r/flashlight

What's your special light?

Everyone loves their super bright stuff. But what's your real favourite? Be that for sentimental reasons or just loving it so much.

Personally, out of my whole collection, I have an old mini halogen mag light. The beam quality isnt great, and it flickers as the batteries move around, but theres something about that halogen glow and weight that I love. Its the one I pick up and play with when im sitting at my desk. I also however love the raw power of my diy flood I built on an arm for my desk, 2x sft42r with drivers and big heatsink. Great for the cleaning and inspection work I do. Fun to just turn on and off.

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u/DJ_LSE — 4 hours ago

Quick Modlite and Cloud Defensive comparison

From left to right

Modlite PLHv2 (18350) 1,350 Lumens / 54,000 Candelas, 35 min run time

Modlite OKWv2 (18650) 1,300 Lumens / 95,000 Candelas, 75 min run time

Cloud Defensive MHC-Duty (18650) 1,250 Lumens / 100,000 Candelas, 65+ min run time

Cloud Defensive MHC-HC3 (18350) 1,250 Lumens / 100,000 Candelas, 65+ min run time

Streamlight Protac 2L-X (2 CR123) 500 Lumens / 6,800 Candelas, 2.75 hours run time (included for size comparison)

I have had the Modlite PLHv2 w/18650 handheld + Thrym Switchback 2.0 since end of 2020 maybe beginning of 2021 and it has been a really good light. Price is a bit much but at the time output was really solid and it served me well as an EDC.

But I always want more Lumens AND Candela and the Cloud Defensive MHC-Duty intrigued me with the output (same as the Rein 3.0). Now I will say the output is pretty solid, but it is a much larger bezel. I also saw the MCH-HC3 had the same output but a smaller bezel (it's just the rein 3.0 head on a handheld)

Let's talk Pros/Cons of the CD Duty first.

Pros: output, user serviceable lenses, S7 tool steel on the bezel (this was the biggest Pro for me after output) works with the Thyrm Switchback 2.0

Cons: body is very slick (easy fix with some Hockey tape), Does not work with any of the Thyrm Switchback 3.0. The multi mod function. Honestly I can't tell you how many clicks it takes to change modes. Sometimes its 2 clicks other times it may be 12, it's annoying AF using the light and you click it on then off then go to turn it back on and it decides it's going to cycle through the different output modes. Also there is way to many options on the multi output

Lastly and probably the most annoying part is, well Cloud themselves. If you buy from them it's honestly a gamble will their "in stock" ship that day/week/month?? I think a both these handhelds I bought took close to if not 3 months before they shipped and both were "in stock".

Next is the MHC-HC3. Its essential the Rein 3.0 head on the MCH handheld body. So all the same pros/cons as the Duty (minus the S7 tool steel)

I wont spend much time on the HC3 since mine spent 98% of its life sitting in my bag as a "backup light", but here's the cool part... It's CD so it just randomly decided even after never being used to just stop working all together. And yes I cycled out the batteries regularly. Nope stopped working so I have to send it back and see if they will (A) even fix it, (B) how long that will even take.

But the good news. Modlite has updated their light heads and I picked up the OKWv2 which has replaced my CD MCH-DUTY.

OKWv2 Pros/Cons

Pros: Output, user serviceable lenses, multi mode is just like the Streamlight 12 tap system, and the only options are High only or High and Low. Works with all the Thyrm Switchbacks

Cons: bit pricey, I'd like to be able to get the Stand alone head that doesnt have the multi output option

The last photo is from the OKWv2, when I get a chance weather permitting I plan to go to the same spot again and get a photo of the MHC-DUTY and HC3 and the PLHv2

I added the Streamlight Protac 2L-X in the photos for a general size reference since I'm sure a lot of people can picture that light and the size of it

In the end, I am currently replacing all my lights over to the OKWv2 head. Next to be replaced is my CD Rein 3.0 on my LMT Specwar, after that I'll be replacing my PLHv2/18350 with the OKWv2 head and keep the PLHv2 head as a spare.

The MHC-DUTY will also be kept as a back up light since it hasn't shit the bed on me yet, going to try and get the HC3 repaired/replaced and just keep it around just because.

u/NarwhalN00dleSquash — 3 hours ago

Looking for a mini launcher with AA-14500

* ✅ Up to 105 mm long (I accept up to ~110 mm if it's really worth it)

* ✅ Head up to 25 mm

* ✅ Thin body (preference ≤22 mm)

* ✅ Back button

* ✅ More closed beam (semi-throw/throw)

* ✅ Available on AliExpress

* ✅ High quality

* ✅ Up to ~1000 lm (it doesn't have to be more)

* ✅ 14500-AA

Any better option than acebeam Tac AA 2.0?

u/No_Duty5997 — 5 hours ago

Nichia 519a 4500k Spectrum out of a prism.

200 lumen HDS rotary, supposed to be 90cri and and high r9, which shows. I’d personally rate it at 90% of daylight in general use.

u/House_Capital — 3 hours ago

Order refunded from Sofirn

Has anyone had an entire order refunded from Sofirn? Randomly as a promotion I guess?

Order was just under $50. Pretty nice lol

u/Liltoot54 — 7 hours ago

Budget flashlight Canada

New member here...

Need to find a flashlight that's extremely bright but usually for shorter distances but I want it to light up a larger area.

Scenario: Think delivering food at night but there's like raccoons, skunks, possum (i didnt think id run into them but here we are) and some scared bats (don't ask, has happened more than once)

Horribly lit streets, poorly lit driveways(with like 6 cars in them and no space to walk and like bushes around them so I can't see from like my phones light

I don't want to harm the animals but I don't want them to harm me either

Anything under 20 CAD

Am broke and people are surprisingly inadept at leaving their porch lights on so yeah... anything helps...

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u/BicycleKik — 7 hours ago

Reylight - which model?

Apologies, as this will likely be a bit of a ramble...

I've been on a bit of a Ti kick lately, and I've been looking at Reylight - particularly the full size LANapple/Pineapple, or maybe the Pineapple mini.

I live in the city and don't need super high output, flooding, etc - I'm more interested in good flashlight that's built well and a nice object without going into super high end options. I currently have a Surefire G2X for around the house and Prometheus Beta QRv2 (AAA) on my keychain. I like the high CRI of the Prometheus and the QR mechanism (although I don't love the twist UI).

I'm wondering if it'd be worth getting a Reylight as something more pocketable than the Surefire, but brighter/nicer than (and in addition to) the Beta.

Some questions...

  • What's the difference between the (full size) LANapple and Pineapple?
  • For what I've described, does it make more sense to go for the full size or mini? Is one "better" than the other?
  • What's the deal with the tritium inserts? I see a lot of folks insert vials; do these have to be permanently epoxied in?

Thanks!

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u/speedmaestro — 6 hours ago

Totally did it guys

On Vacation and brought six flashlights, we used EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM.

D4K: Orange Aux for the baby as a night light

D3AQ: Quickly grabbed night stand light

Loopdot: Dim light over the sink to prepare baby formula at night

HD03: Stuck to the fridge to grab for taking the Dog for a quick pee on the camp

HD01: Blue light over night to get the mosquitos out of the sleeping chamber

LT1S: Playing Cards on the porch

6/6, would bring again

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u/cojonathan — 3 hours ago

Need recs for week long camp without electricity for child

My 10yr old is going to a camp we’re supposed to send a light with replaceable batteries.

I’d like to send her with a flashlight, lantern, and headlamp. Bonus if they all use the same size cells like AA.

Any recs?

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u/TeaQueKC — 8 hours ago

NFLD! I love this thing. Thank you for helping me build it.

I received my Brass T4, with 519A in 3500k.

It’s such a pleasing object. I was expecting a “nice flashlight,” but this feels completely different than what I thought a premium light would be.
I find myself pulling it out of my pocket just to hold.
The beam, tint, and overall feel are just incredibly satisfying. I’m honestly blown away.
Already have my next few lights picked out… this is going to be a problem…but I’m open to suggestions if anyone has setups worth trying.

u/Sudzy1225 — 10 hours ago

Did you know that… XTAR has been around for 20 years? (SD2 surprise!)

I've been reviewing XTAR products for a while now and received this little surprise package today!

It came with an XTAR SD2 diving beacon, a set of XTAR 1.5V AA LR 3000mAh and a few extras – including a cute XTAR elephant. The SD2 features white, red, green and blue light, with steady or blinking modes, and it is powered by a single AA or 14500 battery. Although I don't dive, I can see it coming in handy for hiking as well.

The batteries are based on Li-ion technology and have an integrated voltage regulator to simulate 1.5V AA batteries. They are charged via USB-C. To make it convenient to charge more than one battery at the same time, XTAR provided a 4x USB-C power adapter – nice!

A big thanks to XTAR for this surprise and congratulations on 20 years!

(Bonus: The included hard case is a perfect fit for my Zoyi ZT-703S pocket oscilloscope including accessories!)

u/UndoubtedlySammysHP — 6 hours ago

I ordered a HPCS-330Pro - Anyone interested in basic comparisons to the 330P?

Pretty much the title.

I wanted to wait until the next LitDuo update arrives to upload my 4th iteration of my spectrometer comparison charts, but this may take another few months.

If there is interest, I may pick a few random lights and see if both of these agree in terms of measurements. The prices are high so I guess not many would consider any of these devices.

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u/Wormminator — 7 hours ago
▲ 22 r/flashlight+1 crossposts

NMD Convoy s21e boost anduril driver!

This project definitely took longer than my 20 amp buck driver mod, mostly from the software, but I hope the end result will be worth it at some point.

I already have a new board on the way with proper support for the LEDs, but sadly wasn't able to fit the proper flashing pad layout, but it's good enough.

As always, all questions are welcome!

The motivation for all these anduril mods on convoy drivers is mostly just so I have something to point to when I next bug Simon about offering them natively.

And if a complete nincompoop like me can manage to slap a compatible MCU on several of his drivers, his actual paid designer should be able to as well.

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u/LoadsOfLumens — 10 hours ago

Fenix PD25 Alternatives?

I seem to have lost my Fenix PD25 that I have EDC’d for the last six years. Wondering if there are any other options I should try out.

Things I liked about it:

- Rear Button
- Size
- Rechargeable

Curious what’s out there. Thanks!

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u/BeeInMyPutt — 6 hours ago

Just a couple old school Pineapples hangin out!

219b emitters, black clip painted by me, and buttons by Richard(IYKYK). Have a great day everyone!

u/JNader56 — 14 hours ago

Latest addition to the collection. A Fenix LD36R. Love the RGB feature. Just wish the RGB was dimmable

u/dieselducy — 11 hours ago

Beam shots!

Convoy S21E SST40 at 5000k, Wurkkos HD02, Wurkkos TD04, Convoy S2+ SST20 at 3000k

Then cave pearls lit with the s21e then s2+

Let me know if yall have any questions!

u/clayman839226 — 12 hours ago