Help me choose a flashlight

Diamond Cut II

Diamond Cut II

Joined
Sep 1, 2002
Messages
1,245
Ok, I've narrowed my choices down to three: Surefire G2 Nitrolon, Streamlight Twintask 2L, and the Pelican M6. I'm interested in the one with good output and decent runtime. And just out of curiosity, which has the best output? Thank you for your time.
 
Oh yeah, any recommendations? Let's keep the price down;) . This is going to be my first quality flashlight. I'm also waiting for the Inova X1. Can't wait to see what that's like. Thank you again for your time.
 
Those are three good choices. The M6 is supposed to have the better throw. My G2 is no slouch either, well made and it should be lighter than the M6. The M6 is a very solidly built light. I don't have a 2L, but I do have a 1L. I think the output of the 2L will be the lowest of the three you mentioned, but the twin tasks are all very well built and it does have the benefit of the dual outputs (LED and incan) and the LEDs would push it to the top in a runtime test. The G2 will also allow you the benefit of switching to the P61 high output lamp assembly.

As for additional suggestions, the Streamlight ProPoly 4AA 7LED is a good buy. Bigger than the lights you mention but I it's a nice light. There's also the Princeton Tec Surge which is supposed to have a great throw and also a real good bang for the buck (8AA).

There are many others, but I guess this is where I should ask what you were planning to use it for.
 
Originally posted by ZENGHOST
There are many others, but I guess this is where I should ask what you were planning to use it for.
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Thank you for the information. I'll be using this light for EDC, personal defense, camping/outdoor, etc.
 
Its a no brainer, go with the Surefire. My EDC light is a Surefire M2. That is their top of the line double lithium light, and I love it.

Being that I use my flashlights for offduty and duty use, I put them through almost everything...And I have handled all three lights you suggested, and I'd stick to the Surefire. Long before the Pelican. There is nothing wrong with the Pelican M6, but its overpriced IMHO, and its just not as good. For an EDC light, I personally don't like adjustable beams...I like the solid nice beam of a Surefire. I don't have to worry about having a wide beam when I need a tight beam for self defense or throw.

I'd buy the Surefire G2, and put the rest of the money into a box of batteries ($15 for a dozen lithium 123) and that way you are set. Better yet, get a spares carrier, and buy a dozen batteries, and an extra lamp assembly. Can't beat it.

Of course if you need a clip, go for the E2e, or C2, but those cost more than the G2.

But the M6's beam, IMHO, cannot even be compared to a G2, because the G2 is perfect every single time. period :D
 
The current price (@$35.00) of the G2 is pretty good. I've had a SureFire 6P for quite awhile and just bought one of the TwinTask 2L's. I like LED's and often carry a Princeton Tec Attitude (@$20.00) in the woods (waterproof, light weight, long run time). The TT 2L combines both incan & LED in one light, and gives you the option to use the LED's for close use with longer run time. It is about the same size as my 6P, and the incan bulb seems to cast more of a flood. The 6P casts a clean, white beam of light noticeably farther. The TT 2L is larger than my PT Attitude also but the light cast by the 3 LED's is about the same IMO.
This is going to be my first quality flashlight.
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My suggestion is to go with the TT 2L, which will give you a well made light with both incan & LED options. The TT 2L is the one I have been grabbing lately when taking the dog for a walk at night. I've found that looking for the "perfect light" is like eating potato chips though....it's pretty hard to be satisfied with just one.
Jim
 
Buy an Arc-LS then the Arc-LS4 and Arc-LS5 Then quit
Buy a custom Sebenza and quit
Buy a custom Busse and quit
Buy a Kifaru and quit

You'll save a TON of money in the end!

Given the your list: G2(z?) or I would add the Scorpion (lower cost bulbs)
 
Normally the rule of the thumb is Buy the best you can afford.

Then afterwards when you can afford to, pick up the ones one by one.

Also think long term. There are always new flashlights coming into the market with better technology and better materials.

Technology is wonderful.
 
Go with the Surefire. Quality through and through, and it WILL handle the abuse. You just can't beat the no-fuss perfect beam. Plus, you have the option for the P61 high output lamp which is really authoritative considering the small size and light weight.

I convinced my co-worker to get a G2 for his first Surefire and he was shocked at how powerful it is. This is the original P60 low output lamp too! Now it serves duty in the glove compartment of his Infiniti G35 coupe. :D
 
The one thing I see against the G2 is that it doesn't come with high intensity (P61) lamp assembly. This adds about $20 to the cost of the light. At the standard lamp assembly of 5 lumens, I don't know if it would be sufficient to suit my needs.

My E2's (standard and elite models) are wonderful lights. It is not the light sabre one of the P61 lamp models is but, offers significantly better performance then all the other models I have tried. All of this in a much smaller package to :cool:

If weight and size are not an issue ;), try a 4-D cell Maglite with High Capacity Ni-cads and a Carley lamp. :eek:

Carley
 
For me personally, I'd pick the G2 for what you're looking for. It's much lighter and easier to carry than the rest, and works well for all the things you mentioned.

The Streamlight 2L is very interesting as a worklight, and if that were all you mentioned, I'd consider it since the LED settings are useful. However, it's an unacceptable choice as a defense light, since it requires you to click through settings to get to the high beam.

The Pelican M6 is also getting good reviews, but is much bigger and heavier than the G2. I personally would rather carry around something lighter, which does the job just as well.

BTW, if you get the G2 and someday decide you want a brighter light, you can buy just the G2Z bezel, which will allow you to run the P61 lamp safely. P61 lamp will double the light output from the P60 lamp which comes with the G2. So the G2, besides best lightweight and a great all-around light, also gives you a little upgrade path!

Joe
 
Originally posted by Joe Talmadge
BTW, if you get the G2 and someday decide you want a brighter light, you can buy just the G2Z bezel, which will allow you to run the P61 lamp safely.
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Joe, can you expand on this a little? The P61 will fit in the G2 without upgrading to the G2Z bezel, right?
 
I suspect it is a heat issue. P61's get hot. For short bursts of light, who cares. Left on, it may be an issue you don't want to deal with.
 
Ya, from what I understand, it's a heat issue. The plastic head on the G2 is not as effective as a heat sink as the aluminum lights. That means the lens gets more heat on it than the aluminum lights. Not problem for the G2Z bezel, which has a pyrex lense, but the G2 has the lexan (plastic) lense. The P61 will fit in the G2 regardless, but if you're using it consant-on for long periods, you could melt the lense.

Joe
 
Originally posted by Joe Talmadge
Ya, from what I understand, it's a heat issue. The plastic head on the G2 is not as effective as a heat sink as the aluminum lights. That means the lens gets more heat on it than the aluminum lights. Not problem for the G2Z bezel, which has a pyrex lense, but the G2 has the lexan (plastic) lense. The P61 will fit in the G2 regardless, but if you're using it consant-on for long periods, you could melt the lense.

Joe
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Ah...I see. I kept thinking about the head itself and not the lens. Since the G2Z is also nitrolon I figured the heat output would be the same in either bezel--didn't take the lens material into consideration. Makes a whole lot more sense to me now, thanks for clearing that up.

Back to DCII's original question--I carried a G2 in my pocket today for the first time and didn't even notice it was there. I definitely would have noticed the M6 or the 2L in my pocket as they are noticeably heavier. I do think that if you can afford an E2/E2e that it'd be worth it for the clip and the smaller size, but it is going to be twice the price.
 
Thank you for the replies, guys! I have decided on the G2. BrightGuy(good to deal with?) has it for about $31 and it comes with batteries. Maybe a Surefire kydex/plastic holster for it, too. I'll later get the 2L for it's runtime. Once again, thank you for your time.
 
Originally posted by Diamond Cut II
Thank you for the replies, guys! I have decided on the G2. BrightGuy(good to deal with?) has it for about $31 and it comes with batteries. Maybe a Surefire kydex/plastic holster for it, too. I'll later get the 2L for it's runtime. Once again, thank you for your time.
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Bright Guy is a great place to buy from.
 
I'll second the recommendation for BrightGuy. I've dealt with them several times....good prices, prompt shipping.
Jim
 
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