View Full Version : Flashlights
An essential piece in any BOB, they are also useful in everyday situations.
Whether in a SHTF situation or a normal power outage, or even using one when walking the dog, a good flashlight can be one of the top five things you'd want to have.
Where is it/are they? Home and/or vehicle(s).
Do you have one readily accessible? Can you get to one in the dark?
From heavy multi D cell battery or 6 volt battery ones, to small ones that can hang on a key chain. What kind(s) do you have?
What do you find to be the best you've used?
Which ones would you avoid or tell others not to get?
The Reaper
09-15-2014, 22:19
There is an entire thread on flashlights already.
I would update that to say that LEDs are the way to go, and there is no real need for the C and D battery flashlights anymore, except as an impact weapon. I would use AAs, 123s, or possibly rechargables, like the 18650s. You need spare batteries in your bag, and dozens of spares at home.
Handheld flashlights come in a variety of applications. You probably don't need a huge light with 1000 lumens to read the paper. You also don't want to try and spot a target at 100 meters with a micro-light.
I think headlamps are a necessity, and a spare handheld as well, preferably something with a multi-level setting, and possibly with a red light capability. I keep headlamps in my home, vehicles, and rucks. If you don't know where it is, or can't reach it, it does you no good.
I love the little micro-lights for keychains, dogtag chains, etc. I have even seen breachers attach them to their shotguns. They also come in IR versions, if you have NVDs.
Weapons lights are covered in a separate thread as well. Again, LED is the way to go.
LED lanterns can be handy, and itr is comforting to the kids to have them handy for when the lights go out.
As far as brands go, the SureFire is at the top, and the Chinese junk is at the bottom. Good lights can be had for reasonable prices in between and there are some bargains out there.
Hope that helps.
TR
There is an entire thread on flashlights already.
TR
Crap. Didn't see this one in my search.
http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5845&highlight=flashlights
Just skipped right over it.
Poor SA on my part.
You can make this thread go away as needed.
The Reaper
09-15-2014, 22:32
And this one.
http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=733
And this:
http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2865
And a bunch more.
TR
Whoa ... I have no idea where my head was while I was searching.
:(
ETA ... Well there's one good thing about this screw up ... at least it wasn't Pat (PSM) pointing out my foible ... this time.
ETA ... Well there's one good thing about this screw up ... at least it wasn't Pat (PSM) pointing out my foible ... this time.
Our comms connection was down several hours today so I missed it ... this time. ;)
Pat
The Reaper
09-16-2014, 10:26
The question isn't a bad one.
We probably need an update anyway.
TR
... and there is no real need for the C and D battery flashlights anymore, except as an impact weapon....
Which is why I still like to step outside at night with my 4 D Cell Mag-lite. :D
The Reaper
09-16-2014, 11:36
Which is why I still like to step outside at night with my 4 D Cell Mag-lite. :D
You should look for an LED replacement bulb.
Much more resistant to impact. I mean shock or droppage. :D
TR
Last year LA Police Gear had their LAPG L1 (800/320/10 lumen) 2 CR123 cell flashlight on sale for half price. I bought one just for fun, but now I wish I'd bought 2 or 3 at that price but they are only $50 normally.
LAPG L1 (http://www.lapolicegear.com/lapg-operator-l1-flashlight.html)
Pat
I have become a fan of Fenix flashlights.
http://www.fenix-store.com/tk-series/
I have several located throughout the house.
On my night stand next to the bed I have a J5 Tactical single AA light.
Also have one in the bathroom, my BOB and school backpack. I got a deal on them so I got several.
I have a little light affixed to my folding knife. Not very bright, but it does provide some illumination when needed.
In the "everything" drawer in the kitchen, there is a cheap, cheap 2 C-cell plastic light. I have it for several years and just can't part with it. :D
When walking the dog I use a single AA streamlight PT. We have a green belt in the back where I walk the dog and aside from other people walking their dogs, coyotes traverse it regularly and have several run ins with them. They usually keep there distance, but have drawn down on a couple a few times when they get too close, but back off when I shine the light straight at them. That plus the dog going ape-shit sends them on their way.
I the living room I have one of my old Underwater Kinetics SL6. (I have a UK SL4 in my truck.) Which I also use when taking a shower. I have used this on several occasions, most notably when I lived in FWB Florida after we got hit with hurricanes Erin and Opal.
Also in the truck I have my head lamp, with red light option, as well as a small single AAA LED light.
All can be easily accessible when/if the lights go out and I check and change the batteries the same time I change the batteries in the smoke detectors when we move our clocks forwards/backwards.
DJ Urbanovsky
11-01-2014, 14:24
I use Surefire and LensLight exclusively. All LED. All 123A power.
All of my business guns with provisions for a light are equipped with dedicated Surefires. Either Scout or X300.
For standard personal carry, from SF, I have the E2DL and M3. The M3 has an aftermarket LED head. From LL, I have the KO and Mini. Right now, LL Mini gets the most pocket time due to its small form factor. It is stupid bright. Two brightness settings. Adjustable focus. And I like the square spot that it throws. The Delrin clip does suck though, so I designed and built a much better deep pocket replacement out of Titanium.
Both brands are tough as nails. One of the plastic ears on the battery door of one of my X300s snapped off due to operator headspace and timing. Surefire had a free replacement in my hands in about four business days. Other than that, zero issues with any of these lights. They have been dropped on concrete, kicked, thrown, bashed into door jams, etc, and they just keep on ticking.
I have had lights from a bunch of other companies, and all of them had shortcomings. SF and LL, I would trust with my life.
Just not a fan of anything that uses 123 batteries these days and I still have a couple of older Surefires. Standard batteries are MUCH easier to find in a pinch in my opinion.
Barbarian
11-01-2014, 20:06
I like surefire hand-helds. Ive carried an E2D Led, in my pocket, for a few years now. I'ts been dropped off of a rocky bluff to land among rocks. Still works fine.
I keep a Petzl Tikka 2 in my BOB. It's a fair quality LED headlamp, for around $30, if I recall correctly. Runs on AAA's. I've used it quite a bit. No reason to change, except maybe battery type.
The Reaper
11-01-2014, 20:27
Just not a fan of anything that uses 123 batteries these days and I still have a couple of older Surefires. Standard batteries are MUCH easier to find in a pinch in my opinion.
I hear you, but the standard batteries like the AAs and AAAs do not have the power to produce the light that the 123s can.
They also have a lot less shelf life. A 123 will produce almost 100% of its power even after 10 years in storage. Alkaline cells will not.
Another option is the powerful rechargables, like the 18650s.
TR
Oldrotorhead
11-02-2014, 09:12
I have become a fan of Fenix flashlights.
http://www.fenix-store.com/tk-series/
I like the Fenix as well. had one in my pocket for almost a year with no problems. You can up grade your old Surefires far a lot less than the cost of replacement. Here is one good option.
http://www.malkoffdevices.com/
DJ Urbanovsky
11-02-2014, 13:27
*duplicate post*
Roguish Lawyer
11-02-2014, 16:17
I bought a bunch of Surefire LED lights back when we first talked about lights. The bulbs are now all dying on me, and they are expensive and a pain to replace. I have been trying (admittedly without using tools, which I'm sure will solve the problem) to get the bulb out of my L2 for a couple of weeks now, no dice.
That said, they sure do shine brightly and they are cool as hell. In fact, I can even wear my SEAL/10th Group badboy sunglasses at night and see stuff when I shine the light on it . . . :D
Roguish Lawyer
11-02-2014, 16:34
Ruh-roh
http://www.surefire.com/flashlight-head-warning
The Reaper
11-02-2014, 17:11
None of the LED lights have user replacable LEDs or heads, to my knowledge.
Call Surefire and get an RMA number.
TR
Roguish Lawyer
11-02-2014, 17:31
None of the LED lights have user replacable LEDs or heads, to my knowledge.
Call Surefire and get an RMA number.
TR
Much appreciated. I guess some of my lights are incandescent, as I was able to buy and replace the bulbs, LOL. :confused:
The Reaper
11-02-2014, 17:43
Much appreciated. I guess some of my lights are incandescent, as I was able to buy and replace the bulbs, LOL. :confused:
Feel free to call me for your SureFire flashlight questions, amigo.
TR
x SF med
11-02-2014, 22:05
I have a flashlight collection that goes from cheap but useable to outstanding expensive light up everything... I prefer smaller flashlights, since I don't normally use them as clubs... flashlights are all over the house, every room, near doors, next to the bed, in carry bags, range bags, in vehicles.... I believe you can't have too many and any of them are better than none at all when you need one.
Like knives and pistols, what's the best flashlight? The one you have at the moment it's needed. (to paraphrase TR)
Snaquebite
11-03-2014, 16:06
I was given a couple of these at a trade show a few years back. I have yet to find anything that compares. German made.
http://www.ledlenserusa.com/
I was given a couple of these at a trade show a few years back. I have yet to find anything that compares. German made.
http://www.ledlenserusa.com/
Those are good lights. I got two headlamps from work from them and they are the shit.......
mikem04rubi
11-15-2014, 20:54
I love my Olight M20 with the tactical bezel.. Not sure I would ever need to shoot an intruder... I could probably just blind them.
I have a flashlight collection that goes from cheap but useable to outstanding expensive light up everything... I prefer smaller flashlights, since I don't normally use them as clubs... flashlights are all over the house, every room, near doors, next to the bed, in carry bags, range bags, in vehicles.... I believe you can't have too many and any of them are better than none at all when you need one.
Like knives and pistols, what's the best flashlight? The one you have at the moment it's needed. (to paraphrase TR)
When it comes to "P for plenty" for flashlights/torches I quite like these:
http://www.amazon.com/Flashlight-Torch-Adjustable-Focus-Light/dp/B006E0QAFY
Hard to beat $3.44 with FREE shipping included(US) for each.
I've got a dozen+ for household/vehicles/bags.
And I've got more on order as little useful presents for mates on the job when I run into them.
-----
I hear what The Reaper is saying about shelf-life in batteries, but my rebuttal is that(at least for us poor relations way down here) "free" AA batteries are easy down here(in our procurement system) and very easy to acquire wherever I've been, while very expensive CR123 batteries are not in my experience.
The day the parasites in Afghan Customs pinched all of my CR123 batteries("fire risk" on flight) that they were looking at like krugerrands is the day I decided to pull the pin on the expensive flashlight/expensive battery combo.
NurseTim
11-15-2014, 23:21
Does anyone use klarus?
They get decent reviews. I carry a JetBeam BA-10 as an EDC. My take on Lights. I like a single AA for everyday carry in the pocket, as it's easy to source batteries when I am out and about. I like a low 1 lumen Moonlite mode to fine lost things in a dark area where I don't need to flood the room
But still have over 100 lumen for outdoor stuff.
Since I live in a state that is cold half the year... CR123's and 18650 rechargeable are standard for the car/glove box as they hold up in cold weather unlike the Alkaline AA's. The AA's work fine if you keep a light in your pocket close to your body.
Big Fan of Fenix. I had a LD10 I carried for 3 years. now it's in the wife's purse.
I got tired of replacing CR123's, So I bought the 18650's (its whats in your laptops battery) and a recharger... save big time on buying batteries. With the newer Cree LED's you can easily push 400-600 lumens out of a light small enough to pocket carry. and the quality of lights like Fenix and jetBeam and Solarforce is quite good.
I still run only Surefires on my AR's... Looking to get one of the new Scout 600 light with the 500 lumen head... but am happy with 200 lumen.
Just my Humble .02.