Inspired by a couple recent posts and some lumen-shaming from the boys on here, I wanted to try out some new handhelds... requirement: small, pocketable and cheap. I'm not mentally prepared to spend $300 on a modlite, even if you can roast a marshmallow from the next zip code with one.
Three players in the experiment, starting with my beloved microstream that I carry all the time, plus two more I picked up. I'm sure there are dozens more, these are just what I found after some painful browsing through flashlight forums trying to make sense of whatever language those nerds speak.
1. Microstream USB. $35. Momentary or click on.
2. Lumintop Tool AA with a 14500 battery in it. $28 incl battery. Click on only, then tap to toggle brightness.
2. Convoy S2+ SST40 with a 18650 battery in it. $26 incl battery. Click on only, then tap to toggle brightness.
Verdict: Think I'm gonna keep all three because why not. The Lumintop is a worthy replacement for a super small EDC type light for me. I wish it had momentary on, but that's not really a dealbreaker. The Convoy is double the size but the output is wild for $26 -- I could see carrying that for nighttime outings specifically.
I was driving around to meet up with another member this evening with the Convoy in my pocket and guess I accidentally clicked it on... didn't realize it until my left nut started melting in my pocket. That thing gets hot!!
Three players in the experiment, starting with my beloved microstream that I carry all the time, plus two more I picked up. I'm sure there are dozens more, these are just what I found after some painful browsing through flashlight forums trying to make sense of whatever language those nerds speak.
1. Microstream USB. $35. Momentary or click on.
- Low 50lm
- High 250lm
2. Lumintop Tool AA with a 14500 battery in it. $28 incl battery. Click on only, then tap to toggle brightness.
- Low 8lm
- Med 95lm
- High 650lm
2. Convoy S2+ SST40 with a 18650 battery in it. $26 incl battery. Click on only, then tap to toggle brightness.
- Candle 3lm
- Low 55lm
- Med 540lm
- High 1800lm
Verdict: Think I'm gonna keep all three because why not. The Lumintop is a worthy replacement for a super small EDC type light for me. I wish it had momentary on, but that's not really a dealbreaker. The Convoy is double the size but the output is wild for $26 -- I could see carrying that for nighttime outings specifically.
I was driving around to meet up with another member this evening with the Convoy in my pocket and guess I accidentally clicked it on... didn't realize it until my left nut started melting in my pocket. That thing gets hot!!
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