litzerski
Newly Enlightened
Greetings all. I'm in search of a new single-CR123A pocket-carry EDC flashlight. I used to carry an EagleTac D25C, which I loved. The user interface (with the MANY strobe modes) is kind of a drag, but I got used to it and know it well. Eventually, it stopped working. I tried installing a new clicky switch which didn't fix the problem, so I started carrying my EagleTac D25A in its place and have been carrying it for the last 4-5 years. Now I've been considering purchasing a new D25C, but thought I'd consult with the experts and see if there's anything else I should consider.
I'm looking for a light that is as small as possible, and am pretty set on a single CR123A light, which is one of the reasons I really dig the D25C. Looking for a floody beam as the main uses are moonlight mode for early morning don't-wake-up-the-wife uses, low to mid brightness for everyday uses like finding things in dark places, and occasional bright needs. If the beam is a bit spotty/throwy, I'm okay with it too, just lean slightly floody in preference. Tail-stand is great for power outages. I've used both forward and reverse clicky lights and both have their advantages. In the perfect world, I'd prefer 3 or 4 levels of brightness (moon, low, med, high) with no blinky modes (or reasonably hidden blinky modes).
So, what do y'all recommend? Should I get myself another EagleTac D25C, or switch it up with something different?
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
_X__This will be mail-order or Online (location doesn't matter).
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
_X__Up to $100.
3) Format:
_X__I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).
4) Size:
_X__TINY - Every day carry (2-4 inches).
5) Emitter/Light source:
_X__LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
6) Manufacturer:
_X__I want to buy a light from a large/traditional manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
7) What power source do you want to use?
_X__I intend to use "Primary"/Disposable Lithium batteries based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D and CR123 sized cells common to most stores (often a cold weather or long storage choice).
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 not a happy experience).
_X__I want to navigate a dark room or read a map (1-10 lumens).
_X__I want an indoor "blackout" light (15-50 lumens)
_X__I want to confidently walk around an unlit/unpaved rural area (60-150 lumens).
_X__I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).
9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
_X__Wide Flood: I want a defined flood area for semi-close tasks like after-dark campsite tasks or working on a car.
_X__Narrow Flood: I want a sharply defined flood area that will project some distance for tasks like trail walking.
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
_X__Less than 1 yard/meter (reading, other close work)
_X__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)
10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum continuous output).
_X__30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
_X__Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
_X__I want a forward clicky (Helpful for momentary activation and signaling).
_X__I want a reverse clicky (For use with multi-mode/level lights).
_X__I want a momentary switch (Predominantly for use with signaling and short bursts of momentary light only).
_X__I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today's high end lights).
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
_X__I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
_X__I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
_X__I want a programmable light.
14)Material/Finish/Coating
_X__I don't care.
15) Water resistance
_X__IPX7 (Waterproof to 1 meter/30min)
16) Storage conditions
_X__ Will be carried in my front pocket
17) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any/all below.
_X__Tailstand
Here's pictures of my worn in D25A that I've been carrying every day for about 5 years.
I'm looking for a light that is as small as possible, and am pretty set on a single CR123A light, which is one of the reasons I really dig the D25C. Looking for a floody beam as the main uses are moonlight mode for early morning don't-wake-up-the-wife uses, low to mid brightness for everyday uses like finding things in dark places, and occasional bright needs. If the beam is a bit spotty/throwy, I'm okay with it too, just lean slightly floody in preference. Tail-stand is great for power outages. I've used both forward and reverse clicky lights and both have their advantages. In the perfect world, I'd prefer 3 or 4 levels of brightness (moon, low, med, high) with no blinky modes (or reasonably hidden blinky modes).
So, what do y'all recommend? Should I get myself another EagleTac D25C, or switch it up with something different?
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
_X__This will be mail-order or Online (location doesn't matter).
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
_X__Up to $100.
3) Format:
_X__I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).
4) Size:
_X__TINY - Every day carry (2-4 inches).
5) Emitter/Light source:
_X__LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
6) Manufacturer:
_X__I want to buy a light from a large/traditional manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
7) What power source do you want to use?
_X__I intend to use "Primary"/Disposable Lithium batteries based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D and CR123 sized cells common to most stores (often a cold weather or long storage choice).
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 not a happy experience).
_X__I want to navigate a dark room or read a map (1-10 lumens).
_X__I want an indoor "blackout" light (15-50 lumens)
_X__I want to confidently walk around an unlit/unpaved rural area (60-150 lumens).
_X__I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).
9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
_X__Wide Flood: I want a defined flood area for semi-close tasks like after-dark campsite tasks or working on a car.
_X__Narrow Flood: I want a sharply defined flood area that will project some distance for tasks like trail walking.
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
_X__Less than 1 yard/meter (reading, other close work)
_X__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)
10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum continuous output).
_X__30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
_X__Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
_X__I want a forward clicky (Helpful for momentary activation and signaling).
_X__I want a reverse clicky (For use with multi-mode/level lights).
_X__I want a momentary switch (Predominantly for use with signaling and short bursts of momentary light only).
_X__I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today's high end lights).
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
_X__I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
_X__I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
_X__I want a programmable light.
14)Material/Finish/Coating
_X__I don't care.
15) Water resistance
_X__IPX7 (Waterproof to 1 meter/30min)
16) Storage conditions
_X__ Will be carried in my front pocket
17) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any/all below.
_X__Tailstand
Here's pictures of my worn in D25A that I've been carrying every day for about 5 years.