The Flashlight review thread: post yours.

[rusnak]

The green one looks a bit of alright.

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

What would you guys recommend? I need a good light to carry in my car for when. I'm out showing houses.

Sid, I would probably go with something like a newer Surefire G2 variant (G2x, etc.). Compact, durable (nitrolon/polymer), and they can be had for relatively cheap.
If you want something with a crenulated bezel, the 6Px or P2X "Defender" would be worth a look (latter being more $$ & higher output).

For a better $/lumen ratio, take a look at Streamlight. Their ProTac HL can be had for under $70 and pushes out 750 lumens (1st black one on the left in the pic).
For indoors, the Inforce WMLx is really good (tan, gun-mounted light in the pic). Only around 500L, but the beam has much better flood/spill than most.

I'd stay away from some of the cheaper/knock-off stuff for anything you would have to depend on. I've got a couple, and they are fine for around the house (and make good/cheap hosts for UV drop-in bulbs for scorpion hunting).
However, most that I have come across have a tube I.D. that is too large, letting the cells rattle around a bit. I believe this is to accommodate 18650 cells as well. Usually the lamps and tail-caps are sub-par too.

[wildthing]

Quick update on the Amazon bundle of TM26 with Nitecore rechargeable batteries. One of them is dead now. I let it sit for a while, I guess it died... Getting ready to bring it trick-or-treatin'. Ordered a replacement battery.

[vash]

picked up a new one..i nicknamed it "game changer"..for now.

i got a ZebraLight headlamp. the H52F. uses a regular AA battery. all part of the strategy to standardize all the battery needs in my backpack. i got the "flood" version for the wide beam. i think it was the better decision for a light i can wear while night jogging..and night meat butcher duty. i bought a BlackDiamond headlamp but it was a FAIL. i kept opening my backpack and finding the thing turned on!! it was a recipe for dark disaster..get to a location and find that thing dead. the on/off button was super sensitive and not recessed. bouncing around it was turning on and off all day and night. FAIL.

[look 171]

That's a damn good light Vash. I use every time I need to do something in the dark around the house. Light weight, durable, and bright for its size. I have the flood verson also. I also have the slightly bigger version that uses a 18650 battery. Its twice as bright and last much longer. If I am out doing something, its on hours at a time.

[mjohnson]

Is there an idiot's guide out there for these?

I want one that starts on stun, not kill. I'm walking my dog, or stumbling around my hotel room in a blackout - I don't need blinding brightness at first - just a light. Maybe if I have a bizarre zombie / blackout combination do I need real lumens.

The light that I just bought had a "bright first" rule, then you could click through to get something that didn't blind the user. That seems backwards to how most of us, besides the "operators" that based on what I see on the interweb must number in the millions, run their battle plans.

(and I travel with the Petzl headlamp - it's been used in more than one power outage and I'm only limiting that to the US)

[look 171]

Originally Posted by mjohnson

Is there an idiot's guide out there for these?

I want one that starts on stun, not kill. I'm walking my dog, or stumbling around my hotel room in a blackout - I don't need blinding brightness at first - just a light. Maybe if I have a bizarre zombie / blackout combination do I need real lumens.

The light that I just bought had a "bright first" rule, then you could click through to get something that didn't blind the user. That seems backwards to how most of us, besides the "operators" that based on what I see on the interweb must number in the millions, run their battle plans.

(and I travel with the Petzl headlamp - it's been used in more than one power outage and I'm only limiting that to the US)

That Zebralight has one click to full on and hold the button it will go down to 2nd then 3rd (firefly) level. Love that level for camping inside the tent.

[gacook]

I don't own a flashlight...I see ridiculously well in the dark, so have really never needed one. On the rare occasion I do need a little extra light, I use my cell phone.

[Evans, Marv]

Sid. I just bought a pack of four LED lights at Costco last weekend. They (I think) might be the type of thing that would work out for your application. One style is flat (about 2Wx3Lx5/8D) with nine LED's on the flat side & five on the end - whichever you want to use. The other style is long, about 3/4" diameter by 6" long w/ six LED's and a magnet on the end to attach it to metal surfaces if convenient. Both have plastic clips for belt/pocket/whatever and cast a good broad illumination & use three AAA batteries. The usual cost was $20 for the pack (2 & 2). I bought them to use while working on some wiring where I needed something bright & compact, that doesn't have a narrow beam. Cheap, compact, & plenty bright for poking around in dark houses. My wife took one of the flat ones to carry in her purse.

[sand_man]

Not a review, but my daily rotation. All pretty good lights. I prefer smallish that accept AAA or AA. I know I can get better lights if I'm willing to try more esoteric batteries, but...

[jcommin]

Feit Electric

LED Flashlights, High Power LED, Weather Resistant & More

My entire maintenance staff use them.

[911boost]

Vash, where did you get it? I also like the same battery in my pack, and my current ones use a AAA, which sucks because I have a solar panel I carry that charges AA.

Bill

[look 171]

Try this Bill. H502c L2 High CRI Neutral White AA Flood Headlamp

[911boost]

Excellent, thank you!

[look 171]

I know battery consistency is huge plus, but the 18650 light is not too much bigger, but the light output is so much more. Its three times more and runs longer too. Draw back is that you have to buy new batteries and a charger. If solar charger and back country you must deal with, then that AA Zebra is your light.

[look 171]

that larger light is my workhorse

[vash]

Originally Posted by mjohnson

Is there an idiot's guide out there for these?

I want one that starts on stun, not kill. I'm walking my dog, or stumbling around my hotel room in a blackout - I don't need blinding brightness at first - just a light. Maybe if I have a bizarre zombie / blackout combination do I need real lumens.

The light that I just bought had a "bright first" rule, then you could click through to get something that didn't blind the user. That seems backwards to how most of us, besides the "operators" that based on what I see on the interweb must number in the millions, run their battle plans.

(and I travel with the Petzl headlamp - it's been used in more than one power outage and I'm only limiting that to the US)

you just describe the Zebralight H52F in "flood". i paid $64 and the buttons are simple. some of the $300 Zebra's have programable switches.. if i were smart, i wouldnt be scared the dark and wouldnt need a light anyways ...i kid.

one button, sequentially lighting..high med low..1,2,3...if you hold, it comes on at low and goes the other way. it is very bright, but not so much you cant read a book,or a map, etc. for my uses, the super bright one would have been way overboard..

[vash]

Look..were we separated at birth?

[look 171]

Originally Posted by vash

Look..were we separated at birth?

Yeah, but my Zebra light is bigger then your Zebra light, but you are a lot smarter and much better looking

Into bikes, 911, 4WDs / trucks, playing with useless flashlights. Oh, you live in the better part of the state too but I ain't from TX and don't really shot guns

[vash]

Originally Posted by BSiple

Vash, where did you get it? I also like the same battery in my pack, and my current ones use a AAA, which sucks because I have a solar panel I carry that charges AA.

Bill

Bill, i used Amazon Prime. my wife foolishly gave me her password when she needed me to buy something for the dog (RIP)

muhuwahhahahahah!