LED Flashlight suggestion sought

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Surefire e2l aa is a really nice light. I use it all the time in my boat at night as a spotlight. It takes aa batteries and has a nice spring clip. It has a clickey tailcap with the first click low and second click high. I like this much better than the "tactical" tailcap swith with just momentary on and twist for constant on. Super high quality like everything surefire. I use it with enlope rechargeable batteries and am constantly toping them off.

I also like the Inova x2 aa. Feels very rugged and inova has a reputation of building tough lights. It has two modes and you can use a lanyard loop which is nice. I don't like the tactical tail switch where you need to turn it for constant on but it is a minor inconvenience. I also use it with enlope rechargeable batteries. It's also 1/4 the price of the surefire.

Zebralight makes some nice aa lights with a bunch of britness settings. Great general use lights. But definitely a flood light and doesn't sound like what you are looking for. Olight makes something similar the Olight baton which uses AA batteries. No personal experience with it but I have a friend who loves his.

Dan.
 
I then wonder how Boeing and Airbus were able to incorporate large lithium batteries safely into their newer airplane designs?
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Didn't you hear about the Boeing 787s that were grounded after four sets of lithium batteries caught fire?
 
I use a combo, edc'd in the left pocket.

Pelican 1910 with lithium energizer, around 100 lumens and 1 hour runtime, or 20-30lm and longer on low. Single aaa, tiny, and has momentary on. $25.

Klarus xt1c, cr123a, incredible interface, can't remember lumens but great throw and 3 modes. Best feature is the interface which has a momentary/lock regular beam or a dedicated strobe button which is also used to change modes. The strobe can't lock on unless you hold it down for 2 seconds and then it locks on, digitally. The strobe also changes strobe rate when left on.

Simply can't imagine a better combo.

I also keep a xt2c on the nightstand and glove box light, which accepts 18650s. I like the xm-l emitter which spreads the beam really evenly without much hotspot, you give up throw but the coverage is great for working inside structures.
 
Jim Watson said:
Didn't you hear about the Boeing 787s that were grounded after four sets of lithium batteries caught fire?
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Indeed I did. Although the batteries prove problematic, Boeing and Airbus are still planning on including them in their final designs.
 
I also have a Streamlight Protac 2L. I've had it a couple years. They're pretty reasonable on Amazon. Plenty bright on high, also has low beam, and fits in my pocket nice. Well worth the money spent.

Jeff
 
jlr1962 said:
Have any of you used the strobe function on any flashlight, ever?
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Daily no, in a training/tactical usage 100% yes.

I don't usually discuss this stuff on thr but if you want to learn more try taking "armed movement in structures" with SouthNarc. He demos a way to move through a dark or semilit area, where the goal is to present the most difficult target or least certain position to anyone else in the room with you, that works about 10x better with the strobe.

Has surefire et al overhyped the strobe? Sure, it's no beam of doom. Does it have uses? Reputable trainers, and my experience, would say absolutely yes.
 
conw said:
Daily no, in a training/tactical usage 100% yes.

I don't usually discuss this stuff on thr but if you want to learn more try taking "armed movement in structures" with SouthNarc. He demos a way to move through a dark or semilit area, where the goal is to present the most difficult target or least certain position to anyone else in the room with you, that works about 10x better with the strobe.

Has surefire et al overhyped the strobe? Sure, it's no beam of doom. Does it have uses? Reputable trainers, and my experience, would say absolutely yes.
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I wondered what that was for. I don't kick in doors for a living. I guess somebody's got to do it.
 
jlr1962 said:
I wondered what that was for. I don't kick in doors for a living. I guess somebody's got to do it.
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I guess that's one way to look at it, but do you carry a gun for personal protection? (rhetorical question)

If so, it seems that the same reasoning you use for that could be applied to other things - nonlethal options, field self trauma care, hand to hand skills, movement and positional skills under lethal threat, low light engagement...

At least, that's how I see it :)
 
Have any of you used the strobe function on any flashlight, ever?
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Haven't needed it yet, but it's great for a vehicle light. A strobe is far more effective at getting people's attention and getting them to slow down than the car's hazard lights are. A strobe is great for any type of signaling need or contingency.
 
Thanks

Thanks again for all the suggestions. I ended up buying a Four Sevens Maelstrom MMR-X. Ordered it on the 23rd and recieved it on the 26th, free USPS shipping! So far very happy with it. It definately is larger than an AA light, but it sure has more output and options. The moonlight setting is perfect for just enough light when everything is dark and the maximum setting has enough power and focus to easily identify object at 70-80 yards. It includes its proprietary battery and charger, and while I'm not fond of it being a proprietary battery it can use standard 18650's, but with limited options. I'll let you know in a few months how it holds up.

Quincy
 
Tulster.....

I saw a good rechargeable/Li C123A powered white light on the main website of holster maker Tulster. It's the same size and power(lum output) as the Fenix models. It costs around $80-90.00 USD. The white lights are bright & include strobe features for self defense/emergency signals. ;)
 
I saw a good rechargeable/Li C123A powered white light on the main website of holster maker Tulster.
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I just checked, and Tulster is selling Klarus flashlights. Klarus is another of the better Chinese brands, and they have lights that are very similar to many of JetBeam/Nitecore's offerings. Tulster only has three Klarus models in stock. If you want a full line of Klarus products check Going Gear.
 
Klarus....

I checked a few more US websites for the Klarus brand. The XT12 is the white light I might buy next. It's bright(960lum), can use Li C123A or be recharged with a protected USB port ;) . It has a slew of add ons/accessories: blue/red lenses, holster, strap, etc. The sale price was about $79-$89.00 USD but it looks better than the Fenix PD35 2014 ed.
RS
 
If you make the jump to Li-ion, do your due diligence and do some reading of the potential dangers. Get a quality charger, name brand protected batteries, and don't leave the batteries charging unattended overnight. They work great, but there are risks involved. They're not for everyone.

Another option is to get some eneloops. You can get them in AA and AAA. Low Self Discharge (LSD) rechargeables hold their charge and aren't a concern for runaway cells. They've come a long way. People still stuck on alkalines don't realize how well they work.

Good luck.
 
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