Advice wanted for a "pocket rocket" AND a pen light

Hello everyone. I have an itch that I might wanna scratch. I want (but do not need) a pocket rocket flashlight. Now I am not a modder, can not solder, etc so it would have to be something I can buy and screw together. I have never done a pocket rocket, so where should I start? Should it be RCR123, 14500, or 18650? I guess a Manafont XML would be my drop-in, right? I would like advice from all you pocket rocket fans. I realize that it will not run long on hi and such, but my goal is a toy....not a long runtime work light.

Next I am looking for a pen light for my dad. He loves a pen light that he can clip in his shirt pocket and have whenever needed....he EDC's one. He has a cheap $7 Energizer model. I want to get him something better. What is out there in a budget light? There is the Preon 2 but that is not budget. My dad uses it for many things....looking for something in a shed, setting the temp on the AC in the house, helping me work on my car, walking, etc. It is his do everything light and he even uses it over the Romisen RC-N3 I bought him.

I really love my Xeno E03 and with a 14500 its a real pocket rocket... Combined with very good build quality

I love these little guys i must have about 6 of them all over the place.

Try this can't go wrong.

http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/ultrafire-wf501a-flashlight-tub...

http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/ultrafire-cree-t6-3mode-memory-...

http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/protected-trustfire-18350-37v-1...

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I have one of these custom beasts for sale I built if you are interested. I have one left high is a 700 lumen hand burning turbo only mode.

You need to run an IMR 16340 a AW or a bestinone in these.

Great little pen light for dad I have a couple they work great.

http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/tank007-e06-ssc-haiii-100lumen-led-flashlight-black-2aaa-p-4427

I was looking at both of these light combos listed above. Maybe I NEED.......both? :)

Have you seen this thread about penlights?

Pocket Rocket ready to roll and equal to the Manafont XM-L drop-in (I own both) and 501a combo and much better looking too, IMO. The L2m has thicker body and more mass for better heatsinking with all that XM-L goodness generating heat.

Get a pair of Trustfire Flames 16340 and you're good to go. :)

I always forget about that light I have to get one to try out. To bad 18350s don't fit.

It’s a great light. I really like mine!

Is it really a Pocket Rocket though? The KD reviews suggest it only draws 1.4A. Surely, a 501A with the MF 3mode and an 18350 would walk all over it; padded out with foil or alu strips naturally for heatsinking.

Xeno E03=outstanding pocket rocket!! I have one and feel as though I need more, just because it is such a well built, bright bargain.

Good stuff

Check out the streamlight stylus pro, they also have a micro version both are very nice penlights. No blinkie modes , just one mode. I believe it is 20-24 lumens. Perfect for close up work. And most importanly both are affordable. Sorry using my phone, so no links. Good luck!

This is my XM-L pocket rocket: http://www.dinodirect.com/led-flashlight-super-bright-1000lm-5mode-cree-t6.html

Here's a $1.99 off coupon: https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/3825

It's not nearly as bright as a KD C8, but it is much more compact. Mine overheats on high, but not on medium or low. :)

It absolutely is. I have a 501a with the UF XM-L 3-mode drop-in and the L2m puts out the exact light. They walk hand-in-hand except that with both padded out with aluminum strips the L2m sweats a lot less. ;)

I got mine a while ago and maybe the new ones have changed but mine is driven the same as the manafont drop-in in all modes. In fact I have them both in my hands right now and they are spot on with the slightest edge to the L2m on high. Even the tints are the same. The L2m has 2 extra modes though.

I was actually just going to mention this one but wasn't sure it was considered a pocket rocket. I have one on the way and it's good to know it's pretty bright. btw, how long does shipping usually take from DD?

To me a pocket rocket needs to be a 16340 or maybe a 14500 light. The compact 18650 are just too long to be a true pocket rocket. They are nice though! ;)

This was going to be my recommendation but Version 2. The new version has 48 lumens and a replaceable switch cover.

Also, TerraLUX makes a pen light in neutral white. It's the "LightStar 80" and claims about 80 lumens of ouput. However, the tail cap is LONG. It's supposedly for the mouth grip but it is a waste of space.

Then there are the 4Sevens Preons...:D

The UF-2100 fits in my pocket pretty well. It's my skinniest 18650 flashlight. My Tank007 TK-737 is way fatter, and is shorter in flood mode and longer in throw mode. The UF-2100 is shorter and skinnier than an 18650-based P60 light.

I have received one order from DinoDirect. I paid on 7-11-2011 and the UF-2100 arrived on 7-23-2011; so about 1 1/2 weeks to California. I recently ordered two more UF-2100s, a TrustFire TR-003P4 battery charger, and a few TrustFire Flame Protected 14500 and 18650 batteries. I will report their arrival in the "What you got today" thread. :bigsmile:

UPDATE: Most of what I ordered from DinoDirect arrived on 9-29-2011. Here's a link: https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/1532?page=25#comment-76630

Guess your getting ready for winter now......looking for a hand warmer are'nt you. lol Va might be a bit colder this year.

I have most of the lights mentioned above and like them a lot.

Be aware, the KD light is a fake Solarforce; the quality is just OK, nothing like a real SF. Mine flickers a lot unless I back out the tailcap a bit. But it is bright...

The 501a+MF dropin is a nice light as well, I've given a few of those away as gifts.

I think the Xeno is about as much bang for the buck as you can get. Awesome quality body and you can get it with your choice of neutral, warm or cool beams.

And don't forget my favorite, the S-mini. Real impressive light, runs at just 1A on high, nice floody neutral white beam.

CRAP, you guys are really making me want a Zebra SC51. At $69, I'll have to think long and hard about that one...