Confession.. I think I'm a flashaholic, and only took a week.

[hawk45]

I've always been a knife guy and love the craftsmanship and real world utility they provide. So recently a buddy of mine asked me about flashlights and I was like "Oh, I have a few.. two in fact.. two Streamlight Polytacs". Thinking I was in the "game", man I came off like a guy telling me that a Spyderco Delica is the end-all-be-all of knives (no flame.. I have 4 and are great.. just not a Sabenza). So like anything I'm into I started the research.. which I love. Spreadsheets!!!!! So I'm all geeked out on the couch every night this week after work and I can't stop looking, comparing, watching videos, reading reviews and learning about batteries of all things (I thought).

So after ordering my first true edc flashlight, then immediately looking for the next light nitch to fill I realized.. I'm sick in this ring too. I just got my SWM V11R today (very nice light with exceptional craftsmanship) and have been playing with all morning... JOY!! As I sat hear looking over my spreadsheet I was like.. I need a nice camping and tactical light w/ strobe.. I mean right!? Found a deal and let it sit in the cart for 2hrs as I looked at other stuff.. then saw a smaller EDC similar to the SWM I just got but with a more tactical setup (I don't know what my obsession with strobe is.. maybe all the shooting comps and EDC training I do at the range). Ended up adding a second light to the cart and boom.. order placed. So now within the last 4 days I've ordered 3 lights (SWM V11R, Klarus XT11 and XT1C), charger and Li-Ions.

Already thinking.. "was that too much?!".. I added a SWM M series to a new cart. Deep breath.. I closed the window and came here to post my confession instead.. 🙂

HELP!!! (kidding.. just send funds instead.

Anyway, cheers and thanks for having a great sight and knowledge. Those of you who all do the reviews (and give responses) are invaluable (and enabling, hahaha!!!).

Hawk

 

[yliu]

Good progress!

Next purchase could be a triple XML light😀

Good to hear that you are into flashlights, let me just warn you that you will have to resist many sweet lights in the future unless you have tons of cash to spend and a room to store them.

 

[hawk45]

Thanks brother..
I have space from all the missing cash 🙂

 

[ScaryFatKidGT]

You might like the Jetbeam RRT-0 wait never mind quit buying lights 🙂

 

[LGT]

Good progress!

Next purchase could be a triple XML light😀

Good to hear that you are into flashlights, let me just warn you that you will have to resist many sweet lights in the future unless you have tons of cash to spend and a room to store them.

I would go for the lights that have established a reputation as being a worthy light. There are far too many flavor of the month lights that just don't live up to their billing. There's a reason why HDS, Surefire and even ZL have such a huge positive response. Buy once cry once.

 

[hoffmyster86]

hi all, first post.

well, theyre shiney and cool you were doomed the minute you bought a good CREE..next comes making things brighter, you'll be beyond help after that lol.

i'm not sure but there must be a secret society for it, but, it's more likely the doctors wont help you

 

[Stress_Test]

Burn your credit card now, it's the only way to save yourself!

'course, that won't help if you already have the number memorized... like I do

 

[Quiksilver]

It's better to spend above your budget now and be beaming with pride at your new light, than to spend less and be forever envious.

You'll end up buying the nice light in the end, but only after you psychologically devour yourself. Better to just get it and be satisfied and move on, that is what I have learned. I'm over the "flashaholism" stage now, and just focused on maintaining battery stocks. Why? Because I purchased all the lights I wanted. One for all the main functions I put them through, plus a couple spares, plus one light for every common battery type. No crappy ones either. My "worst" light is probably my Foursevens Quark AA. Most of my lights are focused on durability and reliability. Malkoffs ... SureFires... HDS... With some Foursevens, ZL, Maglite to cover the gaps that those ones miss.

Cliffs:

- Figure out what uses you have for lights: (EDC, camping, hiking, SHTF, LEO, SAR, etc).

- Buy the nice ones.

- Eat gruel and cardboard for a week to recoup budget.

- Move on.

 

[skyfire]

if you're the type that would spend the extra money on a sebenza because you appreciate all the finer details and workmanship, i too would advise you go straight into the higher quality lights. such as surefire, malkoff, hds, mcgizmo. Mcgizmo lights are probably regarded as the best EDC lights. paying around $400 for the best EDC light you can get when comparing to some of the best knives which can run thousands of dollars is actually a steal.
and like the higher quality more expensive knives, many of these flashlights hold better value on the secondary market.
oh, and the marketplace is a great place to save a little money. every dollar saved can go towards that next toy 😉

of course its hard to really know what you want in a light until you have tried it. i started out on fenix, 4sevens, jetbeams and such. now, i dont own any of those anymore, and almost all of my lights consist of surefires and malkoffs. you will have to find your own path, but taking the higher end road might save you money in the long run by taming the urges.

i realize after trying out many lights that like it super simple, im talking no more than 2 modes. im a fixed blade type of guy 😀, and believe in the simpler the better. which is why im a big fan of surefires and malkoffs.
quality, and every man-made thing is guarantee to fail, its just a matter of when. but having a lifetime warranty from establish makers, and tons of spare and optional parts on the market eases the mind. its also part of the fun!
one of my first lights, an olight which i paid $70 for, developed a faulty switch after about a year. i never heard from olight after many attempts. the light became junk because i couldnt get a $5 part.

 

[M@elstrom]

I think I'm a flashaholic, and only took a week.

We didn't cause you to become a flash-a-holic, we simply helped you find the flash-a-holic within! :thumbsup:


BTW nice choice on the XT11, I'm really happy with mine! 😀

 

[jacksmith]

you are the man, 😉, hope one day I can join the flashaholic team.

 

[hawk45]

I'm trying to maintain reasonable control.. order 1 and wait for it to arrive to see what I like/don't and what niche it fills. I have started to look at some of the Surefires but haven't looked into the custom jobbers yet. I too like the rule of less is more when comes to controls and prefer 1 handed operation. My first pocket light was the V11R.. so we'll see how the rotating ring holds up to dust/dirt. I've always been a button guy.. simple and easy. Not sure about the multiple clicks/holds/presses.. I don't want to have to keep the instruction manual with me if I need a hidden mode.

 

[Danielight]

A whole week ... that long? :laughing:

 

[biglights]

you are the man, 😉, hope one day I can join the flashaholic team.

I think you already have 😎

 

[Gunner12]

Welcome to the team!

Pretty soon, you'll have a nice shiny collection of tools.

 

[Darvis]

Your lower back will thank you for the lighter wallet.

 

[hawk45]

It should.. just ordered an HDS EDC 120. Malkoff next..

 

[Evltcat]

It should.. just ordered an HDS EDC 120. Malkoff next..

Oh Hawk45, you've got it BAD !!!

You're not alone... I already did the same, and my second Malkoff came in last week! 😗

 

[borealis]

...ordered 3 lights (SWM V11R, Klarus XT11 and XT1C...

Why XT11 over SWM V20C? It has the ring and the strobe.

 

[ansehnlich1]

hawk, I'm in the same boat as you. I wasn't expecting to catch the madlighter disease, and didn't even consider emitters, mcclickys, throw, flood or bezel as little as a month ago....sure did catch the bug fast though!