LED flashlight

[gb6491]

I think whoever tested the lumens on those Coleman lights added an extra zero.
I bought one for my mother, and returned it.
Absolutely NOT 100+ lumens.

Sorry to hear yours wasn't, but any product line can have a lemon.
Testing mine against other lights I own (Stinger, SF 8X & E2, Nuwaii Q2) I would say that was the case, becuase mine (like the ones tested by the CPF member) is definitely a 100+ lumen light.
Regards,
Greg

 

[TimboKhan]

For just general use and carry in my bag, I have a 1 watt Ray-O-Vac Sportsman Extreme light that I have been very happy with. It's bright enough to navigate and get around with, but not so bright as to be a distraction. It says it kciks out 45 lumens, a claim that I cannot prove or dispute. For daily use, I like it because it just uses AAA batteries, which are cheap and easily found. I have been searching for a better light for EDC based on my needs, but I think this light will always have a place for me.

For my bedside light, I have a Surefire G2 that I have owned for about three years. The G2 isn't particularly expensive at a little under 40 bucks, and I can't justify a pricier light for my "*** was that!!??!!" bedside light. Again, for my needs, it has been totally satisfactory, to the point where I am considering buying another one.

John said something that I agree 100% with: We all need keychain lights. I have a few of the single-LED cheapies laying around in a drawer for emergency use, but my search for a good keychain light ended completely once I bought the Fenix EO1. At around 12 bucks, the EO1 is about the best little piece of kit I own. It is advertised at 10 lumens, which again, I cannot prove or disprove. What I do know is that it casts more light than a photon, is waterproof, rugged and doesn't add any appreciable bulk to my keychain.

 

[Doug S]

Double post.

 

[Doug S]

Agree on the Fenix EO1. One has replaced my Freedom Photon as my keychain light. It is simpler to use, puts out an adequate amount of light for most uses, and doesn't accidently come on in my pocket and run down the battery. Also easier to replace the AAA lithium than the button cells. I keep a second EO1 attached to a Vic Explorer Plus as my around the house carry. Great little lights.

 

[Rain Dog]

+1 on the Fenix E20. Had mine for about a year, I think. It's been dropped a few times, but it didn't complain. Fit and finish is good, and it's as bright as you'll probably need, at around 109 lumens according to the manufacturer. Sometimes it's even a little too bright.


I got mine for $35, with free shipping. I'm glad I got it instead of the cr123 sucking G2 (incandescent version). I prefer using AA's, as they're more versatile. The only problem I see is that without a holster or a clip, the god damn thing is eating a hole in my jeans pockets.

Fenix is cheap but not cheapie, if you get my meaning. I've had numerous flashlights; many, many Maglites, Garrity, Dorcy, Eveready, Craftsman, Kobalt, and some that didn't even have names. They all disappoint. I'd like to have one of those high dollar Surefires or maybe a Pentagonlight, but people in hell want icewater, and I think we know how that works out.

 

[basicblur]

Just got my Streamlight Night Fighter (with C4 LED) yesterday and played with it in the yard last night. Pretty impressive (120 lumens for around 2 hrs before it starts to drop off).
The big O-ring does allow a "normal" 2-handed grip on my gun-activates with a slight rearward pull to activate the switch on the palm of my hand.
The back can be twisted for constant on, or can be turned to make sure it doesn't accidentally turn on in your pocket etc.

'Course, I got mine primarily for use with a gun (I wanted simplicity), general spotting etc is secondary. I've actually gotten to like the CR123's-with a 10-year shelf life I keep an inventory (got a number of items that use 'em), and there are plenty of places online I can get 'em at decent prices (Optics Planet/Amazon, etc).
Gonna play with a bit more, but I'll proabably order another-one for bedside, one for carry.

Around $58 delivered from Optics Planet using coupon code bx5sm9n (5% off).

 

[JeffLrrp]

Quark AA (from 4sevens.com) - 90 lumens out the front, 12 year warranty, really good CS if you have a problem. Good tint, great beam. around $60. Takes rechargeable, lithium or regular AAs. The bad: made in china (but for an American businessman.

Surefire L1: 65 lumens stated (probably more though, Surefire understates lumen output), good CS, reliable, good company. Bulletproof. American made. Brand used by military and law enforcement. The bad: expensive (around $150)

Fenix lights: plethora of lights to choose from, different lights can take all manner of batteries, from AAA to AAs to CR123s. Good company. Order from fenix-lights.com for free shipping. Website is owned by guy who designed the Quark lights series. Good prices too. The bad: made in PRC (China), but like the Quarks, very very robust and reliable designs.

 

[benEzra]

Surefire G2 LED, or the G3 LED if it's not too big. Surefire also has a newer LED light out that's about the size of a G2 and has a low-beam and high-beam setting, but I don't remember what it's called. I handled one this past weekend, though, and was impressed.

 

[conw]

The only time I've ever wished I had more brightness was when I was searching for a dropped object in the lawn at night...that's when bright lights really work great. Obviously IDing objects at 150-200 yards or more is also the bailiwick of bright lights, but once you get over the playful stage of flashlight carrying, there are few practical reasons to do so.

 

[armsmaster270]

Streamlight
A little pricy but I have the Stinger DS LED and it's worth it. (Rechargeable)
•Up to 18,000 candela (peak beam intensity) and up to 160 lumens measured system output
•Runtime: High – Up to 1.75 hours; Medium – Up to 3.5 hours; Low – up to 6.75 hours; Strobe – Up to 5.5 hours

 

[DAdams]

I have two Fenix and just orderd two 4Sevens. Preon and a Quark Mini.
Discount Code is CPF8 for a discount on anything on the Fenix/4Sevens site.

Lifetime warranty on the 4Sevens.

4Sevens.com

http://www.4sevens.com/index.php?cPath=297

Fenix TK4o 6oo plus lumens on AA batteries. !!!




For rechargable batteries try eneloops by Sanyo.

Best Flashlight website. Candlepowerforum. Check the LED site.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=45

Quark Minis.

I ordered the 1X123A
Cree XP-G R5 emmitter. Adjustable output from 3 lumens to 190 out the front (OTF)!!
This one doesn't have a tactical clicky tail switch. If you want that get a Quark or Quark Turbo.



Preon. I ordered the "kit", it can be 2XAAA or 1XAAA.
This is adjustable up to 160 lumens OTF.

 

[frankiestoys]

I bought a couple of these for around $5 a piece one sits in a book box next to my bed as part of my hd kit.
Office depot sells them. Led, very bright, push button on rear and made of aluminum. Its a great little light better then some costing five time's.

 

[basicblur]

I bought a couple of these for around $5

That looks awfully close to what I have scattered around the house for general use-been buying mine at Advance Auto for $2.50 each.
Great little lights for finding dropped stuff, getting behind the computer, etc, but I dropped one the other day-fell 4 ft. onto a linoleum floor and was DRT (Dead Right There).
I didn't expect much for the price, but you'd think it would at least survive one drop onto a pretty soft surface!

Cheap SOB that I am, I never went quite that cheap for my bedside light, but with the recent price drop of the Streamlight Nightfighter I decided it was time to upgrade.

BTW-didn't know a relative had a Streamlight Rechargable Strion LED-we compared the Nightfighter (120 lumens) with his Strion (160 lumens). Can't tell a lot of difference in a lit room, but you can tell his is brighter-the Strion light also seemed to have a slight bluish tint to it vs the Nightfighter's whiter light. His Strion also had few/no rings/circles in the light-the Nightfighter had a couple of "shaded" rings-not dark, but just not a lit as the rest of the area.
'Course, I haven't checked prices, but he paid well over $100 for his Strion @ Bass Pro Shops (although it is rechargable) vs $57 for my Nightfighter.
(Hey, I TOLD you I was cheap SOB!).

He did like the Nightfighter's O-ring, but measured the barrel of his Strion and it doesn't look like the Nightfighter's O-ring will work on the Strion?

 

[frankiestoys]

basicblur
believe it or not but i mounted one on my 12 gauge, 50 rounds still works!
Before i bought it, i droped it on the floor to make sure it could handel a little abuse
best $5 i ever spent went back and bought 2 more

 

[stars1]

HI, Echo9, If you find the best flashlight yet? If not, I can give you some information.
I'm a big fan of the Surefire's and think for the price you can't go wrong:
http://www.lapolicegear.com/
I prefer the metal case to the plastic case but for the cost of $39 with 10 batteries free it's a win-win situation.

If you want the LED version it's a little pricier:
http://www.sourcingmap.com/flashlight-c-1137_1335.html

My father used the Black 32 LED Ultra Bright FlashLight, I think this one is the best of all the flashlights.

Good Luck!!!

 

[JShirley]

Welcome to THR!

You've linked to LA Police Gear. Which light are you talking about?

 

[The Highlander]

I believe he's referring to this:
http://www.lapolicegear.com/sug2ni.html

Thanks btw, I think I just found the perfect light for my mossberg 500.

 

[stars1]

Sorry, misleading you all. Glad to hear that The Highlander have found the perfect light

 

[poilu]

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.15874

 

[JTW Jr.]

While the G2's are cool for the price , for a few more $$$ , you can have a light that puts out a much better quality of light.
Fenix
or
Four 7's
http://www.4sevens.com/product_info.php?cPath=297&products_id=1600

I have got rid of all my non LED lights , except for an old 6Z , since it was a gift.

 

[JShirley]

I've had quite a few Fenixes, and while I obviously believe they're good lights, I would not say they put our a "better quality of light" than any SureFire. SureFire does excellent beam quality.

 

[JTW Jr.]

For the price , the Fenix are far better than the Surefires , sorry I should have clarified my meaning there. For the price of an incandescent Surefire , you can get a darn good LED Fenix or other is what I was getting at.

Personally I would take a Fenix or Quark over my E1L or E1e ( with KL1 head ).

Surefire may be more suited to rugged use of an LE or Mil , but for mundane EDC , I prefer the Fenix at a much lower price.

 

[AStone]

Hello, my name is Nem.

I am becoming a flash geek.

I've been lurking here for a while
while researching my next LED purchase(s).
I'm finding useful suggestions here.
It's a very enlightening thread.

I have a parallel LED thread going here.
Feel free to join the party.