I am new to tactical flahlights, what should I get?

BJE

BJE

Basic Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2006
Messages
3,079
What is a good small flashlight for under $30 maybe $50? What are the advanteges of a more expensive flashlight over a Maglight Solitare, AA, AAA or keychain L.E.D? Are L.E.D's alot brighter than incandescent bulbs? Are the L.E.D upgrades worth it for the Maglight AA? What is the difference between Halogen, L.E.D, ect.? I am just getting interested in flashlights, so parden my probably dumb questions. Not sure if Tactical is how I am meaning it to sound, I really mean good flashlights, that can take a bit of daily abuse, but nothing life risking or anything, just edc.
 
If you are looking for something small and worth what you pay for it my recommendation is an arclight. I've had mine for about six months and I love the thing. To be honest I don't use it to hard, but it's bright, and for what I use it (computer work) its been great. I've gotten it wet(rain), it fits in my pocket well, and has suited me well. Like I said, just my opion, but everyone here pointed me to it, and I don't think they pointed me wrong.
 
Something by Inova. Maybe an XO2(which is on sale at REI right now for $34.99).
 
THE flashlight to have right now is the very new Fenix LOP-SE. It is so new that no one really even has one yet. The Fenix-Store just started shipping today. It is a 3-stage 1AAA light. Predicted runtimes on low are 10-16 hours depending on battery. On high, the runtime will probably be about 1.5 hours but will also be very bright. If the light performs as expected, this will be an extremely popular flashlight. A lot of us will be putting our Arcs and Peaks away. Price? $39

I am currently carrying a Fenix E1 (1AAA.) I'm very happy with it, but the LOP-SE will make it obsolete. I have one on order. Here it is: http://fenix-store.com/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=111
 
the main diff between cheaper lights and higher $$ ones are durability, brightness & batt life imho.

the arc "AAA" is an excellent little light, the fenix "AA" and "AAA" models are also top notch imho, then of course ya have surefire which starts at $40 or so for the G2 nitrolon version and goes up, up, up from there, for a EDC light imho its hard to beat a E2e w/a KL1 head, it'll run about $125 though, the fenix 2 "AA" light isnt as bright but is brighter than a 2 cell maglite for sure, is also a pretty good edc and is less than $50.

the LED conversions for maglights work pretty well from what i've heard,

just depends on what ya want/need and how much $$ ya wanna spend.
 
I bought an Inova X5 and put a GG&G impact bezel. I like the weight of the X5 and the LEDs.

Dave
 
Are L.E.D's alot brighter than incandescent bulbs? Are the L.E.D upgrades worth it for the Maglight AA? What is the difference between Halogen, L.E.D, ect.?
Click to expand...
Halogens are brighter, however, I frequently find LED flashlights to have a better beam. They're basically a laser device. Think of those LED headlights you see on the road... not, strictly speaking, brighter than the incandescents, but are a lot better at blinding you.

The chief advantages of LEDs is that they will never burn out, and are quite a bit more friendly to battery life. Instead of emitting across the whole spectrum, including UV and infrared (neither of which you can see), the white LEDs pretty much only emit across the visible spectrum, and even in respect to that they are more efficient.

I side very much with LEDs because I prefer reliability and low-maintenance to carrying a portable fusion reactor, but if you for some reason need 150,000 lumens, the technology for that still favors halogens.
 
Danbo said:
Something by Inova. Maybe an XO2(which is on sale at REI right now for $34.99).
Click to expand...

I have a small keychain Inova L.E.D light I got at Target for around $6, I like it but I want something a little bigger, but still small enough to carry with me. Are there any good flashlights at Wal-Mart, I have seen a few which look they would be good, I think for the ones I am thinking about, they run $15-$20?
 
Maglite just recently came out with their AA LED maglites, also at target they used to have 2AA inova led lights, mine was less than 20 dollars, and I use it all the time.
 
I really like Inova. They aren't as flashy or tactical looking as surefires, but they have just about best output and run times going, and cost alot less than the competition.
 
Inovas are nicely made, and built like tanks. However, IMO they're far too bulky for pocket carry, and their smaller ones are behind the technology curve.

Take a look at the Fenix L1T or Lightflux LF-1 (both under $50). They use plain old AA batteries, so you don't have to worry about the price of or difficulty in finding oddball lithium batteries. Both will work better on NiMH rechargables than alkalines. They're easily pocketable and nice and bright for the size. Both also have a low stage for low-light needs and extended runtime. Both on low easily compete with the brightness/runtime of the Inova X1.

I wouldn't really consider anything of this size "tactical", merely handy. If you want something "tactical" under $50, your best bet is a Surefire G2 with a P61 bulb (actually slightly more than $50).
 
Fenix P1 hopefully will come out in a 2 or 3 stage form. That'll be a nice light IMO.

The Inova X or T series lights are very nice and available at your local Target -- easy to go have a look. Though dated, I still think the X5 is a nice light for the money.
 
personally i dont like the X5 not bright enough for me/uses the 123 batts,if i am gonna have to buy the expensive batts i want it to be bright, id much rather have a fenix myself than an X5, the other inovas like the T1, T2, etc are pretty good imho, for the $$ anyway.
 
Surefire, the cheap one. I have two of them and they hold up great. Very resistant to the elements and easy to carry. Great lights and for 30 or 35 bucks you can't go wrong!!!
 
IMG_0668.jpg


Swamp2.jpg


This INOVA X5(IIRC) is around $35 OTD at Dick's. It is not as bright, cool, etc., but has proven to be a great EDC.

I am still using the same batteries, 123's, that came with the light going on 6 months ago. I can turn it on and leave it on w/o the heat and battery consumption.

Mind you it is not as bright as the hi-tech LED's, but I did not have the expense either.
 
I also have a Surefire Z2 that I absolutely love. It will light up a manhole in the daytime.

I keep it in the truck in the event I need bright light. I believe they run around $80, and are slightly larger than the INOVA.

The downside is the battery usage. If you turn the thing on and leave it the batteries will last about 20 minutes, and the light gets very hot.

I believe you can get a good quality light starting at $20 today. It just boils down to what you need to do with the light after that.

Do you need super bright, or long batt life? Do you need super tough, or simply rugged? Do you have an unlimited budget?
 
I think you guys are talking about the Surefire G2. Plastic version of the 6p. Yes, these are excellent lights too for the money. A G2 or 6P with a P60 (standard) lamp assembly will burn a pair of 123A cells out in about an hour. An Inova X5 will last a lot longer. Depends on what you want/need. Huntlights have a couple of bargain lights available right now that can use rechargeable cells.

Check out candlepowerforums.com

Read for a while

before you know it you'll have a dozen or more excellent lights
 
I would like a very bright lite that uses common batteries, batt. life is not an issue with AA or AAA batt. A small one would be best, but I want it to be very bright. Can anything in this catagory be found locally for under $20-$30? Thanks for everyones help.
 
I think brightness has alot to do with perception. I wasn`t able to find anything locally that I thought was as bright and small as I was able to find online.
Using common batteries I would still consider ordering a Fenix, either an L0P,
L0P SE, L1P or if c123 batteries aren`t that big of an issue for you, then I can definitely recommend Fenix P1. Now that is one of the brightest small lights I`ve seen for the price.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top