I've used the search function and read many threads - some useful, but I still feel like I'm groping around, so I'm looking for a recommendation AND suggestion.
First, the rifle:
10.5" barrel 300 Blackout with Trijicon Reflex II (12.5 MOA orange triangle reticle).
This rifle may be used both for inside and outside. It is a personally-owned rifle, but used on duty as well. In personal use, this will be used on the property for protecting livestock from predators or checking why motion lights go on around the barn/backyard. In duty use, this will be used for perimeter duty or Active-shooter responses. I would say 85% or more of the time will be outdoors and 15% or less indoors. Duty load is Barnes TTSX Barrier Blind, and I expect all shooting use will be 150yds max, mostly much less.
That said, I've read TEEJ's and others' good points about the difference between seeing something, and identifying who/what it is, what they're doing/holding, and identifying a threat or not, so having a beam that reaches 100-150 yards may not illuminate enough for the level of detail I may need.
I've tried searching here at cpf and google, and I can't find a site or chart which compares different lights for their candella, lumens, spill, etc. Does such exist?
I've looked at Elzetta, Malkoff, and Armytek, but I'm struggling with comparing them. Can't find candella for all of them. I'm thinking the Armytek Predator (non-Pro), ElZetta B133, or Malkoff Hounddog (sold out, unfortunately). These all seem to be around 650 lumens. No idea on candella.
Here's my answers to the stickied thread recommended questions/answers:
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
____This will be mail-order or Online (location doesn't matter).
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
____Up to $100 to $200.
3) Format:
____I want a mounted light (for a rifle)
4) Size:
____SMALL - Every day carry (4-7 inches).
5) Emitter/Light source:
____LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
6) Manufacturer:
____I want to buy a light from a large/traditional manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
____I would like a light from a specialty manufacturer (Possibly limited run/Custom).
____I am interested in assembling my own components. (for example a "host" or flashlight body from one manufacturer, and a "drop-in" emitter from another source).
All of these are acceptable, as long as not too much electronics knowledge is required.
7) What power source do you want to use?
____I've been really impressed with the power, longevity and compactness of my SureFire E2L and its 2xCR123 sized cells. I'd like the weapon light to be about 1" diameter and able to use "disposable" CR123s, but I've been reading about the 18650s here at cpf, and they sound impressive, but I've never used them and know too little about them. Are they rechargeable only? Can 2xCR123s be interchanged with 18650, or must I find RCR123s? I'm notagainst rechargeable, but the long between-use time makes me inclined to stick with lithiums.
7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option
____I want a light that has a recharging adapter (your typical "wall wart")
____I want a separate/stand-alone charger (this involves removing the batteries to charge)
Either of these is acceptable.
8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is not a happy experience).
____I want to confidently walk around an unlit/unpaved rural area (60-150 lumens).
____I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).
____I want to illuminate an entire field, the neighbor's front yard several houses down, impress my friends and neighbors, etc. (300-700 lumens).
____I want search and rescue type illumination (800+ lumens).
____SPECIAL NOTE: Burst/Turbo mode Category - There are several lights that will run at a super bright maximum for a very limited period (usually 5-10 minutes) and then will "step-down" to a lower level for thermal control. Check here if this is acceptable.
All of the above apply. I'm not sure about burst mode. I'd like to hear others opinions about it.
9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
____Wide Throw: I want a beam with a noticeable hot-center for distance throw and a significant amount of "side-spill". Good for rough trail hiking, search and rescue, and general distance work.
____Narrow Throw: I want a beam with a very tight "hot center" and minimal "side-spill". Good for distance viewing, fog, and looking through dense undergrowth.
____Turbohead: I want a far-distance projector with a sharply focused spot of light and minimal or zero side-spill. Good for extreme distance and impressing your friends.
(I think these three cover the spectrum. As I mention below, this needs some diffused, medium-power ability for indoor searches - or navigating through terrain while working a perimeter - as well as long, powerful throw of about 150 yards.)
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
____50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)
____150-200 yards (I am searching from a helicopter)
10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum continuous output).
____ This is important insofar as a building search or perimeter work is usually extended periods, but the light is only on a fraction of that time.
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
____Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival).
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
____I want a forward clicky (Helpful for momentary activation and signaling).
____I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today's high end lights).
____I would consider a remote switch (I've read a lot of negative comments about tape switches on rifles, but if thiere are compelling reasons to look at one, I'm not against them.)
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
____A simple on-off with only one output level is fine for me.
____I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
I'm a firm believer in the KISS principle, but it would be nice to have an indoor search light level (~100 lumens and diffused) plus a strong thrower mode for the outdoor requirements. I'm thinking a single-level, high-power thrower could work by adding a diffuser attachment, though...
14)Material/Finish/Coating
____Anodized Aluminum – either type II or III (Hard Anodized) (Aluminum, specifically HA, is the most common material/finish for today's higher end flashlights).
15) Water resistance
____IPX7 (Waterproof to 1 meter/30min)
16) Storage conditions
____In house (temperature/climate controlled environment)
____Emergency kit (long standby periods)
____Automobile glove-box (wide temperature swings, long standby periods, critical reliability)
(I'd say all of these are possibilities.)
17) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any/all below.
Diffuser?
I would prefer no Crenulated bezel
This will be a dedicated weapon light, so no QR mount is needed. I rather like the Elzetta Picatinny rail mount, but open to other ideas.
As a rifle light, I presume it needs the battery sprung at both ends and a blast and recoil-resistent LED set-up.
First, the rifle:
10.5" barrel 300 Blackout with Trijicon Reflex II (12.5 MOA orange triangle reticle).
This rifle may be used both for inside and outside. It is a personally-owned rifle, but used on duty as well. In personal use, this will be used on the property for protecting livestock from predators or checking why motion lights go on around the barn/backyard. In duty use, this will be used for perimeter duty or Active-shooter responses. I would say 85% or more of the time will be outdoors and 15% or less indoors. Duty load is Barnes TTSX Barrier Blind, and I expect all shooting use will be 150yds max, mostly much less.
That said, I've read TEEJ's and others' good points about the difference between seeing something, and identifying who/what it is, what they're doing/holding, and identifying a threat or not, so having a beam that reaches 100-150 yards may not illuminate enough for the level of detail I may need.
I've tried searching here at cpf and google, and I can't find a site or chart which compares different lights for their candella, lumens, spill, etc. Does such exist?
I've looked at Elzetta, Malkoff, and Armytek, but I'm struggling with comparing them. Can't find candella for all of them. I'm thinking the Armytek Predator (non-Pro), ElZetta B133, or Malkoff Hounddog (sold out, unfortunately). These all seem to be around 650 lumens. No idea on candella.
Here's my answers to the stickied thread recommended questions/answers:
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
____This will be mail-order or Online (location doesn't matter).
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
____Up to $100 to $200.
3) Format:
____I want a mounted light (for a rifle)
4) Size:
____SMALL - Every day carry (4-7 inches).
5) Emitter/Light source:
____LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
6) Manufacturer:
____I want to buy a light from a large/traditional manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
____I would like a light from a specialty manufacturer (Possibly limited run/Custom).
____I am interested in assembling my own components. (for example a "host" or flashlight body from one manufacturer, and a "drop-in" emitter from another source).
All of these are acceptable, as long as not too much electronics knowledge is required.
7) What power source do you want to use?
____I've been really impressed with the power, longevity and compactness of my SureFire E2L and its 2xCR123 sized cells. I'd like the weapon light to be about 1" diameter and able to use "disposable" CR123s, but I've been reading about the 18650s here at cpf, and they sound impressive, but I've never used them and know too little about them. Are they rechargeable only? Can 2xCR123s be interchanged with 18650, or must I find RCR123s? I'm notagainst rechargeable, but the long between-use time makes me inclined to stick with lithiums.
7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option
____I want a light that has a recharging adapter (your typical "wall wart")
____I want a separate/stand-alone charger (this involves removing the batteries to charge)
Either of these is acceptable.
8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is not a happy experience).
____I want to confidently walk around an unlit/unpaved rural area (60-150 lumens).
____I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).
____I want to illuminate an entire field, the neighbor's front yard several houses down, impress my friends and neighbors, etc. (300-700 lumens).
____I want search and rescue type illumination (800+ lumens).
____SPECIAL NOTE: Burst/Turbo mode Category - There are several lights that will run at a super bright maximum for a very limited period (usually 5-10 minutes) and then will "step-down" to a lower level for thermal control. Check here if this is acceptable.
All of the above apply. I'm not sure about burst mode. I'd like to hear others opinions about it.
9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
____Wide Throw: I want a beam with a noticeable hot-center for distance throw and a significant amount of "side-spill". Good for rough trail hiking, search and rescue, and general distance work.
____Narrow Throw: I want a beam with a very tight "hot center" and minimal "side-spill". Good for distance viewing, fog, and looking through dense undergrowth.
____Turbohead: I want a far-distance projector with a sharply focused spot of light and minimal or zero side-spill. Good for extreme distance and impressing your friends.
(I think these three cover the spectrum. As I mention below, this needs some diffused, medium-power ability for indoor searches - or navigating through terrain while working a perimeter - as well as long, powerful throw of about 150 yards.)
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
____50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)
____150-200 yards (I am searching from a helicopter)
10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum continuous output).
____ This is important insofar as a building search or perimeter work is usually extended periods, but the light is only on a fraction of that time.
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
____Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival).
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
____I want a forward clicky (Helpful for momentary activation and signaling).
____I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today's high end lights).
____I would consider a remote switch (I've read a lot of negative comments about tape switches on rifles, but if thiere are compelling reasons to look at one, I'm not against them.)
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
____A simple on-off with only one output level is fine for me.
____I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
I'm a firm believer in the KISS principle, but it would be nice to have an indoor search light level (~100 lumens and diffused) plus a strong thrower mode for the outdoor requirements. I'm thinking a single-level, high-power thrower could work by adding a diffuser attachment, though...
14)Material/Finish/Coating
____Anodized Aluminum – either type II or III (Hard Anodized) (Aluminum, specifically HA, is the most common material/finish for today's higher end flashlights).
15) Water resistance
____IPX7 (Waterproof to 1 meter/30min)
16) Storage conditions
____In house (temperature/climate controlled environment)
____Emergency kit (long standby periods)
____Automobile glove-box (wide temperature swings, long standby periods, critical reliability)
(I'd say all of these are possibilities.)
17) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any/all below.
Diffuser?
I would prefer no Crenulated bezel
This will be a dedicated weapon light, so no QR mount is needed. I rather like the Elzetta Picatinny rail mount, but open to other ideas.
As a rifle light, I presume it needs the battery sprung at both ends and a blast and recoil-resistent LED set-up.
