Let there be light

[iamhistory]

I am asking for personal experiences with the various flashlights available for practical and tactical use.

I am wondering what your first hand opinions are on your own choices and also on the following choices, keeping in mind illumination, durability, battery power, and price. I will not spend $200 on a flashlight........it pains me to think of spending upwards of $100, but I'd do it if I could rely on the product and not need others.

***Anything by surefire such as G2, Z2, E series, M6 (very expensive though) and those models similar
***Streamlight Stinger HP and Polystinger (which look like solid choices), Scorpion, and TL series (which seem quite nice/quality but I haven't used them yet)
***Extreme LED by Cabelas

Right now I'm using mag lights for practical use and a brinkman xenon light with the tail cap switch and 2 lithium batteries (seemingly the same thing as a surefire just not as fancy or expensive) for tactical purposes. The only thing is..................after a few uses the juice is gone and I've got no more light. I'm looking for advice from you light junkies out there.

Thanks!

 

[jon1996]

iamhistory,
i bought two streamlights last year, i bought a streamlight stinger with the ac/dc chargers all new, i gave $119.99(can be got cheaper) it has been a rock solid light, very bright for its size and a good uniform light, it will shine upwards of 1000feet in a good spot pattern, the light has no black spots in it, the only thing is the runtime which is a hour, i have run it down several times but it is always ready when i need it, also i bought a streamlight ultrastinger ac/dc kit(ac/dc kit has 2 chargers and cords one for vehicle and one for home) it is my favorite of the two for home usage it is 75,000 candlepower and is a flame thrower, it is very bright, it also has a run time of one hour, but it seems to last for like 2hrs when i have used it, it is longer but the same diameter as the stinger other than the head being bigger, i recommend both lights, i hope this helps,
later,
jon

 

[TechBrute]

It's very hard to go wrong with a good ole Surefire 6P. Get one of the new ones with the lockout clicking tailcap. Much more user-friendly than the twist-constant cap they used to employ.

 

[DigMe]

I use the Brinkmann Legend LX that you have and I've been pleased with runtime since I read about how short it is in the lithium xenon lights. I just don't use it for constant-on work tasks and whatnot. I keep an LED light for that and keep the LX in the gun drawer and take it with me on the road. I also carry it with me when I'm out on our land at night to try and spot pigs, coyotes and deer (I don't shoot them) when I'm riding along at night on the 4-wheeler. It's also good for finding my hunting stand. Most lithium xenon lights are going to have similar battery drain. I think the LX is one of the best lights available for the money. I would be VERY surprised if someone could point out a comparable light for $19.98!

brad cook

 

[Ed Straker]

The Mag-Lite, full size or mini, is basically a weapon which can also be used as a light source. And it's not very good at either.
Sure-Fire is the way to go at this time, cost notwithstanding. If you seriously need a light.
Of course, this all depends on what kind of light you need. Flashlight on your person, SureFire. Spotlight, get a rechargeable and keep it in your car. Get at least two Photon MicroLight LEDs. Keep one on your keychain.

My recommendation is to go to www.cutleryshoppe.com and get a SureFire G2 and a Photon or two.

 

[mete]

You might check www.ccrane.com . They have a variety of LED lights and I have just ordered a new model which ,instead of the typical broad beam, has a 10 degree focused beam .

 

[jthuang]

am asking for personal experiences with the various flashlights available for practical and tactical use.

I have owned or currently own a Surefire Z2, E2, E2 Executive and D2 Defender hand-held lights.

While I have not been in a "real life" defensive scenario, I have participated in low-light knife on knife training sessions with the Z2 and E2/E2e. Both are sufficient to disorient an opponent within HTH distance.

The models with the pocket clip (E2/D2) are easily carried sans holster in one's back pocket in bezel-up configuration. This is a boon for those who use the Harries method.

after a few uses the juice is gone and I've got no more light. I'm looking for advice from you light junkies out there.

I'm not sure what you are asking here. Do you mean you are frequently running out of juice on your tactical lights (I guess you're LE so you're constantly doing building searches)? Possible solutions include: (1) carrying spare batteries; (2) carrying a backup light (2=1, 1=none); or (3) buying a rechargeable light like the Streamlight UltraStinger ($99).

 

[mete]

I now have my new LED light . It has the new technology Luxeon LED bulb. have always liked the LED lights because of the long battery life. This one is from www.ccrane.com. I have a six LED and a twelve LED light from them. The three are the same package powered by three "C" cells. The six gives 40 hours of full brightness, the 12 gives 20 hours and the Luxeon gives 10 hours. The white LEDs are made by taking blue LEDs and coating them with phosphors to get white so the color is white but strong in the blue part of the spectrum. The drawback of the LED lights has been that they give a wide floodlight beam. This has now changed with the Luxeon bulb and special lens. It's intresting that the single LED of the Luxeon gives about the same amount of light (as a 12 LED) but with a narrow beam. An excellent new technology. Now you have the choice of wide (for things like working on your car)or narrow beam( for distance). The Luxeon bulb is also available from Pelican, Streamlight, and Surefire.

 

[Hutch]

Posted this on another thread...

Try a Streamlight TwinTask. Got xenon bulb and LED's, and available in AA, C, and CR-123 versions. Click selectable for LED or xenon.