I AM A NEWBIE FLASHOHOLIC-NOW WHAT?

[khartge]

Hi
I'm into handguns but also seemed to always have "too many" regular flashlights around the house and truck and cars. I never heard of tactical LED flashlights.
Then I found this forum.
Good gravy.
How do I get started? I can't believe how many different styles are available for EDC.
What would you recommend as a starter torch for SD and EDC under $75.00?
Just what I need; another addiction!!
Thanks

 

[Sgt. LED]

Welcome to CPF! Your wallet will shortly hate you.
LED or incan? Since you posted first in the LED area, I'll suppose LED.
AA, CR123, or Li-ion rechargable?
What size light are you after, and what do you want the light to do? Really bright, really long runtime, or really small? You can pick any 2 of those for any light, but not all 3. A light for SD to me isn't the same as one for EDC.

I reccomend lots of reading CPF posts to get a better idea of what you want and then looking for it on the marketplace so you can get a great deal.

 

[portezbie]

I am a fairly recent flashaholic too and my advice would be to start with the good stuff. You may be tempted to get something cheap but a week later you'll be eying that pricier light again. I'd say start yourself out right with a surefire, the e1b's and 6p's seem very popular, and a couple of fenix's. Get a e01 or a lod and a l2t or l2d.

 

[Shawn L]

RUN away now!!!!!

 

[Bullzeyebill]

Welcome to CPF. I suggest you lurk about on CPF as a newbie and you will learn soooo much. Read more than post. Look up "tactical lights" using google-cpf only at the top of every CPF page. Go to the various forums within CPF so you can become well rounded in knowledge about flashlights, or any lighting. Much to learn here. People will give you info in this thread, but there are hundreds of threads out there with even more info, just look for them.

Bill

 

[BlueBeam22]

:welcome:

Do you have a Lowe's Hardware where you live? They carry an LED flashlight called the "Task Force 60x brighter 2C LED Flashlight" for $30. I love mine, and if you got one I am sure it would blow you away. It has a perfect round circle beam, extreme throw, and puts out 150 lumens.

 

[ChocolateLab33]

:welcome:

Turn around and run away now because your money will be soon!!!

:naughty:

 

[bullfrog]

:wave: Welcome!!!

I was in your shoes about 2 months ago, found this forum, and it was all down hill from there - 4 surefires, 2 Malkoff drop-ins, a few diffusers, 1 fenix and an arc-aaa on the way... :devil:

Totally agree with all the advice so far:

1) Check out the numerous threads on people who were in your shoes - many of your questions might be answered as well as a ton of pointers you may not have thought of.

2) Don't settle - do it right the first couple of times and save yourself the trouble (and money) in the end - if you spend $40 now on an OK light chances are your will probably then get that $75 you really wanted. So, $40 + $75 = $115 which would have gotten you a gorgeous surefire to begin with...

WELCOME TO THE MADNESS!!! :devil::devil::devil:

 

[Moka]

+1

Welcome...

I haven't been here long but these forums have cost me about $350 so far, and more to come... (and i'm a freakin' student)

Enjoy your stay... and lock your wallet up!

 

[Ecko]

The Nitcore Defender Infinity is a great light to start out with imo. It has a nice design, it's very bright, a simple interface and runs on a single AA battery.

 

[MoreLumens4Me]

I am new too but I love my p3d q5. It is a great EDC light. Check out http://www.fenixstore.com There are other options too that are AA and AAA too. Be sure to check out the premium section. Otherwise you might get a light that isn't quite as bright.:thumbsdow And Btw, it has free shipping!:thumbsup:

 

[Braddah_Bill]

RUN away now!!!!!

Turn around and run away now because your money will be soon!!!

khartge, You should heed these warnings, they know what they are talking about. Funny, that everyone stays and gets hooked like the rest of us.

Don't settle - do it right the first couple of times and save yourself the trouble (and money) in the end - if you spend $40 now on an OK light chances are your will probably then get that $75 you really wanted. So, $40 + $75 = $115 which would have gotten you a gorgeous surefire to begin with...

bullfrog is spot on :thumbsup: Do a little research and get the light you really want, even if the price seems a little high at first, it will save you from going back and buying it later.


Bill

 

[Gunner12]

:welcome:

I'd recommend putting down some guidelines for you light. that would help with choosing.

There are many places to look but for your price range, I'd suggest looking at Fenix, Olight, Nitecore, Jetbeam, and Liteflux.

 

[Raybo]

Buy OR build what looks good to you, than thin the herd!

Ray

 

[gratewhitehuntr]

stop


burn all your porn to HC

shut off your computer

shoot it






no really




OK, I have some decent beater lights form DX but would rather have bought a real nice EDC

they have some decent house lights

check out the tactical (aka hooks to shotgun ) goodies on DX and www.supertactical.com

some of those LED lights are real nice

Romisen is nice at DX

read reviews here
rad a review before wassing mony
and then last advise..don;t type drunc :welcome:

 

[khartge]

LOL
Thanks for the advice to run but as each of you realize; I won't listen. I am still overwhelmed but I'll lurk for a while and pick up a few mid priced lights and after I know a little more I'll jump back in the forum.
Thanks again, I look forward to the ride.

 

[Ninjaz7]

...1st ...make lots of popcorn ...2nd...you can't go wrong with a M60 you will enjoy it from your first til your last,well your approximate last...who's on third?Welcome and gl...

A few hazardous signs...

...:devil:...:drunk:,...and always turn into the skid.

 

[khartge]

What is a reasonable price point to start? I don't know the difference between an EDC and a SF light yet. I know I want something that uses inexpensive batteries to start with, is compact and bright. I don't know what throw and spill mean yet. If I want the beam to be concentrated (narrow) for a distance; is that throw?

 

[Gunner12]

The Welcome Mat and Carrot's guide could help with explaining some things.

 

[bullfrog]

+1

Exactly where I started - awesome resources!!