The ULTIMATE Gun Light!!!!

[Little Wolf]

I just picked up a streamlight TL-2 LED light which I will mount to my shotgun via rail. You can view the light here.

http://www.streamlightdistributor.com/streamlight-tl-2-led-flashlights.aspx

# Two 3 volt CR123A lithium batteries with a storage life of 10 years (included)
# C4 LED is 2X brighter than a Super high-flux LED – Up to 7,500 candela (peak beam intensity); 120 lumens
# Anti-roll head
# Up to 3.5 hours of runtime to the 10% output level.
# Pocket clip, adjustable lanyard
# Head: 1.25;" Body: .9" x Length 5.25"
# 4.3 oz. with batteries
# Available in black

It is a nice light, there is only one problem.....it accepts those hard to find 3v lithium batteries.

If such a light, like that one, came that accepted AA or AAAs it would be perfect.

Does anyone know such a light, that accepts AAs?

My KINGDOM for such a light!!!

 

[Zach S]

It is a nice light, there is only one problem.....it accepts those hard to find 3v lithium batteries.

Get surefires. Available at any local surefire dealer and numerous online vendors at a much better price than the ~$10/pair you pay for 123s at any box store.

I've been using surefire 123s in my Streamlight M3 for years. I buy them by the box.

 

[Avenger29]

Surefire 123As are sold at Lowes for $5/pair. Check with your local gunstores, also.

 

[halfded]

I bought a flashlight from wal-mart. Has the cree lamp and is rated at (I think) 125 lumens. Aluminum body with a pushbutton tailcap. Looks a lot like the surefire G2. Runs on 3 AAA batteries with a run time of 6 hours.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=13029915

$25. Only downside is they only had the blue ones when I got mine. Lights up the same. They offer a version that runs on the Lithium Ion batteries too, but, in addition to being more expensive, they don't last as long and the beam doesn't carry as far (something like a 20 meter difference). The run time on the Lithium version is only 3 or 4 hours as well.

I love my little flashlight. It is BRIGHT and well constructed. I'm pretty sure it would fit into a 5/8" scope ring for a ghetto rail mount.

I'll PM you the address you're kingdom can be sent to..

 

[HGUNHNTR]

CR123's are definitely not hard to find.
Walmart,cvs,Cabelas, Walgreens,Target,Basspro,Multiple stores online, come to mind.

 

[hankdatank1362]

Actually, this would be the ultimate gun light :



Mounts on your Ma Deuce!

 

[X-Rap]

I just bought 100 for $1.20 each. Locally they are $1.80 by the dozen. Long shelf life and commonality to a lot of my lights is well worth it.

 

[Yosemite Sam]

I second the Surefire brand CR123A's. 12 for $21 from them:

http://www.surefire.com/12-Pack-Batteries

I got the same thing at Cabela's for more than $21. Go with Made in USA or Japan for your CR123As because others have been known to "vent with flame" (explode violently). Also, in the lights that take 2 of these batteries, mixing old and new is just asking for fireworks.

Walmart has Energizer Photo Lithium CR123As, 2 for $10. Way overpriced.

 

[rust collector]

As others have said, 123As should cost $1 to 2 each. They keep well, so no worries about buying extras. Cold does not affect them nearly as much as alkies, and you can get rechargeable cells as well.

I agree that AAs are cheaper and smaller in diameter, but there are good reasons to run lithium cells. Recharging makes a lot of sense no matter what size you need.

I am sure someone is making quick detach mounts so these lights can be used with or without the gun, but they are not as common as they should be. Streamlight also makes a gunlight that incorporates an aiming laser as well. Good stuff.

 

[Zach S]

As others have said, 123As should cost $1 to 2 each. They keep well, so no worries about buying extras.

Haha, I keep two boxes in the house. When I have to open the second box, I buy another. I keep another box in each vehicle.

Two handhelds take two each, two for my 590 fore end, two more for my M3, three in my AR's G3 LED. That's almost a box right there...

 

[MrCleanOK]

Buy 'em in bulk online. The shelf life is long enough that they won't go bad before you use them. CR123A batteries beat the pants off AA and AAA alkaline batteries. Lighter weight, twice the voltage per battery, better range of operating temperatures. I don't buy lights that don't run on CR123's any more.

 

[highorder]

I don't buy lights that don't run on CR123's any more.

I don't have a 123A light I don't run rechargeable anymore.

Li ion cells cost $8.00 each, last for at least 1000 charge cycles, and allow you FREE lumens.
Toss them on the charger for 20 minutes every few weeks, or after extended use.

Charging every 3 weeks, one cell will last you [strike]57 years[/strike] forever.

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

Exactly what charger and batteries would you recommend with a Surefire G2 or E2D? I've looked on Amazon and the candlepower forums, but I'm afraid I don't know enough about the different batteries and such to know what to get. I currently own 2 regular G2s, an LED G2 and a E2D. They all have stock Surefire 123s in them, but as they are currently fulfilling some pretty heavy work roles, I would prefer to get some rechargeable that will still put out the intensity I expect from SureFire lights.

 

[highorder]

Easy.

In a G2 2x123 light, you can run a 9v lamp like the this 320 lumen lamp on 2x li ions and this charger.

In the Executive, use the same cells and charger with this 150 lumen lamp.

I currently use this E2e setup and charge every few weeks, or as soon as I've used the light for more than 5 minutes constantly. Li ion cells always like to be full, so don't hesitate to top off.

Forget the days of NiCd cells where they need to be run down to charge.

That's just for starters.
There are lower output options from lumensfactory if you want or need longer runtime. I use my incans as burst lights, never more than a few minutes at a time. If you need constant brightness for extended periods, I would look at led modules running off the same li ion cells and charger...

Important to note that your stock G2 and E2 lamps are 6v lamps. Li ion cells come off the charger at 4.2v, dropping to 3.6v nominal after a bit. You need to upgrade your lamps to use rechargeable cells.

I don't know the Vin for the G2L, but I'll look when I have a minute. I bet it will handle more voltage.

Read this when you have a chance for more info.

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

Does the G2L have the circuitry to prevent an RCR123 battery from getting ruined if over-discharged?

 

[highorder]

If you buy protected cells like the ones I linked, the cells do the work for you.

I don't know about the circuitry in the G2L, but it never becomes an issue if you just top your cells off every few weeks. If you need to burn the light constantly, like in an emergency, protected cells will prevent problems.

 

[highorder]

The G2L uses the same module from the G3L.

It will happily run 2xRCR123A Li ion rechargables.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=247809

 

[strambo]

I have the Streamlight TLR-1 on my shotgun. 80 lumens, intergral mount, you just need an inexpensive rail that attaches to the mag tube.

The new TLR-1's w/ C4 LED are 120 lumens also I believe. A pair of 123's lasts a very long time in a weapon light.

 

[kevin g]

Holy cow, 58 bucks for a flashlight! I guess I'm old school, I'm not used to these prices anymore. My kids think nothing about spending 40 to 60 dollars to eat out nowdays.
I know those lights cost alot of money, but last year I was in Sams Club and found a real nice one. It looks like the one in Little Wolfs post. Its from Element performance lighting, and last year it was 39.00 bucks -for 2! I took one hunting this year and its the best and brightest lite I've used. Well when we were christmas shopping we were back in Sam"s and there they were for 29.00 bucks. I"m going to pick up another set and put em away so I"ll have them when these give out. These are high output led flashlites, like the one Little Wolfs got. They use luxeon leds, solid state lighting, no glass bulbs, -150 lumens ,thats pretty good for a 15$ a peice flashlight. It does take AAA batteries, but I don't care, I use these mostly for hunting and outdoors, so its nothing to pop in fresh batteries. Sorry for the long post but theres probly alot of guys out there who can;t put out 50-60 bucks for flashlights, so if you have acess to Sams club, these are real nice for the money.

 

[Avenger29]

Kevin G, I used to eschew Surefire flashlights (even the lower priced ones) as "too expensive" and I tried to stick with the ol standby Maglites and dabbled in the cheaper LED lights at Walmart and elsewhere.

Notice I said "used to"?

My attitude towards Surefire (and 123A batteries) and similar took a 180 change after finally realizing that I was spending enough money going through unreliable el cheapo flashlights to pay for enough Surefires to fill my needs.

The most disappointing of the flashlights I've purchased have been the Maglite flashlights. I've had 4 separate MiniMags fail in one night, failures that were not old batteries. I had a brand new, factory MiniMag LED give me problems 4 months after purchase. After suffering those failures, I threw an epic fit, threw the old Maglites around the yard, screaming epithits. It's a good thing I don't have neighbors. I cannot recommend Maglite products.

I finally broke down and went to the gunstore and brought a new Surefire G2Led. It cost $65. I was tempted to buy something else, but held my course. It worked. It has not failed to work. It has been pretty good on batteries. I don't have to twist the head to turn it on. Surefire also makes the G2 standard for $35.

 

[kevin g]

Avenger29, I've got to agree with you about the cheap lights, I had one spill its guts when I was bow hunting, getting down from a tree.
Naturally that was the darkest nite I ever remember, you could not see your hand in front of your face.

Ever since, I always bring 2 lights with me.

I'll see how these hold up.

 

[BurningSaviour]

If you're looking for a decent light which accepts AAs, there's the Olight. You need to find a 20mm mount for it, though, as it won't fit in a 1", and the fit is questionable at best in a 3/4" mount.