1xAA clicky for the wife's purse and a 1xCR123 with NovaTac/HDS-style UI?

[thingsforjason]

Two things:

1) I'd like to get a(nother) light for my wife to keep in her purse/clutch. 1xAA clicky, but with decent output. Options currently are: UltraFire C3, Romisen MXDL RC-G2, Uniquefire S10, Energizer Tactical AA, Fenix E11, Duramax 1AA, StreamLight ProTac 1AA. Preferably under $30. I've got the first three lights in my DX cart right now, but if I can decide on one, then I can potentially put some money towards light #2 (below)

2) What's out there in the reverse-clicky realm that has a UI similar to the NovaTac/HDS offering? I've been carrying a 120P for 3-4 years now, and while it's great, I long for a few more lumens out the front. I wouldn't give up the UI for the world, though. My other cheap multi-mode throwers all just cycle through outputs, which is okay, but not to EDC, and as fancy as the rings and the twist-head modes are, I like to be able to operate it all one-handed.

 

[TOJ]

I just got an E11 for my fiance's purse yesterday. Seems as durable and high quality as my 2 Fenix E21s. Although I can't attest yet to the longevity of the E11, I will say its simple UI is great for purse duty. It literally is just a short E21. Clicky for on/off, and twisty for high/low. Just leave it on high. 105 lumens out of an Eneloop is nice.

I don't have any experience with your other lights. $25, available on Amazon Prime, and the Fenix name made it a no brainer to me.

 

[Tegan's Dad]

I have somewhat recently spoken of how lucky I have been with the C3, but haven't used it much. Last week my Thrunite T10 (and Ti) arrived so I thought I would compare the C3 (1-mode clicky) to the Thrunite (3 mode twisty). When I turned the C3 on (it's been sitting in a drawer unused in my computer desk), the terrible flickering I thought I had fixed by tightening the switch with a needlenose came back. Tightening the tail cap seemed to remedy this issue, but it does leave a bit of a sour feeling for it.

Unless your wife likes to tinker with the lights, I would recommend against this. I would recommend you check shiningbeam for Romisen lights though. The build quality is much better than the ultrafire, and Bryan tests them before shipping. Plus you don't have to wait a month.

 

[thingsforjason]

The E11 does sound appealing. How's that low output? I've got an old L1P that she was carrying around at one point that I suppose I could just give her too...

Any thoughts on light #2?

I just got an E11 for my fiance's purse yesterday. Seems as durable and high quality as my 2 Fenix E21s. Although I can't attest yet to the longevity of the E11, I will say its simple UI is great for purse duty. It literally is just a short E21. Clicky for on/off, and twisty for high/low. Just leave it on high. 105 lumens out of an Eneloop is nice.

I don't have any experience with your other lights. $25, available on Amazon Prime, and the Fenix name made it a no brainer to me.

 

[TOJ]

The E11 does sound appealing. How's that low output? I've got an old L1P that she was carrying around at one point that I suppose I could just give her too...

Any thoughts on light #2?

Unfortunately I have no experience with reverse clicky lights, or the CR123 platform for that matter.

Regarding the low... it certainly could be lower. Same problem on the E21. I do think the 32 lumens is just fine for inside the house, but might be high for reading. I haven't tested reading. I'm not sure 32 lumens would undo your night vision outside. I really only wish the low was lower for higher runtime. The E11 does NOT tailstand, FYI.

 

[thingsforjason]

So she's got the L1P in her purse for now.

Anyone with some insight on the reverse clicky UIs?

 

[think2x]

I've been carrying a 120P for 3-4 years now, and while it's great, I long for a few more lumens out the front. I wouldn't give up the UI for the world, though.

Sounds like you need to mod your 120P with an XM-L emitter, around 260 or so lumens. Very noticeably brighter than the stock SSC P4.

 

[thingsforjason]

That sounds like a fabulous idea. Imma start searching the forums for this mod now...I'm just apprehensive about opening up this light, I guess.

So there really isn't any current manufacturers with a UI like the Novatacs? I was okay tearing apart my $30 Nuwai QIII but I ended up buying my 120P after I lost two modded QIIIs.

Sounds like you need to mod your 120P with an XM-L emitter, around 260 or so lumens. Very noticeably brighter than the stock SSC P4.

 

[think2x]

That sounds like a fabulous idea. Imma start searching the forums for this mod now...I'm just apprehensive about opening up this light, I guess.

So there really isn't any current manufacturers with a UI like the Novatacs? I was okay tearing apart my $30 Nuwai QIII but I ended up buying my 120P after I lost two modded QIIIs.

There is information about the mod on here somewhere and there are several members on here that can do the mod for a reasonable fee if you don't want to try it yourself. Myself being one as well as vinhnguyen54,Flucero28 and jake royston are a few others that come to mind. Vinh Frank or Jake, if any of you prefer I remove your name I will kindly do so, I was just naming a few people that come to mind that do quality work.

EDIT: Nichia 219 is my favorite mod but I don't fuss much about output (the 219 is plenty of lumens for daily tasks). The XM-L has a FAT hotspot in the NT that I find very useful. The XP-G is also nice with great output if your like a little more throw than the XM-L.

Jamie

 

[swtws6]

I have a Novatac that I would really like to have modded to XML, Ive been looking for who does this. Anyone ready to doa mod, and for how much?!

 

[think2x]

I have a Novatac that I would really like to have modded to XML, Ive been looking for who does this. Anyone ready to doa mod, and for how much?!

PM coming at ya.