A little help on Flashlight 201 please...

Sproles

Sproles

Joined
Jan 11, 1999
Messages
700
Ok folks - here is the deal:
I am a current carrier of a SureFire (SF) E1e and have a SF E2e and also an Inova X5T, but I am looking for some changes.

I wear a suit everyday and the E1 is slightly too large for EDC, but I refuse to be without my light, so I am in the market for something that is smaller, brighter and just as easy to use. NOW, before everyone suggests that I go over to candlepower forums...I have and they all want me to spend my first child's college fund on a flashlight. Seriously though, their idea of a reasonably priced light consists of the Arc4 ($150) or this semi-custom thing (Fire~Fly) at around $120. A little steep for me.

I know, that when you ask guys like that, what can you expect. I am a member of ALL the big forums, firingline, candlepower, bladeforums...when you ask an addict about how to get a fix, he will direct you to the best stuff.

I need something that is good quality, but I really don't need the Rolls-Royce.

So, any suggestions? It can be LED or incand. - I don't care and I would like it to be alittle smaller (if possible) than my E1 and I can get rid of the Inova if I need to raise some money for it.

Thanks guys and I look forward to your thoughts...

David
 
Go to CPF and do a search for the Longbow Micra,might be just what you're looking for and a whole lot cheaper than the Arc4.
 
I think if he finds the E1e too large for EDC, he will have the same problem with the Longbow Micra. His best bet would be to keep an eye out on the BST forum on CPF for one of the original ARC LS series lights, and buy a twisty tailpack for it here

IMO, this is still the best compromise of size, brightness and cost.
 
The E1e is about as small as you can get, and stil have decent brightness. I don't like LED's too much, so I can't comment on the ARC or Longbow.

--dan
 
You could also check out an ARC aaa or even a Dorcy aaa with a Luxeon mod. I've seen them come up for sale quite often on CPF. Very small form factor that you are looking for, and sell for around $40-75. Shorter runtime is the sacrafice you pay for size, though...
 
Smaller, brighter and cheaper than the E1? Realistically speaking I just don't think that you're going to find one of those anytime soon. There's lots of things that are brighter than an E1, but not smaller and cheaper and there's lots of things smaller and cheaper than the E1, but not brighter. You're already limited by technology (brightness of bulb comparative to size, size of battery and electronics, etc.), but if you're limiting it by price it's even more difficult.

There used to be some LS modded Arc AAAs that went for around $50 or so on CPF, but I have no experience with them and don't know if they're still available. There are also some Infinity mods floating around out there but like the AAA mod I don't have any clue as to the specifics or availability.
 
I agree, smaller, brighter, cheaper than the E1 seems like a very tall order.

For something that's a bunch smaller, lighter, cheaper, and you're willing to sacrifice maybe 30-40% of the brightness or so, there's the UKE 2AAA side-by-side, shown here: http://www.brightguy.com/detail_int.html?cart=108541650341134&sku=UND09005 That's kind of my default very-lightweight light that still has a decent amount of light coming from it. It's a great light.

I dislike the E1 because I don't think the narrow beam is very useful, and you lose too much light when you put the beamshaper on it. So, I use a KL4 on an E1 body. I actually usually remove the E1 body entirely and put the KL4 on a Vital Gear 123A tube, which is much smaller. That's a smaller and much brighter package than the E1, but much more expensive as well.

Edit: Actually, just foudn this. Sold out, unfortunately. I'll see if I can find out if there will be another run. http://tnccustomproducts.com/Mercha...re_Code=TnC&Product_Code=KC1&Category_Code=1F

Won't be as bright as an E1, nor have as much runtime, but probably very passable, and it's tiny.



Joe
 
As said above, you're asking for a bit too much. A little over a hundred bucks for a great flashlight like the Firefly (I own one) really isn't that much. You can put it on your keychain so that you're never without light. Select different modules based on your needs. Super bright (brighter than your E1E), super long runtime, whatever. In a year when newer and better modules are out, its easy to upgrade. Seriously, its the only real upgradeable and customizable keychain light.

Other than that, you're going to want to keep an eye out for an older ARC LS thats been modded. Prices should come down on these soon because of the huge number of surplus parts that ARC just dumped via ebay. That makes for a good pocket EDC.

Mark
 
My .02.
Get an Arc LS second ($50), or spring for a regular Arc LSH, trade the clickie for a twistie, or buy one for ~$12.
I have a Surefire L4, Longbow Micra, etc, and have tried several other of the "nice" lights, and a couple of mods.
I particularly love the L4, but it's a Arc LS second with a twistie that stays in my pocket all the time, because it's the handiest, easiest to carry light with good output that I own.
I have two seconds, and a first (actually ex-girlfriend still has my first :mad: but anyway), and have been 100% happy with them.
 
Sproles said:
so I am in the market for something that is smaller, brighter and just as easy to use
David
Click to expand...
That is a VERY tall order when you throw in your price limit. I too would recommend an arc ls with a twistie tailcap. However, the FireFly will get you a better size even though it will come at a premium. Part of the reason that these lights are so expensive is that there is not much competition in that form factor.
 
OwenM said:
My .02.
Get an Arc LS second ($50), or spring for a regular Arc LSH, trade the clickie for a twistie, or buy one for ~$12.
I have a Surefire L4, Longbow Micra, etc, and have tried several other of the "nice" lights, and a couple of mods.
I particularly love the L4, but it's a Arc LS second with a twistie that stays in my pocket all the time, because it's the handiest, easiest to carry light with good output that I own.
I have two seconds, and a first (actually ex-girlfriend still has my first :mad: but anyway), and have been 100% happy with them.
Click to expand...

were can ya get the arc seconds?? from arc??


greg
 
Don't hesitate, go for the Firefly. My favorite pocket light. I have not been without it since I got it.
 
SIFU1A said:
were can ya get the arc seconds?? from arc??


greg
Click to expand...
Yeah, they sometimes have the seconds up on site (just checked but I don't see any at the moment) and if you watch the CPF B/S/T they pop up there every once in awhile there too.
 
Smaller, brighter and cheaper than the E1?

Not happening. Pony up, spend the money, and go get a Firefly. Arc4 is to be avoided.

(Or you could do like me and have a CR2 custom built for you...)

Brian
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top