New light suggestion- need to replace Preon 2- HELP

lemonslush

lemonslush

Joined
Aug 13, 2012
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783
I own a few different lights but by no means collect them like I do other things ( knives ). I am looking for a replacement light for my preon 2. Its size and power make it ideal as the light I carry with me on my person. My bigger lights I don't take with me as much due to their size (Surefire LD2 Defender, Streamlight ProTac HL) and they tend to just sit at the house.

I have two issues with the Preon 2. The actuation button doesn't work consistently, I sent it back to foursevens and they didn't fix it:(. Secondly the thing turns on while in my pocket all the time. Ideally I want something with the save weight and relative size. AAA battery preferred but open to suggestions.
 
I would suggest my personal favorite (I EDC 2 lights, a single AA in my pocket and a 17650 (single cell Li-ion that is the same physical size as 2xCR123's) a zebralight SC52w, its a tiny single cell lght that puts out ~300 lumen (on a NiMH, on a 14500 Li-ion its 500lm!) it also has a sub lumen (<1) low and several steps inbetween. The UI can sound complicated when you first read it but watch Selfbuilt's video review, its actually very simple to pick up, I taught my wife everything, even how to program it, in under 5 minutes and she knows nothing about lights. (She now has one too).

The other light I carry in the holster is a Foursevens Quark Pro CP2L-X burst mode, its ~900 lumen with a strobe, its my higher power/ SD light.

I only have the quark once I'm dressed for the day and have my big boy pants on since its in a holster but I pick the zebralight up off my night stand and put it in my pajama/sweat pants/gym shorts pocket and it stays in the left front pocket till I go to bed at night and put it back in my night stand, I don't leave my bedroom without it.
 
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I really like the Preon 1 for edc. I tried carrying some bigger Fenixs but they were to big it seemed for EDC at least the PD30 was. The streamlight stylus pro would be an option which is similar to the Preon 2.
 
Also I really suggest AA and using NiMH (1.2v rechargables, and buy the good stuff [eneloop's], it really makes a difference). The power capacity of AA is atleast threefold a compatiable AAA.

If you just refuse to go NiMH's at the very minimum go with energizer L91's (energizer advanced lithium's) [single use]. Alkalines are just a overall bad choice, high likely hood of leaking and ruining your light and VERY POOR performance.

The zebralight will run you around $65 but is well worth it, if you want to save a little money look at the O'light S15, its similar form and function but around $15-20 less, it also has a extension tube to take 2xAA's included (on the $50 package).

People often think you have to use CR123's for top of the line performance, with current technology drivers and emitters AA lights are performing amazingly and with the quality batteries avaliable even at corner/drug/grocery store a "blazing pocket rocket" is finally feasible as a capiable EDC.

Also coming out any day (if not already) is the 90* version of the zebralight, the H52. Sold as a headlight with the required accessories I daily carried the H51 (previous version of the current x52 models) before the SC52 came out and it made an awesome EDC, its especially usefull if you glue a magnent to the base and stand it pointing wherever you need. I use my H51 in a headband no less than every day!

One thing I really love about the SC52, it will run on ANY BATTERY that'll go in the tube, any chemistry, including 4.2v Li-ion 14500's and single use 3.7v lithium 14505's as well as ANY AAA SIZE/chemistry battery, they rattle but do make contact.
 
I've also had two Preon2's fail on me. The light I've been using for EDC the last few years has been the Fenix LD20. Liked it enough to buy a second one for back up. Runs on 2 AA's and high mode is 180 lumens.
 
My Preon2 used to come on in my pocket.
So I got a Hi-CRI partial-Titanium one, and sent the tailcap to Zodiac Engineering. I don't know if they're still doing the mod, but now it tailstands, and no longer turns on by iteslf.

Sortly thereafter, I decided 2x AAA isn't the EDC format for me. I carry a single AAA light on my keychain (Thrunite Ti these days,) and a single CR123 (HDS or McGizmo) loose in pocket so I haven't tried any other penlights. But I keep the Preons (1 twist; 1 Zodiac-tailed Hi-CRI) in pocket-EDC pouches in my bike and car.
 
I hear you , I have several high end flashlights, Surefire, HDS etc, but I EDC a Streamlight Stylus Pro penlight. Flashaholics don't rate it much it because its not well regulated, and the output isn't as high as others (not "tactical" level). The output is listed at 48 lumens, and its plenty bright enough for my EDC. A 50 lumen flashlight I have in my pocket is better than the 200 lumen flashlight I left at home.

Never had a problem with the Streamlight turning on in my pocket, I carry it in jeans and chinos. The switch is fairly stiff and has a long press on it.

I also tried the Fenix 2 x AAA LD05 penlight, which is regulated and much brighter, but it was too big and heavy for me, and I didn't like the switch. It does have multi mode output though (medium > high > low)

The Fenix LD01 also seems popular but I haven't tried it because I prefer a tailcap clickie to a twist on off. It's a small 1x AAA regulated

For batteries I use eneloops. they keep their charge if you don't use them, and you can recharge them any time and don't have to worry about being caught out with flat batteries. In the winter I recharge them every couple months.
 
HDS is the way to go.

CAM00223_zps901b1d23.jpg
 
A way to solve the light turning on while in pocket is to twist the head a smidge. Viola. Locks it out pretty much.

It unfortunate they don't make warm Preon II's anymore. It is my favorite EDC light. IMO the tailcap(which has never failed me) is ingenious. In my many a time I've used it at the beach, in dirt or gravel the button would become gritty. However you can take a part the tailcap by unscrewing the top and the button and blow out the grit which just sits on the rubber seal. I fell in love with it even more after that.
 
Powernoodle carries a Streamlight Protac 2AAA. Be like Powernoodle. Its the Preon 2 form factor, with lots of light and lots of runtime. Easy to carry.

[youtube]5f9LxxwVONI[/youtube]
 
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