Need a reccomendaton on a good flashlight.

K

klhayes77

Joined
Nov 28, 2008
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330
This will be my first good flashlight i have ever bought.I want one that i can take out in the woods with me when i go hiking and camping.So nothing bulky or to heavy.The best amount of light for my buck. I would like to keep it under 50$ if possible. I dont know alot about good flashlights so your help would be appreciated.:D
 
Surefire G2. Under $40.
Inova X0. Under $50.

A couple friends of mine are flashlight nuts. I've used both and I'm leaning toward the Inova X0.
 
My best recommendation for under $50 is the Fenix L1D (check out 4sevens). It's a single AA LED light with a few different output modes; they're compact, excellent output, variable output, tail-clicky and pretty tough (I used a few Fenix lights in Iraq with no issues).

Nitcore is another option for $10 more...it's also tough as nails and has a much greater range in output.

Some questions you need to ask yourself:

Do you care what type of battery it uses? AA, AAA, CR123?
Do you want variable output? Something I highly recommend

LED's are just made for rough, outdoors use. They are inherently stronger than any incandescent type bulb without an overbuilt head. They are much more efficient, meaning your battery will last longer. Technology has leveled the playing field with output and light "throw" distance. Most quality LED models have variable outputs, allowing you to select how much light you need for the task. You don't always need 200 lumens to search the bottom of your pack or find your shoes in the tent for a 0300 Mother Nature Call; most of my tasks can be done at 20-30 lumens, but it's still nice to have that 100+ to scare away the boogie man or those damn raccoons messing with our field kitchen! Also, most have an SOS and/or strobe option-mode for signaling which is another good option.

Right now, for your money, I think Fenix gives you the best bang for the buck. They come with a nice little svelte belt pouch that you'll often forget you're even wearing.

Next, you'll need to consider a good LED headlamp:D

ROCK6
 
I would recommend the Fenix LD10 or P2D for a good hiking/camp light. My EDC a P2D, but it uses CR123A batteries, and you might want to go with the LD10 because it uses a single AA battery. It weighs 1.3 ounces (without battery) has settings that vary between 9 to 120 lumen. You can also get a light diffusing tip for the light to make a good camp lantern. If you go with a AA light make sure to pickup some lithium batteries for cold weather and long shelf life. You can use rechargeables for warm weather camping and EDC.

https://www.fenix-store.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_65&products_id=466
 
The Surefires are very nice and high end but if you lose it you're out more than $50 unless you get the G2. I don't recommend it...the G2 is designed as a tactical light used for short burst durations. Its run time, albeit very bright, is short, batteries are heavy and expensive, and generally there is short supply in the wild. The light is bulky and heavy for packing. I have an A2 near the bed at night and is my fav but I wouldn't use it for the wild other than vehicle camping.

A smaller, lightweight AA or AAA LED is the best way to go for general illumination for basic wild work and a headlamp is an ideal piece of kit. Headlamps allows hands free operation for night ops and is the perfect piece of kit for in the wild. I haven't carried a flashlight into the wild in years but I always carry two headlamps and my buddies all carry the same lamp. We have plenty of rechargeable batteries amongst us and a solar panel recharger for extended trips.

However, if you're committed to a handheld then the Fenix is a good choice as is the little Pentagon angle head LED with MOLLE clip. At least you can clip it onto something and read a map or cook a pot of stew. I'd get something you can hold up with you teeth as you work with your hands - which is what I used to do in my pre-headlamp days.

It all depends upon your trip or mission profile and/or you style of wild work. If you operate under a low light/low physical presence discipline then a smaller light is going to work absolutely fine. Once you've obtained your night vision for the evening a little light LED works well to illuminate your way or task without any issues. However, if you're one of those "sounds like a Chevy truck going thru camp, belly laughing 'round the campfire, and sticking knives into live trees" crowd and you don't care who knows your whereabouts then you won't be satisfied with anything less than a "lot of light" which requires a bigger light and more battery power.
 
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Fenix all the way. Best bang for the buck around..... Great stuff.

If you ever want a higher end light check out the RA Twisty. Best light Ive ever used hands down.

if you want something really versitle, check out a Zebralight headlamp. You can remove em from the strap and use it like a flashlight, and it is hard annod like the surefires. LED, with 3 brightness levels, and a Tailcap switch. Theres even a pocket clip to mount on it. :thumbup: 50.00 :thumbup:
 
I have a Fenix L1D CE that I EDC. Easy interface, solidly built, and if you order from certain dealers you can get a lifetime warranty on your light. Runs on a regular AA battery, so if things go really far south you can always pirate a battery from something else.

Regardless of the model, you pretty much can't go wrong with Fenix though. The only negative is that they are not American made, and that isn't a negative about the quality, but just because I try to support American companies whenever possible.

Good luck and enjoy the decision making process :D
 
Another vote for FENIX. They are much brighter than a Surefire G2 and at least twice as bright with longer lasting batteries due to the more efficient LED.
 
Streamlight LED Scorpion, powerful 120 lumens w/bright white light..on-line less than $50. I like the only SureFire I own..nice but high dollar so it will be my first and last as I am sold on LED technology. Also consider buying your CR123A batteries on-line..some great batteries and deals with their 10-year shelf life.

Be careful though, good flashlights like black rifles and knives can be habit forming, IMHO.

Regards,
Unk
"Remember the men from whom you are sprung"
 
I would say anything from Fenix under $50(which is most of them in america I would think)

the g2 I haven't looked at much, but 11 hour run time for that brightness would be good.
 
I recently converted an old AA Mini-Mag light with the Nite Ize LED and adjustable tail cap. Three brightness modes and two strobe modes. You're into the whole thing for about $29 ($9 for the MiniMag and $20 for the conversion drop in kit). It may not be as high tech as some of the other lights out there but I must say I was impressed enough that I'm going to do it to the second MiniMag we have downstairs.

http://www.amazon.com/MAG-LED-UPGRADE-SWITCH-COMBO/dp/B0016KGO1W/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1233769114&sr=8-3
 
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I recommend you take a look at the Fenix L2d-CE Q5 LED at 4sevens.com.
It's takes 2 AA batteries and puts out an insane amount of light.
 
+1 for Fenix, I prefer the models that uses AA batteries
My EDC is a streamlight that uses one AAA battery. It has taken a beating and still works great for less than $20.
 
I guess I can add to the pattern forming here: Fenix. I grabbed a Fenix LOD (red limited edition) a year or so ago and teamed it with a small SAK rambler. Keep them both in my left front pocket and never looked back. The Fenix LOD has come in handy far more then I would have thought and it puts out a remarkable amount of photons for a flashlight just a hair bigger then a AAA battery.

However, after spending years in the woods (hiking, backpacking, camping, fishing, etc) no one (no matter how much the coolness/tactical factor weighs in) has convinced me something held in the hand trumps light spilling from ones head. As noted by others, I'd put a headlamp on the short list as well (if not prior to a hand held flashlight).

Cheers and good luck.
 
This guy hit the nail on the head.:thumbup:



ROCK6 said:
My best recommendation for under $50 is the Fenix L1D (check out 4sevens). It's a single AA LED light with a few different output modes; they're compact, excellent output, variable output, tail-clicky and pretty tough (I used a few Fenix lights in Iraq with no issues).

Nitcore is another option for $10 more...it's also tough as nails and has a much greater range in output.

Some questions you need to ask yourself:

Do you care what type of battery it uses? AA, AAA, CR123?
Do you want variable output? Something I highly recommend

LED's are just made for rough, outdoors use. They are inherently stronger than any incandescent type bulb without an overbuilt head. They are much more efficient, meaning your battery will last longer. Technology has leveled the playing field with output and light "throw" distance. Most quality LED models have variable outputs, allowing you to select how much light you need for the task. You don't always need 200 lumens to search the bottom of your pack or find your shoes in the tent for a 0300 Mother Nature Call; most of my tasks can be done at 20-30 lumens, but it's still nice to have that 100+ to scare away the boogie man or those damn raccoons messing with our field kitchen! Also, most have an SOS and/or strobe option-mode for signaling which is another good option.

Right now, for your money, I think Fenix gives you the best bang for the buck. They come with a nice little svelte belt pouch that you'll often forget you're even wearing.

Next, you'll need to consider a good LED headlamp:D

ROCK6
Click to expand...
 
MagLite Mini Mag LED 3AA - I have one and it's great!Powerful enough and pretty economical with batteries - ideal for camping.And it's cheap too :thumbup:
 
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