Lights

BMT (RIP) · 02-26-2005, 07:52

Steve Yon wrote about the diffirent lights used by the men in Iraq in hiis Iraqi Blog.
Jump on this one and tell me what you think is the best light and why.

BMT

Air.177 · 02-26-2005, 09:37

Surefire L1 WH for everyday use. I didn't realize how often I needed a light until I had one to use. One 3 volt battery lasts over a month of daily use, and the 2 stage tailcap allows you to only use as much light as you need.

I also have/use:
Inova X1: (+)Very compact, uses one AA battery, decent beam for it's size, lockout tailcap. (-) Mine went tits up after about 3 months EDC, the factory will warranty it, I just haven't sent it to RI yet

Inova X5: (+)This light is roughly the same size as the L1 and pretty much does the same job, just a little different. The L1 has One Focused LED, while the X5 has 5 LEDs that are not focused. It puts out a soft diffused light very good for up close work, and will run on 3 volt batteries your High output surefire lights have already drained. (-) Basically outperformed by the L1

Streamlight Stylus: (+)Roughly the size of a long Ink Pen, uses 3 AAAA batteries which last forever and a day. I have two of these, One in red and one in white. (-)Have you ever even seen a AAAA battery?

Surefire G2/Z2: (+)Basically the same light, just different colorful shells. Both use (2) 3 volt batteries and the P60/61 bulb from Surefire, they put out more light than a 4-D cell mag light.(-) Only last one hour, Bulbs are somewhat fragile and bulb life is highly dependant on how rough you are on them.

Surefire M6: (+) This is the largest, most powerful light readily available from surefire(not talking about "The Beast" or "Hellfire" here) Takes (6) 3 volt batteries and has a battery life of 20 minutes with the bright bulb. This thing is brutally bright and really useless to your average gringo, think Pickup truck cigarrette lighter plug in spotlight performance that you can put in your back pocket. (-) Why, Just Why?

Maglights: (+) These lights are so obsolete performance wise, they are great to loan to buddies with a bad history of returning things. The larger ones are still quite effective as clubs, an ability that appeals to my inner caveman. They usually work pretty well as flashlights, but a SF is more powerful and easier to carry. They use mainstream, widely available batteries, and the bulbs are available at every Wal-Mart and Hardware store there is. (-) These were great lights for there time, but there are now better options available.

Photon Microlights: (+) Small size, good light output for their size, wide array of colors available, Flashing strobe, SOS, and variable light output available in some models. UV and IR lights are available, as well as versions that direct the light only where it is wanted, rather than the 180 degree light output of a standard LED. (-)While there light output is good for there size, they are still rather weak in the big scheme of things, but they are better than nothing.

Thats what I have and use, YMMV

**Bill Harsey** · 02-26-2005, 10:01

Good post Air.177.
All I can do is second the comments.
If there is a light better than SureFire for compact/high output, I haven't heard of it. I have at least three small ones around here and always keep one in my pocket for going out to the shop in the dark and often returning to the house in the same light conditions. This is country, no city lights at night.

Besides, if you keep it dark, the critters come in closer.

Photon Microlight is headquartered about 45 minutes up the road from here. I know that all of these are assembled here in Oregon.
I have several of those at all times including the one on the keychain.

I give Mag Lights to the kids.

**The Reaper** · 02-26-2005, 13:58

Hey, BMT, where is the link?

Air:

Close, but not exactly.

The light to power formula is a scientific constant. There is no getting around it. At $1.25 each from SureFire, the 123As are about the same cost as AA Duracells.

If you go through a fresh 123A in a L1 every month, you must be using the heck out of it. The L1 runs over 50 hours continuously on the low power setting.

There are more differences between the G2 and Z2 than you observe.

The M6 is sweet, and fills a purpose. If you need one of the most powerful self-contained hand-held flashlights readily available for something, that is it. Otherwise, it is expensive and with the high-intensity MN-21 bulb, goes through batteries like a fat chick through a box of chocolates. The 10X is actually more powerful, and is a rechargeable. Makes one heck of a patrol or vehicle installed light. Dual bulbs, 60 and 500 lumens.

All are different, and serve different purposes. I carry a Photon or three for that very reason.

Anyone who runs into me and wants a Surefire catalog, just ask for it. Or check out the surefire.com website, or call the Customer Service Department there.

Lights are like guns and parachutes. If it is critical, two is one, and one is none.

TR

CPTAUSRET · 02-26-2005, 14:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Reaper

Hey, BMT, where is the link?

Air:

Close, but not exactly.

The light to power formula is a scientific. There is no getting around it. At $1.25 each from SureFire, the 123As are about the same cost as AA Duracells.

If you go through a fresh 123A in a L1 every month, you must be using the heck out of it. The L1 runs over 50 hours continuously on the low power setting.

There are more differences between the G2 and Z2 than you observe.

The M6 is sweet, and fills a purpose. If you need one of the most powerful self-contained hand-held flashlights readily available for something, that is it. Otherwise, it is expensive and with the high-intensity MN-21 bulb, goes through batteries like a fat chick through a box of chocolates. The 10X is actually more powerful, and is a rechargeable. Makes one heck of a patrol or vehicle installed light. Dual bulbs, 60 and 500 lumens.

All are different, and serve different purposes. I carry a Photon or three for that very reason.

Anyone who runs into me and wants a Surefire catalog, just ask for it. Or check out the surefire.com website, or call the Customer Service Department there.

Lights are like guns and parachutes. If it is critical, two is one, and one is none.

TR

I definitely want one of these lights, I am sold!

Now I need to find some money.

Terry

BMT (RIP) · 02-26-2005, 14:17

www.michaelyon.blogspot.com

Guys this is the link with the stories about diffirent lights.

BMT

Sacamuelas · 02-26-2005, 18:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by CPTAUSRET

Now I need to find some money.
Terry

You're killing me Terry. Just sell ONE of the ten houses you and Nancy own or maybe ONE of the dozen high end sports cars. Damn rich MD, PHD, XYZLMNOP,etc famous scientific scholars....

LOL

sorry, couldn't resist CPT

Edit to add: This thread makes me think we need a ....
[coughing disguise] GROUPBUY [/cough]

**Roguish Lawyer** · 03-03-2005, 00:05

Got my G2 today. Much smaller than I expected and VERY cool!

I put it in my gun safe. LMAO

**The Reaper** · 03-03-2005, 00:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roguish Lawyer

Got my G2 today. Much smaller than I expected and VERY cool!

I put it in my gun safe. LMAO

Counsel, as your Samoan Attorney, I recommend that you take it out of your gunsafe and put it by your bed.

Don't forget lights for each car, the office, and your travel kit.

Fair warning, the one you have will be confiscated by Catwoman.

Don't forget to order spare batteries from SureFire. They are expensive otherwise.

TR

**Roguish Lawyer** · 03-03-2005, 07:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Reaper

Counsel, as your Samoan Attorney, I recommend that you take it out of your gunsafe and put it by your bed.

It is actually in my pocket. Thought about turning off my car's headlights on the way in to work and just shining the thing through the window, it's so bright.

If I left this anywhere my kids could get to it, they would run down the batteries in a couple of days. Flashlights are great fun for them; we go through batteries like there is no tomorrow.

Roger on the cars, etc. But now I need to evaluate many options to determine what I can justify buying in light of my dubious needs.

**The Reaper** · 03-03-2005, 08:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roguish Lawyer

It is actually in my pocket. Thought about turning off my car's headlights on the way in to work and just shining the thing through the window, it's so bright.

If I left this anywhere my kids could get to it, they would run down the batteries in a couple of days. Flashlights are great fun for them; we go through batteries like there is no tomorrow.

Roger on the cars, etc. But now I need to evaluate many options to determine what I can justify buying in light of my dubious needs.

1. If it comes on in your pocket, you will notice it pretty quickly. Hope there isn't another reason that you are packing there.

2. Lawyer, driving to work in the dark? Go on, tell us another one!! I have tried driving like that, and it tends to attract attention.

3. If you had another model, you could rotate the tailcap and lock-out the on-off button. That could save you on batteries. $15 a dozen from SureFire.

4. That is an inexpensive light for what it does. Like a gun or good knife, if you ever really need one, you will not regret the money you spent on it.

TR

**Roguish Lawyer** · 03-03-2005, 08:52

I can't get that Manfred Mann song out of my head now.

Air.177 · 03-03-2005, 10:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Reaper

2. Lawyer, driving to work in the dark? Go on, tell us another one!! I have tried driving like that, and it tends to attract attention.
TR

Yeah, In my old Jeep with no top, no doors, and the windshield folded down, My M6 worked like a champ as a headlight, but yes, it does attract all kinds of attention.

**Razor** · 03-03-2005, 12:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roguish Lawyer

If I left this anywhere my kids could get to it, they would run down the batteries in a couple of days.

If they're anything like my kids, the batteries would be dead in a couple hours. This is why any flashlights the kids get now are equipped with LED bulbs and rechargable AAs or AAAs--much cheaper in the long run.

**Roguish Lawyer** · 03-03-2005, 13:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razor

If they're anything like my kids, the batteries would be dead in a couple hours.

Yeah, they are. But I was afraid to overstate the run time for fear of The Reaper.