Pants pocket flashlight to complement a headlamp

LED Flashlights – General Info
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Hi BLF!

I am new here, so greetings for everyone. I have been researching the forum for days, but the impressive amount of information available overwhelms me….

That’s why I wanted to ask for help with my search for a really compact pocket flashlight to complement my 300lm headlamp, Petlz Tikka, modest but enough for hiking most of the time. The idea is to have an alternative that allows me to improve in range and brightness in case I need to see further.

My most important wishes are apart from the pocketsize:

-Budget under 50€ if possible

-Good quality of light and reliability

-More of a thrower than a flooder if possible, 200 mts at list wil be nice

–700-1000lm really usable, so I can use it for a reasonable period of time if I would need (many flashlights offer a turbo mode for use only just a few minutes)

-Rechargeable USB (no matter what type of battery, if 18650 does not have really compact options, other batteries may do)

-Simple use (no need for complicated UI)

- Preferably neutral light / good CRI

- Switch preferably not in the tail, but not decisive

- I prefer to be able to buy from local stores or e-tailers (Spain), but if it’s worth it, I could buy global e-tailers

I hope you can recommend me (if exists) something that fits what I am looking for. For the moment I have found the Fenix PD25, that fits most of my requirements but 550lm may not be enough for my purpose. The Olight SR1 Baton II looks nice but the turbo mode only lasts 1.5 minutes and it falls to 300lm (= than my headlamp)

Thank you in advance for your help.

Felix

2

Welcome to BLF Felix!

How big are your pockets?

The Sofirn SC31 Pro is a nice versatile light

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You will probably need to elaborate on pocket size. Coat pocket, cargo shorts, tactical pants, skinny-boy jeans… that varies greatly.

good luck in your search

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Currently I use an SC31 pro for just such a purpose. Andruil can be made simple but you may have to invest some time into learning it for making it so. Should meet the rest of your requirements just fine. Tint a bit cool but decent CRI. You will likely have to calibrate the temperature sensor. I was fortunate not to need to do so. With proper calibration my light puts out sustained output far more than the review charts would indicate. However I do live in the frozen north;-)

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Thanks for your replies

You will probably need to elaborate on pocket size

In summertime, to use in a tipical mountain pants or even classical jeans. Here is the matter of compact size

The Sofirn SC31 Pro is a nice versatile light

Yes! is a very nice option! Maybe a little bigger than I was looking for, but I could seriously consider it if I don’t find anything more decent in a smaller size.

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Thanks for stopping by, Falgor!

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You can get a shorty tube to use an 18350 instead, albeit with less capacity and shorter runtime.

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Re the shorty tube… I have one but have yet to get an 18350 to use it. Currently keeping light in right pocket and I don’t mind the extra length. Carried my TH20 the same way and when reaching for my wallet my hand would get under the bottom of the flashlight and push it out while I was retrieving my wallet. Don’t have this problem with the longer 18650 light.

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Hola Falgor!
Welcome to BLF! :beer:

Hum, I was wondering if you have seen the Skilhunt M300! Great small light, the UI is configurable, takes 18650 and is rechargeable through magnetic charging.

My real suggestion for you, for the case you are posing here, would be the Convoy S21A (21700). It can handle a higher runtime for some time. It doesn’t have USB rechargeability, it is not a side switch light, but it can be configured to have different modes, and it will have the reliability you may want for this kind of situations!

Take a look to some reviews here on BLF and in other places :wink:

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Thank you all for your replies

Seems like a good solution, two for one! I’ll keep it in mind.
Some recomendation for a 18350 battery?

Certainly, it is possible that I will get used to without problem… thanks for the appreciation

Nice light too… Does it gets over the CS31, which seems to be the main contender in the absence of a smaller good option?

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I never really cared, as they’re pretty low-stress lights, and you’re not gonna be pulling 10A from ’em.

I’m still using the DE (“Digital Energy”) 18350s I bought from Rat Shack when discontinued. Surprisingly good, clocked in at something close to 900mAH when listed at only 800mAH on the wrap.

If you want The Best™, Vapcell and Keeppower are names to remember. But they’ll go for at least 10bux a pop, usually, when I got my DEs for something like 2-3bux each or whatever it was.

Shouldda gotten more…

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Ok, i will take that into account if I finally go for the sc31. Thanks

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Blah blah blah, everything else aside, I’d go for price and/or capacity. A 3A cell and 10A cell wouldn’t have too much current difference in a light, and even less of a difference visually as to “turbo” brightness of the light.

Would I pay double per cell to get 1100mAH vs 800mAH? Doubt it. A buk or two more, yeah, I might.

Max drain is largely irrelevant.

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I am almost convinced of order the sc31 + 18350 tube, assuming that charging through usb will be ok for the 18360 battery

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If you plan to charge the 18350 cell via USB, keep in mind that the charge current of the SC31 Pro can get up to 1.5A (and gradually tapers off as voltage increases).
This isn’t a problem for basically any healthy 18650, but may be a bit on the high end for a lower-drain 18350.
If that is the route you take, I would suggest going with some of Vapcell’s 18350s (which can handle a quick charge at 1.5A).

They’re cheaper if you buy multiple (about $14 for 2, cheaper for more).
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000108417629.html

And they’re even cheaper if you don’t mind some visual defects! ($11 for 2, cheaper for more). A bit of sanding fixed the ones I got from here.

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I usually just plug it into a laptop whose current is pretty much limited to 500mA.

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That works! As long as your power supply doesn’t allow it, you won’t risk stressing out your cell.
I’m sure every household has a couple low-current USB chargers cluttering their drawers, so that’s an option too.

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So, I have 2 posibilities: buy that kind of high drain batteries or using a standar batteries but charging it from a laptop…

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I usually charge all my usb crap from a laptop anyway, so it’s not a big deal.

I’m rarely in any itchin’ hurry to charge something.

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Sc31 Pro on the way. I will first test how it handles before ordering the tube to shorten it.

Thank you all for your help