I Have Strong Urges For A New Flashlight

[max]

I have been doing some pt work for my previous employer and have some money burning a hole in my pocket. I am thinking either a Surefire G2X or G2X Pro. I have an older G2 incan, but I want an LED. I want something I can carry easily in a jacket pocket, but stronger that one of the single or double AA models. Any experience?

 

[johngalt]

I have an older surefire, I'm not sure the model #. It is an LED that uses 2 of the 123 format batteries. It is BRIGHT. I mean really BRIGHT. The batteries last a long time. The only thing I don't like about it is the light isn't white, but sort of an off-bluish. While bright, it tends to cast weird shadows and I'm not sure I see as well as the brightness indicates.

 

[shaggist]

I bought a couple of the Ultrafire WF-501B LED lights off of Ebay. They are advertised as being 1000 lumen output, and are so bright you cannot look directly at them, day or night. They came with a battery charger and an 18650 Li-ion, rechargeable battery, which I haven't exhausted yet in using the light. I do keep it fully charged, just in case, and have spares if I ever do run it all the way down. I am very pleased with them, and, although I haven't checked what's new in a while, I imagine they have been superseded by newer models. They are small and light enough to carry in my pants pocket, so they are very useful in most all situations. I would suggest at least a 1000 lumens, or more if you can use the larger size. Variable focus would also be nice. You can find various Ultrafire models up to 2000 lumens and above on Ebay for about $10.00. That's with battery, charger, and light. They are well made and, at that price point, you can buy several and throw them away when the battery dies, if you want to.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

The G2X Pro is an excellent flashlight. I've had one for a couple years and use it regularly. The 15 lumen setting is good for reading a map or watching your step. The 320 lumen setting delivers impressive light, maintaining 90% of peak output for 90min, then declines over the next 30min giving plenty of warning to change batteries. I've dropped it a number of times and it keeps on working as it should.

The Surefire P3X (also pictured below) is an outstanding light. It initially delivers 1,000 lumens for a couple minutes, then regulates between 600-500 lumens for an 1hr and 45min, then gradually declines over the next hour. If you want a great performing light with long runtimes it's worthy of consideration.

B&H Photo has competitive prices on Surefire and free shipping.

 

[TRE]

I love me some Surefire lights and I have several, but I also have 3 lights from 5.11 Tactical of various sizes. They're great lights too, check out 5.11s selection.

A small 5.11 TMT PL is in my left pocket everyday, 24/7. It runs on a AAA battery, but the battery life is stupid long (I use mine daily and the battery lasts weeks or months) and is very bright for it's size. Not as bright as my full size Surefire, but a hell of a lot more comfortable to carry day in and day out.

Can't go wrong with a Surefire or a 5.11. I'm a flashlight haorder, lol.

TRE

 

[CoMF]

My vote goes to the Surefire EB1 Backup with the "Tactical" switch. Uses a single CR123 battery, but has nice throw with useful spill. Twists on for constant 5 lumen output with instant access to the brighter 200 lumen output with a press of the tail switch. It's my EDC light.

Just be prepared to explain to your signifigant other why you spent $130 or more on a pocket flashlight. I am also not responsible for any relocations to the couch.

 

[Farmer17]

Check into Mountain Electronics you won't be disappointed.

 

[Leatherhead23]

Streamlight protac HL3

1100 lumens. Like a light sabre. Lol


Tough as heck too...in and out of fires, gets beat around with no special treatment and hasn't blinked yet. About $79 give or take depending on what online store you find it at. Uses 3 CR123A batteries.

Did I mention it has a lifetime warranty? Yeah. Break it and they either fix it or hand you a new one at the store. (Batteries Plus)

 

[Cyrano]

Fenix... look into 'em.

I'll second that. I have three of them and love 'em all. Strong and put out plenty of light. Seems the batteries last a while too. The little LD 15 lives in my overnight bag. I epoxied the dime on it to keep it from rollong off the bedside table at some motel. The E 12 is on my bedside table at home, and the LD 40 is flashlight. It puts out more light than I will ever need. All use AA batteries; I've had them several years and haven't had to change batteries yet. I posted most of this on a flashlight string at the 'other brands' forum.

 

[OMCHamlin]

After you get a nice Fenix, you should look into an LED replacement bulb for the Surefire, they are out there and not all that expensive. I say that because once you use your Fenix LED, you'll have almost zero use for an incan again...

 

[10mmauto]

+1 for the Fenix. I just bought one and it is the brightest flashlight I've ever had. 1,000 lumens. It has four lesser power adjustments AND a truly disorienting strobe. Clip, crenelated ends. Runs on 123's or a rechargeable battery. Great light!

 

[5Wire]

Plus two on the Fenix. NightCore has some good ones. Actually, there are lots of good ones. Check out reviews here.

 

[PatriotX]

Fenix and FourSevens are my faves these days.

Zebralight has some amazing lights, including a true 500+ lumen light that runs off of AA cells. Get some Eneloop rechargeable AAs for best performance in flashlights, generally.

FYI - The care and feeding of rechargeable lithium batteries isn't for everyone, and I wouldn't give a light powered by one to a child. This includes the 18650 and RCR123 cells.

 

[DWalt]

Not in the category of a Surefire, but several weeks ago I bought a small Ray-O-Vac set of a LED flashlight with two AA cells on a card for my car glovebox for about $2.00 at Big Lots. And that thing is really bright. I have a Surefire in my pickup glovebox, haven't needed it yet.

LEDs have come a long way in the last few years.

 

[macbullet]

Check out the Cree flashlights on ebay. For under $10 you can get a small light that will blow away many of these higher priced lights. The mag lights don't even compare to these. The lights I have run on two AA batteries with long battery life. I've been using them for 7 years to get in and out of my hunting spot in the dark and they're great. Always carried a spare just in case, but never had to use it.

 

[opaul]

Check out the Cree flashlights on ebay. For under $10 you can get a small light that will blow away many of these higher priced lights. The mag lights don't even compare to these. The lights I have run on two AA batteries with long battery life. I've been using them for 7 years to get in and out of my hunting spot in the dark and they're great. Always carried a spare just in case, but never had to use it.

This....exactly. I love mine

 

[PatriotX]

CREE is actually a manufacturer of LEDs from North Carolina.

 

[opaul]

You are correct!

 

[DWalt]

I got on eBay to look at LED flashlights. I had no idea there were so many different ones on the market. Those Crees look interesting and are really cheap compared to Maglites and Surefires. I may have to get one just to see what they are like - always room for another flashlight. I've had a conventional 3-cell Maglite by the bedside for the last 25 years, it still works fine. I think Maglites were designed to be used more as clubs than as flashlights.

 

[soFlaNative]

I've used Surefire G2 Nitrolon incandescent for years.
Haven't yet found an LED that won't refract badly in fog, smoke or dust.