1 light - your pick

[notos&w]

now i know we all have a ton of flashlights lying around, some for different jobs and some we bought out of curiousity or ignorance and dont really use.

my question is: if you could start over knowing what you do now, what would be the first light you'd buy? and why?

 

[x-ray]

Arc AAA, it's the most useful light I own.

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

E2e, never leave home without it.

 

[battman]

1st light I'd buy? A MiniMag AA...so I could drop an Opalec Newbeam inside! Why? For the 8+ hrs of useful, steady brightness.

 

[Byron Walter]

I'd flip a coin with a SureFire E2e on one side and an Arc LS on the other.

 

[sotto]

As I've mentioned, my "if I could only have one light" would have the following criteria: run on AA's, lanyard hole, waterproof, rugged, belt attachment device, bright, decent run time, and (hopefully) intermittent one-hand operable switch. The only light I have that meets most of these requirements is my UK MiniQ40. However, the light I take with me into the alleys at night is my Surefire M2.

Thanks.

 

[Owen]

Inova X5 (mine is the old style)
I know it doesn't have much throw, but I probably use it a hundred times as much as any other light. Long runtime, tough, waterproof, and plenty of usable light for most tasks. Matter of fact, since I got it, I have only used another light a couple of times. Even the Photon II on my keyring doesn't get used, since it's just more convenient to pull out the X5.

 

[Albany Tom]

First would have to be the Arc-AAA. I can't stand not having a light with me all the time.

Next would be the SL 4AA LED, even though I've only had it a few days.

 

[ikendu]

x-ray: ...Arc AAA, it's the most useful light I own.
rlhess: ...Arc AAA LE (EDC)
Albany Tom: ...First would have to be the Arc-AAA

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Yeah, I gotta say, if you are only buying one, its hard to go too far wrong by buying the ARC AAA.

Why?
- easy to carry with you at all times
- quite usefully bright
- quite usefully long lasting (all night with right battery)
- rugged, durable, WILL NOT let you down
- cheap batteries (AAAs !)...or even NiMHs
- easy to carry spares (AAAs !)
- small size allows flexible positioning (in your teeth if necessary)

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

One? You MUST be joking!

Well, you can't get one anymore but my Sams/Walmart 'Value Light' 3D gets the nod. Slide switch (better than all but a few push buttons), 3D longevity, textured reflector,and with 2 cell bulb quite bright!

Also quite like my 4aa Rayovac 'Prodigy'. With Lithiums and KPR103 it imitates the sun pretty well. Only draw back is a non momentary button.

 

[Saaby]

Arc AAA with a few extra AAAs at hand always

Then a Arc LS I think, no...that'd have to be third, Brinknann LX (Or Substitute Surefire E2e, but I don't have one of those yet)

and THEN an Arc LS.

--OPTIONAL--
After the LS, if you're using a Brinkmann LX (In daily carry) replace it with a Surefire E2/E2e...it's smaller

Hey, that's the order I got them in...

 

[webley445]

I'd go with the old 3D mag.

 

[hotfoot]

Arc-LS 2AA.

*BUUUUuuuT* it must be one of those with the perfect beams, color and none of that board flex and nonsense.

Tough, reasonable runtime, pocketable, lanyardable, stands on tail, waterproof (or at least its intended to be soon), good choice of batteries, doubles up as a kubotan or emergency hammer.

Simple head design lends itself well to modding too to unique needs - as McGizmo has shown so many times in the past.

 

[rlhess]

Boy, it's a real tossup. There are six lights I use regularly.

...Arc sLS (EDC w/1-123)
...SF E2e (EDC) -- replace with A2?
...UKE SL6
...SL Septor (replaced the Aurora 'cause of the flicker)
...Arc AAA LE (EDC)
...Lambda Illuminator (the first-grab light in my home office) although this could be replaced with another sLS (2aa), although the Brinkmann tailcap switch is nice and fast.

So, starting from scratch, I'd have to say that the Arc sLS would be the best compromise to meet all my needs, but Byron Walter has a point as well. I've ranked the above list in the order I'd reacquire them.

Since I've taken to EDCing the sLS/123 the Arc AAA is less useful--it stays on my keyring if I should need long light.

Cheers,

Richard

 

[McGizmo]

If I could make the light, it would be my McLux1:

If I needed to buy it, it would be a KL1 on E1E. I would disassemble the bezel, remove the collimator and then reassemble. (Sorry, can't take an Arc LS apart)

A 1W white Luxeon allowed to provide a wide spread of area light is the most single useful light source I have used. With an even fill of ample light, I don't think it can be beat! IMHO

Lighting the area is quicker and simpler than searching the area. I realize I am in a minority on this but maybe others just haven't seen the light yet??

 

[Size15's]

If I could start from scratch knowing what I know, the first flashlight I'd get would be the SureFire E2e-HA with KL1.

Or the 10X.

Al

 

[Sean]

If I had to do it all over again and had only 1 choice I would get:

Surefire E2 & an MN02
Surefire KL-1 LED bezel

It would be one very versitile light.

The other option is to just get a Surefire A2.

 

[Size15's]

Ah!

"What would be the first light you'd buy?"

In that case, I'd buy the A2 when it is released.

(Thanks Sean!)

Al

 

[Charles Bradshaw]

My first light would be the CMG Infinity Ultra: About as bright as the Arc AAA, but, much better burn time, particularly with Lithium AA. I have a regular infinity now, use it all the time. However the doubled brightness would be truly useful to me. The Ultra is the next acquisiton on my list (several of them).

For general duty headlamp, I would get either a PT Matrix (3 LED, 2 AA) or Solo + Matrix LED module. Very useful, as I take the trash out after dark (also a great time to check out a new light outside

).

Arc LS or 2, If I could get rev1 or rev2, plus some mods from Silviron.

Mag-Lite D Cell, plus several Pro Series Bulbs from LEDCorp. Also some regular LED bulbs from them for extended run time, though not nearly as bright.

On my fixed income budget, I am concerned with maximizing battery usage along with not having to replace bulbs often. So, I would rather spend more for these attributes and high quality now, then save alot in the long run.

 

[BuddTX]

I hate questions like this! (no offense!)

If I could be 21 years old, but knew what I knew now, what would I do?

ASK MORE GIRLS OUT!

SAVE MORE MONEY!

DON'T SWEAT THE LITTLE STUFF!

My first "post wal-mart" light was the Princeton Tec Surge, and I loved it!

I also love my ARC, and I use it MUCH more than my SURGE!

Does it mean that I should have purchased an ARC first?

Does it mean that the SURGE is bad?

AAAuuuugggghhh

I am going to blow a blood vessell!

Maybe a better question, would be what would you consider to be your essential bare minimum light collection, both of lights that you own, and plan to own.