Need a flashlight for work

[ls1ssws6]

Ok I just started my career in LE, they provided us with a stinger flashlight but it is not nearly as bright as i want. My buddy just got an olight m20 and i like how bright it is and the size is definetly a plus cause it can slip right in my pocket but i dont like the twist to change modes option.
I want something similar in size and brightness (if not brighter) with a push button on the rear and strobe and high i dont need low medium SOS etc.
What do you guys think the best light is for me to get? Also i want to keep it around 80 bucks or so.
Thanks :thumbsup:

 

[jhc37013]

I like the Inova lights for duty some may not be as bright as the 200+ lumen lights but thier streamline and very durable. A Inova T4 or T5 comes to mind. The EagleTac T100C2 is similar to your buddys M20 but you have to twist the head for high. Its half the price though. A good light at 200+ lumens that does not use a twist head UI at $80 really limits your choice's. Their is plenty of good lights in that price range just many of them use the twist head to atleast go into high mode.

 

[CaNo]

Ok I just started my career in LE, they provided us with a stinger flashlight but it is not nearly as bright as i want. My buddy just got an olight m20 and i like how bright it is and the size is definetly a plus cause it can slip right in my pocket but i dont like the twist to change modes option.
I want something similar in size and brightness (if not brighter) with a push button on the rear and strobe and high i dont need low medium SOS etc.
What do you guys think the best light is for me to get? Also i want to keep it around 80 bucks or so.
Thanks :thumbsup:

The Nitecore D10 R2 is perfect for EDC carry. You can do a momentary mode or a click on, click off. You even have the option to adjust the beam higher or lower by holding down on the clicky (which is at the tail of the light). It does not have SOS. You also have the option to click to the very lowest (3-5 lumens i forget) or in a situation where u need max light the very highest light setting (145 lumens). It has a smart feature that remembers your last setting, even if you turn off the light or change the battery, it will turn back on to the setting you left it last. The Nitecore takes 1 AA battery which is available anywhere, and there is also an optional clip if you desire (sold seperately). It slips right in your pocket and is a life saver. The throw is also quite impressive for such a small light, and the ceiling bounce is phenomenal. It is perfect for searching a room since the beam is not obnoxiously tight, and you get great flood as well with the orange peel reflector. And truthfully, I am not sure which Olight your friend has... but I'm willing to put money that the Nitecore will blow his silly light out of the water :thumbsup:

 

[CaNo]

Other details that I had forgotten to mention:

** It is waterproof

** Uses new piston drive technology

** The clicky does not make noise when you press it

** Very durable. Can be run over by a car numerous times and will still work, or dropped from a good distance and not even flicker. (Youtube has quite a few torture tests with this light)

** You can get it for $60-65 shipped.

 

[CaNo]

I like the Inova lights for duty some may not be as bright as the 200+ lumen lights but thier streamline and very durable. A Inova T4 or T5 comes to mind. The EagleTac T100C2 is similar to your buddys M20 but you have to twist the head for high. Its half the price though. A good light at 200+ lumens that does not use a twist head UI at $80 really limits your choice's. Their is plenty of good lights in that price range just many of them use the twist head to atleast go into high mode.

Inova makes excellent lights at not so ridiculous prices. I own an XO and it is an excellent light. Very durable, sturdy, and easier to find at the stores. The light is momentary mode unless you twist it all the way, then it becomes constant. The only couple drawbacks I can see with my XO is that it uses CR123 batteries which are not as easy to come by as AA batteries are. But since I use the light often, I had just purchased rechargable Cr123A batteries. And not to mention it only gives you 1 choice for brightness which is the brightest level. So if you are trying to read a map, prepare for a headache! lol

 

[hyperloop]

the Jetbeam Jet III Military sounds like what you are looking for, 2 modes. 1 is max output and the other programable to suit your needs.

 

[Toaster]

Fine motor skills tend to go out the window in stressful situations. So a light with mode changes controlled by the clicky may not be what you want. With a twist head to change mode you don't really have to worry about that. Something to consider while you are pondering light choices.

If you want a strobe mode in the same form factor as your friend then Olight M20, Jetbeam Jet-III M, and Fenix TA30 are choices to consider. The TA30 is a little bit longer than the rest, just about the same size as a Stinger.

Edit - Just want to point out that CaNo's recommendation for a Nitecore D10 as a duty light is ridiculously bad advice. It's far too small for a duty light and has nowhere near the output or runtime of an Olight M20. It does not have strobe like you asked for, is not waterproof as he claims, and certainly does not fall into the "very durable" category. It has among the thinnest walls of any flashlight I've ever seen. Normally I wouldn't post something to this nature but that advice is rather irresponsible imho.

 

[ls1ssws6]

the Jetbeam Jet III Military sounds like what you are looking for, 2 modes. 1 is max output and the other programable to suit your needs.

Fine motor skills tend to go out the window in stressful situations. So a light with mode changes controlled by the clicky may not be what you want. With a twist head to change mode you don't really have to worry about that. Something to consider while you are pondering light choices.

If you want a strobe mode in the same form factor as your friend then Olight M20, Jetbeam Jet-III M, and Fenix TA30 are choices to consider. The TA30 is a little bit longer than the rest, just about the same size as a Stinger.

Edit - Just want to point out that CaNo's recommendation for a Nitecore D10 as a duty light is ridiculously bad advice. It's far too small for a duty light and has nowhere near the output or runtime of an Olight M20. It does not have strobe like you asked for, is not waterproof as he claims, and certainly does not fall into the "very durable" category. It has among the thinnest walls of any flashlight I've ever seen. Normally I wouldn't post something to this nature but that advice is rather irresponsible imho.

i looked at the reviews for the nitecore and didnt really like the way it functions....I looked up the jetbeam like hyperloop suggested and actually really like that light. I found it for around 76 bucks shipped on ebay so i think im going to go with the jetbeam and hope it makes me happy :thumbsup:

 

[ls1ssws6]

also where is a good store to find a flashlight? i want to make sure it has a white lens not the yellow one like the guys on ebay are selling.

 

[NonSenCe]

yeah i agree. cant understand how one can suggest nitecore d10 for LEO as tactical light. didnt read the post at all i guess. d10 has no strobe and its too small to use as main light. as backup in pocket for writing tickets maybe but not useful in anyway in type original poster looked a flashlight for.

**to topic

2 mode light with high and strobe only and under 80$.. umm too tough order. even the olight m20 costs more. many lights with strobes are multimode lights not really designed to tactical use. most tacktical lights seem to be still simple on/off lights (and other optional mode available by more effort by twisting the head etc.. most tacticool people just need light.. lots of it. fast.)

i think jetbeam pro III ultra is more right than jetbeam military. im not sure, but i think ultra has 3slots/modes which you can set up to your liking. 1 high 2 strobe 3 low or what ever. no twisting head only tapping the button in the rear. bugoutgear usa seems to have them still. and in near the 80 dollar range.

better than military cuz i recall that M needs the head twist also to change to other mode. (someone who has one know it better)

and now my personal hate in suggestions.. offering lights over budget.. sorry

if i would need the strobe in a hurry often i would spend more to get something like olight m30 that has a separate button for it.

and if streching the budget is ok, possibly a tomahawk angle light would be on my short list aswell. somehow it just makes sense in leo work. clippable to vest. ability to grab things with it in your hand and allows rather natural hold of gun too. and the thumb activated strobe etc clicky. it just seems cool. but EXPENSIVE! (if i had the money i would probably buy one for fun) look them up at first-light-usa.com

 

[Mjolnir]

I think the jetbeam is probably your best option for high and strobe. The head twist UI is actually very good, especially compared with UI's that use the tail switch.

 

[Gunner12]

Bug out gear has the Jetbeam Jet III M.

You can also check the marketplace to see if anyone is selling theirs.

White lens? Yellow lens? What?

:welcome:

 

[CaNo]

Fine motor skills tend to go out the window in stressful situations. So a light with mode changes controlled by the clicky may not be what you want. With a twist head to change mode you don't really have to worry about that. Something to consider while you are pondering light choices.

If you want a strobe mode in the same form factor as your friend then Olight M20, Jetbeam Jet-III M, and Fenix TA30 are choices to consider. The TA30 is a little bit longer than the rest, just about the same size as a Stinger.

Edit - Just want to point out that CaNo's recommendation for a Nitecore D10 as a duty light is ridiculously bad advice. It's far too small for a duty light and has nowhere near the output or runtime of an Olight M20. It does not have strobe like you asked for, is not waterproof as he claims, and certainly does not fall into the "very durable" category. It has among the thinnest walls of any flashlight I've ever seen. Normally I wouldn't post something to this nature but that advice is rather irresponsible imho.

I misread the post I thought he said he did not need Strobe. No need to be rude about my post. [Disgusting comment removed - DM51]. I gave him my opinion and my opinion alone. Whatever facts you have come across that I have not about this matter is entirely on your end. I am still learning about flashlights just like 80% of the people on here. If you consider yourself an expert, then hey good for you.... but I'm sure that is questionable as well.

 

[CaNo]

yeah i agree. cant understand how one can suggest nitecore d10 for LEO as tactical light. didnt read the post at all i guess. d10 has no strobe and its too small to use as main light. as backup in pocket for writing tickets maybe but not useful in anyway in type original poster looked a flashlight for.

**to topic

2 mode light with high and strobe only and under 80$.. umm too tough order. even the olight m20 costs more. many lights with strobes are multimode lights not really designed to tactical use. most tacktical lights seem to be still simple on/off lights (and other optional mode available by more effort by twisting the head etc.. most tacticool people just need light.. lots of it. fast.)

i think jetbeam pro III ultra is more right than jetbeam military. im not sure, but i think ultra has 3slots/modes which you can set up to your liking. 1 high 2 strobe 3 low or what ever. no twisting head only tapping the button in the rear. bugoutgear usa seems to have them still. and in near the 80 dollar range.

better than military cuz i recall that M needs the head twist also to change to other mode. (someone who has one know it better)

and now my personal hate in suggestions.. offering lights over budget.. sorry

if i would need the strobe in a hurry often i would spend more to get something like olight m30 that has a separate button for it.

and if streching the budget is ok, possibly a tomahawk angle light would be on my short list aswell. somehow it just makes sense in leo work. clippable to vest. ability to grab things with it in your hand and allows rather natural hold of gun too. and the thumb activated strobe etc clicky. it just seems cool. but EXPENSIVE! (if i had the money i would probably buy one for fun) look them up at first-light-usa.com

If you look at the time I made the post you can easily see why I had misread the post. I would not have suggested that light if I understood at the time his actual requirements. The D10 is merely a respectable backup light.

 

[DM51]

CaNo, I have edited your post above to remove a revolting comment you made. You are warned that language of that sort is totally unacceptable on this forum.

You are also warned to keep your posts civil and respectful. Any further failure by you to do so will result in your posting privileges here being suspended.

 

[ls1ssws6]

thank you all for your input...after reading up i think im going to end up going with the olight m30. It has the dedicated strobe button and it has up to 700 lumens to light me through the darkest areas. It is a little pricey but i think its worth it. What is your input on the m30 guys? also do you know where the cheapest place i can get a new one at? And is it a lot bigger than the m20 or just a little bigger?

 

[HKJ]

And is it a lot bigger than the m20 or just a little bigger?

I would say a little bigger:

 

[Ryanrpm]

+1 on the M30

Get that light, and your buddy will be wishing he had one.

Hmm, there are not many lights that have strobe, and a high only. There is one light I can recommend that has exactly those specifications:

The strobing Eagle 8w. Built for LEO's. It works with rechargeable or non-rechargeable CR123's. The side switch is your strobe switch. High mode is the push button in the back.

 

[dano]

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=137823

In the above referenced thread, there's three HUGE discussions about this very topic...Probably more helpful then a general re-hash or the listing of people's personal favorites.

 

[ls1ssws6]

I would say a little bigger:

thanks for the side by side...looks like the m30 isnt too much bigger

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=137823

In the above referenced thread, there's three HUGE discussions about this very topic...Probably more helpful then a general re-hash or the listing of people's personal favorites.

thanks for the thread....im about to order an m30 right now as we speak, im treatin myself