There Are Pandas, and Then There Are Pandas.
And this isn't either of them! The Pandas we're talking about here, are watches, not bears. And what got me thinking about them (again) was a link posted this morning by @cm.rook who pointed a few of us to the very attractive (and not terribly priced) Yema "Rallygraph" Panda which, in it's most traditional arrangement, looks like the one on the left, but can also be had in the version on the right: The model on the left is a true Panda, while the model on the right is called a reverse Panda. The reason for that distinction is clear--Panda bears, only come in the first arrangement. Now at this point, everyone should be thinking about the most well-know Panda, The Rolex Panda, which is actually a Daytona, and among Rolex Daytonas, the most famous of which is the Paul Newman Daytona, which was famous first, because it was Paul's, and second because it sold at auction for $17.8 million (US Dollars). The story of that auction is well-known so I'll only...
Nov 8, 2019
If the discussion is EDC lights, that can be broken down to several different categories as well, such as keychain lights or pocket lights. Some only carry a keychain light, or a neck lanyard light. Keychain lights worn on a neck lanyard are very handy when camping BTW, but I see few that are worth carrying and have yet to see one exactly like I'd like it.
So let's start with keychain lights. 1) needs to be small and light (duh) 2) Battery capacity: minimum 350 mah @ 3.7 volts (but 500 is better) or 900mAh @ 1.5 volts. 3) Has to be MINIMUM IP66 waterproof. 4) When hanging from lanyard, needs to hang with emitter pointing downward, and preferably slightly forward at like 20 or 30 degrees from vertical. 5) Excellent E-switch U/I with an easy to use lockout. I dont consider the massdrop tool AAA among the types of E-switch U/Is I like. 6) Needs to be stressed again: Easy to use lockout. Quick double click to lock or unlock. When locked out, holding down switch gives you momentary memorized brightness. Release button to turn off.
Comes on in moonlight when unlocked. Single clicks from there to advance modes. Or, Triple click from lockout goes to last used mode. 4 clicks from lockout goes to turbo.
Needs a sturdy lanyard attachment point.
Should be able to tailstand for ceiling bouncing.
Tail switch is preferrable for ease of finding in the dark.
Switch needs to be proud of the body for ease of pressing with big or gloved fingers. Zebraligts suck in this respect and is of the things I hate about them.
I prefer non cylindrical, IE rectangular keychain lights.
Copper body for good looks and heat dissipation qualities.
Minimum 300 lumen turbo. That's not too much to ask nowadays.
Moonlight level between .2 and .5 lumens.
Neutral white tint.
Big wide beam. Tir optics are best for this application.
The Lumintop geek is ok, but U/I isn'perfect, and is too big in reality. Though I will probably still get one, gut it, and make my own morecompact copper body for it. That or do the same to the Christmas edition nitecore Tip since it has an easy to use electronic lockout.
I have more to say, but will edit this post when I get more time.