Finally Found A Flashlight That Meets All My Criteria

[Smoke]

I've been working security since 2008. The first three years I worked almost exclusively nights the last three almost exclusively days. When I worked nights I carried a Streamlight Stinger XT on my belt.


Since I've been working days I really haven't had any need for a flashlight and haven't really wanted to carry anything that big but since I am occasionally asked to stay late I wanted a smaller flash light that wasn't a hassle to carry but powerful enough to use on those times I had to stay late.


The criteria I set were

1. At least 100 lumens

2. Runs off a common rechargeable battery (preferably one double A)

3. Fits in my pocket.

4. Is cheap enough my wife will let me buy it (I paid 26 bucks for this light)

5. Bright enough for work/ Small enough for off work.


I never been able to find a flashlight that does all five of those until I found the Fenix E12

The specs for the E12 are

* Uses one AA (Ni-MH, Alkaline) battery
* Output Modes:
- High - 130 Lumens (1 hour 30 minutes)
- Mid - 50 Lumens (6 hours 30 minutes)
- Low - 8 Lumens (40 hours)
* Able to tail stand
* Tail tap switch for on/off and output selection
* Waterproof to IPX-8 waterproof rating (underwater 2 meters for 30 minutes)
* Length: 90mm (3.5 inches give or take)

I can slip it in my pocket and it's like it isn't there unless I need it, It's bright enough to use at work and according to the Fenix website it throws a beam 280+feet and it's warrantied for 2 years. It's definitely bright enough to take a good look around the parking lot when I take the dogs out in the morning which will likely be it's most common use


The only things I'm not happy about are:

1. Not made in the USA

2. only turns on in low out put mode mode then you have to turn it up to high

(Fenix makes essentially the same light called the LD 12 that will turn on in high but (IMO) it wasn't worth doubling what I paid for this light to get that feature).

I don't know that this is the light I'd pick if I were on a TAC team or going to Afghanistan but since I'm not it meets my needs almost perfectly

 

[goldenlight]

Fenix makes some very nice flashlights. Not quite SureFire quality, but pretty damn close.

For the money, you get a flashlight that is much more useful than most SureFire flashlights. SureFire doesn't even make a single AA cell flashlight.

Very, very few of their flashlights cost less than $100.

it's hard to go wrong with a Fenix flashlight.

 

[macski222]

I've got a Fenix flashlight. I forget the model... PD something or other. The thing has been great since I've had it and it light's things up real well for it's size. In the future I'll invest in a bigger one, as the one I have now disappears in your hand if you make a fist (Nice and compact for belt carry).

When I'm in the market for another one, I won't hesitate to go with another fenix.

 

[soFlaNative]

Question for the OP, LED or incandescent? My experience with LED is that the light badly refracts in smoke, dust and fog and renders it generally useless. I have no experience with the 100+ lumen output lights and don't have the funds to experiment. Have found my Surefire Nitrolon (under $40) perfectly adequate with battery and lantern life better than advertised yet am looking for a light that I can comfortably fit in my pocket.

 

[Stainz]

Sorry about the picture, but it's the only one with my Surefire T1A Titan (center, below) in it. It is discontinued, but mine was <$100 shipped from an evil-bay vendor around last Christmas. It runs on CR123A Lithium cells - available from most sporting goods/gun stores for <$3/ea (The US-made Surefire cells are ~$22/12 shipped from evil-bay, Amazon, etc.). They have a higher energy storage capability than any AA cell - and a 12+ year shelf life. The Titan can be carried on a neck chain and varies from 1-100 Lumens. Super LED flashlight - worth a search. Consider a CR123A powered flashlight - smaller, too.

The black 3-cell Surefire LB3T Invictus was sale-priced - then on a short half-off clearance. They took plastic! The M3LT-S was a similar buy - my wife snuck back and got it for me for Christmas. 800+ Lumens on high - and talk about throw! Still on their original cells - 9 & 7 months later.

Stainz

 

[Smoke]

(Fenix makes essentially the same light called the LD 12 that will turn on in high but (IMO) it wasn't worth doubling what I paid for this light to get that feature).

In the interest of full disclosure the LD also has a strobe and SOS feature so you're not paying twice the price for the E12 for just the one thing but since I don't have a use for the strobe or the SOS either it still wasn't worth it to me

 

[James&theGiant1911]

I bought my surefire from gander mountain for less than 60 bucks when they were on special. It uses the 123A batteries though and it is bright as can be, but the battery life is not that long and the 123A battery from Duracell lasts just as long, made in the USA.

 

[Smoke]

Question for the OP, LED or incandescent? My experience with LED is that the light badly refracts in smoke, dust and fog and renders it generally useless. I have no experience with the 100+ lumen output lights and don't have the funds to experiment. Have found my Surefire Nitrolon (under $40) perfectly adequate with battery and lantern life better than advertised yet am looking for a light that I can comfortably fit in my pocket.

It's an LED.

If you insist on an incandescent bulb I've had really good luck with the Streamlight Skorpion I paid 40$ for mine, it fits comfortably in my pocket, 140 lumens and the only reason it didn't make the cut for me is because it runs off CR123s

 

[Smoke]

Consider a CR123A powered flashlight - smaller, too.

One of my biggest criteria for a light has always been that I want it to operate off of a commonly available rechargeable battery. Part of the reason for that is because I'm on a pretty tight budget. It makes better economic sense to me to be able to throw all my AAs in a recharger every 2 weeks than to keep buying CR123s every 6 months, Especially when you consider that some of our AAs have lasted 5 or 6 years.

In all my years of working nights I have found that 130 lumens adequately meets my lighting needs so I really haven't found a need for anything brighter. So again if I can get the same amount of light out of my Fenix as I can out of my Skorpion why keep buying the CR123s?

 

[VictorLouis]

Maybe one or more of you experience folks may know. I still maintain that the CR123 designs are THEE ones to leave IN the vehicle for as-needed use when you don't want to carry anything. I don't THINK that anything else stands up to the heat as well. I keep my antique (yes, almost!) Surefire in my door pocket. Rocking a mere 80L by today's standards, it blew away a 4-cell D Maglight in its day.

That said, I have been keeping a single Streamlight AAA in my pocket for some time. I've already lost one battery in it. Whether from turning on in my pocket, or just body heat, I don't know. But, I sure as HECK havent been using it, LOL. My other fave Streamlight is the 2-AA stick with a low-Hi (80l) setting. I keep that in my bedroom, and occassionally take it with me on walks.

What about these Li AA batts? Are they comparable in service life to the CR123s?

 

[soFlaNative]

It's an LED.

If you insist on an incandescent bulb I've had really good luck with the Streamlight Skorpion I paid 40$ for mine, it fits comfortably in my pocket, 140 lumens and the only reason it didn't make the cut for me is because it runs off CR123s

Thanks for the news, Smoke. Fenix E12. Just going to have to get used to that blue light. Stay safe.

 

[reddogge]

I have the Fenix PD32 Ultimate and it's the best hunting light I've owned. 5 intensity levels from 9-740 lumens plus strobe and SOS in a small 5" package. The light is more white than bluish. I bought the rechargeable battery pack plus the CR123 cells.

 

[LVSteve]

Useful stuff. I've been thinking of getting a small 24/7 carry flashlight of some kind. They can be quite a deterrent as many bad guys will assume you are LEO when lit up and decide to be elsewhere, pronto.

 

[Cyrano]

I have a Fenix LD 15, not a lot bigger than the AA battery in it. I got it a few years ago and like it immensly. I keep it in my AWOL bag for travel, but even with the dim setting it's too bright in a motel room. And it's cylindrical; I epoxied a dime to the side of it to keep it from rolling off the table. As a pocket light, it's so small as to be almost unnoticable; even in the same pocket that has a Swiss army knife, and the bright setting will iight things up a long ways away. Mine is geing dim; I probably need to replace the battery after all these years.

Here's a picture of it along with my EDC Swiss Army Knife.

 

[Smoke]

What about these Li AA batts? Are they comparable in service life to the CR123s?

I'm not sure if the service life is the same but the AAs have the advantage of being rechargeable.

When I worked nights I found myself replacing the CR123s in my Skorpion every 3 months or so where my AAs, as mentioned above, I just recharged every couple weeks or so

 

[ordnanceguy]

I gotta agree on the philosophy of having a light that uses AA or any other standard sized battery that is readily available at any 7-11, CVS, Walgreens, or Shell gas station. I got tired of having to hunt down exotic, specialized batteries and found that my life was easier if I stuck with the universally available AA. Never regretted it either. No pain, no pain.

 

[Frank46]

Worked rotating shifts for close to 30 years. Basic company flashlight was just that a basic flashlight. Got a 4 cell maglight with the belt hanger. Great for being out at o dark thirty checking fuel oil lines and making rounds. Still have it today. Yeah its big and heavy but it worked. Actually have three mag lights. 2-4 cell and one 2 cell. I carried the mini maglight in the nylon holster for so long I wore off the black coating a long time ago. Still works. Frank

 

[Edmo]

I've had great service from Streamlight brand flashlights...

One I often carry is their ProTac 2AA.

I think you can find them for around $40.

Edmo

 

[O2Guy]

I've carried a Streamlight ProTac 2AA for a while now and I love it. I recently got a ProTac 1L and it's becoming my new favorite.

 

[DR505]

I've been issued countless flashlights over the years. I've got Streamlight, Mag Light, SureFire, and on and on. My go to flashlight is the Fenix TK12. I think it has been upgraded to a newer model, but it is an incredible value. On night qualifications it usually puts the other flashlights to shame.