Single mode 18650 Options?

junkyardbiker · 2019-01-10T02:28:04.000Z

Ive searched for single mode high power lights over the years, and unfortunatly I either spend too much money on a light that fails to impress or I have to spend a major chunk on a “custom”. I currently carry a ASP Triad CR for work and I have modded it to some degree. Dedomed the OEM emitter, stripped the stupid foam grip off and machined a custom knurled aluminum sleeve to replace it. and bored the body to accept an 18650. But I want more lumens and a balance of flood/throw. A good hotspot with a decent spill would be nice. I also hate the flimsy pocket clip on the ASP. Its a good light and for the price I paid and work I put into it, it should be more. However it is the only true “tactical” flashlight (that I have found) that comes on in the same mode no matter what, and I love the twisty tail cap for momentary and solid on. I keep it in momentary, and am sure to return it to momentary after every extended use. But Is there any other lights out there that can take the abuse of getting slammed into things? Im afraid of using my ASP Triad as a blunt object after I bored it thinking I may have made the tube walls too thin for a hard hit. I need absolute dead on reliability day and night. It doesnt get weapons mounted. And yes, Ive seen Malkoff lights, but anything other than the issued Maglight, and I have to pay out of my own pocket. My backup is an Emisar D4 with it set to turbo in memory mode which has come in handy as an absolute blinding force several times. But it does tend to get bumped on in my pocket, or sometimes its not in turbo, locking it out is not an option obviously.

Cereal_killer · 2019-01-10T02:36:08.000Z

I don’t have a light recommendation for you but are you aware your emisar can have its firmware updated to Anduril which has a true momentary turbo mode. Much safer for pocket carry and guaranteed to always be turbo no matter what.

junkyardbiker · 2019-01-10T02:56:43.000Z

Now that is a good idea but I think for a backup light I would go with a D4s if I did that. An Emisar will never be my primary though, they’re not exactly designed to be a striking implement. Great lights but not up to getting slammed around.

Parametrek · 2019-01-10T03:00:19.000Z

Here are a bunch of single mode 18650 lights with momentary and sorted by lumens. Some of them are truly single mode. Others can be locked to a mode or programmed to a mode group.

I think you might like the Armytek Partner C2. They are known for being pretty sturdy and fully tightening the head makes it into a single-mode light.

junkyardbiker · 2019-01-10T03:25:33.000Z

Armytek seems to be a good choice amd a good price, are they really as sturdy as they claim?

toddcshoe · 2019-01-10T03:48:57.000Z

junkyardbiker:

Armytek seems to be a good choice amd a good price, are they really as sturdy as they claim?

Yes they are. Potted and built well. Can’t go wrong there. Take a peek at the Jetbeam Jet-IIM Tac. Might just be right up your alley.

http://www.jetbeamlight.com/products_show250.html

junkyardbiker · 2019-01-10T04:10:20.000Z

Interesting as well. Fully potted is good. I like that these lights are set to single mode when you tighten the head, but…… that is one more thing that has to be remembered to keep set on the right mode. I would probably never take it out of single mode but the fact is that any light with multiple modes available will fail to do what you need at some wrong time. I was hoping for a true single mode? The options on the Armyteks and the Jetbeam is an option though.

chadvone · 2019-01-10T04:41:40.000Z

I will second the Armytek I have the Partner and the Dobermann. Once you tighten the head they do a good job of staying tight.

You already mentioned Malkoff. That would of been my first suggestion.

toddcshoe · 2019-01-10T06:47:18.000Z

junkyardbiker:

Interesting as well. Fully potted is good. I like that these lights are set to single mode when you tighten the head, but…… that is one more thing that has to be remembered to keep set on the right mode. I would probably never take it out of single mode but the fact is that any light with multiple modes available will fail to do what you need at some wrong time. I was hoping for a true single mode? The options on the Armyteks and the Jetbeam is an option though.

As chadvone mentioned above, once you tighten the head only one mode is available. There isn’t even an option of getting to any other mode until the head is loosened a bit. You have to purposely loosen the head for the other modes to become available, it doesn’t accidentally loosen. Can’t go wrong with any of those lights honestly.

junkyardbiker · 2019-01-10T15:44:36.000Z

chadvone:

You already mentioned Malkoff. That would of been my first suggestion.

Im just not up to paying Malkoff prices sadly, maybe one day when Im rich and famous…
I will order an Armytek and play with it for a bit The fact that they are potted is a major plus. I also looked at building a Solarforce L2p from PflexPRO and asking if he could make one in direct drive only or some other form of single mode but at nearly a hundred bucks Im hesitant. I will say my ASP Triad has been very faithful and solid, but I paid a premium price for it. Surefire has some options also but I hear so many mixed reviews and they arent exactly in the budget class either.

MascaratumB · 2019-01-10T16:56:44.000Z

junkyardbiker:

[…]I was hoping for a true single mode? […]

If 1 single mode is what you want, I would suggest to get a light like the BLF A6 or a Convoy 2+ (biscotti Firmaware, 8*7135 chips), and configure them with the option of 1 mode (BLF A6) only or the 100% level (Convoy S2+).

At least in the Convoys with rubber tailcap you can use forward Clicky Switches that allow you to use in momentary or continuous ON.

Also, if you can solder, you can try to mod these lights and make them “triples” (3 Leds + Carclo Optics) with the drivers they already have.

Cheap and effective, in my opinion!

What kind of output are you expecting from the light you want, if I may ask?

junkyardbiker · 2019-01-10T18:53:20.000Z

Its not only the output, which I would like in the 600-1000 lumen-ish range, mostly with a good hotspot and decent spill. The biggest point though is a host that can withstand HEAVY abuse. It gets dragged around outside of my vest, down on the ground, in and out of vehicles and aircraft, saltwater, and chemicals. It may be used as a striking implement like a ku-baton. I know this is a lot out of a “budget” light but this is the place to ask I reckon. I dont have to tell you guys how many Maglights we go through. They just dont stand up but they have plenty of them to issue us.

MascaratumB · 2019-01-11T13:01:33.000Z

junkyardbiker:

The biggest point though is a host that can withstand HEAVY abuse.

Hum, I don’t know, but maybe this video can be of some inspiration about a Convoy S2+:
(this is Simon Mao’s channel, from Convoy Store @ AliExpress)

PBWilson · 2019-01-11T13:42:49.000Z

Like it was said above, a Convoy S2+ with Biscotti and an XPL HI emitter would hit most of your criteria. You can decide how many 7135 chips you want for output too. Maybe the desert tan at Simon’s Alliexpress would be a good choice. I’ve got one and it can be set up for 100% output if you like. It’s also inexpensive enough to have a backup if you’re going to be ruthless with its safety.

MascaratumB · 2019-01-11T13:59:26.000Z

PBWilson:

Like it was said above, a Convoy S2+ with Biscotti and an XPL HI emitter would hit most of your criteria. You can decide how many 7135 chips you want for output too. Maybe the desert tan at Simon’s Alliexpress would be a good choice. I’ve got one and it can be set up for 100% output if you like. It’s also inexpensive enough to have a backup if you’re going to be ruthless with its safety.

Only “con” on the Desert Tan is that a forward clicky switch doesn’t fit “pronto” (hence not allowing “momentary ON”), while on the rubber button versions it will fit easily.

Also, using some TIR optics will help on the mix of throw + spill.

bikerben4 · 2019-01-11T20:31:23.000Z

junkyardbiker:

chadvone:

You already mentioned Malkoff. That would of been my first suggestion.

Im just not up to paying Malkoff prices sadly, maybe one day when Im rich and famous…
I will order an Armytek and play with it for a bit The fact that they are potted is a major plus. I also looked at building a Solarforce L2p from PflexPRO and asking if he could make one in direct drive only or some other form of single mode but at nearly a hundred bucks Im hesitant. I will say my ASP Triad has been very faithful and solid, but I paid a premium price for it. Surefire has some options also but I hear so many mixed reviews and they arent exactly in the budget class either.

I haven’t felt that I could contribute much to any of the threads on this forum until now, which is why I’m making this my first post.

In regards to anything Randy (PFlexPro) makes, I personally guarantee you won’t be disappointed, despite the price. I was very hesitant for a while, too. However, I received a Convoy S2+ triple Nichia with forward clicky switch for Christmas and it’s the best flashlight I’ve ever seen, let alone owned. The attention to detail was way beyond what I expected, even though I’ve read just about everything on his website. The output is astonishing, especially considering its form factor.

Considering your desired specs, I strongly suggest either going with one of his Convoy S2+ AP lights with a single emitter, a triple (linked above), or simply one of his Austin PD TAC lights. It sounds like your specs are almost exactly what I was looking for over the past year or so. I’m not a LEO, but I do carry a pistol every day and take my personal safety very seriously, which is why I wanted to have a light well suited for defensive EDC/duty use.

I strongly believe you will not be sorry if you go with anything from Randy. I also suggest sending him an email to ask his opinion on some of the specifics, such as what emitter/reflector combo he feels would give you the results you want. That’s what I did, and what I ended up with is PERFECT – truly better than I imagined it would be! I simply cannot recommend Randy’s lights enough.

FYI: I have mine programmed to always come on in DD (turbo), then the next mode is level 22 (“100”), then 16 (13, but still plenty bright), then 10 (1.5), then 2 or 3 (0.1-0.14). I also changed the hidden mode (double tap) to turbo instead of strobe. I know you said you wanted just a single mode setup, and that’s easy with the AP driver he uses. Since I use mine for defensive and general use, I felt I should have multiple modes available, but essentially hidden when using the light in a “tactical scenario.”

I hope all this helps you with your decision, and perhaps anyone else that’s looking for something similar. I’m happy to answer any questions you or anyone else have about my S2+ triple from PFlexPro.

MascaratumB · 2019-01-11T20:37:13.000Z

bikerben4:

junkyardbiker:

chadvone:

You already mentioned Malkoff. That would of been my first suggestion.

Im just not up to paying Malkoff prices sadly, maybe one day when Im rich and famous…
I will order an Armytek and play with it for a bit The fact that they are potted is a major plus. I also looked at building a Solarforce L2p from PflexPRO and asking if he could make one in direct drive only or some other form of single mode but at nearly a hundred bucks Im hesitant. I will say my ASP Triad has been very faithful and solid, but I paid a premium price for it. Surefire has some options also but I hear so many mixed reviews and they arent exactly in the budget class either.

I haven’t felt that I could contribute much to any of the threads on this forum until now, which is why I’m making this my first post.

In regards to anything Randy (PFlexPro) makes, I personally guarantee you won’t be disappointed, despite the price. I was very hesitant for a while, too. However, I received a Convoy S2+ triple Nichia with forward clicky switch for Christmas and it’s the best flashlight I’ve ever seen, let alone owned. The attention to detail was way beyond what I expected, even though I’ve read just about everything on his website. The output is astonishing, especially considering its form factor.

Considering your desired specs, I strongly suggest either going with one of his Convoy S2+ AP lights with a single emitter, a triple (linked above), or simply one of his Austin PD TAC lights. It sounds like your specs are almost exactly what I was looking for over the past year or so. I’m not a LEO, but I do carry a pistol every day and take my personal safety very seriously, which is why I wanted to have a light well suited for defensive EDC/duty use.

I strongly believe you will not be sorry if you go with anything from Randy. I also suggest sending him an email to ask his opinion on some of the specifics, such as what emitter/reflector combo he feels would give you the results you want. That’s what I did, and what I ended up with is PERFECT – truly better than I imagined it would be! I simply cannot recommend Randy’s lights enough.

FYI: I have mine programmed to always come on in DD (turbo), then the next mode is level 22 (“100”), then 16 (13, but still plenty bright), then 10 (1.5), then 2 or 3 (0.1-0.14). I also changed the hidden mode (double tap) to turbo instead of strobe. I know you said you wanted just a single mode setup, and that’s easy with the AP driver he uses. Since I use mine for defensive and general use, I felt I should have multiple modes available, but essentially hidden when using the light in a “tactical scenario.”

I hope all this helps you with your decision, and perhaps anyone else that’s looking for something similar. I’m happy to answer any questions you or anyone else have about my S2+ triple from PFlexPro

Nice to have you posting bikerben4
I hope the switch issues are all solved now ! I still struggle with mine, sometimes, but that’s fine!

And thanks for your contribution here! A Convoy S2+ is versatile enough to fit drivers with different firmwares or UIs, and it is robust enough to be used hardly and without major issues!

I hope you keep enjoying yours :+1:

junkyardbiker · 2019-01-12T00:52:35.000Z

So now Im looking at ordering an Armytek to test, and PflexPRO to test! A member here DM’ed me offering to build the light I was looking for which is appreciated and I may also go with at some point. But the biggest end goal out of all of this is an off the shelf light I can also recomend to the others on the teams. Its no good to have a custom light that 50 or so other guys cant also have and use if it does the job for us. Its sad that “tactical” lights have become so fluff filled and B.S. junk from 99% of manufacturers. I told the fella that messaged me about the Surefire that I had a few years ago, and it took a bullet to the reflector and still worked after. Just with a terrible beam pattern. But none of us want to spend the 100 plus dollars for a behind on technology Surefire, and even they have started making “tacticool” junk VS what true use in the field needs. Malkoff is of course everyones dream to own but at the price point is hard for some of us to beat on it and ruin a light after 3-6 months of use.