Does this light exist?

[Planterz]

I'm looking for a EDC light. Bright, compact, and easy to carry. I have a Surefire L2, but it's too long for normal pocket carry (when cycling with it in my pocket, I'm constantly flashing it on). Yes, I've looked through candlepowerforums.com but I can't make heads or tails from half that stuff. I don't really feel like registering there and making newbie questions. I've scoured flashlightreviews.com and have come close to several, but they just slightly miss on one or two requirements.

Here's what the light MUST have:

1 cell maximum. CR123A or AA. If the light is 5" or less, 2 CR123A is OK.
HAIII anodized, no less.
40+ Lumen output.
Regulated.
Pocket clip. I don't like sheaths.
Not too expensive. Say, less that $100.

A bonus would be adjustable output (2 or more levels).

I'm not interested in mods that require more than drop-in installation.

The ones that come close are:

Fenix L1P. No clip. I have one on order, and this looks like it'd be about perfect if it weren't for the lack of pocket clip.
Peak Caribbean. No clip.
Surefire L1. Not as bright as I'd like. A bit expensive.
Surefire L4. Big, expensive.
Various Nuwai lights. Only HAII anodized.
AmiLite Neo T3. No clip.
Nightcutter M60L. Discontinued.

The HDS Systems Ultimate EDC indeed looks like it'd be the ultimate light for me. But these are waaaaaaaay out of my price range.

Alternatively, is there someone who'd be able to add a clip to one of the lights above? Like perhaps the AmiLite or the Peak (or the Fenix I already have coming)? And by "add a clip" I mean an actual screwed-in clip, not just a slip-on like on the Arc AAA or Mini Maglight.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

 

[SIFU1A]

ya could get a surefire E1e or E2e & put a KL1 LED head on it, i have 1 like that & thats what i edc.

 

[a deadly fart]

I'd say stick with the Fenix as the feel i get from people over at CPF are comparing it to the Nuwai q31cell and saying that the Fenix lux1 outperforms the nuwai lux3. Surefire is a great product but I like you have a hard time justifying spending so much on a flashlight, I'd rather spend it on a blade. The Inova T1 is pretty damn bright too and small for carry but its more of a spotlight with limited use.

 

[Peter Atwood]

You're going to love the Fenix so much that you will put up with the pouch or else you'll put up with slipping a minimag style or Gerber Infinity pocket clip on it. That's my guess. If the Fenix had a screwed on pocket clip I think it would be just about the perfect EDC light.

 

[Sproles]

The Fenix will fit into a GLO TOOB blet harness/cip thingy. Do a search on google for GLO TOOB or look on cpf.com and they will discuss it.

Don't know if that helps with the lack of a clip or not.

Sproles

 

[Charlie Moore]

The HDS Systems Ultimate EDC indeed looks like it'd be the ultimate light for me. But these are waaaaaaaay out of my price range.

I've seen the HDS Basic 42 for as little at $106. Some smart shopping may work here. You will have to live with the 4 factory preset light levels, but, it will output a real 42 lumens on the high level setting.

I'm a Fenix fan too, have three of them; but, I note you have a Surefie L2. Based on owning and using the L2, I suspect your exectations for an EDC will be a bit higher than most.

Good luck on your search and ultimate purchase.

 

[T.K.C.]

How about an Arc Premium, but then of course you would have to pre-order it and wait. Although Lighthound has some Arc's. The Sure Fire E1e is an excellent small light. And I have heard nothing but raves about Fenix lights too!!

 

[Flotsam]

The clip from a mini-mag or CMG infinity will fit on the Fenix (w/ minimal work, if any).

The Fenix is now my favorite carry light - surplanting my Surefire E2e, Arc AAA, etc...

 

[Manifest]

The HDS Systems Ultimate EDC indeed looks like it'd be the ultimate light for me. But these are waaaaaaaay out of my price range.

Like the above poster said, you can find the HDS for cheaper if you shop around a bit. I got my HDS Ultimate 42 for $150 along with 10 free CR123 batteries from BatteryStation. This really is an amazing light, it is worth every penny. Also, after buying this flashlight, I have stopped going to CPF and stopped wanting other flashlights, so in the long run, it is actually saving me money

Another way might be to get E1E with KL1 head. I don't think this will give you 40 lumens but is small and will run on 1 cell.

 

[Caress of Steel]

SureFire E1L...it's the same as E1E except that it comes with the KL1 (the new version) already installed. 25 Lumens and a nice tight white (very little blue tint) beam pattern. It also comes with the clickie tailcap with momentary and constant on/off...the E1E had the rotating tailcap with momentary on/off. Nice light; I EDC one the majority of the time. :thumbup:

John

 

[Planterz]

Out of curiosity, would it be possible to run a KL4 head off of an E1 body? Runtime would be short I imagine, but it'd be a hell of a lot of light in a small package. If this does work, how about a R123 rechargable in an E1/KL4?

I think an L1 would be perfect if it had more output.

 

[Charlie Moore]

Out of curiosity, would it be possible to run a KL4 head off of an E1 body? Runtime would be short I imagine, but it'd be a hell of a lot of light in a small package. If this does work, how about a R123 rechargable in an E1/KL4?

I think an L1 would be perfect if it had more output.

Yes, and many do this including me. A R123 battery shortens the runtime with it's reduced capacity compared to a primary 123 battery; but, this combo is brighter given the R123's higher voltage.

There are a couple potential got-ya's here though. Some KL4 heads have too high a forward voltage to work with only a three volt primary cell (perhaps 10 to 15 percent of the KL4's -- no hard data here, just what I've read from several sources). Additionally, this small combo gets pretty hot with only a few minutes of use. Some find it too hot to hold.

If you are going to go this route, try to test the KL4 on a single primary 123 and note the tint too, sometimes the tint changes more than one would like with less than 6 volts for the KL4.