Light for friend entering the Navy

[Fird]

I'm already thinking Surefire 6PL, powered by standard CR123's because the overarching requirement of this light is ABSOLUTE ROCK SOLID reliability. The first torture test I'm tempted to inflict on this light is to take it out of the box, turn it on, and smoke it down the street with a baseball bat, that's how reliable it has to be.

I know that my friend won't care about having too many modes, or the ultimate in pocket-flamethrowerness, but if that light doesn't come on when they hit the button, its useless. Having it operate in regulation is nice, but I'd like it to "moon-mode" down to absolutely nothing if possible, I don't recall if the stock 6PL will do that. My second idea was a Malkoff dropin.

Anybody recommend going with an AA light over the 123s? which is going to be easier to find on a Navy base? Again, the light is useless if she don't turn on, and no batteries = no light.

Thanks all, still love these forums!

Fird

 

[Badbeams3]

In the Navy, you can sail the seven sea`s...in the Navy, you can`t get 123`s...

Don`t know but I would imagine if he/her is going to use the light a lot he/she might be better of with rechargables. Probably AA batt`s. Depending on duties might be better off with the option of multi levels as well.

In the Navy...a light with no batts...is no light at all

 

[Mdinana]

While I don't know if many (any?) lights will take a baseball bat launching it down the street, I do like my 6PL. It takes slugs from my shotgun just fine.

As for easier batteries, well, it depends on the base and her rate. I'd lean towards AA for availability/cheapness, but both WILL be available at the NEX.

 

[american lockpicker]

What about a Streamlight scorpion LED?

 

[AusKipper]

Fenix TK20.

If you have a look around these forums there are some picks of just how thick the aluminum is in this light. It would have to be the toughest light i have ever seen I think...

Pros:
2 modes, twist the front to change (ie, simple UI)
Properly waterproof (i would happily take mine swimming)
AA batts
Good throw, useable spill
Excellent LED tint
Rubberized grip
Can tail stand (though on a boat it would probably fall over anyway)

Cons (for the sea)
will not float (if she drops it off a boat, its gone)
Isnt plastic (most people recommend polymer lights for the sea) though I really dont think you would have corrosion issues with this light.
Doesnt have a low low to preserve batteries or night vision (lowest is 45 LM, lasts for 8-9 hours)
Kinda bulky for a 2xAA light (this could also be a pro if she needs to hit someone with it )

 

[jhc37013]

Yeh it sounds like AA is the way to go if he is in the Navy do what AusKipper says and check out the TK20 or a LD20 for its smaller size and he might might even find the multiple modes useful.

 

[Tekno_Cowboy]

I'm going to go ahead and recommend the Wolf-Eyes Sniper with a nice multi-mode led module. While it may not be AA, the longer, but otherwise almost identical Raider I have is one of the most practical and reliable lights I have. It has taken quite a beating and doesn't look like I've beat it nearly as bad as it should. It's been dropped, thrown, kicked, washed, and all manner of other unpleasantness. I even used it to drive my knife through bone once.

 

[strinq]

http://www.wiseled.com/

I think if $$$ is not a concern then this is the light for your friend. The tactical or street would be good as they are waterproof till 300 feet.

 

[Bronco]

If you're buddy is just now enlisting, and you really want to get him the perfect light, then I'd suggest holding off on making any purchase until you know for sure which rate (job specialty) is in his future. The optimal light for a bosun's mate is different than that which is ideal for a plane captain. Ditto for a boiler tech and a yeoman. Besides, while he's at NTC he won't have much of an opportunity or even a need to use any gear that's not been issued to him.

 

[ruriimasu]

+1 for a tk20. it has good throw and spill and the neutral tint is just perfect for outdoors. you dont really have to worry about it not being able to float. i mean, if i drop my light off a naval ship i would not want to risk my safety to retrieve it. imagine the knockings and man-over-board you will have to risk just getting the light!

 

[polkiuj]

A Ra light will do nicely. It is pretty complicated but I think it can stand up to all your antics.

I know someone who dropped his from the 13th floor, went swimming in beer and got it run over by cars. No problems at all.

Not even a broken lens!

 

[jankj]

I suggest any solid, vell reputable general purpose light that is not too expensive and not too big. It should be "good value" and take a lot of abuse, but not so expensive that you can't affort to loose it. I also suggest it uses either common available batteries or you select something that's easy to recharge. I'm a big fan of AA batteries because they are both - you can buy AA everywhere, AND it's super easy to keep them fueled with a couple of sanoy eneloops and a nimh charger, which will increase performance substantially compared to common alkalines.


Fenix TK20 is an excellent suggestion. So are the fenix LD-series (LD10, LD20), which are smaller diameter and thus easier to tuck away in a pocket or holster.

Also, the zebralight are REALLY nice. Hold it in your hand, clip it to your uniform or put it on your head - whichever way you wear it, they're perfect for close range work, which translates to THIS is the light you'll be wearing when you are actually DOING stuff. The downside is that you have no throw what so ever, and so they are absolutely not fit for looking for something that is further away.


All these lights are in the $50-60 range, are small and will take a lot of abuse. Fenix and zebra seems to have the very best regulation for AA batteries.

For a smaller budget you may also look at the romisen lights from shiningbeam.com; the reviews here at CPF seems to be rather good on those. The low price sacrifies multi-mode (A low mode with looooooooong runtime is well worth the extra price, IMO). Another possibility is the IPT C7t from shiningbeam at $38 which has a good CPF review and appears to be yet another solid, good performing single AA light with variable output and simple to use interface. I think the IPT c7t is a very good buy, but I don't own one and can't really tell for sure.



More expensive lights can wait untill it is clearer what he actually needs such a specialized light for - if ever. In the meantime, stick with a simple, solid, reliable no-fuss general purpose light.

 

[mrichelo]

Maybe a Nitecore? They make several different AA models, they take regular AAs as well as rechargeables.

I have an EX10 and got a rechargeable RCR123 cell and I love it. The AA models are similar and I know there are many threads on this forum about them.

Having 2 modes, low and high is really nice. Simple enough to operate, and it is really nice to have the choice of levels.

Mark

 

[Tekno_Cowboy]

http://www.wiseled.com/

I think if $$$ is not a concern then this is the light for your friend. The tactical or street would be good as they are waterproof till 300 feet.

I would definitely not want a rechargeable-only light for military use.

Maybe a Nitecore? They make several different AA models, they take regular AAs as well as rechargeables.

I have an EX10 and got a rechargeable RCR123 cell and I love it. The AA models are similar and I know there are many threads on this forum about them.

Having 2 modes, low and high is really nice. Simple enough to operate, and it is really nice to have the choice of levels.

Mark

While I love my Ti D10, There's not a Nitecore light out there I'd trust my life to. I get a quite a few of them past my workbench, and while it's a wonderful light, I don't think that the reliability is quite on a par for military use. It might be nice to have one for a backup though.

That's another thing you might want to consider. Buy 2 different lights. One good quality AA light, and one ultra-reliable light with rechargeables.

 

[jankj]

Keep in mind that there are many kinds of military duties. Not all military personnel needs a dedicated assault tactical light with spikes and strobes. Not all tasks require a light you trust your life to. Most of the time and for most of the personnel it is all about the mundane everyday chores - it is the mundane everyday stuff that makes the military organization work.


So, my advice: Get a decent, reliable, small and not too expensive general purpose light that runs on AA batteries and slips into a pocket or holster without being noticed. Not expensive means it will be used without any worries about the light being stolen, forgotten or destroyed. Small means it will be carried - an expensive light stuck in the safe is not good to anyone.


There is a place for the ultra though or otherwise specialized lights - but those can be purchased when the need arises.

 

[wykeite]

As well as a light consider a red filter for use at night in darken ship routines. There are times at least in the R.N. when a white light is not permitted.

 

[Fird]

All great suggestions. I'm not sure if my friend will ever be shipboard, though it seems likely, and we don't expect to need spikes or strobes . Its not that anyone expects to have a life or death situation where the light is required, but hell if you're going to have a light on you in military service.. you might as well be able to trust your life to it.

I'll look into the Fenix light, I know the brand but don't own any myself because their older models had a truely miserable UI. I've also met a standard streamlight stinger, a fine light indeed, not bleeding edge but if the LED version is reliable.. excellent.

Small and AA seems to be the way to go if 123s aren't readily available/supplied, and yes cheap would be preferable because it seems almost likely to me that during service it will get lost or stolen.

 

[FlashlightsNgear.com]

In the Navy, you can sail the seven sea`s...in the Navy, you can`t get 123`s...

Don`t know but I would imagine if he/her is going to use the light a lot he/she might be better of with rechargables. Probably AA batt`s. Depending on duties might be better off with the option of multi levels as well.

In the Navy...a light with no batts...is no light at all

The military is going CR123 and have been the last few years, might want check on this but all my military friends say that and have been buying lights that use CR123, most have also bought chargers and batteries also.

 

[TKC]

You can't have anything you bring with you in Basic Training. I would wait until they get out of Basic, and go to AIT. (I dunno if they call it THAT in the Navy, but that is what we called in the Army; Advanced Individual Training.)

 

[BlueBoom]

I'd suggest a good quality though still cheap, water-proof long run-time light.