flashlight buying advice

[Rogue_monkey]

I'm looking to get as bright of a light as I can with good throw, Any kind of bulb will do. Burn time is not important as long as its more then an hour. I was looking for somthing not to large that runs on lith 123's if possible.

Also I would like it be under $50 US.

I know thats really general, but i'm not to experienced in the flashlight department.

 

[thesurefire]

pelican M6? A great 2x123 thrower I hear. you could also go with a mag 2c mod, it would be much higher in lumen output as you could go 3 or 4 123's. A 2c mag, a battery holder (heater pipe) and a apporate bulb will be about 30-40 depending on what bulb you get, and will out throw almost anything else, and definitly everything under $100. the Pelican M6 is about $50, 45 at batterystation IIRC.

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

Use 3x123 driving a 5 cell M*g Whitestar (or Radioshack KPR112) in a 2C M*g. You'll want to center up the bulb as close to perfect as possible, and you might want to use Writeright PDA Screen protective film (for the Palm Zire B&W PDA) or an Acrylite lense (search "acrylite") to get a smooth tight spot.

Not including the batteries it's under 20 bucks!

And if anyone else you meet wants to get into a "pissin" contest, you'll kill almost any other M*g out there with a few exceptions here on CPF...

BTW WELCOME to CPF! Two words of advice. Hide your wallet! And when it comes down to two lights, buy them both!

 

[MrBenchmark]

Second the vote for PM6. It's runtime is just a bit over an hour. It's very bright, it throws great, and it's a good price. Really, it's a very nice light.

 

[DaGeek]

Hey joe shmoe could you decribe the mod in greater detail? or PM me about the 2c mag mod instructions. Thanks

 

[Icebreak]

Rogue Monkey -

Welcome to CandlePowerForums.

Many outstanding dealers give CPF members discounts. As a member, you can take advantage of batterystation's discounts and get a Pelican M6 (incandescent) for $33.00. BatteryStation

I own a couple. I like them and can tell you they are highly tauted.

I don't own the SureFire G2 or G2Z but many consider it to be an excellent light for under $50.00 With the G2/G2Z you can upgrade it with a High Output Lamp Assembly (Hola).

The PM6 replacement lamp is much less expensive than the SureFire. However SureFire lights are considered to be, if not the best, one of the best available.

Both are good choices and some members may even suggest that you get both.

 

[AuroraLite]

I agree with Icebreak. I owned both the PM6 Incan and G2Z, and can say that they are both excellent lights.

G2Z has nitrolon finish, and it is lighter than the PM6. The nitrolon is truly a good call--I dropped it couple of times from waist level, and the filament and body of the light remained perfectly intact and fine. Yet, the current price could be a little bit over the requested budget.

G2, on the other hand, is within the budget. But it may not have a lock out feature as G2Z.

PM6 is probably one of the best thrower for 2X123 incan flashlights. It is much heavier than G2Z, but has many easier modding options(clickie, LED, lens) for a lesser price. I truly adore this light, and am looking forward to mod one.

In short, for a good thrower and probably cheaper upkeep, I would say PM6(as mentioned the lamp assembly is cheaper to replace). I do suggest a silver one if I may, since I am not totally sure the finish is all that scratch resistant.

 

[Icebreak]

AuroraLight -

It never occured to me to recommend color but I'll say I like the silver best also. It has a powder-coat-like texture that feels and looks nice. I keep mine in its' holster. Black one in the Truck, silver one in the house or bag. Maybe I should mention that I like the clicky protector in the bottom on the holster...very effective.

 

[Rogue_monkey]

[ QUOTE ]
MrBenchmark said:
Second the vote for PM6. It's runtime is just a bit over an hour. It's very bright, it throws great, and it's a good price. Really, it's a very nice light.

[/ QUOTE ]

Is the PM6 the lithium light as I can find no other light on pelicans page other then the pm6 lithium and the pm6 led.

 

[GarageBoy]

PM6 Lithium is the incan version. The LED is the 1W lux

 

[Rogue_monkey]

cheers thanks

 

[sween1911]

Look around for the Streamlight TL-3 Xenon. Chris has it at MeridianTactical for around $65 (okay, it's over $50, but not by much /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif). That will definitely out-throw most other lights in it's size range for the money.

 

[greenLED]

Another vote for the PM6. It's beam is much tighter and seemed brigther than the G2 I was playing with at the store (I was comparing them side by side).

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

Surefiregeek,

For you and any others who read this here's the skinny on the mod.

Take your average 2C M*g (Pewter is nice) and 3x123 cells.

I have heard of using 5/8" heater hose with a cut longways (and that might be what's in my SNII - but it's packed).

But in another mod I did, I took a 123 to Home Depot and found a pipe that holds it (possibly 3/4" CPVC - but maybe not) without much extra room.

A few turns of duct tape around each end keeps it from rattling indise the m*g.

You may need to add a spacer of sorts in the tail end as the 123s are somewhat shorter than the 2C.

In the front, take the 2 cell bulb out (unless you'd like a millisecond of the sun /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif) and get ahold of a M*g Whitestar 5 cell bulb (or Radioshak KPR112 - whichever is easier).

I usually do one or both of two things to a M*g. I shim the bulb pedestal so it's straight, or tweak the flange of the bulb to get it centered at tight focus (as a M*g ain't good for nothin' else anyway). Maybe by leaning the bulb towards the side away from the cam bolt.

I also TRY to get tight focus with the head all the way tight against the body.

Finally, I don't have a single C or D M*g that hasn't got an Acrylite Lense or Writeright for the Palm Zire on the stock lense. This is because I value beam quality over almost any other consideration!

You end up with an inocoulus looking M*g 2C that kicks A$$!!!

 

[thesurefire]

One of my friends and I were out walking at night. He knew he was a flashoholic and we both had 2 cell mags, his a D and mine a modded C. He was poking fun at me being that I was supposed to have all the cool, tiny, and superbright lights. I then decided I would show him what mags have the potentail to be, and I turned it on and pointed it at a far away tree. He was amazed. I think that was my older verson running 3x123 and and mag 6 cell bulb.

 

[ginaz]

this is funny but i just got a PM6 in the mail today. it has killer throw and seems to be very well made. it is my first REAL flashlight but i am very impressed. i wanted good throw but easily carried and this baby does em both!

 

[Rogue_monkey]

after reading all your suggestions doing a little research and other threads here in CPF it seems like the PM6 is a good choice for the amount I have to spend.
thanks for all your help

 

[Rogue_monkey]

Ok now i'm just confused, I just Found the SF G2 Nitrolon light at a local dealer for $33 CDN. The PM6 is $33.00 US online.
The only differnce I can see is the G2 has 10 less lumens and doesn't come with a case, but it is lighter. But with the upgrade options the G2 seems to be a little better.

what do you guys think?

and does anyone know of any good light dealers in Southern Ontario?

 

[Fat_Tony]

I was going to post about how much I love my PM6 to this thread on Tuesday night (11/30), but I got kicked off due to the number of connections. Even though personally, I still prefer my PM6 to my Surefire E2D, at a price of $ 33 CDN, get the G2. It's $ 34 USD on Surefire's site!! I'm not sure that the Pelican's extra throw is worth the additional cash. The only caveat would be that replacement lamps for the Pelican are a lot cheaper than the ones for the G2 (about a third to almost a fourth cheaper, depending on supplier, in USD).

 

[shifty646]

[ QUOTE ]
Rogue_monkey said:
Ok now i'm just confused, I just Found the SF G2 Nitrolon light at a local dealer for $33 CDN. The PM6 is $33.00 US online.
The only differnce I can see is the G2 has 10 less lumens and doesn't come with a case, but it is lighter. But with the upgrade options the G2 seems to be a little better.

what do you guys think?

and does anyone know of any good light dealers in Southern Ontario?

[/ QUOTE ]

Do you mind sharing where you saw the G2 for $33CDN?
I would grab up a couple for that price!!