This topic has most likely already be discussed, what was the most powerful pocket-able light last year might not be that now. Anyway …I’ve searched this subject here with no avail.
Possibly the BLF x5/x6 and Astrolux or Manker S41/E14.
Id say the Astrolux counterpart of the kronos X5
This little light packs such a punch.
Pocketability is significantly subjective, I have sometimes forgotten there was a Meteor M43 in the deep pocket of my cargo pants. If I wanted a “Fire Beathing Dragon” as he puts it, I would carry one of Richard’s (Mountain Elec.) modded S3 triples, though you might have to wait a month or so for him to build it.
For compact, popular, reliable power, you might try the Zebralight SC600 MK III Hi, a light Vinh praises, which speaks a lot for it. He also offers a large selection of hyper modded lights, mostly high end……check out Skylumen.com
Be wary of ratings in Chinese Lumens. Richard, Vinh, and ZL would rather underestimate, instead of overestimate, what they offer, one reason they are highly regarded.
Pocketable is relative, but take a look at Acebeam EC50! XHP70, single 26650, 2500 lumen
Along the same lines, but shorter than the Acebeam, while still in the strict sense of being pure production lights, the Olight L5/R50, and R50 Pro lights are going through their birthing pains at this time. Promising even more lumens for the Pro model, they are typically indicated for holster use (measuring over 5 inches), the big question with these light canons involves the length of time you will enjoy high lumen output from the overworked batteries.
That EC50 is really tempting - a beauty.
The Klarus G30 is only 10mm thicker, about the same lumens and runs twice as long, but to quote you "Pocketable is relative" (definitely more jacket pocket than pants pocket !)
When the Klarus G10 (XHP50, 1 x 26650) becomes available it will be a serious contender for best "pocket rocket"
Manker E14 is a quad emitter, one 16340 gets you up to 1400 lumens, that’s pretty compact.
I think when asking what’s the brightest pocketable light you should mention battery preference. Theirs a lot of options nowadays
What about the BLF A6? It’s awesome. 1750 or so Lumens, great modes, super moonlight mode. I’ve got one and it rocks!!!
Blf x5 gets my vote for pocketable light.
Depends on your needs/wants.
Manker E14/Astrolux S41 - 18350 or 18650 - Lots of flood
BLF A6/ Astrolux S1 - 18350 or 18650 - Flood but less than above
Kronos X6 - 18650 - Nice spill and decent throw
Kronos X5 - 14500 - Nice spill, decent throw, lightest of all
another is the LuckSun BLF D80-SE - Nicely balanced not quite as powerful but visually speaking not that much less.
Manker T01 - AA or 14500 - Same reflector as X5 (approx 500 Lm with AA and 900 Lm with 14500)
There are a couple more from Nitecore (EA11 and EC11)
Hope this helps
I love your avatar! Got any dragon puppies??
And it reminds me of a good answer to your question.
My vote is for the Mag Solitaire, with the Ohio Blue Tip Mod.
(To refresh everyone’s memory, that’s where you open the Solitaire, remove the reflector, bulb & holder, battery & spring, then glue-seal the lens & pack as many Ohio Blue Tip kitchen matches in the body as you can.)
If you use it upwind of the right piece of property, it will create a light that can be seen from space.
(We used to call them “Union Matches” because “Strike Anywhere”… :person_facepalming: )
It may be obvious to everyone here including the original poster, but I’ll go ahead and state that you’re getting answers all over the place because you’ve really asked a very ambiguous question. How do you define powerful? Is it just total lumens? Is it candela/throw? Is it some ratio of those things? Could even refer to runtime I suppose. Also how do you define edc? Everyone has a different threshold of size/weight that they’re willing to carry? Do you need a tiny little AAA to fit in your skinny jeans, or do you wear a jacket every day with large pockets? Is a belt holster an option?
So you’re getting a lot of “personal” answers to a question that looks like it should have one definitive result, answers that may not apply to you. Maybe you’ve already gotten all the answers you need but if you can be more specific about what you’re looking for, maybe we can come up with a better answer.
Being that pocket-able is relative, for me and I think many would probably agree any light larger than a single **650 battery tube length with 1.5”/38 mm diameter (BLF X6) is too big to be considered pocket-able.
How about this… What is the brightest/highest lumen pocket-able (no larger than a BLF X6) production light?
THX C_malc for the Klarus G10, it looks like it might become the newest bad boy on the block.
Maybe the nitecore TM03, larger than the X6 but still pocketable.
I agree with you. Manker E14/Astrolux S41 is the best, most powerful and pocktable.
Personally I’m still impressed with my Olight S1 aluminum version for the output vs size and weight.
My edc choice would not based on output…instead size, user interface , weight ,overall feel, knurling, clip,tint.color rendering , beam pattern,modes,mode spacing ….all these are more important than output .
All lights these days are bright …All of them bright enough to do 98% of what I need a light to do .
Picking out a great EDC is easy… Buy a hundred lights and carry the one you like best .
I totally agree that, Boaz.
My current EDC is a ti S1 with warm 7A XML2. It’s less bright than the stock emitter but way more pleasant.
What pleases me is : UI, feel, small volume, magnet, tint, beam…but I use it mostly on moon and medium modes.
Now, maybe “EDC” is not the right term to use here… I can’t see how one would carry an 26650 light every day 