Good BRIGHT flashlight for caving????????

[Brian321]

I am looking for something that is bright and durable for caving like 400+ lumens. Preferably a flood light. I went yesterday with a surefire with a malkoff M61 and that was good but i would like to use that as a backup and have a bright flood light for my primary light. Any suggestions??? I really prefer 700+ lumens but i would go as low as 300-400 lumens. Please help i need to find a light by March 6th. Thank you.

P.S. I always have 3+ lights i am just looking for a new primary.

 

[carrot]

Olight M30? about 90 minutes of 700 lumens on 4x123.

 

[Brian321]

Olight M30? about 90 minutes of 700 lumens on 4x123.

Carrot, Thanks again for the great info, I think i will be buying this unless someone else has any other suggestions.

 

[uknewbie]

I do not own one, but from what I read and see, the Fenix TK40 is pretty floody. 630 lumens. Without knowing what other requirements there are though is hard to say, I am sure there are a few good options.

 

[pwatcher]

I like the Olight M30's battery arrangement over TK40, but own neither. I sure like my M20 but that wouldn't meet OP's requirements. Jetbeam M2S can run at 450 pretty continuous, and for several minutes at a time at 750, but I'm not sure it is floodier than the M30? Or, you could look for a Sceptre like the one I grabbed today - 6 cr123's and 1100 lumens! but pricier, and maybe hard to find a seller?

 

[andyw513]

People often underestimate the Jetbeam M1X for it's runtime issues, but I seem to be partial to it in my few days of ownership. Also, the Eagletac M2C4 with the P7 gives a variable runtime that is decent with 123's or 18650's, it's very "floody", with some decent throw in a compact style that doesn't give the issue of a heavy weight as well.

Olight, on the other hand, would possibly be my choice, due to the runtime balanced with the battery configuration(s).

 

[derangboy]

When you absolutely, positively have to light up every last corner of a giant cavern, accept no substitutes.

http://www.vipercave.com/index.php

 

[carrot]

When you absolutely, positively have to light up every last corner of a giant cavern, accept no substitutes.

I agree.

 

[KarstGhost]

The Viper light seems nice, how much is that in US dollars? About $570?

I have the Olight M30, but have never taken it caving because I'd never forgive myself for dropping a $150 light down into a break down pile, never to be seen again. But I've been tempted to take it along, I probably will one of these days.

 

[Cosmo7809]

Nevermind... Haha

 

[Yucca Patrol]

Eagletac M2C4

Anywhere except an extreme environment like in a cave, it is a nice and powerful light, but I sold my M2C4 because it was a terrible light for caving.

Very poor water/dust resistance. Sand quickly found its way into the control ring and the body is made of too many pieces screwed together with too many places for water to potentially enter.



Brian, I am not sure how experienced you are as a caver, but your primary light should be a headlamp. But for a hand-held bright flood light that is cave-worthy, I would suggest a Deerelight DBS with the MC-E light engine.

Here is a picture of mine along with some others after a day of caving in Alabama. . .

 

[Brian321]

Anywhere except an extreme environment like in a cave, it is a nice and powerful light, but I sold my M2C4 because it was a terrible light for caving.

Very poor water/dust resistance. Sand quickly found its way into the control ring and the body is made of too many pieces screwed together with too many places for water to potentially enter.



Brian, I am not sure how experienced you are as a caver, but your primary light should be a headlamp. But for a hand-held bright flood light that is cave-worthy, I would suggest a Deerelight DBS with the MC-E light engine.

Is it true that you cant use CR123's with the Deerelight MC-E? Also i am trying to decide between the DBS or the Olight M30......

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

My favorite cave spotting light is by far my Leefed SureFire M3T with an HO-M3T and 2xAW 18650 2600mah. It is just superb.

 

[Cosmo7809]

Yucca, I used mine in more of a tunnel the cave... opps haha

Thanks for the input.