Let’s Talk Old Flashlights c. 2005-2015

[nbp]

I've seen quite a few old timers pop up here lately and I yearn for the old days of hotwires and early power LEDs. I joined in 2007, when cool lights were coming out daily it seemed. I miss those days. This thread is all about nostalgia lights, whether custom or production. Post old pics of things you wish you still had, new pics of what you still have, and discuss the classics. Bring out your Tranquility Bases, Fivemegas, Morelights, MirageMans, SF legos, Arcs, McGizmos, Macs, Milkyspits, HDS, early Fenixes, and other cool builds and mods in addition to your favorite old production lights.

There are no rules other than the lights discussed should be in the 10-20 year old range. Let's reminisce!

 

[nbp]

Here's a new pic of some old lights to get us started.

The very first Okluma ever to reach the public. I recieved this TinyDC direct from Jeff 10 years and 16 days ago and have had it ever since! It was from his very first thread here on CPF. He has rebuilt the light engine for me twice I think over the years. I still love this light.

Also shown is a Muyshondt Mako, a gift from my dear friend Archimedes, who got it from I believe Coyote, perhaps the biggest Mako fan to ever exist. If I recall correctly I sold the Mako I got from Enrique at some point and immediately regretted it, posting my lamentations here. Arch gifted me this one, making it one of my most prized lights.

The tritted Keyton came from someone here ages ago…maybe Griff?

 

[troutpool]

Here are a few early McGizmos. I don't have them anymore, but they were much appreciated while I did own them.

 

[swampgator]

2005-2015 isn't all that old considering I'm still using a ROP in a 2C Mag I built around that time.

 

[ABTOMAT]

2005-2015 isn't all that old considering I'm still using a ROP in a 2C Mag I built around that time.

Most of my flashlights are from the previous century.

 

[hsa]

^ And they are all a class act.

 

[nbp]

2005-2015 isn't all that old considering I'm still using a ROP in a 2C Mag I built around that time.

Well, yes, haha, OLD being used in regard to technology, where a decade or two is a long time.
I feel like that decade was a golden age for the hobby and so much cool stuff was being built. The last 5-10 years have been a lot of the same, over and over. Mid 2000s to early 2010s there was so much innovation in design and cool modding going on, and most of the unique custom builders and modders who built this place were very active here. I just feel like there was a lot to talk about at the time.

 

[badtziscool]

I have so many pics I could post but here are a few that pulls on my nostalgia strings.

Special run 47 minis.

Who doesn't love an old school C2 with a Malkoff dropin.

Nitecore D20 PD light.

The light that started my journey down this rabbit hole. Nitecore D10. Which I am still looking to add to the collection. If anyone has a mint SwissBianco or a camo version they'd be willing to let go, I'm interested.

 

[troutpool]

Surefire L1, Generation 6, an old favorite.

 

[vicv]

What's with all these modern lights with solid state emitters? I have some more incans, but they're newer than 20 years

 

[cave dave]

Circa Apr 2009 this was my collection (not including headlamps):

and yes there is a Hanko and a Spy in there.

 

[cave dave]

In case you miss that incandescent glow!

 

[jeffb]

TnC lights, N cell and AA from back in the day.

 

[swampgator]

Most of my flashlights are from the previous century.

Aside from 2 or 3 LED lights I have, I'm in the same boat.

 

[cave dave]

Just outside your date range, but important questions need to be answered from 29Dec2004!

S

Thread 'Will leds ever surpass the wire?'

Dec 29, 2004

I have been doing a lot of reading about the pros and cons of led and incan.

Everyone seems to agree on one thing: Incan lights will out throw leds.

My question is this:

Will leds ever be better than incan in ALL respects?

Example: Will a 2x123 led light one day be "brighter" and "better" than a P61 bulb on top of 2x123?

Will it have more light, more throw, and longer battery life?

Thanks guys,

SS

• StainlessSteel

The beamshot in the second post of this linked thread is a Must See! (so many pictures were lost, glad to see this one still works)

 

[WarriorOfLight]

I also have some old "crap". Found some pictures I took long time ago (no time to do new pictures)
(Hint: sometimes the media links do not work - press than reload)

LF2XT BeCu and Ti run#2


Kuku D10 and EX10 Ti


And if you have a EX10 Ti you also need a EX10 Fatty (and a 2nd LF2XT BeCu)


A bunch of Ceracote Z2's (...no there is no Bronze rotary on the picture 😉, this would be to young with ~2018 )


A old and a "new" MILSPEC


I have tons of old lights, but most of them are kind of "shy" and don't want to be pictured!

 

[muichimon]

I also love the old Surefire flashlights and still have them. When I turn on these lights, I am transported back to that time.

 

[wayben]

Surefire were my introduction to better flashlights. I still have, and use, a 6P and 9P, but both are updated with Malkoff inserts. The best of both worlds!!!

 

[nbp]

Oh, man, you guys are bringing back some memories! The Nitcore PD lights, TnC, the days of boring and cerakoting P and C series SF. So awesome!

It is making me think of lights that I had that I sold. Some were things I liked but didn't carry much for whatever reason. Others I sold to try to raise funds to get better things. Some I don't miss but some I definitely do. When I think about the fact that I was only 20 when I joined, a college kid without much disposable income, the gear I could get back then was limited. I think my first light after I joined CPF was Fenix P3D Q5 and I was absolutely blown away by it!! I also quickly got an Arc AAA because you weren't a CPFer if you didn't have one.

If I wanted new things I mostly had to sell things. So the collection got nicer, but not giant. Over the years I had more dollars and slowly accumulated some pretty cool things but not all stuck around. Now I have more disposable income and the cool stuff isn't for sale. Hahaha!

I tried not to keep shelf queens, or lights I couldn't find a use for, and pass them on to fund new lights. A few of them I should have kept anyways though. Some McGs, a Mac knurly, a Milky L4, other mods and customs. But that is life. 🙂

 

[nbp]

Here was a cerakoted Solarforce with Nailbender dropin build I did many years ago, for a girl I was super into. Now she is married to Not Me and I wish I had this flashlight back, as I am sure it is in box somewhere. Haha