eagletac p20a2/p100a2 or maglite xl100?

[elfakyn]

Damn, I accidentally deleted the whole post (it's 0230 hours so can't help it). OK then.
I'm new to this forum, own a minimag 2AA incandescent (ran out of spares) and a couple of cheap flashlights. I want to buy a new one, and limited it to the p20a2/p100a2 and the maglite xl100. I'm not going to list the pros and cons, you probably know them well.

Things to consider:
- a general purpose flashlight, probably going to carry it in a pocket
- I like the 2xAA more than the 3xAAA
- advanced features and a) keep it really simpe OR b) really complicated (more geeky)
- I like the variable strobe in the xl100
- I like the form factor of the eagletacs, as well as the accessories.
- Lots of indoor and outdoor use;
- Probably keeping/using it for a couple of years.

Thanks in advance, Mike.

 

[stickman]

strobe is worthless. Yes it would suck being the perp trying to attack while being strobed by someone, but in the end you too get some effect with your eyes needing to adjust to the reflecting light. Nothing works better than 100+ lumens straight to the eyes followed by a quick blow to the head, or kick in the nuts, .45 to the chest.......Get the neutral P100 and call it good! Me....I like the KISS approach.

 

[Sector7]

Get the P20A2 with the updated XP-G R5 in it, new design with replaceable drop-ins...

 

[LED_Thrift]

Welcome to CPF elfakyn & stickman.
I like the p20a2, especially the interface.
I agree with stickman - strobe is worthless to actually use. If you want to have it just to play, that's ok, but to me it just gets in the way.

 

[Turboman7]

Hey sector7,

I just received a new Eagletac P20A2 with an R2. It's not the NEW R5, but new to me. You mention the new R5 and "drop-ins". What exactly is that. I know it sounds like a dumb question, but I've only heard of drop-ins for the Surefire lights and their "clones".

THX

 

[csshih]

turboman, the newest p20a2, c2, t20c2, have swappable modules, making upgrades easier.

 

[Turboman7]

Thank you csshih. I guess I just found out which might be one or maybe three of my next lights.

 

[LeifUK]

Also consider the Quark AA2 assuming there are not good reasons why it is not on the list.

 

[JaguarDave-in-Oz]

I have the Eagletac P100 torch (Q5 version) and it's great except for two failings in my specific usage. The first was lack of a clip which I solved by adapting a Quark clip to it.

The second failing of the p100 for me is that it does not have any sort of low mode. There are occasions where the "general" mode is simply too bright for my eyes. Situations like looking at things close up and reading maps. If the torch had a low mode it would be pretty much the perfect torch for me as with its concentrated hotspot it sees further than my Quark turbo and it's spill is just as bright whilst being the same length and narrower so a better fit to my pocket. The lack of a low really kills the P100 as a general daily use torch for me though so I have just a few days ago ordered the MkII R5 version of the P20 to see if it will do the job since it has a low 3rd mode.

 

[elfakyn]

Also consider the Quark AA2 assuming there are not good reasons why it is not on the list.

Wow, thanks, that somehow missed the list. And interestingly enough, the tactical version allows programming (which is rather nice, but it allows only two modes at a time).

As far as I can tell, the eagletacs are a close call: one cheaper, easy to use, the other more expensive but bloated with (possibly) rarely-used functions
.
Any visible brightness difference between the two? (like, is it obvious)

The second failing of the p100 for me is that it does not have any sort of low mode.

Good point. I see myself using the flashlight in various conditions, and a low mode is clearly worth it (the not-so-voted maglite has interesting modes and is sort of cool to use but I don't think it excels in any way (except the interface)).

Oh, and one more thing, is it worth the extra $$$ of the MKII? I don't see myself actually using the extra brightness and it gets really expensive if I choose the tail-stand option.

 

[JaguarDave-in-Oz]

Oh, and one more thing, is it worth the extra $$$ of the MKII? I don't see myself actually using the extra brightness and it gets really expensive if I choose the tail-stand option.

I'd actually probably prefer the R2 earlier version (better throw) but for the fact that it often falls into strobe accidently when using it in momentary mode and I use momentary all the time. The mkII version has the strobe now arranged so that you can ensure it won't accidently fall into strobe mode.

 

[Sector7]

The P20A2 MK II was improved by hidding the strobe function and adding the low mode so you benefit not just from the brightness.