[WhoKnowsWho]

About 3 of them. House, and the 2 cars (wife's and roommate's). After changing a tire on a dark road, I think it would be a good idea. 2 or 3 LED style flashlights and one xenon bulb flashlight.

So in my price range... Streamlight Scorpion and their ProPolymer ones, are they okay?

[Derek Zeanah]

Take a look at the streamlight twin-task lights. They're around $30, are anodized aluminum, and offer both a xenon bulb and led's (2.5/28 hours runtime on my lithium-battery model.)

If you decide you want a surefire 6p, PM me. :)

http://www.brightguy.com/images/bgimages/tasklights.jpg

[WhoKnowsWho]

Hey... I was looking for those twin type lights. I could never find any except for one that was like $75. Thanks for pointing those out! Cabela's has them... I'll shop around some more.

If the sure fire was a twin one too... then maybe... but something tells me it is just a normal xenon one. :)

[jthuang]

If the sure fire was a twin one too... then maybe... but something tells me it is just a normal xenon one

Surefire's "dual" xenon/LED hand-held light is the A2 Aviator. It lists at $175. If basic utility is your need ("changing a tire"), go with the Streamlight! Better value for your intended use.

[VaughnT]

Honestly, if you're looking for something that allows hands-free use, look into the headlamp instead of the handheld. I just saw a nice setup at Tractor Supply, but you can find them at Walmart and the like. LED is the standard.

Lowes/HomeDepot has a nice eveready, I think, that has a rotating head and a clip that can fix on your cap bill or shoulder epaulet (?). I use them at work and really like them for the size.

Surefire? Pricey but good quality. Streamlight? Good enough for government work and priced right. Pelican? Gotta love anything named after what must be the ugliest bird in existance. Is this the same company making those topshelf plastic cases?

[pwrtool45]

A Streamlight Stinger rides on the hip of more cops than Glocks do. They can be broken, but it takes an act of massive negligance. ;)

My super-swiffy-black'n'tactical light is a Surefire 8X. I've had it for years, and I've noticed that the B90 cell has basically been at the end of its functional life for about a year. It'll hold a 10 minute charge nowadays, if it's feelin frisky. It dropped off the in-spec lifespan of 45(?) minutes between charge months after I got it. I just didn't use it a lot. Friend of mine had a similar issue with his 6R. The light stayed in his call-out bag. Needless to say, battery life was an issue. I think he eventually got a 6P for the bag.

I had the same set of batteries in my beat-up 3 D-cell mag-lite for longer than I've had the 8X. They got changed a couple months ago, though not because they were dead. I was just being proactive. If you don't plan on using them on a day-in day-out basis, you're much better off with a non-rechargable model. The 3-volt cells last much longer with infrequent use. Streamlight makes a Scorpion (2 3-volt cells), and Sure-fire of course makes the 6P. I have a Scorpion and it's a dandy light.

[WhoKnowsWho]

If basic utility is your need ("changing a tire"), go with the Streamlight! Better value for your intended use.

The one at home will also be the "check out the noise light" so I was going to just get a Scorpion, but the dual utility of also being able to use it during a power outage would be good.

Midway has all of the Streamlights too, cheaper than Cabela's. I'll buy a few of the small 3 AA or 1 Lithium cell lights for the cars, and a 3 C light for the house I think.

[David]

For one of the best overall flashlights, I like the Surefire 6P -- they can now be purchased, if you shop around, for well under $60.

Just my 2 cents...

:D :cool: :D

[Kingcreek]

I've got a couple of the SureFire G2s (Nitrolon)
Great lights. I think I paid $29 ea

[SteelyDan]

Just go here and scout around:

https://www.brightguy.com/search_flash.html

[WhoKnowsWho]

Just go here and scout around:

Okay, I ordered 3 different Streamlight Twin Tasks. Never thought I would spend $70+ on flashlights. :scrutiny: Now I just need to make myself spend that much on holsters and such.

Thanks for the comments and suggestions!

[SteelyDan]

WhoKnowsWho:

Yeah, I know what you mean. I spent about $350 or $400 there over the last few months, mostly for Christmas presents for hunting buddies and relatives. Lots of Streamlight Twin Tasks, especially 2-cell lithiums (perfect for glovebox) and 3-C-cells (all-around use). Plus some Streamlight 3-C-LED ProPolymers (for when the power goes out--they last forever), PrincetonTec 4AAs and UK 4AAs (tons of light that fits in your pocket), a couple PrincetonTec Rages and Attitudes (they fit in your littlest pocket and deliver good light and long performance, respectively), two UK SL6s (incredibly bright, focused beam for $35), and more than a few others. The concensus was that I'm nuts for caring so much about flashlights. I can live with that.

[G&R Tactical]

The SureFire G2 is an excellent torch for the money ($29) and the 6P is also a great choice ($50).

G

www.gandrtactical.com

[Intune]

Hi G&R, I got a G2 for Christmas and it stopped working this weekend after less than 15 mins of total runtime. I tried new batts but I think it's the bulb. My question is am I sol or will Surefire take a look at it? It was purchased at a gunshow as a gift which may void the warrenty? Thanks for your help.

[G&R Tactical]

Hello, I would call them and explain that you got it for a Christmas present and you used it for 15 minutes and it died. Take a look at the bulb and see if you see a black mark on it. They should replace the bulb for FREE. Let me know if you have issues....

G

[Intune]

Wow! Just spoke to a Surefire customer service rep. He walked me through a couple of tests and determined that the bulb was indeed bad. Asked for my address and said that a replacement was on the way. No questions as to when or where bought, etc. I like that kind of product support! Kudos to SF and thanks for the kind assist G&R

[JShirley]

Twin-tast lights are great TASKLIGHTS. Great for knocking around in the woods, changing tires, etc. You can go from an extremely long-lasting, but useful, LED, to a very bright (70 lumens on the 2 cell lithium, iirc) Xenon bulb for lighting up that varmint at 40 or 50 meters.

I would not advise them for dedicated shooting lights because of the location of the switch. A SureFire G2 or Executive series would be my choice, there.

John

[Gewehr98]

Inova X-5 white LED flashlights. Unbelievably bright and tough little boogers, too! They're machined out of aluminum. (Aluminium?) :D

http://www.strobe-direct.com/images/Products/Flashlights/Inova/X5-titan-white.jpg

[Bill Hook]

How much do those Inova's run (I won't ask how much Uncle Sugar paid for them)?


Additionally, where do you find Surefire batteries, usually, locally? I don't want to have to wait a week while my oddball battery shows up in the mail, should I buy one.

[G&R Tactical]

The best place to get SF batteries is from SF. I also sell them for $19 for $12 + $5 shipping via USPS priority mail...


G

[VaughnT]

G, have you seen that new SF model with the "Strike Bezel"? I saw a pic in the latest SF magazine, but I can't recall the name and surefire reps are not being helpful. I thought the caption said something about it being modular, but I can't be certain.

I'd love to pick one up, to fulfill my mall ninja requirements, but price and exact model name is unknown.

[jthuang]

, have you seen that new SF model with the "Strike Bezel"? I saw a pic in the latest SF magazine, but I can't recall the name and surefire reps are not being helpful. I thought the caption said something about it being modular, but I can't be certain

I think you're referring to the GG&G TID (Tactical Impact Device).

http://www.lpstactical.com/E2eTID.htm

[G&R Tactical]

You mean this?? :D

http://www.hunt101.com/img/084392.jpg

http://www.hunt101.com/img/084391.jpg

G

[TechBrute]

Must... have... M... 3... with... Strike... Bezel...

Must... buy... from... Grant...

[G&R Tactical]

:D

[Gewehr98]

"And the wounds were caused by WHAT? A combat light with a Strike Bezel designed for bludgeoning? The court finds it hard to believe the aggressor wasn't looking for a reason to test his newfangled toy." :scrutiny:

Bill, the Inova's aren't that bad in price. I paid $29.00 for my personal one at the base exchange, before I found out they were issuing them to the aircrews. They do, however, use two of those 3-volt camera lithium batteries, so it's not like you can just pop in to 7-11 and buy some AA or C cells when the flashlight goes dark. I've had mine for about 10 months now, and it still shines brilliant white, so the battery life with the 5 white LED's is actually pretty good.

[SteelyDan]

It's generally a whole lot cheaper getting those little lithium batteries online somewhere--like $1.00 or less per vs. $5.00 or more per at your local Target. I'm talking about the 123s and the (I can't remember offhand what they're called) CR-24s, or something like that.

[Serpico]

check out the infinity ultra at www.batterystation.com got mine for 15 bucks as a member of www.candlepowerforums.com (very informative sight on all kinds of light) mine uses a single AA and is amazingly bright....it is machined from a single billet of aluminum and comes with a clip and lanyard....

[VaughnT]

Grant, that's the bezel, alright! Isn't it pretty? The only thing different is that the body isn't the same. The one in the mag photo showed a straight shaft body reminiscent of the 6P, which I was hoping would mean I could mount it in a horizontal BladeTech belt holster. I really like the straighter shaft for feel.

There was some mention of the modular nature of the light and you were supposed to be able to turn a six volt body into a nine volt body by screwing on an extra body segment.

Cool light. I want one. What's the price?

JTHuang, the TID? That is soooooo last season! :rolleyes:

[G&R Tactical]

20% off on the M3 is $199 + shipping...


G

[Size15s]

The released version of the new M3 bezel looks like this:
http://www.pk-engineering.com/Size15/images1/al-l61.jpg

Here is another photo of the M3 bezel (mounted on a few parts I had kicking around:
http://www.pk-engineering.com/Size15/images1/SureFire%20XM%20in%20grip%202.jpg

SureFire produced some proto-types using the old style bezel:
http://www.pk-engineering.com/Size15/images1/al-m3bezels.jpg

This shows the proto-type bezel on an M114D (next to the X200A):
http://www.pk-engineering.com/Size15/images1/x200-05_small.jpg (http://www.pk-engineering.com/Size15/images1/x200-05.jpg)

[Double Naught Spy]

In regard to the INOVA X-5s, I have one and really like. As noted above, it is very bright. The sad part about it and other LED lights that I have found is that the light has a very short illumination range. I use the Inova in an indoor work situation where we have a lot of inadequeate lighting. It is NOT good for a tactical light for spotting bad guys at distance or clearing rooms. It is a flood light, but does not have enough light to actually flood much area.

If not at work, it resides in my car as a trouble light. Running on lithium CR123 batteries that will last a VERY LONG time in the light, store well, and endure heat and cold well, it is a fine light for doing emergency car stuff or close-up stuff in the dark (changing a tire, looking under the hood, looking under the car or in the trunk (no light in mine), etc.

You guys are funny with your impact bezels! I liked the original one by GG&G. With how much you can heat up a Surefire light, I figured it made a great lighted heated windshield ice scraper for scraping ice at night. I'm not sure these new ones would be that great.

[G&R Tactical]

Show off Al! :D

G

[Mannlicher]

Based on this thead, I bought a Streamlight 3C, titanium at a local store for $32. So far, I am pleased with it. My old Rechargable MagLight has a lot more power, but this little 3 cell light is great for my belt pack when hunting. I like the ability to use the lower powered diode lights when you need just a little light.

[jacketch]

In regard to the G2 Nitrolon, I have one and even though I wouldn't feel bad if stuck in the dark with it, I don't think they are worth the price. The big weakness is the cheesy button which is far to easy to push and can accidently be pressed on if the flashlight is in a pocket. The method of turning the head to get constant on is also poor. A better and cheaper alternative is the Brinkmann Legend Xenon Lithium. See review here (http://http://flashlightreviews1.home.att.net/reviews/brinkmann_legendlx.htm). Mine cost $18.88 at Walmart with 123a batteries. The switch is much better than the G2, the output is similar and the construction is aluminum. I hardly ever use my G2 any more.

[jthuang]

JTHuang, the TID? That is soooooo last season!

:D

[Shane]

At about $35, the Streamlight Luxeon Star Task light is IMO an exceptional value. Mine has excellent beam (appears pure white), and is very bright for its 3AA size. I recommend this model as a great entry level (affordable) Luxeon Star LED.

[XLMiguel]

Howdy - I've found that www.cheapbatteries.com is a good, inexpensive source for Lithium 123's and the button batteries for microlights, etc.. Given they have a shelf life of 10 years, you can buy a bunch to get the volume break and shipping. HTH