Any particular model of Streamlight that he uses or strikes you as a particularly good model?
Flashlight recommendations
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Any particular model of Streamlight that he uses or strikes you as a particularly good model?
I 2nd the Mag Lite rec.
Hard to beat them. I carry the small 2AA cell on my belt and for the serious stuff I use the big 3D cell w/LED ($19 bucs for the bulb!)
The fine beam adjustment feature sets them apart from most others. Also make great weapons.
Hard to beat them. I carry the small 2AA cell on my belt and for the serious stuff I use the big 3D cell w/LED ($19 bucs for the bulb!)
The fine beam adjustment feature sets them apart from most others. Also make great weapons.
Mag Lite. My favorite is the 3D cell size, all incandesents at the moment (No need to replace them either!). They fit nicely in my vehicles, throw good light, and of course make a nice club/hammer if needed - two of mine have been pressed into emerency "bashing" service - only broke 1 bulb - but the spare always saves the day!
pelican flash lights are high quality, affordable price, have a lifetime replacement, and are made in the USA. if that's not enough they are carried by most firefighters. even their tiny AAA cell is surprisingly bright.
http://pelican.com/lights_category.php?Category=Medium&LampType=%&Submersible=%&New=%
http://pelican.com/lights_category.php?Category=Medium&LampType=%&Submersible=%&New=%
Mag lights are the best, they're built like a nintendo or an 80's toyota. I had one that I lost, and found it a couple of months ago, 5 years later. The batteries were seized inside, 4 D-sized ones, covered in battery acid. The batteries were dated as being best by 2002 or something, so you can imagine how bad they were.
I banged the batteries out against a piece of wood, and the last one was stuck in tight, so I poured baking soda and water down there, let it soak for 2 days, it came out and the flashlight still works good as new, with a set of new batteries.
Also gotta have a spotlight, I have 4, two 10,000,000 candle power ones, a 20,000,000 candle power one, and one big 30,000,000 candle power one.
I banged the batteries out against a piece of wood, and the last one was stuck in tight, so I poured baking soda and water down there, let it soak for 2 days, it came out and the flashlight still works good as new, with a set of new batteries.
Also gotta have a spotlight, I have 4, two 10,000,000 candle power ones, a 20,000,000 candle power one, and one big 30,000,000 candle power one.
I usually buy a light for my mom every other year for her birthday since she runs in the early morning with little street light. She's had everything from non-halogen geek lamps on the head to Dorcy or Eveready and so on. Never tried LEDs until last year.
The mini-maglight I found for her 2 years ago is a joke compared to the LED deal I found at ACE hardware last year.
While the focus of the maglite can be adjusted, the LED can blind my poor eyeballs and has a strobe function.
There is no need to adjust the beam pattern, and I'm looking to buy another for myself.
I have a cheap Rayovac from my old job at Union Pacific Railroad which isn't bad, but the ACE $35 LED blows it away.
The mini-maglight I found for her 2 years ago is a joke compared to the LED deal I found at ACE hardware last year.
While the focus of the maglite can be adjusted, the LED can blind my poor eyeballs and has a strobe function.
There is no need to adjust the beam pattern, and I'm looking to buy another for myself.
I have a cheap Rayovac from my old job at Union Pacific Railroad which isn't bad, but the ACE $35 LED blows it away.
Tom,
I hadn't thought of them. I am familiar with their cases at work. I didn't realize they manufactured flashlights as well. Thanks for another good option.
I hadn't thought of them. I am familiar with their cases at work. I didn't realize they manufactured flashlights as well. Thanks for another good option.
I will second Inova flashlights. A little pricey, but worth it. In my experience, I believe them to be more durable than even the venerable Mag Lites.
Speaking of Mag Lites, we got my father-in-law a 3D LED Mag Lite for his birthday. I must say that I am impressed. Seems to be a brighter than even my 5D with a Xenon bulb. I'll be converting all my Mag Lites to LED with the conversion modules offered by Mag. Do not use the aftermarket LED conversions for Mag Lites -- they are not anywhere near as bright as the standard bulb -- get the authentic Mag Lite LED module.
Speaking of Mag Lites, we got my father-in-law a 3D LED Mag Lite for his birthday. I must say that I am impressed. Seems to be a brighter than even my 5D with a Xenon bulb. I'll be converting all my Mag Lites to LED with the conversion modules offered by Mag. Do not use the aftermarket LED conversions for Mag Lites -- they are not anywhere near as bright as the standard bulb -- get the authentic Mag Lite LED module.
I have an Innova XO flashlight as well as a Surefire E2L. Both do much the same thing. The Surefire is wicked, though. Hard anodised with a lanyard. I also have filters for it. Have an old Surefire 8X but the batteries wore out for it. I blame the unintelligent charger (hence, myself) for them not lasting. Anyway, I like the smaller, smart, Luxeon LED flashlights that take a coupla CR123 batteries.
My two cents' worth.
John.
My two cents' worth.
John.
I have a few flashlights:
1. Small off-brand cyclops light. Not very bright but it works.
2. Streamlight Scorpion LED. It's about 43 lumens and runs on a pair of CR123's. A fresh set of batteries can run for about 3 hours on full brightness. The Scorpion is about $45-50 and it's quite bright.
3. Surefire 6P Defender. I used this on my previous job. I got the optional bulb and it puts out 120 lumens for 20 minutes of battery life. It also uses 2 CR123 batteries. This light has a crenalated strike bezel and it works. Just ask the guys who didn't want to put their hands behind their backs.
This is a very bright flashlight. Total, it cost me about $100.
I think for $50, the Scorpion is a very good all purpose light. It's friendly on batteries and the LED bulb will last for a long time.
1. Small off-brand cyclops light. Not very bright but it works.
2. Streamlight Scorpion LED. It's about 43 lumens and runs on a pair of CR123's. A fresh set of batteries can run for about 3 hours on full brightness. The Scorpion is about $45-50 and it's quite bright.
3. Surefire 6P Defender. I used this on my previous job. I got the optional bulb and it puts out 120 lumens for 20 minutes of battery life. It also uses 2 CR123 batteries. This light has a crenalated strike bezel and it works. Just ask the guys who didn't want to put their hands behind their backs.
I think for $50, the Scorpion is a very good all purpose light. It's friendly on batteries and the LED bulb will last for a long time.
In the last year and a half, I have picked up flashlights as a hobby, specifically LED flashlights. Except for a few exceptions, I won't waste my time with incandescant lights anymore.
Most lights are now made in China ... Dorcy, Garrity, Energizer, Ray-o-Vac, Fenix, Brinkmann, etc ... along with lights you can order directly from Hong Kong off websites such as dealextreme.com, etc ...
For U.S. made lights there is Surefire ($!$!), Streamlight, Pelican and maybe a few others. For an American-made light, you'll have shell out a pretty penny. Most US brands have given up trying to make a light in the US and selling it for less than $20 ... except Mag Instruments ... and I'll get to them below.
Maglites are still made in the US but their quality has fallen off some as they have moved from 'elite' lights to mass-market lights in pretty colors available at mass-merchandizers everywhere. Cops, firemen, etc ... still use them but the real pros prefer streamlights, Gladius, Pelicans and (especially) Surefires.
Mag came out with LED lights last summer (August '06, I think) and they seem OK ... but again, there were some quality issues. I have a few 3AAA LED lights and like them ... but they aren't terribly durable and people who use lights often burn them up. We can't be sure, but it appears their LED models weren't the success they planned for.
The thing with LED lights is that they are difficult to judge while in the packaging. Avoid Nichia LEDs as these are very blue and not terribly bright when driven normally (over-driving them with excess current will prematurely kill the LED(s)). I have seen good looking, pricey lights that still use a few 5mm Nichia LEDs ... sometimes with magnifying optics. You will likely be disappointed! Be sure of what you are buying!! Lumileds Luxeon 1watt - 3watt lights are better. They are brighter, "throw" a lot further and the tint of the light is usually 'whiter' (less blue) and gives better color rendition.
The LED emitter industry is a lot like the computer chip industry with hot, new products coming out every few months. I won't invest too much into any light ... because a higher-performing one is just months away from becoming available.
The current 'hot' lights use Seoul and Cree P4 emitters. I have one light a tad bigger than a 2AA Minimaglite that runs off a 18650 Li-ion cell. This thing is just about as bright as my 5C Maglite but can fit in my pocket.
But now Seoul and Cree lights are becoming passe and the latest lights are Lumileds Rebels. Even teeny, tiny lights can now put out 100 lumens or more ... with terrific run times and warm (not blue) tints.
Simply amazing. Happy hunting!!
Most lights are now made in China ... Dorcy, Garrity, Energizer, Ray-o-Vac, Fenix, Brinkmann, etc ... along with lights you can order directly from Hong Kong off websites such as dealextreme.com, etc ...
For U.S. made lights there is Surefire ($!$!), Streamlight, Pelican and maybe a few others. For an American-made light, you'll have shell out a pretty penny. Most US brands have given up trying to make a light in the US and selling it for less than $20 ... except Mag Instruments ... and I'll get to them below.
Maglites are still made in the US but their quality has fallen off some as they have moved from 'elite' lights to mass-market lights in pretty colors available at mass-merchandizers everywhere. Cops, firemen, etc ... still use them but the real pros prefer streamlights, Gladius, Pelicans and (especially) Surefires.
Mag came out with LED lights last summer (August '06, I think) and they seem OK ... but again, there were some quality issues. I have a few 3AAA LED lights and like them ... but they aren't terribly durable and people who use lights often burn them up. We can't be sure, but it appears their LED models weren't the success they planned for.
The thing with LED lights is that they are difficult to judge while in the packaging. Avoid Nichia LEDs as these are very blue and not terribly bright when driven normally (over-driving them with excess current will prematurely kill the LED(s)). I have seen good looking, pricey lights that still use a few 5mm Nichia LEDs ... sometimes with magnifying optics. You will likely be disappointed! Be sure of what you are buying!! Lumileds Luxeon 1watt - 3watt lights are better. They are brighter, "throw" a lot further and the tint of the light is usually 'whiter' (less blue) and gives better color rendition.
The LED emitter industry is a lot like the computer chip industry with hot, new products coming out every few months. I won't invest too much into any light ... because a higher-performing one is just months away from becoming available.
The current 'hot' lights use Seoul and Cree P4 emitters. I have one light a tad bigger than a 2AA Minimaglite that runs off a 18650 Li-ion cell. This thing is just about as bright as my 5C Maglite but can fit in my pocket.
But now Seoul and Cree lights are becoming passe and the latest lights are Lumileds Rebels. Even teeny, tiny lights can now put out 100 lumens or more ... with terrific run times and warm (not blue) tints.
Simply amazing. Happy hunting!!
I got quite a few, most are keepers from my previous employer
(NOT stolen!!!!) Have my first issue, 6D MagLite. Don't pay any attention to the battle scars
. That one sees routine household use. After it was deemed too "aggressive" for patrol, we went to 5D plastic Crown lights. Ok for what they were and worked pretty much like the Mags except the endcaps would pop off if if struck against, uh, hmmm, anything that needed to get it's attention. Have about 5 of those and they are hiding in the cars and garage. Dept. got fairly progressive and went to rechargable Streamlight PolyStingers. Nice light for an incandescent. Found some very good lithium rechargable batteries for them and it seems to have made their run-time much more predictable. Have 3 of those that I resurrected from the "dead" flashlight bin by swapping out working parts. Gave one to the father-in-law and he loves it. I have 4 personal tactical lights. 3 are SureFires, older Z1 single 123 cell Krypton that is on the key chain. Second one is one of the first Z2 lights. Have it set up for Harries carry in my fanny pack along with Mr. Glock. Third is my "retirement " present to myself, a SureFire U2 Ultra LED. Great goodness it's a nice light. I guess for $200+ it had better be
. That one will get passed onto my son and probably his son, it's that well built. Finally is the Streamlight G3 that fits the rails of said Glock. Now used for IDPA low-light shoot events but in its day, saw routine use on patrol.
Recommendation for all around use? Take the PolyStinger. Durable as heck, can get replacement bulbs that don't rival the national debt in cost, and feel good in the hand. Get the dual fast charger model and it will fully recharge from AC or DC in about an hour. Seen them all day for around $50 now.
Recommendation for all around use? Take the PolyStinger. Durable as heck, can get replacement bulbs that don't rival the national debt in cost, and feel good in the hand. Get the dual fast charger model and it will fully recharge from AC or DC in about an hour. Seen them all day for around $50 now.
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The Home Despot carries a fairly nice and compact tactical white 3W Luxeon LED flashlight made by Coast that compares to units costing triple. Not a bad bargain at just under $40.
I'm seriously thinking that the Pelican PM6 LED
The PM6 3330 LED is made of light weight Xenoy polymer that's corrosion proof, resistant to extreme temperatures, and extremely strong. It uses a 1 watt LED and is powered by 2 CR123 lithium cells (included). A black oxide coated steel clip is built in and the one-handed tail switch activates the 3330 on, for constant light or momentary blink.
The PM6 3330 LED is made of light weight Xenoy polymer that's corrosion proof, resistant to extreme temperatures, and extremely strong. It uses a 1 watt LED and is powered by 2 CR123 lithium cells (included). A black oxide coated steel clip is built in and the one-handed tail switch activates the 3330 on, for constant light or momentary blink.
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The Pelican puts out only 41 lumen. The Coast puts out 65 lumen and uses much less costly AAA batteries or rechargables.
ShortyB, why am I not surprised you'd have a handful of 'interesting ' flashlights??
Be sure to get an extra clicky switch for that U2 ... they fail at an alarming rate.
Other than Maglites, I think all bLowes and Home Despot lights are Chinese made ... and if you are going to go Chinese made, why not get the good stuff ... Fenix or Lumapower ... or even the lights from Kaidomain, DAE or Dealextreme. Many of the latter are outstanding performers at reasonable prices.
Coast lights have a poor reputation for reliability at Candlepower forums. If you have one, baby it and keep an eye on the springs, contacts, etc ... and try not to subject it to any physical shocks.
msparks, If you are going to shell out for a Pelican, I'd go 3-watt minimum. No sense getting an expensive 1-watt Luxeon light ... which is outshone by half the lights on the shelf of Target or Walmart (not an exaggeration). Even Ray-o-Vac has a 150 lumens Cree-based $25 flashlight out now (although I have not yet seen it). It's kind of a crude piece, rumor has it, but 150 lumens is what the 5+ cell Maglites put out. Just about any Cree or Seoul emitter light will outshine a 3-watt Luxeon.
I also caution serious people to stay away from AAA based lights. AA batts have twice the power, cell for cell. You'll see a lot of cheap 3AAA lights out there because they work well when direct-driving a 1 watt Luxeon or a mess of 5mm Nichias ... but they have such little capacity and the cost for batteries isn't any less than the superior AAs. So, I have a few 3AAA lights, but consider them mostly for the ladies now.
If getting a CR123 powered light, rechargeables are a must. They are a good idea for AA and AAA lights, too.
Be sure to get an extra clicky switch for that U2 ... they fail at an alarming rate.
Other than Maglites, I think all bLowes and Home Despot lights are Chinese made ... and if you are going to go Chinese made, why not get the good stuff ... Fenix or Lumapower ... or even the lights from Kaidomain, DAE or Dealextreme. Many of the latter are outstanding performers at reasonable prices.
Coast lights have a poor reputation for reliability at Candlepower forums. If you have one, baby it and keep an eye on the springs, contacts, etc ... and try not to subject it to any physical shocks.
msparks, If you are going to shell out for a Pelican, I'd go 3-watt minimum. No sense getting an expensive 1-watt Luxeon light ... which is outshone by half the lights on the shelf of Target or Walmart (not an exaggeration). Even Ray-o-Vac has a 150 lumens Cree-based $25 flashlight out now (although I have not yet seen it). It's kind of a crude piece, rumor has it, but 150 lumens is what the 5+ cell Maglites put out. Just about any Cree or Seoul emitter light will outshine a 3-watt Luxeon.
I also caution serious people to stay away from AAA based lights. AA batts have twice the power, cell for cell. You'll see a lot of cheap 3AAA lights out there because they work well when direct-driving a 1 watt Luxeon or a mess of 5mm Nichias ... but they have such little capacity and the cost for batteries isn't any less than the superior AAs. So, I have a few 3AAA lights, but consider them mostly for the ladies now.
If getting a CR123 powered light, rechargeables are a must. They are a good idea for AA and AAA lights, too.
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