What's the best flashlight out there?
 

This was touched on in another thread.

What's the best one out there? (Money no object. But small enough to travel with.)

I'm a big fan of Maglights.

I have several: a couple two-cell AA models, a 4-cell D model, and a 2-cell D model.

Maglites are not small. Look at the Surefire stuff. Cheapest decent one they have is $32 and they can go up to 20x that amount. Once you try one, you'll wonder what took you so long.

I have this one and it's just crazy bright. But it's not real practical for carrying around, since it sort of looks like a handgun when in your hand.

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I think a 2-cell AA Maglight is plenty small. They have an even smaller 1-cell model.

money no object? surefire V2 vampire. two settings...bandito frying 100 lumen on high, and for reading maps, you can heat up the sheets with 10 lumen. there isnt even a price yet. i bet north of $350.

second choice. surefire kroma. about half the power of the vampire. $250? the batteries dont fade. i have a "defender" for san fransisco jogging, that i just drained the 5 year old batteries. if i ever go hunting in Alaska, i would buy a kroma. when you need light desperately, you want it to click on...and be 100% dependable. running from a grizzly, slapping your maglight, trying to convince it to light up...no way.

your run of the mill duracel cant do that...i hate maglights...to bulky.

again, for a travel flashlight. you cannot beat the G3 nitrolon. $60 bucks or so. same guts as the high end stuff. they even have the LED version now. but all housed in a plastic indestructable body. small enough to be stuffed into a travel backpack. coupled with my petzl headlamp, there isnt a situation i cannot handle.

once coming down an elevator at my wife's high rise, the elevator blacked out. no emergency lights at all. i had my defender on me. i lit up the darkness, and everyone thought i was a hero. the blackout lasted about 30 seconds, so my hero status was short lived. another 30 seconds later, i was the dork that was scared of the dark and had to carry a flashlight. LOL. my wife has a G2 nitrolon. (one less battery). when she worked in a high rise, i gave her the light, a pocket knife. i had a hardhat in her desk, with gloves, and boots. in an earthquake, i wanted the best odds for her to get out.

Streamlight Stinger. I use one at work and ya just can't beat it.

How about this?

Glock Tactical Flashlight Xenon Bulb with Laser and Batteries (2 CR123A Lithium) Fits Glock-Style Rails Polymer Black - MidwayUSA

Surefire, by far....maglights are clubs with hot and cold spots.

yea, but the rechargeable thing is not so good in a third world country. great light tho! i use one for my nightly walk to tuck my chickens in. my racoons hate that light. i can almost shoot an arrow with the light from my stinger.

polystinger, great bargain. $80.

I have about 5 or 6 maglites. One is so small it takes a single AA battery.
The best one is my rechargable nicad with a halogen bulb. that thing will blind you. it has a holder-charger that is mounted on the wall in the garage, same as the police and fire departments use.
5-Cell Rechargeable
It cost about $115 but i've had it for 10 years. had to replace the bulb a couple of times and the battery pack once.
But, it's not something you'd travel with. I have a couple of the ones that use 2 AA batteries, they can fit in a pocket and are pretty handy.

So for a hundred bucks or so, which manufacturer? Streamlight or Surefire? I am a click away from ordering the polystinger. . .

This guy has the best prices anywhere on Surefires and accessories. Can't remember his phone#, but he takes credit cards and I've bought several lights from him.

brightflashlites@aol.com

Streamlight

Surefire executive defender $100.

burning oil. for what use? like i said, i have the ED2 defender from surefire. it has raised teeth on the bezel for seriously injuring a mugger. i guess i blind them with light, and then jab is the plan. tiny, bright, very durable.

the polystinger is fantastic. i have two. problem is, you are tethered with the recharger. there is a car charger that is cool. but if you ever travel into some remote areas, a few tiny batteries are easier to deal with. the battery on the polystinger is good for one hour. i changed a starter on my truck with it, at the end, i was almost done in by a dying battery. they dont like to be run down like that either. the instructions say not to, but i did, and needed a new battery about a month later. every snapon truck carries new batteries.

so it all depends on the use. buy the polystinger, and a G2 nitrolon. $80 for the poly, $32 for the G2. bassproshops is a good cheap source for both.

Well, since you asked on PELICAN, I'd say the Pelican M9:

Pelican 7050 AC110F Black Knight M9 Rechargeable Flashlight

Had mine for many years - bright, compact, hold a long charge....

It surprises me, but probably shouldn't, that there's a site devoted flashlights:

Flashlight Reviews and LED Modifications

Lots of geeky stuff there - love it!

that Gladius tactical flashlight is badarse. i know an electrician that carries one as his work light. retarded...but cool. it has a strobe feature for disorienting insurgents.

I have one I keep in my car that I gave like 26 bucks for a pair of at SAMS. Dead reliable and damned bright too... Plus if it gets stolen...

Oh and supposedly its bright enough to stun a person... Never tried that though...