need tactical flashlight help

[Revolver Ocelot]

I'm looking for a flashlight the it is powered by a common battery such as a aa, I intend on putting it on a rifle.

 

[aubie515]

The suggestions will be endless. My only suggestion is you go with an LED versus Xenon bulb. LED use less energy, so runtimes will be much better. LEDs also do not generate as much heat as a Xenon.

If you want a light that throws a beam over 200 yards...I say take a look at the Streamlight Super Tac...it's Fugly IMO, but it is a very bright light. I have a few and have been impressed.

 

[Jeff White]

You will not get enough light to be useful from anything powered by AA batteries.

 

[Riss]

Look over on here www.instructables.com for instructions on modding the small mag light AA. Basically replace the little bi pin bulb with a $3 LED from RadioShack. That will double or triple the light output.

 

[Revolver Ocelot]

for a double a battery I don't expect anything close to daylight, just need it to be bright enough so I can see what i'm pointing my gun at in close quarters.

 

[keen one]

Mag light double a LED

 

[LAK]

FWIW, while AA batteries are comparatively cheap, that depends on how often you have to replace them. Unless you are going to use rechargable AA batteries it makes better sense to get a rechargable light with a Ni-Cad or L-ion pack. Initially more expensive, but much cheaper in the long run, and a more practical light on your gun.

If you want this to sit on the gun and will hardly ever use it you may as well go with a light using the lithium CR123, and get a much more practical light in the deal too.

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http://gtr5.com
http://ssunitedstates.org

 

[possum]

You will not get enough light to be useful from anything powered by AA batteries.

+1 for anything that is gonna serve you well you are gonna need something powered by 123 batteries, yeah they are not as commmon as "Aa's" but they are easy to get at many many places, and if you stock up you should be good to go.

 

[black bear]

Revolver Ocelot.
The Fenix L1D is small, use one AA battery and is quite powerful for indoor shooting.

The Fenix is not quite one inch in diameter, but you can wrap some electrician tape on the body to make the 1" diameter of most Weaver type mounts.
Like I did in this picture of the Fenix P3D

If your rifle doesn't have any Picatinny rail, a properly countoured Weaver base epoxie and screwed will serve.



Otherwise a clamp mount for the barrel with Picatinny rails will also serve.

This is the UTG available from Cheaper Than Dirt




The UTG has three rails, so more acessories can be mounted, like here on this picture.



Cheers
Black Bear

 

[Revolver Ocelot]

If you want this to sit on the gun and will hardly ever use it you may as well go with a light using the lithium CR123, and get a much more practical light in the deal too.

I have a sure fire 123 already as my primary flashlight, but should it ever hit the fan I'd like something that batteries are very plentiful for.

That fenix might just be the ticket, 175 lumens ain't half bad

 

[amprecon]

I like the Streamlight TLR-1.

 

[LAK]

OK; this might work ..

LED Lenser P7
http://www.ledlenserusa.com/product_info.php?modelNum=8407

I have seen the P6 in the local chain store today; in the packet using the "try it" feature this one seems very bright for a 2 cell AA. The P7 or one of the others ought to be about as good as you are going to get using AA.

http://www.ledlenserusa.com/

 

[orionhawk]

You could try one of the new Duracell Daylite flashlights.

http://www.duracell.com/daylite/index.html

I have a AA and a AAA. They both put out some serious light. I'm not sure how well they (or a Mag 2AA LED) would tolerate being mounted to a firearm, especially if we're talking about a shotgun.

 

[hso]

Ask yourself what you want this for?

If your answer is to provide light in a SD/HD situation at night then you have to realize that the thing has to work 100% of the time when the time comes that you need it.

Weapon lights are not for wayfinding. They are primarily for illuminating a target. You need a lot of light for IDing someone deciding to kill them or not. Lots of light.

The question then becomes will the light you select provide the needed lumens to ID a person. Will it provide that amount of light each and every time you need it?

Can a given combination of batteries and flashlight do that for you?

Will the light mount on your weapon? Do you have to "make it fit" or is it designed to fit? Will a light you have to modify stay put? Will it stay on axis? Can you turn it on while keeping the weapon ready?

All these are important because you're talking about a piece of equipment that will play a role in a life or death situation. It it is just a toy to play with, none of that matters.

 

[adorable_harree]

Also consider the Fenix L2D Q5...180 lumens from 2 x AA batteries.

 

[Revolver Ocelot]

that is exactly what i ended up getting, great flashlight