I have searched and found that the most suggested small flashlight is the Arc AAA. Now that Arc is no more, what suggestions would you have. I am looking for something small enough to fit into a pocket, but bright. I currently use an Underwater Kinetics 4 (AA) cell light that has a stated 12,000 candlepower output and works great, but is to large. I would like something with similar output if possible and under $100.00. I know that output is a nebulous thing and everyone has their own way of measuring it, but for comparisons sake, this light is at least 3 times as bright as a standard 2 cell mini-mag light. Thanks.
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Personal flashlight thoughts
- Thread starter Quy4n8
- Start date
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2004
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- 72
Another vote for the Fire~fly II. Phenomenal. If on a budget, a Nuwai QIII or Surefire KL1 head on a Vitalgear body/clickie.
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2004
- Messages
- 35
You can't go wrong with the surefire E2e. Very bright, very lightweight, super strong HA III finish and a great pocket clip. I love mine and carry it everywhere, everyday.
The light is rated at 65 lumens for one hour. I'm not sure where that rates in terms of candlepower, but I can tell you, I have an Inova X5, minimags, a streamlight scorpion and a 3-d Maglite, and this light blows these away.
I also have a G2 Nitrolon... its available for ~35 bucks and is one heck of a deal. It has about the same light output in only a slightly larger package. The E2e is priced at 95, but if you ask around at CandlePowerForums.com you can find it for around 80. Well worth it IMHO.
There are so many good lights out there, you will find many that will fit your needs. Just go over to CPF and you will find all of the info you will ever need. If its not there, ask, and MANY people far more educated on lights than me can help you out!
Good luck!
Andy
The light is rated at 65 lumens for one hour. I'm not sure where that rates in terms of candlepower, but I can tell you, I have an Inova X5, minimags, a streamlight scorpion and a 3-d Maglite, and this light blows these away.
I also have a G2 Nitrolon... its available for ~35 bucks and is one heck of a deal. It has about the same light output in only a slightly larger package. The E2e is priced at 95, but if you ask around at CandlePowerForums.com you can find it for around 80. Well worth it IMHO.
There are so many good lights out there, you will find many that will fit your needs. Just go over to CPF and you will find all of the info you will ever need. If its not there, ask, and MANY people far more educated on lights than me can help you out!
Good luck!
Andy
- Joined
- Aug 4, 2002
- Messages
- 363
Doesn't the Streamlight Scorpion have about the same light output as the SF E2E? I mean they are both 2 lithium 123 cell flashlights. If anything, I would think the Scorpion would be brighter due to it's larger head.Andy Overby said:
I think the E2E is acually rated at 60 lumens, not 65. Nitpicking, I know.
Bruise
First, consider the whole size vs. light output vs. LED/incandescent debate and decide which is most important to you.
Then I would decide among the Photon Freedom Micro, the CMG Infinity Ultra, or even the Princeton Tec Blast. I have all three, myself.
Then I would decide among the Photon Freedom Micro, the CMG Infinity Ultra, or even the Princeton Tec Blast. I have all three, myself.
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2002
- Messages
- 4,131
The E2e is rated at 65 lumens.
The Scorpion has similar output I've heard, but I haven't owned one. Anyway, I'd take surefire any day for their build quality and warranty.
The Scorpion has similar output I've heard, but I haven't owned one. Anyway, I'd take surefire any day for their build quality and warranty.
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2004
- Messages
- 35
On my SL Scorpion, the brightness is roughly the same, but the "light image" is distorted with shadows and it isn't a clean round focused beam. This can be cleaned up a bit by focusing the head in or out, but it is never perfect, like my Surefire. I guess its because the Surefire is prefocused from the factory.
The other thing I don't like about the Scorpion is its rubber body. I have tried putting it in my pocket and in a leather holster on the belt, and neither results in getting it out quick. The rubber just seems to grab. Some like it for its better grip, but not me.
I also second a notice to the build quality of the surefire. It feels like a piece of art
Andy
The other thing I don't like about the Scorpion is its rubber body. I have tried putting it in my pocket and in a leather holster on the belt, and neither results in getting it out quick. The rubber just seems to grab. Some like it for its better grip, but not me.
I also second a notice to the build quality of the surefire. It feels like a piece of art
Andy
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2000
- Messages
- 15,401
Check out the Longbow Micra.
Not a flashlight snob. I've owned a Brinkman Mini Maglite for prolly 20 years. My bro gave it to me for Yule one year so I know it cost less than $10 (then). Takes 2 'AA's, blue anodized aluminum case with thousands of scrapes and scratches. Fits in my pocket so well I forget it is there. Great for investigating caves when on archaeological site survey. Lights up varmint eyes and light enough weight to still fire a rifle at 'em. Lost it twice. Took 2 months to find it in the brush the second time. Scraped out the the old batteries, replaced them and kept going. In my briefcase right now.
I replaced my mini mag with an Inova X5. I am surprised how long it has lasted on its initial set of batteries. If you don't need the brightest of the bright but want something built sturdy, waterproof, and conserves batteries, then Inova does a good job.
-chris
-chris
- Joined
- May 17, 2002
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- 5,757
Andy Overby said:
Let me second that suggestion. Buy a G2, you won't regret it.
Quiet Storm said:
I'll put my vote in on the Sure Fire G2. I have a SF E2E HA and 3 of the G2's. The yellow G2's are in both cars and black one in my briefcase. The E2E stays at the house and see's the least use. Found the G2's on sale for $30 plus 10 batteries. Check around and get yourself a few. You can never have to many lights. While you at it check out countrycomm.com and get a few of the pocket LED. Great all around, have to have one on every zipper light.
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2000
- Messages
- 2,468
All good suggestions. I would add TNC Products AA luxeon, an amazing work of art. Also, Nightcutter has some innovative new luxeon lights out that are very cool.
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2003
- Messages
- 321
After four hurricanes, resulting in 4 power outages, my flashlight preferences have been altered somewhat. My experiences are as follows. Note: These are EDC concepts - Tactical stuff is different.
1) Bright is not always right (but sometime is): My SL Stinger was useful in looking around after the storm, to find out what landed on the roof, but was a bit overpowering for indoor navigation. Plus it gives you a headache when you read by a tactical spotlight.
2) Looong runtimes are "comforting": I had plenty of batteries, but the natural desire to conserve (hoard) resources in the face of doom is tough to resist. A low power light that can run for many hours on a single set of batteries, allows one to avoid sitting in the dark for long periods of time.
3) LEDs are durable: If you carry a flashlight around enough, you WILL drop it. I have dropped enough incandescent lamps, then replaced their bulbs, to know that this is true. I have also dropped a few LED based lights, and had to change nothing but my grip.
4) Floodlights are utility lights: Kind of like #1 above. A multi-LED floodlight is very versatile, kind of like a handy Leatherman tool. The bump-in-the-night blaster goes well with the 9mm in the nightstand.
In the end, I used an Inova X5 the most. It was either in a pocket, or on a lanyard around my neck. I navigated around the dark house with it, cooked over a gas grill illuminated by it, and even "used the facilities" with it to insure my aim was true. The Stinger was my other best friend, but primarily when I needed to see to the other side of the yard, or what fell in the neighbor's pool.
I have several other lights (1AA LED, 2AA Incan, 2x123 Incan, 1W Luxeon, 4D Mag), but the X5 is still my best "around the house" light. Next, I would like to try a 1 cell Longbow or similar.
Wow, I think about flashlights way too much...
1) Bright is not always right (but sometime is): My SL Stinger was useful in looking around after the storm, to find out what landed on the roof, but was a bit overpowering for indoor navigation. Plus it gives you a headache when you read by a tactical spotlight.
2) Looong runtimes are "comforting": I had plenty of batteries, but the natural desire to conserve (hoard) resources in the face of doom is tough to resist. A low power light that can run for many hours on a single set of batteries, allows one to avoid sitting in the dark for long periods of time.
3) LEDs are durable: If you carry a flashlight around enough, you WILL drop it. I have dropped enough incandescent lamps, then replaced their bulbs, to know that this is true. I have also dropped a few LED based lights, and had to change nothing but my grip.
4) Floodlights are utility lights: Kind of like #1 above. A multi-LED floodlight is very versatile, kind of like a handy Leatherman tool. The bump-in-the-night blaster goes well with the 9mm in the nightstand.
In the end, I used an Inova X5 the most. It was either in a pocket, or on a lanyard around my neck. I navigated around the dark house with it, cooked over a gas grill illuminated by it, and even "used the facilities" with it to insure my aim was true. The Stinger was my other best friend, but primarily when I needed to see to the other side of the yard, or what fell in the neighbor's pool.
I have several other lights (1AA LED, 2AA Incan, 2x123 Incan, 1W Luxeon, 4D Mag), but the X5 is still my best "around the house" light. Next, I would like to try a 1 cell Longbow or similar.
Wow, I think about flashlights way too much...
- Joined
- Aug 4, 2002
- Messages
- 363
Sorry Steve. This is a product description straight from the Surefire website:Steven Roos said:
"Output/Runtime - SureFire MN03 xenon gas-filled lamp assembly provides 60 lumens output for 1.25 hours. Also accepts optional MN02 lamp assembly with 25 lumens output for 2.5 hours."
And the link if you want to check my source: http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_disp/displ/prrfnbr/888/sesent/00
Steve, I think you are assuming the E2E uses the very common P60 lamp assembly that the G2 does. The P60 is rated at 65 lumens. But, the E2E doesn't use the P60, it's too big.
And just to prove that the Streamlight Scoropin has a higher lumen rating according to its manufacturer you can go to the Streamlight website here: http://streamlight.com/scorpion_specifications.htm , which basically says it's rated at 65 lumens.
Bruise
I love the firefly/firefly II - it's the largest I would go on a keychain and it packs a *lot* of power. Since you're coming off the AAA, I'm guessing you're looking for something small and pocketable. If the firefly's a bit much, you might also try a step in the opposite direction and pick up a photon light, doesn't get any smaller or lighter - don't get a photon 3, but a white photon 2 last's a long time and is really quite bright.