Flashlights

I will use the XM as an example when I say, generally speaking Robust and Weight usually go hand in hand.
Flashlights, Pens, Watches, Hand Tools are no exception IMO.
 
I received a Maratac Tactical 2 AA flashlight from the wife for Christmas. This is my first non-Maglite in many, many years. I'm talking about 3 D cell Maglites too. It claims to be 510 lumens, but I don't think the math adds up to that amount. For $45 it seemed like a decent light, and I like it. I'm sure a more expensive light would be better in various ways, but this fit our budget and my needs. The 6 modes are pretty cool. High/med/low light, then strobe/1 second flash/3 second flash.
 
I say "Congrats" to any Man who is lucky enough to have a Wife that thinks enough to go out and get him a knife or a light.
That is what I think is way cool. :)
Nice light too, IMO
 
RubiconSS said:
I say "Congrats" to any Man who is lucky enough to have a Wife that thinks enough to go out and get him a knife or a light.
That is what I think is way cool. :)
Nice light too, IMO
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I'm lucky in more ways than just that. 15 years of marriage, 2 kids, ups/downs, sickness/health, and she is still an amazing person inside and out, all that, and she is still hot as hell!
 
muphasta said:
I'm lucky in more ways than just that. 15 years of marriage, 2 kids, ups/downs, sickness/health, and she is still an amazing person inside and out, all that, and she is still hot as hell!
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Lucky Man! :) Let her know she done good with the light!
 
RubiconSS said:
Lucky Man! :) Let her know she done good with the light!
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i did. she keeps laughing at me as I keep going through the various modes. All day Christmas, then all evening after getting home from work.

She had to ask that I stop using the strobe around her as she feels a migraine coming on. The cat wants to play w/the spot on the floor, even thought it is fairly wide.

Not sure what I want to do w/the light now, keep it in the garage, car, pocket... maybe I'll have to get 2 more so I can do all 3!
 
RubiconSS said:
I say "Congrats" to any Man who is lucky enough to have a Wife that thinks enough to go out and get him a knife or a light.
That is what I think is way cool. :)
Nice light too, IMO
Click to expand...

Yes nice light Muphasta! They look well constructed, it should serve you well.

I'm lucky enough to have received knives from my wife at Christmas including this year. This year a another knife although not a Hinderer, none the less a fixed blade from a well known maker, yes! One daughter bought me an Extreme Duty Brass Pen from the Hinderer Shop, how cool is that! My son increased my ammo inventory and my other daughter re supplied my beer making supplies, I consider myself very lucky and blessed even without any of these cool gifts!
 
with all these nice things being said about her, I cannot let her see this thread!! lol

She also got me a book on knives throughout history. I think she was relived not to be asked to pick up bicycle parts for once!
 
Picked up a few of these little AAA key chain lights from Prometheus. Key chain is removable and my preferred carry option. 2 mode twist, not my favorite, the high is decent for this light.

Shown with mini Ti and HDS for size reference.


Whoa, don't mind the dust.
 
meluck said:
Picked up a few of these little AAA key chain lights from Prometheus. Key chain is removable and my preferred carry option. 2 mode twist, not my favorite, the high is decent for this light.

Shown with mini Ti and HDS for size reference.


Whoa, don't mind the dust.
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I've looked at their ready made line and they look to be very nice indeed.
 
Need2Know said:
Ok, I am always looking for the smallest illumination tools with the highest output and features.
These are a few I am trying out to fill the role, but none is perfect for me yet. I do have a HDS Rotary on order, but it won't be ready for awhile.
In the photo:
4 7s Quark mini X 123 the model w/ max 210 lumens
Nitecore Iniflux IEF1
ZebraLight SC80
Jetbeam PC10

What lights have you found that work best for a small, powerful, feature-filled device?
...
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After dabbling around with many lights, and owning a few dozen, my thoughts have steered to the reliable ones - they just work. Period. And as you may have guessed, most of the fancy ones fail at one point or the other, because they are too complicated. My dad's 4Seven's mini died one day - just like that. There are reports of the magnetic ring on the Sunwayman series to have issues in ramping up and down the brightness, and many multi-mode lights skip modes randomly. Best bang for buck and bleeding edge is good, but not reliable. Here are the only lights that have never failed me, day or night, wind or rain... and have earned the "keeper" trust (in no particular order).
  • HDS Lights - Be it the Clicky or the Rotary, these are the one of the best money can buy. If you grab one, keep it, for it takes "Henry-years" for the next run. The maker, Henry, is a perfectionist, and won't build them till everything is perfect. Yes, he rejects parts because of mismatched colors, changes ano vendors, and does everything to put out that perfect light. Build it right the first time.
  • SureFire LED lights - Conservative approach and extensive testing makes excellent and highly reliable lights. Surefire may not put the latest LED in your light, but the ones they put are rigorously tested to ensure the light does not crap on you in the field. For many, SF lights are too expensive - older LED and higher cost.
  • Malkoff Devices - Gene Malkoff makes the LED lights and LED drop-ins compatible with SureFire. Pick any, you won't go wrong. Haven't heard of a Malkoff Devices light fail.
  • Peak LED Solutions - Small shop, poor email/phone response, but best single mode lights. Can change battery under-water, as head is potted. Almost infinite customizable options, and lights built to order as well. Choose LED temperature, body options, carry options, output. Their QTC-based lights aren't very reliable though, but I hear Gen 2 QTC is much improved. My lights are single mode.
  • Arc AAA - A decade old, expensive for its output, but just works. 10 lumens keychain light that started the LED light revolution. Can change battery under-water, as head is potted. Claim to fame - can boil head in water (I have done it, to clear the gunk from the base of the head and threads).

I draw parallels with Hinderer knives and above lights, for their reliability. I currently own: HDS 120T High-CRI, Malkoff M61 drop-in in a SureFire 6P body, Malkoff MDC (Malkoff Daily Carry), SureFire E1B Backup, 4Sevens Preon1 in Ti, several Arc AAA-P, Arc-AAA UV, several Peak LED Eiger (AAA) and El Capitan (AA). Below is a photo of my recent custom order Peak lights (Eiger and El-Capitan). Sorry my descriptions above my sound all praise, but that's my experience with these lights. I have pretty much sold all other lights I had, and hold onto these. The Eigers go in the purses of my wife and sister, while my dad now has the El-Capitan. I personally EDC Malkoff MDC/HDS High-CRI/Makoff stubby lego.

peak.jpg
 
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Cool! That's just solidifies my current wait for my HDS rotary even more :)

Nothing but praise for HDS here

Thanks for the info
 
Just got my swm v11r and was surprised to see that it came with the upgraded xm-l2 led. (Despite the listing on that one jungle internet commerce site having the XM-L version listed.). Seems like a cool little light for my first foray into the edc light world. I have my eyes on the HDS if a light ends up being a regular carry item.

 
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The V11R is a great light for the money. Keep us apprised on your thoughts as you carry/use it. If I was being critical, the clip (as is the care with most Sunwayman lights) is inadequate and the biggest negative of an otherwise very good light.
 
MRaymond said:
Just got my swm v11r and was surprised to see that it came with the upgraded xm-l2 led. (Despite the listing on that one jungle internet commerce site having the XM-L version listed.). Seems like a cool little light for my first foray into the edc light world. I have my eyes on the HDS if a light ends up being a regular carry item.

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Sweet Michael!!! Looks like a nice light! Let us know what you think for sure :) Matches your XM niclely
 
Thanks for your comments guys. I will certainly give you an update after some use. I do see the clip as a potential critique point but it seems solid. Would love to have one that is screwed in. If it becomes a big issue I would imagine I could get it modded.
 
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