Flashlights....what's wrong with maglites?
- Thread starter WonderNine
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Ron L
Member
I guess one question would be; there are folks that would buy a plain jane gun and put extras on it or modify it to make it work better or to suit their liking. Well then, why not flashlights?
Maglites are good utilitarian lights. They just plain work. Sure, you can get into Surefires, which offer better performance, but at a higher cost, both initially and then in operating expenses.
For about the cost of a Surefire, I bought a Mini Maglite, added the Elektrolumen Luxeon Star LED bulb, collimator, and tailswitch. Maybe not quite as bright as the Surefire, but it still runs on AA batteries and the Luxeon bulb offers 3-5 times the battery life and even after a couple drops, hasn't broken. I haven't seen a Mini Maglite that's brighter. And a Luxeon Star bulb in a Surefire is even better.
Maglites are good utilitarian lights. They just plain work. Sure, you can get into Surefires, which offer better performance, but at a higher cost, both initially and then in operating expenses.
For about the cost of a Surefire, I bought a Mini Maglite, added the Elektrolumen Luxeon Star LED bulb, collimator, and tailswitch. Maybe not quite as bright as the Surefire, but it still runs on AA batteries and the Luxeon bulb offers 3-5 times the battery life and even after a couple drops, hasn't broken. I haven't seen a Mini Maglite that's brighter. And a Luxeon Star bulb in a Surefire is even better.
Heh, you can go to www.candlepowerforums.com and beat this thread to death....
But my $0.02:
While on duty and off duty, I always have a Surefire M2 with me, a Streamlight Stinger on my duty belt as well, a Streamlight Ultrastinger in the car.
My M2 has the P61 (120 lumen) lamp assembly in it, which with the low price on 123 batteries now, its great.
The way I see it, especially since my life depends on all my gear, not just a gun, is that, a maglight is like a Hipoint or maybe at best a raven, whereas a Surefire is like a Glock, HK, Sig.
The same way you would not buy bullets that would be ruined by cold weather, you shouldn't have a flashlight that has batteries that are junk in cold weather. (alkaline, nicds, nimhs, etc), lithium is not affected.
But in all reality, if my life is going to depend on it, or also in my case, the life of others constantly, I will only buy and use the best...Because I cannot imagine thinking to myself "what if I had just spent the extra $20"
These days with the prices of the G2 and the lithium 123 batteries being so affordable, it amazes me that not everyone has tactical flashlights who needs them..
But my $0.02:
While on duty and off duty, I always have a Surefire M2 with me, a Streamlight Stinger on my duty belt as well, a Streamlight Ultrastinger in the car.
My M2 has the P61 (120 lumen) lamp assembly in it, which with the low price on 123 batteries now, its great.
The way I see it, especially since my life depends on all my gear, not just a gun, is that, a maglight is like a Hipoint or maybe at best a raven, whereas a Surefire is like a Glock, HK, Sig.
The same way you would not buy bullets that would be ruined by cold weather, you shouldn't have a flashlight that has batteries that are junk in cold weather. (alkaline, nicds, nimhs, etc), lithium is not affected.
But in all reality, if my life is going to depend on it, or also in my case, the life of others constantly, I will only buy and use the best...Because I cannot imagine thinking to myself "what if I had just spent the extra $20"
These days with the prices of the G2 and the lithium 123 batteries being so affordable, it amazes me that not everyone has tactical flashlights who needs them..
Prodigalshooter
Member
My Maglights are for looking around in non-threat situations, like under the bed, in the closet etc, if it is a real threat , I want one of my Surefires. Then I have the Photons for minimal light needs, looking for right key, reading something briefly in the dark, when I don't want to have blinding illumination.
I have my wife carrying a Surefire Executive constantly, I'd rather buy a new battery every week than have her rely on anything less. I've done quite a few flashlight required IDPA matches in total darkness, believe me, the Surefires are far easier to use with a handgun than most other lights. Not all, I know, but most.
Besides, I don't want to use a cheaper one!
I've got an Aviator waiting to be picked up tonight, it looks to be the best of both worlds.
Good price on it too, at Island Security Store, I think it's
www.islandsecuritystore.com
Best price I've seen yet on Aviator with blue led.
Update; got my Aviator, very nice. Mine is the blue led version, nice to have both types of light in one pkg.
This will now be my dedicated combat/self defense light.
I have my wife carrying a Surefire Executive constantly, I'd rather buy a new battery every week than have her rely on anything less. I've done quite a few flashlight required IDPA matches in total darkness, believe me, the Surefires are far easier to use with a handgun than most other lights. Not all, I know, but most.
Besides, I don't want to use a cheaper one!
I've got an Aviator waiting to be picked up tonight, it looks to be the best of both worlds.
Good price on it too, at Island Security Store, I think it's
www.islandsecuritystore.com
Best price I've seen yet on Aviator with blue led.
Update; got my Aviator, very nice. Mine is the blue led version, nice to have both types of light in one pkg.
This will now be my dedicated combat/self defense light.
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gun-fucious
Member
When you really need to see whats going on, get a brinkman Q-Beam million CP spot light. One of the neighbor's kid's was missing one night and the Q-Beam was able to scan the far side of the soccer field like it was day light.
The kid turned up watching videos at a friends house.
The new Streamlight TwinTasks look cool:
http://www.streamlight-flashlights.com/twin-task-tt-2l.html
Streamlight TwinTask 2-Cell Lithium LED/High-Intensity Xenon Flashlight
The Twin-Task line of flashlights offers a patented LED/xenon combination, so you can choose between a super bright light (xenon) and an incredibly long runtime (LED). And the LED Task-Light provides the longevity of an LED with the brightness and range of a conventional high powered bulb using a super high- flux Luxeon. Both the Twin-Tasks and LED Task-Light are ideal to use in a wide variety of applications, including industrial, automotive, security, household, even recreation. And no matter what task you're performing, you'll find them remarkably durable. All are constructed of computer machined aluminum with an anodized finish, are 0-ring sealed, feature an unbreakable polycarbonate lens, and are water resistant.
The kid turned up watching videos at a friends house.
The new Streamlight TwinTasks look cool:
http://www.streamlight-flashlights.com/twin-task-tt-2l.html
Streamlight TwinTask 2-Cell Lithium LED/High-Intensity Xenon Flashlight
The Twin-Task line of flashlights offers a patented LED/xenon combination, so you can choose between a super bright light (xenon) and an incredibly long runtime (LED). And the LED Task-Light provides the longevity of an LED with the brightness and range of a conventional high powered bulb using a super high- flux Luxeon. Both the Twin-Tasks and LED Task-Light are ideal to use in a wide variety of applications, including industrial, automotive, security, household, even recreation. And no matter what task you're performing, you'll find them remarkably durable. All are constructed of computer machined aluminum with an anodized finish, are 0-ring sealed, feature an unbreakable polycarbonate lens, and are water resistant.
cratz2
Member
Here's my problem with MagLights... they're fine for hitting implements that also illuminate close objects to some degree. But compare these two lights. The MagLight 2D is about $20. The Princeton Tec Surge is about $30. Granted, the Mag 2D runs about twice as long as the Surge does but is considerably larger than the Surge, weighs more than the surge and puts out about 1/6th the light as the surge (18 Lumens compared to about 105 lumens.)
Beams at 74 inches:
Beams at 74 inches:
Penforhire
Member
I just picked up a 3C-cell TwinTask and I'd have to say the Xenon bulb is not as bright as I would like it to be. Cool concept though. Note the various models have different numbers of LED's. (mine's got 6 but the D-cell model has 10).
4D cell maglight in left hand, over shoulder, finger on button.
1911 in right hand.
If I need to stop you, I'll shoot you.
If you touch my gun, I'll clobber you.
Baton with lighting capabilities.
Now out of the house is a different matter, and because of the dimness and mostly, their operating mechanisms, a mini-mag is totally unsuitable.
1911 in right hand.
If I need to stop you, I'll shoot you.
If you touch my gun, I'll clobber you.
Baton with lighting capabilities.
Now out of the house is a different matter, and because of the dimness and mostly, their operating mechanisms, a mini-mag is totally unsuitable.
WonderNine
member
Ok, I ordered an E2E off of Ebay yesterday. I hope it's all that everyone claims it is. Also, what are the best batteries to buy?
And anybody know any retail estabishments that carry these type of batteries? Walmart doesn't carry Surefires or the batteries as far as I could see, so I assume Target and Kmart don't either.
Seemed to be a pretty good deal too. If anyone's interested this guy seems to have the best price on E2E's.
The auction.
And anybody know any retail estabishments that carry these type of batteries? Walmart doesn't carry Surefires or the batteries as far as I could see, so I assume Target and Kmart don't either.
Seemed to be a pretty good deal too. If anyone's interested this guy seems to have the best price on E2E's.
The auction.
WonderNine
member
Hmm, ok. I guess I'll have to look harder next time.
The only batteries I have purchased at a regular store were infinitely more expensive than what I paid buying them direct from Surefire. I bought like a couple dozen batteries from Surefire.
http://www.san.surefire.com/cgi-bin/main.pl?pgm=co_disp&func=displ&pgrfnbr=273&sesent=0,0
http://www.san.surefire.com/cgi-bin/main.pl?pgm=co_disp&func=displ&pgrfnbr=273&sesent=0,0
dhoomonyou
Member
bulbs.
Problem with a Mag lite is the bulb, after being lit a short time the bulbs "frost" and it cuts the
light output.
but they all serve a purpose.
I have maglites 2aa & 3d
surefire's
and underwater kinetics 2aaa & 4aa
I recently saw a surefire g2 for $26 at wholesale hunter.com
Problem with a Mag lite is the bulb, after being lit a short time the bulbs "frost" and it cuts the
light output.
but they all serve a purpose.
I have maglites 2aa & 3d
surefire's
and underwater kinetics 2aaa & 4aa
I recently saw a surefire g2 for $26 at wholesale hunter.com
WonderNine
member
I was going to buy my E2E from Wholesale Hunter for $71 until I noticed mine on auction for $58. and $7 shipping instead of $11.
WSH has really good prices on most things though.
WSH has really good prices on most things though.
WalMart definitely sells 123A batteries. I remember having to look kinda hard to find them too. Don't waste your money though when you can get 12 for 15 bucks from surefire's website!! At WalMart they are considerably more expensive!
brad cook
brad cook
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