X1, X5, Surefire or Streamlight?

B

Binford

Joined
May 24, 2004
Messages
194
I've been reading through some of the recent flashlight threads here and now I feel another gadget purchase coming on. I'm somewhat new to the world of flashlights - mainly because I was trying to stay away from another obsession. I do have a Photon II, Peak AAA 3 LED, and a Dorcy AAA LED.

I carry the Photon on my keychain always and the Peak AAA 3 LED rides in my mission wallet. Now I'm looking for the next step up for general use.

Considering I'm always carrying the Photon and usually carrying the Peak, what would you suggest for a "bigger" back-up or general use light?
 
For general use I use an X1 with white LED's. I use Surefire G2's in both of my vehicles and an E2e-HA when I go out at night. I use a Streamlight Survivor with a smoke cutter bean on my turnout coat at work.
 
IMO, here's what you need:

- Keychain type light - You are already covered.
- Higher power light either Inova X03/T03 or Surefire L4

No need for anythign else. :p
 
I like the combination of a small, dim LED and a larger, bright incandescent. If you haven't tried one of Surefire's incans, you might want to take a look at them.
 
i carry a arc AAA and a surefire E2D, a good combo imho, it works for me and is easily carried/etc. the inovas arent bright enuff for me to be a primary light, thus the E2D, and the arc is virtually as bright as the inova (not as bright but bright enough that is inconsequential imho) while i dont intend to use the E2D as a weapon i guess ya could, better light than weapon though imho. the E2e and E1e are also good i used to carry the E2e and a E1e then got the arc and the E2D.

or ya could get a larger one like the M2 or M3.........
 
DaveH said:
IMO, here's what you need:

- Keychain type light - You are already covered.
- Higher power light either Inova X03/T03 or Surefire L4

No need for anythign else. :p
Click to expand...


Agreed

I carry a CMG infinity ultra and a surefire 6p with either the 60 or 120 lumen lamp. This is a great light and isnt too expensive either.

One day I will be able to afford one of those fancy digital luxeon surefires (is it the U2?) but for now £220 is a bit steep ...

I've also been considering the M3 with the 225 lumen lamp assembly, I like the thought of so much power :)

I dont know if anyone else finds this but whenever anyone sees my surefire they ask to have a closer look. Within 2 minutes of them getting their hands on it I can almost guarantee they will point it right at their face, open their eyes as wide as they can and press the tail switch. As amusing as that is, I dont understand why people do it so often!
 
I carry my SureFire E2e and E1e every day.

I find I use my Inova X5 more often. It's great for lighting your way when walking the dog. It's a good floodlight.

The X1 is the type of small spotlight a computer tech would use to inspect the cabling under your desk or behind your minitower. Excellent size for pocket or purse.

I also carry the X5 and X1 every day.

My favorite "light 'em if you've got 'em" light right now is my Inova XO3. The beam this LED throws is amazing. This light is fairly large. Bigger than a 2-AA Maglite.
 
Thanks for all the advice. It sounds like in order to be truly happy I will have to get one of each - plus maybe a few other models! :D :D

I might just have to see if I can find a dealer that has some I can play with. I think the Gander Mountain in my area has a few of these...

Thanks again for the help and feel free to keep it coming!
 
I generally EDC the X1 because of its smaller size. I'm still trying to talk myself out of the XO and X5.

I also really like the Streamlight Twin Tasks. They have both LED and Incan. They use Lithium batteries which have a 10 year shelf life (great for stashing) and are not effected by cold as are standerd alkalines. these have a wider head so are better in a coat pocket or bum bag, etc.

Iv'e been using my SL TT 1L for 6 months and still haven't needed to replace the battery - but I mostly use the three LED setting.
 
The beauty of the X1 is it's size, and the AA batteries. You can get AAs anywhere, and you can also get them in lithium. The X1 has replaced the X5 as my carry light because it carries so much better in my back pocket. I also have an Inova Microlight on my key ring. The X5 still gets my vote for best "all around" light for it's output and loooong battery life.

Now if Inova would make an X1 sized light with a three LED array, that would be near perfect for me.

Paul
 
Get a Streamlight Twin Task 2L or the smaller TT 1L...Trust me on this...They are excellent lights.:).
 
PWork said:
Yeah, but I really like Inova.

Paul
Click to expand...

I love my Inova lights, the XO3, the X5, and the X1. I carry them every day. :)

The only thing Inova could do to improve the X5 and X1, in my opinion, would be to include some sort of integrated yet removable pocket clip. This clip would resemble the kind SureFire's E2e and E1e have, but be made of wire instead of a metal strip.

Then maybe it wouldn't rip the heck out one's pants. :(
 
If you are considering the X5, you also need to consider the Peak Mckinley series. It puts out as much light as the X5, if not more, in a tighter beam, is fully regulated, and half the size. I have both, and while the X5 is nice, the Peak wins hands down.
 
James Muehlner said:
If you are considering the X5, you also need to consider the Peak Mckinley series. It puts out as much light as the X5, if not more, in a tighter beam, is fully regulated, and half the size. I have both, and while the X5 is nice, the Peak wins hands down.
Click to expand...

The Peak would be to be pretty darned good to best the X5.
 
James Muehlner said:
If you are considering the X5, you also need to consider the Peak Mckinley series. It puts out as much light as the X5, if not more, in a tighter beam, is fully regulated, and half the size. I have both, and while the X5 is nice, the Peak wins hands down.
Click to expand...

I like my X5's wider flood more than my Peak 7LED Hi power McKinley's tighter, brighter beam. And the X5 has a much better runtime.
The Inova wins for me.
It would be nice to have those snow LEDs in the X5 though...
 
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