Need a new Flashlight

B

Brian.Evans

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Aug 20, 2011
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I am a medic and a dad of 5, so I need a flashlight desperately. I had a Streamlight scorpion, then lost it in A-Stan. I bought a Surefire of some type over there, but lost it sometime between there and home. I had went to Wally-World and grabbed a 2AA Mag LED as a stopgap, and actually kind of liked it. Not horrible light output, not very expensive, and AA platform (hate paying for 123a). However, a few months ago it started becoming unreliable, flickering, then refusing to come on without whacking it. I have planned to send it in for months, but just haven't gotten to it yet.

I need a new flashlight. Given my background and profession, can I get some recommendations?

1. AA OR AAA. No CR123a please.
2. Shorter than the AA mag lite
3. Comes with a holster or holster easily obtainable.
4. Prefer one or two light settings. I don't need three settings plus SOS plus strobe plus CQD. Dang people, I just want a light, not a mall ninja signaling device.
5. Bright. Imagine being on scene in the middle of nowhere and needing to treat a person in a ditch or in a car. That's what I need. That and finding my socks in the middle of the night. I seem to have a problem with that.

I had a couple other things, but the thread is screwing up after the edit. . Not sure what's going on. Thanks all.
 
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I have a PD32 and it is incredible. Fenix now seems to have some very good models that use a pair of AA's so that is what I would recommend.

Check out mag's website- they have a model called XL50 or something like that which is pretty bright and uses three AAA batteries. I've also noticed that they have multiple versions of the mini-maglite, some that are much brighter than previous versions. I bought a Terralux LED conversion with a Cree LED for $17 and put it in one of my old mini-maglites and it has very good light output. I don't know how reliable it will be but so far it is pretty interesting.
 
I know you said no cr123a, but I still have to recommend the Streamlight Polytac Flashlight. I carry it every day and when I work night shifts. I have been using it for over 6 months and I haven't had to change the batteries yet. Simple, durable and inexpensive. Fits perfectly in a carhartt coat pocket too.
 
NightMare Silverado said:
You could grab the fenix pd32 and get the rechargeable 18650 battery for it instead of paying for 123's all the time.
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I was going to recommend something along these lines. 18650s have awesome capacity for long runtimes and high brightness. Once the initial sticker shock wears off, it's pretty neat not having to buy batteries. Although, I can still see the appeal of a AA flashlight; if your batteries go dead all of a sudden, what's easier to source on the fly than a couple AAs?
 
I would recommend:
Streamlight ProTac 1AA
ULTRA-COMPACT TACTICAL LIGHT

The combination of small size and C4® LED output results in one of the brightest tactical personal carry lights for its size

High, low and strobe modes
C4 LED illumination output and run times:
HIGH - 50 lumens/1.75 Hours
LOW - 6 lumens/22 Hours
STROBE - 4 Hours
Includes 1 AA alkaline battery
Solid State power regulation provides maximum light output throughout battery life
Rubber push button tail cap switch
IPX7 rated design; waterproof to 1 meter for 30 minutes
Impact-resistant tempered glass lens
Unbreakable pocket clip
Anti-roll head
Includes nylon holster

I love streamlight products. I have their Stinger and Protac 1L and they have never failed me. I didn't recommend the ProTac 1L to you because it uses CR123A battery because of your specification. If its the price that is pushing you away from CR123A, I was able to buy 16 surefire CR123A batteries for an online site for under $10, which is cheaper than AA batteries from the store.

Here are the specs for the ProTac 1L
High, low and strobe modes
C4 LED illumination output and run times:
HIGH - 110 lumens/1.75 Hours
LOW - 12 lumens/14 Hours
STROBE - 3 Hours
Includes 1 CR123A lithium battery
Solid State power regulation provides maximum light output throughout battery life
Rubber push button tail cap switch
IPX7 rated design; waterproof to 1 meter for 30 minutes
Impact-resistant tempered glass lens
Unbreakable pocket clip
Anti-roll head
Includes nylon holster

Streamlight also makes an EMS version of their ProTac series called the ProTac EMS which is the same size as the ProTac 1AA but is blue in color and starts at the low output setting unlike the 1L and 1AA which start at the high output. setting

The Streamlight ProTac EMS provides the optimal non-glare light for pupil and wound examination

C4 LED technology offers 3 levels of increasing intensities: Low, medium and high
Powers on at low beam: 3.6 lumens/runs 36 hours; ideal for pupil exams. Faint peripheral illumination surrounding the focused beam slightly illuminates the opposite pupil without directly causing it to contract, facilitating observation of consensual contraction in dim light
Two taps of the tail switch accesses medium mode, which delivers 10 lumens/runs for 14 hours. Ideal for non-glare wound examination
Three taps of the tail switch accesses high mode, which delivers 50 lumens/runs 1.5 hours (1 AA alkaline); runs 3.4 hours using AA lithium battery
Features the "Star of Life" emergency medical care symbol
Includes 1 AA alkaline battery and nylon holster
Also accepts AA lithium battery (sold seapartely)
Solid State power regulation provides maximum light output throughout battery life
Rubber push button tail cap switch
IPX7 rated design; waterproof to 1 meter for 30 minutes
Impact-resistant tempered glass lens for maximum beam clarity
Unbreakable pocket clip
Anti-roll head
3.97" (10.08 cm); 2.3 oz (65 grams)
 
I would recommend the Quark AA^2 (squared) or the Quark AA^Turbo. As has been stated, you can purchase rechargeable batteries to save money.
 
GSDNPWC said:
I would recommend the Quark AA^2 (squared) or the Quark AA^Turbo. As has been stated, you can purchase rechargeable batteries to save money.
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You beat me to it but I was going to say the 4Sevens Quark AA Tactical. You get momentary on and can program two modes so you don't have to worry about cycling through or dealing with the strobe or SOS.
 
I am LOVING the PD32. I know that I said no 123s, but with a 3000 maH 18650, it might be ok. I like that it remembers the setting it was previously on and the side switch to change settings. $70 for the light, and another $40 for a battery and charger isn't too bad, I guess. More than I wanted to spend, but I will carry a light to everywhere but bed, so it's going to get used.

I'm still open to suggestions, so keep em coming, but the pd32 is right up there so far.
 
jackthedog said:
You beat me to it but I was going to say the 4Sevens Quark AA Tactical. You get momentary on and can program two modes so you don't have to worry about cycling through or dealing with the strobe or SOS.
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I'll third this rec of the Quark Tac, the sheath it comes with is not great but very workable, light output is great, easy to set and change between dual modes.
 
+1 for the PD32!
I love my PD32 like the others here have recommended. I have yet to get an 18650 for it, but buying 123's in bulk is not a terrible idea either. I'll eventually get an 18650 just based on the feedback here and elsewhere.
 
Ramiel said:
+1 for the PD32!
I love my PD32 like the others here have recommended. I have yet to get an 18650 for it, but buying 123's in bulk is not a terrible idea either. I'll eventually get an 18650 just based on the feedback here and elsewhere.
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Agreed on the bulk 123's. Amazon's got great prices on them.
 
NightMare Silverado said:
Agreed on the bulk 123's. Amazon's got great prices on them.
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I buy them in bulk too, usually from battery station.

There are a lot of advantages that the CR123 have over alkalines, but now that there are good lights available with electronics, you can get plenty of light output from alkalines. I just bought my PD32 a couple of months ago and almost bought a light to use AA batteries instead. The Fenix LD20 looks like a good option. It is rated at 180 Lumens but the $17 Terralux conversion I just bought for my minimaglite is rated at 140 Lumens!
 
I was going to say the Streamlight ProTac EMS, ~$35, single AA battery, 3 modes, and cool blue color. I've got a ProTac 2L (2 CR123 model) it's a nice light, small, 2 brightness settings, and cheap enough that I won't cry if I loose it.
 
Take a look at the Maglite XL200. 3 AAA batteries, 172 lumens, swivel belt holster available, 4.8 x 1 inch, push button tailcap, infinitely adjustable brightness.
 
Another Fenix fan here get it you WILL NOT be dissappointed I have 4 of them PD 30,PD 32, PD 20, TK 12!!! They are GREAT lights I have one on me every day 1 on my night stand in my BOB and another mounted on an AR!!
 
If you are going to be "treating" people, get a head lamp. They come with belt battery packs that allow for multiple AA's = endurance.
 
I am going a little outside the norm here and suggest a light that does not get a lot of mentions anytime this kind of thread comes up. I would suggest a ThruNite Neutron 1AA, it does have a strobe and SOS feature but with the interface it's pretty easy to avoid them. With regular alkaline batteries you have a super bright light, the output is from .09 lumens in low to 145 lumens on "turbo". With a 18650 you go up to around 200 lumens on turbo. It is a fantastic EDC light I have carried mine for over a year and would be lost without it. All this for less than 60 buck is hard to beat!
 
Thomas Linton said:
If you are going to be "treating" people, get a head lamp. They come with belt battery packs that allow for multiple AA's = endurance.
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Head lamps I have. I need something for EDC and general dark work while working, if that last part makes sense. We always end up in a shit hole house with no electricity. However......maybe I will throw a small head lamp into my go bag, just to see if I'd use it.

Also, I can never find my socks at night when we have to get up. I really need a better system than leaving them on my boots. Lol
 
hunter s thompson said:
I am going a little outside the norm here and suggest a light that does not get a lot of mentions anytime this kind of thread comes up. I would suggest a ThruNite Neutron 1AA, it does have a strobe and SOS feature but with the interface it's pretty easy to avoid them. With regular alkaline batteries you have a super bright light, the output is from .09 lumens in low to 145 lumens on "turbo". With a 18650 you go up to around 200 lumens on turbo. It is a fantastic EDC light I have carried mine for over a year and would be lost without it. All this for less than 60 buck is hard to beat!
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You had me up until reverse clicky switches. They just drive me crazy. Why would someone not put a forward clicky on a light like that?
 
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