Simple to use, attractive, high CRI for wife/daughter in that order

LED Flashlights – General Info
1

Hi,

Trying to find good, smallish, simple to use flashlight options as potential gifts for my wife & daughter - meaning, they look nice. Too many “good” flashlights have complex user interfaces while the cheap stuff has simple on/off switches… And a lot of the inexpensive, colorful flashlights are just junk…

The main thing is simple, maybe on, high, low, off. Don’t care so much the kind of switch, but a button or slide switch like you find on a cheap flashlight would be fine.

Everyday use so more of a flood design. Anything from keychain to 4-6 inches long, not really looking for a penlight. Should have good output but total brightness not the point.

Something that looks nice vs. black/plastic cheap/boring.

Warm or high CRI light preferred.

Prefer something you can actually but from a US vendor but can stretch on this point! To many interesting options are sold out/not available.

Price not an issue, but reasonable preferred. Flexible on the battery & charging options.

Something like this, but with a simpler UI, would be great: Astrolux S41S Colored 4x (Nichia emitter)

Thanks in advance for suggestions!

-Dick L.

2

What about a Lumintop IYP365 or IYP07

3

Welcome to BLF! I’m sure you will get lots of good ideas and suggestions.

Very thoughtful of you to look for a light they will like AND use. Kudos for wanting high CRI too! :+1:

I don’t have any specific recommendations yet, but I have some thoughts.

How they will carry these lights? Attached to a keychain? In a bag or pocket?

A lithium-ion powered light with built-in charging would eliminate the need for another charger to keep track of. They could simply plug their lights in to charge, just like their phones. Do their phones use USB-micro, USB-C, or other?

I don’t think (m)any AAA or AA-powered lights offer built-in charging. That means dealing with disposables :confounded: or using NiMH cells and an external charger.

What lights do YOU use? Do they like any of them specifically?

4

Sofirn SP10S?
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33018725012.html

5

+1 on the Lumintop lights, if you’re looking for something bigger and higher output/runtime than a penlight there are 1x and 2x AA versions.

6

Need off-the-rack, or can you do minor mods?

Might be worth a shot to ask Simon at Convoy for a set of bespoke lights. Eg, a pair of shorty S2+es, one in orange and one in violet (or whatever colors you’d want, like red, green, blue, teal, etc.), with a LH351D or 219B.

A lot of flexible UIs can select modegroups, including simple on/off.

7

I like the Lumintop Tool AAA to lend to people. Its UI is “click it until it does what you want”. It comes in Nichia/high CRI. Ni-MH is safer and they can go full alkaline. Maybe get the titanium one (and ignore the battery in the switch)

8

Thanks I ordered an IYP07 to check out.

9

Thanks!

I think there are maybe two flashlights in play in my mind, one for a keychain and maybe one for a desk.

They both have iPhones so charging would be via a different cord if USB. I’m kind of ignoring the charging question in that I figure I can charge or replace batteries for my wife and my daughter (lives on her own) can handle any kind of charging requirements & I can get her appropriate batteries/chargers.

As for what do I use, I have used one of those silver Nebo zoomies and it’s not bad; that’s my benchmark but am exploring many other options myself, too may new toys in hand or on the way.
Nothing perfect for the ladies.

10

Klarus Mi7 is nice small 1xAA light, body comes in few colors, simple UI (high, low, off).

But for high CRI you would need to swap the emitter, to a high CRI SST-20 for example.

Also not a pure floody light but it should be easy to mod for more flood (using some opaque sticker on the lens)

11

I think you will like the IYP07.

I bought nine of the larger IYP365 models for myself and friends when they were first released.

They’re very nice lights, but a couple of them began having issues with the switch.

I dissected the tailcap and made a modification that seems to have solved the issue.

If you go with rechargeable AAAs, I suggest Eneloops or the suspected clones branded as LADDA if you’re located near an IKEA store.

If you go with disposables, it’s best to avoid alkaline batteries. They’re prone to leakage, especially in seldom-used devices where they may sit for a long time. Use Energizer Lithium AAAs, which have a 10+ year shelf life and are much more reliable.

Be sure to let us know what you think of the IYP07!

12

Hate to sound sexist, but did you get the pink ones?

13

I’d recommend a Nitecore TIP CRI (not the TIP2).

14

Great choice. I have both (in black) and love them. Very classy and simple with a great beam (nichea) and plenty bright. My switches take a strong press to activate. Good for me since there will be no accidental activation.

15

How about Sofirn C01S - It’s Mini LED Flashlight AAA Twisty High 95 CRI SST20 4000K LED. It’s good for keychain Flashlight Hat Light with Clip. 72mm x 15mm. Max 100 lumens.
Simply 2 modes operated with a twist.

16

I ordered a silver version for max flexibility :wink:

-Dick L.

17

Thanks I ordered one of these to check out!

-Dick L.

18

Daughter covets my original version ROT66 w/ 209b in champagne - not happening.

She has a small Sofrn 14500, can’t remember model, Convoy S2 and Astrolux S1 w/18350. Out of the 3, Astrolux S1 is favorite.

19

Thanks good stuff.

Looks like a new version of the ROT66 is coming out, that might be a good one. The others look good too. I’m finding myself buying a bunch to check out in the name of gifts :wink:

-Dick L.

20

I’m in the off the rack camp now thanks.

There are so many options/modders out there it’s fairly bewildering and I really haven’t been good and restraint… I’m buying a bunch to check out…

-Dick L.