Which flashlight?

Ludwig

Ludwig

Joined
Feb 25, 2007
Messages
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I recently signed up for my local search and rescue team, and one of the main requirements to participate in a search is a CQ pack. The pack needs to have the essentials for a one or two day trip. I already have most of the gear from my hiking stuff, but the team requires two flashlights, a main light and a back up.

This is where I'm at a loss. I've never been into flashlights, so I was hoping you guys could help me out with some recommendations. The lights need to be durable and waterproof. Size isn't too big of an issue, but price is and I would prefer to keep the cost of both lights under $100, but the lower the better. Also, the lights need to use the standard AA or AAA batteries.

So far, I've been looking into a Princeton Tec Attitude and Impact II.

Thanks for the help.
 
Standard AA or AAA ? That's not much light . Could you use a headlamp ? I would say give up AAA just look at AA and of course LED. www.Pelican.com has lots of choices.
 
I have both of those Princeton Tec lights you mention and they are nice...but...there is some much better stuff out there. Read the thread posted below -and I'll second Morimotom's Fenix recommendation. I have a Fenix with the Cree LED and it is much brighter than either of my Princetons. Course if you're a SAR guy, you'll probably ignore this and buy a Surefire. Hope this helps.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=147393
 
Get a Surefire for rescue work ,they are a fantastic light, just three things , get the high output lamp , a lot of battery's and never and I mean never point it at your eye's !
My son blinded me at Bass pro when I bought mine, I walked out of there seeing a lot of white dots !
 
IME an led won't penetrate fog or smoke as well as traditional bulbs. but, i like led's for battery life, etc., especially in a head lamp. i really like the photon micro lights and wear one on a dog tag chain when working as a last resort. but i keep a standard tac light as backup.

IIRC the lack of penetration in fog or smoke is due to wavelengths, not power.
 
LEDs aren't the weak glow they used to be.

The Surefire G2 was a 65 lumen, 1 hour flashlight.
I just got the G2L, which is 80 lumens, 12 hours usable light.

That makes lithium 123 batteries a lot easier to justify.
 
Go with a fenix if you have to buy more then one light, you'll be able to buy more fenix lights then surefires for sure at half the price. As well as being a Firefighter I am also a Member of my States Search and Rescue team and I can tell you from experience you will be better outfitted then your SAR team mates.
Be safe.
Support your local Search and Rescue team, Get Lost! ;)
 
You can't go wrong with Surefire L2:
Low/high selections
Min/Max Output: 15 lumens/100 lumens
Runtime: 18 hours/60 minutes

Ok- it cost $175.00, but I think it's well worth it! :)

HV
 
I like the idea of a headlamp. I got a Princeton Tec Aurora and I'm real pleased with it. Not the brightest but for immediate area it's perfect. Easy controls, good battery life from the AAAs, very lightweight.
 
If you're on a budget you could take a look at the new 3 watt Mag-Lites (Home Depot),the 1.5 watt River Rock (Target) or the Inova Radiant series (Target). All use 2AA. I don't have the new Mag but the RR is actually a pretty good light, especially for the price. I hear only good things about the Fenix but don't know if two of 'em would come in under $100. Princeton Tec makes a pretty good light for the price, they're also really water proof. There are some poly Streamlights that run on AA and come in under the price point. Good luck and stay safe.

Frank
 
Rayovac 3 Watt LED, runs AA's, machined anodized aluminum, less than 30, works just as good as a G2. With AA Lithiums, you can store that in the bag for years and know it will go first time.

A high quality LED for a primary, a pack of backups batteries, and you're good to go for two days - get a carrier for the batts to put on you. 65-80 lumens will pretty much ruin your night vision anyway, so a low powered head set like a Petzl would round it out for late night woods work.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions.

I think I'm going to go with the Fenix L2D as my main flashlight. I like the compact size and different modes of output. There are two different models though, the basic L2D and a L2D CE. Any reason in particular I should spring for one over the other?
 
Thanks for all the suggestions.

I think I'm going to go with the Fenix L2D as my main flashlight. I like the compact size and different modes of output. There are two different models though, the basic L2D and a L2D CE. Any reason in particular I should spring for one over the other?
Click to expand...
AFAIK, the "CE" denotes a Cree LED- probably one of the brightest, most efficient LEDs in current production. Brighter and longer battery life.
Also, great work not choosing a Surefire, and especially not an incandescent one. Geez you have to be careful who you ask for advice sometimes. :rolleyes:
 
Jedi_Knife said:
AFAIK, the "CE" denotes a Cree LED- probably one of the brightest, most efficient LEDs in current production. Brighter and longer battery life.
Also, great work not choosing a Surefire, and especially not an incandescent one. Geez you have to be careful who you ask for advice sometimes. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Darn it. I took a second look at all the recommendations, and now the Surefire G2 LED has caught my eye as well. What kind of prices can I expect for a set of those 123A's? Seems like a dozen is going to run me about $20.

Decisions decisions.
 
When you buy a Surefire, you are buying a TON of advertising and marketing. Really.
I own four Surefires, from a 9N down to several others including a custom combat light. They are nice, real nice.... but a fenix L2D CE (Cree)AA will blow them all so far into a ditch performance wise, surefire would need a tow truck to pull them out if they ever went head to head. Some will argue they are chinese built blah blah blah... I got past that. I use mine every single day, prolly around four times a day. I get a ton of comments like, "What the hell kinda light you got there buddy, some CIA top secret light?"....it really is bright. Morimotom, another fine poster here and dare I say f'ellow brother in arms' did an awesome comparison thread here...hold on, lemme find it. okay, here it is> http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=492160
and another> http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=495284
So, You have more then a couple guys here who REALLY put thier lives and occupations on the line with their gear telling you they use 'em.... I dont know everything and never claim to, but I have been a FF/LEO for over 23 years and I think I know a little about these kinda tools. Why? because I have to come home every night to a gorgeous sweetheart and two cute 9 and 11 year old daughters.
 
Jedi_Knife said:
AFAIK, the "CE" denotes a Cree LED- probably one of the brightest, most efficient LEDs in current production. Brighter and longer battery life.
Also, great work not choosing a Surefire, and especially not an incandescent one. Geez you have to be careful who you ask for advice sometimes. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Jedi Knife, :thumbup: yeah, I was wondering the same thing...
 
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