Flashlight Brand Recommendation

[goldenlight]

Surefire flashlights are the best there are, but they are very expensive for their features, and run on CR123 batteries.

I like the Jetbeam line of flashlights. They are very well made, and you get WAY more for your money. Some run on AA batteries, too.

 

[bp231986]

Streamlight and surefire are my favorites.

Streamlight Stinger LED HP & my surefire EB2 BACKUP.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[kozmic]

And the sleeper here that no one has mentioned is Terra Lux. I like them better than Fenix. We have a house full and in the cars as well. IMHO, best bang for the buck out there. Find them at Amazon, etc.

 

[bhayles]

I guess if you gotta have a "name" to go along with a good flash you need either Streamlight or Surfire, but I have different buying criteria. I'm looking for function, period.

I use that tired old brand Maglite. They aren't as tired as one would think.

For a full sized flash that can double as a baton (just like 35 years ago when my department wouldn't allow batons) Maglite makes a great D cell sized LED flash that provides 120 lumens...not a lot, but fine for a general purpose flash. It sells for less than $30.00.

For a higher powered tac lite style flash (that is also weapon mountable with its 1" diameter) I like (and have 4) the Magtac. It comes in two styles (both LED):

Standard bezel - 3 settings...high, low, and temp on by holding the rear cap switch. 310 lumens. Machined aluiminum. etc, etc. Can be had for mid-$60 range.

Tactical bezel (stupid "selling" naame for tyhe tacticool crowd) = 3 settings...temp on by holding the same rear cap switch, on, and strobe. 320 lumens, the rest is the same. Can be had for mid $80 raange. My best source for flashlights and batteries is zbattery.com. The URL for the MagTac 310 lumen lights I have is:
Maglite MAG-TAC® LED Lithium Powered Flashlight, Black Plain Bezel

 

[walnutred]

We use Steamlight where I work partially because we have some Class 1 Div 1 areas. They've been dropped, submerged and frozen but I've yet to have one break.

 

[Kid44]

I have three or four Surefire lights and they work great. But for carry I like this one.
ProTac® Series - ProTac® 2L | Streamlight

Compact size and 260 lumens is all I need. Some complain about the cost of CR123A batteries, but they last a LONG time depending on use of course.

The CR123A batteries are usually around $12 for 2 but Bass Pro sells a pack of 2, the Streamlight brand for about $6 I have a 200 lumen Streamlight Scorpion and outside in total darkness it is all the light I will ever need.

 

[sipowicz]

You can't go wrong with most of the name brands. I have surefire on my M&P, eagletac on my gun belt, a scorpion in my car and an SL-20x just for nostalgia. I recently held a cool Fenix that had a 3 level light adjustment on the barrel. I like that feature better than the twisty stye on my Eagletac. Check out candlepower forum for some cool reviews. I have found lights to be as personal a choice as guns. One will speak to you.

 

[sipowicz]

The CR123A batteries are usually around $12 for 2 but Bass Pro sells a pack of 2, the Streamlight brand for about $6 I have a 200 lumen Streamlight Scorpion and outside in total darkness it is all the light I will ever need.

The only way to buy these is on line. You can get a 12 pack of surefires for around 20 bucks. I've been told to stay away from unknown brands as they could leak and ruin your light, besides giving you less run time.

 

[johnbeaver]

I have used Streamlight for years. Recently Stinger. They have a great service dept. which is a good thing because I have had problems with the switches on every Streamlight I have ever owned. And that is about 8 ? of their larger models . Also a Pro tac 1L for pocket carry. And problems with the switch. Recently bought a Fenix PD22 for pocket carry and so far so good.
The best pocket light I've had was a Coleman LED but is a little long so I switched to the shorter Streamlight and now Fenix.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Before buying a light its a good idea to look for actual runtime/light output graphs on various sites on the Net. You will often find that the claims from manufacturers don't hold up to reality or what you might think they mean. A claim of a 100 lumens and 8hrs.... might actually translate to a runtime graph that shows output is 50% in just a few minutes and 10% in less than an hour... then runs at 10 lumens for 7 hours.

 

[wbraswell]

Just buy something that uses batteries you can get locally. I've got a little S&W that cost $15, that seems to work well, and is bright enough for me.

 

[Smoke]

Bayco Night Stick Pro Safety-Rated Flashlights - YouTube

I've had really good luck with these. The only thing I disagree with the video on is they say 80 lumen output but the package I got said 140 lumens right on it. It will ilso throw a beam 170M and I have tested that out. I lit up my boss 1/10th of a mile away one night when he was trying to sneak up on me and see if I was doing my job.

I also like the fact that they run on normal double As

 

[Rule3]

Streamlight, Fenix, Surefire.

The best deal I got on flashlights was at COSTCO

Techlite Lumen master CREE LED 250 Lumens

3 of them with Duracell batteries for $15.00. Yes they are a no name but are very bright and for the price I bought 3 packages total of 9 lights. Never had a problem. They use 3 AAA, I use rechargeables.

Water and, drop resistant. If I lose one or break it who cares?


Techlite Lumen Master 250-Lumens High-Intensity CREE XPG-R4 LED Tactical Flashlight (3-Pack) - - Amazon.com@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51AAvov4XVL.@@AMEPARAM@@51AAvov4XVL

 

[soFlaNative]

The only way to buy these is on line. You can get a 12 pack of surefires for around 20 bucks. I've been told to stay away from unknown brands as they could leak and ruin your light, besides giving you less run time.

Check out Battery Junction (too lazy to figure out how to post link)

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

$15 for three 250 lumen flashlights? Dude... You got ripped off.

Here is a 300 lumen Cree "Torch" for $2. And only needs 1AAA. No runtime listed but probably 30 or 40 hours at 300 lumens.

Check this out... It's blinding and skid-proof!!! Man I hate it when my flashlights skid.


Mini Cree Led Flashlight Torch Adjustable Focus Light Lamp - Basic Handheld Flashlights - Amazon.com@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41MuXP3ixkL.@@AMEPARAM@@41MuXP3ixkL

7W 300LM Mini CREE LED Flashlight Torch Adjustable Focus Zoom Light Lamp ( Head of the flashlight can be pulled out to focus the beam)
Super mini size, bright, blinding effect
Skid-proof design & waterproof design.
Output bright can come to 300 lumens (MAX). This mini flashlight can use AA size Alkaline, NiMH, and lithium 14500 batteries.

 

[Rule3]

Dang, I could have got nifty colors also.

 

[bhayles]

Count me as the odd man out who's perfectly happy with his MagLite XL50. It's not "tacticool," nor does it have a bajillion lumens, but it's a good solid LED light that fits in my shirt pocket and throws a useful beam a good distance. Best of all, if I break or lose it, I can buy another one for around $30, AND it's powered by three commonly available AAA batteries.

Maglite also makes a tactical light (2 actually) called the Magtac. 310 lumens, 3 modes, 50 cal recoil tested, mid-$60.00 range.

Best source for lites and batteries is zbattery.com

 

[JM4151]

FLASHLIGHTS

Stream light is the best, I have stingers in each of my vehicles and an SL 20 for a house light. All have been upgraded to LED bulbs, by Terralux. Another favorite on mine is by Terralux and the model is Colorado. A very bright LED light, powered by 4 AA batteries. Great light. Cost is under $100.00 The Defiant sold by Home Depot is also a great light for the money. It comes in several sizes, running on C & D cells. Lifetime guarantee and bright LED bulbs. All are good lights. The Defiant lights can be had for under $30.00. Stream light is the best if you want a rechargeable!

 

[sipowicz]

$15 for three 250 lumen flashlights? Dude... You got ripped off.

Here is a 300 lumen Cree "Torch" for $2. And only needs 1AAA. No runtime listed but probably 30 or 40 hours at 300 lumens.

Check this out... It's blinding and skid-proof!!! Man I hate it when my flashlights skid.


Mini Cree Led Flashlight Torch Adjustable Focus Light Lamp - Basic Handheld Flashlights - Amazon.com

7W 300LM Mini CREE LED Flashlight Torch Adjustable Focus Zoom Light Lamp ( Head of the flashlight can be pulled out to focus the beam)
Super mini size, bright, blinding effect
Skid-proof design & waterproof design.
Output bright can come to 300 lumens (MAX). This mini flashlight can use AA size Alkaline, NiMH, and lithium 14500 batteries.

If that goes on sale, I'm buying one!!!!

 

[sipowicz]

Stream light is the best, I have stingers in each of my vehicles and an SL 20 for a house light. All have been upgraded to LED bulbs, by Terralux. !

Is this all you need to make the SL20x an LED?

Terralux(TM) TLE-110S MiniStar110S LED Upgrade Kit for Streamlight® SL20X/20X - Basic Handheld Flashlights - Amazon.com@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/417Ov8kqE1L.@@AMEPARAM@@417Ov8kqE1L

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Maglite also makes a tactical light (2 actually) called the Magtac. 310 lumens, 3 modes, 50 cal recoil tested, mid-$60.00 range.

Best source for lites and batteries is zbattery.com

The Mag-Tac is a good example of a 310 lumen 2 CR123.

Here is a runtime graph--

Within a couple minutes the Mag-Tac is actually a (70%) 200 lumen flashlight. At 30 minutes it's down to about 50% and then regulates real well dropping to 10% at the 4hr mark.



In comparison, here is a Surefire G2X 320 lumen 2 CR123. It stays close to 100% output for 90 minutes then falls off a cliff to 10% at the 2hr mark.



Both are about the same price, same lumen, but very different flashlights. So when a buyer asks "which is better" it really depends on the kind of 300 lumen flashlight you want.

Maglite MAG-TAC LED Flashlight Review | LED-Resource

Review: SureFire G2X Pro and G2X Tactical | FlashlightGuide

 

[smitty_bs]

Great replies....thanks to all!
Will be checking out candlepower forum out too.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Be sure to update the thread with your decision and criteria.
Then everyone can tell ya that their flashlight is better.

 

[Llando88]

OK so I've been bitten by the quality high lumen flashlight bug and am looking for one or two new ones. I have an old Surefire incandescent light with a polymer body. My son has a Surefire Executive ED2 which he loves. But both lights are rather outdated with respect to the current crop of high lumen for size flashlights.



I hear that Olight, Eagletac and Surefires are good. Any others? Streamlight? Fenix? Which brand is tops for longevity and durability?



Surefires seem to be the most expensive brand feature for feature. Are they worth it? They also seem to be the only ones made in America. But if you compare the ED2 Defender to something like the Olight M18 Striker, there's a big difference in price.



Any advice you all could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Smitty - Thanks partly to this thread I ordered a Cree LED conversion head for the incandescent P60 Surefire unit. About $6 shipped.

Might be an option if you have an older G2 like mine.

 

[smitty_bs]

Thanks for the tip llando, but the only problem with that is it takes the fun out of researching and comparing all the different types of new lights. That's half the fun!

CPhil - yes, I'll report back. But I don't think it will be just one - after scanning youtube and all the other websites there are just too many types to settle on one.....this could be as addicting as guns!

 

[smitty_bs]

I went with the Surefire 2PX Fury 500 lumen. Ordered it tonight....can't wait. Made the decision based on the fact that we're happy with our older Surefires, plus it was universally highly rated based on all the sites and videos I've watched.

 

[SJshooter]

I went with the Surefire 2PX Fury 500 lumen. Ordered it tonight....can't wait. Made the decision based on the fact that we're happy with our older Surefires, plus it was universally highly rated based on all the sites and videos I've watched.

Let us know how you like it. I've followed this thread with some interest and was about to buy the same. Will wait to hear your impressions.

 

[Doug M.]

I think you will be pleased. Be sure that you buy your batteries directly from Surefire. Top quality, very low price.

 

[SmokeStack Lightning]

NiteCore P-12 w/950 lumens, Cree LED ,strobe, 3 intensity settings, rechargeable batteries and charger.

NITECORE P12 FLASHLIGHT 950 LUMENS! INCLUDES 2 X FREE 18650 RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES AND A WALL CHARGER! - - Amazon.com@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/417I4WyrRUL.@@AMEPARAM@@417I4WyrRUL

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

I think you'll like the P2X.

With the exception of a minute or two of contact lens melting light with fresh batteries, my P3X is basically a long runtime P2X.