Airsoft/General Purpose Flashlight Suggestions?

[ElectroPulse]

Hello, all!

I have been looking around the forums, and the threads regarding airsoft seem to be 2 years or older (may have missed some more recent ones). Anyway, figured I'd create a thread to get a more personalized answer nonetheless. (Btw, I am new to the whole flashlight thing... my previous experience with flashlights has just been cheapy wally world flashlights, so I am unfamiliar with some of the terms used)

Anyway, the primary purpose for me buying a flashlight is airsoft. My brother and I play mostly at nighttime, so I figured a focused flashlight with good throw would be a good idea... I am looking to mount it on my M4's handguard. Also, since I have no decent flashlights for just general use, I will probably be taking it off my gun in-between games for general use such as camping, working on computers, etc.

Anyway, one of the threads I ran across gave me some ideas for characteristics I am looking for in a flashlight:

Price range: Probably not much more than $50 (base flashlight price... will probably want to go rechargable batteries, but don't include that in the $50)... as it is, I will probably have to wait a little while to save up enough for it.

Dimensions: Unknown. Something that would look decent on an M4 (seeing as how 75% of airsoft is looks ;))

Battery type: Some sort of rechargable battery... it would be nice if it would accept standard batteries as well, so as to keep some on a shelf in case I need to use it in short order.

Durability: Definitely want a lens thick enough to withstand close-range BB hits. Perhaps even one that accepts an outter protective lense (provided that wouldn't disperse the light) (if they exist)? Would probably want metal, or at the very least some heavy-duty plastic (would strongly prefer metal... just feels more durable to me ;))

Operational modes: Multiple brightness settings (wouldn't want to burn through a battery too quick if I was just working on a computer) including an intense brightness (for purposes of stunning opponents in CQB) and some not-so-intense brightnesses (if that's a word), strobe.

Runtime: More than 4-6 hours on a charge (for brightest, perhaps?)

Throw vs. Flood: Most definately leaning toward the throw side... It would be nice if there was a lens to adjust this? But as aformentioned, would prefer flood due to the primary style of gameplay (may also get a chance to play some CQB, so that could be taken into account).

Brightness: As bright as possible ;)

Other features: Memory, so that I could have strobe enabled when I first turn it on. Pressure switch compatibility (not sure if I want toggle or push-to-flash [not sure what the proper name is]). Some sort of module support? (I read somewhere about some sort of modular flashlight capabilities that allowed swapping of some sort of parts... think the name started with "m")


Thanks in advance to all who provide help!

 

[carrot]

Sounds like you are looking for something like the 4sevens Maelstrom G5. A bit higher than your price point but has an optional tape pressure switch, Li-ion 18650 rechargeable capability, and 4 levels of output as well as strobe. This is a serious flashlight that will give you many years of hard use.

 

[Soda]

Fenix tk12
Specs are in link
https://www.fenix-store.com/product_info.php?products_id=1771

 

[Danjojo]

Eagletac T100C2 MkII is less than $50. I think it is one of the few that are really efficient with 18650. If you get the weapon kit package you get everything you need for $80 (about the starting price of most other good weapon lights).

 

[ElectroPulse]

Thanks for the replies!

I see that the TK12 has memory, what about the others? It appears they don't... this feature is pretty high-priority on my list. I would like to be able to switch it to strobe, turn it off, come around a corner and switch on strobe with one click.

Yea, I saw the Maelstrom series when I was searching for flashlights, but passed it over due to the prices... I may eventually come to the point of being willing to shell out $100+ for a flashlight, but not there yet.

Now, I realize that lumens aren't everything... but are there flashlights within my price range that put out more light? Wouldn't necessarily need to use it all the time, would probably use the high light level for strobe or something, or else for short periods of time for spotting distant opponents (then switch to lower level to conserve power once target has been accquired)..

Also, I noticed that there may be a difference in how companies measure lumens... is the standard measurement "out the front" light level, or right next to the light source?

I was looking at the T100c2, and noticed in the tactical package that the remote switch said this: "Includes remote pressure switch with separate constant on and off switch." Does this mean that it has both a remote pressure switch, and a remote toggle switch?

Also, it may say somewhere that, but it doesn't appear that they have a variable throw vs. flood options (other than the 2 types of reflectors for the t100c2)... Is it just best to stick with one or the other, or are there flashlights that allow you to rotate the end of it to change the focus or something, that are just as effective?

Thanks!

EDIT: Hmm... I read that the Quark AA2 Turbo has 2x Programmable modes to allow quick switching. Are there any flashlights with a similar feature that still include the aforementioned requirements?

 

[ElectroPulse]

BUMP... anyone else have recommendations/comments on recommendations? (or answers to above questions)

Btw, what is the rule on bumping? I looked in the Forum Rules and it says nothing about it...

Also: What camera settings (like shutter speed) generally produce the closest to actually being there? Like, a 2 second exposure makes a flashlight look really good, but I'm not sure if that is a realistic idea of how well it illuminates the subject.

 

[Painful Chafe]

Try this

http://www.sbflashlights.com/Lumintop/Lumintop-TD15-R5-LED-Tactical-Flashlight-p85.html


With coupon code SBBF30

it is $76.94 delivered with the remote switch

Coupon expires on the 28th

 

[jorn]

I would go for a solarforce L2T. It's 1" so it no problem finding a mount for it. If you want it to be on the throwy side, you buy a xr-e or xp-e p60 module. If you want it to be floody, you can go for one with a bigger led like the xm-l, mc-e, sst50. The high lumen modules will not have as mutch throw as the ones with smaller leds. You can get loads of parts for it like the pts2 pressure tape switch etc.. And its cheap, but still well buildt.