I need a really small but powerfull flashlight

3

3wolves

Joined
Dec 28, 2007
Messages
1,061
Hi guys,
I need a flaslight that is extremely small, tough and bright. One that takes a single battery like the maglite solitaire would be ideal but I am willing to go bigger. I don't want a light that takes specialty batteries, just something I could get at any store. I want it as bright as possible, I bought a maglight solitaire for this purpose and the light sucks. A pocket clip would be nice but not nessecary. I'd like to keep this under $30 but of course the cheaper the better.:o
Thanks in advance.
 
Last edited:
Yup, either the L1T, or the L1D.
For a light that is pretty equal in size to the solitaire i would siggest either the L0D or the E01(all Fenix)
 
I've got a fenix L0d q4 it takes a AAA,is about 7cm long and puts out about 75 lumens;I think that fits your criteria-apart from the price.You could also check out Kai domain for a cheap Romisen or Ultrafire.
 
I have the L1T ,a great combination of size, brightness , battery. It works with AA alkaline,NiMH or Lithium . I now have a camera , GPS and light that take the same batteries.
 
I would not mind spending a few bucks extra for a flashlight that is superior so I can get the more expensive ones. I like all those but is there a way I can tell how bright each one is? I know there are lumens but I don't know how to measure them.:o I would like a good combination of brightness and run time.
 
Oh yeah and does anyone have any pics that show the size of some of these lights?
thanks.
 
FWIW, I've been carrying to same DX Fauxton on my keys for about a year now with no problems... But the first one I put there crapped out in a week (the actual led!). I carried the same Photon 2 on my keys for 4 years with only one batt change (only used it briefly and rarely) and the only problem I ever had with it was that I lost that set of keys. Fantastic little lights, cheap, reliable and corrosion resistant (gold plated leads, some models are waterproof, but even the photon2 which isn't was rediculously immune to the elements).

But, as for your specific request... I have a L1T thats handling cycling pack/back up light duty, and its wonderful bright and compact. Check out candlepowerforums.com for info, but Fenix Lights are supurb. I don't know what your idea of bright is, but the E01 with 10 lumens puts the mag soli to shame and lasts over 20hrs. The L0D is brighter than a 3D magled, or as dim as the soli, depending on mode selected... with fantastic batt life.

Another light which I really like is the UK 2AAA pocket/utility light. Its an incan, thus poor runtime, but fully waterproof (dive rated) with a good beam, all things considered... I believe there is a led version too (don't waste your time with the red led drop-in, its very very dim). Of course, you could also just pick up a SMJLED drop in from light hound for your solitaire. I have one in my minimag 2AA and its great.... Tons of options, more than I can list, brightguy.com will have a lot also... But theres just too many to cover in this reply!
 
Another vote for Fenix. They give the best value to the dollar, end of story. Cheaper than Surefire and much more powerful. I carry the P2D which uses one CR123 and lasts me 3 to 4 months.

Try the Fenix LOD CE. This takes one AA battery, has a maximum output of 50 lumens, plus 20 lumens, 7.5 lumens, strobe and SOS feature.

For a little extra, you can get the L2D CE which takes 2 x AA batteries and gives 9, 40, 80, and 135 lumens plus Strobe and SOS. Apparently on SOS feature it will last two weeks continuous!

They are waterproof to 100 metres and come with a belt holster, keychain carabiner and lanyard.

As it happens we had a Fenix presentation at the knife shop coffee night last Tuesday, and I have the catalogue in front of me :)

If you get one and can't find all the modes, let me know.
 
Andrew Taylor said:
...They are waterproof to 100 metres...
Click to expand...


Where did you find this info? There has actually been a lot of...discussion... about Fenix's waterproof rating (not necessarily the quality or performance of the lights themselves). Anybody who is familar with the IP rating system will notice IPX-8 isnt a very....descriptive... rating. Check out wiki.

That said, I've yet to hear of any performance issue what-so-ever of Fenix's sealing.

Post on Candlepowerforums
Interesting article cited in link
 
Last edited:
I have a Fenix l2d and I love it. What's neat is, it uses the same head and tail switch as the l1d, so if at any time you decided a compact light is more important to you than brightness/runtime, you can just switch out the battery tubes.

Mine runs forever on cheap, easy-to-find, rechargeable AAs.
 
Hmm, I am pretty much settled on the L1T because it seems the best one that runs on AA batteries. But the ones that take a CR123 battery are clearly superior. Can you buy these batteries at like walmart or somewhere? If you can, which light would you reccommend? (with a switch, I hate twisting the head to turn a flashlight on) There is no way I'm going to buy batteries online. If you can't, I'm getting the L1T.:D
 
Last edited:
You can pick up CR123A's almost anywhere, but I've seen them for as much as $10/ea for name-brand in b&m stores. batterystation.com has great prices for CPF members on USA made CR123A's, but there are other online sites. Just be sure to use high quality lithiums, especially in multi-cell lights.

BTW, why do you say the lithium powered lights are superior? I would agrue that unless your going to see extreme winter temps the more traditional AA or AAA would be better since its easier to find and MUCH cheaper (even with rechargables).
 
CPF Members? I remember being a member of a flashlight forum before but it's been a couple of years. Can anyone recommend a good one? I use my flash light several times a day and I'm looking to upgrade. I EDC this model http://www.rayovac.com/flashlight/selux2aa3w-b.shtml
It works and has never let me down. It's heavy and could fit better in my pocket if it was smooth aluminum and a perfect cylinder shape, or even the tough rubber Sure Fire uses. Also it can't stand on it's tail which would be really convenient. Glad I found this thread I was looking to buy today or tomorrow. Was maybe going to buy the same model again to keep in my camping bag.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top