What's your favorite flashlight brand/brands

[Jonathan2282]

I've carried an ITP SA2 on my duty belt for a few years and I've never had a problem with it. It has good enough throw and has proven to be pretty durable. I dropped it plenty of times and got it wet and it has never failed me. I use it when I have to go outside. I would like to get a new fancy light, but if something works I usually stick with it. I think the company is called Klarus now.

I also carry a Zebralight H51(?). I clip it on my shirt when I need both hands. It has helped me on many vehicle assists and restraining people out in the dark. It's well made and I know it will last me a long time even though I use it daily. I use this one indoors because it can light a room up decently well.

On my keychain I have a Maratac AAA (the newest version I think). It is pretty good for its size. It's the only one I need when I'm not at work.

 

[ZeroTurnDude]

I have only been able to experience fenix brand and nebo, because i rather spend money on a new knife instead of a flashlight but my newest aquire was the fenix UC40 ultimate edition and i love it carry it daily, way better then the nebo red line, and its brighter than my fenix e21 but the e21 has better throw. The UC40 is better for when you need a light that has more of a flood light effect.

How much throw can you get out of it.
How long does that to charge.
how long can it run on high.

 

[fiskking]

hdssystems.com

 

[PatrickKnight]

Most of my flashlights have been from FourSevens and Fenix, and my primary interest is for EDC, and not on a belt, so that means smaller sizes, that are pocketable.

For years I carried a FourSevens MiniCR2 (now called the Mini MLR2) as the light at the crossroads of smallest & brightest, but have recently switched my keychain/bottom-of-pocket light to a Veleno Designs Quantum D2 - it's absolutely phenomenal how much light this thing puts out for its minuscule size, well over 100 lumens on high; the downside is, it'll only do that (high) for about 8 minutes before needing a recharge (though it'll run much longer on lower settings, and it's infinitely variable). But it comes with a 10180 rechargeable battery and a very nice little USB charger the size of a Chapstick - and the flashlight is smaller than the charger. It isn't a light for your trek into the wilderness, but for urban "find the keyhole or random dropped thing" use, it's perfect - don't think of it as an 8 minute light, think of it as a PhotonLight-class keychain light that can transmogrify into something much larger on occasion, when needed - your own little keychain superhero.

These days, my light for going out walking is a ZebraLight SC52w L2. I really didn't think a 1x AA light could be this small and still have a clicky (on the side of the head, in this case). And, it "fights above its weight class" - you'd think it was a CR123-based light.

Lately I've also been playing around with a Fenix LD02, a very compact 1x AAA tail clicky. Not as bright as larger flashlights, but pushes the limits of what you can do with a single AAA, and I really like the tail switch.

If you have "spare" Surefires or Maglights around, Malkoff Devices makes excellent "dropins" that can supercharge them (they also make their own lights, which are highly regarded).

The various versions of HDS Systems' EDC flashlight have probably the best internal software of any flashlight available; their FAQ page is worth reading even if you have no intention in getting one of their lights - lots of good, detailed explanations of how the eye responds to varying light levels, how different battery chemistries and sizes compare, etc.

My grail lights (after my HDS EDC Rotary arrives) are a McGizmo Haiku, and a Prometheus Alpha Blue-Line - both awesome, custom, expensive, and hard to obtain.

I would give my right arm for a custom Alpha.

 

[The_Knife_Man]

Is the mini maglite out dated now? Get an LED one; it's durable as rocks.

 

[Charlie Mike]

I carry a HDS 200 Tactical. Only light I own.

 

[Bowman1911]

I've got S-loads of lights & an HDS 250 rotary is my all day, every day, go to all the time, every time! :thumbup:

 

[glock45]

I like the Novatac models, not as bright as some but reliable and almost indestructible. Same with my RAW twisty.

 

[Munchy]

I like Eagletac and Olight, but there's plenty I'd like to try

 

[SouthEast]

Surefire, Zebralight.

I edc's Zebralight SC52 and it is truly a flashlight made for EDC. it's contender is (also my favourite) Novatac 120T that's been dc'ed. really worth the money.,,,
Surefire P60 because it is easy to upgrade, I put a neutral white malkoff into it and AA adaptor, It became my favourite flashlight for camping.

 

[MajorLonghorn]

I use Fenix and Surefire for handheld flashlights, and Streamlight and Inforce for weapon lights.

 

[omenwolf]

my favorite is the tinanium eagle tac d25a clicky with a 14500 lithium battery. With the lith battery it will push close to 500 lumens. Definatly a pocket rocket for about $50 for a regular aluminium one.

 

[maroast]

The novatacs are good lights. The non-p models can be converted into the fully programmable P model with the simple 250 click "Easter egg". I switched out the old 120 lumen P4 emitter for a modern XML 2 warm emitter and it now has a great output. Based on my other lights I'd guess it to be in the 500 lumen range (just an estimate)...the XML2 is a more efficient emitter than the old P4, so run time doesn't greatly suffer for the added lumens.

Anyway, I recommend the E or T model because they can be found cheap and modded....they make a nice light. But, there are a TON of great lights out there now with awesome build quality/ output/ runtime and features for not a whole lot of money. Again, the zebralight sc52 is an awesome edc light for ~$70. It's runs on a single alkaline aa, a NiMH, or a rechargeable Li ion 14500 cell. Another cool light is a Maratac aaa copper... The copper takes on a really nice patina, and if you run the light on a 10440 Li ion cell it cooks!! The low is great and usable, and high is bright at hell for such a small light.

 

[PatrickKnight]

Eagletac. Absolutely nobody does it better.. I am in a field that uses and abuses flashlights, and I have tried them all. Nitecore, Surefire, Streamlight, 4/7's, Fenix... even Overready and some other custom builds etc etc. I even custom build P60 drop-ins which will scream like no other, but if pressed to recommend a light will swing the Eagletac line.

Eagletac lights are built like a tank, have the highest output of the field in most cases, and their customer service is bar none. I currently carry a D25C Clicky for EDC duty, and a T200C2 on duty. The T200 doesn't have any gimmicky output ranges, no strobes, no weird useless SOS modes. Just straight up and easy to dial High, Med and Low. Low is great for the creep around, and the High will absolutely knock someone off their feet. It also has a beautiful beam profile, with a tight and long throwing center spot and great spill that runs out in a nice cone.

I have gone hand to hand and used my old T10C2 as an impact weapon, and done glass breaking duty with it. No worries, fired right up without even a flicker afterward. Nice o-ring seals, and nice thread lockup are two other traits that keep me coming back. Also, their Sportac P60's are great too for your Surefire 6p's and the like... Of course, if you want a 5a 1200 lumen screamer, drop me a line...

Now, if you just have to have cool... nothing beats a maratac AAA in copper. If and when they are in stock... Just pure class with an output that will surely satisfy on a single AAA...

Eric
aka GTi474 on CPF...

I don't suppose you know if the SS bezel from a T25C2 will fit on the T200C2 do you? I love everything about the T200C2 but I really wish it had a SS bezel on it.

 

[Overmountain]

I don't suppose you know if the SS bezel from a T25C2 will fit on the T200C2 do you? I love everything about the T200C2 but I really wish it had a SS bezel on it.

I have both. They are roughly the same size and use similar reflector geometry, but the heads are completely different. The t200c2 has a one piece head with a large inside diameter. The whole 'pill' reflector sub assembly fits up inside the head and then the head screws down onto the battery tube.

The T25C2 has a multi-piece head that screws together with a separated reflector and driver. The two lights are similar in output but use different drivers as the T25's are multi-mode.

I suspect it is because the t25c2 shares led and driver with the tx25c2 which is a side switch design.

I don't have my T25 at the house right now, but just a guess that the heads aren't interchangeable.

I've been told the t200c2 was built with a lot of Input from operators. I beta tested the T10 a few years ago, and know they listen to feedback. What this means is you are very unlikely to see anything shiny other than the reflector on the light... and no disco modes... we have flashbangs for that... The T25 is what I'd call an edc light. Having beacon modes and the like...

Just a side note... I'm not compensated by Eagletac in any way, but i do wholeheartedly endorse their products.

Eric

 

[PatrickKnight]

That's good to know, there are sometimes when I have to work in not so nice areas of southern Ohio (often at night) and I am not allows to carry a firearm with me. So I was looking for a light that might be me a bit of time if god forbid something was to go wrong. I really like the simple UI of the T200C2, the other light I was considering was the Klarus XT11 but I don't know if I like the fact that the light always come on in high mode.

BTW nice to see where you are from, my wifes family is from Saltville. I will be down that way hopefully later on this year (her sisters house sits right on the Holston river). I LOVE camping and hiking in the mountains in that area its a great escape and truly peaceful.