Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles Wyoming Arms / High Lumen Light Evaluation

How much is the mount by itself? Or can you by it by itself?

Thanks for the evaluation. I know this will sound arrogant but IMO you're still behind the curve. I use flashlights a lot. They may not get quite the workout a cop gives them, but I still put them through their paces. Getting your lumens up to the level of the Fenix is where that part needs to be. Use of those batteries is still a weakness though because generally speaking, they are ancient technology. I've got a total of one "torch" that uses them which doesn't eat them right up. It's a stubby flashlight that only uses one. 18650 rechargeables are the standard now. I like a light that uses three AAA batteries because they are just so easy to find and cheap, but I have not found one yet that will approach the illumination of 18650's. I recently bought a new flashlight that appears to be of Surefire quality with this setup for $8! I already had batteries and charger for it. A package deal with light, batteries and charger was $15. lol A year or two ago I got attacked by a bunch of people when I said Surefire and Streamlight are moribund. Frankly, if they hadn't moved a lot of their production out of the country and fallen so far behind in technology in conjunction with pricing their products out of sight, I'd still be a fan. Sadly those three things are facts though. I don't think I currently even have a Surefire out to use. I've got them stacked in my safes for use when I can't see something back in the corner or the like. Surefire is like Maglight, wonderful technology that has been surpassed. FWIW I've never cared for Streamlight. Just too many problems. I've got one Streamlight laying out in the garage that I just haven't made the effort to move to a safe. That's the only one that's still out.

When I was using torches with CR123A batteries, I went through them like water through a sieve. Since pretty much switching to the 18650's I haven't bought hardly any save for a two-pack when I got the stubby light I spoke of. I just wanted fresh batteries for it. Gone is the need to journey 100 miles to Cabela's in order to get a box or two of Surefire batteries for who-know-how-much now. They were at least $25 for a box the last time I bought them and are probably $30 or more now. Maybe cheaper online, but I don't use them anyway. The two pack at Walmart was ten bucks. The 18650's run-time seems SIGNIFICANTLY increased and I've yet to wear one of the batteries out. They were cheap initially too.

I very much like the looks of the mount.

EE, the PD35 is compatible with 18650s. I intend to check into them, but hasn't ever known anyone with first hand experience with them. I'll have to check into that.

I have several LED lights that work with either 3 AAA batteries in a holder/adapter, or a single 18650 battery.

I bought four 18650 rechargeable batteries (and a recharger) and I have been very happy. They last a long time, and charge quickly.

I have not gone back to the triple AAA batteries, but it is nice to know that he option is there if I am on the road and do not have my 18650 charger with me.

John

I agree completely with what jpb says in his post. If you can get a light that goes interchangeable with the AAA's and 18650's that's currently the way to go. The AAA's are just so easy to find but the 18650's I've used have been about the best rechargeables I've ever experienced in a light.

The technology is moving so fast right now it's unbelievable. It's just crazed to get a light like I did for $8. How reliable it is for how long is yet to be revealed.

Thanks for the +1 Ethan.

I stopped looking at anything other than the 3AAA-18650 combo flashlights after my first one!

I should have added that I have seen 18650 batteries with individual capacities of 1800, 2200, 2400, 2600 mAh.

I got the 2600 mAh -- boy, do these suckers last!

Now, I see 3600 mAh versions are on the market.

John

Yes I have a green pig hunting light that uses those 18650 rechargeable batteries. I like them better than the CR123 batteries.

It is nice to have the option of either the 18650s or CR123s. Pretty hard to find a charged up 18650 at the local store in pinch and conversely the 18650s can sure save a bundle in a heavy use light.

I buy CR123's in bulk and have maybe 9-10 dozen on hand right now. Of course now all of my lights have been upgraded so the shortest battery life I have now is 2 hours, way better than the 30 minutes I used to get with the old Surefires.

However, the rechargeable 18650's are on my list as well as a solar charger.