I want to fit my wife out with a relatively inexpensive (<$25 with a discount) new 18650 flashlight, preferably in a compact, tube form factor.
I like the Eagle Eye X2R and the Convoy S9 for their compactness and the built in USB charging, but they look like they top out at ~500-600lm. I’d like more output, but if this level of output in this form factor is really the limit of sustainable without risk of cooking the LED, it’ll have to do.
What’s the max sustainable output in lumens and/or amps for something in the X2R/S9/A6/S2/S2+ form factor?
Maybe around 7W if you want to be able to hold the light. Amps depends on LED Vf. 10W is definitely too much (evidenced by ~10-13W lights with thermal regulation, like the Zebralight SC62, throttling down after a few minutes)
Somewhere in the 500-600 lumen range would probably be the very upper limit of sustainable output right now. Check out the Zanflare F1. It’s a little larger than most tube lights, but it has the best micro-USB charging solution - no rubber flaps to worry about. The normal modes top out at 590 lumens, so you don’t have to worry about it getting too hot to handle, but there is a 1200 lumen turbo mode that can be accessed with a double click.
Right now I think it is probably the best light to give to someone who isn’t “into” flashlights.
Delta_V, I’d kind of ruled out the F1 because of the glued head; I was thinking of trying an XP-L HI to get a bit more throw. Plus it is a little hard paying $20-25 for an F1 when I picked mine up for $9.99 and passed on other chances to get it for that price I may well end up going with an F1 though, and calling it done. Maybe I’ll give her mine, and buy myself a new light to experiment with…
How is your wife going to use this light? Does she need more throw?
Not that my wife needs a light, but if she did, I’d be more inclined to give her something with more flood instead of throw, but again, it depends on the intended purpose.
I’d say 500-600 lumen too, for a 18650 tube light.
The X2R is a good and affordable candidate with usb charging.
S2 with AMC7135 x 6 max should be fine. Those were floating around 10 bucks lately.
S9 seems to be spot on for your need, but i don’t have it.
The F1 would be great if it was a bit more compact IMO.
Pete7874, she’d mainly use this light for walking the dog at night in the neighborhood. Last week I had her demo my BLF A6 and my Sofirn C8A. She preferred the beam on the C8A, but I think she’d be happier carrying a tube light. I thought the XP-L HI emitter might compensate for the smaller reflector in a tube light.
I may well end up going with an F1 though, and calling it done. Maybe I’ll give her mine, and buy myself a new light to experiment with…