Flashilght for the College Student

[Frankiarmz]

Last year I when my daughter was going off to college I made sure to pack her a 3D Maglite. I figured long run time, big enough to stand out among her clutter and possible self defense weapon. I also gave her a Brinkman incandescent tactical, cheap but practical. What are your suggestions?

 

[Frankiarmz]

Last year I when my daughter was going off to college I made sure to pack her a 3D Maglite. I figured long run time, big enough to stand out among her clutter and possible self defense weapon. I also gave her a Brinkman incandescent tactical, cheap but practical. What are your suggestions?

 

[Burgess]

Well, first off . . . .


How did she like those two choices ? ? ?


Any comments, complaints, or remarks about them ?


Give us some of HER input, before we start "guessing".


:thinking:
_

 

[Gunner12]

I'd give something smaller so she can have it with her all the time.

A Fenix L0D-CE Q4 or simialr should be good. Can be bright but has a lower mode.

The E01 might be a good simple EDC light too.

And she won't loose the light unless she looses her keys.

IMO the Maglite is too big and could be brighter, the Brinkmann uses CR123s which can be annoying to replace.

 

[greenLED]

I'd prefer a smaller light - 1 or 2 AA size, or even a couple of AAA lights for her keychain.

She'd be more willing to EDC that than a 3D mag.

Although there's plenty to choose from these days, Fenix is pretty much the brand of choice (best value for your money).

 

[allburger]

I am currently in college myself, my sister came here last year as a freshman and I bought her a Romisen 1xAA Cree LED light.

My thought on this is that it is small enough for her to put in her coin purse and actually use. I love the idea of a 3D mag, and that is ideal for dorm or apartment use. I know here at central michigan university, freshman have to park in a lot which is quite a far walk, and she had to walk it many times in the dark.

There is no way my sister would have carried a 3D mag in her purse. The romisen had a little strike bezel which kinda looked cool but probably wouldnt do much damage.

With the little romisen and a can of mase I felt like she was well equipped.

 

[Frankiarmz]

Well, first off . . . .


How did she like those two choices ? ? ?


Any comments, complaints, or remarks about them ?


Give us some of HER input, before we start "guessing".


:thinking:
_

I think she likes the security of the Maglite along with it's long run time and ease to find in her room which is kind of messy. I gave her the Brinkman to carry in her purse, but I don't think she used it much when walking back to the doom at night. I know now that there are many alternatives, especially for the carry. I still feel good about the Maglite, just don't know if I would switch the carry? Was wondering if any other Forum members have run across a similar situation?

 

[Frankiarmz]

I'd prefer a smaller light - 1 or 2 AA size, or even a couple of AAA lights for her keychain.

She'd be more willing to EDC that than a 3D mag.

Although there's plenty to choose from these days, Fenix is pretty much the brand of choice (best value for your money).

I should have explained myself a little better but the Maglite was primarily for her room and dorm, not to be carried outside. I agree the AAA's would work out fine for EDC.

 

[jzmtl]

How much do you want to pay? That's alway the most important question.

Also I don't think mag 3d will offer her any real security. Most male would be able to take it from most female if they are serious about it.

 

[yekim]

L1D/L2D would be my choice. Cheap batteries, can tailstand, and the low level is good to navigate a room full of passed out students without waking anyone, and the high will blind someone pretty good if need be.

 

[Crenshaw]

let her stick with the maglite since she is already comfortable with it, but buy some upgrade for it. Hotwires are hard to maintain if youre not really into the "whole flashlight thing" so a LED replacement seems like the best idea.

http://www.kaidomain.com/WEBUI/ProductDetail.aspx?TranID=4476

this is a pretty good overall kit for a good price.

and you can also consider Malkoff's LED maglite drop ins.

outside, a fenix L0D is one of the most reliable and foolproof AAAs out there.

if you want something abit more cost effective
this

http://www.kaidomain.com/WEBUI/ProductDetail.aspx?TranID=4499

is one of the best value lights i have ever purchased.


Crenshaw

 

[Frankiarmz]

How much do you want to pay? That's alway the most important question.

Also I don't think mag 3d will offer her any real security. Most male would be able to take it from most female if they are serious about it.

Cost is a factor, that's why I chose the Brinkman it was inexpensive and would give her a strong relatively compact carry light. If I thought she would appreciate and use a better EDC I would give her one. I really did not give her the 3D Mag to use as a weapon but it does have some heft to it and while I agree about male combatants it does present something sturdy as opposed to a much smaller flashlight.

 

[Frankiarmz]

I am currently in college myself, my sister came here last year as a freshman and I bought her a Romisen 1xAA Cree LED light.

My thought on this is that it is small enough for her to put in her coin purse and actually use. I love the idea of a 3D mag, and that is ideal for dorm or apartment use. I know here at central michigan university, freshman have to park in a lot which is quite a far walk, and she had to walk it many times in the dark.

There is no way my sister would have carried a 3D mag in her purse. The romisen had a little strike bezel which kinda looked cool but probably wouldnt do much damage.

With the little romisen and a can of mase I felt like she was well equipped.

The 3D Mag was intended for her room and not to be an EDC. The variety of good AA and AAA Crees are much more than I was aware of last year. The Brinkman was a trade off of small size and strong light at the time. I would like to mention that I mistakenly posted this Tread twice and do not know how to merge them, so I hope this can be corrected. Thanks.

 

[jzmtl]

If the maglite is only used indoors, I'd say leave it alone and spend money on a good small LED light. Fenix brand mentioned above is a good one, although they are north of $50. But check out marketplace, you can usually pick up something good for less than retail.

 

[MattK]

LumaPower LM31 - bright, uses AA's, lanyard, glow in the dark tailcap, 2 levels of output, floody and small - perfect for stagger...walking home, etc - only $29.45 after coupon so no heartache if she loses it. If she has long or painted nails a LumaPower F1 is a twisty which is much more fingernail friendly with many of the same qualities as the LM31 - plus it's purty.

 

[Frankiarmz]

LumaPower LM31 - bright, uses AA's, lanyard, glow in the dark tailcap, 2 levels of output, floody and small - perfect for stagger...walking home, etc - only $29.45 after coupon so no heartache if she loses it. If she has long or painted nails a LumaPower F1 is a twisty which is much more fingernail friendly with many of the same qualities as the LM33 - plus it's purty.

Matt, nice suggestion and something I am willing to consider especially with the hybrid NIMH's . I thought she would use the EDC more often but although she takes it with her it does not get much use. I also thought the CR123's would hold their charge longer than the AA alkalines.

 

[Supernam]

I hate to break it to you, but a 3D Maglite does NOT have good run time. I actually find it pretty pitiful for such a big light with low output. I suggest an LED drop in.

http://flashlightreviews.com/reviews/maglite_3d.htm

 

[MattK]

If you prefer CR123A lights, and they usually do run longer you can also look at the LumaPower LM33 or the even smaller & brighter Incendio. If your daughter is like most college kids I'd probably stick with primary batteries as rechargeables take some discipline - I always like primaries for an 'emergency' light.

 

[Frankiarmz]

I hate to break it to you, but a 3D Maglite does NOT have good run time. I actually find it pretty pitiful for such a big light with low output. I suggest an LED drop in.

http://flashlightreviews.com/reviews/maglite_3d.htm

No argument here! I switched from the standard bulb to the MagLED dropin and with Tenergy NIMH D cells I got just over twenty four hours. I put duracell alkalines in my daughters Mag but did not test the run time?

 

[Frankiarmz]

If you prefer CR123A lights, and they usually do run longer you can also look at the LumaPower LM33 or the even smaller & brighter Incendio. If your daughter is like most college kids I'd probably stick with primary batteries as rechargeables take some discipline - I always like primaries for an 'emergency' light.

Matt, do you think the Olight 2008 T-10 with 190 lumens would be a better bargain or should I say a better light?