I'm sick and tired of lousy flashlights! - Page 2

Yung.gunr · January 28, 2012, 10:42 AM

I also have the Maglite with the LED adapter thing. I really like it. I had the light for 10+ years before finding the LED thing, it has given my little Maglite new life...
But... I don't think that would work for you as you are looking for a 1" one. I have heard a lot of good things about the Fenix brand.. My cousin has a couple and they work better then any of mine. But then again his two cost more then my eight or so lights. But, Im sure that's still cheaper then a Surefire.

There is also a guy on here who makes flashlights. Did you check him out?
Here is the thread about him selling them...
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=169074
If that doesn't work, when I found it he was at the bottom of the first page in the gear for sale area.

Nathan · January 28, 2012, 11:01 AM

Nightcore and Fenix for me....

Te Anau · January 28, 2012, 02:25 PM

Thanks for all the good replies.

Patriot_RAM · February 9, 2012, 11:48 PM

Te_Anau,

I wanted to mention one more light. It's rated at 100 lumens, but I swear it has to be more. I use Duracell Procell batteries in it and they last a long time also. Anyhow, I liked it well enough that I wrote a review. Just another one to consider.

http://frugalhomesteaders.net/blog/2...shlightreview/

Patriot_RAM

Rj1972 · February 10, 2012, 02:35 PM

Ok I'm a little late to the party perhaps, but you can see some pretty decent reviews (and others opinions) on candlepower forums: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/content.php

It's where I found reviews on my fenix pd20 (which I love).

Te Anau · February 10, 2012, 03:30 PM

Thanks again.

wun_8_seven · February 11, 2012, 11:35 PM

Terralux

GM1967 · February 12, 2012, 12:08 PM

Surefire, Streamlight, and Inova

My Surefire 6P is great, but very expensive, short battery life, expensive batteries

My Inova XO3 is almost as good as the Surefire, uses an extremely bright LED bulb that is almost as bright and is far more energy efficient, so the batteries (same type as Surefire) last a lot longer (I haven't had to change them yet).
http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/inova_xo3.htm

I also have an Inova X5, not as bright and shorter ranged, but small and handy, carry it in my pocket more often. I've changed the batteries once or twice since I bought it back in 2004

For general use, I can't recommend the Streamlight 3C LED enough. Ten LED bulbs light up a room very well, and it uses standard C-cell batteries (cheap and available almost everywhere, including your kitchen junk drawer). Battery life is 300 hours plus....I change the batteries in my two flashlights every couple years, and use them lots. However, it's a larger flashlight, not quite as big as a 3 battery Mag-Lite, but too big for mounting on a firearm.
http://www.amazon.com/Streamlight-33...9066397&sr=8-2

All of these have been very reliable, and very good. Also have lots of cheap flashlights around the house, but the ones listed above are the ones I depend on most of the time.

AdamSean · February 12, 2012, 08:52 PM

+1 on Surefire. I have a G2 and a 6P LED. They both work great. I have been using them for over 2 years and they are still great lights. I am in security and highly recommend Surefire.

plumbercrack · February 12, 2012, 10:30 PM

I'm curious, for hand or gun use, or both? When it comes to a good all around flashlight I have to go with my Porter Cable 18v as it turns night into day.
When it comes to something for the AR I like the Streamlite model 62910 as it has a strobe function.

mssurrey · February 13, 2012, 11:24 PM

+1 For Fenix

orangello · February 15, 2012, 03:42 PM

I'm not an owner of one, so i am not sure of the quality, but there is one on sale for under $40 on that woot.sellout site, a s&w micron 90. Perhaps somebody else could review its quality.

bbqbob51 · February 18, 2012, 07:24 PM

I need to know more about lumens, how bright is 100 lumens for instance? When my AA mini Maglite was new how many lumens did it put out?

JLTOOLMAKER · February 19, 2012, 11:53 AM

Hi Guys, I am looking for a quality bright flashlight to mount on a rifle, handgun or carry in my pocket with a momentary contact switch and only a high beam and strobe beam, any help out their?. Thanks Much, being a newbie, I will need help, I have not been able to find one as of yet and I have done a lot of internet searching...... Jim L.

Aaron1100us · February 19, 2012, 12:04 PM

Surefire, Solarforce, Fenix, Streamlight are all good. Many others out there that are good, just do some research.

My two main lights are a Fenix TK-45, Solarforce L2P and Surefire G2.

Sent from my PB99400 using Tapatalk

GUNSITE · February 19, 2012, 12:07 PM

Fenix, i use the TK-40 when i need a serious light.

Nathan · February 25, 2012, 08:35 PM

Quote:

I need to know more about lumens, how bright is 100 lumens for instance? When my AA mini Maglite was new how many lumens did it put out?
*

~20 based on my experience. Still, lumens vs. perceived brightness isn't really linear.

20 is good task lighting. 50 is quit a bit brighter. 150 is really bright. It hurts to look at. 500 will light up the yard well. 800 is really too bright for indoor use.

A TK35 is the ultimate in flashlights! Reasonable size, but wow is 800 bright. Ask my neighbor. You think a herd of cops have you lit up when someone shines that on you!

OEF-Vet · February 25, 2012, 08:50 PM

Inova X5 hands down best general purpose flashlight ever.
http://www.opticsplanet.net/inova-x5...FUJN4AodiAMgrA
If you just need a flashlight that is bright enough for every day situations and is good on batteries this is your light. It's small works when needed and the last time I had to put batteries in it was 10 months ago.

I love the Surefire line and they are my tactical choice when needed but they eat batteries like mad and the bulb life is short.

kbails84 · March 1, 2012, 09:18 PM

I think for a great price the new 5.11 series is a good buy. Also if you want try a coast L series. Those are amazing and last a very long time. Personally I hate surefire unless you're speaking of tactical weapon lights.

swinokur · March 2, 2012, 10:54 AM

Insight Technology.

I try to buy Flashlights made in the USA, even if they are pricier.

pgdion · March 2, 2012, 11:48 AM

Just bought one of these to try in a Maglite .... amazing, a product that actually works as advertised! I'm buying more of them. They are Nite-Ize LED bulbs for flashlights. The same bulb works in all C & D cell flashlights with 2 to 6 cells. The bulbs actually have a DC-DC converter built in so the light is equally bright with all combinations (the 2 cell is slightly dimmer than the 4 cell is but not much). I did some performance tests that I'll post later (data is at home) but bottom line is for 8 bucks, I really like these bulbs.

Brighter than the Krypton, use a lot less current, and still focus from wide to spot.

http://www.fleetfarm.com/catalog/pro...-kit-lrb-07-pr

Maglites are easily the best lights ever and these bulbs bring the old ones up to the new high power LED level. Very cool.

sdg · March 2, 2012, 11:58 AM

Quote:

I try to buy Flashlights made in the USA, even if they are pricier.

Amen! I try to buy American made any time I can. There are a handful of really good flashlight manufacturers in the U.S.

Surefire, Streamlight, Mag and a few others.

toolguy2006 · March 5, 2012, 10:19 PM

I sell tons of flashlights to mechanics through my store, and if anyone can abuse a flashlight, its a mechanic. Streamlight for rechargeable, or Surefire if you don't mind buying CR123A batteries. The Surefire product is arguably better made.

Streamlight Strion LED flashlights have been best sellers from my store, (a tool truck) and all routes around me, since the LED model came out. Everyone cries about the price, until they own one, and then they usually come back for another!

1goodshot · March 6, 2012, 07:11 AM

I use these hard everyday. never had a problem
http://www.malkoffdevices.com/

carp · March 6, 2012, 10:36 PM

I bought a kill light. Its from elusive wildlife. Its called a kill light 250. I use it for night hunting coyotes. It came with a bracket for my rifle and one for a shot gun barrel. It also came with two switches for on and off. You can recharge the batteries. Its new but so far so good. Good price too.

January 28, 2012, 02:25 PM	#28
Te Anau Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2004 Location: Somewhere south of the No Posts: 3,824	Thanks for all the good replies. __________________ "Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it." --American author Mark Twain (1835-1910)

February 9, 2012, 11:48 PM	#29
Patriot_RAM Junior Member Join Date: February 9, 2012 Posts: 2	Another good light Te_Anau, I wanted to mention one more light. It's rated at 100 lumens, but I swear it has to be more. I use Duracell Procell batteries in it and they last a long time also. Anyhow, I liked it well enough that I wrote a review. Just another one to consider. http://frugalhomesteaders.net/blog/2...shlightreview/ Patriot_RAM

February 10, 2012, 03:30 PM	#31
Te Anau Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2004 Location: Somewhere south of the No Posts: 3,824	Thanks again. __________________ "Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it." --American author Mark Twain (1835-1910)

February 13, 2012, 11:24 PM	#36
mssurrey Senior Member Join Date: November 24, 2008 Location: Sunny MichiGUN Posts: 273	+1 For Fenix __________________ Me. We. - Muhammad Ali

February 19, 2012, 12:07 PM	#41
GUNSITE Member Join Date: January 27, 2006 Location: USA Posts: 72	Fenix, i use the TK-40 when i need a serious light. __________________ THE TWO LOUDEST SOUNDS YOU'LL EVER HERE ARE... A BANG WHEN YOU EXPECT A CLICK...OR A CLICK WHEN YOU EXPECT A BANG

January 28, 2012, 10:42 AM	#26
Yung.gunr Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2010 Location: Phoenix area Posts: 1,442	I also have the Maglite with the LED adapter thing. I really like it. I had the light for 10+ years before finding the LED thing, it has given my little Maglite new life... But... I don't think that would work for you as you are looking for a 1" one. I have heard a lot of good things about the Fenix brand.. My cousin has a couple and they work better then any of mine. But then again his two cost more then my eight or so lights. But, Im sure that's still cheaper then a Surefire. There is also a guy on here who makes flashlights. Did you check him out? Here is the thread about him selling them... http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=169074 If that doesn't work, when I found it he was at the bottom of the first page in the gear for sale area.

January 28, 2012, 11:01 AM	#27
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,328	Nightcore and Fenix for me....

February 10, 2012, 02:35 PM	#30
Rj1972 Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2010 Posts: 129	Ok I'm a little late to the party perhaps, but you can see some pretty decent reviews (and others opinions) on candlepower forums: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/content.php It's where I found reviews on my fenix pd20 (which I love).

February 11, 2012, 11:35 PM	#32
wun_8_seven Senior Member Join Date: September 17, 2002 Posts: 195	Terralux

February 12, 2012, 12:08 PM	#33
GM1967 Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2010 Location: Delaware - formerly NJ Posts: 276	Surefire, Streamlight, and Inova My Surefire 6P is great, but very expensive, short battery life, expensive batteries My Inova XO3 is almost as good as the Surefire, uses an extremely bright LED bulb that is almost as bright and is far more energy efficient, so the batteries (same type as Surefire) last a lot longer (I haven't had to change them yet). http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/inova_xo3.htm I also have an Inova X5, not as bright and shorter ranged, but small and handy, carry it in my pocket more often. I've changed the batteries once or twice since I bought it back in 2004 For general use, I can't recommend the Streamlight 3C LED enough. Ten LED bulbs light up a room very well, and it uses standard C-cell batteries (cheap and available almost everywhere, including your kitchen junk drawer). Battery life is 300 hours plus....I change the batteries in my two flashlights every couple years, and use them lots. However, it's a larger flashlight, not quite as big as a 3 battery Mag-Lite, but too big for mounting on a firearm. http://www.amazon.com/Streamlight-33...9066397&sr=8-2 All of these have been very reliable, and very good. Also have lots of cheap flashlights around the house, but the ones listed above are the ones I depend on most of the time.

February 12, 2012, 08:52 PM	#34
AdamSean Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2007 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 479	+1 on Surefire. I have a G2 and a 6P LED. They both work great. I have been using them for over 2 years and they are still great lights. I am in security and highly recommend Surefire.

February 12, 2012, 10:30 PM	#35
plumbercrack Member Join Date: October 21, 2011 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 98	I'm curious, for hand or gun use, or both? When it comes to a good all around flashlight I have to go with my Porter Cable 18v as it turns night into day. When it comes to something for the AR I like the Streamlite model 62910 as it has a strobe function.

February 15, 2012, 03:42 PM	#37
orangello Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2009 Posts: 566	I'm not an owner of one, so i am not sure of the quality, but there is one on sale for under $40 on that woot.sellout site, a s&w micron 90. Perhaps somebody else could review its quality.

February 18, 2012, 07:24 PM	#38
bbqbob51 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2005 Posts: 775	I need to know more about lumens, how bright is 100 lumens for instance? When my AA mini Maglite was new how many lumens did it put out?

February 19, 2012, 11:53 AM	#39
JLTOOLMAKER Junior Member Join Date: February 13, 2012 Location: Waupaca, WI Posts: 3	Hi Guys, I am looking for a quality bright flashlight to mount on a rifle, handgun or carry in my pocket with a momentary contact switch and only a high beam and strobe beam, any help out their?. Thanks Much, being a newbie, I will need help, I have not been able to find one as of yet and I have done a lot of internet searching...... Jim L.

February 19, 2012, 12:04 PM	#40
Aaron1100us Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2011 Posts: 235	Surefire, Solarforce, Fenix, Streamlight are all good. Many others out there that are good, just do some research. My two main lights are a Fenix TK-45, Solarforce L2P and Surefire G2. Sent from my PB99400 using Tapatalk

February 25, 2012, 08:50 PM	#43
OEF-Vet Senior Member Join Date: October 23, 2011 Location: Backwoods, PA Posts: 284	Inova X5 Inova X5 hands down best general purpose flashlight ever. http://www.opticsplanet.net/inova-x5...FUJN4AodiAMgrA If you just need a flashlight that is bright enough for every day situations and is good on batteries this is your light. It's small works when needed and the last time I had to put batteries in it was 10 months ago. I love the Surefire line and they are my tactical choice when needed but they eat batteries like mad and the bulb life is short. __________________ Jim "If a man does his best, what else is there?" - General George S. Patton Jr

March 1, 2012, 09:18 PM	#44
kbails84 Junior Member Join Date: March 1, 2012 Location: Alaska Posts: 11	I've had them all!~ I think for a great price the new 5.11 series is a good buy. Also if you want try a coast L series. Those are amazing and last a very long time. Personally I hate surefire unless you're speaking of tactical weapon lights.

March 2, 2012, 10:54 AM	#45
swinokur Senior Member Join Date: April 17, 2009 Location: Montgomery County, MD Posts: 215	Insight Technology. I try to buy Flashlights made in the USA, even if they are pricier.

March 2, 2012, 11:48 AM	#46
pgdion Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2010 Location: MPLS, MN Posts: 1,214	Maglight with this bulb Just bought one of these to try in a Maglite .... amazing, a product that actually works as advertised! I'm buying more of them. They are Nite-Ize LED bulbs for flashlights. The same bulb works in all C & D cell flashlights with 2 to 6 cells. The bulbs actually have a DC-DC converter built in so the light is equally bright with all combinations (the 2 cell is slightly dimmer than the 4 cell is but not much). I did some performance tests that I'll post later (data is at home) but bottom line is for 8 bucks, I really like these bulbs. Brighter than the Krypton, use a lot less current, and still focus from wide to spot. http://www.fleetfarm.com/catalog/pro...-kit-lrb-07-pr Maglites are easily the best lights ever and these bulbs bring the old ones up to the new high power LED level. Very cool. __________________ 597 VTR, because there's so many cans and so little time!

March 5, 2012, 10:19 PM	#48
toolguy2006 Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2010 Location: Western Washington State Posts: 144	I sell tons of flashlights to mechanics through my store, and if anyone can abuse a flashlight, its a mechanic. Streamlight for rechargeable, or Surefire if you don't mind buying CR123A batteries. The Surefire product is arguably better made. Streamlight Strion LED flashlights have been best sellers from my store, (a tool truck) and all routes around me, since the LED model came out. Everyone cries about the price, until they own one, and then they usually come back for another!

March 6, 2012, 07:11 AM	#49
1goodshot Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2001 Location: chandler,az Posts: 929	I use these hard everyday. never had a problem http://www.malkoffdevices.com/

March 6, 2012, 10:36 PM	#50
carp Member Join Date: February 26, 2012 Location: Middle of nowhere,Wisconsin Posts: 19	I bought a kill light. Its from elusive wildlife. Its called a kill light 250. I use it for night hunting coyotes. It came with a bracket for my rifle and one for a shot gun barrel. It also came with two switches for on and off. You can recharge the batteries. Its new but so far so good. Good price too.