I’m curious what people come up with since I have found a few with some compromise but are close to what I want. I’m looking for an EDC-sized light with these requirements.
Takes 1x 18650 OR 21700 cell
Has USB-C to C charging (This means I can plug in a standard USB-C to C cable from my PD charger and it will work. If I need any adapter in-between it’s not a USB-C chargeable device.)
Side-switch
120-130mm max length by say 40mm diameter.
Pocketable…
Nice to haves:
Efficient drivers
One emitter since I want throw versus a triple or quad setup.
4000-5000K CCT is ideal.
Ideally can throw >~100m
Ideally in a non-black/grey color.
Don’t care:
Has a magnet in the tail cap
Clip
I currently own a Zebralight SC65 [12.85 cd/lm] and love it for EDC BUT it lacks USB-C charging. For long trips that are about a 1 month or longer, I want to pack light so no chargers and maybe 1 extra cell in a waterproof case. This means the light itself would be the charger. I will have a 21700 headlamp in some parts of the trip so I can use it to charge both cells but ideally each light charges its own cell since I may forget to bring it and have a dead light.
These are the lights I’ve look at so far:
No C-C
Convoy S21E - Is USB C-C fixed and is UI ramping exponential?
Thrunite T2 - I’ve read comments it doesn’t do USB C-C charging which makes it worthless for my use case.
Wuben C2 - No USB C-C charging.
Low Power/Old
Wuben L1 - Low sustain at 320 lm. Also SST40… wish it was SFT40
Wurkkos FC13 - If they made an FC13C that may be my light since the FC11C seems like it’s floodier brother…
Mule/Wide
Fireflylite Nov Mu - If this was more throwy in the same form factor I’d get it but it’s a mule.
Fireflylite X4 - We’ll know by the end of the month more about the light and likely if I want to get it.
Skilhunt EC200/EC300 - It looks more floodier than I want with its 3-4 emitters. . [2.84 cd/lm]
Bad UI
Fenix E28R V2/E35R - I don’t know how 1H to turn of a light is a valid choice when every other light is 1C off?
Too big or wide
Aplos T02/Wurkkos TD05 A bit longer (135mm) than ideal but it’s cheap. [19 cd/lm]
Mankerlight MC13 II - I’m not sure if 40mm is too wide of a bezel to pocket.
Candidates
Astrolux EC01 - 36.5mm bezel so possible to pocket
Not a huge fan of how Firefly products are released so not going to get one.
Thrunite TC15 V3 - Looks closest to what I want. Longer than the FC11C but way throwier so it is an option. [19.3 cd/lumen]
Wuben C3 - Did not like it compared to the TC15 V3 above. It’s not as strong and I see why people say you want the light to be always on as the mech clicks are nice but lack options for the UI.
Wurkkos FC11C - I think this might be the closest thing I can find. It also comes in blue. If the FC13C exists that would do it. [7.8 cd/lm]
From testing it’s still a bit too floody. Not a bad light but just not for me.
Conclusion
I’m happy with the Thrunite TC15 V3 since it has a lot more power than the Zerbalight SC65 and also proper has USB-C charging. It is a bit bigger but the reflector is also bigger as a result which isn’t the worst tradeoff either. Thanks everyone.
I may consider getting the Fireflylite X1S Pharos as well but that’s about it. I’ll pass on any Fireflylite lights since it seems insane to have a QA lottery on an expensive light when brands with better QC like the Zerbalight exist. Lights are not as complicated as cameras too AFAIK…
Good request, I’m pretty much done with buying lights for the time being but could be in the market for similar.
Have you considered a 21700 light and the Vapcell P2150A? The lightweight camping guys on Reddit seem to like these cells as lightweight power banks. A pair of them would allow you to charge one (or use as a power bank to charge your phone) while also having one in the light.
FC11C is a good choice - cheap, but it’s a good flashlight, with improved driver - comparable to more pricey ones.
You can also buy a 18650 with built-in USB-C charging PCB, but I doubt it would fit in Zebralight.
It’s available in black and silver.
It has a USB-C port, but I’m not sure if it does USB-C to C charging.
If this light is too large for you, there are other Convoy lights that are smaller.
Depending on how much throw you need, I suggest getting a light with either the SFT70 or SFT40 emitter.
I prefer the SFT70 emitter, but the SFT40 will throw further.
The SFT70 is brighter, more efficient, and provides more flood.
You mean the X4? I’ve looked at the X1S. It, on paper looks heavier in weight than a TS22 due to optics I’ve been told but I’m ok trying to pocket it. If the X4 isn’t much bigger I’d be interested.
I don’t agree there since I’m traveling for a month and want to focus on the trip versus carrying extra things like a charger. I already carry a USB-C charging block for my laptop, phone and USB C battery for it. As I said I like the SC65 at home since I have extra cells and the 4-bay charger ready so I’m aware of the ritual people do to recharge. I don’t want to replicate that for a trip.
Good request, I’m pretty much done with buying lights for the time being but could be in the market for similar.
Have you considered a 21700 light and the Vapcell P2150A? The lightweight camping guys on Reddit seem to like these cells as lightweight power banks. A pair of them would allow you to charge one (or use as a power bank to charge your phone) while also having one in the light.
I was looking at that direction with 18650s and wouldn’t find one. I need to check but I may have one because I was going to buy an Acebeam E75 but couldn’t get the right color/temperature combination for it so that’s a fair point. I don’t know what lights fit the protected cells besides Acebeams?
Convoy S21E with 116 x 27mm might be on the upper end of that size class. I use a S21E and like it a lot, but it is already large enough to bother me in pants with tighter or smaller pockets. In return the 21700 cell gives huge runtimes.
Wurkkos FC11C seems to be nice too, but according to specs it is the same length and thickness despite being 18650
Wurkkos WK03 TLF edition has a great LED, and is 101x25 mm. Bit smaller. Less efficient driver however, so lower runtime at same brightness level and runs a bit hotter.
Convoy S21E with 116 x 27mm might be on the upper end of that size class. I use a S21E and like it a lot, but it is already large enough to bother me in pants with tighter or smaller pockets. In return the 21700 cell gives huge runtimes.
Wurkkos FC11C seems to be nice too, but according to specs it is the same length and thickness despite being 18650
Wurkkos WK03 TLF edition has a great LED, and is 101x25 mm. Bit smaller. Less efficient driver however, so lower runtime at same brightness level and runs a bit hotter.
I was imagining something pocketable like the FC11 with a length of say 120mm? I looked at some of the ace beams and it may not fit in smaller pockets.
Convoy S21E with 116 x 27mm might be on the upper end of that size class. I use a S21E and like it a lot, but it is already large enough to bother me in pants with tighter or smaller pockets. In return the 21700 cell gives huge runtimes.
Wurkkos FC11C seems to be nice too, but according to specs it is the same length and thickness despite being 18650
Wurkkos WK03 TLF edition has a great LED, and is 101x25 mm. Bit smaller. Less efficient driver however, so lower runtime at same brightness level and runs a bit hotter.
I’ve pocked the FC11C. It feels a bit long for a smaller pocket but is doable so I’m fine with similar lengths. I’ve not tried their side switches but I have their M21B and love so let me look around then.
I have the M21B and love it as a cheap but durable light. I assume, from the looks that’s better than the M21B? I have issues pocketing it so there’s that haha.
Illumination Gear has a EagleTac DX30LC2-SR w/ side LED available with Luminus SST20 R9 CRI-95 4000K Neutral on both side and front. It takes 18650’s and has a recharge port in the flashlight.
I’ have a few EagleTac’s that I like, each with pluses and minuses but haven’t tried one with a charging port.
IMO, if you can live with a with 5700-6500 Kelvin temp without high CRI, I might suggest the Fenix LD30R (18650) or E35R (21700). They are a little floody though. I have the older LD30 which is almost as small as some single CR123 flashlights (LD30 does not have charging port on flashlight but has one on the battery).
Edit: Just a heads up, if you are planning on flying, airlines aren’t friendly to Li rechargeable batteries. Personally, I take something that will take AA’s when flying. Similarly, for road trips I keep a cheapie Coast 3xAAA in my glove compartment and a 14500/AA or 16340/CR123 flashlight on my person.
