Looking for first flashlight

When it comes to lasers i know what to buy and what to avoid but flashlights is a whole new territory. I am looking for a quality flashlight in the 1600-2200 lumen range.

Ive found a few of them that are possibilities but im not sure on quality. Ive done some research in reviews but haven't come up with anything solid. Ive learned a TON from you guys when it comes to lasers so now its time to learn more on flashlights

One of the lights im looking at is the MX900 2x 26650 and found it for under $30 with batteries: HERE

When i read some reviews on BLF some said for the $$$ it was a good light but others complained about iffy quality.

The most important thing is im looking to spend $25-40 on a light. If you can suggest something that is absolutely amazing for a little over $40 then im all ears. Im after something of quality that will last me a while. I want to have a bit of throw but also want some flood. Im not a fan of those "zoomable" lights foun on fleabay with the slide hosts to adjust "zoom". Also want something that will feel good in my hands and doesnt fell too small or like something id break easy. BTW assault heads always look good on flashlights

The most powerful light ive used is probably a maglite or a cheap 190 lumen (advertised) light so this is a new territory for me

Oh and im also in the market for a nice EDC with decent power but not too expensive ($15-30)

Ill keep posting my finds to get a second opinion on if all of the suggestions dont peak my interest.

Thanks in advance for the advice :beer:

It's been my experience that those cheap chinese manufacturers will direct-drive any chance they get. So pick something that has a big difference between battery voltage and LED voltage (~3.6). This means 2 lithiums in series in most cases. Using a buck driver is about the only way to keep the cost down AND have current regulation. If all you want is 2 minutes of "WHAAAAARRRGARBLE!" followed by 10 minutes of "that's pretty bright" followed by 3 hours of "I can barely see the wall in front of me," then get a single cell light.

They will lie about lumen ratings just as much as they do with power ratings on pointers. The one you linked for example might put out 800lm on a good day. Find out what die they're using and google the output from the die instead if you want to estimate the light output. 800lm is plenty bright anyway, though.

yeah i read your post about that somewhere else here. thats why i liked this light since it is 2x 26650. Also as you can see i would like 1600+ lumen but know that this is a far stretch so 800+ lumen will probably do just fine.

i would rather buy one light that is quality then get two, the high output and EDC.

BTW what does die mean, im almost positive you are referring to the emitter but just curious what die means, other than the meaning i know it as :eg:

Thats quite a lot of lumens. Most XM-L's / L2's will put out just over 1000 lumens you may get up as high as 1500 direct driven if its properly heat sinked, but as Cyparagon said the effect wont last long. Yes Cy's reference to die means emitter.ie XML T6, XML U2, XML U3, XM-L2 T6, XM-L2 U2 etc they all have slightly better efficiencies as you move up the bins.

If you really are after something that powerful you'll probably need multiple emitters or perhaps an MT-G2 or an SST-90. I know Crelant makes some good lights, but beware IE did a mini review of the 7G10 with the MTG2 and it wasn't as good as expected.

Good luck :beer:

Edit: Just looked at the ebay listing you linked and that is complete and utter BS. No way will a std Chinese knockoff flashlight with a single XML T6 reach 2800 lumens!!:crackup: Wow talk about exaggerating...

If you want to go closer to $50, I'd really recommend a Sky Ray King.

Ok I always recommend these, but they are great value for money and fantastic little EDC's.

7G3CS - XML U3 $38
7G2CS - XML U3 $40

Have a look here and you can buy them here (maybe able to use BLF discount codes too...)

And of course because I love the flood to zoom function and versatility, the Sipik 98!! Uses an XML T6, but still very bright and only $13

Heres a link of my mod of it. :beer:

oh yeah i knew the claimed lumen of the fleabay listings were going to be way off, similar to that of the claimed mAh of ultrafire :crackup:

i am open to milti-emitters and yes ive looked into the skyray king but they have so many knock offs that even fasttech says we switched to this verson because it seems more legit :thinking:

ill look into those emitters listed above and see what i can find as well as taking a second look at crelant.

thanks for the advice thus far :beer:

EDIT: This anything worthwhile? HERE Crelant V9-U2 (cant find it on their site so is it discontinued?)

EDIT 2: really liking the 7G6CS, watched and read a few reviews on it

For the price range you are looking at i would go for this:
TRUSTFIRE Cree XM-L T6 1800LM 5-Mode Memory White 3-LED Flashlight
Buy TRUSTFIRE Cree XM-L T6 1800LM 5-Mode Memory White 3-LED Flashlight (3 x 18650)


It has descent throw, 1800lmns claimed, probably around 1200 actual, great runtime due to the 3x18650's, 5 modes and 3 Cree XML's.. And all that for US$35!

If you had an extra $50 to spend i am getting a :
TrustFire 13000Lm 12x CREE XM-L T6 LED Flashlight Torch 70W
TrustFire 13000LM 12x CREE XM L T6 LED Flashlight Torch 3X 26650 18650 70W 12T6 | eBay

It has INCREDIBLE throw, 13,000 LUMENS! claimed.. has been rated at just over 10,000 on another forum and can go upto 11,000 on full batteries, good runtime and can use 26650's as well as 18650's again 5 modes but this has 12 Cree XML-T6's!!!! Yes 12!!! lol! for US$85!

So save an extra couple of bucks! And buy this instead!!!

thats the other thing, not sure if im getting two lights or just one. if i only get one then i want it to be compact enough to be able to carry around with me. the 7G6CS looks small enough to handle as a larger EDC but if someone has one and doesnt think so, let me know

Anyone have experience with the first link tony posted? doesnt seem too bad and an xm-l will do what 400lm so 1200lm for all three?

Livinloud said:

thats the other thing, not sure if im getting two lights or just one. if i only get one then i want it to be compact enough to be able to carry around with me. the 7G6CS looks small enough to handle as a larger EDC but if someone has one and doesnt think so, let me know

Anyone have experience with the first link tony posted? doesnt seem too bad and an xm-l will do what 400lm so 1200lm for all three?

Click to expand...

I am pretty sure a XML-T6 can be pushed to over 1000lmn (technically) Also, you aren't just looking at the lumens but the throw.. Out of the 2 torches i posted there the smaller one may actually have the same throw as the 12xXML due to the reflector sizes.. But the 12 will have insane brightness and blinding power!!!

The 12 isn't "small" by any means.. But for the power it is reasonably small..ish.

If you want power in a tiny package for under $30.. Try this UltraFire TH-T60 HA-II XM-LT6 5-Mode 975-Lumen White LED Flashlight with Strap (1 x 18650) - Free Shipping - DealExtreme


Or even this http://dx.com/p/ultrafire-kf-t60-ha...ite-led-flashlight-with-strap-1-x-18650-57003

I think its between the Crelant V9U2, 7G6CS, V6CS or 7G2CS OR if you have any other suggestions similar to those then im not dead set on Crelant yet. Would like to order this light by the weekend so still have time to decide

EDIT: is there any difference between the neutral white and cool white version other than the lumen difference by the different emitter?

Yup the colour tint; neutral is more yellow than cool, which in turn is more blue. Think of an incandescent light neutral is still way more blue but its moving in that direction.:beer:

I really want the cool white one but they are more expensive and harder to find :/

Posted a WTB here and on BLF so hopefully someone knows a "stash spot" they can help me with or have one that they'd sell

Misread on the other forum.

If you want cool white, just get the XMLU2 V6CS.

If you want I could dropshipped a BTU Shocker for you.

Modded, stock? How much?

The BTU shocker modded outdoes the TK75 which is pretty impressive.

I'm looking forward to the FF4 kicking butt versus everything I own soon