$50 EDC Flashlight

D

Dr. Thor

Joined
Mar 30, 2004
Messages
1,151
Hi all.

I am looking for a nice EDC Flashlight for about $50. I looked at Elektrolumens, Inova, Pelican, butI keep comig back to the Surefire G2 with the optional high output lamp assembly. It seems to me this would be a good combo. Put the regular lamp in for a longerish battery life, and the high output lamp in for those "What was that?" kind of situations. What do you guys think?

Also, according to what I have read, if I also get a Inova 5XT for my sister, she will be able to use the batteries that no longer run in the G2. Is this right? Thanks guys.

Thor
 
If you'd like the ability to switch light levels you might think of looking at a streamlight twintask. I just got one of the two cell models this week, and I couldn't be happier with it.
 
the G2 with p61 assembly will run you more than 50.00. More like 100.00.


But it's a sweet setup. I really like mine, but for everyday tasks I feel like surefires can be overkill. I much prefer my x5 or x1 for the efficiency. the p61 is great, but i feel like it's primarily for combative purposes.
 
Hi Dr. Thor-

You might wish to consider two lamps to cover a variety of needs as one can never maintain all fine motor skills if something goes bump in the night. The lamp assembly would probably end up being dropped and broken at a completely inopportune time. Perhaps you should purchase the Inova now and add the super-bright SureFire later?

Secondly, if you're willing to pay additional money during the initial purchase, you could always select a SureFire 9N Commander that comes with both a high-intensity and low-intensity bulb onboard. Good luck with your search.

~ Blue Jays ~
 
Check out the Nuwai Q3 at Countycomm.com for $38, and look for a review on candlepowerforums.com

It's a 3 watt Luxeon III LED that runs on one CR123A battery. I just got one, and it is a nice light. I thought my ARC LS LED light had a nice bright white beam, until I tried the Nuwai QIII...
 
Going off my experience, 60 lumens (what the standard G2 puts out) is pretty damn bright. Bright enough that you really don't want to use it around the house, especially if your eyes are night adjusted. Like you wake up, need to find something, etc. 60 lumens, even pointed away from you, will reflect off the white painted walls, carpet, whatever you're looking at, even at a distance, will hurt your eyes.

My EDC flashlight is a Surefire L2 (way beyond your $50 limit), which has an extremely useful dual brightness level. The full brightness is 65 lumens, but I rarely use it, even when taking out the trash at night. The lower level at 15 lumens (with 8 hour battery life) gets used 90% of the time, because it's bright enough, and doesn't drain the batteries. The Aviator is similar, and can have different LEDs like red (which preserves night vision), but it's not a digitally controlled LED main bulb (incandescent like the G2).

The closest thing to the L2 in your price range is the Streamlight Twin Task, probably the 1L or 2L depending on how much pocket space you have. Otherwise, I'd suggest an Inova T1 or T2 (again, depending on pocket space), ALONG WITH a keychain light like the Photon II microlight. I carry a Photon 2, even though I've got the Surefire (it's just so damn useful, small, and always with me). Or the G2 with either lamp, depending on which you want. Because if all you're doing is looking for your slippers or the keyhole on your front door, 120 lumens is way too bright.

To be honest, I wouldn't fiddle around with 1 flashlight switching between 2 lamp assemblies. For one thing, if you're constantly going back and forth, you're bound to break something. Not that they're not well made and durable, it just seems inevitable. Not to mention the PITA.
 
You can't go wrong with the G2. It's definitely one of the best deals in the flashlight world. Even if you end up not carrying it every day, it will still come in handy if you leave it around the house or in a car.
 
My experiance has been that them G2 is too bright for general use around the house and most things I need a light for. Try having all that light kick back at you while fixing a car at night. Now I choose EDC lights for more flood than for a hotspot.

I've found that the Peak Led Solutions have a good spread of lights for EDC. I'd go for the AA with the 5 LED's (can't remember the name) cost me 45$. Cheap batteries but with great output. My other sugestion is a Night Cutter. They have a nice 5 LED. Light that runs on 2 123's for 28$. The streamlight twintask is also a fine choice.
 
For EDC, I'm with SMcGill. The Q3 is super, it's small and bright and won't stop working if you drop it (and I have, several times). I've got a G2, and like most everybody else I'd say it's too bright for EDC use. It would mess up your night vision something fierce, even with the plain-jane p60 bulb. So would the Q3, to be honest. If I were in your shoes, I'd get the plain old G2 AND an Inova X5T. I'd EDC the X5T, which I still find too bright for dark-adapted eyes but I find a nice compromise. Keep the G2 around for those moments you need more light. Or save up another $100 and get the A2, which gives you that nice LED glow with the option of higher-powered incandescent light. .
 
Yup...The Streamlight Twin Task 2L is the one that you NEED. I have one and it's an EXCELLENT little flashlight! For one that's shorter in length, the Twin Task 1L is also an excellent choice.
 
Third vote for the TwinTask lights. Either the TL1 or the TL2. Great items for the price.
 
Thanks for all the replies.

I found www.flashlightreviews.com and am reading up on some of the flashlights. For now I have decided to get an LED first, and later get a Surefire G2, and maybe find a way to mount it on my tactical shottie. (a Valtro PM5 with 14" barrel) I am currently thinking about Inova, but keep the suggestions coming, I usually change my mind every 15 minutes.
 
I highly reccommend this Peak, in Hi-Power Snow LEDs. I have the 2L and the X5, and I like it better than either of them. It puts out as much light as the X5, but in a tighter beam, so it has more throw. The main beam is much brighter than the LEDs on the 2L. It is small, tough, and is regulated. I also have the G2, and while it's a great flashlight, it's way too bright for normal EDC tasks IMO. If you're going to carry the G2 your'e also going to want to carry something that uses up batties less fast, and also avoids blinding you. The Peak is perfect for that.
 
I would go with the Nuwai Q3 as well. It's tiny, tough and bright. It runs on CR123 batteries, which you can get for $1 each at Batterystation.com or $1.25 from Surefire.If you do plan to go with a CR123-based light, you should pick up a charger+ rechargeable battery set as well.
 
Well, enough with the high dollar mail order flashlights. I was looking at these today, and when I was at Sears, what did I find? A Dorcy 1 watt LED flashlight. Bright enough to put your eyes out in the daytime. It runs on 3 AAA batteries, 60 lumens, and cost $25.00.
It also has a strobe feature. I am happy and have change left. Sometimes it is good to be frugle. Okay, cheap. Paul
 
Sorry I went back and read the package again. 30 Lumens.....DANG, I can only imagine what 60 lumens in the eye would be like!!!
 
Kinda like a Surefire G2 for 28.88 at Gander Mountain. :)

I own a few Dorcy lights. IMO, for 6 bucks you can get the 1 AAA from Wal-Mart, and that's about the best deal around. I took batteries out of a calculator that wouldn't even turn on and it was still bright enough to use for a half hour a day for a month and a half.
 
I have 3 Surefires and the G2 with the regular bulb is a great light but a bit too bulky for EDC. I recently purchased a E1E-HA which is around 3oz and fits nicely in a front pocket. It puts out 15 lumens for 90 minutes and is bright enough for most tasks. The only issue is that they cost around $55 and up. But you can always find them on ebay.
Hope this helps,
Brian
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top