Pretty overwhelming to try and pick one from the hundreds and hundreds of options out there. What I’m looking for:

  • Reliablility
  • Not an EDC light per se, but I’d like it to fit in a pocket when needed
  • USB-C charging and removable battery
  • Good battery life
  • 1000 - 1500 lumens is plenty for my use.
  • A tool, not a toy
  • The simpler the UI, the better - all I basically need is moonlight mode and around three brightness settings
  • Adjustable beam would be nice
  • Bonus: one-click turbo mode (for self-defense)

So basically, something that’s not too bulky to carry around, but something I’d be glad to have with me if I were stranded in a dark forest and kept hearing scary noises around me. ChatGPT recommended the Fenix PD35 V3.0, though it doesn’t have an adjustable beam.

  • 𝕽𝖚𝖆𝖎𝖉𝖍𝖗𝖎𝖌𝖍English
    2·
    12 days ago

    Of all the flashlights I own, one of two is always with me:

    • OLight Arcfield Pro. It’s chonky and uses that OLight proprietary magnetic charger, and no USB-C. However, I carry out around the house, use it all the time, and charge it maybe once a year. I’m not exaggerating. Seriously, I sometimes think it has some perpetual energy device in it, but probably the battery is simply massive. Using the blacklight sucks the battery down, but using the laser and regular white light LEDs it just lasts forever. There’s no noticeable passive drain over time, either. At just under $100, if I could have only one flashlight, it’d be this. It is still comfortable to carry in jeans, and I’ve left home with it forgetting it was in my pocket, but I generally don’t like to have a lot of stuff in my pockets. So,
    • the second is an EDC, and is currently in one of my pants pockets somewhere. It’s one of those little Rovyvon (or knock off, or one Rovyvon knocked off) keychain lights. It’s a metal (titanium?) body but has RGB LEDs in the body, which makes me think it’s not a Rovyvon because I think all of their’s like that are clear plastic bodies; but it’s of that design. Acebeam makes one almost indistinguishable, IIRC. USBC charged, and it fits in a jeans coinpouch; it’s even small enough to fit in a standard women’s jeans pocket! The battery lasts a long time and also has imperceptible battery drain, and I don’t fret about keeping it charged; the battery indicator gives plenty of warning, good for another night’s use before going empty. That’s around $60.

    Now I have to go digging and find the keychain light; usually I keep it on my valet, but I sometimes forget to empty my pockets and especially the coin pouch, which is where I usually carry it.

    Honestly, I could probably get rid of every other flashlight and keep just those two; they’re the only two I ever use.

    • Opinionhaver@feddit.ukOPEnglish
      21·
      12 days ago

      RovyVon Aurora A8 is probably the keychain light you’re referring to. I’m planning on getting that one as well, but like you said, it’s a bit more of an EDC light than what I’m looking for here.

      The Arkfeld was what I originally had my eye on, but the proprietary connector is a dealbreaker for me. I’m hoping they’ll release a new version with USB-C, as the current model doesn’t comply with EU regulations — but I’ll probably end up buying another one before that ever hits the market.

      • 𝕽𝖚𝖆𝖎𝖉𝖍𝖗𝖎𝖌𝖍English
        2·
        12 days ago

        Yeah, maybe, but mine’s all metal, not that clear plastic. And I’ve been searching for it all morning and can’t find it!

        The Arkfeld doesn’t check a lot of your boxes; there’s no beam adjustment like you wanted, either. I’ve got a lot of lights and it’s the one that’s always in my pocket. I agree, the bespoke charger is a not ideal. It does allow for that fantastic tail magnet. The lack of USBC would bother me more if the battery wasn’t so insanely high capacity. I’m not kidding; I think I’ve charged it twice in the 2 years I’ve owned it. It’s almost comical. The UV has been handy, and the laser more in theory than practice, but I’m glad it’s there. The UI is really simple; I like the hardware mode switch.

        Anyway, they’ll probably do a USBC version, but that doesn’t help you right now. Good luck.

      • 𝕽𝖚𝖆𝖎𝖉𝖍𝖗𝖎𝖌𝖍English
        1·
        12 days ago

        Got it. Jetbeam mini one, metal body.

        I don’t like those polymer bodies, but I wanted the multi-color LED options, and the Jetbeam had those. USB-C charging, metal body, RGB&UV, all in a keychain. Plus, it was, like, $35. Probably not as nice as an Aurora, but it had all the features, and it’s survived heavy use. I’d get it again.