Some needed flashlight advise,...

S

SchismTSK

Basic Member
Joined
Apr 15, 2003
Messages
26
Greetings,

Lately, I've been looking for a new EDC flashlight. My basic criteria was based on "pocketability," being an LED and running off 3 volt lithium battery.

I've come down to these final five: Nuwai Q-III, Longbow Micra, Surefire E1E w/KL1, Inova T1 and finally Streamlight TTL1.

At this point, I'm unfimiliar with the brightness and overall quality of design. I figured if it's going to be an EDC, it'll have to be built like a tank, withstanding drops and such. From researching here and candlepowerforums, I understand that the Nuwai is the brightest of the five. Please correct me if I'm wrong. If there are any owners of the above flashlights, your opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
 
I have a KL1(not the new one), and have tried it on a E1e body. Also have a Longbow Micra with a reflector and "ultra clear lens", which I usually carry.
My best friend has the Nuwaii QIII.
I think the Longbow is more solidly built, and it is easier for pocket carry if you don't use the Nuwaii's clip. My modified Longbow is great, and I prefer it to the Nuwaii because of its better quality, smaller size, and the simple operation (mine has a twistie, no switch) but the QIII is brighter, has more throw, and brighter spill. I don't like the switch on the QIII, and would not hesitate to spend more money+time modding another Longbow, but Nuwaii is the best light on your list for the money, IMO.

copy/paste of my reply on another thread recently:
I've got a black Longbow Micra w/twistie tailcap that I've added a UCL and S017XA reflector to. Great color, beautiful beam, good brightness. I'm 100% satisfied.

I got to check out the Nuwai QIII Sunday night, and compare it to a couple of my flashlights. My friend (Robocop on CPF) had already compared it to several of his.
I don't like the lack of momentary on, but as clickies go, the switch was pretty nice. Not something that will accidentally come on in your pocket, but not too hard to push, firm and positive in operation. I don't care for the clip, either.
On the business end, it's all joy joy, though
Brighter, and better beam than Arc LSH, LSH-P, similar beam but brighter than my modded Longbow Micra. Comparable to our LIII mods getting ~700mA (a Litfuse modded Arc LS with TX1J/reflector, and my KL1 that Chop boosted, and that I added a reflector and SWOK to). I would say it's between the two, better than my KL1, particularly the color.
I prefer my Longbow, which is shorter, simpler, and maybe a little better build quality, so I won't be buying a QIII, but the Nuwai is a very impressive light for $38.50, about half what I've got in my Micra+lens/reflector.
Here's a pic I posted in the same thread:
attachment.php

from the left:
CMG Ultra-G
Longbow Micra w/twistie
Nuwaii QIII
Arc LS w/clickie
Arc AAA-P
Arc LS w/twistie
 
i have a E1e and used to carry it all the time now carry a arc AAA but the E1e is a darned good lite, especially w/the LED head on it, ya could sure do worse. dont have one but i have heard the longbow is an excellent lite also FWIW, i want one.
 
oh, and owen, do ya know of a source for the arc LS other than ebay? also how well did the longbow work before mods? is new grahams price competitive on the longbow (IIRC about $80)?

thanks
 
Sadly, Arc is no more. :(

I can't speak for the Inova T-1, but I do have Inova's X5T and X1. They are good, solid lights. The T1 should be no different.

Paul
 
The X5T is a long-burning but not incredibly bright spotlight. The Nuwai Q-III is a short-lived but very bright spot. I prefer to carry both :D

The Nuwai is a great light for EDC and I couldn't recommend it highly enough. I am not familiar with the Longbow but it looks great too.
 
SIFU1A said:
oh, and owen, do ya know of a source for the arc LS other than ebay? also how well did the longbow work before mods? is new grahams price competitive on the longbow (IIRC about $80)?

thanks
Click to expand...
Sorry, I don't know of any Arc sources.
The Longbow has an optic (can't remember the name) and the beam is similar to a Fraen LP. It has a bright spot, a little squarish looking, with little spill. I didn't care for it, and kept carrying an Arc LS until I got the reflector, which gave it a better spot, and brighter spill than the Arc.
I got mine at www.bugoutgearusa.com when they first came out. Looks like newgraham has a little better prices.
 
I too am shopping for a new EDC was looking at the Surefire L4. I know the Nuwai Q-III is a fraction of the cost, is smaller and lighter, and based on what I have read puts out as much light for almost the same duration as the L4 does with 2x the batteries.

Am I comparing apples to oranges here? Is the L4 worth the premium?
 
I have a Streamlight Twin Task L1, and I've found it to be an excellent EDC flashlight...The slightly longer TTL2 is also excellent.
 
djtkach said:
I too am shopping for a new EDC was looking at the Surefire L4. I know the Nuwai Q-III is a fraction of the cost, is smaller and lighter, and based on what I have read puts out as much light for almost the same duration as the L4 does with 2x the batteries.

Am I comparing apples to oranges here? Is the L4 worth the premium?
Click to expand...

I have an E2E/KL4, which is basically the same as an L4. I also have a Nuwai QIII.
The L4 has a much brighter output than the QIII. The finish of the light is much better too - nice level 3 hard anodizing.
You do get what you pay for.

Having said that, the Nuwai is a great little light for the money.
 
if you are in the $120-$250 range then may i suggest and hds edc? everyone on cpf that has on is raving. Multiple levels, other batery packs, different lenses, strict machining to prevent a arc 4 rev2, and HAIII are some of the things that come to mind about Henrys light.
 
Aside from your basic criteria of running an L.E.D off a 3 volt lithium battery, what do you think you might be using it for? In other words, any specific tasks or are you just looking for a nice EDC L.E.D light? I don't like wearing things on my belt so EDC to me is "inside my pocket". Also, what I consider pocketable, you may not. For you, EDC may mean something different.....backpack, brief case, book bag, sheath, etc. For instance, my stock Arc LSH-P (it's the one farthest to the right in the pics above) with a twisty on it is a nice size for inside my pocket. I like the twisty because there really isn't anything to fail on it. Not that I have ever had any problems with a clicky switch though.

I also really like my CMG Ultra-G (farthest to your left in the pics posted above) which is also very pocketable. Though not as bright as my LSH-P, the AA alkaline battery lasts a loooong time. Like glockman99 said, the Streamlight Twin Task L1 is really nice too but you might find it too big for your pocket and want to carry it in a sheath on your belt.

Do you currently have anything on your keyring? Do you want anything on your keyring besides keys? Hmm, do you carry a keyring? I always have my Arc-AAA on my keyring. However, the CountyComm 20 lights for $20.00 would suit me just fine too. They are like the Photons, only they have a slide on/off switch instead of the squeeze switch.

So it kind of depends on what you think you might want or need out of an EDC light. And you have many very good options available to you.
 
Yam, a nice EDC L.E.D. is exactly what seek. I’d say EDCing for me would be on my persons and not in my backpack. So like you, pocket carry is what I’m looking for. Currently I carry a Inova X1, so I’m use to having a light readily available. I don’t like wearing anything on my belt too. As far as my key ring, I’ve carried a photon in the past. It was a great little light, but I as of late the minimalist in me wants the key ring strictly for keys, all other tools to be kept separate. :rolleyes: What I’m looking for would be for nighttime/outdoor use. So far I’m leaning towards the Nuwai. Would anyone know where I could find a good price online? I understand CountyComm would be the best price, but they are currently out of stock.

Jiads, HDS Systems just might be added to my wish list. Now from what I understand, the Ultimate is regulated, where as the Basic is not?
 
I have a Peak Led Solutions Mckinley Series light, and I consider it the perfect EDC flashlight. It is fully regulated, runs off one lithium cell, has good runtime, and is nice and bright.
 
SchismTSK said:
Jiads, HDS Systems just might be added to my wish list. Now from what I understand, the Ultimate is regulated, where as the Basic is not?
Click to expand...

The site says both the Basic & Ulimate are regulated. The Basic has 4 fixed levels, the Ulitmate levels can be adjusted, and it has some other features.

I have a Basic 42 on order...

Ted
 
I pre-ordered an EDC Ultimate 60 four months ago and still haven't even received a confirmation email, so I wouldn't hold your breath with the HDS lights. Some of them have started to ship though and that's a great sign. I'm not waiting very patiently, but I am waiting! LOL. :)
 
I ordered a HDS EDC about a month ago. It will be interesting to see how long delivery takes -- HDS (Henry) stated about 30 days; I suspect this estimate is a bit optimistic!

I'm in no particular hurry so long as my ARC LHS-P keeps working as well as it has for the past year plus. In my case, I suspect the HDS EDC will be overkill with respect to both features and brightness potential (I opted for the 60 lumen Ultimate GT); yet, I just gotta have one! :D
 
Go for a SF L4 and get a two stage tailcap for it from McGizmo, he's on CandlePower Forums.
 
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