Calling the flashlight nuts! Need 2 recommendations.

Deputy572

Deputy572

Joined
Jan 20, 2013
Messages
289
I am looking to upgrade my dated flashlight set.

I'm looking for an EDC and a duty light.

EDC requirements:
-Pocket sized
-50 lumens+
-Rechargeable or cheap battery (i.e. AAA)

Duty requirements:
-7" or thereabouts
-Rechargeable
-300 lumens+
-Have an actual duty belt holster made by the manufacturer or a secondary make that definitely fits the light.

Thanks for your help.
 
I just picked up a 5.11 atac, its about the size of a thick pen. 69 lumens, takes AAA's and only ran me about 25$. I was initially scheptical of it, but its been in my pocket off duty now for about 3 months and I absolutely love it. Its way solid and there is some aggresive jimping near the pocket clip and end cap that is perfect for drawing with your index finger and thumb, but wont snag on clothes which is a huge bonus. And i actually prefer it over my Surefire Backup, its not as bright but carries better for me. As far as a duty Light, I think that Surefire is the way to go.
 
GentlemanlySteve said:
I just picked up a 5.11 atac, its about the size of a thick pen. 69 lumens, takes AAA's and only ran me about 25$. I was initially scheptical of it, but its been in my pocket off duty now for about 3 months and I absolutely love it. Its way solid and there is some aggresive jimping near the pocket clip and end cap that is perfect for drawing with your index finger and thumb, but wont snag on clothes which is a huge bonus. And i actually prefer it over my Surefire Backup, its not as bright but carries better for me. As far as a duty Light, I think that Surefire is the way to go.
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This looks like the EDC I am looking for, thanks.

Still deciding for the duty light.
 
This one has worked great for me,in fact I lost it in Nov. 2011 and got another one right away.My Wife found it the other day and it worked like new after all that time.:)
 
If you like simple, the E series lights from Fenix are great value IMHO. I have the E21 (2AA) E11 (1AA) and E05(1AAA) They get the job done, and do so well within my very meager budget. There might be better lights, but not once you compare the sticker shock.
 
bladeknot said:
Two words: Surefire
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Seriously, almost every other light out there is made in China, and may or may not work after you drop it.

If it is important to you that your light work, buy a Surefire.

EDC requirements:
-Pocket sized
-50 lumens+
-Rechargeable or cheap battery (i.e. AAA)
Click to expand...

I like to standardize, so I'd just get a pocket sized CR123 light.

I have the Surefire E1B, which is 110 lumens high mode for 2 hours, or 5 lumen low mode for like 40 hours of runtime on a battery. It is small, and comes with a clip so it can be carried bezel up or down. It's a great pocket light. These are recently discontinued, but can still be found for $112 if you look hard.

The new version is the EB1, which has a different tailcap that makes it freaking awesome. It's also 200 lumens on high mode, with the same 5 lumen low mode. This is an extremely bright light for its size, but is significantly more expensive.

Rechargable batteries....Previously, the only rechargeable CR123 batteries were "RCR123"s. CR123 batteries are 3.0 volts, RCR123 run 4.2 volts. LEDs can be damaged by running too much voltage through them. Recently a new chemistry for rechargeable CR123s came out - LIFEPO4. It comes out of the charger at 3.6 volts, but after sitting for a bit settles down to 3.2 volts. I use them in my Surefires and they work great. The best part - unlike regular lithium rechargeables, these can't explode if you do it wrong! Here's what I use:

http://www.tenergy.com/RCR123A-3-0V-750mAh-LiFePO4-Rechargeable-Battery

You can buy them in a kit for like $15 with the charger.

Duty requirements:
-7" or thereabouts
-Rechargeable
-300 lumens+
-Have an actual duty belt holster made by the manufacturer or a secondary make that definitely fits the light.
Click to expand...

The new 500 lumen Fury lights are impressive, but I wouldn't want the 2 mode light for duty use because of the interface - you have to click it on, then off, then on again to get to the high mode. If you get one of these I'd highly recommend going wiht the single mode light.

See above for rechargeable batteries. Not having a low mode won't be an issue if you are using rechargeables, but keep a few lithium spares handy for just in case, as well as one of the small Backup lights in your pocket.
 
That is a very good point about surefire. Ive been using a streamlight strion for quite a while and it does not like being dropped. Ive had to repair it once and it currently works kinda crappily.

I think im going with a nitecore sens cr for my edc and a surefire fury defender for duty. Thanks for all the help guys.
 
For a pocket edc light, I highly recommend Peak led solutions, simple, durable,bright, made in the USA.
IMG_0667.jpg
 
I , recently, picked up this bad boy: Surefire UNR Commander

unr_zpsedb0cac1.jpg


I put a red filter on it to use as a lens protector. 800 lumens, strobe, 6 setting selector ring, TIR lens. This one comes in at about 9.4 inches, though the R1 lawman (750 lumens. 50 less than the UNR commander) comes in at 8.1. What I really like about the commander/lawman is that they have a rechargeable cell, but also come with a sleeve in which to put two cr123 and use in place of the rechargeable cell. Finding a holster for the R1 lawman shouldn't be a problem. The commander, on the other hand, is very problematic when it comes to holstering as it has a 4-way/mode (half press= selector ring output momentary, full press= 800 lumens momentary. Half side press= constant on selector ring output. Full side press=constant 800 lumens) switch that is exposed and lends itself to be accidentally engaged when carried bezel-up.

MatthewSB said:
The new 500 lumen Fury lights are impressive, but I wouldn't want the 2 mode light for duty use because of the interface - you have to click it on, then off, then on again to get to the high mode. If you get one of these I'd highly recommend going wiht the single mode light.

See above for rechargeable batteries. Not having a low mode won't be an issue if you are using rechargeables, but keep a few lithium spares handy for just in case, as well as one of the small Backup lights in your pocket.
Click to expand...

I also own the dual mode Fury. If anyone has a Fury model or is interested, please do yourself a favor and get a titanium clip for it from prometheus lights. I purchased on a few weeks ago, and it fits perfectly.

flashlights_zps421b0c31.jpg


Here's a reference shot with a Spyderco military and Shivworks Disciple just for scale. Also pictured is the sleeve for using cr123 batteries in the commander instead of the rechargeable cell and the Fury with the prometheus titanium clip.
 
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KNaB said:
I , recently, picked up this bad boy: Surefire UNR Commander

unr_zpsedb0cac1.jpg


I put a red filter on it to use as a lens protector. 800 lumens, strobe, 6 setting selector ring, TIR lens. This one comes in at about 9.4 inches, though the R1 lawman (750 lumens. 50 less than the UNR commander) comes in at 8.1. What I really like about the commander/lawman is that they have a rechargeable cell, but also come with a sleeve in which to put two cr123 and use in place of the rechargeable cell. Finding a holster for the R1 lawman shouldn't be a problem. The commander, on the other hand, is very problematic when it comes to holstering as it has a 4-way/mode (half press= selector ring output momentary, full press= 800 lumens momentary. Half side press= constant on selector ring output. Full side press=constant 800 lumens) switch that is exposed and lends itself to be accidentally engaged when carried bezel-up.



I also own the dual mode Fury. If anyone has a Fury model or is interested, please do yourself a favor and get a titanium clip for it from prometheus lights. I purchased on a few weeks ago, and it fits perfectly.

flashlights_zps421b0c31.jpg


Here's a reference shot with a Spyderco military and Shivworks Disciple just for scale. Also pictured is the sleeve for using cr123 batteries in the commander instead of the rechargeable cell and the Fury with the prometheus titanium clip.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info and pics. I'm not sure I can swing $400+ for a light at this time though.
 
No worries. Just throwing out options. While the UNR is a bit overkill and on the high end as far as price range goes, the R1 lawman can be had for about $100 dollars less. Have you had a Streamlight stinger? Those are standard issue/equipment for The Chicago Police Department and I know they are pretty popular with LEO's from many departments. Check 'em out. I would go with an L.E.D. model. Stay away from the poly models. There's nothing wrong with them, but you may require something with more durability. Take care.
 
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KNaB said:
No worries. Just throwing out options. While the UNR is a bit overkill and on the high end as far as price range goes, the R1 lawman can be had for about $100 dollars less. Have you had a Streamlight stinger? Those are standard issue/equipment for The Chicago Police Department and I know they are pretty popular with LEO's from many departments. Check 'em out. I would go with an L.E.D. model. Stay away from the poly models. There's nothing wrong with them, but you may require something with more durability. Take care.
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I have a Streamlight Strion and know several people who carry the Stinger. I'm ready to try out Surefire is all I'm going to say.
 
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