Need a tough LED thrower for pre-flighting aircraft...

[zimm]

I'm a navy pilot. I'm searching for a LED flashlight- probably a dual CR123 sized that has a great holster that can be fastened into my webgear. I need to be able to pull it out and turn it on with flight gloves on. While walking around the helicopter, I need to inspect it while it's turning before I jump in to "hotseat" it. Or during a cold go, I do an in depth preflight and crawl all around with the light in my hand. So it'll get banged up pretty good. We currently have the old GI issue angle heads. They finally upgraded them to LED bulbs, but they still suck.

I'm a fenix fan. I have an LOD that's always in my pocket, and LT1 at home, A TK10 which I was going to use for this purpose, but I lost it in my move. The TK10 was great, but was hard to holster with that ring on it. I wouldn't mind a surefire or streamlight either.

I also have some 18650 lithium-ion batteries that I can use as well as CR123's...

Recommendations?

 

[deranged_coder]

What is your budget for this light?

You could get another TK10 (or maybe a TK11 if you want compatibility with 18650 Li-Ion rechargeable cells) and just replace the grip ring with a spacer to make it easier to holster.

If you are willing to go for a Surefire, I would suggest the E2DL with an F04 diffuser. Amazing throw, two light levels and with the use of an F04 diffuser can go from spot to flood. I have one of those setups and it is great. Only downside is that the strike bezel may make it difficult to holster but you could easily grind down the bezel and replace the tailcap. :thumbsup:

 

[Marduke]

The ring on the TK10/TK11 is removable. The TK11-R2 would be a step up, with the option to use rechargeable 18650 cells later if you want (I assume you get free CR123's)

The light
https://www.fenix-store.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_85&products_id=650

and the spacer for when you remove the tac ring
https://www.fenix-store.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_85&products_id=528

Don't forget your "CPF8" discount for 8% off.

 

[ErickThakrar]

If you can afford it, the First Light Tomahawk is the shiznit. It should be quite well suited for your tasks, and the finger ring makes it very difficult to drop. The clip is also compatible with MOLLE gear and will work on almost any kind of belt or webbing strap.

 

[neoseikan]

If you can afford it, the First Light Tomahawk is the shiznit. It should be quite well suited for your tasks, and the finger ring makes it very difficult to drop. The clip is also compatible with MOLLE gear and will work on almost any kind of belt or webbing strap.

Tomahawk +1!
Good: Easy to carry and use.
Bad: Not enough throw.

 

[ErickThakrar]

I personally disagree with that. The Tomahawk has excellent throw. It's not a throw monster like some of the dedicated thrower lights, but it does quite well. For anything short of pre-flighting a large passenger or cargo jet, it should be more than adequate.

 

[Pontiaker]

I would go the TK11 R2 version and ditch the ring if it gets in the way. Perfect light for what you need. There are many many lights in this same catagory too. What do you want to spend? You could also get one if the cheapie MTE lights P7 900 lumen lights from Deal Extreme, I have a couple they work really well, never a problem with mine.They can use the two 123's or the 18650 and they are super bright but the head size is a little larger than whats mentioned so far. really good light for about $40. You can get them with single mode or two mode, eight mode, etc... I would get the single or two mode for what you want.Spot might not be as clear as the higher end stuff but the last one I got was perfect. It will be way brighter than the lights mentioned so far too, just not sure how long it will last being a lower end light. If it was me I would have no problem trying one for awhile though....

 

[N/Apower]

I would think E2DL would be good as the larger hot-spot will allow you to see more at once. Good throw too.

 

[gmf2010]

I love my OLight M20 Warrior Premium R2. It's built to last (HA-III), plenty bright, and highly customizable.

The strike bezel is removable, tactical ring is removable, clip is removable, rubber clicky switch cover is swapable for either a glow in the dark low profile one or the standard profile version (both included), and provides conveniently varied output modes (7 lumens, 90 lumens, 250 lumens, and Strobe), which are easily adjusted via a slight turn of the light's head.

The M20 also includes a nicer than average holster, which has two elastic compartments on each side, for holding extra batteries, a D ring for using carabiners to fasten the pouch to a bag, etc., and a velcro fastening belt loop. You can also purchase a smooth reflector for more throw, if you prefer (a textured one comes with the light), as well as spare battery magazines, which hold 2 CR123s, to prevent them from rattling inside the body, which can accommodate the slightly larger diameter 18650s (one magazine is included).

For the price, I find it hard to beat the M20, especially with the holster, lanyard, and other little extras.

I've owned a Surefire in the past, and I feel confident in saying this light is built just as nicely (puts on flame retardant clothing).

If you do decide to take a look at the M20, the best place I was able to locate one was via BatteryJunction.com. Also, make sure to use the CPF discount code (I believe it's "CPF2006").

Best of luck, let us know what you end up choosing.

 

[Strauss]

There are many choices that would work well for your use. Here are some suggestions: Fenix TK11, Surefire E2DL, Olight M20, EagleTac T10LC2, and JetBeam III-M.

All of those are 200+ lumens on high, have at least 2 modes of operation, and most importantly are all quality lights that will last. You can't go wrong with any of them.

 

[ANDREAS FERRARI]

You mention that you are wearing gloves as you are doing a pre-flight inspection.Lights that have a rear tactical switch are hard to activate while wearing gloves.I would suggest a light with a side switch such as a Pelican 7060.My father works at a mine in the Yukon and all the miners use this light for their nightly inspections.Because it's -50'C they have to wear gloves and these inspections are a matter of life or death.Before I introduced to my father to this light all the miners used 3D Mags;now they swear by the Pelican 7060.

 

[neoseikan]

You mention that you are wearing gloves as you are doing a pre-flight inspection.Lights that have a rear tactical switch are hard to activate while wearing gloves.I would suggest a light with a side switch such as a Pelican 7060.My father works at a mine in the Yukon and all the miners use this light for their nightly inspections.Because it's -50'C they have to wear gloves and these inspections are a matter of life or death.Before I introduced to my father to this light all the miners used 3D Mags;now they swear by the Pelican 7060.

Yes. This is the most important point. The easier to carry and operate, the better for people like zimm.

 

[Jarl]

I'm surprised no-ones mentioned the surefire A2 aviator. Very bright, throwy high, and nice floody low. Very well engineered lights, too =)

 

[greenlight]

What do you need throw for inspecting helicopters?

 

[KD5XB]

I suspect the Jet III Military would work well, as far as light goes -- I can even turn it on and off while wearing thick leather WORK gloves, the Nomex gloves should make it even easier.

But be sure to hang on to it! It's small enough to become a FOD hazard.

 

[KD5XB]

What do you need throw for inspecting helicopters?

Need to make sure all the panels you can see are buttoned up properly, anything mounted on top of the fuselage is OK -- like lights and antennas. The old angle-head just doesn't measure up to that task, where a thrower sure would.

And it would make it a lot easier to lead somebody TO you, should you have to make an emergency landing somewhere.

 

[ToeMoss]

What do you need throw for inspecting helicopters?

I was wondering the same thing. Seems like a floody light would be more useful for this application.

 

[Strauss]

I don't have any problem working tail-switches on my tactical lights with gloves on. That being said, I'm sure the side switch would be a bit easier to use, but not having that option would not keep me from buying a certain light. The gloves I wear at work are pretty thick too, as temperatures are around 0 often with the windchill on the runway well below that.

 

[KD5XB]

I'd rather have a thrower to check panels 15 or 20 feet from where I'm standing. Maybe it's strictly personal preference.

 

[My3kidsfather]

Hi Zimm, welcome to the forum.

You did not mention runtime here. I imagine that it might be important on any given day too. Assuming the worst, lets say 8 hours is minimum with 40 hours being better in a pinch. Pelican makes a police-type 2xcr123a powered light that burns for approx 40 hours on one set of batteries: the Pelican M6 2330 Led model. It weighs 5.5 oz. loaded. It should be usable in the heavy gloved-hand.

While there are brighter lights, it is rated at a conservatively rated 41 lumen continuous use, quite bright enough for your stated use. And in a tough spot 40 hours on one set of batteries may be a lifesaver.

From the Pelican website:

"The M6 2330 LED Flashlight uses a 1 watt Luxeon LED for intense brightness, extended battery burn time, and long lamp life. The strong body is CNC-machined aluminum with knurled grip for a secure handle. Plus, the convenient push button tail cap switch has a safety lockout feature to prevent inadvertent battery depletion or accidental activation. The M6 comes with a free Cordura® holster with back-up battery pouch. Powered by 2 CR123 lithium cells (included)."

It should be mentioned that this Pelican uses the P60 size and style drop-in reflector and led, a standard in the industry began by SureFire in it's 6P line of millions of police lights. This means you can change out the led for any type of use you might need in the future from a variety of suppliers because it fits the standard.

Pelican offers a lifetime warranty. In your place, I might find a place for a light such as this. Good hunting to you.