Can you recommend a 18650 light for a night guard?

LED Flashlights – General Info
1

Well, I decided to make a own thread for this.

Gotta be tons of those LEO threads at CPF, not going there. Trusting the pro´s in here ;)

My friend at work needs a light (I´m not a guard, just happen to do nightshifts and he checks our factory also).

He used to have Mag charger updated recently to my previous 2D Lambda XM-L at belt for long range.

He also uses an Urnabeam 18650 (Q3 ?) as a lighter option for navigating in dark places indoors.

This smaller light is going to be updated now.

Need recommendations with these specs:

Battery should be 18650 x1.

LED preferrably XM-L, R5 is not totally disapproved either. R5 might be in consideration because I believe he needs runtime more than absolute lumens.

If he has done it with Q3, no need to get 3A from XM-L. Naturally, a properly driven XM-L will beat R5 in lumens and efficacy, if such is to be found meeting these criteria.

Not looking for ultimate thrower, since he has one already at belt (well, decent thrower at least...) and this would be nost likely at indoors use.

Runtime should be at least 1 hour but more likely 1+ -> 2h.

Light is used mostly bare handed, so tactical button is not a must.

Tint is almost irrelevant, no blues or greens.

PWM not an issue at the moment, I believe.

Previous light is 1-mode. If used in "fast situations" should the new one perhaps have an option or mode group for momentary High-only or 1-mode group?

Budget: Does NOT necessarily have to be the most budget of them since it will serve probably for a long time. I think 100$ could be a theoretical limit.

Long story, plenty of specs.

After night shift, only things popping into my exhausted mind are Zebralight SC-600, N-Light ST50, brand "Clarus" for some reason.

Gotta get some sleep now, thanks for help! :)

2

How about the ring system? The Sunwayman M20C is pretty good and efficient, available in both XM-L and XP-G. I really like the Ring system in real world use esp if you need to change modes often, be it con't variable (somewhat inefficient for really low modes) or the preset modes ring.

The Jetbeam RRT-2 is extremely tough and is available in both XP-G and XM-L. DD has the RRT-2 XP-G for a good price now ($66 after -$18 coupon) and probably has a wee bit more throw than the XM-L.

parasitic drain is not too bad for these stuff, even the RRT-2 will last for 5 months.

These lights can be used in "fast situations".

3

Here's a few I would consider.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Jetbeam-PC25-Cree-XM-L-LED-Flashlight-408-Lumens-/270813578491?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f0dbf44fb

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JETBeam-JET-3M-XM-L-T6-LED-450-Lumens-Flashlight-/300636930862?pt=US_Flashlights&hash=item45ff5b832e

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JETBEAM-BC25-650-LUMENS-CREE-XML-T6-LED-FLASHLIGHT-NEW-Ships-USA-/280784182601?pt=US_Flashlights&hash=item41600a9d49

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JetBeam-3M-IIIM-XML-Cree-XM-L-T6-LED-Waterproof-Tactical-Flashlight-Hand-Torch-/190590727332?pt=US_Flashlights&hash=item2c6017b4a4

I love Jetbeam flashlights.

4

And the Olight M20 is one nice flashlight.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Olight-M20-Warrior-Premium-R5-Flashlight-Free-Batteries-/150720522547?pt=US_Flashlights&hash=item2317a4a933

5

One more to consider.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fenix-TK21-Special-Edition-U2-LED-Torch-Long-Range-/160658926272?pt=US_Flashlights&hash=item256804aac0

6

One more:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/XTAR-Tactical-CREE-XR-E-R4-LED-DIY-Mode-Flashlight-TZ20-/250818457175?pt=US_Flashlights&hash=item3a65f1ee57

Build quality and all excellent for not a premium price. Looks better in hand than in photos.

7

Yeah, the Olight M20S-X (XM-L) or M20S (XP-G) costs $58 and $48 respectively at DD. (after -13usd coupon)

It is a drop-in system though, i guess the heat transfer would be much better than Solarforce - Ultrafire combo. (for eg like my Dereelight CL1H v4)

8

And we can't leave the Sunwayman T20CS off the list.

I like the looks of this light.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SUNWAYMAN-T20CS-CREE-XM-L-U2-LED-FLASHLIGHT-/270876490997?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f117f3cf5

9

Cheap,

I used to work as a night maintenance technician, so I believe I have a bit of a realistic handle on what may be needed/wanted. Not exactly the same kind of work, but I did work alongside the night guardspeople (men and women) from time to time (mostly to be let into super-secret spaces, but other situations, too).

Anyway, IMHO, I believe a Solarforce L2P with a good XML drop-in would be an excellent addition. The drop-in most favored is the Manafont 3-mode (H-M-L), but am not sure if that would work for this situation. I am currently using one at work for lighting up the internals of machinery and above ceilings (similar to when I worked as a maintenance technician). I find the High mode to be overkill for most indoor work. But when I used the light outside my house at night, on high, I could shine adequate light just about anywhere I wanted to on my 1 acre property by standing at one corner of my house (which is roughly the center of my rectangular shaped property) and arcing the light around my property. It is not a thrower, but it throws adequately and floods a good area. If this were around when I was working as a night maintenance technician, I would have saved a bunch by not buying all the Pelican lights I bought at the time (another thread). :)

I think with the SF/XML drop-in combo and a good thrower that he apparently already has, he should be well prepared for most situations.

10

2100, ILF, Budgeteer and jonhobart: Big Thanks!

One thing I missed completely was that magnetic ring control, that is one I have to suggest. Sunwayman M20C seems to have quite good output with XM-L but a very proper runtime/output -ratio compared to R5. Might be a good canditate.

I have 2011 L2 with 1,4A XM-L, maybe I should lend that for my friend to see about how the Solarforce does it.

11

I've been working as a security guard for 8 years and one thing I've learnt is that you're friend got to have a flashlight with a forward clicky. I guess we swedes have about the same work conditions as a finish security guard and in that case you're friend's going to love a forward clicky.

I've been using an EagleTac T10LC2 for the last 2 years and it is the best light for the work so far. It's not the brightest light I own but the form factor is great and the 2 modes is all you need when on duty. You change to low mode by loosen the head, which means you can't accidentally change modes with the forward clicky. I'm using the NW version which just makes it even better.

Regarding size, I prefer my flashlight to be on the smaller side so I always can carry it in my belt. Having a big light when getting in and out of the car just makes it easier to forget it in the car since you have to take it of the belt to be able to drive comfortably. I bet your friend have forgotten that big chunky MagCharger more than one time, I know I did before I got my EagleTac.

All in all a great light and if you could find something similar, preferably with an XP-G, you're friend would thank you every single workday.

12

i'd opt for the solarforce l2 or l2t. i use the l2t for duty carry. i'd stick with the later. he doesn't need a "tactical", mall ninja, special forces strike bezel. it's unlikely that he'd have to use his light as a weapon, but if you ever did, i'm sure he wouldn't want the dirtbag bleeding hep-c all over himself. jmho.

monty

13

Solarforce M6 would be my choice given the requirements. It's 1x 18650, similar in length and body diameter to an L2 but with a slightly (10mm?) larger diameter head and deeper reflector that does much better with an XML than a d26 drop-in reflector. Switch is forward clicky and the driver is 3 mode with mode changes made by a combination of twisting the head and using the clicky. When the head is tight, it's locked on high with no chance of accidentally switching modes. Loosen the head and it can be switched between low and strobe. It pulls a reasonable 1.45A from a freshly charged AW 3100 18650 and will also run from a pair of 123 primaries (pulls 1.07A from a slightly used set of surefire sf123a cells). Solarforce rates runtime at 110 minutes on high from an 18650 but doesn't list the mah of the cell used to obtain the result. I'll do a runtime test with a 3100 and edit this post with the result later.

The M6 is available for $50 from solarforce-sales (HK) and $54 from lighthound (US).

T

Edit: 2:20:55 on an AW 3100 fresh off my undercharging (4.08v) charger.

14

I am a Correctional Officer that works midnight shift. I just bought a new light off of ebay that I got for $16 bucks I have quickly grown to love it. It's small enough to fit on your belt comfortably, it's relatively light weight, battery life is excellent so far, brightness options are very helpful because I can use it on low when walking down hallways or checking buildings, I use it on the medium for checking cells after lights out, and it can be used as a pretty good thrower when checking across perimeter fields and such. It also seems very well constructed. It's called a Citipower X7-T6 and it uses one 18650 battery, has a tail switch, 5 modes, aluminum smooth reflector and glass lens.

15

I am a Correctional Officer that works midnight shift. I just bought a new light off of ebay that I got for $16 bucks I have quickly grown to love it. It's small enough to fit on your belt comfortably, it's relatively light weight, battery life is excellent so far, brightness options are very helpful because I can use it on low when walking down hallways or checking buildings, I use it on the medium for checking cells after lights out, and it can be used as a pretty good thrower when checking across perimeter fields and such. It also seems very well constructed. It's called a Citipower X7-T6 and it uses one 18650 battery, has a tail switch, 5 modes, aluminum smooth reflector and glass lens.

16

Here:

Just insert the address of picture without the [img] [/img] tags and it should work fine. (first press insert image icon)

17

I have an Olight m20-s (special operations) It's built like a tank, has a nice low low setting, which is great for use in the car at night or as a task light. The Med and High are both very bright, and it has the strobe feature if you need to disorient people, or just annoy them into leaving. I'd recommend it for night guard work.

18

Thanks

19

Nice leather holster on that Citipower.

Seems a lot like those Ultrafire C8´s that have been very popular.

A valid point Volk on that forward-clicky thing.

I´ve also noticed preferring a forward clicky for "short peeks" around house or such.

I have one solarforce tailcap with FWD clicky, maybe I´ll take that one for "testing" to him how it feels.

Also a 1,4A XM-L might give a good sensation about the lumens to be expected from a single emitter XM-L optimized more towards runtime rather than max output.

20

Some reports about test.

Gave him Solarforce L2 with regular tail and with forward clicky, OP reflector and 1,4A XM-L.

On second run, I changed the light to 2,8A XM-L with SMO reflector.

Decision was, that Solarforce was very much liked after a very similar sized Urnabeam, which has been in service for years.

Especially quality vs. price point was considered to be high.

To my surprice, 2.8A XM-L was liked more ans especially that SMO reflector for more reach. As Volk said, all you need is two modes. My friend asked, if this kind of light could be made one-mode-only.

Runtime-wise he told, he can carry and/or change fresh batteries from he´s base in middle of shift, so Big Draw isn´t such a problem after all.

I suggested to order a generic SMO-dropin and I could solder in for example this driver to get 1-mode and 2,8A: http://kaidomain.com/product/details.S004338

From Solarforce-sales I was not surpriced he liked L2P the most.

Orders have not yet been made but I will update here, what we get and how they suit their purposes.

Also all other suggested brands are under consideration.

Thanks to everyone! :)