Hi from California

e39_540i · 2019-07-08T02:29:17.000Z

Hi all,

Happy to have stumbled on this forum! I’ve always enjoyed a good flashlight ever since I had my first AA maglite when I was a kid! Since then I’ve bought friends and family flashlights but never quite expanded on my own collection. I had a SureFire 6P that I loved (unfortunately, lost it) and the one I’ve managed to hold onto the longest is my SureFire E2D LED. I really love this light but am now looking for something a little more powerful and a little more for generic use.

I’m hoping to learn a bunch from all of the existing threads and members here.

My current search includes the following types of flashlights:

An EDC flashlight
A small flashlight like the RovyVon A3 (any thoughts?)
A searchlight with good flood/fill light (sorry, not good with the terminology just yet) maybe something like the Sofirn SP36 or ThruNite Catapult V6

Thanks!

Bardo219 · 2019-07-08T03:07:52.000Z

Hello from another new member to this forum! Only reservation I would have about the Rovyvon is possible visible PWM. They do look great though, have been considering one myself.

I will recommend the Emisar D18 as a good flood light

e39_540i · 2019-07-08T03:14:36.000Z

Bardo219:

Hello from another new member to this forum! Only reservation I would have about the Rovyvon is possible visible PWM. They do look great though, have been considering one myself.

I will recommend the Emisar D18 as a good flood light

Hey there. Thanks for the recommendation on the D18! Looks like a nice light. Will have to do some reading.

bhstinger · 2019-07-08T03:32:06.000Z

Welcome to BLF!

I would check out the FW3A for EDC.
Also, similar to the D18 is the MF01S ✌ FREEME - ASTROLUX MF01S 15000lm Flashlight Group Buy - ENDED

gottobegeek · 2019-07-08T03:47:44.000Z

Welcome,
If you have a particular budget in mind for each it could also help us with recommendations.
In terms, of flood/fill (do you mean throw/flood ratio?) how many feet would you need this to illuminate 100, 200 etc…?
What about batteries, do you have all kinds and a charger, or prefer just a simple USB chargeable model type light.

Happy to try to help with recommendations.

K

e39_540i · 2019-07-08T03:59:30.000Z

gottobegeek:

Welcome,
If you have a particular budget in mind for each it could also help us with recommendations.
In terms, of flood/fill (do you mean throw/flood ratio?) how many feet would you need this to illuminate 100, 200 etc…?
What about batteries, do you have all kinds and a charger, or prefer just a simple USB chargeable model type light.

Happy to try to help with recommendations.

K

Ahh, all good information I left out.

Regarding budget, I’d like to try to stay under $80 for each type of light if possible, or even less expensive for an EDC. I wouldn’t need the EDC to be anything too crazy but if its possible to maybe get 500 lumens or so for even under $50 that would be nice…

1. For the EDC, I’d like to try to stay under $50 but I would entertain up to $80
2. For the general purpose/emergency light I’d like it to have a decent throw but would like some it to be functional as a flood light as well. I might be asking for two different lights here and if that’s the case, I’m open to suggestions! I’d like to keep this one under $80.

As far as batteries, I don’t have anything at all. I’ve been using my SF E2DL and I’ve only ever used the SF branded batteries with it. Recommendations on batteries and chargers would be greatly appreciated!

hank · 2019-07-08T04:13:22.000Z

The first rule of using lithium-ion batteries is —- if it starts to smoke, don’t inhale.
Second rule, never leave the charger operating unattended.

CalvinIS · 2019-07-08T15:12:12.000Z

Welcome to BLF! Are you in Northern or Southern California, if it's the former we have a show-room you can visit and check out lights in person!

e39_540i · 2019-07-08T15:14:04.000Z

CalvinIS:

Welcome to BLF! Are you in Northern or Southern California, if it’s the former we have a show-room you can visit and check out lights in person!

Thanks for the welcome! Bummer, though, as I’m down in Socal. Would have really liked to have gone to the show-room. Next time I’m up north I’m definitely going to have to swing by. Where is the show-room?

wstrachan · 2019-07-08T15:51:57.000Z

Hello from CA. I am here as well.
For the EDC there are countless options but I can recommend lights I own and use regularly:
the Wuben E05. at 900 lumens it’s very bright for a AA/14500 light. Coupon codes will get you that for around $23. The included diffuser is nice.
If you’re looking for a larger EDC 18650 light with more output, the Nitecore EDC23 is nice though pretty spendy. There are also options like the fitorch P20rgt.
One of my personal favorite lights is the Sofirn SP32A V1 and V2. They can be had for under $20 with discount code.

A flooder is more difficult to recommend because there are MANY options. I recently bought the Fireflies E07. Its a 7000 lumen multi-emitter light running a 21700 cell. It’s very well made and functions flawlessly.

A searchlight is also opening pandora’s box of options. In mid-sized searchlights I like the Lumintop ODL20C a lot. The Astrolux FT02 and FT03 lights are good economical options. I own all three of these and they are great lights. All three have beam throw ratings over 700 meters.

Pete7874 · 2019-07-08T15:47:37.000Z

Welcome to BLF!

The e39 is a classic. I am still holding onto mine.

e39_540i · 2019-07-08T16:10:43.000Z

wstrachan:

Hello from CA. I am here as well.
For the EDC there are countless options but I can recommend lights I own and use regularly:
the Wuben E05. at 900 lumens it’s very bright for a AA/14500 light. Coupon codes will get you that for around $23. The included diffuser is nice.
If you’re looking for a larger EDC 18650 light with more output, the Nitecore EDC23 is nice though pretty spendy. There are also options like the fitorch P20rgt.
One of my personal favorite lights is the Sofirn SP32A V1 and V2. They can be had for under $20 with discount code.

A flooder is more difficult to recommend because there are MANY options. I recently bought the Fireflies E07. Its a 7000 lumen multi-emitter light running a 21700 cell. It’s very well made and functions flawlessly.

A searchlight is also opening pandora’s box of options. In mid-sized searchlights I like the Lumintop ODL20C a lot. The Astrolux FT02 and FT03 lights are good economical options. I own all three of these and they are great lights. All three have beam throw ratings over 700 meters.

Lots of options to look at. Thanks for the reply! Hope you weren’t affected by that recent earthquake. That’s whats prompted me to start building a kit with a couple of lights and basically how I found this forum. Everyone has already been extremely helpful in looking at various options out there. So much to choose from…

e39_540i · 2019-07-08T16:13:56.000Z

Pete7874:

Welcome to BLF!

The e39 is a classic. I am still holding onto mine.

Agreed! I picked this one up last year as its been a long time dream of mine to own. They’re nearly 20 years old by now but its definitely one of the best (imo) body styles BMW has ever produced. Its such a pleasure to drive as well. I came from a 1995 Acura Integra so this was a huge upgrade for me.

Is yours the 6 or 8cyl? I took a risk with the V8 given the known timing chain guide issues but I really enjoy the driving experience so I’m willing to do everything I can to keep it running in tip-top shape. I also went with the 6spd to really maintain the driving experience. Its such a great car.

wstrachan · 2019-07-08T16:18:45.000Z

I’m in Northern CA, between Sacramento and the bay. Didn’t feel a thing.
Earlier in the thread Illumn posted they have a showroom in San Jose. I’ve been to it. They have good pricing and decent selection. visit their site at Illumn.com.

Pete7874 · 2019-07-08T16:23:33.000Z

e39_540i:

Is yours the 6 or 8cyl?

Mine is a 2002 530i manual. I’ve had it since 2006.

raccoon · 2019-07-08T18:22:43.000Z

It's a pleasure to know you, e39_540i!

For an EDC, I also think the FW3A is an excellent choice.

raccoon · 2019-07-08T18:31:39.000Z

The RovyVon A3 is kinda expensive for what it is, but it's a great light if you don't mind spending the money.

I have one and the amount of light that it outputs is impressive for such a small flashlight.

Henk4U2 · 2019-07-08T23:03:07.000Z

Hello e39_540i, welcome to BLF.

I hate to be a spoilsport, but wouldn’t it be wise to add a shock resistant dive light to your search?

e39_540i · 2019-07-09T01:08:56.000Z

raccoon city:

The RovyVon A3 is kinda expensive for what it is, but it’s a great light if you don’t mind spending the money.

I have one and the amount of light that it outputs is impressive for such a small flashlight.

Thanks for the welcome. I actually went ahead and ordered the A3 for my SO. I thought I bought her a SureFire G9X awhile back but I think she misplaced it. I’ll probably end up throwing this on her keychain. The light looks good and versatile for something so small.

e39_540i · 2019-07-09T01:09:36.000Z

Henk4U2:

Hello e39_540i, welcome to BLF.

I hate to be a spoilsport, but wouldn’t it be wise to add a shock resistant dive light to your search?

Something I should definitely consider. Do you have any recommendations?