American made flashlight question?

P

puukko

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Dec 1, 2005
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I recently obtained a Maxpedition Jumbo type "S" Versipack and have been going through gear to pack it for day trips or a small b.o.b. I want to carry a couple small lights in it with the capacity for long run times with spare batteries. I have a Surefire, but I am thinking along the lines of a Fenix light for extended run times. The problem is that as much as possible, I like to use gear made in the USA. Fenix isn't, it's made it China. Does any one know of a similar light, made here, or am I in a situation I find myself in all too often, in that I am forced to buy non-American. I am willing to pay the extra for the American items (if we don't support our own manufacturers, who will?) but I need help. Like I said I am restricted by bag size for the light and accessories/spares. Thanks!
 
http://www.peakledsolutions.net
http://www.novatac.com/

Both will cost you a serious premium over the same features in a Chinese brand light. The US flashlight makers have pretty much ceded this market to the Chinese. Mag-Light in particular could have easily dominated in this area, but stupidly chose to ignore LED tech until it was embrace it our go out of business. Even now Mag's offering are poorly designed as they are basically incandescent designs hacked to work with LED. The have insane long run times, but poor output because of poor heat dissipation.

I have no idea whether the companies above manufacture their lights here or over sea, but as far as I know they are American companies.

Also note that American flashlight designs generally trail the Chinese lights in terms of features and technology and output by months to a year.

Sean
 
Well Im a big fan of the Pelican line of lights. I use the M6 2330 (led version) at work all the time. It has a stated runtime of 40 hours. I have about 18 hours on the original set of batteries already and the drop of brightness is hardly noticable. It also uses CR123 batteries which have a long shelf life. I also own a PM6 with is basically the same light only it is made of a polymer rather than aluminuim.
Just my $0.02
 
Oh...I also forgot Streamlight. The Propoly 4AA lights are particularly good. Note however, none of the US flashlight companies are currently using the CREE XR LED's or the Seoul P4 LED's which are currently the best offerings. Surefire is going to be bringing out CREE's pretty soon.

I'll pay more for American products, but not if they don't offer equal or better performance. I will not encourage American companies that it is ok to be lazy in terms of innovation.

Sean
 
Check out EkektroLumens.Deal directly with Wayne,the owner.Very high quality,hand built lights using the latest technology.Built like a brick s--t house.Not too expensive.Manufactured right here in the US.Even has his own forum at Candlepower forums.I have several EL's and I am one satisfied customer!

http://www.elektrolumens.com/

Andy K
 
I carry a Doug Speck. I ts from Canada. The FFIII.
 
Thanks for the info guys! We've got Streamlight and Pelican in the firehall as helmet and handheld lights but I guess I didn't realize they made the smaller led units. I will check out the others mentioned too! Again, thanks!

If anyone else has any other info it'd be appreciated also.
 
I like Pelican too but take a look at the Innova X5 (or any of the "X" models). If it were me, the flashlight MUST HAVE the on/off button on the tailcap.
 
ARC AAA is a great small light.

Also the Peak solutions as mentioned. I have a Peak Keno Bay, and its fantastic. But not near the runtime of an ARC.

I'm not sure if the Princeton Tech Attitude is USA made, but its bright, long runtime, and not real expensive.
 
Check out the Swiss Army AA LED flashlight. Made in the U.S., built well, and has a bright beam with good throw. Priced around $25.00.

-Yooperman
 
Sturdy, reliable, US made, reasonably priced. I have a couple of Chinese lights that are pretty good but it's an Inova X1 that rides shotgun to my E2e.

Frank
 
1 more for the Inova, the amount of light and run time that a T2 has is amazing. A T1 is setting behind me on my pack strap as I write this and is my EDC along with a gerber task light.
 
Not made in the USA BUT, It out throws I believe any LED in the same size, I believe the run time on high is 2 hrs to 50% and on low is 6 hrs. Has a type III finish.

Its built very strong, it also comes with a spare clicky for on off. The clicky it has when it arrives is click on for low, click again for high, click for off.

This light is great, ive been using it alot for the past month, man does this thing throw.
http://batteryjunction.com/lumahunterm1.html

Here is a review from flashlight reviews.
http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/lumapower_m1.htm
 
I just got a Pelican M6 light. Bigger then my Surefire Outdoorsman but i still would recommend it.
Scott
 
Sometime this summer, SureFire is releasing their new Cree lights. The new E1L, E2L and L1 will have outstanding run times.

In the meantime pick up the Inova X5 it's an extremely useful and rugged light. The output is all flood with 5 to 6 hour run times.
 
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