Got a light?

Garth Reckner

Garth Reckner

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Dec 13, 2004
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I have been looking at flashlights lately and I need some help. Honestly all this tech stuff with lights confuses me. So, I thought I would ask my friends here. What do you guys recommend? I want something that can easily fit in my pocket so nothing too bulky. Bright is a must and I kind of like that strobing seizure inducing mode that some have. Also seems like there are tons of battery options. I want something that runs on readily accessible batteries. Any thoughts? Pics would be awesome if you have them.

Thanks
Garth
 
They are like knives..... you can spend as much or as little as you want. Surefire are great lights and LED Lenser are good on a budget. Not much reason these days NOT to get an LED light. I just got a recharble Streamlight Stiron LED that seems pretty damn nice....just working a suitable mount to fix the charger in my Landcruiser.

Andy
 
I like the fenix lights a lot, they have been durable for me. I've got a few of the tactical lights that take 2 cr123s some mounted on guns and one just to carry. I also have a couple of the small ones that take one AAA battery, very bright for something that small.

they make a tough reasonable priced light.
 
cricketdave said:
I like the fenix lights a lot, they have been durable for me. I've got a few of the tactical lights that take 2 cr123s some mounted on guns and one just to carry. I also have a couple of the small ones that take one AAA battery, very bright for something that small.

they make a tough reasonable priced light.
Click to expand...

another :thumbup: for Fenix. I have an LD20. It's long so maybe not what you're looking for, but it's still slim and uses two AA batteries instead of those less common CR123s. Fenix is really good for the price and is comparable to Surefires sometimes. Surefire just has the better warranty.
 
Well, if you are looking for the "Busse" of the flashlight companies......of course, Surefire....very expensive but worth the money. Fenix are up there too, as is JetBeam and others. Check out CandlePowerForums for more info if you feel like it, cool guys over there too.
A bit cheaper, more of everybody's budget lights....look at 4Sevens or i like Solarforce lights a lot....i EDC this one now and have for a little while now. Its a SolarForce L2T and is the best ive tried for cheap lights so far. It is fantastic, plus i got a custom 650 lumen drop-in for it, so its like a search light in a very small package! But, it has a low and medium too, so i like it a lot. Low is like 20 or 30 lumens i think, and the Max is 650 and lasts for a long time. But, it runs on CR123 batteries, so you might want to look for AA battery lights if you prefer. But i like the power you get from the 123s so, thats me. and, its customizeable for real cheap with the add ons, like the clip and different bezels, glow in the dark switch, and such....a great all around light IMO.
Sorry for the horrible pics.
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Ahem.

Surefire is much cheaper on base. Just need to know a veteran.

And, there are maniacs out there modding the darned things. I've heard of modded lights that don't last very long but that literally outshine the sun. For all I know, some of the doggone things can be used to remove paint.

You might ask Jeremy Horton. He seems reasonably knowledgeable -- certainly more than I.

[When I want to remove paint with light, I go straight for a laser, myself. Coherent light for the win!]
 
So many choices. LED Lenser P7 does me just fine.....but now the MT7 is out I might upgrade.....
 
I've got all the major brands. I am on duty and have a Fenix on my hip. VERY impressed with it.

That said, I have TLR-1's on all my HD guns.

-Emt1581
 
Add another for Fenix. They make very durable, very bright, handy little lights. I currently own several of the TK series and love them all.
 
I always go to amazon if I want some flashlight reviews. There's tons to choose from and tons of reviews. Good luck with your search.
 
Hey Garth,

I agree with Andy's comment, they are like knives, I carry a Surefire E2L LED flashlight (Model E1L is smaller and fits in your pocket), may be it does not meet your requirements since it uses SF123A batteries and does not have the strobing feature, you could simulate this mode but it is not automatic. I love this flashlight and I have used it even when I ride my bike in the dark.

Some specs:

Max output: 60 Lumens
Low: 3 Lumens

Run time:

High: 11 hours
Low: 100 Hours

Here is a picture of my basic camping equipment and of course the E2L is included. Did I mention that the E2L is waterproof?

camping3.jpg


Good luck with your search.
 
I carry a Surefire U2. It may not be the brightest in its class, but it's plenty bright on its highest setting...which brings me to why I like it. It has 6 different levels of light from 15 lumens to 100 lumens all on a rotating ring, so you only have to use what you need and that really helps conserve the battery power for when you need it most. Takes 2 CR123 lithium batts, which I buy in bulk from Battery Junction. (batteryjunction.com) to save some buxx.

Dunno if Surefire still sells them, but I have a spares carrier that holds 6 more batts for the U2 (or any flashlight that takes CR123's)... Great for travel or the truck.

CF_SARsquatch-Porkerson_Lanyard-U2.jpg
 
Got a Fenix PD30 R5 for Christmas. Loving is so far. It does take 2 CR123 batteries which are quite expensive. The over 250 lumen turbo mode is insane but there are several other lower output settings as well as a strobe feature. Insanely bright light in a very compact package.
 
I have about $3k in Surefire products, so I guess you know where my vote lies. Their customer service is the best in the biz, I bought a used x400 laser light combo that retails for $599, and the laser wasn't as bright as I thought it would be. I called them up and they didn't ask me where I got it or how it broke, they just had me send it in. A few days later, a new one showed up. And they are made in the USA, generally machined out of billet, though they have a new, less expensive polymer line.

If you are on a bit of a budget, check out Cree lights. I don't know a ton about them but my buddy brought one to camp last weekend and it was bright as can be. Has the goofy strobe mode that you requested too, whatever floats your boat!
 
Surefire Outdoorsman. Add the KX2C head if you need more light. Spend the money, buy the Surefire brand batteries, as they last the longest, and be happy.
 
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