light better than nitecore d10?

ryan9977

ryan9977

Joined
Feb 16, 2006
Messages
1,962
well the title says it all i guess....i need a stronger light i think....the nitecore is nice but it is dark where i live and it could be a little brighter and throw a little farther.......i am looking for

1)must use aa or aaa batteries....i have no idea about the cr123 batteries and i know they're expensive

2)must have a pocket clip cause i carry it

3)must be small enough to be in your pocket

4)not too extreme in price...i think i paid like 50-60 for the nitecore....more than that is ok but i don't wanna go crazy

5)brand doesn't matter to me as long as it is a quality light that will last


thanks for any help guys.....ryan
 
CR123 batteries aren't too expensive, if you know where to buy them. I would say that lights that use them probably have better lumens. The Nitecore light looks like it does well for short term run time, but it probably eate batteries like a monster running at full brightness.
I too have been searching for a bright light on the smaller side. But I am stuck using a Surefire 6PLED, it's a great lght though. The Maratac Rev2 AA might be good.
Browse this link and see if anything interests you:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/951656-What-s-your-EDC-light
 
i guessi could do cr123......isit possibleto get rechargeable ones that are reliable.....iam not that opposed to them i guess........i assume i will get a brighter light with less batteries than a aa light.......ryan
 
I suggest being open on CR123 batteries. They can be ordered online, in bulk, at great prices (only a little more than $1 per battery). My suggestion would be the FourSevens Quark Pro QPLC. It will give you a much higher output and a much better throw. It is only slightly bigger than the D10, and come with a pocket clip. It is also within your price range, and come with a ten year warranty. I think you will be very happy!

http://www.foursevens.com/product_info.php?products_id=2924

Yes, you can use rechargeable batteries. The AW RCR123 is probably the best rechargeable 123. I would pick up 2, along with a Nano charger.
 
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I highly recommend a Zebralight SC51 or H51, both run on one AA. I would also suggest picking up some AA eneloops and charger.
 
Yeah, I second the SC51 recommendation. It's been a good seller for us for a long while. It is one of the few lights on the market that will give you close to the same output on AAs as the equivalent light with CR123s. Max output is around 200 lumens and the interface is fantastic.
 
how reliable do the zebra lights seem?....anybody have one fr a while now?.....i like the looks of the sc51....ryan
 
ryan9977 said:
how reliable do the zebra lights seem?....anybody have one fr a while now?.....i like the looks of the sc51....ryan
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I've carried my SC51 nearly everyday for the last 2 yrs and it has been ultra reliable. It even got run over by my buddies SUV and still works perfectly!
 
storl said:
I carried an SC30 daily for two years straight with zero issues.
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This, Zebralights are very good. They have excellent regulation and it's amazing how small they...just slightly larger than the battery they house. I think the only exception to this would be the SC80, but that is made to work with both AA and CR123A batteries.

Myself, I've owned quite a few. I did have one problem with a Zebralight H501r headlamp...it just stopped working one day. Zebralight took care of it with no questions asked. The only thing was it had to be sent to China for repair so return time took about 3-4 weeks. However, they are said to be opening a facility stateside to handle repairs so that will be a plus when it does happen.
 
Get an SC51, they give the highest output on AAs for now. I personally think running CR123s for EDC are way too expensive and a waste of resources. Zebralights are alright in reliability, a poll on candlepowerforums reported about 1 in 3 people having a problem of some sort with their zebralights.

If you want even higher output consider the FourSevens Quark AAs, they're well regulated even on Li-ion 14500s. Have you considered 18650s?
 
I have EDC a Thrunite Neutron 1AA XML HD for a little more than a year now with 0 problems, it fits all your criteria for a light and is super bright on 1AA battery. The Cree XML emitter gives off 145 lumens on high with a really nice wide throw, if you are open to rechargeable batteries when paired with a 14500 Lithium Ion battery I am sure you are over 200 lumens.
 
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14500 , 18650.....u r speaking chinese.....i really dont know the difference with any of the batteries or how common they are to buy.....i know the normal, aa, aaa and so on and i know what a cr123 is but thats about it......as far as the zebralight they look like what i am looking for.....i am still looking around though.....i keep on looking for bigger and brighter though!!!,.....its sort of a sickness like knives i think.....ryan
 
so i got a second hand sc51...holy smokes is it bright...it makes the nitecore look like crap.......so why is the color of the light different....the nitecore is like white and the zebra light is more yellow....i kinda like the more yellow light from the zebra light......it looks more natural to me....anyway it is wicked!...thanks guys.....now i need a big flashlight i think!!!!!!!!.....ryan
 
ryan9977 said:
so i got a second hand sc51...holy smokes is it bright...it makes the nitecore look like crap.......so why is the color of the light different....the nitecore is like white and the zebra light is more yellow....i kinda like the more yellow light from the zebra light......it looks more natural to me....anyway it is wicked!...thanks guys.....now i need a big flashlight i think!!!!!!!!.....ryan
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it uses an LED that is warmer in tint than the D10, the Nitecore has a nice cool silvery color, at least mine does. I prefer warm tints myself, they render color much better. And perhaps a side by side beamshot for us? :thumbup:
 
Congrats on your purchase. The ZebraLights are very reliable.

The biggest change you could make with either your D10 or SC51 is to use rechargeable lithium ion batteries. I recommend EagleTac and AW batteries.

You will notice a marked increase in output over a standard AA alkaline battery.
 
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