Got a light?

TechLite Lumen Master -- Cree LED, 150 lumens, 3 ea AAA batteries, tail switch, and it's got that flashy-mode for you.
http://www.amazon.com/TechLite-Mast...ical-Flashlight/dp/tags-on-product/B003VCL4XQ

I got the 3-pack at Costco for $15, so that's $5 per light for all you math-challenged Hogs. ;) In spite of mixed reviews, all 3 of mine have been dependable so far. I don't know if they are marketed as waterproof, but mine have stood up to rain okay. (edit to add) I see most of the negative reviews are for an earlier generation of the Lumen Master light that has a low-battery LED on the tail switch. My lights have a black rubber switch cover that precludes the lo-battery light.)

Something that I don't care for so much is that they have three modes (half, full, flash, plus off) and you have to cycle through the modes sequentially. i.e. first click from OFF = 1/2 strength, next click = full strength, next click = flash mode, and another click gets you back to OFF.

I don't see a lot of difference between the first click (half-bright) and the second click (full strength).

Size format is decently small for BDU thigh pocket, though maybe a bit large for front/back jeans pocket carry. The facets cut on the bezel shroud are just enough to keep it from rolling on a relatively horizontal surface. However, if on much of an incline they prove insufficient to hold the light in place.

(edit to add) Upon closer inspection, the facets in the bezel shroud were cut with a round-nose cutter. This geometry yields a narrower 2-bearing-point contact area than would have resulted if they had cut a flat facet on the bezel shroud to the same depth as the round radiused cut the lights currently have. I may take one of these lights and file the facet flat to the depth they cut the rounded cut to see if I like it and can stand the resulting contrast between the black anodized aluminum and the newly exposed metal from filing. That filing will effectively widen the facet = longer line intersecting a wider chord of the bezel's arc = better stability).

I find the body knurling plenty aggressively secure in grip.

Length: 4.5" (11.43 cm)
Max Diameter: 1.3125" which is 1-5/16" (3.33 cm)
Weight (incl batteries): 5 oz (140 g)
 
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I know a little about flashlights and my vote for the criteria you set would be Fenix and 4sevens are awesome to deal with.

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Paddling_man said:
I went thru enough Fenix, jetbeam, surefire, streamlight, nitecores and novatacs that I could have had more INFI. If only I had bought an HDS/Ra first, I could have saved all that cash. 'Course, I can stash all the rest away in packs now. :)

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After reading this I did some research and just pulled the trigger on a HDS EDC Custom Rotary...........I don't know wether to kiss you or curse you! (thinking about it......cursing you is probably going to be healthier for my bollocks):D

I wish I could have gotten an orange one like yours:thumbup:
 
Alfaholic said:
After reading this I did some research and just pulled the trigger on a HDS EDC Twist...........I don't know wether to kiss you or curse you! (thinking about it......cursing you is probably going to be healthier for my bollocks):D

I wish I could have gotten an orange one. Your one is super nice!:thumbup:
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I am with you, I am now also in the research phase with the inevitable outcome of some HDS lights finding a home here.

I do have some questions re. the baked ceramic finish for those who have them.

Are there any benefits to that finish other than the color?
How resistant is it to chipping, scratching etc?
How does it affect the threads?

I am not sure re. the clicky vs twisty yet but I will probably try both. Any advice on that would be appreciated.
 
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I carry the Fenix LD10 its about the size of a lipstick tube so it carries well in the pocket and take a standard AA battery.It has a low and high power mode and the high power mode includes the strobe.
 
I had the LED LENSER series for a while, but they didn't have the options I wanted and the flashlights they had were over rated when it comes to output.

I now prefer streamlight flashlights. For you, I recommend these 2:

Streamlight Protac 1AA


ULTRA-COMPACT TACTICAL LIGHT

The combination of small size and C4® LED output results in one of the brightest tactical personal carry lights for its size

High, low and strobe modes
C4 LED illumination output and run times:
HIGH - 50 lumens/1.75 Hours
LOW - 6 lumens/22 Hours
STROBE - 4 Hours
Includes 1 AA alkaline battery
Solid State power regulation provides maximum light output throughout battery life
Rubber push button tail cap switch
IPX7 rated design; waterproof to 1 meter for 30 minutes
Impact-resistant tempered glass lens
Unbreakable pocket clip
Anti-roll head
Includes nylon holster

OR

Streamlight ProTac 1L



ULTRA-COMPACT TACTICAL LIGHT

The combination of small size and C4® LED output results in one of the brightest tactical personal carry lights for its size

High, low and strobe modes
C4 LED illumination output and run times:
HIGH - 110 lumens/1.75 Hours
LOW - 12 lumens/14 Hours
STROBE - 3 Hours
Includes 1 CR123A lithium battery
Solid State power regulation provides maximum light output throughout battery life
Rubber push button tail cap switch
IPX7 rated design; waterproof to 1 meter for 30 minutes
Impact-resistant tempered glass lens
Unbreakable pocket clip
Anti-roll head
Includes nylon holster

They are very small, not longer than the width of my hand. In the palm, its like having a roll of nickels. You can buy either one for under $30, and what appealed to me was that it was very simple. High, low, strobe, I can get to the function modes easily, unlike the Fenix LD10 where you had to cycle through the given modes (high, med, low) twice to get to the hidden modes such as S.O.S and strobe.

I have the Streamlight Protac L1 because of the output. I also got a 16 CR123A batteries from Streamlight for under $10 from an online site just to have some extra b/c at a big box store, those batteries are expensive, like $9 each.
 
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4 Sevens Quark Mini 123 X. Easily fits in the pocket. Hooked one of mine on my key chain and fly with it. Passes thru TSA with no issues. Small size is deceptive for it's performance. These put out 210 max lumens. Newer models use a different LED and are only 195. Still respectfully bright for something this small. Everyone who has seen it in action asks me what it is. People even snap cell photos so they can research it themselves. Readily available for under $50 and worth a look. It strobes at max output and also has other S.O.S and beacon outputs. Primarily, it has 3-levels of constant light output. Starts low, then medium, then max. It does require two hands to operate as it does not have a push button. The strobe and flash features are not immediately available. You rapidly twist the light on and off 3 times and she will strobe-s.o.s-beacon. Turn it back off and you are back in the main low-med-max mode.
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I know it doesn't match all your criteria of using AA's, but I can't believe the Nightcore Infilux series lights haven't been mentioned. I mean, they have INFI in the name! I've got one in sand with the orange peel reflector, and it's a fantastic light. The brightness is very easy to control with the ring they use and it has the strobe setting. I like "simple but effective" when it comes to my lights. So, for an AA light, I'd have to give my vote to the 4sevens quark AA tactical. Great light for the money.
 
Andy the Aussie said:
They are like knives..... you can spend as much or as little as you want. Surefire are great lights and LED Lenser are good on a budget. Not much reason these days NOT to get an LED light. I just got a recharble Streamlight Stiron LED that seems pretty damn nice....just working a suitable mount to fix the charger in my Landcruiser.

Andy
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I have the Strion as well and it kicks. A little over $100, but well worth every penny. If you want pocket sized and can do without the strobe, the Streamlight Stylus Pro is a good bet and runs on 2 AAA batteries.

Gerber also makes one and I cannot recall the model name, but it can run on AA, AAA, and CR 123.
 
l2lku2 said:
I am with you, I am now also in the research phase with the inevitable outcome of some HDS lights finding a home here.

I do have some questions re. the baked ceramic finish.

Are there any benefits to that finish other than the color?
How resistant is it to chipping, scratching etc?
How does it affect the threads?

I am not sure re. the clicky vs twisty yet but I will probably try both. Any advice on that would be appreciated.
Click to expand...


Stay away from the the HDS lights, you don't want any ;) (leave them for me ;) )

In combination to the cerakoted one's I posted earlier in this thread, I have a few ;)
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You are a very sick individual. You can't possibly need so many lights. :D

Just how dark is it there?

Re. my earlier questions - any advice? Is the cerakote just for color or does it have some advantages? How does it affect the threads?
 
I just ordered an HDS. Gotta know. I snapped a couple pics of some of the light in this thread next to each other for size reference.
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l2lku2,
Threads are not cerakoted. I'm sure it offers some protection but I don't know if it offers any more than the regular black anodized version. It does make them look pretty though ;)

aggiecouch said:
Hey Eric,

Do you prefer the rotary or clicky version?
Click to expand...

Rotary is my favorite and my EDC. Even in my Church clothes it is in my Rainwalker sheath on my belt.
 
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