Wow...Thanks for all the responses! What I'm getting from this is that a good number of you carry something even smaller than the Emisar d4 and Zebra's SC600 series of lights. While others, say it all about the need at the time. Great advice from all sources. So I would say that Lumens (1000 or more), high CD's and a good throw are very important to me. I just got the Zebra Sc600w Mark IV! I really think this is one of the best I've seen at this size. But at the same time, I really love my Thrunite TN12 too. I also have the Emisar D4 on it's way to me and can't wait to do a comparison on it vs the Zebra. Smaller lights( finger size lights) ...just don't cut it for me, no offense. The Zebra and Emisar are the smallest that I would want to go.
Wow...Thanks for all the responses! What I'm getting from this is that a good number of you carry something even smaller than the Emisar d4 and Zebra's SC600 series of lights. While others, say it all about the need at the time. Great advice from all sources. So I would say that Lumens (1000 or more), high CD's and a good throw are very important to me. I just got the Zebra Sc600w Mark IV! I really think this is one of the best I've seen at this size. But at the same time, I really love my Thrunite TN12 too. I also have the Emisar D4 on it's way to me and can't wait to do a comparison on it vs the Zebra. Smaller lights( finger size lights) ...just don't cut it for me, no offense. The Zebra and Emisar are the smallest that I would want to go.
It all comes down to what a person needs in a light.
Why carry my ZebraLight SC600, which is bigger, when a smaller light will do the same job?
If you're farmer John and you have to go look for Mr. Ed, out in the pasture, then smaller lights might not cut it. Same deal if you're a cop on the beat, at night, who uses a light for many. many minutes.
I have blasters here but never seem to need the bigger batteries, or throw.
Make sure you get some Sony VTC5a cells for your D4. They're the best at handling the currents that the light runs on.
Chris
Thanks Chris. So I already bought Panasonic flat top 3500 batteries. Did I go wrong?
Thanks Chris. So I already bought Panasonic flat top 3500 batteries. Did I go wrong?
Yes, if they're the Sanyo-Panasonic NCR-GAs, which are good up to 10A continuous.
The D4 can pull between 15A-20A on turbo, so something like the Sony VTC5a, which can handle 30A continuous, is the way to go.
Even the Samsung 30Q, which is good for 15A, will be running at its redline.
Now, if you're never using turbo, then sure, those cells will work, but where's the fun in that?
Chris
Thanks Chris. So I already bought Panasonic flat top 3500 batteries. Did I go wrong?
Yes, if they're the Sanyo-Panasonic NCR-GAs, which are good up to 10A continuous.
The D4 can pull between 15A-20A on turbo, so something like the Sony VTC5a, which can handle 30A continuous, is the way to go.
Even the Samsung 30Q, which is good for 15A, will be running at its redline.
Now, if you're never using turbo, then sure, those cells will work, but where's the fun in that?
Chris
OK I just got the Sony vtc5 batteries. I don't see any difference in the beam output on lumens. Was there a difference and reason why people go for Sony vtc5 over Panasonic?
OK I just got the Sony vtc5 batteries. I don't see any difference in the beam output on lumens. Was there a difference and reason why people go for Sony vtc5 over Panasonic?
What don't you understand about my reply?
Our eyes aren't very good at distinguishing between 3,500LM and 3,100LM.
You're stressing a 10A cell when you use it in a light that pulls 15A-20A of current, on turbo.
Chris
It is very hard to tell the difference by eye Methos, so if you get(just an example here) 3200lm from the GA and 3800lm from the vtc5, your eyes will be hard pushed to see any difference. Where the vtc5 do win out, is they can handle the high amp ask of the light, which basically means the voltage wont sag as much as the GA cell. Also another example, your voltage maybe around 3.8v, with the GA it may not hold 100% output for long due to sag(or 100% of the GA output). The sony vtc5 may hold the 100% output for longer or allow you to get it when the GA cell will not. Those are just rough n ready examples, the vtc5 is a better suited cell as its not being pushed to its limits(and potentially beyond) when used at max. The vtc5 is the better cell for that type of use...............all be it a short one with either cell.
Thanks Chris. But I guess I'm trying to understsnd if the difference is in actual brightness (something I can see) or just in the stats and run times?
I have a stainless steel Ultratac K18 NW on my keychain. I rarely *need* anything else for EDC.
It gets crazy bright with a 3.7V 10440 aaa size cell, advertised at 360lm but I think more. It's obviously not good for longer use, but it gets the job done for most EDC cases. UI is a little weird, you have to double click to lock/unlock or it comes on in the pocket and burns your leg. But the ease of one-handed use of a forward clicky keychain light has kinda turned me off twisty 1xaaa's.
Up from that, a Manker E11 NW with a 14500 is advertised as 800 lumens, love this light, tiny and easily pocketable, crazy bright with the LiIon cell and pretty great even with NiMH.
A bit larger but with significant higher runtime of course is my Zebra SC64w, advertised as 1400 lumens of 80+ CRI 4500K neutral white. I don't normally carry it around in my pocket, except inside the house at night, but I easily could, the thing is tiny.
Any larger than the SC64w I wouldn't regularly pocket carry, would go in a backpack, glove compartment, etc. For a while the nitecore MH20 was my main 1x18650 light, it's still great, but couldn't go in pants pocket like the SC64 can. And I have a few Convoys with nice tints, but they are just too large for EDC.