[jscott36]

Hi,

I have been searching endlessly for what I need and decided I am going to need help.

I currently run a Jetbeam ST Cycler flashlight (tactical type pretty much) on my helmet. It's about 2.5oz (without battery) and is 425 lumens. As its been about 5 years since this initial setup I'm looking for something very similar, but brighter.

I really like using 18650 batteries so I am going to go this route again.

What I am searching for:

-a true 900 or so lumens light
-ability to tail stand
-no shortcomings like turning on accidentally in pocket
-2.5 to 3oz in weight (this is a helmet light)
-decent run times (1.5hrs on high)
-under $100

I know there are hundreds of lights out there (lots of chinese made) but I'm looking for a quality light that has a reputation for advertising the right lumen brightness.

Thank you in advance for any help. It's been a very confusing trying to find what I am looking for these past couple of weeks.

 

[127.0.0.1]

A zebralight h600w Mark III fits that. it tailstands (has a flat cap) and you can ziptie it's silicone mount to the helmet. will run 900 lumens for 1.5 hours. 89 bucks.

there might be cheaper or other solutions sure, but I can say this about that I have owned 4 zebralights (have two now, two given away as gifts) and ....to prevent turning on in pocket just unscrew the tailcap 1/16th turn. it is super light, lightest 18650 light you can get by about 4 grams.

the best thing about this is, it has a sub lumen moon modes, all the way to 1100 lumens. it will get hot if not moving and PID will slowly regulate lumens as it heats up, but if moving it stays on high (depends on outdoor temp and whatnot)

and it has a HIGH CRI neutral white (not straight blinding white/blue) and it is ideal for woods use at night

H600w Mk III XHP35 Neutral White 18650 Headlamp

I swear by them as headlamps

if you feed this thing quality 3400mah cells you get best results.

 

[jscott36]

Thanks. I saw this light during my research. Once I read that it can turn on accidentally I had to pass. Just to much maintenance for me

Thanks for the tip on the 3400mah batteries. I just got them this year but haven't really used them yet.

 

[127.0.0.1]

Thanks. I saw this light during my research. Once I read that it can turn on accidentally I had to pass. Just to much maintenance for me

Thanks for the tip on the 3400mah batteries. I just got them this year but haven't really used them yet.

maintenance ? all you have to do it slightly untwist the tailcap.

in fact all my lights [that have power via tailcap/anodized thread] (70 of them) to prevent accidental activation are specifically designed to be twisted to stop parasitic drain. it is a design feature. I have a total of 87 high power flashlight/headlamp assemblies and 70 of them are anodized thread/untwist to stop parasitic drain of the momentary switch sensor

good luck with finding anything close

 

[RAKC Ind]

An issue I see is that your asking the impossible. A flashlight having its rated lumens, only on fresh charge for the first couple minutes then slowly taper off Some can prolong that a good bit (6-700 lumen range with top of the line 18650 cells) but its inherent to "flashlight" design. Of course using lower output levels helps keep the output constant. The best of the flashlights can keep the output constant a fair bit long than cheap ones due to better reflector/optic and electronic efficiency.

Now this isnt a problem for some, the guys that run that set up aren't bothered by it.

Just something to keep in mind. The more lumens you want out of an single 18650 flashlight, the less useable runtime your going to have. And its a very noticeable decline. Limitations of battery design available right now.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[jscott36]

127.0.0.1 - Sorry, didn't mean to offend. One thing I should have mentioned is I would like to use the flashlight as an ordinary light as well. The Zebralight wouldn't service this function very well (IMHO).

Also, I learned that they suggest only unprotected batteries. My AW 18650 batteries are protected. I wouldn't want to go out and but a whole new set of batteries.

Thanks RAKC Ind - it certainly does seem like the impossible. I'll keep searching before I may have to "settle"

 

[jscott36]

Well, I went for this Jetbeam light - the BR10GT. We'll see how it goes. It will be on my helmet.

They claim 2hr run times at 960 lumens. I'll come back and report its battery life in warm and cold temps. I use protected AW 3400mAh 18650s.

https://www.amazon.com/JETBeam-BR10...f=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1513105819&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=jetbeam+br10gt&psc=1

 

[Cat-man-do]

What I am searching for:

-a true 900 or so lumens light
-ability to tail stand
-no shortcomings like turning on accidentally in pocket
-2.5 to 3oz in weight (this is a helmet light)
-decent run times (1.5hrs on high)
-under $100

I know there are hundreds of lights out there (lots of chinese made) but I'm looking for a quality light that has a reputation for advertising the right lumen brightness.

Thank you in advance for any help. It's been a very confusing trying to find what I am looking for these past couple of weeks.

You might consider one of the Convoy S2 or S3's. These are typically sold by most of the Chinese web sites and are very popular. I own a couple myself. If you find the right website you can order these with either a lower or higher power driver depending on your preference and choice of emitter tint. Don't let it bother you that these are Chinese. These are very nice torches. Most of these come with a standard 3/5 mode UI which you can switch between very easily. I also like the form factor of these torches as they are completely uniformly tube-like. This makes them easier to mount to a helmet. They will also tail stand. Not sure they produce 900 lumen on the highest mode but they are bright. Read over the last couple posts on this thread where there is some talk about output.

That said I really like my BLF-A6 for Mountain biking ( helmet duties ). Same basic form factor as the Convoys but has a 7-mode UI. Highest boost mode is over 1K lumen but is set to power down to the 6th mode after 45 seconds. Absolutely killer output on boost. The six mode is about 670-700 lumen and would be the go to mode if you want longer runtime. I talk about the A6 on the same thread so look that thread over. I'm sending you a PM you might want to check out as well.

 

[127.0.0.1]

127.0.0.1 - Sorry, didn't mean to offend. One thing I should have mentioned is I would like to use the flashlight as an ordinary light as well. The Zebralight wouldn't service this function very well (IMHO).

Also, I learned that they suggest only unprotected batteries. My AW 18650 batteries are protected. I wouldn't want to go out and but a whole new set of batteries.

Thanks RAKC Ind - it certainly does seem like the impossible. I'll keep searching before I may have to "settle"

zl uses either, protected and unprotected, and even zl sells protected 3400's
for the lights, so I am nit sure where you see they recommend unprotected
ZL635 3500mAh 18650 Protected Li-ion Battery (ship to US customers only)

they are spring loaded so tall and short 18650's fit.

ok, so maybe h600w III aint right (90 deg angle), then get the sc600 MK IV
SC600w Mk IV HI 18650 XHP35 Neutral White High Intensity Flashlight

this also tailstands and it is one of the lightest flashlights around (also starts at 1400 lumens)

ok done shilling for zebralight. zee-bra-ight. zeeeeee bbbrrrrroooooo lighhhhhttt LOL

---\
oh I see you got a jetbeam-- thems good too !

 

[jscott36]

cat-man-do - Thank you for the product recommendations and a little background about the lights. I needed to get something going so I went with the JetBeam BR10GT. However, I did it with the idea that I would return if it isn't as bright as advertised or is hard to use.

I'll check out the models you listed and keep a heads up for your PM. Thanks!

 

[127.0.0.1]

jetbeam is a tad chunkier in heft than a similar zl sc series

but 'tis a quality unit

 

[jscott36]

127.0.0.1 - Thanks. That's pretty funny. Won't forget the name Zebralight now

I'm not sure where I read about the unprotected battery only thing. I'll go back and check out the SC600w you mentioned. I appreciate your help.

 

[jscott36]

Just ordered the SC600w Mk IV Plus - things are getting out of control lol

Of course, one of the lights is going back but I feel with everyone's help I am making progress

 

[upstateSC-rider]

Lights are like bikes, N+1.
Agreed on the Convoy S2, I have a couple and they're light and can be customized with more drivers, even ordered that way through https://www.mtnelectronics.com/index.php

 

[RAKC Ind]

Lights are like bikes, N+1.
Agreed on the Convoy S2, I have a couple and they're light and can be customized with more drivers, even ordered that way through https://www.mtnelectronics.com/index.php

N+1, nope, N+10. Forgot the 0 at the end [emoji14]

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[jscott36]

My ZebraLight SC600F Mk IV Plus arrived today. It looks nice but my new AW protected 18650 3400mAh batteries won't work with this light. On the inside of the tail cap are a raised circle of "connectors"? that won't make contact with my batteries because the plastic tubing/wrapping goes up over the top of the batteries, which doesn't permit metal to metal contact.

I'm looking for new batteries now. Can anyone suggest quality unprotected 18650s? I have always gone with AW ever since I read about them on CandlePowerForums. I tend to research things like crazy. One good thing I am learning is that unprotected batteries tend to be cheaper.

p.s. I'm glad I came to this forum looking for help. I never would have found this light on my own. Thanks!

 

[WHALENARD]

I use protected and unprotected cells in my zebralight just fine. Right now the batteries that give me the longest run time on high over multiple charges are these

https://www.illumn.com/18650-keeppo...d-button-top.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyoqZvPSM2AIVD6vsCh1GCAfpEAQYASABEgJF6vD_BwE

I understand there are true 3500 mah 18650 batteries now but I don't have any experience with them. If you truely can't get the protected cells to work you could consider simply pulling the wrap and button off.

 

[WHALENARD]

^oops those are backordered.
These are good too

https://www.illumn.com/batteries-ch...-chargers-and-powerpax-carriers/18650-panasonic-3400mah-ncr18650b-flat-top.html

and definitely work. I think zebralight does recommend flat top vs button top.

 

[127.0.0.1]

My ZebraLight SC600F Mk IV Plus arrived today. It looks nice but my new AW protected 18650 3400mAh batteries won't work with this light. On the inside of the tail cap are a raised circle of "connectors"? that won't make contact with my batteries because the plastic tubing/wrapping goes up over the top of the batteries, which doesn't permit metal to metal contact.

I'm looking for new batteries now. Can anyone suggest quality unprotected 18650s? I have always gone with AW ever since I read about them on CandlePowerForums. I tend to research things like crazy. One good thing I am learning is that unprotected batteries tend to be cheaper.

p.s. I'm glad I came to this forum looking for help. I never would have found this light on my own. Thanks!

unpro 18650
anything at batteryjunction

https://www.batteryjunction.com/

they do not sell garbage. and you'll get a free led keylight too

this be one of the best
https://www.batteryjunction.com/panasonic-ncr18650b-3400.html

 

[jscott36]

Thanks Whalenard! Panasonic has always been great - not just batteries but other products as well.

I appreciate this 127.0.0.1. I heard great things about battery junction. The prices are awesome for the batteries you mentioned.