Flashlights?

mymindisamob

mymindisamob

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Feb 1, 2005
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What do you have and why? How is it used as part of your critical kit?

I ask because I have had several encounters lately that a good light would be useful. For defense and for outdoor activities. Maglites just don't cut it and I have had to let my Surefires go. I am now looking at some better options, but wanted to hear from you folks before I make decisions. I am very partial to the Olight M20, but is is pretty expensive. After being woke up by strangers in my driveway this morning and a Maglite barely reaching through the dark and mist, I feel the need for more lumens.

So, let 'er rip. What do you use?
 
Surefire G2 LED. Can't go wrong with this one IMHO. The throw is impressive. I use it weekly for work and also around the house on occassion. -DT
 
mymindisamob said:
What do you have and why? How is it used as part of your critical kit?

I ask because I have had several encounters lately that a good light would be useful. For defense and for outdoor activities. Maglites just don't cut it and I have had to let my Surefires go. I am now looking at some better options, but wanted to hear from you folks before I make decisions. I am very partial to the Olight M20, but is is pretty expensive. After being woke up by strangers in my driveway this morning and a Maglite barely reaching through the dark and mist, I feel the need for more lumens.

So, let 'er rip. What do you use?
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If you want a light that can really rip, a Fenix TK10 is the ticket for you. It feels like it's indestructible, has a momentary switch, and the 2 modes (60lm/10hrs, 225lm/1.5hrs) are very useful.

Not very good for carrying everywhere with you unless you're an LEO, because it is pretty thick and heavy. For EDC, I'd recommend a Fenix P2D, or a Nitecore EX10... or even something AAA sized, like a Fenix LD01.
 
A cheap Vector brand or similar rechargeable spotlight from Walmart or Target will reach out there and blast someone at the end of your driveway. At $20 or so its the most lumens for the dollar IMO. I have one in the car, kitchen and sleeping chamber.

The Fenix lineup for EDC or BOB is first rate. Somewhat spendy, but very bright and well made. Fenix-store.com.
 
The regular TL-122 works well for me, just like the 3D MagLite.

For EDC I like the 2AAMagLite with a cree diode.

I know there are better lights around, but these work for me. Maybe some day I'll get a surefire G2.

I have a DeWalt light for the regular 12V battery pack, that I use around the yard.

Peter
 
I have a Fenix L2D-Q5 which is an excellent light with 5 levels-great bang for the buck also have a Nitecore D10 which is small powerful and VERY cool and would also recommend the EagleTac P10A2
 
dttomcat said:
Surefire G2 LED. Can't go wrong with this one IMHO. The throw is impressive. I use it weekly for work and also around the house on occassion. -DT
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+1. I just got the G2 LED too, great light! Simple UI (hold momentary on, twist constant on), 80 lumens for 12 hours (maybe less run time in actual use, I haven't drained it yet), long battery shelf life, and "weatherproof" if I take out outdoors with me.

It's a good basic bedside light, but I'm looking to get a better "outdoor" light eventually for hiking and backpacking; one that's waterproof, more durable, and longer run time with the same or better illumination (throw and spill). Maybe something along the lines of the Fenix L2D. I also like the strobe/sos features on the fenix lights for outdoor use, seems like it might be a reasonably useful function in an outdoor light.

I also have a 4D LED maglite in the living room.

Sounds like you might want one of those fenix lights with the turbo mode for those early morning driveway strangers :)
 
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I have an Aurora WF800 with a Q5LED. It has a thick aluminum body, great threads, throws lots of lumens and can light up a house 250 yards away. Made in PRC just like FENIX lights and only set my back 50 shipped
 
Hell if you want lumens at home, nothing beats a rechargable spot light of at least 1 million candle watts. 30-40 min burn time is decent.

Cheap effective option.

Skam
 
This is the Golden Age of backpacking/hiking/EDC flashlights. Dozens of choices - maybe hundreds - better than anything available 15 years ago. The LED's get brighter and brighter. Now, we have LED flashlights that last just as short a time as the old incandescent jobs, but what a wonderful light while it lasts!

For you candlepower guys, what's the skinny on the MagLite LED's? I heard they were running hot when they first came out. Seem rugged for the $$. The AA models were small enough for EDC.
 
KuRUpTD said:
a Nitecore D10 which is small powerful and VERY cool
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I think I have one of these under the Xmas tree as I type this! :D

I will have to say when I put the LED bulbs in my 2D, 3D and 4D Maglites, it was a great improvement!

Thomas Linton said:
For you candlepower guys, what's the skinny on the MagLite LED's? I heard they were running hot when they first came out. Seem rugged for the $$. The AA models were small enough for EDC.
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Lowes just had a sale on the AA Maglites for $10!!! I bought several. They are very nice too!
I also bought an LED conversion for my AA last year. It was the single bulb one with the click rear cap......it is awesome! There is a weaker model conversion with 3 LED bulbs that I my friend advised was very weak.
 
Thomas Linton said:
This is the Golden Age of backpacking/hiking/EDC flashlights. Dozens of choices - maybe hundreds - better than anything available 15 years ago. The LED's get brighter and brighter. Now, we have LED flashlights that last just as short a time as the old incandescent jobs, but what a wonderful light while it lasts!

For you candlepower guys, what's the skinny on the MagLite LED's? I heard they were running hot when they first came out. Seem rugged for the $$. The AA models were small enough for EDC.
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They aren't heatsinked well, and are unregulated. So they change tints, and run both dim and blue. They do run for a long time though.
 
What's your feelings on crenelations and actually using a flashlight for defense? I know this probably would generally go in the tactical forum, but I am not posing this as a pure defense thread.
 
mymindisamob said:
What's your feelings on crenelations and actually using a flashlight for defense? I know this probably would generally go in the tactical forum, but I am not posing this as a pure defense thread.
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The big heavy maglites make good clubs but where the modern LED lights really shine is blinding someone. Just accidentally flashing yourself with one will leave you disorientated for a few seconds
 
tabeeb762 said:
The big heavy maglites make good clubs but where the modern LED lights really shine is blinding someone. Just accidentally flashing yourself with one will leave you disorientated for a few seconds
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Yea, the raccoons, coyotes and punks that seem to be checking my place out don't seem to like any amount of light shined on them. More lumens is good lumens me thinks.:D
 
I like my Fenix L2D Q5s. But then, I'm no flashlight nut. I just like a good working light, not too expensive. Those things currently work well for me. Not too big and heavy, but durable and make a lot of light. :thumbup:
 
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