Tactical light?

[theboyscout]

Looking for the best tactical light flashlight brightest LED with a decent price and battery life speaking of Mag lite streamlight and any other what's your professional opinion on the best flashlight that's not too big and can be held when walking with your gun I do not want to attach a light to my pistol

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I carried the same incadescent Streamlight Stinger for 18 years. Never a problem. I recently got issued an new LED model. The LED is much brighter and has great battery life on a charge.

 

[CZ9shooter]

What kind of batteries do you like? And what is your budget?

My EDC is a Fenix PD25. Compact size. Intuitive settings from dim to very bright. Tail switch with momentary function. Gnurling. Single cr123 batrery. All stuff I like. You may not.

The PD35 is only slightly longer but packs a bigger punch.

I have an older ProTac that I use at work, but now Streamlight has a new "X" series in their ProTac line that looks better. They finally added some texture to the smooth aluminum bodies.

Between my two examples I guess it comes down to how you like your brighness adjustment to work. A seperate button to cycle through the modes like the Fenix, or a do everything tail switch like Streamlight uses. ProTacs are programmable too.

IMO, just about any late model flashlight from a reputable maker will be plenty bright and offer sufficient battery life. LED technology has come a long way in past few years.

 

[Armored farmer]

Lots of good lights out there. You can't go wrong with a streamlight.

Streamlight protac. Or streamlight microstream available at Amazon.com

 

[grampajack]

Definitely not a professional opinion here, FYI. I've only used Surefire and Streamlight products, and Surefire is definitely the way to go. Not that I've had any specific problems with Streamlight, but the Surefires are built way better. And of course cost twice as much. Whatever you choose, I would go LED for sure, and try for around 150 lumens. Make sure the button is on the back so you can get a proper grip with your pistol. I would also highly discourage strobe features and brightness settings, which is one reason I dislike the Streamlights.

I would personally look for a used Surefire. They're so rugged I would have no qualms about buying one used, and have.

 

[CZ9shooter]

I would also highly discourage strobe features and brightness settings, which is one reason I dislike the Streamlights.

Not trying to be a Streamlight fanboy here, but most, or maybe all, of their Protacs are programmable. If you don't want any adjustments you can get rid of them. I actually have mine programmed for high only.

 

[grampajack]

Not trying to be a Streamlight fanboy here, but most, or maybe all, of their Protacs are programmable. If you don't want any adjustments you can get rid of them. I actually have mine programmed for high only.

I know, but it's just one more thing to go wrong. I like things simple and straightforward, especially since the overall construction on those is kind of shoddy IMO. Not bashing Streamlight, or at least not trying to, but they're kind of on the edge of what one would consider professional quality equipment.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

I prefer on/off lights myself.

No strobe or flashing. Just a tail cap with momentary on and then click on.

I like the Surefire G2X. You can find them for around $50 and they are 320 lumens.

 

[Armored farmer]

I carry a light in my pocket every day. I like the streamlight microstream. It is simple on/off tails witch. Two way clip can be attached to your cap bill for hands free use. Runs on one common AAA battery. Small and lightweight in the pocket.

 

[grampajack]

I like that two way clip design. Kind of an improvised headlamp. Very cool.

 

[JShirley]

You don't want the brightest LED, or light "splashing" back off near objects will make your light unusable for many tasks. I suggest something like a Fenix or Pelican AA or AAA, paired with a decent 50-200 lumen 123 or AA model.

 

[grampajack]

You don't want the brightest LED, or light "splashing" back off near objects will make your light unusable for many tasks. I suggest something like a Fenix or Pelican AA or AAA, paired with a decent 50-200 lumen 123 or AA model.

I didn't want to say anything because I didn't know if it was just me or not, but I do have trouble with some of the brighter LEDs indoors. Anything past 150 lumens and the splashback makes me have to squint.

 

[redneck]

I really like the Olight Maverick, and carried one for a long time. Ripped the side switch out of it crawling around working on trucks and tractors and replaced it with a nightcore P12 as the specs looked good and it was on sale.

The P12 has 1000 lumens for the top output which is awesome when you are out in the open at night like farm fields, or trying to trail a deer in the woods. It would go a long ways towards blinding somebody if you needed it in a self defense situation too. If you are indoors, or trying to read a map in a vehicle or something you definitely want to use the lower modes. My only complaint about the P12 is its a little big, and the pocket clip it came with isn't very good.

The Olight M18 Maverick is perfect for pocket carry and has 3 modes of varying brightness that are perfect for up close use, indoor use, and light up the back 40. Also has a nice deep carry pocket clip and it's built very tough. I would buy another one in heartbeat if I needed another EDC type light.

I wouldn't buy a light that doesn't have a good high output mode of at least 500 lumens unless you spend all your time indoors.

 

[JShirley]

Yep. It will blind you if reflecting off windows, but even matt surfaces will daze you up close.

 

[JShirley]

wouldn't buy a light that doesn't have a good high output mode of at least 500 lumens

We have different experiences, then. I have been an avid light user in a variety of outdoor and indoor environments for over 20 years, and I think suggesting a 500+ lumen light for most people is reckless. 70 lumens with good quality glass is plenty for "tactical" use.

 

[ilbob]

A lot of tacticalish lights coming on the market the last year or so at bargain prices that seem to be pretty darn good, especially considering they can be had for $20-30 in many cases.

I even see such things advertised on TV these days. during perry mason reruns of all things. they even refer to it as a tactical light and at least one of them is being hawked by someone claiming to be a former fighter pilot. no idea why that would make him an expert on flashlights.

I get the most use out of my fenix E01. i think I paid like $8 for it maybe 5-10 years ago. It promptly went on my keychain and has been there since, mostly in my pocket. always works. can't tell you how many times I have dropped it on the floor and it still works. never a lick of trouble with it. no idea how many lumens, but it is adequate for what I use it for.

I am somewhat suspicious of those hawking the strobe feature as a way to deal with attackers. It seems as likely to disorient me as well as the attacker. But, maybe that is just me.

I have been looking for a 1" flashlight to put on my 9 mm AR. Something simple. I am not an "operator" and never will be, so I am not all that worried about clearing dark alleys and kicking in doors. Not planning on spending a ton of money either.

i did buy a cheap flashlight that claims some god awful lumen rating. i don't know how true the rating is but the thing is bright. I think it is maybe too bright to use inside for 'tactical" purposes but for outside for looking at stuff 100 yards away at night, it works pretty well.

 

[grampajack]

500 lumens?!!!

You could blind an eagle at 100 yards with something like that!

I currently have a 60 lumen head on my Surefire and also have a 150 lumen one, and even the 60 lumen one can reach out 20-30 yards no problem. I prefer it indoors over the 150 lumen one. You just have to see the bad guy, not be able to count the blackheads on his nose.

I think a 500 lumen light used at close range would qualify more as a less lethal deterrent than a tac light. The only practical use I can think of for something like that is if you had a lot of property and wanted to be able to see clear across the back forty.

 

[JShirley]

500 lumens?!!!

You could blind an eagle at 100 yards with something like that!

I currently have a 60 lumen head on my Surefire and also have a 150 lumen one, and even the 60 lumen one can reach out 20-30 yards no problem. I prefer it indoors over the 150 lumen one. You just have to see the bad guy, not be able to count the blackheads on his nose.

I think a 500 lumen light used at close range would qualify more as a less lethal deterrent than a tac light. The only practical use I can think of for something like that is if you had a lot of property and wanted to be able to see clear across the back forty.

Yes, that's true. Over about 150 is useless at close range, and more of a liability than an asset.

 

[theboyscout]

Thank you all forthe advice

 

[redneck]

We have different experiences, then. I have been an avid light user in a variety of outdoor and indoor environments for over 20 years, and I think suggesting a 500+ lumen light for most people is reckless. 70 lumens with good quality glass is plenty for "tactical" use.

Notice how, I recommended what I use personally, rather than point out how my superior training says that everybody else's suggestions are wrong?
This forum is getting to be a joke.

First off, I said it should have multiple modes. That's not a tall order.

Second off, I have never considered myself tactical and suggesting that most people's day to day use would be, is just fantasy if you ask me. I carry one light and can use it to read a map, light up an engine bay, or shine it across a beanfield and see if there are any coyotes between me and the truck.

Yes a 1000 lumen light will mess up your night vision, but mainly if you shine it in your own face. I tend to keep the light pointed at what I want to look at and don't wave it around like a little kid.

70 lumens is good for reading a book in your tent. I don't even know of any "tactical" lights on the market that are that low. I didn't have to look very hard to find a 1000 lumen light, all the popular brands make one....

 

[grampajack]

Notice how, I recommended what I use personally, rather than point out how my superior training says that everybody else's suggestions are wrong?
This forum is getting to be a joke.

First off, I said it should have multiple modes. That's not a tall order.

Second off, I have never considered myself tactical and suggesting that most people's day to day use would be, is just fantasy if you ask me. I carry one light and can use it to read a map, light up an engine bay, or shine it across a beanfield and see if there are any coyotes between me and the truck.

Yes a 1000 lumen light will mess up your night vision, but mainly if you shine it in your own face. I tend to keep the light pointed at what I want to look at and don't wave it around like a little kid.

70 lumens is good for reading a book in your tent. I don't even know of any "tactical" lights on the market that are that low. I didn't have to look very hard to find a 1000 lumen light, all the popular brands make one....

If you shined a 1000 lumen light in your face you wouldn't be seeing **** for quite some time. I accidentally got myself with my 150 lumen light one time and was seeing a spot in front of my vision for about ten minutes afterwards.

 

[olkowsr]

I've got a TRL-2 HL, well worth the money.
- Its 800 lumens and the batterys last about an hour and a half.

The reason I really like it is the rocker switch and the ability to do a fast strobe by pushing down the rocker two times quickly.
Also it has survived being mounted on the front of my AK, which I typically just throw around.

FYI, you ube videos of any flashlight don't do justice.

Just my opinion.

 

[redneck]

If you shined a 1000 lumen light in your face you wouldn't be seeing **** for quite some time. I accidentally got myself with my 150 lumen light one time and was seeing a spot in front of my vision for about ten minutes afterwards.

Did you miss the part where I said carry one everyday? I'm not blind yet. It's not that difficult to not point things at your own face. You'd think people on a gun forum would have a better handle on that.

 

[grampajack]

Did you miss the part where I said carry one everyday? I'm not blind yet. It's not that difficult to not point things at your own face. You'd think people on a gun forum would have a better handle on that.

Dude, take a chill pill. I was merely commenting. Sheesh, if you're this defensive about lights I would hate to get into a 9mm vs. .45 debate with you!

 

[hso]

Look for lights that give you control over the output so you can read a map comfortably and not just light up the moon.