LED Flashlight Advice

Jetpilot007 · June 29th, 2009, 09:56 AM

I am in search of a high power LED flashlight to complement my CCW. Any advice would be appreciated such as make and price. Have a fantastic day all.

Superhouse 15 · June 29th, 2009, 10:14 AM

I use a Surefire L1. It has a variable output from 10 lumens to 65 lumens and is small enough to fit in with all the other junk I carry day to day. It has the same output as the 6p series lights, but with only one battery. The low power feature is handy for finding keys in the dark, checking on the baby, and such. The 65 lumen output is nice to have on hand for SD use or when more is needed. It's just long enough and shaped right that you could hit with it if you had to, without being the obvious weapon like they make in other versions. I bought two L1s, a stack of spare batteries, battery carriers, and was under $250. It was a lot cheaper locally than on Ebay or anything I found.

L1 LumaMax® LED Flashlight in Bright Blue, Green, Red or White from SureFire

boscobeans · June 29th, 2009, 10:23 AM

Here is where I buy my lights and batteries. Good prices and fast service.

It has most brands and a lot of info on all of them so you can compare options, power and prices.

BatteryJunction.com Batteries, Battery Chargers, Flashlights, Solar Products & more!

bosco

United93 · June 29th, 2009, 10:57 AM

+1 on BatteryJunction.com

I recommend a Fenix. Pick the one thats right for you; for example, there are some that run on a single AAA batt all the way up to one that takes 3XCR123.

I have and carry the TK11(60 or 225 lumens), and I can attest to its quality, durability, brightness, and battery life (10 hours on 60 lumens, 1.5 on 225).

Armydad · June 29th, 2009, 11:31 AM

Surefire is one of the toughest flashlights. They have several models to meet your needs.
Armydad

chasbo00 · June 29th, 2009, 11:44 AM

Surefire is pretty much top of line in both quality and price.

However, there are lots of other options too. Here is an on line store that has an excellent reputation for service and offers lots of options:

4Sevens - 4Sevens.Com

cz2075bd · June 29th, 2009, 12:03 PM

review list
Light-Reviews.com

compare models
Light-Reviews.com

another review list
LED Flashlight Reviews

I have the OLight T20-M, I like it:

Olight T20-M Review

Only problem with it is to change modes (low/medium/high/strobe/SOS), you need to twist the head. One twist back & forth cycles the mode; I'd rather have a button for that.

Chooie · June 29th, 2009, 12:57 PM

Boy, have you opened up a can of worms! There are dozens of great flashlights out there that can meet your needs, but first you need to know what your needs (and wants) are in a flashlight. Do you want a light that is simple on/off, with just one bright level? This would be a light like the Surefire 6PL. How about a light that when you press the switch a little bit you get a low level, but press it fully for high, like the Surefire L1 and L2. There are also lights that allow you to click the switch to on, and then click it back off and on again quickly to change light levels, such as most of the Fenix lights (sans T series), Olights (sans M20), 4Sevens Quark, and Surefire E series LED lights.

Really, the options are endless, but let me just make some suggestions.

1. Modes - know what you want and what you need when buying a light. If you are choosing a light to keep in the glove compartment of your car, an SOS beacon mode might be handy - but you sure don't want to activate that mode accidentally if you're trying to light up a bad guy or dark alley. I prefer either a simple one or two mode user interface, or a dedicated switching mechanism to switch modes independently from turning the light on and off (such as the switching ring on the Surefire U2 and Kroma, Fenix TK30, Blackhawk Gladius, or Inova Inforce).

Brightness - For navigating from the bedroom to the head in the dark, 1-3 lumens is plenty of light. However, you really want at least 60 well focused or 100 or so floody lumens to illuminate a bad guy, room, alley, or parking space. There are lights out there boasting 200, 300, or even 700+ lumens, but often, higher output isn't really better if you are indoors, since you can be easily blinded by reflected light off of lightly colored walls and ceilings. I stick with between 60 and 200 lumens for my EDC light as a MAXIMUM, and a low at or below 3 lumens. Leave the super high output lights next to the front door to light up the entire yard.

Batteries - Most of the EDC-able flashlights out there use one of two types of cells - lithium CR123A or 1.5v AA (alkaline, lithium, or 1.2v NiMH rechargeables (aka "Eneloop" or LSD NiMH)). Lithium cells, both in the CR123A and AA form factor, provide a decade of stable shelf life, greater temperature resistance, leak protection, and greater energy density than alkaline cells, but the trade-off is that they are quite expensive. Alkaline cells do not have the capability of providing high current output, so most lights that can run on alkaline batteries tend to be a bit down on output compared to their lithium powered cousins.

If you have easy access to CR123 cells, I would stick with those - and I do, so I do. However, if you will be traveling, or intend to use the light a lot, you may do well to choose a model that can run on AA cells of all kinds - alkaline and lithium primary as well as lithium-ion rechargeable or NiMH rechargeable.

Hope this helps...

Wils91 · June 29th, 2009, 01:20 PM

i recommend the fenix pd-30. it's about the size of a tube of lipstick. takes 1 CR123. it's an LED light

180 lumens and 180 lumens strobe. also has 3 lower power settings and a S.O.S. mode.

$54.95 from Knifeworks.com

i have one and i love it.

boscobeans · June 29th, 2009, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wils91

i recommend the fenix pd-30. it's about the size of a tube of lipstick. takes 1 CR123. it's an LED light

180 lumens and 180 lumens strobe. also has 3 lower power settings and a S.O.S. mode.

$54.95 from Knifeworks.com

i have one and i love it.

I have a PD30 and it gives 220 lumens and uses 2 CR123 batteries ?

bosco

June 29th, 2009, 09:56 AM	#1
Jetpilot007 Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: White Plains, NY Posts: 289	LED Flashlight Advice I am in search of a high power LED flashlight to complement my CCW. Any advice would be appreciated such as make and price. Have a fantastic day all.

June 29th, 2009, 12:57 PM	#8
Chooie Distinguished Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,783	Boy, have you opened up a can of worms! There are dozens of great flashlights out there that can meet your needs, but first you need to know what your needs (and wants) are in a flashlight. Do you want a light that is simple on/off, with just one bright level? This would be a light like the Surefire 6PL. How about a light that when you press the switch a little bit you get a low level, but press it fully for high, like the Surefire L1 and L2. There are also lights that allow you to click the switch to on, and then click it back off and on again quickly to change light levels, such as most of the Fenix lights (sans T series), Olights (sans M20), 4Sevens Quark, and Surefire E series LED lights. Really, the options are endless, but let me just make some suggestions. 1. Modes - know what you want and what you need when buying a light. If you are choosing a light to keep in the glove compartment of your car, an SOS beacon mode might be handy - but you sure don't want to activate that mode accidentally if you're trying to light up a bad guy or dark alley. I prefer either a simple one or two mode user interface, or a dedicated switching mechanism to switch modes independently from turning the light on and off (such as the switching ring on the Surefire U2 and Kroma, Fenix TK30, Blackhawk Gladius, or Inova Inforce). Brightness - For navigating from the bedroom to the head in the dark, 1-3 lumens is plenty of light. However, you really want at least 60 well focused or 100 or so floody lumens to illuminate a bad guy, room, alley, or parking space. There are lights out there boasting 200, 300, or even 700+ lumens, but often, higher output isn't really better if you are indoors, since you can be easily blinded by reflected light off of lightly colored walls and ceilings. I stick with between 60 and 200 lumens for my EDC light as a MAXIMUM, and a low at or below 3 lumens. Leave the super high output lights next to the front door to light up the entire yard. Batteries - Most of the EDC-able flashlights out there use one of two types of cells - lithium CR123A or 1.5v AA (alkaline, lithium, or 1.2v NiMH rechargeables (aka "Eneloop" or LSD NiMH)). Lithium cells, both in the CR123A and AA form factor, provide a decade of stable shelf life, greater temperature resistance, leak protection, and greater energy density than alkaline cells, but the trade-off is that they are quite expensive. Alkaline cells do not have the capability of providing high current output, so most lights that can run on alkaline batteries tend to be a bit down on output compared to their lithium powered cousins. If you have easy access to CR123 cells, I would stick with those - and I do, so I do. However, if you will be traveling, or intend to use the light a lot, you may do well to choose a model that can run on AA cells of all kinds - alkaline and lithium primary as well as lithium-ion rechargeable or NiMH rechargeable. Hope this helps... __________________ -Joe Quando omni flunkus, moritati. Virginia Citizens Defense League Rustburg, VA Volunteer Rescue Squad

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June 29th, 2009, 10:14 AM	#2
Superhouse 15 Distinguished Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 1,508	I use a Surefire L1. It has a variable output from 10 lumens to 65 lumens and is small enough to fit in with all the other junk I carry day to day. It has the same output as the 6p series lights, but with only one battery. The low power feature is handy for finding keys in the dark, checking on the baby, and such. The 65 lumen output is nice to have on hand for SD use or when more is needed. It's just long enough and shaped right that you could hit with it if you had to, without being the obvious weapon like they make in other versions. I bought two L1s, a stack of spare batteries, battery carriers, and was under $250. It was a lot cheaper locally than on Ebay or anything I found. L1 LumaMax® LED Flashlight in Bright Blue, Green, Red or White from SureFire

June 29th, 2009, 10:23 AM	#3
boscobeans Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: upstate new york Posts: 714	Here is where I buy my lights and batteries. Good prices and fast service. It has most brands and a lot of info on all of them so you can compare options, power and prices. BatteryJunction.com Batteries, Battery Chargers, Flashlights, Solar Products & more! bosco

June 29th, 2009, 10:57 AM	#4
United93 Ex Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Maine Posts: 912	+1 on BatteryJunction.com I recommend a Fenix. Pick the one thats right for you; for example, there are some that run on a single AAA batt all the way up to one that takes 3XCR123. I have and carry the TK11(60 or 225 lumens), and I can attest to its quality, durability, brightness, and battery life (10 hours on 60 lumens, 1.5 on 225).

June 29th, 2009, 11:31 AM	#5
Armydad Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: North Carolina Posts: 117	Surefire is one of the toughest flashlights. They have several models to meet your needs. Armydad

June 29th, 2009, 11:44 AM	#6
chasbo00 Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 31	Surefire is pretty much top of line in both quality and price. However, there are lots of other options too. Here is an on line store that has an excellent reputation for service and offers lots of options: 4Sevens - 4Sevens.Com

June 29th, 2009, 12:03 PM	#7
cz2075bd Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Sterling, VA Posts: 153	review list Light-Reviews.com compare models Light-Reviews.com another review list LED Flashlight Reviews I have the OLight T20-M, I like it: Olight T20-M Review Only problem with it is to change modes (low/medium/high/strobe/SOS), you need to twist the head. One twist back & forth cycles the mode; I'd rather have a button for that.

June 29th, 2009, 01:20 PM	#9
Wils91 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 40	i recommend the fenix pd-30. it's about the size of a tube of lipstick. takes 1 CR123. it's an LED light 180 lumens and 180 lumens strobe. also has 3 lower power settings and a S.O.S. mode. $54.95 from Knifeworks.com i have one and i love it.