3D sized bright flashlight alternatives to Mag-Lite

[BuddTX]

I like the size, weight and shape of the Mag-Lite 3D, but as many here have already observed, the actual light is nothing great.

I actually take advantage of the heavy weight of the mag-lite, as I use these lights as hand weights when I walk my dog, (spend between 1 and 2.5 hours a day walking her, so it is not just a trip down the road!)

I thought about new bulbs and reflectors from Carley, or putting a LED light in the mag-lites, or going to NiMH batteries and a 2D halogen bulb from Radio Shack (all ideas I got on here, thanks!) However if I am going to spend that much money, why not spend a little more, and get a Streamlight or Sure Fire.

(I still might do a PRO Series 3 led light bulb from LEDCORP just for fun, but I understand that most LED lights to not have the throwing beam power of incandescents, again thanks to this forum!)

The light that I am leaning towards, is the Streamlight SL-20X (the 10 watt one, they also have an 8 and 3 watt version of the light). I think that I like this one over the UltraStinger because of its larger bulb, and supposedly larger hot spot, and the fact that it is a little heavier (1.9 vs 1.1 lbs), and I like it a little more than the Sure Fire 8nx1415 (about the same price at Brightguy.com, but the streamlight has a longer life bulb, less expensive replacement bulbs, and is a little heavier - opposite what 99.9 % of flashlight users want, most want a lighter light!)

HOWEVER, I was wondering if I am missing any "middle ground" lights in the 20-40 $ range that might be inbetween a mag-lite and a Streammlight.

The batteries in my Mag-lite last for 3-4 months, then I change them even though they are still running, just because I know that it has been several months since the last change.

I am not using this for mission critical life and death situations, just to have light when I walk my dog, and as some hand weights. However, the Mag-lights just don't cut it when she is 200 - 300 feet away from me, and I want to see what she is getting into.

I appreciate any suggestions or web sites that anyone might have.

Thanks!

 

[MarcV]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by BuddTX:
Mag-Lite 3D, I use these lights as hand weights when I walk my dog<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

We saw just what you describe on our way to church Sunday morning; a walker with two MagLites aimed backwards and a large dog (aimed forwards). The flashing of the swinging lights caught my eye, but I usually am the first in a group to spot flashing lights.

If I were you, I'd separate the functions. Right now you are limited to the weight provided by two flashlights. Why not, instead, switch to lead saps or sandbags for the weight; then attach one or more strobing lamps to your body?

Remember, it is the flashing, not the light coverage that attracts attention.

Maybe some other CPFers have recommendations. My only experience is with water safety strobes we pin to PFDs on our sailboat. They cost about $20 each and use D cells. They're designed to attract rescuer attention through fog and gloom.

Just my two cents worth...

 

[recercare]

Have you considered Pelican M10?

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

SureFire M4

 

[BuddTX]

Thanks for all the responses so far!

The flashlights are for me to see her, and to see what, if anything is in the field that I should know about (skunk, other kids, other animals, hole in a fence, water, what she is barking at, etc.)

On my dog, I have TWO Pelican mini Flashers attached to her flashing "lighted saftey" collar:
http://www.pelican.com/product/lights/2130lite.htm
http://www.petsmart.com/dog/shopping/collars%5F%5Fleashes%5F%5F%5Fid%5Ftags/safety/products/product%5F21714.shtml
http://www.uflash.com/
http://www.sportbrite.com/pets.html
(but the pet specific link is not currently working)

Just FYI, the lighted saftey collar is very nice, as it flashes RED in the dark, but when a light beam hits it, it turns a bright neon yellow!

Three seperate power sources so that if one goes out, she still has two that are working! (I am a little paronoid that she will run out into the road, but that has not happened in the six months that I have been walking her, but it is always a possibility!)

Plus the lights help me locate her when she goes into "turbo mode". (Jack Russell Terriers have this "ultra high speed mode" where they move faster than you ever thought a dog could move!)

I want the flashlights for me to see actually what she is getting into, or light up the field to see what she is barking at.

I could put a pelican flashing light on me if she had a problem seeing me, but there is enough ambient light (lighted parking lot on one side, lighted bus barn on another side, lighted church on the back side of the field) that she does not have any problem seeing where I am.

(Plus it is just fun to have a bright, nice flashlight! If I am going to be out exercising in the dark, I might as well enjoy being able to light up the night.)

I will check out the Pelican M10 and the Surefire M4. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[BuddTX]

Ok the M4 from SureFire is called the:
M4 Millennium Devastor

and it retails for $ 285.00!

Unless you know of some place that is selling it in the 20-40 $ range (hell, I'd pay 50 or 60 bucks for one of those!), that is out of my price range!

What was that song, "Blinded by the light!"

 

[Velcro]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by BuddTX:
Ok the M4 from SureFire is called the:
M4 Millennium Devastor

and it retails for $ 285.00!

Unless you know of some place that is selling it in the 20-40 $ range (hell, I'd pay 50 or 60 bucks for one of those!), that is out of my price range!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

BuddTX, some people on this forum are so spoiled and hypnotised by their Sure-Fire light(s) that they just recommend a Sure-Fire to anyone regardless of the kind of use.

Like, if you're asking which flashlight is appropriate enough to look in a dark closet, some SF fan pops up and replies "Buy the M6, it has a great beam!".

Greetings,
Velcro

 

[John N]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by BuddTX:
On my dog, I have TWO Pelican mini Flashers attached to her flashing "lighted saftey" collar:

http://www.petsmart.com/dog/shopping/collars%5F%5Fleashes%5F% 5F%5Fid%5Ftags/safety/products/product%5F21714.shtml

http://www.uflash.com/

Just FYI, the lighted saftey collar is very nice, as it flashes RED in the dark, but when a light beam hits it, it turns a bright neon yellow!
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

For those who might be interested, I've got some pictures of the Petsmart blinking collar here:

http://www.navitsky.org:4601/index/collar/
(Sorry, not Netscape 6.2 compatible)

As noted, it's reflective too, so if you flash a light on it will reflect the light.

I think this collar and the Uflash collar are the same, but I've not seen a Uflash in person.

I'm thinking about dog walking too and I'm thinking about the SF 10X. Rechargable, 3 hrs at 60lu with 20mins of 500lu. Medium size. I would think the 60lu would be good most of the time, but if you lose her, the 500 might be handy for searching.

<A HREF="http://www.surefire.com/cgi-bin/main.pl?pgm=co_disp&func=displ&prrfnbr=310&sesent=0,0" TARGET=_blank>http://www.surefire.com/cgi-bin/main.pl?pgm=co_disp&func=displ&prrfnbr=310&sesent=0,0[/UR L]

http://www.pk-engineering.com/flashlight10X.html</A>

[url="http://www.candlepowerforums.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=000324"]http://www.candlepowerforums.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=000324

Hey, no flames about recommending a SF , it's a good fit IMO - a rechargable for dog walking. It does run about $250 (AGR). Although I admit, I wouldn't think a lithium celled light would be a good choice for something that is used a lot.

It seems like the Streamlight recharables or the Magcharger would be decent as well althought they don't have the high beam and typically runtime is a bit shorter. On the other hand, they are more "traditional" form factors and probably are more waterproof.

Most of the decent Streamlights seem to be around $100 (for example, the SL20X).

Personally, if I was going to get that type of light it would be a SL20X or Ultrastinger. Runtime is 1.5hrs with the SL20X which isn't bad, but the 3hrs with the 10X seems like you would be hard pressed to ever run out of light.

I'd second the thing about getting a seperate blinky thing for human visability or a reflective vest or something.

They have led blinkers for cyclists which is what I'll probably look at for my wife and I. Some of them are darn bright and should provide excellent visability.

-john

 

[WaltH]

I don't own one but from what I've read the Brinkman LX might suit your needs. It's not going to give you the workout of a 3D as it's much smaller. But it's twice as bright. Runs on 2 123 lithiums for about an hour.
And the Surefire M4 can be had for under $200.00 very easily.

FWIW

 

[Alan]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Velcro:
BuddTX, some people on this forum are so spoiled and hypnotised by their Sure-Fire light(s) that they just recommend a Sure-Fire to anyone regardless of the kind of use.

Like, if you're asking which flashlight is appropriate enough to look in a dark closet, some SF fan pops up and replies "Buy the M6, it has a great beam!".

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Velcro, this is a good one. By the way, did you wear your bullet proof vest?

Alan

 

[Alan]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by John N:

Hey, no flames about recommending a SF , it's a good fit IMO - a rechargable for dog walking. It does run about $250 (AGR).
-john<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

John, no one will get flames simply being recommended to use an *appropriate* Sure Fire. Like you said, you recommened 10X with very objective views on situation of *walking a dog daily*. However, like Velcro's example, some recommendation is simply out of line. Walking a dog with M4 or other lithium based lights for an hour every day will cost you $3,650 a year ($2.5/cells and assuming with MN60). Monetary issue aside, it's not environmental either.

Honestly, I also think that 10X is best fit BuddTX's requirement except the budget.

I apologize sincerely if anyone got offended that is definitely not intended.

Alan

 

[John N]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Alan:
John, no one will get flames simply being recommended to use an *appropriate* Sure Fire.
...
I apologize sincerely if anyone got offended that is definitely not intended.

Alan<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>



I wasn't offended.

-john

 

[The_LED_Museum]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Alan:
Walking a dog with M4 or other lithium based lights for an hour every day will cost you $3,650 a year ($2.5/cells and assuming with MN60). <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

It could cost a LOT more if you walk your dog in downtown Seattle and have to buy batteries at ~$14.29 a cell.

That $3,650 a year is a conservative figure, assuming you get a GREAT price on batteries every single time you buy them, and doesn't appear to include the cost of replacement light bulbs either.

 

[txwest]

BuddTX,
Given what you want it to do & the budget, I would suggest the Surge for the "see what's around you" light, & something along the lines of a Bison 2-C for your "reach out & touch someone" light. Get some rechargeables for the Surge, since you'll be useing it a lot, & some Ray-O-Vac akalines for the Bison from WalMart. The akalines should last awhile, since you won't be useing that light much. I have a Streamlight 3-C that has a long reach. I understand the Bison is about the same with only 2 batteries. TX
PS Go read the "Surge VS SL6 comparison". It compares the SL6 & may do what you want, but with more batteries

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

When I check my dark closets, I throw a FlashBang in first.

I do think SF has the most reliable and best build lights out there. For $30-$40 you can NOT buy a premium flashlight. The best you can get for that much is Pelican SuperSabre Lite, which has a very long reach, and fairly good beam(it runs on C cells)


p.s. For me, I would get SF 9x, 20lum low beam and 140+lum high beam.$120

 

[brightnorm]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by txwest:
BuddTX,
something along the lines of a Bison 2-C for your "reach out & touch someone" light. , <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Based on my experience, I really don't see the Bison as a long throw light; not at all. The Bison has a fare-to-middling beam, not particularly white or strong. The Surge is much more of a "reach out and touch someone" light, its brightness somewhere between a 2x123 and a 3X123 lithium.

The Bison's real strength is its run time, a genuine 4-5 hours. It is undistinguished in almost every other respect including its focusable beam which, despite its "bright spot in the middle" is IMO quite wretched though it is cleverly designed and is smaller, lighter and brighter than one might expect.

Do I have a Bison? You bet, and I use it when my need for a long burn outweighs my need for a bright smooth beam.

I am NOT deprecating this light. I am saying it is useful for a specific purpose, as are most lights.

If you want an EDC, general purpose light that combines reasonable brightness, long run time, tiny size and weight (2.5 oz), waterproof, indestructible, cheap and lithium-powered, I would recommend the UK 2L.

Regards,
Brightnorm

 

[BuddTX]

John N,

I wasn't at all offended, and did not intend a flame,I just thought it was humorous to recommend a 250 $ light in the 20-40 range. I tried to be humorous in my response.

I would love to have several of those!

As I said in the first post, I am leaning towards a Streamlight, only because, from gathering information here, that the Sure Fire's have a tighter, brigher, light, and the Streamlight (particuarly the SL-20 series) have a bigger hot spot, but not as bright as the SF. There is the option with the Streamlight SL-20 to put a 3 watt, 8 watt, 10 watt, or 20 watt bulb in there,depending on your needs, and I like that option. TOO BRIGHT and I blind my dog!

I guess that it is just a matter of time before anyone who hangs out here, eventually purchases their first SF! (I say First, because it seems that most of yall own more than one!)

I would love to hear your (and others) opinion of the SF beams vs the Streamlight beams!

My Next Door Neighbor is a LEO, and he loves his Streamlight SL-20. He says that is what most of his peers use also. His light is 7-10 years old or something like that anyway, and it has never failed him.

 

[txwest]

I was going on what I read about the Bison. I don't own one. BuddTX was looking for good lights for walking his dog. One "flood" for close (150' & less) then something to get out to 300'. My US is a good 300' light, but won't fit his $20-$40 range. The Surge should fill the 150' & less bill. TX

 

[BuddTX]

Update,

I ordered the Surge from BrightGuy on Wed 1-02-02. Anxiously awaiting for it to arrive (Saturday 1-5-02 still not here, but no big deal, it will prob get here Mon or Tues).

Will probably get the Pelican M10 as my secondary light. 40,000 CP and takes 4 C batteries. 29.99 at BrightGuy.com.

AND, when I save up for it, I will probably get a Streamlight SL-20x or, if they have a new model, that version!

 

[recercare]

I believe it has 30.000CP, the Rechargeable M11 has 40.000CP though