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Old August 1, 2000, 06:07 PM   #1
mongfu
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what is the best, most durable, brightest flashlight (hand held)?
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Old August 1, 2000, 06:39 PM   #2
George Hill
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Moving to Gear
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Old August 1, 2000, 07:42 PM   #3
byerly
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Any with Sure-Fire in the name. Costly, but worth it.
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Old August 1, 2000, 08:10 PM   #4
hksigwalther
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I'll second that. Previously, I had (still do) a 6 D cell and a 6 C cell maglights. The 6P was almost as bright and is smaller than 2 D cells.

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- Ron V.
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Old August 2, 2000, 08:39 AM   #5
PaulTX
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The Streamlight Scorpion is an excellent flashlight. It's the equivilant of a Surefire 6P - at only about $37.
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Old August 2, 2000, 01:17 PM   #6
Ledbetter
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Info on Streamlight Scorpion, which I had never heard of but now may purchase:
http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum6/HTML/000134.html
http://omega.virtualfocus.com/streamlightscorpion.htm

Regards,

Ledbetter
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Old August 2, 2000, 01:48 PM   #7
VictorLouis
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The Streamlight Stinger is also an excellent unit, and it's available in polymer if weight is an issue. It is a bit longer than the Surefire, but it also has a conventional switch for on/off use. It's a lot easier to use with the Chapman technique.
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Old August 2, 2000, 09:58 PM   #8
jcoyoung
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My Sure-Fire 6P is brighter than my 6(!) cell Mag-Lite. Don't shine it into your eyes, you'll get a headache!
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Old August 4, 2000, 06:46 PM   #9
Sea Bass
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Can't recommend Sure Fire enough. I have it on my Benelli, Rem 870 and HK 94. I keep a 9 p on my lightstand at night. Very bright, very good/reliable, and very expensive. Only bad thing is the cost of CR123 camera batteries...a bit expensive.

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"Started out with nothing, still got most of it."
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Old August 5, 2000, 09:49 PM   #10
Gino
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I'll never be without a Sure-Fire. A car headlight that fits in your pocket.
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Old August 6, 2000, 07:39 AM   #11
Sackett
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Surefire reports brightness in lumens.
Scorpion reports brightness in candlepower.
How is either converted into the other?
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Old August 7, 2000, 02:11 AM   #12
G50AE
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They cannot be directly converted, one from the other. Lumens is the total amount of photons of light emitted. Candlepower is more deceptive, it is the peak brightness of the light source. As such a dim flashlight can have a high candle power if it has a very bright "hotspot".

All manufactures should list the lumens rating.
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Old August 7, 2000, 03:08 AM   #13
Gopher .45
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I have a sure-fire 9z and several streamlight scorpions. My 9z cost me $80 and takes three-3v batteries. The 6z costs around $50-70. The scorpion cost me $33 and uses two 3v batteries. Holding them side by side, the scorpion is actually close to the same brightness as the 9z. I think you would be better off with the scorpion, although both are VERY good. For example, I can illuminate people at 100 yards with my scorpion. That should be more than enough light for most defense situations. While another poster referred to these lights as headlights for the pocket, I tend to think of them as portable flood lights because they can cover a larger area with light.
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Old August 7, 2000, 10:49 AM   #14
jthuang
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You can get Sanyo batteries for your Surefire for $1.89 a cell!

http://store.yahoo.com/electronetdis...123alitba.html

Not affiliated, etc.

Justin

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late of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
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Old August 7, 2000, 06:06 PM   #15
Justin Moore
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Concerning the Streamlight: does the Variable spot to flood focus adjustment
dilute the quality of the beam like it does on a MagLite? One of the selling points of the Sure-Fire seems to be the fact that its fixed focus. Was just wondering

JLM
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Old August 7, 2000, 08:40 PM   #16
Ledbetter
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I'll post here when I get mine, but I assume it has to be somewhat less bright when spread out to full flood. From the info I reviewed, it looks like the focus is "set and forget." There is a 3-way on off switch on the base.

Ledbetter
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Old August 7, 2000, 09:25 PM   #17
Hiyo
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It looks like the Sure-Fire 6Z is the choice for me.

-Hiyo, late of Nihon Kaigun. (combinedfleet.com)
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Old August 9, 2000, 08:55 PM   #18
Ledbetter
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Got my Scorpion today. Very bright, very cool. I whistle the X-Files theme whenever I pick it up. It's about 5" long, black rubber sleeve over aluminum case. Headlamp assembly screws on, focus by adjusting headlamp on threads. Once beam is focused, it will stay until adjusted. On-off button on bottom: momentary on, on, off. Cost: $35.

Regards.

[This message has been edited by Ledbetter (edited August 10, 2000).]
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Old August 10, 2000, 08:41 PM   #19
Justin Moore
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Ledbetter, you still didn't answer my question thou Does the variable focus dilute the beam quality at all? Thanks again

JLM
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Old August 10, 2000, 10:06 PM   #20
Blue Jays
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Good Evening All-

Currently using a Sure-Fire 9N rechargeable that is fairly compact and is bright as all get-out. Never have to worry about the light "locking" into the "on" position and compromising your location.

The only downside is that the NiCad cell seems to suffer from a bad "memory effect" that can't be erased. It doesn't appear to hold a charge too well, either.

With that said, I think I would be inclined to go with something that runs a Nickel Metal Hydride (rechargeable) or a Lithium (replaceable) battery.

The Lithiums are nice because they continue at full power until they die, the other types tend to "yellow" until they croak.

Law Enforcement dudes and dudettes sometimes go with a powerful 9N and a 6Z or 9Z as backup. It just sticks in my craw to always have to worry about the strength of my charge.

Regards to all,

~ Blue Jays ~
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Old August 11, 2000, 08:59 PM   #21
Ledbetter
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Justin,

Sorry. It is as anticipated. The beam is less intense when spread out. Once the focus is set it will stay focused unless the front is twisted. The flashlight is turned on by the rear switch, which can be depressed slightly for a momentary "on." The bulb is Xenon, the warrior lightbulb.

Regards,

Ledbetter
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Old August 11, 2000, 09:06 PM   #22
skdtac
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If you buy only one light, make it a Surefire 6V. All the Scorpion owners we know have moved on to Surefires. The versatility is unmatched. With a P61 bulb, you nearly doulbe your output. With a Lanyard you can retain while freeing your hands immediately. With a Z41 Lockout tailcap, you can lock your light during transport or carry. The momentary on is positive. 2 years from now, you won't miss the $50 you spent for a Surefire, but you wont believe how long you went without it.

HTH!

------------------
SKD Tactical Accessories
www.skdtac.com
Your source for hard-core, no-bs gear.
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Old August 11, 2000, 11:59 PM   #23
mongfu
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just got my scorpion today, pretty damn bright and rugged for the price (34.00), This will do until i save for my surefire! THANKS ALL.
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Old August 12, 2000, 10:09 PM   #24
Justin Moore
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How does the new "Defender" model compare to the 6Z/6P?

JLM
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Old August 13, 2000, 09:55 PM   #25
jawper
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Justin Moore,

It's the same light with the clip added. I have a 6P, 6Z, and now a Defender (long story). The Defender clip is great. I really find it to address the carry-ability of the other lights. I'd prefer to be able to alter the alignment of the clip, but otherwise it's as flawless as its cousins.

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