What is the best small flashlight?

mneedham

mneedham

Joined
Jul 8, 2006
Messages
2,776
Like a lot of folks here, I own a lot of flashlights but I haven't ever got a hold of the some of the expensive, high-tech stuff that I see advertised in Brigade Quartermaster and places like that. I used Maglites in the military, discovered LEDs and now use primarily what you see in the crappy pic (sorry). I love my photon key chains and gerber infinity, but the silver metal one from Wal-mart gets a lot use (going out back tothe wood pile at night). I also use a Princeton-tec Aurora head lamp that stays in my pack. My question is which flashlights do you guys use and am I missing the boat on the Fenix, Surefire, Blackhawk, etc?
 
I bought Qjr. a Surefire G2 LED for Christmas. I tried it out, put it down, and immediately ordered one for me and one for Mrs. Q. :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

SPECIFICATIONS
  • Max Output: 80 lumens
  • Runtime: 12 hours
  • Length: 5.14 inches
  • Weight: 4.10 ounces
  • Battery: Two 123A lithiums
FEATURES
  • Virtually indestructible light emitting diode has no filament to burn out or break; lasts for thousands of hours
  • Precision reflector creates smooth beam without spots or rings
  • Constructed of lightweight, corrosion-proof Nitrolon® polymer and rugged aerospace-grade aluminum
  • O-ring sealed; weatherproof
  • Tailcap switch: press for momentary-on, twist for constant-on
  • Patented switch lockout prevents accidental activation

G2L-BK_large2.jpg
 
I love my 2-D Cell 3-Watt LED Mag-Lite and Solitare but for EDC I LOVE my Sure-Fire E2D Executive Defender! You can't go wrong with Sure-Fire I've been looking at the E1L Outdoorsman and will eventually get one. Check'em out. :)
 
OK! for about $57.00 bucks, you can get one of these and it is worth it.

RickJ
 
Does Fenix have brick and mortar retailers or do you have to buy online?
 
novatec edc - bulet proof and light. This is the Busse of the flashlights.
 
www.fenix-store.com

Picked up a P3D Rebel before Thanksgiving. Blows the standard 3D cell xenon m@glight out of the water, yet more pocketable than a 2AA m@g.

200 lumens makes all the other small Led lights look like glowsticks.
 
I use the fenix P3D CE Q5. It has a great runtime, amazing throw, and is compact. It isn't as frail as I thought it would be. Do you want something with a lot of throw or more flood like? Also, are you looking for a light or another weapon that happens to be a light. Price affected my decision making and made me try a fenix. However I also wandered over to another forum and grabbed a few really small but bright as hell flood lights.
 
I had a surefire G2 & it was super bright but the battery life was awful :thumbdn: I now carry a coast tactorch led & its been a very good light , give'em a try :thumbup:
 
coaldigger said:
I had a surefire G2 & it was super bright but the battery life was awful :thumbdn: I now carry a coast tactorch led & its been a very good light , give'em a try :thumbup:
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Try the new G2 LED. Same brightness as the incan but with 12 hours of light. I love mine.:thumbup:
 
I've carried a couple dorcy led lights for a few years, very good for the money imho. I love the small 1 aaa led, use it about every day and on aaa last 3 or 4 weeks. I've had a few streamlights, maglights etc that didn't really impress me. The victorinox I got at christmas has see a little use and so far so good, very bright.

I can't help but want a fenix though!
 
Right now, dollar for dollar, the one I am really liking is the Pentagon Light Molle LED. Great rugged little light that does not weigh much and is very versitile. About $32. I love this light.

http://www.pentagonlight.com/item_detail.cfm__id.487

Specifications
Brightness: 40 Lumens
Run-Time: 3 Hours
Batteries: One AA Alkaline
Lamp: 0.5 Watt White LED
Filter Color: Red
Length: 3.4" (86 mm)
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42 g
5000 hr. LED lamp

Features
* MOLLE PALs Webbing Compatible
* Hands-Free Illumination
* Rotatable Clip

DSC00806-1.jpg


DSC00804.jpg
 
A second vote for the new Surefire L1. I have quite a few lights, including the pentagon molle, HDS U60XR, couple of ARCs, Surefire L2, G2, and a couple of other Surefires. The new L1 is an awesome light that I've been carrying for several months now. Battery (singular) lasts forever and it's a great compromise of flood with a great hotspot. You won't regret the money spent.
 
I have a fenix EO that I put a lanyard on and carry in my pocket as an EDC. it's fantastic and the light it throws is all I need.
Brett
 
I picked up a Fenix L1D and havent looked back... the Fenix store even offers free shipping worldwide. It takes a common AA battery has a low, med, high, strobe ans sos settings. Ive been using the same battery since I bought it about 8 months ago.
 
No end of answers for that question!

I like headlamps. I have a Black Diamond Night Ray that does the trick. I also have a tiny Gerber Tracer that runs for hours on a single AAA. In general, Black Diamond, Petzl and Princeton Tec make some great lamps.

I also have LED micro lights all over the place. The $1.50 at County Comm seem to work as well as some of the spendy ones. I have an Innova micro that has several modes and you can change the battery without a toolbox and a pit crew.

For a hand-held flashlight, I picked up a Fenix P1 and I like it a lot. It is tiny, bright, weighs 1.4 ounces with the battery (a single CR123). Perfect for hiking, and PSK.

fenixp1.jpg


I EDC a Gerber Infinity because it is cheap and tough and I'm not going to flip out if I loose it. It runs on one AA battery-- cheap to keep. Output is mediocre, but fine for looking into a corner or navigating a dark stairway post earthquake.
 
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