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.
It’s a separate piece to carry, but a diffuser is one solution to that.
The Loop Gear SK05 Pro is an interesting option for $120, but the UI isn’t simple and there’s a lot of toy in its feature set. I suggest the Nichia LEDs for their superior color rendering, but I think this probably isn’t what you’re looking for.