I'm understand and do agree with many of the points being made in the most recent comments. I myself have transitioned from CR123/CR2 in recent years. Yet, I think there is a point of diminishing returns, and I think I can find some contentment in long-term use, and not have to upgrade frequently for minor changes and/or improvement. I'm so satisfied with the performance TN4A' for example, that it would really take some doing for me to want to upgrade.
Here is a rough and quick pic of my lights I have on my trip: On the left is my (WAS my) tried-and-true mainstay Maratac Extreme AA light. Only two modes. High (128 lumens)/Low (5 lumens). I found this combo really fit my needs and I liked how, eventhough it took only one AA battery, it is bigger than a normal/typical AA light. I mean, look how it compares in size to the other two. The other two I brought just for variety's sake. Well, that and airport security. The slightly crenulated end of the Maratac Extreme AA sometimes prompted a 2nd or 3rd glance from airport security so having instead the Maratac Copper AA or the JetBeam Camo stopped any further scrutiny when traveling. But you know what? It's just me but I find the two other lights too small. I got used to the heft of the larger Maratac Extreme. So therefore the new search (and subsequent enlargement of my collection) for my new mainstay.
I know what you mean about wanting a light of a very specific size. My primary carry light needs to be 4"-4.5" with a rear clicky, which means single cell lights are too short, and most double cell lights are too long. The Lumintop Prince hits that spot perfectly (and looks stunning in copper).
To be coldly honest, my number one go to combo is my Olight i3 eos AAA on a dangler with a 91mm SAK. Easy to carry, easy to deploy, covers most needs, and the SAK acts as a nice handle extension for the light. The only down side is distance, and security. My Olight S30R covers those needs. Of course, I have several others laying around as a result of n+1 theology. They are rarely used. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Really not all that much to it. In my days as a management consultant, I was part of a consulting practice first in Asia then in the US specializing in supply chain planning. We used to speak of the world of supply chain specialists as being comprised of 3 'tribes'. (1) those who knew how to implement and operate enterprise level software, e.g., SAP; (2) those who specialized in logistics (or as my Brit colleagues put it, 'sheds & lorries' and planning how to best leverage peculiarities of customs and tariffs laws; (3) supply chain strategic planners; meaning where to put distribution centers (both geographically as well as at what 'points' in the supply chain; planning for levels of replenishment stocks as well as how to modify such, etc. I was in tribe 3. At any rate, after I acquired the light that needed the CR123 cell, I realized I wasn't applying my professional knowledge to my personal life. If I had been I'd not have acquired that light. Rather I'd only have focused on AA, AAA and 'maybe' CR2032 coin cells. These 3 types are available EVERYWHERE! End of story. L'chaim! Moshe ben David
I would say too that if you do not have an Emisar D4 yet then you do need one more! This light is INSANE! But in a good way!
...and a Lumintop's BLF GT, for insane, on a grander scale I have yet to get either, but the year is young !
This is pretty much EXACTLY why I try to stay away from that forum! More temptation that I probably need not even hear about. The thing that is so compelling about the Emisar to me is that it is so small and easy to EDC for the crazy output and the U.I. is really the guts of the daily appeal too. I have been working at an NFL Practice facility and can go from firefly to full on so easily with this light that it is indispensable to me already and I am happy that I have a backup now so I might always have one handy there. I had been carrying an S2+ or Mecarmy 18650 but those seem like incandescent Mini Mags now! Well Sort of anyway?
I have more flashlights than I need. Definitely. Is it a problem? No. There is an aspect worth keeping in mind -- the human factor. When an invention matches or exceeds the human sensory need, you generally don't need a better version of that invention. Often improvements are more "luxury" than need... like fancier styling, or boosted capabilities far beyond what is needed (like cars today, where the horsepower is far greater than one could conventionally use on public roads). There can be needs that aren't realized by the consumer, then an improvement reveals it. Like an LED flashlight being submersible (most people wouldn't require that, but it's an excellent protective feature in case one unexpectedly drops a flashlight into water). Or having a strobe feature, where in normal cases it wouldn't be used but in emergencies it can be very handy. What prompted me to have more flashlights than I need was buying them during the upswing of LED technology. The curve had been steep. So after you've had a light for a couple of years, you see that it's basically obsolete -- cheaper and more powerful & efficient LED lights are available. It's irresistible not to buy one. And now with China making them so affordable, why not? Getting back to the human factor, you want a flashlight that has these qualities: Bright enough with power to spare for any task at hand Nice tint and beam pattern for minimal distractions and eye strain Modes for brightness control Good power to size ratio Good efficiency so battery replacement and recharging is not frequent Solid quality so that the flashlight will last Conveniences that makes ownership enjoyable (like extra features you can use, such as USB charging). At this point, I find flashlights being made today VERY powerful for what's needed. That "more is better" need from years ago has faded. You don't need more light... you need more efficiency (greater battery life and better heat management). And generally we've been getting that incrementally. While USB charging was the latest "big feature" draw, and I do find it attractive, I don't really need it. I use lights every day, but only "here and there"... not for extended periods. So recharging isn't a big pain for me. And I've got like 4 different chargers (different sizes) so I just pop in the rechargeable cells and pick them up later when charging is done. Plenty of alkaline cells on hand if I'm in a pinch. I've got my AAA, AA, 18650, and RCR123 lights for EDC and specific tasks (like walking at night and searching). I do find that my older lights are still doing the job. Am I done with buying lights? I have to admit it--no... as I will get another light once I see enough of an improvement or a compelling price. I'd like to have USB charging, but not by micro SD. Either USB-C or induction (no physical port exposed) is a must. And better heat management. I'd like to see small light that can throw 120 lumens for a full 15 minutes without overheating. Generally most start to get hot to touch after 5 minutes or less (some offer a blazing Turbo mode that can't be used for more than 30~60 seconds at a time). Pushing a light too far can damage it (LED, PCB, and battery). As a real "nice to have", I enjoy programmable lights. My favorite was the NovaTac 120P... and I'd like to see that UI provided again with the latest LED technology. I still have my 120P near my bed, with it's bezel mounted trits still aglow. Terrible efficiency, but then I use it rarely these days. It's a wonderful relic of the early LED flashlight days!
Great summary, that expresses how I feel about the subject, even better than I could have expressed it myself
I guess I have 5 lights including the phone but I only use it if I have no other choice. Phone battery life doesn’t last long enough to count it as a backup. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Id like another AA if I'm honest. I like stuff in sets. I've got a work set, office set, outdoorsy set - I'd end up leaving things in the wrong pockets or bags and go out empty handed. So I could do with a cheapish AA I can leave in a bag (which in all honestly I bet I'd barely use - but don't want to be without).
Right now I have: -One in my trouser pocket - one clipped to the shoulder strap of my EDT bag -one in my EDC bag -one in the glove box -one tucked into my spare boots in the boot of my car -one in my bedside table -headlamp and hand flashlight in my GHB, stored in the car So I guess I need 8. Currently I have a mix of AA and AAA, with one solar powered (True Utility Solar Lite). I want to phase over to just one battery type but I'm not sure yet which one.
At one point all my headlamps were AAA and my flashlights were AA2. The AA were Eneloops. A while back I won a Xtar flashlight here that runs off an 18650. Then last year, I got a number of the 47's minis taking a rechargeable 123. I've been trying to standardize everything to AA and I was almost there. Now I have more battery types in the mix making a mess of things.
Nope. Still prefer CR123s over any other battery type. Never had a piece of equipment destroyed with them going bad. Will say that I have some demoted to bag backups because I’ve become a lumen snob and won’t carry anything less that 500 lumens. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I think I could get by with 5, not including backups and lights for family members in an emergency situation. 1. Keychain light, small AAA 2. EDC light, small form AA or AAA 3. General purpose light, AA or 18650 4. Thrower/Search, 18650+ 5. Headlamp, currently a Black Diamond These would handle most situations with some extra batteries.
I had a similar outlook but settled on both AA/AAA/18650 I do have an oddball 10440 light as well but likely I'll just stick with these cells for the time being. I like AA for simple EDC and 18650 when more punch is needed. I would love to streamline things with one cell, but AA lacks the raw power and 18650 isn't always pocket friendly.
