I just picked up a 128 lumen,coast, 6 led's, and wasn't that impressed, "for in and outdoors". I am thinking double that, would be more in the area I want. I would like one that is not attached to the weapon, "but could be" ,put on a rifle. Surefire just costs too much for my brain to release $500.00 on a flashlight. I know it could save your life, but in this economy it's just too much money. Any other ideas.I picked this up at Home Depot, they have a pretty large selection suprisinglly, and they are Tacticle lights, not just flashlights.
How many lumens do you look for in a tac light
- Thread starter gym
- Start date
- Status
Ragnar Danneskjold
Member
A Surefire G2 LED makes a decent handheld and can also be put on an AR-15 with a 1" mounting ring, of which many are available. Together that would be less than $100. You can also get a corded pressure plate that replaces the push-button end cap for about $30.
I don't really put much stock in the whole "blind the BG with the brightness" idea. I generally carry a Streamlight PT1AA. It's 50 lumens at it's brightest, and also has a low power, and a strobe setting. I like it because it takes 1 AA battery, is small and light, and cheap enough that I can get a couple of them and stash them in my BOB, glovebox, night-stand, etc.
I also carry a 5.11 "Light for Life" on duty which has a 270 lumen peak setting, is super lightweight, and recharges completely from empty in about a minute. It can also be charged 50,000 times before losing it's ability to store power. Meaning, you could charge it once a day for your whole life and never wear it out, hence the name. It's one of the best lights I've ever owned.
On a side note, I think it would be awesome if 5.11 would make another "light for life" but about the same size as a G2. I think there would be a tremendous market for a small handheld tac light that recharges in less than a minute and lasts a lifetime. No more 123 batteries.
EDIT: I just checked out the 5.11 site and saw their ATAC A1 which seems to perform the same function as the PT1AA, but with twice the output. I may look into that...
I don't really put much stock in the whole "blind the BG with the brightness" idea. I generally carry a Streamlight PT1AA. It's 50 lumens at it's brightest, and also has a low power, and a strobe setting. I like it because it takes 1 AA battery, is small and light, and cheap enough that I can get a couple of them and stash them in my BOB, glovebox, night-stand, etc.
I also carry a 5.11 "Light for Life" on duty which has a 270 lumen peak setting, is super lightweight, and recharges completely from empty in about a minute. It can also be charged 50,000 times before losing it's ability to store power. Meaning, you could charge it once a day for your whole life and never wear it out, hence the name. It's one of the best lights I've ever owned.
On a side note, I think it would be awesome if 5.11 would make another "light for life" but about the same size as a G2. I think there would be a tremendous market for a small handheld tac light that recharges in less than a minute and lasts a lifetime. No more 123 batteries.
EDIT: I just checked out the 5.11 site and saw their ATAC A1 which seems to perform the same function as the PT1AA, but with twice the output. I may look into that...
o Unforgiven o
Member
You should be looking less at the advertised (and often inflated) output and more at the quality of the maker. Coast would be on the bottom end, while Surefire is at the top. Surefire has two models with 200 (often underrated) lumens costing about $100 and $90 respectively. The polymer G2X Pro/Tactical and the aluminum 6PX Pro/Tactical. Differences between them are the Pro version has 15/200 lumen modes while the Tactical only has 200 lumen mode. I bought a G2X pro as a gift this year and one for myself and I like them a lot.
G2X Tactical http://www.surefire.com/G2X-A-BK
G2X Pro http://www.surefire.com/G2X-B-BK
6PX Tactical http://www.surefire.com/6PX-A-BK
6PX Pro http://www.surefire.com/6PX-Pro
G2X Tactical http://www.surefire.com/G2X-A-BK
G2X Pro http://www.surefire.com/G2X-B-BK
6PX Tactical http://www.surefire.com/6PX-A-BK
6PX Pro http://www.surefire.com/6PX-Pro
Purgatory
Member
I'm with you, Gym, I've never been able to justify spending $100 or more on a flashlight.
Although the good ones I've seen were pretty impressive.
I'll probably have to break down and get a really good one eventually.
The 5.11 "Light for Life" sounds interesting.
Although the good ones I've seen were pretty impressive.
I'll probably have to break down and get a really good one eventually.
The 5.11 "Light for Life" sounds interesting.
Walking Dead
Member
There are a bunch of good deals on surefire lights on eBay.
sniper5
Member
Got 2 of these:
http://www.amazon.com/Fenix-TK12-R5-LED-Flashlight/dp/B003B2K5YK
Got one mounted on my shotgun with a pressure switch and one in the glove compartment in the car. Haven't found anything I don't like about it yet.
http://www.amazon.com/Fenix-TK12-R5-LED-Flashlight/dp/B003B2K5YK
Got one mounted on my shotgun with a pressure switch and one in the glove compartment in the car. Haven't found anything I don't like about it yet.
DC Plumber
Member
I want minimum 80 lumens, decided merely by experience.
I have a Surefire G2 which uses c123 batteries and has the standard bulb that they offer, not an LED.
My best little carry light is a EagleTac that uses one AA, has a single LED and has two light levels. The high level is advertised at 80 lumens and 8 hours of run time.
I plan on buying the upgrade LED for my Surefire G2, just because. Check out some of the flashlight forums, just like THR, it is pretty interesting. Cree seems to make some of the best LEDs. Professionals will tell you that the reflector is crucial to a good beam, which I put stock in as well. No, you don't need to spend $200, but we don't need $1200 guns either. Buy what makes you happy. It most likely won't be your last one either.
I have a Surefire G2 which uses c123 batteries and has the standard bulb that they offer, not an LED.
My best little carry light is a EagleTac that uses one AA, has a single LED and has two light levels. The high level is advertised at 80 lumens and 8 hours of run time.
I plan on buying the upgrade LED for my Surefire G2, just because. Check out some of the flashlight forums, just like THR, it is pretty interesting. Cree seems to make some of the best LEDs. Professionals will tell you that the reflector is crucial to a good beam, which I put stock in as well. No, you don't need to spend $200, but we don't need $1200 guns either. Buy what makes you happy. It most likely won't be your last one either.
thefamcnaj
Member
I paid a lot for my coast at Lowes. I wasn't overly impressed with it, but its the nicest light I've ever had and it sits on the night stand. I want a good light but they are more than I consider a flash light to be worth. I saw some off brand tac lights at the gun show yesterday. 120$ for a light laser combo and 4 settings. I was considering it for my G30 but it was only 180 lumens the guy said.
What would be in between a coast and a sure fire?
What would be in between a coast and a sure fire?
Jim Watson
Member
Most of them are bright enough for self defense; I am not going on the offensive with a searchlight, leave that to the police.
The main thing I want in a "tactical light" is on-off operation.
I don't want multiple brightness or strobe or SOS off of one switch as is cheap to program and advertise. A separate switch for different modes might come in handy occasionally but I don't want to have to select options to get continuous bright light.
The main thing I want in a "tactical light" is on-off operation.
I don't want multiple brightness or strobe or SOS off of one switch as is cheap to program and advertise. A separate switch for different modes might come in handy occasionally but I don't want to have to select options to get continuous bright light.
thefamcnaj
Member
Anyone tried the pelican led lights? I read great things about them but never handled one.
tnxdshooter
Member
At least 180
Sent from Droid Incredible on Verizon Wireless
Sent from Droid Incredible on Verizon Wireless
steven58
Member
I carry a Surefire LX 2 Lumimax. Simple, strong with high and low settings. Push tailcap slightly = low power. Push it all the way = 200 lumens. Twist tailcap for constant on low. Twist some more for constant high.
This and a stout pen goes into high security areas without a glance. Not my first choice in defensive tools but it's better than fingernails.
This and a stout pen goes into high security areas without a glance. Not my first choice in defensive tools but it's better than fingernails.
gvcandyman
Member
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2010
- Messages
- 21
I have both the g2 and a stream light. I like the stream light because it's super small but still has 180 lumen as well as 3 functions. high strobe and low. It does everything I want and is super small. The g2 is good for the price and is perfect for mounting on a weapon plus I've never had one not work for me. Both of these cost about the same at between $40-50.
The more the better, but you have to remember that at onetime before where LEDs were mainstream, the major manufactures such as SureFire, Streamlight, etc. used the incandecent bulbs on their *Tactical* lights and they were only rated at 80 lumens, 100 lumens, etc. I hope this helps. God Bless 
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
That's your problem right there!
There are Chinese Lumen's, and there are Surefire Lumen's.
And they are not the same lumen's!
No 6-LED or multi-LED light will put out nearly as much light as a single CREE type LED, as used by Surefire and others.
I would venture a guess that the old Surefire 80 Lumen incandesent bulb puts out more actual light then your 128 lumen 6-LED flashlight.
The new version of the 6P, the G2X uses a single LED producing an actual 200 Lumens.
rc
Onward Allusion
Member
For a handheld, I'd go with something in the 300 lumen range with multiple intensity settings. Most of the time 300 lumen is overkill and can actually cause issues.
I have several lights in the 70-90 range. Try a test; wait until full dark. This is different in a city with a lot of ambient light than in the country, so 'full dark' will vary. Take your flashlight, let your eyes adjust to the gloom, and do a two second activation against a white wall. Now see how long it takes for you to be able to see in the dark again.
The reason most tactical lights stop shy of 100 lumens isn't because of a technical barrier or a cost issue, but rather due to the limit of the eye to readjust to darkness. If you want an all-purpose light that can be used well outdoors (where you need a lot more juice), there are several models with multiple brightness settings.
The reason most tactical lights stop shy of 100 lumens isn't because of a technical barrier or a cost issue, but rather due to the limit of the eye to readjust to darkness. If you want an all-purpose light that can be used well outdoors (where you need a lot more juice), there are several models with multiple brightness settings.
Yes, absolutely loved mine. Wish I knew where it was now... my buddy had one as well, somehow messed up his tailcap switch twice, they sent him repacements both times, no charge, very fast.
I'm currently running Fenix lights (PD31 and PD30) and they are very satisfactory as well.
catnphx
Member
I got this Surefire G2X and love it; it sits by my bed. At 200 lumens with one push of the button, it's very reassuring that you are getting bright light immediately.
Surefire G2X
Surefire G2X
A bunch of guys on our crew at work were into a "latest, greatest, tactical-cop" light fad for a couple of years. Mostly Surefires and Streamlights. Guys actually bragging that the things used special ($11 a pop) batteries. (was kind of funny, but that is another story)
One fellow came in with a Inova T-4 one day. Thing was so bright it would burn your freekin corneas out. It was like 225 lumens and came with a rechargeable battery and charger (12voltDC or 120voltAC) He bragged on the thing. After trying it myself, I was so impressed that I came off $125 and bought one. Been using it heavily for six months and have nothing but good to say about it. I don't use it "tactically", but it is on my side at work every day. It gets a lot of use. I only charge the thing for about 2 hours, once a week. Looks like some sort of gun mount could easily be had for it for a rail on a long gun. All I know is the thing works every time I click the button and it lights my pasture up at night. Highly recommend it.
http://www.swissknifeshop.com/inova...e=googlebase&gclid=CPupp_7bja0CFQpS7AodV1n6lg
One fellow came in with a Inova T-4 one day. Thing was so bright it would burn your freekin corneas out. It was like 225 lumens and came with a rechargeable battery and charger (12voltDC or 120voltAC) He bragged on the thing. After trying it myself, I was so impressed that I came off $125 and bought one. Been using it heavily for six months and have nothing but good to say about it. I don't use it "tactically", but it is on my side at work every day. It gets a lot of use. I only charge the thing for about 2 hours, once a week. Looks like some sort of gun mount could easily be had for it for a rail on a long gun. All I know is the thing works every time I click the button and it lights my pasture up at night. Highly recommend it.
http://www.swissknifeshop.com/inova...e=googlebase&gclid=CPupp_7bja0CFQpS7AodV1n6lg
Last edited:
LawScholar
Member
I recently got a Streamlight TLR-1 rated at 180. That sucker is bright.
88 Cutlass
Member
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2010
- Messages
- 28
Me and my dad both swear by Fenix Flashlights. He has a TK12 and I have a Tk15. The 15 is really nice because it has 4 different power settings. I would not hesitate to buy them over surefire and streamlight.
Rail Driver
Member
I bought a UTG "tactical" light from CheaperThanDirt.com a little over a year ago... I've gone through a fair amount of batteries (200+ lumens), but a set of fresh batteries gives me plenty of output, the light is plenty bright and it's well made. I've dropped it, thrown it, stepped on it, kicked it, etc with no noticeable damage other than minor scratches in the finish.
I think I paid $60 or $70 for it, and it comes with two "handles" one with a rail mount and one without. *Edit to add: It also comes with a push button and a remote switch.* It's also got a good bit of weight to it along with a strike bezel... I wouldn't want to get hit with it.
I can't afford all that "top tier gear", so I get what I can afford. If it means replacing things when they break so be it, I will try something different next time... Quality can be found even among "cheaper, no-name" products.
I think I paid $60 or $70 for it, and it comes with two "handles" one with a rail mount and one without. *Edit to add: It also comes with a push button and a remote switch.* It's also got a good bit of weight to it along with a strike bezel... I wouldn't want to get hit with it.
I can't afford all that "top tier gear", so I get what I can afford. If it means replacing things when they break so be it, I will try something different next time... Quality can be found even among "cheaper, no-name" products.
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked
