Good general light

[bratch]

Ran some searches but didn't have any luck finding what I'm wanting.

I'd like to get a nice general light to have around the house or in the truck.

It does not have to be blinding bright or carriable.

I would like it to have a good battery life and be bright enough to see in front of me a few feet.

I've got a Keymate but would like something a bit larger. I also have a TL2 but it seems it would be overkill 99% of the time.

What would you recommend as a good general light?

 

[clipse]

My favorite general purpose lights is my UK 4AA eLED. It is a Luxeon Star LED run by 4xAA batteries for 10 hours of non deminisioning light. Also it is about 50% brighter than a Mini Mag light. For the winter I put Lithium batteries in it and keep it in my car in case I get stuck. I love this little light have have deffinately abused it more than I should and it still keeps working.

Here is a review of the light.
http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/uk_4aaeled.htm

 

[sm]

Am I the only person still using MagLites?

I have these from the "Solitare" on my keyring to the 4 cell model. I keep one next to the bed , in the truck...am I missing something ?

 

[Phantom Warrior]

I use Maglites all the time. I'm looking into a Surefire too, but you can't beat a Maglite for the money. If size isn't an issue I'd recommend a 3D Maglite. They are nice and bright, good for whacking people if necessary, and run about $20 at a Target or other large department store.

The 2AA Maglites are good buys too. I have several. One in the pocket, one in the backpack, etc. Those run about $7. Not super bright, but they get the job done.

If you want a really bright flashlight you can get a Surefire G2 Nitrolon for about $35 bucks at most sporting goods places. They don't have the ubertactical lockout switch or the high intensity reflector (what's the proper term?). But they are very bright and Surefire is about the best name there is in flashlight. And the G2 is about a third what the rest of Surefire's products run. A good choice if you want to get your feet wet.

 

[SteelyDan]

Go here:

https://www.brightguy.com/

and spend a little time looking at the Princeton Tec and Streamlight offerings. You will find whatever you're looking for. Probably worth checking out the UK 4AA eLED mentioned above, too.

 

[Tactical Texan]

My EDC is the Inova X5T.

Five LED's. Pretty bright. Durable. Comes with a decent nylon sheath. Takes two CR123 batts.

I also carry the ASP Sapphire light on my keychain.

Each one of my Kifaru packs has a PAL Safe-Light that I picked up from Ron Hood's place.
WWW.KIFARU.NET
WWW.SURVIVAL.COM

I have two Surefires. I have the E2E and the Z3.

I also have several big Maglites located throughout my residence.

 

[mtnbkr]

IMO, for general use, you can't beat a D Cell (you pick how many) maglight. I have a 6 D-Cell maglight that rarely gets new batteries, yet it's still nice and bright. I think the current set is nearly 4 years old. I check it from time to time.

Chris

 

[Dirty Bob]

UK 4AA eLED

The UK light is just $20 at Brightguy.com How can you lose?

I'm saving my pennies for an Inova T1 LED. Very bright, and fairly tiny (runs on a single CR123A cell, instead of 2. I want it as a daily carry "tactical" light.

All my best,
Bob

 

[Dirty Bob]

I forgot to mention that UK also makes a rechargeable model with a 4-watt xenon bulb. The cool thing is that you can buy the 4-watt lamp assembly ($8.50 at Brightguy, IIRC) and drop it into the 4AA eLED light for a much brighter light (and reduced battery life). Reportedly, the 4AA with the 4-watt lamp puts out a lot of light, perhaps comparable to a Surefire 6P.

The UK 4AA series seems like a very good light for the money. I've just started experimenting with them and will have to report back later.

All my best,
Bob

 

[JohnBT]

"Am I the only person still using MagLites?"

Nope, I own 4 medium and large ones and a couple of the itty-bitty ones. JT

 

[Dirty Bob]

I have MagLites also, and the 2AA Mini MagLites are a very good little light for the price. A Mini MagLite goes along with me whenever I fly, and no one has ever questioned it.

My problems are that the Mini MagLites don't get enough time out of one set of batteries, and the bulbs go out at the least convenient time possible.

A good LED light will give longer life on a set of batteries, and LEDs last a loooooooong time (some in the range of 100,000 hours before failure). Because I never know how long I'll need a light, and I don't want to have a bulb die in the middle of an emergency, I'll continue to choose LEDs for a vehicle or home emergency light.

The selection of LED lights has expanded greatly in the last few years. You may want to look into a headlamp that has both LED and incandescent lamps. That way, you can choose more light (incandescent) when needed, usually by the flick of a switch, or go with the LED for long battery life. A headlamp is extremely useful for looking under the hood of a truck, as it leaves both hands free. Energizer sells an inexpensive headlamp (with red and white LEDs, but no incandescent lamp: about $12) that's available in Wal Mart.

Regards,
Bob

 

[deerhunter17]

I havea mag-lite and I really like it. You can focus in or have a flood light.

 

[George S.]

I keep a 4 D-cell MagLite in my truck. The aluminum case with the batteries installed make a nice and heavy 'persuader' if needed and it even lights up! I have a Mini-maglite in the car and one in my range box.

I also have one of the MagLite "Solitare" single AAA flashlites that serves as a neat little bore light. I'ts small enough that it fits in the receiver of most any centerfire rifle and the light is much brighter than most bore lights. It comes with a ring and small lanyard so it would be great on a key ring.

 

[ruger357]

I do like Surefire, but I keep a 3D-cell MagLite in my car.

 

[Ktulu]

When I got my first Surefire I swore I would never waste another penny on any other flashlight. They're pricey, but they're good. IMO they’re that good.

This doesn't mean I threw out the Maglites I still have. It just means that $10.00 for a Maglite is better spent as $10.00 closer to a new Surefire, IMHO of course.

 

[cslinger]

My vote goes to the Inova line as well.

The X5 is just about the best general purpose light I have ever had. Insane runtime, extremely durable and well built, very bright for it's size, excellent flood spill and uses lithium batteries and with their 10 year shelf life the light will be there when you need it. I have one I have been using for over a year and it is as bright as the day I bought it on the same set of batteries.

The XO, XO3, T1, T2 and T3 are all also excellent lights but tend to be more spot like lights with excellent throw. They make better tactical lights or outside lights. The X5 series is a general purpose gem that is no bigger, smaller actually then a Mini Maglite.

Here are some threads I wrote up about various Inova flashlights.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=105399&highlight=Innova

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=105583&highlight=Innova

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=120030&highlight=Inova

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=120029&highlight=Inova




Chris