A little OT, need some advice on torches

Sal Glesser

Sal Glesser

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I believe that Spyderco makes some of the best knives in the world. Naturally, I'm biased, but I start with the steel selection. Most of our USA made knives are now CPM-S30V, most of our Seki made models are VG-10. Our continual testing makes sure we maintain the quality and safety standards that we have established for our knives. This is just my opinion and we can argue the details in another thread.

My question is regarding torches. What flashlight companies out there would you say think and build their products like Spyderco builds their knives? thanx for your opinions.

sal
 
You might also want to check with the Acme Torch Company. That's the brand that I use to light my way through the tunnels and dark walkways in my castle.:D.

PS...I thought that flashlights were called "torches" only in England.:).
 
Instead of a bulky flashlight for camping/work/and around the house I only use my 'photon microlights'. Very bright, tough, lifetime guarantee, etc. @ www.photonlight.com I currently upgraded from a photon 2 to a photon 3 and bought one for each of my family members for xmas and they have been using them all the time.
 
Hey Sal...

Those guys have it nailed down...

Surefire and ARC LEDS

Can't be touched...

ttyle

Eric...
 
The small flashlights, or slightly larger Versalites, I use are made by Pelican, and have Lexan bodies. My understanding is that they are also used by the SEALS, who are understandably obsessive about the quality of their equipment. The Brinkmann machined aluminum brand, are nicely made, but everyone I've ever owned won't work after a short time--kind of surprising given the simplicity of design. The Pelican brand always works, so I trust it for hiking purposes.
 
Please don't overlook Streamlight and TigerLight for rechargeables.
I also would not sneeze at a FRN Spyderco bundled with a Princeton Tec or UK! Or maybe a ATR bundled with a Surefire E2E. You know, if someone were looking to bundle...;)

-SB
 
Surefire seems to put alot into a flashlight. I don't own one(yet), everytime I have the money I buy another Spyderco. :) I do own a Streamlight Scorpion, 1 ARC LED, and 4 Photons.


Blades
 
I have an Inova X5 and this thing works very well. Although there's no focus changes, the 5 LED bulbs lights up well, and the whole flashlight is like a fluted cylinder - there's no bulge like the Maglites and other traditional looking flashlights.
 
Surefire and ARC!!! There are other good ones but these guys rule! Peter Gransee of ARC is a great guy. Like you, he spends time on-line talking with us ELU's because he values our input :cool:
 
Without a doubt, Surefire for incandescent. The materials and workmanship are top notch. A lot of thought is behind each design. They seem to have the same high performance attitude toward flashlights that Spyderco has toward knives. Great customer service/tech support too!


Edited: The above opinion is based on using a C2-HA, E2-HA & G2.
 
I carry a Surefire rechargeable on my work-belt, and another mounted to my Remington 870 (fore-end unit). A third Surefire is dedicated to my AR-15. For off duty, I have a Brinkmann Xenon/lithium light, but haven' used it enough to comment about it's reliability (just a really good price).
 
ARC Flashlight seems (from the outside at least) most similar to Spyderco. Peter Gransee et al. innovate, strive for constant improvement, support their products, and actively seek and value ELU feedback. When people can refer to the head of a company by his first name and in a positive manner, the way they do Peter, the company must be doing something right. Sound familiar Sal?

I carry an ARC AAA LE every day, so does my wife. I'm almost never without my Military, she prefers her Mouse. I've spoken to Peter and I've chatted with Sal. Very similar gestalts in the companies, very similar weltanschauung in the men.

Surefire makes great stuff. I just got a new one for work. But... there's a little too much snobbery associated with them, a little too much "Our way is the only way," for me to feel as connected as to the two outfits above.
 
I carry an ARC-LE and Photon III microlights at all times. I also have an ARC-LS and Surefire E2e in my equipment bag. My top three in order are ARC, Surefire and Photon.
 
Sal,
I would like to make a suggestion.Many here will no doubt say to get a Surefire E2e.I on the other hand say a Surefire G2 for a couple reasons.Less expensive up front cost vs the E2e.The G2 is more shock resistant than the E2e.G2 has the option of using a higher output bulb although at the cost of decreased runtime.Also the G2 body is nicer to hold at colder temps.Everyone please do not misunderstand me the E2e is a great light I just look at it this way,the G2 and the Delica are a lot alike in that they both are relativly inexpenseive do the job at hand extreamly well are light weight and very tough.The E2e to me is more like the Viele(or insert your fav "higher end" spyde)in that the E2e IMHO is more refined made of better materials etc.But when it comes down to it they all do the job very well.Let me not forget Arc as they are the top of led lights.I hope this all makes sense as it is late and I need sleep.Oh and all three(Spyderco Arc Surefire)have great CS!
 
Arc and surefire.

the Arc AAA blows the photon out of the water. 5+ hours from any cheap old AAA battery, type III HA, regulated circuitry for consistent light, waterproof. awesome. photon is slightly brighter initially but quickly dims and the plastic case is no where near as durable as the aluminum HA of the Arc.

surefire. pricey but great customer service and extremely tough product. I too prefer the G2 b/c of its low price and dual bulb capability.
 
Go with the Surefire G2 for all around brightness. A little big for EDC, IMO.

For EDC, I like the ARC-LS and/or AAA.

For a rechargeable, I use the Streamlight Ultrastinger. It can light up a softball at a 100m.
A new kid on the block is Tigerlite. It is being tested by the flashlight nuts right now. It is rechargeable and will outbeam the US. The owners listen to feedback and have good CS. I have one on the way to me right now.


SF's: three 6P's, G2, E2e, E1.
Arc's: LS, LE, AAA, UV, Tourq.
Brinkmann LX.
Streamlight US.
Lots of modified Maglights
ASP Taclite.
TACM-III.
PT's Surge.

In my pocket: ARC-AAA w/glowring, Benchmade 942.
 
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