don’t see using it this way very often. I also like that unless I accidentally bump the secondary switch, it would stay in low-powered mode (and stay red as long as the filter is on).

I’m also looking at the EMISAR D4V2 with SST-20 deep red LED.

I like that it is a dedicated red led light, which all else equal I understand would be more efficient than a white light with red filter. The downside is it would be a little less flexible, but again, I mainly plan to use it in red light mode so this doesn’t really matter. This one seems highly programmable, and reading through the manual, it appears as though I could set this to start in a low-power mode “floor” and it would remember that, but would like confirmation. It is also a little bit less expensive, but with this one, I would need to buy a battery and charger separately, so it might not be much less expensive.

I’ve also looked at the JAXMAN E2L with red led. This one doesn’t seem as programmable (or programmable at all?), which in itself doesn’t matter as long as I can turn it on in low power mode and it stays that way the next time I turn it on. The price is lower, although I would still need to buy a rechargeable battery and charger. Right or wrong, my perception is that the quality of this one is lower.

I would rather spend more and buy a high quality item that will last a long time.

Any thoughts on these options or suggestions for other options for a low-powered capable red flashlight.

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Have a nice time here, lucidation!

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Noctigon K9.3 Rovyvon First thing that came to mind to me is a Rovyvon. I have never owned one (yet) but I have read good things.

But if you want quality and flexibility there is always A Hank light.

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You could indeed order a two channel “Hank light” from intl outdoor, any of the two channel lights would do and order one red and one warm white (or whatever your preference).

I know you’re dead set on red, but do realise that very dim white will also preserve night vision - if I remember correctly, if you can see in colour then it’s too bright. Zebralight lights have very low, low modes and have less of a “red light district/sci-fi horror movie vibes”.

I’ve tried modifying white led lights with red LEDs but didn’t have much luck, I assume because the forward voltage is much lower in the red.

Edit to add: the Auxiliary “locator” or “blingy” LEDs on the Emisar lights don’t perform the function you want. On red they’re bright enough with dark adapted eyes but beamshape is ugly and brightness not really adjustable (low is too dim to use as a light to see by).

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The Emisar/Noctigon lights from Hank (Int’l Outdoors) all use the Anduril firmware which is very configurable to your liking (with a learning curve and instruction sheet online). They are excellent quality lights and Hank will do all sorts of customizations for you if you message him before ordering. Some of his lights have dual-channel capability where you could have red emitters along with white emitters for an all-around light that might suit your needs. Red emitters are a little different than most of our white emitters in terms of electrical needs, so there aren’t too many (decent) combo lights like that. Really, any model he has would be a great choice. He does have the new DW4 right angle model…it’s a bit chunky compared to most right angle headlamp types. The KR4 is a little larger than the D4V2, uses an electronic tail switch instead of a side switch. Hank packs in a whole lot more quality and features than any of the major brands, plus you really get to customize them, and for usually less money. Nothing wrong with the Fenix/Nitecore/Olight/etc/etc major brands but often they don’t offer as much and for the money they aren’t as good of a value (and sometimes they lock you in to proprietary things like cells or charging).

Here’s his specific listings for the dual-channel lights (same models just more options to choose from on these pages): Tint ramping & instant channel swiching LED Flashlights

The Convoy lights are very good and Simon has a few deep red emitter options. The S2+ is one of those standard light designs that everyone should have at least one of…basic slim 18650 tube with a tail switch. He has lots of choices for emitters and drivers, but nothing with really fancy firmware like Anduril, nor any dual-channel options, etc. Here’s the link for the S2+ with SST-20 red emitter and you can choose whatever body color you like. It has a 5-mode driver and it sounds like you would prefer Group 4 that starts in 20% and then clicks to 100%.

He also has a special red-emitter driver with 12 groups…not seeing that option currently in stock but I’m pretty sure he’d be willing to make one up for you if you ask him via message. I’ll link to that separate driver, too…scroll down a bit and you can see all the options for it.

These don’t have onboard charging, however…he does usually offer the lights with a battery for a small upcharge and I’m sure would make that happen even if a product page doesn’t show it available right now (decent cells, then you’d just need a cheapie charger for a few bucks that would suffice).

He does have the S9 model which is very similar but has never listed that with such a variety of choices (or red)…would have to ask of course but he might possibly build up one of those if you ask. Sometimes he’ll do these mods for free or a small charge, sometimes he won’t, depending on how involved it is. Pretty agreeable guy with great customer service and response.

Also, if you wanted something really compact, he sells short tubes for the S2+ that take the smaller 18350 cells, but you’d have to get some cells and a charger (Illumn and Li-ion Wholesale are good domestic sources for quality cells and accessories).

S2+ with SST-20-DR red emitter: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3256801614576453.html

Special red emitter driver: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3256801433242505.html

S9 model: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3256801970444464.html

The Wurkkos HD15R is a small 18650/18350 right angle light that has dual white/red emitters, too. It’s worth a look if you want the right angle and/or would like to use that with a headband. Really nice light. The UI is a little complex to remember how to change between red and white and use the modes, but doesn’t take long to figure it out. It comes with both battery tubes and has usb charging (they include a decent 18650 cell usually). That one may be on Amazon right now (the plain white is), but if not you can order from their website or from aliexpress, too.

Welcome to the forum!

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Wurkkos HD15R. White is 5000k.
Armytek Wizard C2 WR. Warm is 4000k. Both are headlights but can be used handheld and with a clip. The armytek goes in and out of the headband quick and easy. Not so much on the wurkkos.
Both have 4 levels of red from very low to pretty high. Both have memory and will come back on wherever you shut it off. Edit. I don’t believe the wurkkos will remember the lowest moonlight setting. You can still start both in the lowest red mode as long as you shut it off in the red section. Just press and hold. Both have onboard charging. The Armytek will be more waterproof. The Wurkkos should be ok around water as long as you keep the flap in good shape.

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I occasionally build and sell one of these SC21 Pro
comes w battery, and built in charger

the ad is here…
scroll down to the SOLD ones in the first post, for price details

there is also a Red Led light mod that runs on AA or rechargeables, called SP10 Pro (also in the SOLD list)

I have a few more SC21 Pro and SP10 Pro ordered, and 660nm Red LEDs in stock… PM me if you have questions

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Is the Sofirn c01s red still around? It’s only a AAA but fits your other needs.

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I have the Emisar D4V2 with the Deep Red SST20s. It has a very low moonlight mode and works great all the way to Turbo.

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I just received my AE order with a handful of Sofirn C01 reds. When did this happen? I knew all about- and have a few- of the C01R with the red SST-20… but I did not know they did a C01 with a 5mm red led. And they appear potted (I know some body colors were and others were not potted on the C01). This is fantastic, glad I found them before they were gone as they seem well out of production.

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i think if the light is dim enough, the red doesn;t matter that much…

?

i mean it has to actually brighter [watt wise] for red to appear the same brightness as white

wle

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I have the Emisar D4V2 with SST-20 660nm Deep Red emitters. Its a great light with a very low moonlight mode. It will get as bright as you need it to as well.

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Maybe this one is better for you