Flash Lights....regular or those "tactical"?

[John Rogers]

I asked my neighbor, a SD PD Police captain what he/they use and the most popular one cost about $650 and is a 5000 lumen one and is about the size of the Costco Duracell. He said they keep them plugged into the car's laptop USB port to maintain charge. I didn't bother asking the name as the price made it out of each! He said they last an hour and a half at full power?

[dad911]

Originally Posted by madcorgi

Agree. I have one where you have to cycle through all the modes each time. Arrrgh. Still looking for flashlight nirvana. Still looking for folding knife nirvana.

Favorite utility/folding Knife: https://smile.amazon.com/Gerber-Lite-Pocket-Knife-31-000345/dp/B002RILCLY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1547477791&sr=8-2&keywords=gerber+eab+lite+pocket+knife

Favorite flashlight(amazingly bright for a aaa battery) https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B017R560WC/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_1?smid=AK3HEGILQ6XYZ&psc=1

Both were gifts from Pelican Parts Gift Exchange. Thanks guys. Light is on my daily keychain. I've purchased at least a dozen more knives to pass out.

[Pazuzu]

Cree brand LEDs are still the best, at least in the normal household flashlights, there may be some crazy professional level ones that are better...

Get away from the old AAA/AA/C/D ideas, and get into the new supersized rechargeable Li-ion units. 14500 is slightly larger than a AA, 18650 is the size of those 3xAAA packs, and 26650 is the size of a 3xAA pack. Each packs a wallop much larger than the AAA/AA etc since they run at 3.7V instead of 1.5V

[Zeke]

a link to the best LED conversion?

[VincentVega]

A cop friend turned me onto Klarus lights. Way too many models for me to figure it out but something like the fx10 works for most I think. I like that it switches between tactical and outdoor mode, to me outdoor is more regular flashlight, exactly what I'm looking for.

FX10 - F Series - LED Rechargeable Brightest Tactical Flashlight-KLARUS

[vash]

Originally Posted by madcorgi

I have an affinity for those big 4 D cells. Clubs that happen to have a handy light coming out one end!

i'm on the other side of the fence.

i think Maglight is the "blockbuster video" of the flashlight industry. they had such a jumpstart on everyone. they stayed the course and let the rest of the industry catch up and outshine them.

i cant fight..i suck at it. i do know its easier to block a swinging blow, than a jabbing blow. any small flashlight could break rib easy in a jab.

i dont pick my lights by how they will do in a fight..i dont even pick my knives that way.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by vash

i'm on the other side of the fence.

i think Maglight is the "blockbuster video" of the flashlight industry. they had such a jumpstart on everyone. they stayed the course and let the rest of the industry catch up and outshine them.

i cant fight..i suck at it. i do know its easier to block a swinging blow, than a jabbing blow. any small flashlight could break rib easy in a jab.

i dont pick my lights by how they will do in a fight..i dont even pick my knives that way.

Just remember how silly it is here. It's a flashlight. That having been said, even construction laborer can get in a bit of a pinch with a crowbar in the car/truck.

I keep mine in the center console along with a fire ext. Should I need to break a window. I've got that.

[Yorkie]

I work in the flashlight world and any of the lights from Fenix, Led Lenser, Pelican, Surefire or Streamlight will give you years of good service. We test them all and know our competition well. Avoid the ones powered by CR123 Lithium cells as they are expensive to replace. You do not need a big heavy flashlight these days to create a huge amount of light. But..... try and get a light that will give you a low mode as you really do not need a lot of light for most tasks.

[Pazuzu]

I bought these a while back:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0744C3J5W/
2 pack for $15ish. I think I selected them because they were on sale that day on Amazon. If you look around there, you'll see that there are dozens of exact replicas from various companies, it's clearly a Chinese manufacturer who sells through many routes. I don't care about that, I care than they had a Cree LED, used 18650 cells and were focus-able and waterproof. These things must weight 2 pounds, there's lots of aluminum in here.
The problem with these is that you need to buy batteries. If you run the 3xAAA then it's pretty cheap, but you'll burn through then super fast. A pair of good, brand name 18650 cells runs you $20...that's a big investment but very good batteries.

[vash]

Originally Posted by Yorkie

I work in the flashlight world and any of the lights from Fenix, Led Lenser, Pelican, Surefire or Streamlight will give you years of good service. We test them all and know our competition well. Avoid the ones powered by CR123 Lithium cells as they are expensive to replace. You do not need a big heavy flashlight these days to create a huge amount of light. But..... try and get a light that will give you a low mode as you really do not need a lot of light for most tasks.

cool career!!

man..i have a few CR123 torches. they have one huge benefit. the batteries can sit for a long time. a long time. i put a cheapo surefire light in each of our vehicles and i hang one from my bedpost. all CR123 powered. i can forget about them for a long time before i need to think, "hmm..i wonder if that light still works".

they still work!! no corrosion that can happen with a AA battery..i change those out all the time.

[Roswell]

I love my Surefire. Its small, an easy carry and puts out an amazing amount of light. No multimode, just on and off.

[1990C4S]

Why not buy a rechargeable LED flashlight?

https://www.amazon.com/URPOWER-Flashlight-Rainproof-Rechargeable-Emergency/dp/B01E6X05VU/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1547486253&sr=8-7&keywords=led+flashlight+rechargeable

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by madcorgi

Cabelas is a very dangerous place for me to hang out in.

Last time I stopped in for just a hat, I walked out with a shotgun.

[vash]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

Last time I stopped in for just a hat, I walked out with a shotgun.

Haha

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Yorkie

I work in the flashlight world and any of the lights from Fenix, Led Lenser, Pelican, Surefire or Streamlight will give you years of good service. We test them all and know our competition well. Avoid the ones powered by CR123 Lithium cells as they are expensive to replace. You do not need a big heavy flashlight these days to create a huge amount of light. But..... try and get a light that will give you a low mode as you really do not need a lot of light for most tasks.

Exciting. What company do you work for, if you don't mind me asking?

I have had custom lights made by someone up in Seattle because I wanted my light a certain way, flood instead of throw which it was not available in the market about 6-7 years ago.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

I bought these a while back:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0744C3J5W/
2 pack for $15ish. I think I selected them because they were on sale that day on Amazon. If you look around there, you'll see that there are dozens of exact replicas from various companies, it's clearly a Chinese manufacturer who sells through many routes. I don't care about that, I care than they had a Cree LED, used 18650 cells and were focus-able and waterproof. These things must weight 2 pounds, there's lots of aluminum in here.
The problem with these is that you need to buy batteries. If you run the 3xAAA then it's pretty cheap, but you'll burn through then super fast. A pair of good, brand name 18650 cells runs you $20...that's a big investment but very good batteries.

Good 3400 mAh 18650 will last a long time if you don't have the thing on full blast for an hour. Panasonic makes one of the better batteries out there.

[look 171]

One of the problem with the smaller flashlights, tactical or regular flashlights, is that they are small enough that it gets misplace or fall out of my pocket. Sometimes, I end up leaving it on a table somewhere and I forget to take it with me unlike a big Mag Light, its hard to miss and forget. If I ever get into it and need my flashlight to jab someone in the ribs, I will have to call Vash. I am sure with the two of us together, no one will dare to Fk' with us

[Cooper911SC]

I have 2 of the StreamLight Stinger LEDs I use in the shop. Compact for under dash use, light weight, bright, rechargeable. (The dimmable beam is nice for close quarters work, not too bright)
Just makes sense.

The 3D LED Maglite is relegated to “under the bed” status and rarely gets used.

I keep a few of the (Costco) 4AAA Duracel LED lights near exit doors at home. Good when I need to run out to the trash or lock up the chickens after dark.

[LeeH]

I really like this one a lot. 2 for $12.95 shipped with the rechargeable batteries and chargers. Great for hiking in the dark!

[john walker's workshop]

Bought this one at Cabelas. Adjustable for 3 brightnesses. Rechargable lithium battery. Blind a bear at 100 yards. Not cheap.