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

[Danbo]

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've got two of these X5s, and I love them. No, they're not as super bright as some of the others, but they're great for up close work. And, like mentioned already, the run time on these is astronomical.

 

[TNRat]

I bought the X5 pictured July 4th week at Dick's for aroun $33 out the door. It came with a set of CR123 batteries.

I changed the batteries last night for the first time, and they were not dead at that point, just not as bright as I would have liked.

I have turned this light on during emergencies or just plain ole sun went down night work and left it on for an hour or two. That is not an exageration(sic.)

With new batteries they are bright enough to light up the yard well enough to see the dogs on the other side, or light up a tree on the other side well enough to scan it for any animals.

I have EDC'ed this knife in my front pocket everyday single day since buying it in July, and it has been knocked around quite a bit.

If you can find something exceeding ALL those parameters please let me know what it is and I will buy it.

BTW, My surefire is the aluminum bodied Z2, not the plastic G2.

 

[TNRat]

Also, with a run time of months on CR123's, a shelf life of several years on 123's, and their being found at any Walmart, Lowe's, and Home Depot I don't how the argument of nonstandard batteries holds any water any more.

Buy half a dozen and hope you don't get lost for a whole year.

 

[Guntotin_fool]

define your usage more and we can help refine the choices;

just an EDC pocket lite? the Fenix, the smaller Inova, the nuwai Q3 are all really nice lights in managable at first bite prices.

a real tactical light? the base lights are the brinkman maxfire for 20 at target or walmart, or the sure fire G2 for 35 or so, quite frankly, they are just about the same in performance. Both use the 123 batteries, but they are down to a buck a piece online, not that much more than the AA batteries in high end alkaline. But the AA lights are cheaper if you buy the new high Amp HR rechargeables.

better pockets get you to the EDC brand, the E series surefires, and some of the streamlights. expect to pay anywhere from 50 to 120 for these.

High end real tactical lights, Blackhawk gladius, Surefire L series and above, here the sky quite frankly is the limit. prices from $100 to 500, blinding bright light, hot, battery suckers, but dazzling bright.

 

[rnr]

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.

Go to Sportsmans Warehouse and check out the Dorcy 3W LED's. They're about $32. Don't confuse these with the WalMart Dorcy $18 3W's. These have a round body and a front top switch, not the tail click. They take 3 AAA's side by side and work pretty well. I like 'em.

 

[Tim-Gabz]

Location, location and spares.

I keep reverting to maglites (I can hear the cries) as they use day to day consumables. They carry a spare bulb in their tail cap. Converted my 3d to Xenon and has a great core beam that can be widened.

I have not had good experience with 123 powered torches in Africa. Maglite parts are available in Uyo, Masery and Maputo.