Best Flashlight

Originally posted by 92degrees
In the house I find the E2E too bright for most utilitarian stuff and the ARC LS is perfect.
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I couldn't agree more. When I do a check on the kids I grab my ARC LS, but a noise outside I go right for the E2E. By the way has anyone handled both the LSH-S and the LSH-P? I have the LSH-S, is the difference big enough to warrant getting another one?
 
Originally posted by Nathan S
I have several Sure Fires, but, to my mind, the "perfectest" flashlights I own are my Arcs: I have two AAAs and an LSH-P. They're bright, little, light in weight and perfect for EDC. They also use LEDS, which means you don't have to worry about changing lightbulbs (definitely a factor for Sure Fires, which need lamp assemblies costing around $20)
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Ditto. I have Surefire modles E1e, E2e and M2. I also have a KL1 LED (Luxeon) head for my E1e and E2e, but my Surefire's have mostly been collecting dust since I bought my ARC LSH-P. It's small enough to carry every day in the coin pocket of my jeans and bright enough for most purposes.

I still use my E2e with the KL1 head and a NiteIze headband for hiking and my M2 (with 120 lumen lamp) for "bumps in the night." but if I am dressed my LSH-P is on my person with my Griptilian.

BTW, and FWIW, I like to attach Tritium Glow-Rings to my lights so I can find them in the dark.
 
Originally posted by Sid Post
I've got three CMG task lights. The "Government" model is Whiter and Brighter. Well worth the trivial upgrade expense. I also like the convenience of AA batteries over the ARC AAA LE I carry on my key chain.
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Is the CMG Government model brighter and whiter than the CMG Ultra?
 
The G-model is the same as the Ultra. It was just a Gov. contract for the Ultras. I believe it may have HA but don't quote me.
 
Originally posted by cardimon
Is the CMG Government model brighter and whiter than the CMG Ultra?
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White LED brightness and tint/coloring is often dependent on the luck of the draw, unless they are hand-picked/sorted.

CountyComm at one time said the LEDs of the Ultra-G's were selected - however I note their web page no longer makes this claim:

http://countycomm.com/light9.htm

My personal experience - based on only a sample of 2 Ultra-G's and a single regular Ultra - is that the my 2 Ultra-G's had whiter beams and better centering of the LED - the regular Ultra I got seemed to have more of a violet tinting.

Here are a couple of posts comparing the Ultra-G and Ultra, and between my two Ultra-G's (with beam-shots):

CMG Ultra-G vs. Ultra

CMG Ultra-G (#2)
 
E2e with a KL1 LED head as an option. Can't go wrong. Best of both worlds in a small package.

KL1: (E2e) 4 hour run time at 17 lumens, followed by 11 hours of moderate output and an additional 50+ hours run time at minimal output for an emergency situation. Also digitally regulated.
 
My first non-keyring EDC flashlight was an E2 (gunmetal) and I'm still running the original lamp assembly after a year or so of intermittent use. My favorite production/non-modified model right now is my Surefire L4. It's not really meant for constant use (gets hot), but I love that 5 watt LED. No worries about buying new lamp assemblies or dropping the the flashlight and killing the lamp. The L1 is a nice light for EDC as well.
 
I love the Inova X5, I ran a piece of 550 cord through the handle so I can wear it around my neck in the field on my reserve weekends.
Love it!

DaveM
 
A lot of people associate "brightest = best"

Under certain circumastances this is right - just as there are situations when that doesn't work well - an easy example is map reading in the dark using say a Surefire 6P or E2.

Don't get me wrong these are fabulous lights - (I like the Streamight Scorpion) - but for a tasklight under dark conditions they are just a bit too bright and will destroy any dark adaption one may have acquired.

For this kind of task like reading or a quick shot of light to look for or identify something - but remaining in the dark with one's eyes' dark adpation less disturbed a dimmer light may actually be "better" -
for example to use an extreme example astronomers use very dim red lights not to disturb their night (Scotopic - rods only) vision - the use of a Surefire in an observatory may find one banned for life from there :D.

In that specialized case something like the Rigel Systems Starlite or (to me the more versatile) SkyLite with their continuously adjustable levels might be considered "best" -

http://www.airydisk.com/starlite.htm
RSSL.jpg
 
Has anyone tried the latest version of the Inova X5 Tactical? The new grips look much smoother and more palm-friendly.
 
Originally posted by cardimon
Has anyone tried the latest version of the Inova X5 Tactical? The new grips look much smoother and more palm-friendly.
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do you mean the one with the octagonal flats as opposed to the half-round fluting? i have the half-round model and have not have any problems with the "sharp edge" which is supposedly on there, its smooth on both sides and very comfortable.

Kenny
 
Get an ARC AAA for your key chain -- it's top of the line.

As for a flashlight with with more light output, you may need more than one depending upon your needs -- Lot's of light output, distance of beam throw, battery life, etc...

If you can stand the wallet bite, I recommend you look at the high output LED flashlights. Among the best today are:
Surefire L4, or E2/E1 with KL4 or KL1 LED Head
ARC LS series
Streamlight TL2
(all the above use 123 lithium batteries -- they are expensive unless you get them online. Surefire's Web site offers a dozen for $15. A camera shop might charge you more than $3 a single battery)
 
Originally posted by kenster
do you mean the one with the octagonal flats as opposed to the half-round fluting? i have the half-round model and have not have any problems with the "sharp edge" which is supposedly on there, its smooth on both sides and very comfortable.

Kenny
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I think the "palm biting" complaints I read about probably involved one production run of the Inova X5 rather than the model itself. May I take it you recommend the X5 based on your own experience with it?
 
Originally posted by cardimon
I think the "palm biting" complaints I read about probably involved one production run of the Inova X5 rather than the model itself. May I take it you recommend the X5 based on your own experience with it?
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yes, i do recommend the X5T, based on the fact that it is bright enough for everyday use, has ~20 hours runtime on one set of batteries, and uses LED's so replacing bulbs will not be necessary. however, i have found one flaw in its design. the LED's are recessed into the steel end, which also acts as a reflector, without a lens covering it, it is very easy for mud/dirt to get in, and could become a problem for cleaning while on the move. still, at its price range(~$30 if you look for it), i strongly believe it is the best "bang for the buck". happy hunting:)

Kenny
 
Any thoughts on LED replacement modules? A friend of mine recently got a 3-LED module for a D-cell Maglight, very bright. Looking around, the closest thing I saw was the InReTech. Gets good reviews, but $200 for a Maglight add-on is absolutely rediculous!!!!! I'd rather go buy a SF 10X. So, are there any good LED modules like that that are good quality for a reasonable price?
 
the Opalec module for the AA minimag will run you around $25, but unless you really like the design/looks of the minimag, i would still recommend the Inova X5T for a few bucks more, which is superior in nearly every way, except for the fact that it takes (relatively) expensive CR123 batteries.

Kenny
 
Yeah the trilight is really expensive. I'm curious to see how good it is, but I really don't want to drop $200 on it. I hear good things about the Opalec--good run time and a low battery indicator. I just recently picked up a MadMax 500 + Q3 drop in from The Sandwich Shoppe (site's down right now so you may have to wait to try out the link) and it kicks some ass. That'll run you ~$45 plus the cost of the minimag (if you don't already have one), but I like the fact that it runs on two AA batts instead of the 123s.

The X5T is a good flashlight, but my blue X5T has a lot more rings in the beam than my white X5 (original run--not "T"). I don't know if that's just because of the LED color differences or not.
 
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