I’m looking for a high quality built flashlight that has type C charging and is powered by a 21700 battery. Would like it to run for a while above 2000 lumens and if it has the ability to zoom that would be even better! I have a ledlenser, fenix, and streamlight as of right now. I don’t like the build quality feel of the Fenix, feels a little cheap to me. However the Streamlight and Ledlenser quality I do like. If someone could point me to a flashtlight that has what I’m looking for or if I need to go custom I can do that as well.
That’s odd the fenix seemed low quality. I have several fenix lights and they’re all exceptuonal exceptional quality. For a light that sustains 2000 lumens, you’re fairly limited for a pocket light. I can name a few that get close to that…Thrunite TC20 v2, Convoy M3C to name a few. Basically you’re limited to larger lights with xhp70.2 or 70.3.
Sustaining 2000 lumens is pretty difficult in a single cell 21700 light. Heat is a problem and battery life would also be short. I think most single cell 21700 lights are designed to level off at 1000-1500 lumens for that reason.
Apparently a Zebralight sc700d can juuust about maintain 2000 lumens under the right conditions (low ambient temperature and good airflow). It’s pretty floody though so you might be disappointed in the beam range even if it is sustaining 2000 lumens. edit: Also, some of these come with ugly XHP70.2 bins with a puke green carona around the beam hotspot. Just an FYI if that stuff bothers you.
I recommend getting a light with a little more throw so that you still get a nice usable beam when the light steps down to a lower output. Maybe check out some offerings from Acebeam like the P18 or one of their L-series lights. I think they have the fit and finish you are looking for while also targeting longer beam distances.
I have the PD40R and it just feels like the quality of metal used is not on par compared to the others I have. Plus it doesn’t feel like the light output starts dropping pretty quick.
I agree with Sirstinky on the Thrunite TC20 and Convoy M3-C if you are going with a larger single cell light.
Not sure what you would think about the fit and finish on them though if you didn’t like Fenix. But the Convoy M3-C with a 26800 battery is a beast of a light and if you have any issues Simon (owner) would make it right. You can choose between many different emitters but I would say go 70.2 or 70.3 hi for your purposes.
If you are willing to up the size and budget then check out the Acebeam X75 or X50. They can sustain “stupid” amounts of lumens. Downside is they use battery packs rather than loose cells.
70.3 gives more throw, and are said to have less tint-shift in the beam, slightly fewer lumens
70.2 is floodier but still a well balanced beam. Mine are great outside, not amazing for wall hunting but not the worst I’ve seen. My sc700d 70.2 has more puke in it’s tint shift
Make sure to check the dimensions before you buy and make sure you are ok with them. The M3-C is built like a tank lol. It’s not great in a jeans pocket but it will fit in one depending on your pants size and style. Should fit in a jacket no problem
Oh, btw Simon (Convoy) offers individual LEDs for sale on his store. You can use these listings to tell exactly which bins he is using in his lights. You can use this chart to reference the temperature of the light for Cree emitters (which 70.2, 70.3 are):
Hmmm. I just tested the PD40R v2 and its a nice light, awesome quality but the rotary switch was a bit undefined for one-handed use. All my fenix lights are great from the E-lite to the LR80R. Most all habe fully regulated drivers too. Highly recommended
I 100% agree with the rotary switch feeling undefined. I may give others a shot, it just kind of gave me a different view on them being my first light from them.
It seems like different companies bin differently. I don’t see equivalent charts on the other brand-specific wiki pages. I would start with searching for the “data sheet” or “spec sheet” for bin information on specific emitters.
I just realized you may have been talking about the output graphs. myself
If that’s the case, then 1lumen.com and zeroair.org are the two places I was finding them.
Note that zeroair.org often points a fan at lights during testing to see what the light can do under ideal conditions. Some people say those numbers are irrelevant but I disagree since I live in a northern state where it gets cold and windy a lot. Zeroair does note he used “active cooling” when he uses a fan though, it is not a secret.
There are other good reviewers out there who also include output graphs with their reviews though, these were just easily found and linkable. (not inside a video or something)
myself