HBK
member
What is a good flashlight to carry? I've bought three different ones and they are all crap. (S&W, Maglight.) Any ideas? Are Surefires worth the money and if so, which model?
Flashlights as weapons?
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Kingcreek
Member
Not sure what you're asking but the surefire is a great light for me. They have so many different models it just depends on what you want it to do.
The G2 is the one I carry . about $30 and worth it
My next one will be the L1 LED Luminax
The G2 is the one I carry . about $30 and worth it
My next one will be the L1 LED Luminax
only1asterisk
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I have never had a failure to stop with my C-cell maglite. Maybe you aren't hitting them in the right place? 
David
David
Smoke
Member
Maglite is a good impact weapon but a poor flashlight.
The small tactical lights are great flashlights but poor impact weapons.
Buy a surefire, large or small dependant on your needs.
Which duty do you want the light to serve?
What problems did you have with your other lights?
The small tactical lights are great flashlights but poor impact weapons.
Buy a surefire, large or small dependant on your needs.
Which duty do you want the light to serve?
What problems did you have with your other lights?
Mag lites can always serve as a good blunt instrument and even the mini mag can be used as a kubotan. Surefires are in my opinion worth the money, but obviously too small to use as a blunt instrument unless it's a fist load like a role of quarters. I always carry a surefire or inova X5 when walking my dogs. They light things up at quite a distance and with two large dogs I really don't need to carry an impact weapon like a mag lite. Besides my hands are probably full of poop bags.
HBK
member
I should have been more specific. The main problem I had with the others was the on switch. Some you had to twist, others you had to push a button, but it was in an inconvenient place. The lights weren't so great either...too dim for my tastes. I was also speaking more of blinding with the light, not striking.
brownie0486
Member
Do a search for botach with google.
They have surefires on sale with a 24 pack of batteries as well.
Brownie
They have surefires on sale with a 24 pack of batteries as well.
Brownie
The Surefire 6P is pretty much the standard of the Surefire line and was the original. I personally have a Surefire Z3 and I just bought one of the little Executive lights. Surefire is the state of the art in a flashlight, and I agree that prior to Surefire I spent a lot of money trying to find a decent flashlight. When I discovered that I could get a far brighter light that was also a fraction of the size, it was like a revalation to me. If you go to the Surefire website, they have a lot of good information. They also have out a magazine like pamphlet that is loaded with good information; the last time I went to their website a pop up for the magazine came up.
www.surefire.com
www.surefire.com
Bruz
Member
They have surefires on sale with a 24 pack of batteries as well.
And you will quickly find out why they sell the batteries in large packs! The light is extremely bright, and you can either twist the light on or push on the back "button" to turn it on, but it eats up the batteries fast!
By the way, I got mine from COHIBA on this forum...best prices I have seen and great service.
And you will quickly find out why they sell the batteries in large packs! The light is extremely bright, and you can either twist the light on or push on the back "button" to turn it on, but it eats up the batteries fast!
By the way, I got mine from COHIBA on this forum...best prices I have seen and great service.
brownie0486
Member
The batteries 2x per unit will last only one hour as a rule.
But in that hour you have the sun at your fingertips.
Brownie
But in that hour you have the sun at your fingertips.
Brownie
coldshot03/04
member
MagLite a poor flash light? I have to disagree. I've had the same MagLite for about 7 yrs now. It has been dropped, lost, in the heat, cold, wet youname it Maglite are the best in my opinion. Oh yes, they are good head knockers too.
coldshot03/04
member
MagLite a poor flash light? I have to disagree. I've had the same MagLite for about 7 yrs now. It has been dropped, lost, in the heat, cold, wet you name it Maglite are the best in my opinion. Oh yes, they are good head knockers too.
Sunray
Member
In the olden days, there was a company called Pro-lite. Their flashlight bodies were made of ABS plastic. We sold quite a few of them to cops. ABS doesn't get cold in winter. The weak link was the switch. 100% gauranteed though. One cop came in to get his fixed. It had tooth marks on the switch and head. "I forgot, he said, and used the wrong end." Sadly, Pro-light is gone. Great light. Had an adjustable beam too.
One of our regulars, just a guy with too much money(car plant worker) came in one day. He had a 36" long 12 battery flashlight.
One of our regulars, just a guy with too much money(car plant worker) came in one day. He had a 36" long 12 battery flashlight.
I bought a Brinkmann Legend LX from Wal-Mart for 19.98. It uses xenon batteries and lithium bulb like most of the popular Surefires. It has a button in the butt cap that is a bit stiff but it has two stages...one that you just apply pressure for short periods of on, or you can push harder until it clicks and it will stay on. It's a great little flashlight for the money. Made of aircraft aluminum with a great rubber grip. That little light will light up a whole room and make you see stars.
With all of these flashlights though I've got to say that I've heard of several people doing their own experiments with friends with paintball guns and whatnot and if the bad guy is armed they apparently fail as "blinding agents" and act more as "targeting agents" no matter how bright they are. They (all the lithium/xenon designs) are great little flashlights though and could possibly deter someone from approaching you.
brad cook
With all of these flashlights though I've got to say that I've heard of several people doing their own experiments with friends with paintball guns and whatnot and if the bad guy is armed they apparently fail as "blinding agents" and act more as "targeting agents" no matter how bright they are. They (all the lithium/xenon designs) are great little flashlights though and could possibly deter someone from approaching you.
brad cook
clem
Member
Get a 5 "D" cell mag-lite. Replace the bulb with a krypton bulb. If "they" are walking up on you in the dark, aim for their eyes/face and press the switch. Blinds em everytime. This gives you the chance to evaul what, & who.
But NEVER, EVER use the mag-lite as a baton. That would be in violation of Rules & Regs, and some command (I know better) type would get upset.
But carry a bottle of bleach and a old tooth brush to use for cleaning off the "matter" from the knurl area of the mag-lite's body, just in case.
But NEVER, EVER use the mag-lite as a baton. That would be in violation of Rules & Regs, and some command (I know better) type would get upset.
But carry a bottle of bleach and a old tooth brush to use for cleaning off the "matter" from the knurl area of the mag-lite's body, just in case.
Clem and other maglight lovers:
While I also like maglights and have several of them around the house, they simply aren't that fantastic as a flashlight.
The way I see it, the great thing about mags that are 3-cell and larger is that they are decently bright lights and are designed to be used as impact weapons in a pinch.
However, as far as flashlights go, they simply cannot hold a candle to Surefires. You can honestly buy a light that is many times brighter than even a 6-cell maglight, yet is about the size of a 2AA maglight!
Really.
HBK: Before anyone can make a good recommendation to you, we need more information from you. We already know your intended purpose; a blinding/defensive tool.
What price range are you looking for? What size? Do you want something really small that you can carry everywhere, or something larger and even brighter?
I recommend checking out www.candlepowerforums.com Great place with lots of knowledgeable and friendly people.
For an everyday light, I personally am looking at getting the new Surefire L4 which is the size of an E2e (smaller than a 2AA maglight!) but with an LED instead of an incandescent lamp. There are several advantages to an LED over incandescent.
I also want a C3 for blinding/defense purposes, as it is substantially brighter than any 2-cell light, but not a whole lot larger.
Here is TAD Gear's Surefire page. TAD is an excellent "Tactical Toy Store" providing wonderful customer service, only the finest gear, and by far the lowest prices on stuff. I highly recommend them. They are located in Oakland for anyone near there, but ship worldwide of course.
Hope this helps.
While I also like maglights and have several of them around the house, they simply aren't that fantastic as a flashlight.
The way I see it, the great thing about mags that are 3-cell and larger is that they are decently bright lights and are designed to be used as impact weapons in a pinch.
However, as far as flashlights go, they simply cannot hold a candle to Surefires. You can honestly buy a light that is many times brighter than even a 6-cell maglight, yet is about the size of a 2AA maglight!
Really.
HBK: Before anyone can make a good recommendation to you, we need more information from you. We already know your intended purpose; a blinding/defensive tool.
What price range are you looking for? What size? Do you want something really small that you can carry everywhere, or something larger and even brighter?
I recommend checking out www.candlepowerforums.com Great place with lots of knowledgeable and friendly people.
For an everyday light, I personally am looking at getting the new Surefire L4 which is the size of an E2e (smaller than a 2AA maglight!) but with an LED instead of an incandescent lamp. There are several advantages to an LED over incandescent.
I also want a C3 for blinding/defense purposes, as it is substantially brighter than any 2-cell light, but not a whole lot larger.
Here is TAD Gear's Surefire page. TAD is an excellent "Tactical Toy Store" providing wonderful customer service, only the finest gear, and by far the lowest prices on stuff. I highly recommend them. They are located in Oakland for anyone near there, but ship worldwide of course.
Hope this helps.
HBK
member
Thanks, Doc. All the links will insure that I find the right light. I mainly want one because they are cool, but I would use it for any low light classes I took and probably keep n the car for emergencies, maybe carry it around with me too.
clem
Member
DrJones,
I also have a SureFire and yes, your right it is a great bright lite. But...
I also have a SureFire and yes, your right it is a great bright lite. But...
Smoke
Member
coldshot03/04
Check out a comparable Streamlite and you will swear off Maglites forever.
Brighter. Better. And still a good headknocker.
Check out a comparable Streamlite and you will swear off Maglites forever.
Brighter. Better. And still a good headknocker.
Surefires make great hand-held weapons. Ouch!
http://www.tadgear.com/x-treme gear/flashlights main/gg&g_t_i_d__for_surefire_flashlights.htm
http://www.tadgear.com/x-treme gear/flashlights main/gg&g_t_i_d__for_surefire_flashlights.htm
All you guys with older Surefires, you can upgrade from the 120 lumen to the 220 lumen lamp for a truly blinding defensive light. BUT be sure to get the pyrex lens 'cause that 220 will melt that old lexan? lens. I have a 10-year old 9P that's reserved for special occasions. Happy trails. ANTIGUN=PRO-RAPE!
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