What's the best flashlight out there?

[Dottore]

This was touched on in another thread.

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

[legion]

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.

[Rick Lee]

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.

[Rick Lee]

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.

Show Product Details

[legion]

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

[vash]

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.

[Rick V]

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

[legion]

How about this?

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

[Joe Bob]

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

[vash]

Originally Posted by Rick V

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

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.

[sammyg2]

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.

[Burnin' oil]

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

[Rick Lee]

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

[Rick V]

Streamlight

[dhoward]

Surefire executive defender $100.

[vash]

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.

[LakeCleElum]

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....

[nosmo_king]

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!

[vash]

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.

[porsche4life]

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...