Need a new change of light(flashlight)

[MadPlumbarian]

OK, im after a new flashlight, dont get me wrong i have a bunch that i dont use, im just after a new change of light, and a new size, i carry a SureFire 6p led that i changed the bezel out to a defensive one, that's in my EDC murse, i used to carry a Fenix T1, in a handmade leather sheath, thats my fav, a Tactical LED Flashlight with Max 225 Lumens! and another of my fav is a Mag-lite, i changed the bezel out on that and also made it into a LED, with a Terralux TLE-5EX, puts out 140lumens, BRIGHT! that stays on my nightstand, but if you notice there all 2 cell lights and BIG, so im after something that's only a 1 cell, preferably a 123a. cause the ones i carry are the same, and i have a charging system with a bunch of cells, so i might as well put it to use. So something 1-123a, LED, bright, but not to where its going to burn the cell out in under a hour any. Oh and lets keep the $$ down,,  suggestions?  JR

[Gareth]

For something very different to what you've had before why not look at a super compact 1xCR123?  You'll get one of them on your keys and it'll have a low light setting to get some good life out of the cell, plus enough juice on high to light up pretty much any space you'll likely find yourself in.

Some examples are:
Olight i1 EOS (formally know as the iTP A1 EOS)
Fenix E15
4sevens Mini 123

[nuphoria]

Some of my favourite 123 sized lights are these:

http://www.lumapower.com/93U_R5_CW.html

http://goinggear.com/sunwayman-v10r-cree-xm-l-t6-variable-output-1-cr123-led-flashlight.html

[dks]

I do not know how good it is but I have been eyeing this one up:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LEATHERMAN-STYLE-TOOL-V9-MICRO-LED-LENSER-FLASHLIGHT-NEW-831395-/360438948924?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53ebd5e43c

and you get a LM tool with it too.

[Tofty]

The sunwayman is really impressive, hard to put down as the UI is so much fun.
I love the lowest light setting that has the LED just glowing ever so faintly, just enough light to read with, it could possibly run continuously for more than a year.

[MadPlumbarian]

One that has caught my attention was from nitecore, on off, 3 light settings. i hate all this blink, S.O.S. flash crap. ive looked but cant find it but i remember seeing something on replacing the bezel into a defensive one, and also putting a clip on it.. but by the time you add all if the extras your pockets empty, sux! just wish i could keep everything under $40  JR

[Gareth]

Some of my favourite 123 sized lights are these:

http://www.lumapower.com/93U_R5_CW.html

http://goinggear.com/sunwayman-v10r-cree-xm-l-t6-variable-output-1-cr123-led-flashlight.html

Is that the same Sunwayman Al got from you at the meet?  Loved the feel of the buttery smooth dial controller. 

[nuphoria]

Yep

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

Most versatile pocket light on the market right now.

http://www.zebralight.com/H31c-CR123-Headlamp-85-CRI_p_67.html

If you don't want to use it as a headlamp, you can clip it to your collar, a shirt pocket, etc.  It's also a true neutral tint high CRI emitter.  If you want more lumens, you can look at these:

Neutral white:

http://www.zebralight.com/H31w-Headlamp-XP-G-Neutral-White_p_53.html

Cool:

http://www.zebralight.com/H31-Headlamp-CR123-220Lm_p_25.html

If you really want a handheld, there are handheld versions that use the same driver, reflector, and have the same emitter options.

Cool:

http://www.zebralight.com/SC31-220Lm-CR123-Flashlight_p_56.html

Neutral:

http://www.zebralight.com/SC31w-189Lm-CR123-Flashlight-_p_57.html

High CRI:

http://www.zebralight.com/SC31c-CR123-Flashlight-85-CRI_p_73.html

If you're willing to go a little bigger, and also would like the versatility of being able to use either AA, 14500, 123, or 16340, you can look at one of these:

http://www.zebralight.com/SC80-220Lm-AACR123A-Flashlight_p_71.html

Also available in cool, neutral, or high CRI. 

I think they're the best small flashlights on the market right now.  I've got four of them and not one has ever let me down.

Travis is also supposed to be carrying them now, so you don't have to go through ZL if you don't want.

[Sam Quint]

Heinz is right, the Zebralight H31 is a incredible light, it has been my new EDC for a few weeks now.  Bright, tiny, well balanced beam, superior runtime. Uses are limited only by ones[ improv skills. I'm thinking of adding a magnet to the H31 tailcap.

[mvyrmnd]

I'd suggest a Quark 123, but Heinz would slap me!

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

I'd suggest a Quark 123, but Heinz would slap me!

I just might!    (More because I'm jealous of your awesome collection than any preference you have for 123s!)

Seriously though, I'm not a 123 guy... I think they're left overs from the paleolithic era of electronics!  The AA form factor is just much more versatile now.

But still, if you're into 123's, and have an investment in them, it's still quite a viable option.  I just prefer the utility of a well designed AA format light.  Even with a Quark, a well designed light that can take either AA or 14500 is in my mind more versatile than a light that can only use 123s.

And, I'll be the first to admit I have issues with Quarks...     However, the last two I bought were the HCRI 123 models, although I admit so far I've only used them with AA and AA^2 bodies.  Despite my well publicized issues with CPF and Quarks over tint issues (like Simon, I'm a tint snob), I've been very pleased with the HCRI Quarks I got.  At the same time, I don't plan on ever buying another Quark either.

I've got a new pocket light on my want list, and as appealing as the SC80c is, I'll probably get an SC51c instead because of its slightly smaller and more pocket friendly size, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.  I'm on a SAK kick right now, and am collecting knives and parts for some mods I want done, so I probably won't be buying much in the way of torches in the near future.  The only thing on my list that I really want right now other than a new ZL is a warm XML P60 600 lumen module for my L2X extended host; a Nailbender if I can scrape up the $$$, otherwise I'll probably just get one of the Dereelight or ThruNite modules.

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

Heinz is right, the Zebralight H31 is a incredible light, it has been my new EDC for a few weeks now.  Bright, tiny, well balanced beam, superior runtime. Uses are limited only by ones[ improv skills. I'm thinking of adding a magnet to the H31 tailcap.

(Image removed from quote.)

Nice collection!  Is that an LF3 I see over there on the right hand side, next to the Aeon, and an Arc?

[MadPlumbarian]

I'd suggest a Quark 123, but Heinz would slap me!

I just might!    (More because I'm jealous of your awesome collection than any preference you have for 123s!)

Seriously though, I'm not a 123 guy... I think they're left overs from the paleolithic era of electronics!  The AA form factor is just much more versatile now.

But still, if you're into 123's, and have an investment in them, it's still quite a viable option.  I just prefer the utility of a well designed AA format light.  Even with a Quark, a well designed light that can take either AA or 14500 is in my mind more versatile than a light that can only use 123s.

It doesnt have to be a 123, i just fig that it would be better due to its smaller and gives off 3v rather then AA, so it would give off more light, i mean i have 2 chargers for AA's also, just everything ive seen so far has a better lumen rating. id also rather have a end click switch rather then a twist. i dont know too many models out there?  JR

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

I'd suggest a Quark 123, but Heinz would slap me!

I just might!    (More because I'm jealous of your awesome collection than any preference you have for 123s!)

Seriously though, I'm not a 123 guy... I think they're left overs from the paleolithic era of electronics!  The AA form factor is just much more versatile now.

But still, if you're into 123's, and have an investment in them, it's still quite a viable option.  I just prefer the utility of a well designed AA format light.  Even with a Quark, a well designed light that can take either AA or 14500 is in my mind more versatile than a light that can only use 123s.

It doesnt have to be a 123, i just fig that it would be better due to its smaller and gives off 3v rather then AA, so it would give off more light, i mean i have 2 chargers for AA's also, just everything ive seen so far has a better lumen rating. id also rather have a end click switch rather then a twist. i dont know too many models out there?  JR

With lights, like anything else, it's easy to get caught up in decision paralysis.  Honestly, in most of the Zebralights, there's not much difference in top end between the 123 format lights, and the AA ones.  You do see some drop between the cool, to neutral, to HCRI tints, but that's more a function of the emitter than it is the driver voltages.

The difference between the 220 lumens with a 123 and the 200 lumens with an AA from the SC80 with the cool tint emitter is going to be barely noticeable.  Perceptually, a 10% difference is right at the threshold of detectability; some people will be able to see a barely noticeable difference, most people won't.

If you have a bunch of 123 primaries on hand, there's no reason not to get one of the 31 models.  If you'd prefer an AA based unit, they're fine too.  It's really 6 of one, half a dozen of another.  Buy whatever type is going to meet your needs the best.  Honestly, I think a more important decision is whether to choose an H model, or an SC model.  An H is going to be a lot more versatile and have greater utility, but an SC is easier to hold and easier to pocket carry.

I had an SC50w+, an older neutral tint version, that was my go to pocket light for more than a year.  It was an awesome little light, and I never had so much as a single issue with it, and I put some miles on that little light!  I've got an SC51c on my wish list right now, but I've been pretty happy with my SC60w.