I'm struggling - Recommendations for 21700 upgrade to trusty Nitecore MH23?

LED Flashlights – General Info
1

My Nitecore MH23 has been a faithful EDC for a good few years now, but I’m finding the 21700 format more to my desires. I just can’t find anything with a similar form factor that is 1 x 21700.

I’m talking:

  1. SMO reflector with somewhat respectable throw, comparable to the MH23
  2. Tail stand
  3. Fits in the palm without too wide a flared head
  4. Conventional modes and access to them - moonlight, low, medium, high, turbo, SOS etc
  5. More 2k lumens

Does anyone have any ideas?

2

Sounds interesting...

I like all of it except the need for SOS/strobe, unless it's well hidden.

I'll keep an eye on this thread.

3

Sofirn IF25A has your form factor and modes.

Lumintop FW21 X9L, might be too much flare to the head?

Or just the F21

4

DM11

5

Nitecore has the MH12S which is a tad longer but also has a smaller diameter head…it does retain the buck driver, though, which is nice if you want the better efficiency and/or run the two 123 cells. Not sure how moddable it is, but since the SST40 in the proportionally smaller head will be a much looser beam than your current light, maybe it could be swapped to something that gives you what you want. To me, it’s the drivers that are the standout of these lights from them, but it comes at a much higher price than other lights that maybe offer more outside of that.

Sofirn has the SP35 which is a bit shorter but considerably smaller head, so less throwy with its emitter but if you can mod you could put something else in there. It keeps the electronic side switch that you’re used to, similar but better clip, does tail stand. It has their house ramping/stepped firmware which I actually like…not nearly as feature-laden as Anduril but has some key features and the ramping is good. Output is comparable or better than what you have now (despite the numbers they all advertise).

Convoy has a few choices if you don’t mind a tail switch (still tail stands). The M21B is the 21700 version of the good ol’ M1 and he’s got those available in several emitter versions, with or without a cell, etc. Looks like it starts around $24 and goes to $38 or so depending on what you want. It’s around the same length as the MH12S from Nitecore (with both you’re gaining a little over an inch) but it keeps the same-ish size head/reflector, so a bit more throwy but of course he’s got options to be as throwy or floody as you want.

I don’t really know about this one but the Convoy S16 looks like another option with a tail switch…bit less length, smooth steel bezel instead of crenulated, more streamlined look but not quite a tube light. The S21 lights are the 21700 versions of the S2+, again with a million choices, but those are straight tubes.

Sofirn SP35: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002848601801.html
Convoy M21B (picked this one only because customer reviews have photos that show the size in hand): https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003503885315.htm
Convoy S16: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002315391902.html
Nitecore MH12S: https://flashlight.nitecore.com/product/mh12s

The WildTrail WT1M or WT3M (triple) might also be worth a look. They’re quite nice lights with side switch and Anduril, tail standing, very short body (shorter than your light now) and pocketable, and the head isn’t too wide…wider, though, at around 38-40mm. They have an aliexpress store but were closing them out (I think) on Amazon for good prices recently (easiest to find them there by searching only for the model number, maybe check the “include out of stock” box also). I have the triple and it’s a great light. Maybe not the best for edc pocket carry because it doesn’t have a clip but maybe one could be found for it.

6

Hope this helps Wurkkos TS30S + monster LED SBT90.2 = $60 4750lm 1km SUPER-Thrower. Comparison w/ TS30S Pro, Olight, Nitecore, & other monster lights. :) .

7

TS21?

8

I still edc my MH20 and there ain’t much that can dethrone it. 2-stage switch, compact af, good beam, great UI… yeah can’t think of anything that comes close.

Aside from 21700 vs 18650, what do you want a replacement light to do “better” than the ’23?

9

This flashlight looks good to me...

It's the Convoy S16 with LUMINUS SFT40.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003090570066.html

Does anyone know the tint of this flashlight?

If it's warm white or neutral white, I'm thinking about ordering one.

EDIT:

As far as I can tell, the SFT40 only comes in cool white right now.

I think I'll wait until it comes in warmer tints, because I want the throw that the SFT40 offers (but with a warmer tint.)

10

Okay, I ordered the Convoy S16 with the Luminus SFT40 even though I'm not crazy about the tint.

I'll do a mini review once I receive it.

I'm excited about this purchase, and I think I'm going to like this flashlight.

11

It’s a good and throwy light.

12

Thank you, all. I came back to some great suggestions. The Convoy S16 looks great and quite similar, but the Sofirn IF25A looks to be an interesting change that I’d consider.

Thanks, all.

13

@Threadneedle I’d personally recommend the S16 over the IF25A.

The IF25A is a hotrod with poor regulation at anything over low power levels, so I’d recommend the S16 over it.

14

I posted this in another thread, but here it is again...

If you want a compact thrower with a side switch, the Sofirn IF22 looks good to me.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003092164967.html

The IF22 throws further and is somehow floodier than the IF22A, so I like the IF22 more.

I would order the IF22, but I don't like side switches.

15

Has a cool white and warm white option.

I carry a Nitecore MH20 warm white while at work and it’s a great light, if only the MS03 had a pocket clip this would be the one to replace it.