First of all let me apologize for my grammar (not a native speaker) and for any rules I might brake.
I am buying a 4x18650 flashlight and I am completely lost. I am willing to spend around 350$ and would like to get a flashlight that best suits my needs. I would like to get a flashlight that has a usable range of 400-500 meters but is not completely focused (like Nitecore tm36). I am currently searching around and have found 3 flashlights that look appealing:
Acebeam K60
Nitecore TM36
Fenix TK61
My primary use will be for hunting and I want to be able to spot a wildlife from big distance and also use the flashlight on close range. I watched a lot of reviews on youtube, but to be honest most are garbage and don’t tel me nothing about flashlights performance.
Are there any other flashlight you would recommend me to look at?
Welcome to BLF.
I own a Nitecore TM16GT and it serves me very well. You can message me for a link and I will give you a coupon code for 30% off. It’s rated 3600 lumens and rated at 1003 meters of throw using the FL-1 standard but that’s where the beam is at .25 lux. So you really get a good 700-800 meters of usable light. The beam is tight enough to throw far but also has decent flood because of the multiple emitter setup. I’ll post some pictures below to help give you a better idea. This light may not be enough flood for what you need because it’s more of a thrower. You may also be interested in the Nitecore TM15, TM26GT or theThrunite TM40.
TM16GT
There is light from a parking lot as well in this picture so this one is more of it’s throw not flood
and finally here’s me “helping” my girlfriend to her car at night. Aren’t I sweet. :person_facepalming:
These were taken with an Iphone 6s Plus with varying levels of focus/exposure
The Acebeam K70 is far superior to the Nitecore TM36 or Fenix TK61. These are all throwers that are quite focused, but the K70 puts out the most lumens and therefore has the most “usable” lights.
Both the K60 and K70 can be obtained for $150 or less on sales and they are truly great lights, far better than any other stock lights available on the market.
Completely forgot about the K70. The K70 is the throw king right now as far as stock lights go at a great price. It also has pretty decent flood looking at reviews on youtube. It will most likely be my next light. I’ve linked some review videos here and here. I encourage the original poster to look over them.
I have moved away from multiple 18650 battery lights and have moved to single cell 26650 battery lights and one two battery 26650 light (Covoy L6) which is on order…
I use the Fenix PD40, Mnaker U21, and the forth coming Covoy L6.
All my four battery 18650 lights that are 2 and 3 years old are now too big for my needs. My first Nitecore TM11 has been replaced with the Manker U21; The TM11 is now used at home for bounce indoor lighting.
As the technology advances, single cell flashlights are now competitive with multi-cell flashlights. I do think that in the future with the advances being made more manufacturers of multi-cell will be moving toward proprietary battery packs to limit liability of user error in their products.
For EDC I use a ZebraLight SC600 mklll and ZebraLight H600Fd Mklll. I hope this non-specific comment will be of some help.
This is a good example of what is the newest type of four 18650 battery battery lights and the direction in marketing that is being taken. The manufacturer in this product is making sure batteries are matched and balanced as well as providing a built in charging circuit.
Until battery manufacturers take more responsibility for labeling and consumers take responsibility for learning how to use the newest drivers and battery developments, the market may be seeing more of these ‘sealed up’ flashlights.
Wow thank you all for your comments! I was on vacation so I’ve put the flashlight search on hold I definetely got some interesting pointers about products I haven’t even considered before.
Great reach with lots of usable spill, no visible step down, runs cool, excellent build quality, and the best part…it’s cheap: about $120 with the help of a coupon.
I definetely got some interesting pointers about products I haven’t even considered before.