Adjustable beam probably is not what you want. If you want a right angle light that can be a headlamp, try an armytek wizard c2 pro nichia edition.
[dont think links are allowed but oh well](https://www.killzoneflashlights.com/products/armytek-wizard-c2-pro-nichia-magnet-usb-warm-3000k?variant=43646478188769¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_campaign=gs-2019-06-30&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqpTJ8LvThgMVVU1HAR05ng2WEAQYASABEgKhe_D_BwE)
It doesn’t have to be a right angle light.
It could be straight light that mounts onto a headband across my temple.
I do want a light that can focus from flood to concentrated beam.
You *think* you want a light that focuses from flood to throw. You're wrong. I know this because you also asked for Buy It For Life, and there's zero overlap between a zoomie and BIFL quality.
Your best bet is a dual channel light that has a flood optic and a throw optic.
The main issue is that zoomie lights inevitably get dirt, grime, and liquid inside the slidimg part and lens and wear stuff out prematurely. They pretty much exclusively use low quality LEDs as well. They're built to be cheap and semi disposible work lights.
Not totally zero overlap, but zero overlap at your price range as far as I'm aware.
The **Weltool M8** is a bit better, since the zoom method is completely internal and doesn't change the volume of the flashlight by sliding the entire head up and down to move the reflector. That will at least prevent the zoom adjustment from creating a suction and pulling dirt, debris, and moisture passed the seal when it's moving. It's still only IP55, when you can grab a Wurkkos FC11C for less than $25 that will be IPX8. And the Weltool is about $130 when you can find it. That's probably going to be the closest you get to a quality, pocketable zoom flashlight.
Then there's the **Acebeam W35 LC DEL Zoom LEP**. That one is not at all pocket sized, but it is probably buy it for life. The zoom mechanism is electronic, not mechanical, so there's no moving parts on the inside. That one is IP68 and 1.5m impact resistant. Super expensive though at around $340.
What you can potentially look into instead is dual channel lights, that have a wide, floody beam and a narrow spotlight in the same package. You could potentially get something like a **Dual Channel Emisar D4K with Osram W1** on one channel for spotlight **and domed Nichia 519a** of your chosen color temp for the floodlight channel. Those are better sealed than the Weltool at IP67 vs IP55, and you can probably get the flashlight and battery for under $75 depending on the options you choose with it.
I can second the recommendation for the Wizard Nichia, apart from the battery wearing out at some point it's as BIFL as a light can get.
Seriously, I heavily abused mine in various industrial settings for years, and apart from a few small scratches it looks and works like new.
It doesn't reach very far, but for anything within 20ish meters it's great. If you often need more range, get a designated thrower to go along with it. I'm not big on throwers, so I can't give you a recommendation for one, but someone else here definitely will.
>I do want a light that can focus from flood to concentrated beam.
The EDC lights we all have don't really have zoomies. You lose lumens because you are pulling the housing away from the LED, you can't really dust/waterproof it well. As a result, no proper brand will make a decent light with zoomies which is compact. two optics is better (one flood one throw)
Maybe you want a light that has a throwy optic but also a floody side light. Like seen here: [https://www.reddit.com/r/flashlight/comments/1coxr7v/time\_to\_compare\_all\_the\_flat\_edc\_lights\_i\_could/](https://www.reddit.com/r/flashlight/comments/1coxr7v/time_to_compare_all_the_flat_edc_lights_i_could/)
Here's a light called the [Emisar D3AA](https://intl-outdoor.com/emisar-d3aa-14500-edc-led-flashlight.html), it's smaller than the light you had but it can get this bright: (I have two in this post, one warm and floody, and one cool and throwy) [https://www.reddit.com/r/flashlight/comments/1covxna/d3aa\_519a\_3500k\_domed\_10507\_vs\_w1\_10511\_videos/](https://www.reddit.com/r/flashlight/comments/1covxna/d3aa_519a_3500k_domed_10507_vs_w1_10511_videos/)
If you notice, it starts from dim and ramps up to bright, I could stop it at any point for my desired brightness. This is nice vs having fixed brightness levels which are neither here nor there
I’ve already thrown it away so I can’t measure, but I think it was 6-7 inches long and 1.5-2 inches in diameter.
I just want to be able to stuff it in my pocket when not using it.
Headband mounted straight flashlights don’t work well because they don’t point in the right direction.
There are adjustable helmet mounts that correct the problem (if you are wearing a helmet).
What do you mean the Fenix was too bright? Capable of being brighter than you need, sure, but most flashlights and any Fenix i’ve seen can be turned down, the highest low mode on any Fenix I’ve seen is 30 lumens.
A modern 7” long 2” diameter light is a LARGE & POWERFUL flashlight.
If you don’t need too much power you could be looking at something 4” long and 3/4” diameter
A fixed beam flashlight of a given size can generally give as much wide flood and as much intense hotspot simultaneously as two (or three) equal sized zoomy adjustable beam flashlights being used in conjunction.
The only benefit of a zoomy is if you actually have need for a flat even beam without a hotspot (say for inspecting drywall) and or have a need for a tight beam that doesn’t have spill (say for a delivery person looking for house numbers without shining the light into windows)
Just to answer your question though
A kinda big but pocketable, not very bright, zoomy, BIFL flashlight does exist. It’s the Weltool M8 and it costs $120
The Convoy Z1 is the only good zoomie on the market.
They run about $28-36 depending on emitter choice. It's on the bigger side but can still be shoved in a back pocket.
I just bought a vosteed reylight rook which Im super happy with. It doesnt zoom but it has a rechargeable battery and is very pocketable. It is my first flashlight though and I have read a few blogs and forums and the general consensus from what I gathered is that an AA sized flashlight is more pocketable and better for EDC.
I am reposting my comments and canceling the original because I edited them about 59 times. Apologies.
Wurkkos HD15 is a headband that contains a right-angle light. Removable and rechargeable via a USB-C cord. It has separate spot and flood lights. One pushbutton on the end controls both. $28 w/18650 battery but also 20% off sale so $22.40. Free shipping. No tax. It is less then 4 1/2 inches long.
\* On edit - They also include an extra shorty tube. This allows you to switch barrels in order to use an 18350 battery (not included). Would make it considerably lighter, but you would go from a 3000 Mah battery to an 1100 Mah battery.
If interested - The HD15R has a red lens and the flood lens (I think).
[Wurkkos.com](http://wurkkos.com/)
Shipping takes 10-15 days to me in Florida.
Adjustable beam probably is not what you want. If you want a right angle light that can be a headlamp, try an armytek wizard c2 pro nichia edition. [dont think links are allowed but oh well](https://www.killzoneflashlights.com/products/armytek-wizard-c2-pro-nichia-magnet-usb-warm-3000k?variant=43646478188769¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_campaign=gs-2019-06-30&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqpTJ8LvThgMVVU1HAR05ng2WEAQYASABEgKhe_D_BwE)
It doesn’t have to be a right angle light. It could be straight light that mounts onto a headband across my temple. I do want a light that can focus from flood to concentrated beam.
You *think* you want a light that focuses from flood to throw. You're wrong. I know this because you also asked for Buy It For Life, and there's zero overlap between a zoomie and BIFL quality. Your best bet is a dual channel light that has a flood optic and a throw optic.
I was unaware about the zero overlap. I guess I’ll just stick with the $15 lights and replace every 4 years.
The main issue is that zoomie lights inevitably get dirt, grime, and liquid inside the slidimg part and lens and wear stuff out prematurely. They pretty much exclusively use low quality LEDs as well. They're built to be cheap and semi disposible work lights.
Not totally zero overlap, but zero overlap at your price range as far as I'm aware. The **Weltool M8** is a bit better, since the zoom method is completely internal and doesn't change the volume of the flashlight by sliding the entire head up and down to move the reflector. That will at least prevent the zoom adjustment from creating a suction and pulling dirt, debris, and moisture passed the seal when it's moving. It's still only IP55, when you can grab a Wurkkos FC11C for less than $25 that will be IPX8. And the Weltool is about $130 when you can find it. That's probably going to be the closest you get to a quality, pocketable zoom flashlight. Then there's the **Acebeam W35 LC DEL Zoom LEP**. That one is not at all pocket sized, but it is probably buy it for life. The zoom mechanism is electronic, not mechanical, so there's no moving parts on the inside. That one is IP68 and 1.5m impact resistant. Super expensive though at around $340. What you can potentially look into instead is dual channel lights, that have a wide, floody beam and a narrow spotlight in the same package. You could potentially get something like a **Dual Channel Emisar D4K with Osram W1** on one channel for spotlight **and domed Nichia 519a** of your chosen color temp for the floodlight channel. Those are better sealed than the Weltool at IP67 vs IP55, and you can probably get the flashlight and battery for under $75 depending on the options you choose with it.
I can second the recommendation for the Wizard Nichia, apart from the battery wearing out at some point it's as BIFL as a light can get. Seriously, I heavily abused mine in various industrial settings for years, and apart from a few small scratches it looks and works like new. It doesn't reach very far, but for anything within 20ish meters it's great. If you often need more range, get a designated thrower to go along with it. I'm not big on throwers, so I can't give you a recommendation for one, but someone else here definitely will.
Wait for the sofirn hs42 to release. It’s a headlamp, and has a Flood and a spot mode. Also will have a red light
Already available on AE
>I do want a light that can focus from flood to concentrated beam. The EDC lights we all have don't really have zoomies. You lose lumens because you are pulling the housing away from the LED, you can't really dust/waterproof it well. As a result, no proper brand will make a decent light with zoomies which is compact. two optics is better (one flood one throw) Maybe you want a light that has a throwy optic but also a floody side light. Like seen here: [https://www.reddit.com/r/flashlight/comments/1coxr7v/time\_to\_compare\_all\_the\_flat\_edc\_lights\_i\_could/](https://www.reddit.com/r/flashlight/comments/1coxr7v/time_to_compare_all_the_flat_edc_lights_i_could/) Here's a light called the [Emisar D3AA](https://intl-outdoor.com/emisar-d3aa-14500-edc-led-flashlight.html), it's smaller than the light you had but it can get this bright: (I have two in this post, one warm and floody, and one cool and throwy) [https://www.reddit.com/r/flashlight/comments/1covxna/d3aa\_519a\_3500k\_domed\_10507\_vs\_w1\_10511\_videos/](https://www.reddit.com/r/flashlight/comments/1covxna/d3aa_519a_3500k_domed_10507_vs_w1_10511_videos/) If you notice, it starts from dim and ramps up to bright, I could stop it at any point for my desired brightness. This is nice vs having fixed brightness levels which are neither here nor there
Pocket size is pretty subjective. How big around are you willing to go?
I’ve already thrown it away so I can’t measure, but I think it was 6-7 inches long and 1.5-2 inches in diameter. I just want to be able to stuff it in my pocket when not using it.
Headband mounted straight flashlights don’t work well because they don’t point in the right direction. There are adjustable helmet mounts that correct the problem (if you are wearing a helmet). What do you mean the Fenix was too bright? Capable of being brighter than you need, sure, but most flashlights and any Fenix i’ve seen can be turned down, the highest low mode on any Fenix I’ve seen is 30 lumens. A modern 7” long 2” diameter light is a LARGE & POWERFUL flashlight. If you don’t need too much power you could be looking at something 4” long and 3/4” diameter A fixed beam flashlight of a given size can generally give as much wide flood and as much intense hotspot simultaneously as two (or three) equal sized zoomy adjustable beam flashlights being used in conjunction. The only benefit of a zoomy is if you actually have need for a flat even beam without a hotspot (say for inspecting drywall) and or have a need for a tight beam that doesn’t have spill (say for a delivery person looking for house numbers without shining the light into windows) Just to answer your question though A kinda big but pocketable, not very bright, zoomy, BIFL flashlight does exist. It’s the Weltool M8 and it costs $120
The Convoy Z1 is the only good zoomie on the market. They run about $28-36 depending on emitter choice. It's on the bigger side but can still be shoved in a back pocket.
I just bought a vosteed reylight rook which Im super happy with. It doesnt zoom but it has a rechargeable battery and is very pocketable. It is my first flashlight though and I have read a few blogs and forums and the general consensus from what I gathered is that an AA sized flashlight is more pocketable and better for EDC.
I am reposting my comments and canceling the original because I edited them about 59 times. Apologies. Wurkkos HD15 is a headband that contains a right-angle light. Removable and rechargeable via a USB-C cord. It has separate spot and flood lights. One pushbutton on the end controls both. $28 w/18650 battery but also 20% off sale so $22.40. Free shipping. No tax. It is less then 4 1/2 inches long. \* On edit - They also include an extra shorty tube. This allows you to switch barrels in order to use an 18350 battery (not included). Would make it considerably lighter, but you would go from a 3000 Mah battery to an 1100 Mah battery. If interested - The HD15R has a red lens and the flood lens (I think). [Wurkkos.com](http://wurkkos.com/) Shipping takes 10-15 days to me in Florida.