What is the best small flashlight?

Batteries are really coming a long way, I'd suggest rechargeable NiMH batteries, especially LSD (low self discharge) like eneloops and their clones, are a really good thing.

You can use them right out of the package and if you don't they store nice for a long time. Imagine a AA or AAA battery that you can use around 1000 times and it never leaks! Of course you need a charger to charge them after each cycle!
 
Run time is more important to me than brightness. That being said, I carry a bright light for work and an LED light that I use 20 times more often.

I also standardize all my kit batteries. My NVGs and GPS require AA so I find flashlights that use the same. I have a small Gerber AA light that is in my emergency kit as a backup. I also have a AA headlamp that is really useful. It would be a hassle to carry AAs and 123s and AAAs.

Now that I think about it, I also have a small redlense LED microlight on my belt. And a small white micro light on my keys. I work at night these days. :)

I would never think of paying $150 for flashlight. I would feel dumb if I did. Haven't lost a light in a while, but I went through a stretch where I lost several in the span of a few months.
 
Nemoaz,

I was trying at one point to standardize my batteries too, that is how I wound up with the infinity. I have come as close getting down to AA and AAA ( and a couple of batteries for the photon freedoms). I am thinking that I will break away from that concept though, I am looking at the Surefires and Novatecs. I see your point about the price, but than again I have a lot of $$ tied in blades and I really do use a flashlight a lot. The run time vs. intensity is a tough one, I like burn time for most situations, but I need at least one bright light for scanning the lawn outside.... hmm, maybe two lights?

That pentagon light is real interesting for anybody who uses AA too..

It also sounds like the rechargeable batteries have improved. I tried them about 15 years I and came to the conclusion that they were no good.
 
Well, this will open a can of worms:D I know that there are several different requirements that one could use to define their "best flashlight", but I've settled on a few that I like to see in a daily use light...either backpacking/camping, combat zone in Iraq or daily use around the house or office.

First, I think the LED is a no-brainer. They are just inherently more robust than most incandescent lights. Second, they are much more efficient hence giving you longer run times. Additionally most of the regulated LED's give you options for output...very handy for a number of scenarios. Now for size, that's quite subjective, but most could easily EDC a single 123-3V, AA or AAA LED in their pocket or on their belt; so when I hear small, that's what I focus on. I do have a Gladius Night-Ops (sounds "tactical-stupid") which I've had the LED upgraded, and it's absolutely awesome...several levels of output and functions making it a very versatile light, but a little too bulky for daily wear (it is in my duty bag though).

So for "best small flashlight" categories, here's what I've concluded:

Best Keychain LED: Inova's Microlight or Photon

Best single AAA LED: ARC or Fenix POD

Best single AA LED: Fenix L1D

Best single 123 LED: Novatac's 120 EDC
Best single 123 LED deal: Either the Fenix P2D or P1D

Best "emergency" LED (for the kid's/wife's bags): PAL LED (9V)

Best small headlamp? Well, I like the Petzl Tikka Plus variations and I also like the Princeton-Tec EOS as well...both are 3xAAA. A headlamp is a great option for hands-free work...changing a flat tire, getting the coffee going early in the morning while camping or reading a book in the tent at night.

There are a ton of 6V (2x123 battery) LED's on the market, it's hard to choose. Most just want a good "emergency" light and I think the new Surefire G2 LED is a great bargain, but it only gives you and on/off function and I still like the ability to select output levels. Surefire's L2 (don't have the new L1 yet), is a good option of high/low output...you don't need 5000 lumen output for everything, especially if you're just digging around in your pack or locating your keys on your nightstand.

BestLED.jpg


I like the comparison of Novatac to Busse. Novatac's are built as tough as Surefire's but they have much more functionality.

ROCK6
 
mneedham said:
Nemoaz,
The run time vs. intensity is a tough one, I like burn time for most situations, but I need at least one bright light for scanning the lawn outside.... hmm, maybe two lights?
Click to expand...

I think this is where many of the multi-function, regulated LED's give you the best options. You can have a very low to very high output just with the tap of the tailcap or turn of the bezel.

I was fortunate enough to do a little T&E on some military-grade Novatac LED's on my last tour to Iraq. They worked well as weapon mounted lights, bright-search lights and as a low-output utility light. The tactical versions have the max 120 lumen output, but also the low-level 10 lumen and very low-output .3 lumen...the 10-lumen output is about perfect for most tasks, but even the .3 lumen output was helpful in areas where you needed just enough light without spilling out beyond you're immediate area (i.e. searching in your pack in a black-out vehicle/helo. I also mated a couple with the Nite-Ize headband...essentially making it a "headlamp". It's a little fat for this headband, but will work (the slimmer Fenix lights were a little better suited, but both worked great for hands-free operations).

Fenix LED's performed very well as well; they took the typical knocks, drops, and daily abuse outside of using it as an impact weapon. I know they are not as robust as Novatac or Surefire lights, but for 99.9% of uses to include emergency needs, they are an excellent bang-for-the-buck LED and give you enough options to serve all your needs for an illumination tool. Lower-level outputs for utility and longer burn time; high-output for outdoor signalling/searching and even the strobe functions provide you and emergency signal strobe option...all in a very small package (any of the AAA, AA or 123 single-cell Cree LED versions).

ROCK6
 
ROCK6,

Can you please identify the two thin flashlights in the bottom left hand corner of your photo???

I'm looking for some thing small and very thin but all the LEDs I've purchased tend to be a bit thick around the waist.

Much thanks!
 
rickppoole said:
ROCK6,

Can you please identify the two thin flashlights in the bottom left hand corner of your photo???

I'm looking for some thing small and very thin but all the LEDs I've purchased tend to be a bit thick around the waist.

Much thanks!
Click to expand...

The two small-round LED's are Fenix's LOD https://www.fenix-store.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_55&products_id=191and ARC's LED http://www.arcflashlight.com/arc-aaa.shtml

Both are single AAA lights. Peak LED made another one about the same size as the ARC...cheaper, but also not as bright for output. The ARC and Peak LED's fit in the small side-pouch of the newer Leatherman sheaths. The 2xAAA LED (third one in from the bottom left) is the Phantom Hawk http://www.phantomlights.com/hawk.phtml...not a very bright light, but great for low-light utility and long burn times.

I really like the Fenix LOD. It gives you the option of different output levels and even a flashing strobe...all functions are operated from the twist of the bezel...if you have room in your PSK for a single AAA LED, this is the one (just put a AAA Lithium battery in it for safer/longer storage).

ROCK6
 
Best small flashlights, in order:
McLux-III PD, PD-S and variants (including the new Arc LS/Arc PD), $300+
HDS Twisty, $160
Surefire L1, $135
Novatac EDC, $100-170
Fenix P2D Cree, $55

To those of you who think 2-celled is small enough:
Surefire E2L, $130
Surefire A2, $195
Fenix P3D Cree, $55
Fenix L2D-CE, $55
Surefire G2L/6PL, $65/$85

Keyring:
Arc-AAA, $30-45
Photon II, $15
 
a FENIX L2D is the one you want , 2 X AA batteries , and a variety of power settings. Buy one , you wont be disappointed.
 
I love the ARC!!!! It has a proven track record in durability and reliability and is waterproof to 200 feet. It has served me well

here is one that had survived 5 years in a river and still works

1373064354_6c891d179b.jpg



Here is one that has been dropped of a mountain

arcvsmt.jpg


here is one driven over by a car, not a single scratch

arc-p-aaa-volvo-04.jpg
 
No love for the mini Viateks?? No batteries and plenty of light for camp chores and trailwalking.
 
Great lights Rock6! I agree, but I was like Fenix POD? lol I have the same inova key-chain light (and others there), I got it couple years ago at a marine shop and now the freebies many online light places give you when you order, blow it out of the water!
 
Dantor said:
Great lights Rock6! I agree, but I was like Fenix POD? lol I have the same inova key-chain light (and others there), I got it couple years ago at a marine shop and now the freebies many online light places give you when you order, blow it out of the water!
Click to expand...

Thanks! Fenix's LOD is a little bigger than the ARC LED. The ARC is most definately the more robust of the two, but the LOD is still very durable. I usually EDC a Novatac 120 and an ARC+P (in my Leatherman sheath). In my PSK is an LOD and in my work bag, I have a my Gladius and a Petzl (3AAA) LED headlamp.

For ease of battery use, I think the Fenix L1D and L2D (Cree) lights are about the best for backpacking/camping...I usually pack lithiums, but you can get AA batteries just about anywhere.

ROCK6
 
I use the photon micro lights all the time.

I have a large mag by my bed hardly gets used and an small Inova next to it.

The Inova gets used alot around the house. At the camp site or in my car I have the photons.
 
I liked my Inova X1 (3rd generation - states '2 Wt LED' on blister pack), until I read the months of entries in the 3 page thread on candlepowerforum.com about it. Naw, I still like it! I know it's no Fenix - and it employs an LED with only a 2,000 hr life at rated power - but, it is fine for my applications. It will flatten a fresh alkaline AA cell in lless than 2 hr, as it draws >.66 A initially from a cell whose open circuit voltage is >1.59 V. From an Eveready Lithium Energizer, it draws >.71 A initially, yet runs for >5.5 hr before the current draw is <.20 A - and the open circuit cell voltage is 1.05 V - and the light output is stll useful, if dimmer. Of course, it's built quite well - and 13/16" OD X 3 7/8" L - and made in the USA - with a lifetime warranty. Academy and Target carry it for <$20.

Stainz
 
Psy-ops,

I am going to buy a high-tech light after reading through this thread, but it won't replace my photon micro-lights for a lot of things. I keep a photon on my key chain and zipper of every pack. Love'em.

Rock6,

I am always impressed (jealous) of your gear. You got some gear Bro!
 
The Arc and CMG Infinity are similar, but the Arc uses AAA batteries and is brighter. It has less in common with the Gerber Infinity, but is similar in concept. The Arc is designed to be an ultra-reliable light with plenty of output and runtime to be useful in an emergency or everyday use. I figure 99% of all non-tactical uses for flashlights can be fulfilled by the Arc.
 
mneedham said:
DD1619999,

That ARC looks like an infiinity, are they similar?
Click to expand...

Kind of, the ARC is much brighter,smaller, and durable.

I like it because it has a proven track record like surefire,great warranty, very small, and it takes common batteries.

The biggest problem I had when traveling, camping,vaction,etc... was finding replacement batteries for my photon and when I did find them they cost a fortune. The arc takes a common aaa that you can find anywhere.

it even works on dead batteries check out this video

http://www.arcflashlight.com/media/Arcvsmag.wmv
 
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