Flashlight for night dog walks

Krav

Krav

Joined
Jun 6, 2013
Messages
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I wanted something tactical, easy to carry, not sure how much lumens I'll need, take rechargeable and lithium batteries.

Was looking at surefire fury defender, and Fenix pd30

I could spend up to $300 on everything, charger, rechargeable batteries, lithium batteries.

Any help is greatly appreciated
 
i have a fury defender and I really like mine. For its size and weight it puts out some serious light & with the rechargeable battery setup they came out with a few months ago it really makes it worth the extra $
 
The e2d defender is roughly the same size with a more slender bezel. It also has a pocket clip and has a hi/low setting. The regular versions high is 200 lumens but the pocket clip is poorly placed. It is set up for bezel up which can be quite annoying when reaching in your pocket because of the impact teeth. The ultra version is slightly wider but throws out 500 lumens and has a bezel down pocket clip.

You really can't go wrong with a Surefire. My brother owns 2.

I personally carry a Four Sevens quark pro. It is a good size (pretty much between the SF e2d and a SF Backup) and has more output levels yet still easy to manipulate one handed. I really dig the moonlight setting on it.
 
If I may be so bold as to make a suggestion different than the responses you've had so far--go get a headlamp of some type, a Petzl or something similar. Totally hands free, more than bright enough for your stated purpose, and many other positive things too numerous too mention. They may not be as useful as a tactical deanimator if that is in fact your need, but for doing what you want, I honestly do not think you can do better.
 
I am not sure what tactical means to you - but I will throw a couple of options out that are MUCH less than what you are thinking.

First - Home Depot sells a flashlight that takes D batteries (Defiant Armor Max) - it is waterproof and drop tested to 30 feet - is solid aluminum and rated at 600 lumens. I don't know a lumen from a grapefruit, but these things are brighter with a longer throw than a good automotive headlight. $29.99 - and I bought 10 of them when they were on sale this spring for under $20 each (great gifts for Christmas). This light does not have a micro-processor and umpteen settings - it comes on, and turns off, probably work good for walking the dog and if you had to club someone with it you could (tactical?)

Second - I bought a Novatac 120m on the 'bay for $40 - it is a 120 lumen light that is small, takes one cr123 battery - can use rechargeable, has all the umpteen settings (very dim, dim, not so dim, brighter, bright and disorienting strobe - something like that). It has a pocket clip on it - but it is so small it would be useless with which to bonk an attacker.
Novatac went out of business as far as I can tell, so you would be warranty-less on this, but it was a $100+ light that now can be had much cheaper - all aluminum - rugged and well built - and you can even program it (you can search the web for that info if interested).

I have to this point resisted the urge (and I have them....) to spend a bunch of cash on a flashlight.

Good luck in your search - there are a slew of choices out there.

best

mqqn
 
headlamp or a pen light I would suggest. Somthing like a four sevens preon 2 or Streamlight Stylus Pro . That way you can stuff it in your pocket when not in use. I EDC mine and dont notice it. I have 20 flash lights around the house and really its the only one I use because its so handy and bright.
 
I have had good luck with my Klarus lights, I have three they all have pocket clips and produce 245 to 285 lumens. All three take cr123 batteries. I am due to receive my new Malkoff tomorow, if I get a chance I will compare it to my current edc lights and give an opinion.
 
I just use a Home Depot no name led flashlight. Takes two AA batteries - but they last forever with leds. Short money - had it for years. The dog doesn't seem to mind being seen with it....... :rolleyes:

I have a souped up four-sevens too - but I don't use it for walking the dog....

I have other sd options so I don't feel unarmed by not having a flashlight that doubles as a club.
 
I'm currently walking the dog with an Eagletac SX25L3 with the Cree MT-G2 LED. 4 modes, from low which is usable indoors, to turbo which literally lights up a 3 acre+ field. $125ish, takes 3 x 18650s (~$15 each, plus a charger which is around $20). So you'd be looking at under $200 all in. It's a fairly fat light, about like a soda can stretched out and slimmed down a bit so you're not going to toss it in your pocket, but aside from that it's killer.

The other light I'm using right now is a Zebralight SC52W. Runs on AAs or rechargeable 14500s, I think I paid around $65 for it. Puts out 500 lumens on the 14500s which is awesome for a light not a whole lot bigger than my thumb.

I'd like to add a Fenix PD35 as well.
 
If I think my flashlight may need to be used as a weapon I'll carry my 3D led maglight. Bright with good throw and the size and weight make it a solid bludgeon. Kind of a pain to carry though.
For edc and night walks I'll carry a 4sevens quark aa tactical. You can program two brightness modes such as a low light for the path or to alert cars to your presence and a high mode if needed.
 
Wow, thanks everyone, this is harder than I thought. I think I'm leaning toward the fenix pd35 the only thing it doesn't have is the tactical end. It will also be used as a light for my property back yard ,home, keep by my bedside.
 
Krav said:
Wow, thanks everyone, this is harder than I thought. I think I'm leaning toward the fenix pd35 the only thing it doesn't have is the tactical end. It will also be used as a light for my property back yard ,home, keep by my bedside.
Click to expand...

I believe the word you are looking for is Crenulated Bezel. Like this:



This is my Lenslight Mini. One 123 battery, 5 lumen and 300 lumen. They also make a larger 2-123 flashlight. This is one of the better lights I have used.
 
There are a ton of brands available, Fenix, Surefire, Quark/FourSeverns, etc. When I am in the market for a new light, I look at the manufacturers sites, this helps me narrow things down a bit by the intended use, lumens, run time, modes, etc. once I narrow the field down on one site, I'll do the same on another couple sites. I also try and find written reviews, in some cases they are much more helpful than video reviews a la Youtube.

Someone (a member here and his name escapes me) told mec a while back that the CR123 battery lights will give you more lumen, and the AA/AAA battery lights will give you more sustained runtime. It makes sense. A for batteries, I'd go with Eneloop. We use them at work in all sorts of stuff and they are excellent in any device from caller IDs to remote controls to flashlights.
 
rickdarris2004 said:
I believe the word you are looking for is Crenulated Bezel. Like this:



This is my Lenslight Mini. One 123 battery, 5 lumen and 300 lumen. They also make a larger 2-123 flashlight. This is one of the better lights I have used.
Click to expand...

Yes, that's it, thank you
 
RevDevil said:
There are a ton of brands available, Fenix, Surefire, Quark/FourSeverns, etc. When I am in the market for a new light, I look at the manufacturers sites, this helps me narrow things down a bit by the intended use, lumens, run time, modes, etc. once I narrow the field down on one site, I'll do the same on another couple sites. I also try and find written reviews, in some cases they are much more helpful than video reviews a la Youtube.

Someone (a member here and his name escapes me) told mec a while back that the CR123 battery lights will give you more lumen, and the AA/AAA battery lights will give you more sustained runtime. It makes sense. A for batteries, I'd go with Eneloop. We use them at work in all sorts of stuff and they are excellent in any device from caller IDs to remote controls to flashlights.
Click to expand...

Is it true, that when these lights are on high for a extended time they tend to heat up.
 
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