Looking for a Flashlight. Any Recommendations?

we own almost a dozen surefires...most are G2's or G2N's...they are great and not a lot of $.

BUT...if I ever did anything right (for me) it was buying my E1b backup:
surefireE1B.jpg


funny...I just looked at it (carry it all the time) that pic is old...the light is more beat up now...but yeah...still works great. :)
 
I never see them get mentioned, but the Rayovac Sportsman Xtreme flashlights are my absolute favorites. In my opinion, Rayovac makes a damn good flashlight. I've had this one for I don't know how long, years and years, and it has lived through some serious abuse and it's still running as bright as the day I got it on the original Rayovac batteries that came with it. I now own a ton of Rayovacs, but it's my favorite.

SELUX2AA1W-B.jpg
 
I always have my Fenix E01 in my pocket and getting ready to buy a LD20 R4. I've got an Energizer headlamp in my pack as well as a 2 AA LED Maglite and I have one of the Rayovac Sportsman Extremes shown above as my bedside light. The Rayovac is bright and just the right size for me but sometimes it will flicker on me when I first turn it on.
 
Dylside said:
I never see them get mentioned, but the Rayovac Sportsman Xtreme flashlights are my absolute favorites. In my opinion, Rayovac makes a damn good flashlight. I've had this one for I don't know how long, years and years, and it has lived through some serious abuse and it's still running as bright as the day I got it on the original Rayovac batteries that came with it. I now own a ton of Rayovacs, but it's my favorite.

SELUX2AA1W-B.jpg
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therse are a VERY nice light, and the pocket clip is also quite handy. unfortunately Wal-Mart doesn't carry them any more, so they're a bit harder to find.

i have some of the 3W versions. there's also a 1W version which would give you less light but a longer runtime.

the 3W is about $25 on ebay.
 
spraay said:
You could also get a Surefire G2, for $36. It's plastic, but definitely not a WalMart special. It is not an LED light, but it is bright and rugged.
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if you can get the incandescent G2s cheap and then drop a 120+ lumen Cree LED in them from dealextreme. i'd suggest sticking with the single mode LEDs.

then sell the new, unused P60 bulb if you can find someone who wants it.
 
Wow, less than two days and already pages long!

There are a number of good flashlight manufacturers these days. Personally I am very happy with my Surefire lights and own several.

FrostofSparta, you didn't mention which "pack" this light was for. Giving the intended use of the light might net you different suggestions.

My EDC light is an E2DL. It's tough as nails, bright and has a high and low. Anyone that likes good tools (such as flashlights) should check one of these out at night. They throw like mad and are easily pocketed. I'm not a big fan of the crenelations, but I've gotten used to them. If I was going to replace this light today, I would have a hard time choosing between a new E2DL or an LX2.

I also carry an E1L in my EDC bag (stays in my car most of the time). It's small, is plenty bright on high and has a long, long runtime on low.

I have an LX2 clip on the E2DL and an E1B clip on the E1L... these make carrying them much handier (for me).

I have a couple 6PLED's for the car and for use in the garage. The stock LED module is OK but the Malkoff Devices replacements are excellent. If I wanted another one of these lights today I would buy an incandescent model and order the Malkoff drop-in separately.

My last (and favorite) Surefire is my U2. Six levels, 2 lumen low, 100 lumen high (often tests over 150). It runs forever on low and best of all you can choose the level BEFORE you turn it on. Unlike the E2DL which always comes on on high. This light has it all. Multiple levels, flood, AND throw. Even though on paper it shouldn't, in real-world use it throws just as far as my E2DL while still providing lots of flood.

Unless you find a Surefire retailer, CR123 batteries are way too expensive to buy locally. I buy mine through batteryjunction.com. They have "Titanium" brand batteries for $1.00 each. I've got roughly two dozen of them. I keep spares in my EDC bag, BOB bag and at least two in each car.

Now for the twists.

In the BOB: One of my 6PLED's has a Malkoff M60LL drop in which has incredibly long runtimes on two or three CR123's or on two AA's. I also have a single-cell extender (makes the light a 9P) that allows me to use AA batteries in the light. I keep AA and CR123 spares in the bag as the electronics in the bag use AA's.

The other "dual-fuel" light is my E1L. I have a spare battery tube that can use two AA's instead of a single CR123. In this configuration it actually has more runtime than the single CR123 (It also ends up almost three times as long, though).

Picture of the two:
aa-e1l-and-6pl2.jpg
 
TrailWolf said:
HDS Systems Ra Clicky 170 Tactical and Surefire Minimus headlamp. Bases covered. Forever.
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The above combination is about as bombproof and reliable as you're going to get. You can also add a Quark Mini 123 as a neck light. It weighs almost nothing and can be added to an existing lanyard.

Be sure carry a few spare cr123s. As mentioned above buy your cr123s online. I get 50 for $60 which includes shipping. Tough to beat. Keep them in a tight container in the fridge and they will last 10 years. Of course, with new flashlights, you'll burn through those 50 cr123 batteries in no time flat.
 
When I go backpacking I bring 3 light sources. Black Diamond Spot headlamp, SureFire E1L Outdoorsman, & an orange Bic lighter:D
 
I would advise against dealextreme. Took them 33 days to send me my TK10. Cheap, but took forever.
 
wiiawiwb said:
Keep them in a tight container in the fridge and they will last 10 years.
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I don't keep them in the fridge, but they do have a great shelf-life. They also won't leak and destroy whatever they're in like alkalines.
 
yea, ok i will agree with you there..if you are needing it ASAP they arent the way to go..but for the price you cant beat some of their torches..i've bought a few from them..one i actually forgot i had ordered cause it came like a month later..but for the price i dont mind..i have enough lights to hold me over till the new ones arrive.. actually looking at getting this beast next

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.6965

Jake Bauer said:
I would advise against dealextreme. Took them 33 days to send me my TK10. Cheap, but took forever.
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I see a ton of surefires being mentioned. I can actually get them for free but I still prefer my pelican lights. You will notice alot of firemen, military etc carry them as well. Never had one fail on me and they are reasonably priced.
 
partisan1911 said:
I see a ton of surefires being mentioned. I can actually get them for free but I still prefer my pelican lights. You will notice alot of firemen, military etc carry them as well. Never had one fail on me and they are reasonably priced.
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Interesting. Which Surefires can you and have you gotten for free?
 
i"ll buy a few dozen off you if you can get them for free...lets say about 20bucks a dozen lol.

partisan1911 said:
I see a ton of surefires being mentioned. I can actually get them for free but I still prefer my pelican lights. You will notice alot of firemen, military etc carry them as well. Never had one fail on me and they are reasonably priced.
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Its all about who you know in this world. I have a friend that is a rep for them. I have gotten enough to fill all my guns, light up an entire square block with one light, and plenty of others to fill the gaps. They are no doubt the leaders in light technology. They tend to be expensive for the average guy which is why I was suggesting pelican. The thing about getting free stuff is you can't get it if you start give away. Sorry:(
 
at first I was nervous about the 123a's but hearing they have a 10 year shelf life, You could buy two boxes and be set for a while.
 
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