What light did you carry today?

Gareth · **Reply #1110 on:** October 04, 2016, 11:43:41 AM

Quote from: Mercury on October 04, 2016, 07:57:20 AM

Quote from: Gareth on September 29, 2016, 01:27:29 AM
Quote from: Mercury on September 28, 2016, 05:39:43 PM
This one's for Gareth...I'm STILL carrying my LM Monarch 300. I don't even know how long I've had this one, but it's been in my pocket for at least 6 years.

Hey, you know I'm a fan too, but I've never quite managed the monogamy to the Monarch that you have.

It's the strangest thing! I don't have much attachment to tools in the big scheme of things, I carry them for a while and get new ones. But this torch and I get along so well that I can't replace it. In fact, I am dying to find another one in case it goes kaput. I bought a streamlight microstream to replace it but it just rides in my bag as a backup. It's funny, I originally had a microstream and it died, so the Monarch was IT'S replacement.

The Rebar on my belt is coming along the same path. It's been my go to tool for 3 years now. I'm turning into my Dad! He carries the same Juice I bought him 11 years ago, and only occasionally swaps it out for one of the other 10 tools I've gotten him since.

I'm getting the same way mate. Since stopping work as building maintenance and taking up the reins as full time dad again I've all but stopped carrying a pliers MT on myself and have gone back to my SAKs, and only have a couple I actually pick up at all regularly.

zoidberg · **Reply #1111 on:** October 04, 2016, 11:47:45 AM

New page banana man dance.

Gareth · **Reply #1112 on:** October 04, 2016, 11:48:33 AM

Oh, and just to prove the lie to the last statement I'm away from home for a couple of days and so have opted to bring this lot with me. Specific to this thread is my new Jetbeam Jet-1 MK. I have to say my initial impressions are that this light and I are going to have a long and happy friendship.

Mercury · **Reply #1113 on:** October 04, 2016, 08:34:19 PM

Quote from: Gareth on October 04, 2016, 11:43:41 AM

Quote from: Mercury on October 04, 2016, 07:57:20 AM
Quote from: Gareth on September 29, 2016, 01:27:29 AM
Quote from: Mercury on September 28, 2016, 05:39:43 PM
This one's for Gareth...I'm STILL carrying my LM Monarch 300. I don't even know how long I've had this one, but it's been in my pocket for at least 6 years.

Hey, you know I'm a fan too, but I've never quite managed the monogamy to the Monarch that you have.

It's the strangest thing! I don't have much attachment to tools in the big scheme of things, I carry them for a while and get new ones. But this torch and I get along so well that I can't replace it. In fact, I am dying to find another one in case it goes kaput. I bought a streamlight microstream to replace it but it just rides in my bag as a backup. It's funny, I originally had a microstream and it died, so the Monarch was IT'S replacement.

The Rebar on my belt is coming along the same path. It's been my go to tool for 3 years now. I'm turning into my Dad! He carries the same Juice I bought him 11 years ago, and only occasionally swaps it out for one of the other 10 tools I've gotten him since.

I'm getting the same way mate. Since stopping work as building maintenance and taking up the reins as full time dad again I've all but stopped carrying a pliers MT on myself and have gone back to my SAKs, and only have a couple I actually pick up at all regularly.

I'm with you, sometimes I just get sick of the extra bulk and go with one knife and my light. I know, it's odd!

The only time I'm fully decked out is at work, where I am currently in building maintenance. I don't like getting caught without something I use regularly so I carry a lot.

NutSAK · **Reply #1114 on:** October 04, 2016, 08:53:58 PM

Quote from: NutSAK on September 27, 2016, 06:49:54 PM

I have many, many "miles" on this little guy. Very few lights in my (rather large) collection can come close to the use and abuse this one has taken. I always run it on Li-Ion with Eneloop backups.

4Sevens Q-MiNi AA Cree XP-G R4 NW

R.I.P. Q-MiNi.....

I bragged last week about all the abuse that light has taken for years, and what happens? The damn thing quit on me last weekend.

Now I'm a bit lost and searching for another small, AA twisty neutral-white light that runs well on Li-Ion or NiMh.

Gareth · **Reply #1115 on:** October 04, 2016, 11:41:40 PM

Damn Terry, that's a crying shame. I'd have a look at the Jetbeam Jet-1 MK. I've only had mine a couple of days but initial impressions are good. Definitely feels well made and I like the light levels and other features. Only thing it's lacking is a NW LED, though the colour on mine is nice and clear with no obvious blue/green/purple tints that I can see.

Gareth · **Reply #1116 on:** October 04, 2016, 11:43:48 PM

Oh, and how about the Eagletac D25A Mini? That should be available in NW if you shop around a bit.

NutSAK · **Reply #1117 on:** October 04, 2016, 11:55:42 PM

Quote from: Gareth on October 04, 2016, 11:41:40 PM

Damn Terry, that's a crying shame. I'd have a look at the Jetbeam Jet-1 MK. I've only had mine a couple of days but initial impressions are good. Definitely feels well made and I like the light levels and other features. Only thing it's lacking is a NW LED, though the colour on mine is nice and clear with no obvious blue/green/purple tints that I can see.

Thanks for the suggestions Gareth. It's going to be difficult to find a replacement, as the operation and levels were just right for me and I'm quite spoiled by NW emitters.

The first thing I'm going to do is send my MiNi back to 4Sevens for (10 year!) warranty replacement. I'm sure I will receive a cool white one back, but that's better than nothing at this point.

Mercury · **Reply #1118 on:** October 05, 2016, 08:08:49 AM

Man Terry, I really feel for you. If my any of my EDC staples quit on me I'd be devastated. Good luck finding a replacement my friend.

enki_ck · **Reply #1119 on:** October 05, 2016, 05:13:20 PM

Quote from: NutSAK on October 04, 2016, 11:55:42 PM

Quote from: Gareth on October 04, 2016, 11:41:40 PM
Damn Terry, that's a crying shame. I'd have a look at the Jetbeam Jet-1 MK. I've only had mine a couple of days but initial impressions are good. Definitely feels well made and I like the light levels and other features. Only thing it's lacking is a NW LED, though the colour on mine is nice and clear with no obvious blue/green/purple tints that I can see.

Thanks for the suggestions Gareth. It's going to be difficult to find a replacement, as the operation and levels were just right for me and I'm quite spoiled by NW emitters.

The first thing I'm going to do is send my MiNi back to 4Sevens for (10 year!) warranty replacement. I'm sure I will receive a cool white one back, but that's better than nothing at this point.

Are you sure you didn't fry it? Maybe it accidentally got turned on in your pocket or such and was in high mode for too long on a Li-ion. Not sure it the warranty would cover the use of Li-ion in the Mini. If I remember correctly they are direct driven then and pump out something like 350lm? which is way more than the factory specs.

NutSAK · **Reply #1120 on:** October 05, 2016, 07:48:37 PM

Quote from: enki_ck on October 05, 2016, 05:13:20 PM

Quote from: NutSAK on October 04, 2016, 11:55:42 PM
Quote from: Gareth on October 04, 2016, 11:41:40 PM
Damn Terry, that's a crying shame. I'd have a look at the Jetbeam Jet-1 MK. I've only had mine a couple of days but initial impressions are good. Definitely feels well made and I like the light levels and other features. Only thing it's lacking is a NW LED, though the colour on mine is nice and clear with no obvious blue/green/purple tints that I can see.

Thanks for the suggestions Gareth. It's going to be difficult to find a replacement, as the operation and levels were just right for me and I'm quite spoiled by NW emitters.

The first thing I'm going to do is send my MiNi back to 4Sevens for (10 year!) warranty replacement. I'm sure I will receive a cool white one back, but that's better than nothing at this point.

Are you sure you didn't fry it? Maybe it accidentally got turned on in your pocket or such and was in high mode for too long on a Li-ion. Not sure it the warranty would cover the use of Li-ion in the Mini. If I remember correctly they are direct driven then and pump out something like 350lm? which is way more than the factory specs.

I'm pretty sure that's not the case. I would have felt the heat in my pocket. When I pulled the cell out after the failure it had a voltage of 4.16, which is basically maximum "resting" voltage for that cell. That voltage would have dropped dramatically if it had been left on on "high" for any period of time. In the 6 years I used the light, I never used it on high for more than a few seconds and it never got hot. It has tight threads and has never once turned on by itself in my pocket, so I can't imagine how it would go from Low > Med > High in my pocket.

In my experience, if you fry an LED, there will be visual evidence such as discoloring or darkening of the die. There is no such evidence here. Also, there will usually be a noticeable drop in output before it completely goes, which I never experienced. I just went to turn it on low, it flashed on and off quickly, then never worked again. My first thought was that the protection circuit of the cell had activated, but that, obviously, was not the case.

NutSAK · **Reply #1121 on:** October 05, 2016, 10:12:46 PM

Since my MiNi died, I guess I'll try out a few that haven't been in my pockets for a long while.

Today's carry:

Gareth · **Reply #1122 on:** October 05, 2016, 11:31:27 PM

Nice.

NutSAK · **Reply #1123 on:** October 05, 2016, 11:49:56 PM

Thanks Gareth. It is a great light. I love the beam, the efficiency, the brightness and the HDS-like UI, but otherwise it's kind of an in-betweener for me. What I mean by that is; there are basically two types of light that I carry, and this one doesn't fit into either category:

1. Tactical clicky
2. Slim, compact (twisty) on a dangler

I carry #2 most of the time, and I want it to virtually disappear in my pocket. #1 still must be comfortable (one reason why I carry 14500 over 16340), but must be immediately available to operate with my left hand in support of a firearm in my right.

The Zebralight head is too broad, the tail sticks up above my pocket, and it's not tactical.

Blackbeard · **Reply #1124 on:** October 06, 2016, 06:18:01 AM

Quote from: Gareth on October 04, 2016, 11:48:33 AM

Oh, and just to prove the lie to the last statement I'm away from home for a couple of days and so have opted to bring this lot with me. Specific to this thread is my new Jetbeam Jet-1 MK. I have to say my initial impressions are that this light and I are going to have a long and happy friendship.

have you tried it with a 14500 lion? its crazy bright, really like this little guy

Gareth · **Reply #1125 on:** October 06, 2016, 10:12:03 AM

Quote from: Blackbeard on October 06, 2016, 06:18:01 AM

Quote from: Gareth on October 04, 2016, 11:48:33 AM
Oh, and just to prove the lie to the last statement I'm away from home for a couple of days and so have opted to bring this lot with me. Specific to this thread is my new Jetbeam Jet-1 MK. I have to say my initial impressions are that this light and I are going to have a long and happy friendship.

have you tried it with a 14500 lion? its crazy bright, really like this little guy

I hadn't until just now when you reminded me it could handle them.

Yup, very bright.

ThePeacent · **Reply #1126 on:** October 06, 2016, 11:40:35 AM

NutSAK · **Reply #1127 on:** October 06, 2016, 06:56:03 PM

Kickin' it semi-oldskool today. This is the only remaining Cree XR-E in my collection. It has been through hell and back. This is the third body for the light--I've switched the guts over twice. Nitecore used some awfully soft aluminum on these.

Gareth · **Reply #1128 on:** October 06, 2016, 08:57:37 PM

I never did get to try the Nitecore piston system. How does it feel compared to a conventional switch?

NutSAK · **Reply #1129 on:** October 06, 2016, 09:15:18 PM

Quote from: Gareth on October 06, 2016, 08:57:37 PM

I never did get to try the Nitecore piston system. How does it feel compared to a conventional switch?

Different.

It just feels like a momentary switch, with a good amount of spring tension. The spring under the contact ring in the head provides some of the tension, and some is provided by the air trapped in the body as it compresses. There's is no "click" feedback--it's a very smooth feeling. The orings are pretty important in this light, but I'm still using the original ones without ever experiencing intrusion of foreign matter. I probably maintain my smurf better than the average schmoe, though.

I just realized I still have one of these like new in the original box that I put aside to sell some years ago. I suppose I should liquidate it...

Gareth · **Reply #1130 on:** October 08, 2016, 02:08:02 PM

Still carrying my Jetbeam Jet-1 MK.

NutSAK · **Reply #1131 on:** October 08, 2016, 02:20:20 PM

I'm liking that little Jet. That one and the 4Sevens MA seems to be very similar, but fairly unique in the market. I'm not a huge fan of AAA cells because it's hard to justify carrying them when you can have nearly double the energy storage in a light as small as these.

clown · **Reply #1132 on:** October 08, 2016, 05:31:26 PM

Gareth · **Reply #1133 on:** October 08, 2016, 06:43:09 PM

Quote from: NutSAK on October 08, 2016, 02:20:20 PM

I'm liking that little Jet. That one and the 4Sevens MA seems to be very similar, but fairly unique in the market. I'm not a huge fan of AAA cells because it's hard to justify carrying them when you can have nearly double the energy storage in a light as small as these.

I'm genuinely impressed with it. Once you get used to the extra size of a compact AA compared to a AAA then, like you, I see it as a no-brainer as to which one to choose. Not that I don't carry any AAA lights any more, but they've got to bring something else to the table. Frankly I still have to find a reason not to be carrying my Eagletac D25A Clicky all the time.

Oh, and if you are prepared to wait a couple of weeks then the Jet-1 can be had very cheaply as well from Gear Best. No connection, no kickbacks etc etc. Just used them a couple of times without any problems.