Flashlight newbie

Just to clear something up:

BOTH Led's & incandescents can be run on: Lithium primaries, Lithium rechargeables, Li-Ion, NiMH, Alkalines, Lead Acid, NiCad etc etc.

There are many pros and cons and many different reasons for using each type of battery. I suggest further reading at Carrots site listed above and over at CandlePowerForums.

here are some beamshots:

L to R

SureFire 8axCommander incandesent 110 lumens, Fenix P1DCE (led) 135 lumens, Fenix TK11 (led) 225 lumens, Pelican LAPD (led) 130 lumens.

DSCF5738.jpg


I would suggest to the OP that he try the FENIX lights, they are inexpensive and VERY well made, and BRIGHT! maybe the LD20, which uses common AA batts...not too pricy and easy to find.
 
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Porcupine:

I own a bazillion lights, and it was my money-draining hobby before I got into knives. I own countless Surefires, Streamlights, Fenixes, and many other flavors. Brother Carrot knows what I'm talking about.

But what you might want to start with is an el cheapo Vector brand or similar rechargeable spotlight from Wal-mart or Target. Costs $20, and makes more light by far than anything else in this thread. Now it won't fit in your pocket or on your belt, and its not built like a bank vault like Surefires are for example, but if your goal is to make a horse-load of light without spending $100+, check it out. I keep one in the car, one in the sleeping chamber, one in a kitchen cabinet and so forth. Big light, small money.

:thumbup:
 
I got a great price on a Surefire E1B back in the summer. They went up to $150 list last September, but it is still a nice light, if overpriced a bit. You get 5 Lumens for 36 hours or full 80 Lumens, same as the 6P LED, for 1.3+ hr - on one CR123 Lithium. The aluminum 6P with an incandescent bulb starts at 65 Lumens and goes flat by 60 minutes, while the P60L drop-in LED will convert it to a 6P LED, with 80 Lumens initially and useful light for 11 hr. The G2 takes the same drop-in to become a G2 LED. The incandescent 6P/G2 can often be found quite reasonably priced. Of course, 80 Lumens 'on the trail' is too much. The E1L Outdoorsman isn't a bad choice, it offers 3 Lumens/40 hours or 40 Lumens/3 hr. The E1B & E1L require one CR123, the G2 & 6P require two. My last S-F was the E2D LED Defender - same list price as the E1B, but listed at 120/5 Lumens for 2+/76 hours - super light!

The best source for the CR123 Lithiums is Surefire. They are made to their spec's - and made, like the Surefire lights, in the USA.They run $21/12 from them + s/h. Check your local MaPa gunstores - they often carry them - some offering LEO prices to everyone, the only way you'll find a S-F off list (Except evil-bay!). The CR123 Lithiums have the greatest energy density, good news for hikers, and a 10+ yr shelf life as well as great low temp characteristics.

Now - the made-in-PRC Fenix P2D Premium Q5 that I got in a '4 n 1' kit last winter has sold my f-i-l, b-i-l, and my oldest son on that light. Great bargain - it even comes with a belt sheath and spare o-rings, etc. On regular mode and a fresh CR123, it goes 12/55/107 Lumens for 30/5/2 hr - or strobes 'S O S' on 107 Lumens. On 'Turbo', it goes 180 Lumens for an hour - or strobes rapidly at that level - it gets hot, too. A bit optimistic on the light levels, which are bright, and run-time. My 'kit' came with an L1D body & switch, permitting operation of the head with a single AA cell, and putting out essentially the same levels on regular mode for considerably less time - or, on 'Turbo', 120 Lumens for an hour and a half. The AA times are optimistic - more so than the CR123 time. Either way, they are decent less expensive alternatives to the Surefires. Note - the Eveready 'Lithium' AAs are more than the S-F CR123s - but they do work longer/better in the L1D body than alkaline AAs.

Stainz
 
powernoodle said:

I own a bazillion lights, and it was my money-draining hobby before I got into knives. I own countless Surefires, Streamlights, Fenixes, and many other flavors. Brother Carrot knows what I'm talking about.
:thumbup:
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Yeah man, the flashlight hobby is a disease... and I'm still not cured!
I never saw, ya got any of these?
3121102837_c60b0bdbdf.jpg
 
I have a ton of Surefire lights that are DOA... They just dont seem to hold up for the price.. I am SUPER impressed with the Fenix lights epsecially at the price point.. Super well made, and bright as can be.. Also Fenix has other lines that are incredible like Nitecore, and O-light.. Fenix has a new LD01 its about the size of an ARC light runns off a AAA and puts out 80 Lumens!!! Thats incredible for a light about the size of a pinky finger.. More light than a BIG maglight!! Also the AA Nitecore defender is incredible and throws 120 lumens which is the same as the 6V Gladius and very small.. The Fenix P2D throws 200 lumens with one 3V 123 batt.. Very compact and the light is amazing..
Any of these lights are well under $100 and just incredible quality and performance..
 
I can't say enough good thing about my Fenix L2D-Q5 ... one of my best purchases
relatively inexpensive and runs on commonly found AA's although I prefer using Lithium AA's
 
Snow said:
Lithium refers to the battery chemistry. Many LED lights are very bright at a small size because they used lithium cells. You should check out candlepowerforums for more details on this stuff.
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I realize that lithium is a battery, as stated in my first post. I was refering to incandescent bulbs running on those. I should have inserted incandescent bulb in my 2nd post.

I admit its been a long time since I even cared to pay attention to flashlights. And didn't realize that LED lights are capable of producing that intense light. Thanks to everyone for clearing that up and correcting my wrong information.
 
I have many, many Surefire flashlights (and use most very frequently).
I've never had any issues with ANY of my Surefire flashlights and they've been extremely reliable.

There have been many good recommendations for flashlights here. You may have note that most use the CR123 batteries. They provide amazing power for their size. However, if you are cost conscious and want to use readily available AA batteries, there are also other options.

From this company, I've picked up a few of their 4 AA Streamlight ProPolymer flashlights (both in yellow and black). I use some around the house and have given a few as gifts. Very reliable, very bright and as noted, they use AA batteries.
The only downside is that they aren't sized to be an EDC flashlight and are a bit bigger than the Surefire or Fenix flashlights.

Take a look though:
http://www.fox-intl.com/searchresult.asp?id=3490
http://www.fox-intl.com/searchresult.asp?id=3034

Regards,
Mike
 
I got suckered into a couple Surefires. Both went dead on me after a few months of very light use. Never again. Read up on them and you'll find enough complaints to keep you away.

I've had three Fenix lights. All are brighter than the Surefires and best of all, they work. Not to mention the fact that they're way less expensive.

Do research at candlepowerforums.com if you want a ton of information.
 
Another vote for the Fenix brand. I was a big surefire guy and I carried a surefire while in Iraq and ran through CR123 batteries left and right but didnt mind then because it was on the Army's tab. You can get almost equal lumens of AA batteries. Also Fenix lights are cheaper then surefires.
 
Wildewinds said:
I got suckered into a couple Surefires. Both went dead on me after a few months of very light use. Never again. Read up on them and you'll find enough complaints to keep you away.

I've had three Fenix lights. All are brighter than the Surefires and best of all, they work. Not to mention the fact that they're way less expensive.

Do research at candlepowerforums.com if you want a ton of information.
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You didn't happen to get the ones that are incandescent, did you? Those are bright, but the battery life sucks.

Personally, I've never had a problem with any SF light I've owned.
 
KuRUpTD said:
I can't say enough good thing about my Fenix L2D-Q5 ... one of my best purchases
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I've always wanted one of these, and a P1D or P2D. I think it'll be my next light purchase if I don't get a TK10/11 or something like it.
 
Flashlights (torches where i live) are like knives in a certain way - if you spend a few bucks you get crap, but you do not mind tyoo much if it breaks, you lose it, etc.
However when you spend the bigger bucks you get a better piece of equipment - something that you are prepared to bet your life one.
I have a Novatac 120P and its one of those piece of equipment that i trust, i also have a mini mag, its sits in my scooter, if it works cool - if it breaks no big deal!
You get what you pay for - a good flashlight can save your life, as can a knife, it can also be useful, just like a knife, however you also need batteries...
 
The P2D Premium Q5 I mentioned can be had for <$60 shipped if yo go to the candlepowerforum and use one of their vendors and discounts. All three of the ones I mentioned in my family who got one recently got them that way. Great bargain. Mine gets little carry since the S-F E1B & E2DL arrived. I've never heard of a S-F light failing, save the incandescent ones. The bulbs burn-out - the filaments will break if mechanically shocked. They are stoutly made mechanically - and inherently more dependable in LED form, even if they don't follow market trends in the latest LEDs like some do. The 6P/G2 will take a myriad of after-market LED drop-ins, from vendors in China to specialty makers in the states, like Malkoff here in Alabama. You can get variable outputs from 1-250+ Lumens, too.

Everyone has an opinion on batteries - I'll restate mine. The CR123 Lithium primary cells have a very high energy storage density, great high/low temp output capability, very good (10+ yr) shelf life, and can be bought at a decent price ($21/12 from S-F) - buy 3 dozen and I think they still ship free. I did a year ago - I still have 30 left. Carry spares singly in poly pill bottles and don't mix old with new in 2-cell lights and everything will be fine. If you must go alkalines - go AA or D cell. AAAs and Cs are harder to find - the same price as their larger brothers - and store less energy. NiMH and rechargeable Li-Po, etc, cells/batteries are great - around home. YMMV.

Stainz
 
For a larger rechargeable flashlight I'm a big fan of my Streamlight Stinger HP. It is like a spotlight. It's not really small but it puts out a lot of light for a rechargeable.

I also like my Fenix PD20. It puts out an amazing amount of light for it's size. When I first received my PD20 I didn't like the controls as they were different from the Surefires that I was used to. The PD20 grew on me, now I love it and use it almost every night.
 
quietmike said:
Overall, what are your impressions of the Nitecore?

I've got a couple of Fenix lights and like them, but was thinking a D20 would be a great addition.
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It is incredible!!! I am so surprised by it's brightness with just one AA battery! I have several Surefire 6P's and a G2 and this is way brighter! I also love the infinite amount of adjustability with the brightness. Two quick clicks goes down to the minimum lumens, and 2 more quick clicks with a hold gives you max lumens. The ya hold it from full bright and it slowly dims down to minimum lumens.
The D20 would be nice too, probably get one of those next, I just like the smallness of the D10! :thumbup:

Check out these reviews:

http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?p=2171699

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=202256
 
Farnsrocket said:
It is incredible!!! I am so surprised by it's brightness with just one AA battery! I have several Surefire 6P's and a G2 and this is way brighter! I also love the infinite amount of adjustability with the brightness. Two quick clicks goes down to the minimum lumens, and 2 more quick clicks with a hold gives you max lumens. The ya hold it from full bright and it slowly dims down to minimum lumens.
The D20 would be nice too, probably get one of those next, I just like the smallness of the D10! :thumbup:

Check out these reviews:

http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?p=2171699

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=202256
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply, even though it probably will cost me some bucks!:p

I had a 6P when I was a LEO and liked it except for it being a battery pig, and expensive batteries to boot. Amazing that the Nitecore is brighter.
 
11x11x said:
There is no way a LED can match those lithium lights. They are apples and oranges or toyotas and ferraris. LED means you get long lasting battery power, lithium gives you super bright light.
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Lithium batteries are the power source. Comparing LED to lithium is comparing apples and oranges;).

LED's have phenomenal brightness, and FAR longer runtimes than incandescent lights. I have a single cell CR123 Jetbeam light that puts out 220 lumens on high. It has multiple user-selectable settings, constant power output, and can focus from a flood to a spot.

Surefire lights are high in cost and low in power output compared to Fenix, Jetbeam, and a number of other makers. Don't buy Surefire just because they've been around for a long time!
 
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