I need a Flashlight

[LandWarriorSoldier]

I need a good strong flashlight for my CAP squadron. It has to be bright, strong, and be able to have moveable light filters. What type should i get? I'm looking for under $200 please help.:naughty:

 

[flash_bang]

Are you looking for an LED light? do you need a shock isolated bezel for using a strike bezel or weapons mounting? what is your intended use for the light?
Hope it helps or something…
Flash

 

[jbosman1013]

surefire has a new G2 and 6P in led with awsome runtime and a decent price plus its a surefire you just can't go wrong

 

[Marduke]

Not "strong", but useful nonetheless, especially for pilots:
http://www.9voltlight.com/inc/sdetail/5980

 

[LandWarriorSoldier]

What ever type is brighter but it needs to be shock resistant and it's not gonna be weapon mounted. It's for search and rescue purposes and for camping.

 

[Gunner12]

A few questions

What size?
What kind of batteries?
Rechargeable or Primary?
How much abuse?
LED, Incandescent or HID (though a good HID under $200 is hard to find)?
With or without modes?
You've already stated a price range, and you've got quite a few options at that price range.
What color filters? I'm asking this because LEDs don't produce much Red so a Red filter will cut a lot of output.
Forward clickie(press for momentary on, click for constant), twistie (push for momentary, tighten for constant on) or reverse clickie(the light only comes on when you have let go of the switch)?

Welcome to CPF!

 

[william lafferty]

I think a good choice for this mission would be the Surefire L5. Reasons: (1) you can buy it used for under $150; (2) it has a Luxeon 5 led--no bulbs to break; (3) it is built strong for law enforcement use; (4) it has a deep reflector which projects a beam further than the other L-series lights, which would be useful in a combat situation; (5) it has a relatively small head, making it pocketable, unlike a turbohead of the M-3, M-4 type; it uses CR 123 batteries (two of them), which are easy to carry and replace in the field; (6) it will accept a single rechargable li-ion 17670 battery if you choose to use rechargables; (7) it will accept the Surefire SW01 and SW02 switches, which are excellent for tactical lights, although the stock switch is quite good; and (8) it has rubber washer in front of the tail switch, making it easy to use the light in a cigar-type grip; (9) it throws a wide beam as well as a good medium distance beam, making it useful for searching, camp set-up, and general flashlight use. Surefire lists the light as producing 100 lumens, but it is well-known that Surefire understates their numbers. My own L5 seems to produce something closer to 120-130 lumens. The only thing the L5 does not have is multiple levels of brightness, and if that is something you care about, you might consider the new NovaTac. Not as strong but a lot smaller and $150.00 new.

bill lafferty

 

[vic2367]

id go with a Surefire L5

 

[Gunner12]

Excuse my ignorance, but is the CAP(Civil Air Patrol, volunteer group, right?) a little like Boy-Scouts? If this is true, then, depending on your age, a $150 Surefire light might be a bit much.

If it's mainly for camping, then a Fenix L1/2D-CE or P2/3D-CE might be good, but then you'll have to make your own filters(it's actually not that hard if you have the right parts).

Incandescents will be the brightest but usually at the cost of runtime and bulblife but they rule at color-renditioning.

LEDs, especially the Cree(P4-Q5), Seoul P4(aka SSC) and Luxeon Rebel(80 and 100 version), can be quite bright(up to 240 lumen at the emitter, 300+ at the emitter with the Rebel 100, depends on drive current) and can compete with some incans with brightness and runtime is also longer but color-renditioning is not as good as an incan.

 

[BB]

I would suggest that you look at two less expensive lights rather than one expensive one.

Having two with different differing designs will support a wider range of options in use (bright, long life white with good spot-light qualities, the Fenix line--AA or CR123) are a good starting point. There are many others out there that other people have recommended for good throw, long life, forward clickies, and either simpler or more complex user interfaces.

And for the colored light option--I like the looks of the Streamlight Sidewinder. Multiple colors + white, all with adjustable output levels (including an IR option--if you need it). Head that can tilt to right angle for hands free use (pocket, belt, straps). I would suggest that filters are not going to be the best solution (filtered incandescent lights waste lots of energy--i.e., batteries; filtered LED's just don't have a wide spectrum of light for filters to work efficiently), plus carrying around multiple filters and changing them is going to be a pain.

Also, with several "cheaper" lights--you can try both out and see which best meets your needs for the "final purchase" later as it is very probable that your first light may not be the best for your needs.

-Bill

 

[jumpstat]

A2 Aviator by SF, digital regulation both incan and leds, leds comes in red, blue, yellow green.