Need a EDC light for back-pocket

X44

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Mar 27, 2013
Messages
6
i just starting to get into flashlights so if my power to size ratio is incorrect im sorry

im looking for 1/2 mode light with the most lumens i can get for its size

one very important thing is that the pocket clip makes the flashlight face bezel down in pocket hide the full body of the light


Thanks


1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?

____I would like to purchase the light from a brick and mortar store. I am located in ______________.
__X__I will be mail-ordering or buying online, so this doesn't matter.


2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest! :)

____Less than $25.
____Less than $50.
_X___Less than $100.
__X__Less than $150.
____Less than $300.
____I have no limit.
____I'm flexible, tell me what you gotJ.
____Other, please specify ________


3) Format:

__X__I want a flashlight.
____I want a headlamp.
____I want a lantern.
____I want a dive light.
____I want a portable spotlight.


4) Flashlight-specific format/size:

____Keychain size.
__X__Every day carry small (2-4 inches).
____Every day carry medium (4-7 inches).
____Holster carry.
____Big enough to need its own travel caseJ.
____I don't care.
____I don't know.
____N/A


5) Emitter/Light source:

_X___LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
____Incandescent (known for superior color rendition)
____HID (known for max output, but often at the expense of size)
____I don't know.


6) Manufacturer:

__X__I want to buy a light from a traditional mass producing manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
____I would consider getting a light that is pieced together (for example a "host" or flashlight body from one manufacturer, and a "drop-in" emitter from another source). Under the right circumstances, this path can provide more options to the consumer to meet specific needs, and can often be easily upgradeable as technology improves.


7) What battery type do you want to use?

____I intend to use alkaline batteries (AAA, AA, C, D) (disclaimer, while it does not preclude all choices, these are not recommended for many of today's most powerful lights)
____I intend to use rechargeable nickel chemistry (NiCad, NiMH, NiZn)
__X__I intend to use lithium primary batteries (CR123, CR2, Energizer Advanced/Ultimate Lithium AA/AAA)
__X__I intend to use rechargeable lithium (li-ion) chemistry. Feel free to specify a size if you know which size you want (14500, RCR123/16340, 17500, 17670, 18650, etc.)
____I want a light with an integrated rechargeable battery. (Note: these choices may be very limited unless you are looking at spotlights)


8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is impossible).

____I want to navigate a dark room or read a map (0-10 lumens).
____I want to walk around an unlit rural area (50-150 lumens).
__X__I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).
__X__I want to illuminate an entire field, the neighbor's front yard several houses down, impress my friends and neighbors, etc. (300-700 lumens).
____I want ridiculous amounts of lumens (800+ lumens).


9) Throw vs. Flood: At what distance will you be most likely to use this light? Select all that apply.

____Less than 1 yard/meter (reading, other close work)
____Less than 5 yards/meters (looking for something inside a dark shed/garage/basement)
__X__5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
__X__30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
____50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)
____150+ yards (I want maximum throw possible)


10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum output).

___X_Up to 30 minutes (I want the brightest [and potentially smallest] light for brief periods)
_X___30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)
__X__90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
___X_3 hours + (I critically need this light to run on max for extended periods in between battery changes/charges).


11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
__X__ Everyday carry light
____Not Important (A "night-stand" light).
____Slightly Important (Walks around the neighborhood).
____Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
____Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival).
____I don't care.
____I don't know.


12) Switch Type and location (choose all that apply):

____I want a forward clicky (Helpful for momentary activation and signaling).
____I want a reverse clicky (For use with multi-mode/level lights).
____I want a momentary switch (Predominantly for use with signaling and short bursts of momentary light only).
____I want a twisty switch (Tighten the head/tailcap to activate, and the light will stay on until the head/tailcap is loosened).
____I want a body mounted switch (near the head, like on a Maglite).
____I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today's high end lights).
____I don't care.
_X___I don't know.
____Other, please specify____________________.


13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.

__X__A simple on-off with only one output level is fine for me.
__X__I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
____I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
____I want a programmable light.
____I want a selector ring.
____I want a strobe mode. (Blinks to show location.)
____I want SOS mode.
____I want a beacon mode.
____I don't care.
____I don't know.


14)Material/Finish/Coating

____Plastic/composite body (this may limit your choices significantly).
__X__Anodized Aluminum – either type II or III (Hard Anodized) (Aluminum, specifically HA, is the most common material/finish for today's flashlights).
_X___Stainless steel (durable, but much heavier than aluminum)
_X___Titanium (durable and nearly as lightweight as aluminum, but can be moderately to significantly more expensive).
____I don't care.
____I don't know.
____Other, please specify____________.


15) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any below.

____Red filter (for preserving night vision).
____Other filter colors (Amber, Green, Blue, _________).
____Dedicated R/G/B secondary LEDs.
____"Hybrid" light (bright incandescent combined with long running LEDs)
__X__Pocket/belt clip
____Holster
____Wrist/Neck Lanyard
____Crenulated bezel
____Non-sparking Intrinsically Safe (IS) for use in explosive environments
 

reppans

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Mar 25, 2007
Messages
4,873
Don't know if you are married to the CR123 platform, but if you intend to use rechargeables most of the time, then I would suggest considering the AA platform instead which gives you more options.... from full (R)CR123 equivalency (3.7v rechargeables and 3.0v primaries), through the ubiquitous AA chemistries, and even emergency household scavenging options. CLICKY

Then you can put together something like a FourSevens Quark AA2-X Tactical (QT2A-X) with an optional 1xAA tube and Deep Pocket Clip to meet all your specifications - you program 2 of 8 modes to be available via loose/tight bezel. Sorry, they don't sell the XML (which is the brightest) in a single cell tube form, and while you can get a 1x123 tube for it, it's so short, there's no room for a clip.
 

X44

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Mar 27, 2013
Messages
6
Don't know if you are married to the CR123 platform, but if you intend to use rechargeables most of the time, then I would suggest considering the AA platform instead which gives you more options.... from full (R)CR123 equivalency (3.7v rechargeables and 3.0v primaries), through the ubiquitous AA chemistries, and even emergency household scavenging options. CLICKY

Then you can put together something like a FourSevens Quark AA2-X Tactical (QT2A-X) with an optional 1xAA tube and Deep Pocket Clip to meet all your specifications - you program 2 of 8 modes to be available via loose/tight bezel. Sorry, they don't sell the XML (which is the brightest) in a single cell tube form, and while you can get a 1x123 tube for it, it's so short, there's no room for a clip.

ah i should if mentioned what kind of batteries. i doesn't really matter to me im open to try any kind!

i have been looking around and came across these
Sunwayman M11R U2 and the V11R.
Nitecore MT1C and MH1C
Fenix PD22
Surefire E1B backup

i like the size to be around what i listed, could very a little tho. there is so much information im started to get overwhelmed. what would u recommend out of that list or any other kind.

Thanks
 

Random Dan

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Jun 30, 2012
Messages
1,371
Yeah, you pretty much just described a Malkoff MDC. If you want the absolute most lumens then go for the CR123 SHO, single output 300lm. Otherwise the regular CR123 is 200lm/60lm/Signal.
 

DrScum

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Mar 9, 2013
Messages
45
Malkoff MDCs are fabulous lights... a little too big around for my back pocket though.
 

X44

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Mar 27, 2013
Messages
6
Yeah, you pretty much just described a Malkoff MDC. If you want the absolute most lumens then go for the CR123 SHO, single output 300lm. Otherwise the regular CR123 is 200lm/60lm/Signal.
there is so may lights out there lol going crazy. Thanks for the recommendation :)


Malkoff MDCs are fabulous lights... a little too big around for my back pocket though.

what do you mean by too big? is it the diameter? because from what i see on the site the lengths are fine.
 

DrScum

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Mar 9, 2013
Messages
45
Diameter... I don't like anything over an inch in diameter for back pocket carry.
 

DrScum

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Mar 9, 2013
Messages
45
JetBeam RRT-0 XML. The head is 1 inch diameter... I still wish it was a bit smaller around though.
 

Poppy

Flashaholic
Joined
Dec 20, 2012
Messages
8,425
Location
Northern New Jersey
You might like to take a look at the thrunite Neutron series.
I have the one that takes 2 RCR123 batteries and like it.
http://www.thrunite-store.com/flash...55lumens-2c-xm-l-t6-led-flashlight-torch.html

It is about the size of a cigar. The body will not take an 18650 battery (as many of the 2C's do) because it is a bit thinner. The body and head are the same diameter. The diameter is about 13/16ths (just over 3/4 an inch.) Due to the placement of the clip though, the tailcap will stick out side the back pocket by 1 1/2 inches.

Overall, I think that if I wanted a back pocket carry, I would look to a AA body. Even a C123 body would probably wear a hole in the pocket too quickly for me.
 
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