Any 5mm love?

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Almost all of my torches are 5mm, as I just love there simplicity and robustness

Infact the only non 5mm I have is an Zebralight SC80, which although great, just doesn't give me the same user satisfaction as a simple E01 or Gerber Infinity

Anyway please show your appreciation for the humble 5mm LED

[AimlessWanderer]

My torches are predominantly fitted with the modern emitters, although I do have one 5mm Gerber (not sure which) in my Bear Grylls Survival Pack (the one with the midified Strata and firesteel). I must admit I'm quite impressed with the simplicity and effectiveness of that light. A pleasant and usable bean, and superb runtimes too.

Another Gerber I have is the rather bulky and bonkers Omnivore, which is riddled with those ... what do you flashies call them ... artifacts? A nasty horrible messy beam full of rings and irregularities ... but will run on the batteries other appliances have given up on. Able to consume AA AAA or CR123, this can hoover up all the other "dead" batteries to make sure they really are empty. Not a bad light for kicking about the house or for when you're not quite sure what batteries you'll be able to get hold of. To be honest I haven't got a clue what chucks light out on that (5mm or not) as it's too tricky to see through that big funky lens 

My favourite and arguably the simplest old style LED lights are my 9V PakLites. I have three of them, and they are bloody fantastic. Pleasant usable beam, and they run forever. I originally bought three in an online deal probably about 5 years ago or so, and I've always had one of these kicking around somewhere close as a back up light since then.

I don't rate any of these as a primary light, and do prefer the modern emitters and versatility of light levels and modes they give as EDC - but as back up lights tucked here and there, it's nice to know there's something there that won't let you down. They're kind of like the Opinel's of the torch realm, cheap simple and very effective 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

it's nice to know there's something there that won't let you down. They're kind of like the Opinel's of the torch realm, cheap simple and very effective 

That's a fair summation of them, but I do tend to use them as my main light's as I rarely need to see thing's at a distance at work ect as it's usually in loft spaces or poking round an aircon unit that needs fixing

[AimlessWanderer]

it's nice to know there's something there that won't let you down. They're kind of like the Opinel's of the torch realm, cheap simple and very effective 

That's a fair summation of them, but I do tend to use them as my main light's as I rarely need to see thing's at a distance at work ect as it's usually in loft spaces or poking round an aircon unit that needs fixing

Good call mate 

I tend to need a bit of extra oomph for locking up at work, bore inspections, gearbox inspections (often relying on light bounce in a grubby gearbox), perimeter checks at the boatyard, remote inspections ... yadder yadder yadder ... though a lot of the time, yes one of these would do fine. Past couple of nights I found myself nipping downstairs with just the 0.9 lumen moonlight mode on a thrunite to grab something I'd forgotten (usually my phone for the alarm function), and there's nothing worse for trying to read a map than a torch which won't deliver a low enough setting That can be your night vision wrecked for the next 15 mins 

On a campsite, or away for the weekend, I'll often have a simple low level light as reserve in case my EDC goes to sleep. They've got me out of a fix WAY too many times to class them as ineffective or outdated. I think Paklites have gone out of production now, which makes me really glad I bought three 

[kiak]

I'm using Petzl Tikka headlamp with 4 5mm LEDs. I'm very pleased with it-it's excelent for walking. But few nights ago I tried to ride a bike with it, and that doesn't work. I had to fire my Fenix LD12 to find the way...

[parnass]

I keep an Arc AAA-P flashlight in my pocket when sleeping at night.  It employs a 5mm LED and is shown on the left in this photo.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I love my Arc too

I'd like to get a Tikkà too at some point

[AimlessWanderer]

My Petzl e+lite ... forgot about that.
Photons/fauxtons on every keyring ... forgot about them too.
Yep, looks like 5mm LEDs are on or near me pretty much every day

[Steinar]

I think Paklites have gone out of production now, which makes me really glad I bought three 

I thought they were still around? Their website is alive and kicking, at least: http://9voltlight.com/

[enki_ck]

HUGE 5mm lover here


I have 3 Fenix E01s, a Peak Matterhorn, a Petzl Tikka2 (the updated version), one of those 9v 2/6 LED flashlights (not Pak-Lite) and a Gerber Infinity Ultra M + a 3mm LED upgraded Maglite Solitaire. Maybe some more that I forgot about. I also have a Sunwayman R01A on the way. Ordered it some 2 months ago and it still hasn't arrived I still hope though.

My favourite of the bunch is the Gerber IU. It's such a versatile light. It can take both AA and AAA batteries without an adapter and will run on dead batteries, even the ones the Fenix E01 drained. And that's saying something. It has a nice wide beam that will fill the room and a nice tint. The tint on the E01s is a hit and miss, I have one that is almost white, but also one that's blue, blue, blue

I mostly carry lights with modern emmiters, but I always have a 5mm backup with me, even if it's only a fauxton. You just can't beat the reliability of a 5mm LED.

[kitbeard]

I've drifted into acquiring a small collection of 5mm flashlights, partly because I'm a sad character who just has to collect things and partly because I use the 5mms enough to give myself an excuse for collecting them.  At the moment, I've got an ITP A3 EOS; a Fenix E01 in blue; a Sunwayman R01A; a Thrunight T1 (firefly version) in blue; a Thrunite T0 in black; and a Nitecore K1.  I've also got a Tank 007 red beam version that I use in the house because I get up for work a lot earlier than my wife and this lets me find clothes and avoid bedroom furniture, etc without waking her up.  This is good for my longeivity.

I don't have a particular favourite but I am very impressed with the standard of F&F on the Thrunites: the T1 seems to me to be very well made, with very grippy texturing,  and it has an impressive 60 lumens beam on high mode.  Although I haven't used the Sunwayman that often yet, it's not obviously outclassed in anyway by my other single mode flashlights and the anti-roll design is very effective - the Sunwayman won't roll off a surface into a dark corner. 

Unfortunately, I think that I'm going to acquire another 5mm fairly soon, probably as a birthday present for myself.  I've occassionaly considered higher end flashlighs such as the Peak models but have never pressed the trigger on one simply because of how good I am at losing my flashlights - although it's not too bad to lose a £12 Fenix, I wouldn't be very happy to lose something in the price range of a Peak.  However, at the moment I'm interested in the 4Sevens Preon 1 and wondered if anyone had experience of using them and views about their quality.

[AimlessWanderer]

I think Paklites have gone out of production now, which makes me really glad I bought three 

I thought they were still around? Their website is alive and kicking, at least: http://9voltlight.com/

Oh! It was something I read online somewhere not long ago. I do hope they are still going strong

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I'm glad in not the only one rocking 5mm still

[Sazabi]

I still want to know about those Thrunite coupons for their discounts.

Anyway, I believe it's time for my post in this thread, as some people rightfully joke about.

Off the top of my head:
3 Fenix E01
2 Gerber Infinity Ultra
13 Gerber Infinity Ultra-M, white LED
1 Gerber Infinity Ultra-M, night version/greenish LED

I do want to get a Thrunite or two, especially one of their Firefly lights, though I do like sales, too....

[gustophersmob]

I EDC'd an E01 as my only light for about 2 years.  Great light, basically bomb-proof.  I still have several E01's about in tool kits and other places.  So, I guess I have an appreciation for the strengths of a 5mm light.

These days, though, i EDC a SS LD01 and use a Zebralight sc50w+ when I need more.  I've become spoiled by multi-mode 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Yeah multi modes are good, but I do love the simple things sometimes

[gustophersmob]

I agree.   

One of the thing I like about my newer lights is that they are just a bit brighter on Medium than a single 5mm LED.  I find this helpful at work when there is a lot of ambient light around.

I think a sweet-spot for 5mm's may have been the Peak Matterhorn that had 3 5mm LEDs. Sadly, they were discontinued before I got into lights. 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I'd of loved to get into peaks too, but they were always to expensive, and the website far too confusing for my tastes

[enki_ck]

I'd of loved to get into peaks too, but they were always to expensive, and the website far too confusing for my tastes

I got my 5mm Peak from the guy with the 666 post count Thanks again.

I know a guy on another forum who has a 3 5mm Peak. Do you want me to contact him and ask if he's willing to sell it to you?

[gustophersmob]

I'd of loved to get into peaks too, but they were always to expensive, and the website far too confusing for my tastes

I got my 5mm Peak from the guy with the 666 post count Thanks again.

I know a guy on another forum who has a 3 5mm Peak. Do you want me to contact him and ask if he's willing to sell it to you?

666   

Glad you're still enjoying the Peak!

Not sure if your question was directed at me or Mike LOTS, but I think I'm pretty happy with my light setup right now.  Thanks for the offer, though 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

A year ago I would say yes please mate

But a year ago I actually had money

Thanks for the thought though

[Styerman]

I carry an ARC P as an Ultima Ratio . It has a lithium batt in it , I trust it not to fail .

Chris

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I carry an ARC P as an Ultima Ratio . It has a lithium batt in it , I trust it not to fail .

Chris

They are pretty bombproof

[gregozedobe]

I have several photon freedom micros for my use, and I give away dozens of fauxtons to anyone who does something I appreciate (we don't do monetary tipping much in Oz except at restaurants etc).

I appreciate their very small size and light weight and usefulness.

[Tabasco]

Same here, I really like the Photon Freedom Micro lights.I use them as zipper pulls, and stash them in hat sweat brims with the adjustable holder. One year ago I purchased a Eternalight Elitemax off of a chap on a hot pepper forum. Changed the leds to warm white. Mind boggling run-time, and fun to throw in the pool! 
I can't say enough good things about this light. But to the flash-o-holics it's just "meh". 

Old review:
http://edcreviews.blogspot.com/2006/10/eternalight-elitemax-4z.html

[jock1]

I have had a couple of high end torches but the one I have had the most use of is my little Fenix e01,it's small enough not be a pest ,bright enough to light up under couches ,cupboards and enough of a footpath if your outside to prevent you having to clean your shoes when you get home 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

There a modern classic alright

[NutSAK]

Peak McKinley SS

The Snow White 5mm LEDs Peak used to use in these live up to their name.  This is the CR123 config, and I have a SS 2AA body for it also.

[NutSAK]

No love?  What, are there too many LEDs? 

[gustophersmob]

No love?  What, are there too many LEDs? 

Lots of love here!  Very nice light