Please help me find a perfect tactical (not tacticool) light.

Have a look at the Surefire P1RZ-B-DFT, it's designed to be a Tactical light, nothing else! It will provide 1500 lumens and runs on an 18650 or 2 x CR123's.

Surefire P1RZ-B-DFT

Or for just over half the cost of the above Surefire assemble a Tactical light from parts available on line.

Replacement SF 6Z body (18650)
Replacement SF head
Momentary Tailcap
SporTac P60 Module

Mentat said:

2. @Monocrom the suggestion to stay away from dual switches simplifies my choice a lot... I have two follow-up questions. How does a readily available modern-day Malkoff M61 stack up against an upgraded Surefire 6P? Also, I checked that the other Weltool without the holes is the T17, a light of similar size and parameters to an M61 (at least on paper), advertised as extremely durable. If 15-20 kcd were enough, I guess either could be a good option. Otherwise, I might have to overpay for the T14.

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I'm sure there will be some who will disagree with me, but the two (Malkoff and SureFire) are going to be equal in terms of reliability and durability. A case of six of one, half dozen of the other. I do own lights from both brands and have experience with both.

I'd personally still go with the T14, instead. But, I want the highest practical output possible (not these ridiculous 3,000 rated lumens on Turbo good for 30 seconds maxium before kicking down to a incredibly lower output level; and leaving your hand feeling like you were holding a flaming hot lump of coal). I'm willing to put up with a bit of bulk and weight to get that. Just a bit. The T17 is going to be a bit more compact overall. Bit more EDC friendly. But you mentioned you wanted output that favored throw more than spill, while still providing good spill. With the T17 you're going to get some throw, but I fear you might end up being disappointed. Still, if 600 lumens on high is good enough for your needs, it might be a good contender. The T14 has over double that output. With the B version specifically tweaked by Weltool to provide more throw.

Mentat said:

@jacobd I have looked at the E2XT. Have you ever seen it used with the Lumens Factory bodies?

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I don't personally own a lumen factory body but I'm actually just about to buy some! It's a brilliant setup. I'm going for an 18350 body for a shorty thrower with the E2XT. Those tubes are fantastic!

Based on the information provided so far, I was able to narrow down the list to the following:

1. Weltool T14C: https://www.weltool.com/page137?product_id=204
2. Modlite Plh V2: https://modlite.com/collections/han...v2-18650-light-package?variant=40830294327332
3. Malkoff MDC E2XT: with the LF 18650 body and switch: https://www.edclightbuilder.com/store/E2XTD-18350-Fat-Boy-p492060843

All of these throw above 50 kcd. Malkoff has the most durability and the lowest lumen output. Weltool has the highest output, both lumen- and candela-wise.

While lumen and candela measurements are easy to quantify, durability is not. Does anyone have more experience with either Modlite or Weltool withstanding (or failing to withstand) drops/other physical damage? Or opinions informed by how the lights are built? @Monocrom it seems you've handled many Malkoffs and Surefires, what is it exactly that they have that the T14C lacks?

Mentat said:

Malkoffs and Surefires, what is it exactly that they have that the T14C lacks?

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Durability wise, the T14 isn't potted, like the Malkoff and doesn't use contact pins like the Surefire. I vote Malkoff over Surefire for 2 reasons;

1) user replaceable cheap tail switch (McClicky)

2) I think they're more likely to be durable due to the potted components.

I don't mind p60 based lights (and Surefire EXCELS at them) but I find that, in high candela setups, thermal management can be an issue.

Mentat said:

@Monocrom it seems you've handled many Malkoffs and Surefires, what is it exactly that they have that the T14C lacks?

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Honestly, overall better build-quality. Does the Weltool T14C feel like a cheap piece of junk that'll fall apart in your hands if you look at it funny? No. But you'll definitely feel the difference if you've handled a few Malkoffs and SureFires before acquiring a T14C. Those other two brands just have higher Q.C. standards. It isn't by a huge difference though. I'd put Weltool's build-quality on par with modern-day Nitecore models.

Seriously, if you blacked out "Weltool," and professionally inscribed "Nitecore" on the T14C body (and charged half the price) you'd fool pretty much everyone into wondering what this new Nitecore model happens to be. Not even joking. And, modern-day Nitecore build-quality is very good indeed. Just not up to the level of SureFire or Malkoff. If the Weltool T14C was my only tactical light, would I feel as though I was relying on a Bargain Bin alternative in terms of overall quality? No, absolutely not.

Once in rare while it's perfectly fine to knowingly overpay for something if it is what you need, and fulfills those needs better than everything else out there on the market. I do wish the T14C had a better impact rating than just 1 meter (barely over 3 feet). But unfortunately that's the average industry standard on a huge percentage of modern-day flashlights.

I haven't handled any modern-day Nitecore, but quite a few Fenixes. Are these two comparable?

+

I have a Weltool W3 Pro,
the build quality is as good as anything you'll find.

it's a 21700 LEP

If you are going to go WelTool why not something like Unilite? At least it is British. For Weltool money you can get Streamlight or Surefire.