Need an LED flashlight

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goon

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I am looking to get an LED flashlight or two. I know about nothing about them so I have a couple questions.
1. Can I have some recommendations for some thing fullsized? Comparable to a mag-lite would be acceptable. I know that there are guys out there converting maglites but I can't afford $500 for a flashlight. Anything available but functional in the $30 or so range if possible. I'd also want it to take normal batteries of some flavor.
2. What about a smaller one for mounting on a handgun? I'm willing to spend a little more on this one and I wouldn't cry if I had to use Lithium 123s in it.
Thanks.
 
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Hate to rain, but an LED comparable to a Mag is going to outside your budget. However I will say that a well made flashlight is always money well spent.

Streamlight ( streamlight.com ) is pretty much the best all-around flashlight available atm. This propolymer is probably your best bet for quality and function at a semi-reasonable price. If you're really determined to stay within $30, just google for 'em as they'll mostly fall within the same range of performance, which will be I'm sorry to say, mediocre.

Can't advise you on handgun lights, as I don't care for them, but I'm sure a wealth of THR info will be along shortly. Best thing about this site, if it's out there, someone here has tried it.
 
Just realized I didn't include any pricing.

The LED I linked is about $60, and dirt-cheap at that, given the difficulty of finding good lighting in an LED platform.
 
I think your best option for question #1 is THIS light (comes in yellow or black - that's the body color, not the LED color). About $30 shipped from the vendor to which I linked. I've done the modified Maglite deal (made them myself), and, while the modded Mags are brighter, the Streamlight I suggested is just a good, well-priced, brighter than a 2-cell Mag, water-resistant, impact resistant, all around light.

It gives a consistant 3 - 4 hours worth of light on a set of batteries. Be sure to get the Luxeon version, and not the LED version. The Luxeon has a high power LED. The LED version has multiple low-power LEDs and is not as bright.

I have one and really like it. Four AA batteries (alkaline or rechargeable - be sure to put them in the right way) and a very good amount of light. Way too bright for reading in bed - I think it rivals my Surefire 6P / G2.
 
The STREAMLIGHT ProPolymer mentioned above is an excellent light in your price range.

Others I can recommend.
The new LED based Maglights are decent.
The Dorcy "1 watt" is a pretty good light though hard on batteries for an LED light.
The new Dorcy K2 light will be out soon (probably about $50) and runs on the more expensive CR123A batteries (buy in bulk from Surefire or Pentagonlight for the best price) but is sure to be a real barn burner for power.
 
You might want to take a look at Fenix. I have several and have given several as gifts. They are great lights for the money. I've been carrying the L0P-SE in my pocket every day for a year now and it still looks like new. I use it frequently and I'm only just now thinking of replacing my first Lithium battery. They It's only slightly larger than the AAA battery inside it and it's as bright on high as a 2D cell mag light. The new version with the Cree LED is as bright/brighter than the 3D cell mag light.

https://www.fenix-store.com/index.php?cPath=22_55&osCsid=69cca8993e181a7820e87a069957543c

I also recommend taking a poke around over at http://www.candlepowerforums.com. They're a nice group and there is a lot of great information in their forums. The LED and Review forms have running discussions about bargains. These guys are always looking for deals. e.g. http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=167532

For the LED lights you'll want to use Lithium batteries or rechargeable. They have a much flatter power curve than akalines. Here's an example graph from a review at CPF of the Fenix L0P-SE by Chevrofreak

High
Fenix%20L0P-SE%20-%20High.png


Med
Fenix%20L0P-SE%20-%20medium.png


Low
Fenix%20L0P-SE%20-%20low.png


original post http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=137677&highlight=graph
 
Dorcy 1W or 3W are GREAT lights for the price ($20-$30). They are very bright, and run well with the energizer rechargeables.
 
the neatest flashlight i've ever bought is a stanley maxlife 369 tripod..... check out one of these at your local menards or hardware store...........i like the way i can push a button and it will stand on three legs very stable and the head tilts!
 
I'll throw in another vote for the Streamlight Propolymer 4AA lux flashlight. Its the light that I use for firefighting. It is one heck of a light.

clipse
 
The ProPolymers are very good. I have a UK eLED 4AA that is similar and offers about 10 hours of semi-bright, regulated light, followed by about 70 hours of dimming light!

My EDC light is an Inova T1, which I carry alongside my wallet in my front pants pocket. Fairly bright, with a single CR123a cell for power, and a nice, white LED. It has a "clickie" tailcap. I have a Tiger Ring (O-ring lanyard) on it, so I can slip my index finger in the ring and then can open my hand without dropping the light.

Try Batterystation.com or brightguy.com for Inovas. They're also at emergencyoptions.com and other sellers.

Here's the Tiger Ring. I attached it with a short piece of "gutted" paracord. I overlapped and stitched the ends, then pulled the stitched part into the lanyard tunnel:
attachment.jpg

Regards,
Dirty Bob
 
I bought a couple of these at Lowes a couple weeks ago. I confess - I don't know how they would compare to more expensive lights, but for under $12, and 3AAA batts, it fits a need very nicely: small size, bright light, decent battery life. I put one in each of my cars for a quick light, another in my tool box, and keep one in the bedroom by my weaponry.

Also works great for finding my wife's contact lenses when she drops them on the floor :p

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=174261-50584-FT-NS-3AAA 6L&lpage=none
 
+1 on Fenix lights- well made, and really good "bang for the buck". I have always cheaped out on flashlights, but after doing some reading and seeing some good lights, i decided to go for it. NOT all the way to Surefires, but for under $100 I got the L0P-CE (1 AAA) for my pocket, and I think the L2D- CE (2 AA) for carrying/goody bag use (from Lighthound).

I can't say enough- amazing amount of really good light- good color, smooth beam without dark spots. I also really like having the choice of using the blazing bright beam or 2 other light level- kind of frustrating only having a high beam and trying to do something close-up. Good run times, takes Lithium or rechargeables (IIRC)

For me, having now used a decent light, I wouldn't want to go back to cheap lights. You'll be amazed at what you've been missing. Really not that expensive for what you get.
 
CREE LEDs

If you're buying something today get a light with a CREE LED. They're the newest, latest, greatest. When I lose or wear out my Luxeon LED light that's what I'll be getting. Assuming there isn't something better by then. :p
 
No one mentioned SureFire? Not cheap but nice. Coast also makes some nice, heavy duty flashlights sold as 'tactical' model.
 
Most Maglites put out about 50 lumens, so any LED Surefire that is brighter then that will work. You have the G2L and the 6PL that are 80 lumens, you also have the L1 that is 60 lumens. The L1 is a single battery flashlight.
 
Or you can customize a MagLite!

  1. I start with a 2C MagLite.
  2. Insert a piece of plastic tubing (purchased at Lowe's) so that the CR123A batteries don't rattle around. My piece of tubing was curved from being on the spool, but a few moments in boiling water straightened it.
  3. Insert three CR123A batteries.
  4. Replace the bulb with a Xenon bulb for a 6-cell MagLite, or a regular Krypton bulb for a 5-cell MagLite (Do NOT use a Xenon for a 5-cell MagLite! It will "pop" when you turn the light on!)
  5. Re-assemble. Some people shorten the spring in the tailcap slightly, but I have not had any problems with the stock spring.
I didn't invent this mod, but I like it a lot! It gives you a very bright light at a very low price! Bulbs are a whole lot cheaper than for some of the elite tactical lights, and this light is much lighter in weight than a stock 2C MagLite with batteries in place.

Regards,
Dirty Bob
 
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I use a Fenix L1D (CREE LED, 1 AA battery) for EDC. It fits nicely in the change pocket of a pair of jeans. Bright enough for SD tactical situations (won't blind anyone, but it will allow you to ID a target at handgun-fighting distances), cheap enough to run for everyday use.

Mike
 
On the vastly less glamorous side, Sam's has a pair of 3-watt LED flashlights in a blister pack for ~ 30bux. Metal construction, lanyards, batteries included, 3xAAA's that fit in a carrier in the barrel of the light. Tailcap on-off switch. I like mine.
 
Add another vote for the Streamlight ProPolymer 4AA Luxeon. I have one in black and I just came back from a week-long camping trip. It really blazes its way through the night and is very weather resistant. In fact it was so bright one of my fellow students commented on that fact ...

One thing ... the light is not very "tactical" (can't really mount it to a longarm and the shape of the handle is not very conducive for use in the Harries or Surefire position). But then again, it's not what it was designed to do. It's a very good utility light.

[NB: the Streamlight's switching can be used for momentary and constant on/off. So I guess that's kinda tactical, haha).
 
I just put the TRL1 Streamlight on my G19. It has a toggeling momentary/constant on switch which is easily accessable. I was amazed at how bright the little light is. It has a very focused beam. I can see where it would disorient a BG in a dark scenario. It takes two of the Li 123's. I have not had it long enough to tll you how long the batteries perform. It was a little over $100.
 
not led, but bright and cheap

this seems pretty close to what dirty bob was talking about

http://grove.ufl.edu/~ufprc/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1101

"I like bright handheld lights such as the surefire E2 but they can get pretty expensive. Here is a little project where you can make a pretty bright little light for under $10-$15.

Here are the item.

A Cheap flashlight
- Rayovac Value Bright = $0.84 (Walmart)
- Eveready 2AA flashlight = $1.34 (Target)
[Photos below are of Eveready light project. I did the same build with the rayovac with the same results.]

Batteries
- 3 Duracell 132 3V Lithum Batteries = approx $5 each (Walmart)
Note: can be found cheaper online or at Micanopy range for $3 each

Bulb
- 7.2V 600mA Krypton bulb = $1.34 (Radio Shack)





Inside flash lights are ridges that hold AA batteries. To get rid of these ridges I used a 1/2" drill bit and file.





Then just put in the 3 3V batteries and swap the existing bulb for the 7.2V Krypton bulb. The result is an amazingly bright light for $10-$15 (biggest cost depends on price of batteries).




I especially like the fact that the light still looks like a common $1 light. Imagine the look on someone’s face when they are showing off their new Surefire light and you show then this cheap little baby. It may or may not not outshine their Surefire (If it doesn't it will definitely will come close) but one thing is clear, it is impressively bright for a $1 flashlight."
 
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