Any Bright Ideas?

G

grizzgreen258

Joined
Apr 7, 2011
Messages
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Howdy. I don't know anything about flashlights other than I want one. I do a lot of night fishing, and I also load tractor trailers so a light can be very handy. I want one that is flippin' bright. I know the Surefires are suppose to be good but I don't know which models. Anyone out there have any suggestions from personal experience?
 
I have one of the Surefire 6PX Tactical models, its very very bright for the size. They also do the 6PX Pro which has a 2 stage low / high output. The only complaint I have about the 6PX model is the plastic lens, which will scratch over time if you arent careful to protect it. I had one of the earlier incandescent 6P models with a plastic lens years ago and the lens got scratched to pieces affecting the beam. If you pay more for something like an LX2 you'll get a glass lens which should be more scratch resistant.
 
I have been using several G2 Nitrolon lights since they came out. We use them in the shop and they get dropped, kicked, tossed, dropped in cutting oil and otherwise abused. They don't rust, bust, crack, chip, peel and they don't stick to your skin when cold. When your hands are slippery with oil you can hang on to them. I put Surefire or Cree LED modules in mine. We also have some older 6Ps that look like hell, but still work. Also, they are cheaper then the aluminum lights. With the LED, they put out 120 lumens which is plenty for any normal use. If you think you need more, there is a G3.

G2LED_colors_xsmall2.png
 
Surefire also do some LED versions of the G2 with LED modules installed from the factory - check out the G2 LED, G2X Pro and G2X tactical
 
Worked in a scrapyard at night as a mechanic- I used a Surefire G2. Tough, bright and easy to use. There's my bright idea.
 
Save some money, get a light from 4sevens or fenix. I love the 4sevens quark tactical series, they come in both cr123 and AA models.
 
I had the SureFire G2 Nitrolon for a while. It is bright as hell, but I got tired of replacing those expensive Cr 123 batteries. One pair was lasting me maybe a week or fairly regular use. I upgraded to a Streamlight Strion rechargeable and have never been happier with a light.
 
Fenix LD10, it's freakin' bright and ridiculously tough, waterproof, and comes in at around $50, also runs on a single AA :thumbup:
 
I have some nice high end Fenix lights but have been using a $15 Energizer LED light I got at Target a lot lately. It is a single AA light with a claimed 38 lumens output. I use rechargeables in it and get quite a bit of use from a charge. One of the main reasons I have been using it so much is that it has a pocket clip that has the lens face out when clipped to a pocket. It allows the light to be easily carried which always having it with me makes it much more useful than sitting at home. The main reason I like this so much is I can clip it to my hat and use it hands free and it lights up where I'm looking. I like a super bright high end light but its nice to have a cheaper single setting light that you don't have to worry about modes that is easy to carry and cheap enough to not worry about losing it. The fact it can be easily used as a head lamp if you wear a hat is just a bonus. Might be worth looking at for a back up light and you can probably run into town and have it today. Just a suggestion though its not exactly what you are looking for.

As a side note I have never been a huge Surefire fan. They are well made but are over priced IMO and are quite behind the current LED technology. I feel like you get a lot more features and a brighter light at a more fair price with brands like Fenix and Quark. I'm sure there are many other equally good brands but I'm not up to date with flashlights. Might want to check out candlepowerforums if you want to do some research on quality flashlights that meet your requirements.
 
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TxSxB said:
Fenix LD10, it's freakin' bright and ridiculously tough, waterproof, and comes in at around $50, also runs on a single AA :thumbup:
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I think that there is a rechargeable battery pack for the G2/6P lights.
 
Nice, does the G2 have a pocket clip available? That looks like a pretty good price too.
 
I own plenty of surefires that I do not use and plenty of FENIX lights that I use consistantly.

a PETZAL head lamp is great for night fishing.
 
UffDa said:
I think that there is a rechargeable battery pack for the G2/6P lights.
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There used to be a NiCad one but it's been discontinued and pretty crap IMO.

If you want a rechargeable option for an incan Surefire:
Eg a G2/6P/Z2/C2/G2Z etc, pop out the P60 module, and insert a 9V/8.4V/7.4V lamp assembly, an example of one would be the P90, or go with Lumensfactory bulbs. Then insert 2X IMR16340s and you have a rechargeable incan 2cell light.
For something like G3/9P/C3 etc, insert 2X AW 17500 cells, and you have a rechargeable incan. It'll run on 3X Primary(non rechargeable) CR123A's as well.

For their C/P/G/Z LED's, rechargeable options are just as simple because the LED module even on the new 120 lumen heads are rated for around 6-9V.
Eg 6PL/G2L etc, just insert 2X RCR123A cells for rechargeable option.
Eg 9PL/G3L etc, insert 2X AW 17500 cells for rechargeable options.

IMO for fishing, you'd probably want something that's hand free like a head lamp.
 
I've had good luck with Pelican. I've owned two 2360s (lost one) that are super bright, take AAs, and get better battery life with a brighter beam than my Surefire E1e (which recently broke).
Conversely, my father in law just had his second 2360 crap out on him after less than an hour of use. The first one heated up, burned super bright for a second before dying and his second just flat-out stopped working. Pelican's warranty is pretty excellent so I'm sure they'll make it right for him again but it is making me wonder if reliability is an issue with this model.
Take from that what you will, I guess. I will say that I could buy yet another 2360 and have spent on all three what I spent on my single Surefire (which, I will reiterate, is broken).
 
highly recommend Fenix and 4sevens. Surefire is good too but those cr123 purchases will burn a hole in your wallet.
 
I have 2 Surefires at the moment. A G2 incandescent and an LX2 which is an LED. Obviously the LX2 is far better than the G2 but I was impressed with the Fenix pd30 I purchased for my girlfriend. Both the LX2 and the pd30 run on two CR123s but the pd30 is much thinner and lighter. I doubt however, it can compete in terms of strength with the LX2 but then again how tough does a utility flashlight need to be? the pd30 also has a wider projected beam than the LX2 which is nice for outdoor use. It is true however that these CR123 batteries will be expensive but I do like the performance they give out for their size. I guess its a trade off at the end of the day.
 
grizzgreen258 said:
I know the Surefires are suppose to be good but I don't know which models.
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Based on this one sentence, this has turned into a Surefire thread. I agree with the few others. Fenix and Quark make great lights that run on less expensive and easier to find AA batteries.
 
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