I agree the surefire is brighter, but this in no way means that a 4 D cell LED maglight is not also very bright. Either one is plenty bright enough for prowling the hood at night, but the maglight gets the win for long range focused beam illuminating power. Need to light something up 150 feet away? Its not even a contest, the surefires and other tactical lights(that ive seen) just arent made for that.

Are there any focused beam "tactical" lights around? That would be a nice feature.

You're in PPOT and you even need to ask this question? :D

using a surefire flashlight for this type of work is INSANE! i have three of them. the batteries are relatively expensive. you dont want to supply your men with them. trust me. you NEED A RECHARGABLE. i stand by my streamlight polystinger. $80 from bass proshops. add a car charger for a few bucks, and your men is armed for darkness.

now having said that, i get fuzzy, warm feelings when i handle my surefire defender flashlight. it has the tactical bezel, for breaking ribs, and and cracking foreheads. i jog with it in the dark. blindingly bright, but about the same as the streamlight.

maglite blows. the only one worth money is the rechargeable unit. super bright, about $100, and has a long life. too huge. it is like a fish beater.

again, i went to a tunnel convention. they were handing out 3 cell maglites. i handed them to the homeless on the way out. they BLOW.

If you want a beater stick and long range lighting, Maglight is what you want. Close in, old man work...no....

I think the Inova T4 is better than the stinger led. First time I used my T4 I was at a checkpoint and while a truck was driving through I dropped it and the truck drove right over it. There wasn't even a scratch on it. The stinger led wouldn't have survived. I think it also cost less.

3 cell maglights with conventional bulbs really do blow compared to what else is out there(but are still way better than the crap-ass lights we had when i was in the infantry). They offer the best of no worlds.

But for what i need in a flashlight, as a repossessor:

The 4 cell/LED combo is mucho bright (there are brighter, but i assure you a 4 D LED maglight will blind the **** out of you if shined into your eyes at close range), and with the LED bulb the batteries last for quite a long time. Add in the focusable beam, and it's quite a lot of light for under $40.00(this includes the price of the LED bulb, which is sold separately).

And like i said, for busting skulls maglights are without peer. The 5 cell D (and 6 cell C) maglights are awesome for that sort of thing, though i don't think you can get LED bulbs for those, so i settled on a 4 D cell version. The 6 C cell is probably my favorite. You can get crazy "bathead" velocity with that badboy, and it has great reach...anyone know if you can get an LED bulb for that one? I looked on the maglight website and didn't see one.

Hmm, my 3 cell LED maglight is junk I guess. I haven't had to change batteries in 4 years, and it's PLENTY bright to light up a crawlspace. I recently used it every night for 5 nights when our power went down. Bounce the beam off the ceiling and read my book. I'll keep my Maglight over Dad's Streamlight rechargeable any night. Sure the Streamlight is bright, but it only lasts for an hour. The brightest light on the market isn't worth a **** if the bateries are dead.

Like a lot of other things on Pelican, if it doesn't have right name it's junk.

We have these scattered all over the house. So handy for most light needs, we seldom grab our more powerful mag lite...

http://www.9voltlight.com/

I have a rechargeable Mag Light like this, http://www.maglite.com/product.asp?psc=RECHARGE. I have owned it for years and other than replacing a few bulbs it has been flawless. It puts the alkaline powered mag lights to shame.

If I ever upgrade I plan to adapt one of these for backpack use.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=92396

http://www.cfb4.com/images/tank_ligh...tandsupply.jpg

http://www.cfb4.com/images/tank_ligh...7_23_05_As.jpg

http://www.cfb4.com/images/tank_ligh...7_23_05_Cs.jpg

i'll admit the real downside of any of the big maglites for me is the size. no damn way i am getting one into a pack. too huge, and i wouldnt want to pack that behemoth up any mountain side. it doesnt make sense for me. a G3 nitrilon from surefire is cheap, bright and dependable. i ran mine over with a truck. 3 spare batteries takes up zero space in a pack pocket.

for reading? a maglite? no thanks. my petzl headlamp is the proper tool. bright, long lasting light. hands free for any home blackout. only tool to set up camp in the dark with. the maglite may win in beating down tent stakes, but i can find a rock.

for the home? for an extended blackout, i use my headlamp to set up my lantern. a big little league bat sized flashlight doesnt make sense to me. sorry to step on any flashlight sensibilities. :( no harm meant. :)

if anyone come around that needs hitting. there are better tools for that too. i have an ASP by my door.

I use both a 4 D maglite and a few Surefires in the field. Both have their own role, Maglite for tracking and Surefire(s) for lighting people up. Surefire is well worth the money for performance and reliability.

I just got one of these for my birthday (the official choice of the LAPD):

http://www.pelican-case.com/7060.html

Works great, rechargeable, can pulse the light using the back switch to incapacitate someone. I've been very happy with it.

Vash...if you're into backpacking, see my link above. Light was invented by a then 15 year old home schooled kid in Southern Oregon. His bother used the light for his trek of the Pacific Crest trail. The entire trail done on one battery. Tough kid...doing the entire trail. Uh, that's from the Mexican Border to the Canadian border...:eek: A trek for bodies younger than mine...

(edit) Get the "super" with the glo-top. When power goes out here, we just go for the glow, and we have light...