Every year, so many new LED flashlight models come out… it’s mind boggling. Better build quality, better feature assortment, brighter emitters… and no wonder why some folks around here have dozens upon dozens of lights (hard to resist that new and improved next model!).
But I have to say, LED flashlights have come such a long way that releases over the past couple of years are still extremely useful. More lumens, more throw, less heat… how far does one need to really go? Looks to me like as long as you’ve got decent lumens, it’s more about the UI and build quality.
So what light do you have that you’re still actively using today, despite it being passed by on emitter power and efficiency? That light where you say build quality is excellent and the UI simply works so well.
I’m still putting my NovaTac 120P to use. The emitter is sadly inferior to what’s out today, but the UI is still so much fun. Hardly any lights out there today with that capability. And I like having trits in the bezel.
The Olight S15 is a super light. I make use of every mode. Magnetic tail stand is useful (I keep one stuck to the refrigerator). Plus, being AA the cell is so damned easy to replace. Don’t have a cell charged? Slap in a regular AA from hundreds of different sources and you’re good to go.
The Zebralight SC52w looks and feels great. Sometimes the UI is a little awkward (having to press-hold in order to avoid brightest setting), but without it being programmable it’s very useful. Best firefly mode around.
I’m very much a multi-mode light guy… so the Jetbeam RRT-01 is quite a departure. But that variable control ring works extremely well. And the tube lockout is easy to guard against accidental on. I just wish the secret mode wasn’t a useless SOS, but instead a strobe.
There are so many new lights out that are tempting… but I’m hanging onto these, until emitters are just so much more efficient it makes sense to modify them.
What older lights are you hanging onto?