Flashlight?

Posted by: edfardos

Flashlight? - 01/15/17 03:25 PM

What are you using as a lightest possible flashlight with the features you need? I have an Olight S20R Baton (2.5oz plus 1.5oz battery), and I'm looking to shave an ounce or two.

Features required:
rechargeable, preferably 18650 battery (1.5oz for battery)
550lumens, selectable (550/120/5/moonlight)
recessed switch on rear end
seven nights between charges (the olight is more than enough)

Basically a lighter version of this with a recessed button on the end:

http://www.batteryjunction.com/olight-s20r-xml2.html


I'm not considering head lamps at this time.

I also have a keychain LED as a backup.

so, what are you using?

--edfardos
Posted by: the-gr8t-waldo

Re: Flashlight? - 01/15/17 04:03 PM

I find that I use the red LEDs for most tasks at night-covers approx. 95% of my needs. Maybe a few minutes to review the next day's route on the topo with low white light right b4 rolling over and calling it a day. I don't carry a back up for lighting...I simply consider lighting a fairly low priority. If I spent more time hiking during the shorter days, my choice could be different.
Posted by: 4evrplan

Re: Flashlight? - 01/15/17 08:15 PM

Ed, I have something similar that I use for night bike rides, velcroed to the top of my helmet, but for camping and backpacking it's really overkill. I have a dirt cheap head lamp or one that clips to a hat brim, both of which use a watch battery. Which of the two I take just depends on whatever mood strikes me. If I were night hiking, I might want something brighter, but the 18650 powered light is still way too much. I've been eyeing some of those tiny keychain sized LED lights powered by a single AAA battery. You can get one rated to 100 lumens for under $15, but honestly even that is probably overkill, and I'm mostly looking just because I like gear.
Posted by: edfardos

Re: Flashlight? - 01/15/17 10:54 PM

thanks for the hints. Maybe I'm afraid of the dark smile. Do either of you run into brown bears? A small LED light doesn't seem safe enough to me in that regard. I like the red option too.

I took the magnet out of the back of the OLight. It's just under 3.5oz now. Somebody once said the flashlight should weigh less than it's batteries. The Olight is at that point.

I like the 18650 battery for the capacity, not really the amperage. At it's lowest setting, I could leave it on for 28 days straight. At it's highest setting with strobe, it would completely disorient the observing predator.

I think I'm close, but I'm re-evaluating all my gear to reduce weight, and that includes the flashlight. I've gotta get weight off my heels.

thanks again,
--edfardos
Posted by: 4evrplan

Re: Flashlight? - 01/16/17 01:27 AM

I'm not the right person to ask about bears; there's only black bears where I've been. There's no bears at all around where I live, and even where there were, I've never seen one.
Posted by: GrumpyGord

Re: Flashlight? - 01/16/17 06:05 AM

The only light that I take is a key chain light. Usually I have one that I use at night and another spare in my first aid kit. The spring ring on the light just fits over my finger like a ring so I put it on when I go to bed and I can always find it at night. I have been using that same light for at least five years because it is never on for over two minutes per night.
Posted by: the-gr8t-waldo

Re: Flashlight? - 01/16/17 12:03 PM

I'm no Bear expert, by any measure! But from my reading, there are two types of bear in n.america. Black bears, which have a wide array of colors. And grizzlies- often called brown bears.....at this point in time they are only to be found in Montana and north into Canada. For the record that last griz in the north cascades was killed in the mid 80's. I've seen many black bears while hiking...never been visited during the night- I think..knock on wood. My last hike..the g.f. demanded that I carry a can of bear spray. When I ran into a black bear it was really comfortingly to be able to un pin it and remove the safety.....all as I quickly cleared the area. I now consider it as my regular gear( for the record-at night, it's close by and goes with me when I step out to view the stars)
Posted by: OhioPaddler

Re: Flashlight? - 01/16/17 03:49 PM

That is already a silly light flashlight as it is given it's specs. Olight's website has that flashlight listed at 1.83 oz. If you can cut weight from that it will be in fractions of an ounce. Cutting weight from the battery will mean cutting capacity. 550 lumens may or may not be overkill depending on the situation. Your night vision will be toast using any kind of white light, anyways. Seeing long distances will be the only limitation with using a smaller light. MY edc light is 350 lumens and is plenty for most situations. Anything even close to your needs list from a reputable company like Surefire or Streamlight will be as heavy or heavier than what you already have. A keychain flashlight is about all I can think of that would be marginally lighter and would fill none of your other requirements.
Posted by: edfardos

Re: Flashlight? - 01/22/17 06:37 PM

excellent info guys, thanks. it sounds like the olight is light for the specs then. now, if only it had a recessed tail switch itd be perfect imho. finding the side switch in a hurry is difficult at best.


thanks,

edfardos
Posted by: edfardos

Re: Flashlight? - 02/15/17 08:09 PM

this new olight looks like a winning combo, with an extra rcr123 battery on hand. 1.87oz with battery, end button, 500 lumens possible.

http://www.olightstore.com/led-flashlights/all-flashlights/olight-h1r-nova


edfardos
OP
Posted by: toddfw2003

Re: Flashlight? - 02/15/17 10:33 PM

Originally Posted By 4evrplan
I'm not the right person to ask about bears; there's only black bears where I've been. There's no bears at all around where I live, and even where there were, I've never seen one.



they are seeing them in Davy Crocket National Forest as well as Sam Houston National Forest
Posted by: BZH

Re: Flashlight? - 02/16/17 02:06 PM

Originally Posted By edfardos
this new olight looks like a winning combo, with an extra rcr123 battery on hand. 1.87oz with battery, end button, 500 lumens possible.

http://www.olightstore.com/led-flashlights/all-flashlights/olight-h1r-nova


edfardos
OP


It looks quite a bit like my Fenix HL50. I like that light a lot, but it looks like it is now out of production. The button is nice, the 123 batteries last longer than AA's and are also being used in my steripen. CR123's can be a pain to find in stores (an expensive), but I just bought a box off of amazon and should be set for a while.
Posted by: 4evrplan

Re: Flashlight? - 02/17/17 10:01 AM

That's awesome! Good to know.