Which flashlight material do you prefer?

gustophersmob · **on:** April 07, 2013, 05:10:35 PM

Howdy!

Just wondering which material you prefer for flashlights?

For AAA sized lights, I prefer stainless. The finish holds up much better in pocket, and the added weight doesn't bother me at that size, really it provides a nice confidence-inspiring heft.

For AA and larger sizes, I prefer HAIII Aluminum. The cost and weight seem ideal for a flashlight in this size. Although, I do not care for standard black HAIII as I am not a ninja, and bare Al threads are just asking for trouble.

I (surprisingly maybe for a flashaholic) do not like Ti. Every one I've ever tried has terrible feeling threads. Too much $ for the "benefit" of galling threads, IMO.

As far as thermal conductivity, I know aluminum is supposed to be far better than everything except gold, silver and copper; but if the light and its thermal path is properly designed, I think any material can be made to work.

What say you?

AimlessWanderer · **Reply #1 on:** April 07, 2013, 05:23:52 PM

Aluminium for me.

I'm not overly bothered how the finish holds up as long as the light keeps working, and aluminium is light enough, strong enough and cheap enough. Once you start going into other materials the weight and/or costs start going up, which means I'm less likely to buy it. I'll put up with the scratches and acquired character on aluminium bodies in order to keep my lights affordable and comfortable in the pocket

tattoosteve99 · **Reply #2 on:** April 07, 2013, 05:50:20 PM

Ha3 is hard to beat. So aluminum is for me. If I was uber rich all would be in blackened ti but that ain't happening.

legtu · **Reply #3 on:** April 07, 2013, 08:57:17 PM

aluminum for me. HAIII or the worn/beaten up HA look is fine.

Heinz Doofenshmirtz · **Reply #4 on:** April 08, 2013, 07:18:39 AM

Another AL with HA3 fan here!

Hard to beat it for its combination of strength to weight ratio, and heat dissipation ability, all in one material. I agree with Steve-O for the most part though... If I had the $$$ I'd go for more Ti customs and if I could find it, ones with copper inserts for heat dissipation. Not gonna happen any time in the near future for me though!

My Preon is the only light I've got that I care at all about how it looks, but when I pocket carry it, I clip it rather than let it ride loose in my pocket.

mvyrmnd · **Reply #5 on:** April 08, 2013, 07:36:48 AM

Ti or bare Al for me

Anodizing always wears off and looks crap. Cerakote is even worse.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #6 on:** April 08, 2013, 08:49:30 AM

I think brass looks stunning, but it is too heavy and needs polishing up too often for my tastes

Al with type III suits me just fine

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

gustophersmob · **Reply #7 on:** April 08, 2013, 02:58:13 PM

I'm actually kind of surprised how many people have pick aluminum so far. After being around CPF for awhile, I assumed everyone would pick Ti.

Maybe us MTOers are a more practical lot!

Zed · **Reply #8 on:** April 08, 2013, 03:44:08 PM

Yep aluminium for me too, I just love worn anodising on ali

tattoosteve99 · **Reply #9 on:** April 08, 2013, 10:56:20 PM

I'm on cpf all the time. I had a Ti light and tbh it's just to pricey to use, unless that's what you like.

stealth007s · **Reply #10 on:** April 08, 2013, 11:16:23 PM

I only own 2 torches, the G2X Pro Surefire and a LED Lenser that I got in Iraq. The G2X is nitrolon polymer which is pretty tough. I really don't have much to compare it to so I went with other.

wndrstrck · **Reply #11 on:** April 08, 2013, 11:42:47 PM

I love copper. The AA Maratac I picked up is beautiful and tarnishes up real nice and talk about smooth threads. In my local with the atmospere here I am getting some deep nutty brown. To bad the interface sucks, high is ok but the low mode is useless.

Sent from my Galaxy Note II

nuphoria · **Reply #12 on:** April 10, 2013, 02:07:11 PM

I'm a bit of a Ti whore, but also think Alu is generally the best material to use and copper is rather sexy

Heinz Doofenshmirtz · **Reply #13 on:** April 11, 2013, 02:23:46 AM

Quote from: gustophersmob on April 08, 2013, 02:58:13 PM

I'm actually kind of surprised how many people have pick aluminum so far. After being around CPF for awhile, I assumed everyone would pick Ti.

Maybe us MTOers are a more practical lot!

Personally, I think the only advantage Ti has is that it's tougher than snot... you can beat the pi$$ out of Ti and it keeps going strong. Not that there aren't tough AL lights though. Oh, and Ti can be made to look real purty, which is hard with AL...

I think you're right about there being differences between MT.O'ers and CPF'ers... but I won't go into that... my history with CPF has alreday been well advertised here!

Styerman · **Reply #14 on:** April 11, 2013, 04:06:37 AM

Ti doesn't conduct heat as well as Alum. , which is not good in an LED lite . One of my fave EDC lites has an Alum. body , and a Ti bezel ( more protection to the bezel threads , if dropped )

I want to try a stainless penlight , and EDC light .

Chris

Heinz Doofenshmirtz · **Reply #15 on:** April 11, 2013, 10:29:36 PM

Quote from: Styerman on April 11, 2013, 04:06:37 AM

Ti doesn't conduct heat as well as Alum. , which is not good in an LED lite . One of my fave EDC lites has an Alum. body , and a Ti bezel ( more protection to the bezel threads , if dropped )

I want to try a stainless penlight , and EDC light .

Chris

Yeah, that was my point... sorry for not being clearer.

I certainly wouldn't mind Ti lens and tailcap bezels for a couple of the Solarforce hosts I have!

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