Flashlight for a noob

[just chillin]

Hey guys Im new to the forum and am looking for a new light.
A couple criteria:

100$-175$
Durable/Tough
Several Modes
As much throw as possible with some decent spill
User friendly
Waterproof

Thanks in advance guys :wave:

 

[TITANER]

Hello guy,:welcome:.

 

[TITANER]

Sorry i can't help you make a choice as i did't buy so expensive light for a long time.I think there are many other guys can help you.

 

[Belstaff1464]

:welcome:


You will find a lot of great lights in that price range. Personally, I would recommend the HDS Clicky and the Malkoff MD2. Both are great lights: bombproof, waterproof, great all-purpose beams with useful spill, reliable, great customer service, and made in US. IMO, the Clicky is the best EDC (every day carry) and it's been voted the most popular light. Don't be put off with the programming. It's actually a lot simpler than it sounds and we'll be here to help if you need it. The MD2 is a lot simpler and more user friendly. Opt for the model with the Hi/lo and it will be a great all-round light. It is also easily upgradeable by simply replacing the drop-in. The Clicky ranges from $99 to $189 and the MD2 with hi/lo is $149 IIRC. Out of the two, I would recommend you get the Clicky first as it is the more versatile. It has a range from 0.07lumens to 170lumens and has 4 programmable preset levels. If you opt for the Clicky, I suggest that you go for the "executive" models beacause their default program is more suitable for EDC use, although you can program your executive Clicky as a tactical and vice-versa.

Check out this thread to find out why the Clicky has garnered such a loyal following. The Clicky is so good that most owners end up having more than one. The 170lumen model is normally well complemented by the high-CRI model. The 170 would be the most versatile out of the range, but you can't go wrong with whatever Clicky model you decide to purchase first. I say first because it can become very addictive. Check out my addiction here. You've been warned !!!

 

[wyager]

Hey guys Im new to the forum and am looking for a new light.
A couple criteria:

100$-175$
Durable/Tough
Several Modes
As much throw as possible with some decent spill
User friendly
Waterproof

Thanks in advance guys :wave:

With that price range, I recommend any light from HDS systems. They are officially the number 1 must have lights of this forum.
http://www.hdslights.com/?id=Products
They are very durable and waterproof to very deep depths. They have some of the best warranty and features of any lights available, including a .08 lumen mode and customizable UI.

 

[tre]

What size light? There are lights in that price range that are 2x18650 size or larger that are very bright with great throw. Do you want an edc as people are recommending or do you want a brighter larger light?

 

[GoldenF1]

Hey guys Im new to the forum and am looking for a new light.
A couple criteria:

100$-175$
Durable/Tough
Several Modes
As much throw as possible with some decent spill
User friendly
Waterproof

Thanks in advance guys :wave:

What i would suggest if you are looking for a small (pocketable) light is a Surefire e2e and a Veleno Designs E series Drop-In Neutral White LED 3 Mode (link below).

http://www.lighthound.com/Veleno-Designs-E-series-Drop-In-Neutral-White-LED-3-Mode_p_3667.html


If you wanna go bigger, a Surefire 6p with a malkoff drop-in (m60 for throw) would be a nice setup but it's only one mode.

http://malkoffdevices.com/


And btw do you mind mentioning some numbers, for example 3 modes or 26 or if size matters.

:welcome:

 

[LEDninja]

:welcome:

WHOA!
Take it easy.
You might be as happy with a $50 light as a $175 light. AND MAYBE AS UNHAPPY WITH A $175 LIGHT AS WITH A $50 LIGHT.
I would buy one or two less expensive lights first to find out what I like or dislike before throwing the big money around. Beam, tint, UI. Especially UI - everybody's idea of 'User friendly' is different.
By the way what do you intend to use the light for?

As you asked for 'As much throw as possible with some decent spill' you will get lots of recommendations of multiple lithium battery lights. Multiple lithium battery lights are perfectly safe if you handle them properly but if you don't know how... take a look at the pictures in these threads
TK Monster Explosion
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=262234
Ultrafire 18650 3000mA exploded
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=280909
Here is where you need to learn proper lithium battery handling:
Exploding 123A Batteries?
http://www.flashlightreviews.com/features/123burst.htm
Using Li-ion cells in LED flashlights safely
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=235164

I will mention a couple of AA based lights. Think carefully before spending your money.

SUNWAYMAN M40A
100$-175$
~$139.95
Several Modes
500 Lumens (1 hrs)- 150 Lumens (5 hrs)- 15 Lumens (60 hrs)
Strobe mode:500 Lumens (1.5 hrs)
User friendly
Just rotate the ring. goes Off > low > medium > high > strobe.
Reviews
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=286498
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=295472
Why I do not like this light:
Alkaline batteries can not power up this light.
Too fat, hard to carry around when not in use.
Low of 15 lumens (5 estimated by HKJ) insufficient for normal indoor use. Madium at 150 a bit too bright for indoor use.

4sevens Quark MiNi AA²
100$-175$
~$43.00
Several Modes
Low: 3.0 OTF lumens, 3.4 days
Medium: 36 OTF lumens, 8.8 hours
High: 180 OTF lumens, 1.7 hours
User friendly
Twisty, high is third mode. Twist, twist-twist, twist-twist.
As much throw as possible with some decent spill
This is the third floodiest light I know of.
Reviews:
http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=296756
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=292571
Why I like this light:
5 inches long - size of a penlight. Sits perfect in my jeans back pocket. I can always have it with me. It is twice as bright as most 1AA lights. If you want a clicky get the Preon 2. It is a 2AAA penlight with 160 OTF lumens.
Preon 2 top; Mini AA² middle; Minimag 2AAA bottom.

One of the throw kings is the Dereelight DBS. It does use a 18650 li-ion battery.
100$-175$
$99-$126 depending on LED.
Several Modes
Yes.
User friendly
Click through modes. Has memory for last mode.
Why I am ambivalent about this light:
Big enough it needs a bulky holster. I used my Dereelight CL1H (with a smaller head) once, then it sat unused on my dresser for a year and a half before I gave it away.
Best well made light I owned but just does not suit me.

Here are a couple of round up reviews to look at. Compare max throw numbers then google for the price.
2xAA Round-up Review
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=214890
High-Output (MC-E/P7/SST) Round-Up Review
http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=255044

If you register at CPFMP and log in, the Good Deals Sub-forum should show up. There is a sticky with the CPF discount codes from various dealers.

 

[joe1512]

I'd consider a Fenix TK40. It has a nicely balanced beam with good throw.

The main benefit is that it uses 8xAAs, preferably eneloops or other rechargable.

You dont have to worry about specialty batteries that might blow up that way! Bonus!

It is rated at a good 600+ lumens and should work very nicely. It is tough and durable with several 'torture tests' done on these forums.

 

[Gaffle]

I'm going to throw one more nod to the HDS Ra Clicky. Seriously, the warranty on these lights cannot be beat. You get a lifetime. If it has any malfunction it gets fixed (as long as it is a manufacturers defect).

Think about this, the electronics in the Ra Clicky are surrounded by a Faraday cage. Are you serious?? This light has the potential to survive a dreaded EMP!! This light can also get its butt kicked with drops and throws without any problem of working.

 

[just chillin]

What about the TK40 and TK45? Are they any good? Ive heard mixed things about them.
Thanks for all the suggestions keep thing coming.
Oh and for size... something the size of a 2d mag or a couple inches bigger is fine

 

[molon_labe]

Either a Jet III R5 or an RRT-0 R5 or a nitecore extreme or a D-Mini-VX-Ultra or maybe even an O light infinitum 110. Cool lights and all very bright.

 

[GoldenF1]

something the size of a 2d mag or a couple inches bigger is fine

I can already see the faces of other CPF members but I'm gonna say it anyway.


From my experience (and that is what i base all my suggestions on) go for the WF-500 and a couple upgrades (as follows):


Ultrafire WF-500 Xenon Flashlight
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1317

5*Cree R2 1200-Lumen White Light Drop-in LED Module
1 Mode http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.35241
or 5 Mode http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.35242

Philips Focusline G4 6V~8.5V 20W Halogen Lamp Bulb with Driver Module (~580 lm at 2.75amp)
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.12126



This is what i got for my money, i have been beating the living hell out of these combos but it has never let me down. Except for the time it dropped from 23ft on concrete, only the bulb was affected and went , to be expected for an incan.

The 5*R2 is a great thrower, even though not a "deep" reflector, it has the power to compensate, when i get my camera fixed i'll take some beam-shots.

Is there any thing that your looking for in a light and is not in here?
The quality and durability i can vouch for is excellent, yet it is not a M6 though.

 

[joe1512]

TK40 is well liked by this community. Do a search and see.

The main advantage is the AA batteries as I mentioned earlier. Most other lights in that class use special 18650 batteries with special chargers and safety requirements.

It is easier to just bypass all that and go with a light that is safe and works well. If you did have any trouble with your TK40 you can get it fixed easy enough under warranty.

Buy 2 4-packs with charger of eneloops from amazon so you can charge all 8 batteries at once and you are set. You can always buy more eneloops and use em around the house.

OR, if you dont expect to use it much, buy Energizer Advanced or Ultimate Lithium batteries. Not to be confused with lithium ion rechargables, these are 'normal' batteries at normal voltage that work just like alkalines except they last a lot longer at high currents and wont leak.


The TK45 is the newest version, more floody and more cool-looking.
The itp A6 Polestar is half the price, 90% of the performance. Ive given 3 away as gifts and love them.

 

[Bullman]

I just got a Streamlight Stinger DS HP LED from CopsPlus for right at 100 bucks. That was without the charger because I already had an ultraStinger so I have the chargers. Pretty bright, dual switches, low medium and high modes. It is still under $150 with one charger.

 

[just chillin]

Ok guys ive narrowed it down to the Tk40/or tk45, Streamlight stinger ds led, ultrastinger, and supertac

What do you guys think of those^