Flashlight recommendation?

I think I am going to pick up a 4Sevens Neutral White Quark AA2 ... but not sure if I should go with the Cree XM-L Neutral-white or the Cree XP-G Neutral-White. Looks like XM-L is better for the bright end and the XP-G is better for the low end. Does anyone have any guidance in deciding between these two?

I haven't really talked about what I want to use it for since I want it to be able to do just about everything that a flashlight should be able to do. Its immediate use will be around camp, hiking around at night, etc. Since I'd really like it to be able to last forever in case of an emergency, however, I guess I am probably leaning towards the XP-G. Not sure if there are other featuers that matter other than just whether you want brighter or longer lasting.

I think I might also pick up that lighthound/balder as an affordable back up.
 
I like a flashlight by Streamlight or Surefire. CR123 battery makes a lot more sense than using AAA or AA batteries.
 
I like your choices. It's nice to have a "full" length 2-battery flashlight and then a 1-battery backup stashed away somewhere. I hope you enjoy both of them. Unfortunately, since you probably like using a bunch of different knives, you may just become one of those nasty "flashaholics" yourself haha only time will tell.

As for the xpg vs xml, I don't have too much knowledge about the differences. I have the xpg lighthound and it's plenty bright for me, the low is also fine -- just right to keep your natural nightvision useful. I think that the xml is just a very slight upgrade, but I may be wrong.
 
Kirk_Ferentz said:
I think I am going to pick up a 4Sevens Neutral White Quark AA2 ... but not sure if I should go with the Cree XM-L Neutral-white or the Cree XP-G Neutral-White. Looks like XM-L is better for the bright end and the XP-G is better for the low end. Does anyone have any guidance in deciding between these two?
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Great choice in neutral-white.
Generally, XM-L is more efficient, so you'll get a longer runtime at the same output. However, since they generally give more output, you'll need to figure which mode you're likely to run it in, and see if the output vs runtime suits you.
XM-L has a larger die - in the same reflector, it will give a much wider spot, while the XP-G will throw farther.
A Quark AA2 isn't a thrower either way, and it has a light orange peel reflector to fill in any holes in the spot. For this size light, I lean toward the XP-G, but if you like a broad flood the XM-L would surely fill the bill. Either one will be plenty bright on High.
 
Kirk_Ferentz said:
I think I am going to pick up a 4Sevens Neutral White Quark AA2 ... but not sure if I should go with the Cree XM-L Neutral-white or the Cree XP-G Neutral-White. Looks like XM-L is better for the bright end and the XP-G is better for the low end. Does anyone have any guidance in deciding between these two?

I haven't really talked about what I want to use it for since I want it to be able to do just about everything that a flashlight should be able to do. Its immediate use will be around camp, hiking around at night, etc. Since I'd really like it to be able to last forever in case of an emergency, however, I guess I am probably leaning towards the XP-G. Not sure if there are other featuers that matter other than just whether you want brighter or longer lasting.

I think I might also pick up that lighthound/balder as an affordable back up.
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Tint on the XPG is a little better, but the mass amount of flood on the XML counters the little lesser tint. Either way, you will enjoy. If I had to choose for you, I would go with the XML. I think you will enjoy the amount of light and the tint as this is what I keep in my BOB (but with a single CR123 body instead).
 
I think you will be happy with the 4Sevens. It has a 120 month warranty, the last time I checked.

I'd seriously consider Energizer Ultimate Lithium cells to power it. Spendy batts but they won't leak in your light.
 
lwt210 said:
I think you will be happy with the 4Sevens. It has a 120 month warranty, the last time I checked.

I'd seriously consider Energizer Ultimate Lithium cells to power it. Spendy batts but they won't leak in your light.
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That’s a good point to consider. Unless I’m taking a light on a specific trip for several days, I often got with lithium batteries. I’ve had a couple lights get ruined after just 6 months of storage with alkaline batteries…I only use those for emergencies and backpacking trips where I’ll toss them when they’re done. Another method is just to rotate out batteries if you’re not always using your light…but that’s as or more expensive than just leaving lithium batteries in your light.

Scott Free said:
You've not told us your intentions for the light, so only you know the features that may be of interest. To answer your question, though, Fenix and 4sevens lights are good solid highly respected lights whether you're spending $20 or $100.

I don't think anyone has mentioned it yet, but these are LED lights. They do not use bulbs. LEDs (for the most part) cannot be replaced, because they never need replacing. They are virtually unbreakable, and they don't burn out.
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Scott brought up a great point. What are your intended uses? Is it to be carried daily? Is it something you expect to do night time searching with (checking around the house, etc.)? Are you planning on reading at night with it? Fixing equipment/computers in dark areas?

The two AA lights will last longer, but I often find myself packing single-cell lights as EDC and for work. They’re compact and I often have extra batteries in close proximity. Another consideration is a head light. I’ve found LED head lamps to be much more useful for me outside to using a light for searching. A great option is that Nite-Ize (and a few others) make a headband with elastic to hold a regular flashlight on your head…something I would highly recommend adding and another reason I’ve come to prefer single battery lights as they are a little more compact and lighter.

You’ve been inundated with brands, but the best bang for your buck would be Fenix, and 4-Sevens; both have been around and make solid LED lights. I really like Going Gear’s website as it allows you to zero in on what you’re looking for and do a comparison between like items.

As to features, the best thing about LED lights is the ability to select your output. Maximum isn’t always needed and burns your batteries the fastest. I’ve found middle and low end outputs to be the most useful and they don’t ruin your night vision either. Having a strobe and S.O.S options are just icing as you now have several uses from a single device. The cheaper Fenix that has two output levels is a decent deal and you’ll find the lower output the most used with the high output option very handy when you actually need it.

Good luck and let us know what you decide on. I can’t recommend LED flashlights enough. Not only do they last much longer than you will probably ever need (bulb-wise), you’ll find LED lights are much more durable outside of specially (and expensively) designed lights like Surefire.

ROCK6
 
Fenix seems to be most popular I've found, I have a nitecore d2 for my larger pack flashlight, it's a nice one to check out. Honestly my favorite flashlight is my Steamllight Microlight, it's AAA, it's aluminum, it is pretty bright for it's size, (not much bigger then a AAA battery.) For it's quality and size I don't think you can get much better and you can't if you like a push button switch and want a pocket clip, which I do. The run times okay as well.

However, while it's a good light, I would say I've have several over the last few years and they do sometimes have quality control issues. Having said that for around 15-20 bucks I don't think you can do much better. This is an everyday flashlight for someone who doesn't want to have a pouch on their belt however. It's throw and how bright it is are impressive for it's price.
 
Okay so I will hit on two main points "best bang for the buck" and "AAA Batteries" I really think you should check out the Four Seven's Preon 2, Now I'm not sure what you POU is for this flashlight, I own on and I love it to death, you can get it on Amazon for about 43 bucks with a free 2-day shipping if you have Prime (edit: Just checked they actually sold out of all the other colors unless you don't mind gold and you might be able to find it else where) and you might be able to find it else where about a few bucks cheaper give or take. I really think this is all around "best bang for the buck" simply because it shoots out 160 lumens and it's a penlight!!! (What penlight do you know that can pour out 160 lumens out the front?) so not only is it portable, its light weight its so easy to carry around in your pocket where ever you go! You have accessibility to different modes such as strobe, sos and etc. And here is the best part it runs on 2 AAA batteries! Sure the burn time on AAA isn't comparable to the c123a but this light was meant for the consumers who wants a powerful light that can take your usual batteries you have at home and not have to go out and buy c123a or specific batteries. With a 0.8 hour burn time on the high mode which I don't think you will be using at all times the batteries will last you a while! Clean beam, bright light, light weight and matches up to all your preferences. Found it at knifeworks.com for about 39 check it out!

Other suggestions. Check out other 4 sevens lights that may fit your preferences, as mentioned above check out fenix too I just bought a pd32 that is CRAZY bright for about 67 on amazon shoots out 315 lumens. As always Surefire and Streamlights are good choices but are bit on the pricey side. If I may ask what are you going to use this flashlight for? If it's edc then the preon 2 is your pal. Hope this helps and if you answer my question I may be able to help you with your decision or better knowledge on these lights. Oh on a side note if power in a light is what you seek then always get rechargeable battery it has higher voltages increasing the lumens! Have a great day! and its goodnight for me! :)
 
I was issued an older Surefire that flies through CR123's so fast, I was spending more seasonally on batteries than the retail of the light. About 9? months ago I picked up a Fenix TK20. Simple bombproof design, AA, great runtime and even better output. If you're looking for a simple practical outdoor light I doubt it gets much better.
 
see, the only issue i have ran into with aa batteries is them not working in the cold.

The cr's are the only ones that last. And honestly, I don't want to have to dig under a coat to find my light, a streamlight scorpion is perfect for cold weather up here. (-40 or colder) but, what do you need?
 
I love my O-Light T25 Digital. It is an LED( no worry about bulb replacement) that puts out 200 Lumens, runs on 2 double A batteries. 3 light output levels, one strobe, and an auto SOS. Cost about $100.00 Wont disappoint. Streamlight makes a decent 55 lumen LED for about $49.00 called "Streamlight Junior LED" I use this one a lot. Great light too. If you want rechargables, get a Streamlight Ultra Stinger. Puts out a blinding 75,000 candle beam ( brighter than car headlight. You can feel the heat from it from about 9inches from your hand) thats adjustable. Not an LED, so you will need a backup bulb if you use this for police work or need to have it available for job or life threatening situations ( I always carry a backup light). You can get an AC and DC charger for it. I love mine.
 
Maratac AAA PERIOD. Best light out there. I've had Surefire, Fenix, Arc you name it. Countycomm just announced a 1 AAA light that give off an honest 100+ Lumens. It also has a dim setting for reading etc. For less than $30 you just CANNOT beat it.
 
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