What is the best priced EDC-sized light with a control ring UI, and available in neutral white or high CRI?
There has to be something other than sunwayman… right? :~
Target price is $50, but I realize I am asking a lot and will probably be looking at a little more than that.
Thanks in advance.
The only option I know of is an RRT01 which is a good light but I don't think you can specify NW.
Thanks Johnny. I have really strongly considered the RRT01. It looks and sounds great from what I have read. The beam on FT there looks pretty neutral… but you never can tell on vendor examples like that.
I have an RRT-01 and I wouldn’t call it true neutral white, but it’s not pure cool white either. Somewhere in between, but closer to neutral. Against a white wall, the hotspot has a greenish tint to it on low that washes out when shifting to high.
If you buy it from FastTech you can get it for around $56 I think. The latest version has an OP reflector and titanium clip. It’s a great light, one of the thinnest CR123 lights I’ve seen. I’m happy I bought it. Do NOT buy it from ThruNite. They were a nightmare to deal with and my light took 4 weeks to arrive (tracking was all screwed up, saying it went to GB instead of USA). I’d gotten in on their “group buy” but would’ve saved $6 more going with FastTech, that I unfortunately learned about only hours after having placed my order.
Btw, supposedly the RRT-01 is not too difficult to mod… so if you’re into that kind of thing, you could always replace the emitter. Member “gunga” over on CPF said he’s going to install a 5000k emitter in his. Hopefully he’ll post some details when he does it.
Thanks xevious. That’s helpful. It’s often tricky to describe and visualize comparative tints and color temps. I appreciate you sharing your experience with the RRT01.
Wish I wasn’t turning into such a CRI-whore. :bigsmile: It’s so much harder to find lights. 
HK Equipment sell a neutral version of the SWM V11R. Bit more than your budget at $76.50 after discount. Worth getting the AA extender for just another $5.
You’re welcome, Tim—glad to help.
I am beginning to understand what you mean. After having accumulated a few powerful lights, my sights began to shift towards the tint. You see, I have a Surefire U2 and NovaTac 120P… both Luxeon emitters that have a beautiful “just shy of neutral” kind of cooler tint. Very smooth with no beam artifacts. In comparison, many of my CREE lights look like a beam circus with multiple colors and rings all about. Against a white wall it’s painful, but in everyday use it’s not so bad. Still… after seeing so many screen shots of Nichia 219 tinted beams, I’ve been lured over to the tint side.
What CRI lights have you bought so far and which one(s ) would you say you are most happy with? Do you have a Xeno F7? I’ve seen this and I’m very tempted (originally I was going to get an L10 with Nichia 219, but I’m not feeling the need as much for that form factor).
Yeah 92 CRI nichia will ruin you! haha
I have and love the L10. Its in my pocket now actually. I have a mixture of cr123 and AA EDC type lights. AA has grown on me. Might wanna give it a try.
Also have the nichia F7 from edc+. Surprised me with its throw. The reflector is very nice. Very good build throughout actually. Almost wish it was a cr123 sized light. Runtime on 18650 is silly good because current is only about 1.4A on high IIRC.
My favorite high CRI overall is probably still my first one: Peak Eiger QTC CRI. I think its a high CRI XPE or XPG, but I honestly do not know exactly. RMSK where I bought it from did not say. (Pretty sure now peak uses high cri nichias instead.) I can tell you its quite warm tinted. Almost incan. Not quite like a 7C XML, but pretty close. It’s probably close to a 5C? I like the temp more than my nichias.
My zebralight sc80w is 4200k neutral XPG with pretty good CRI, but not quite as good as my nichias. Slightly more creamy tan, relatively speaking. Nichias also appear slightly pinker comparatively. Not nearly as warm as my Eiger or 7C XML Roche. It is definitely a neutral, but good CRI for NW.
So, I guess I am really looking for warmer tint than most neutrals, if I really want to be picky…. but I don’t think there are ANY options for that outside the limited edition T4 Sunwayman that is long gone. So NW may be the only possible compromise [with this UI].
thanks Woody, I had not come across that deal 
I would get the Sunwayman V11R from Fast Tech for $55
Yeah, that and T6 4C. 
I’ve got the L10 with XP-G2 emitter and while it performs well, I’m not that keen on the twisty action. Fenix L0D feels better, even though I hit both with Nyogel. Also, the walls on the L10 seem a bit thin so definitely relegated for light duty.
Seems a few people on BLF are really liking it. Looks like a good entry level candidate for Nichia 219.
That Sunwayman Limited Edition V11R T4 looked great. I didn’t realize HID Canada has a special arrangement with some vendors to get exclusive versions. Anyway, they’ve got the M11R LE with T6 4C… but at $96 plus shipping, I’d rather invest in learning how to mod and swap in a T6 4C myself into a basic M11R.
Meanwhile… still waiting on Zebralight to produce the SC52w. They’re sure taking their time!
Oh yeah…. I’m building a T6 4C L2m now. 
I know what you mean about the L10s faults but I consider them minor. I am definitely glad I got the nichia over the Xpg. The emitter makes it.
The F7 is nothing crazy, but solid build and function, obviously great tint too.
I had not heard about that M11R, or the SC52w. Hope ZL quits sandbagging. I might go for the ZL. Can’t really drop 100 on the SWM. Sucks there aren’t more control ring EDCs around. A warm/hi CRI RRT01 would be killer.