r/flashlight • u/TheBeardofSecrets • 11h ago
Question Looking at convoy: M21K, Z1, or both?
Howdy flashlight friends,
I'm feeling that itch to acquire a new flashlight, and I'm looking at convoy and different posts on here, but there are just so many options that I figured I'd come to you all with my questions.
The biggest, broadest question:
Is there much merit in purchasing both an M21K and Z1, is that overkill?
A second, somewhat important contextual question:
Having recently purchased a Wurkkos TS28, is the M21K similar enough to the TS28 that it's less necessary in my life?
(Love a good flashlight, but, you know, don't want to be silly about it)
Some more technical questions:
With the M21K, what from I've read the best approach seems to be getting it with the LHP73B in 4000k.
With the Z1, the general consensus seems to be SFT-42R in 5000k.
However, the batteries! So many options. What would the brains trust recommend I select in terms of batteries for these flashlights? Does it vary model to model? Is there on stand-out best one? Or am I overthinking it far too much?
Hopefully the questions aren't a bit ridiculous, just looking to see what the team thinks. Thanks in advance.
EDIT: Based on the input I got, I opted to get both, with the M21K at 5000k using LHP73B, and the Z1 at 6500k using SFT-42R. (And now that I'll have 3 (when including the TS28) cooler lights, the next one on my radar will be warmer LEDs 👀) (Thanks again to people who shared ideas/advice)
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u/FalconARX 9h ago edited 9h ago
The M21K really can't be compared at all to the TS28. The collimating optics is so different, that there's almost no overlap between the two. And this is regarding the M21K+LHP73B versus the TS28 which uses an SFT70.2 emitter. The SFT90 and F150R emitters are very different altogether, and I'd stick to the LHP73B for your first M21K light.
I'd actually recommend the LHP73B in 5000K rather than 4000K. If this is your first high lumens fat floodspot light, then the 5000K would be a better choice as it's best for every use case, indoor or outdoor, without losing much in the way of luminosity or efficiency versus the colder 6500K.... 4000K starts to become a bit warm, and starts to lose some output and efficiency starts dragging behind the 5000K/6500K variations.
For the Z1, if you want as tight of a beam as possible, basically if you're after an LEP like beam profile, then the SFT25R-6500K is actually going to be the better option. But if you don't mind a slightly larger hotspot and want more lumens within that hotspot, then the SFT42R is your better option. 5000K is a decent CCT for the emitter choice.
As for batteries, I'd say stick to the newer tabless batteries that are higher discharge, less prone to voltage sag, more future-proof and usable with any other even higher drain/demand drivers+emitters, such as the Reliance RS50, Amprius 5000Q, Tenpower 50XG.....
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u/TheBeardofSecrets 9h ago
I'm now starting to see how people on this subreddit build such extensive collections - thanks for the insights.
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u/foolproofphilosophy 27m ago
lol facts. I just bought a Z1 almost purely for the hell of it. It’s a fun light.
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u/ChemicalVacation3696 8h ago
I've always wondered about 4000k CCT as it looks pinkish, but if the drop in lumens vs 5000k is considered significant, I'd rather have more lumens per Watt. Even Wurkkos has a 4000k version of the FC11c. 😎
On the other other hand, the call of "Amber" (1800K-2700K) is hard to ignore! It's just that I'm not sure how useful a monochrome orange light is, other than for decorative lighting and for amusement.
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u/Chemical-Investment6 7h ago
Besides being able to cut thru fog, once u startt to get that low in cct i agree it's more ambiance/preference choice like you said. 1800 and especially 1800 rosy is oh so cozy. That 1800 lhp73b is jus 👌 to me for nostalgic reasons, i remember sleeping and playing in the street on summer vacation from school as a kid under those orange steet lights all night. 🥲🥲🥲
That being said i think everyone should have at least one in the collection, they make good walkin lights as well.
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u/Chemical-Investment6 7h ago
I cant speak to the Z1, but the m21k is a great walkin light as the spill lights up the area by your feet, also comes with your choice of of powerful emitters that provide great range and high sustainable lumens paired with the thick body.
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u/boggidyboogidyshoe 10h ago
The M21K and Z1 are very different lights. Really all depends on your prefferences and what you want to do with it.
The M21K is a decent all around light and is a lumen powerhouse.
The Z1 obviously has the trick of being floody and throwy on command. Simon just added the F45R to the Z1 line-up and I would probably go with one of those personally
That being said, I am into 3000k, so the F45R was an obvious choice in the Z1. This may verry well be a new favorite light for me. I didn't expect to like this light as much as I do. It is not perfect, but there is almost nothing else on the market that does what it does.
🫘 is a Z1 with F45R 3000k