I now have three LED lights in this size. I have a semi-unique purpose as a Law Enforcement firearm instructor, and my requirements may not be needed by many, but here I rate the three in order of preference:
Coast PX25 (3AA 208 Lumen)
Positive comments:
BEAUTIFULLY made and engineered flat black with hand grip flats on the sides.
It has THREE contact points between the rear switch cover and the 3x1.5V AA battery pack, and FOUR up front in the rear of the LED housing.
The beam is VERY tight and casts a bright beam over a distance I vever dreamed possible... a MEASURED 100 yards PLUS!
Click on / off OR push silently on off Suitable for law enforcement
Three AA batteries
Smallest of the three (~4.5" long)
RED anodized marker on it make FINDING it i amongst a bunch of stuff easier
Well made lanyard
Smallest of the three in length
The brightest at distance of the bunch
Nicely recessed and protected lamp lens
Lifetime guarantee from USA company
Negative:
Cost at $39.95 (SMALL price to pay for such superior long distance performance)
No "Strike Bezel" If you like that sort of thing
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Ray - O- Vac DIY 2AA-B (100 Lumen)
Positive comments:
Very rugged, aluminum with rubber armor on front and read surfaces
Beam very bright, almost as good as the coast, but wider and more diffused at distances.
6 flat sided on lamp housing make it easy to place on a table and not roll away
Runs very well on 2 AA's with silent switch on option
Cost $19.95
Lifetime warranty from USA company
Negative:
Two mode, bright, dim, noisy click, not suitable for law enforcement
Fairly large (~6.5" long)
No lanyard
Single spring contact on rear switch cover just like the $5.00 LED lights.
Hardly any recess to protect the lamp lens
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UltraFire CREE T6 XM-L 1000Lumen CR123A
Positive comments:
MUCH brighter than the average LED flashlight, and actually up CLOSE it is VERY bright, even brighter than the Coast model, BUT at distance the beam spreads wider than a tanker truck
Hand grip flat on the side.
Moderate size (~5.25" long)
Modest lanyard
Has a "Strike Bezel" If you like that sort of thing
Negatives:
2xCR123's? For the cost of these puppies, I'd expect MUCH better performance, or at least a beam focus option to tighten it up at distance.
Noisy click on click off without silent option.
Single spring contact on rear switch cover just like the $5.00 LED lights.
Hardly any recess to protect the lamp lens
Just preference: Gloss black finish is less suitable for me than flat black