Need help on choosing new flashlight

[FNG]

Im in the automotive field and was wondering what flashlight you would prefer if you worked on cars. The one Im using right now is the small AA flashlight from maglight. Do you think the Streamlight Stylus is a good
choice? I like it because you can fit it into a shirt pocket. Is it as bright as the Maglight? What other flashlights should I look at that compare with the Maglight in means of size and brightness? Also, something under $30. I found the Stylus for $15 shipped on Ebay and the Photon 2 for $13 shipped on Ebay. Thanks in advanced for your help.

 

[FNG]

what about one for the houes and garage? ill think ill get the E2 sometime in the future because it looks so nice.

 

[Grummond]

I agree with kogatana that for working on cars a Mini-Mag would seem to make sense, not too expensive, rugged and reliable.
One thing that comes to mind though is that I would imagine you would be using it most days and there for as kogatana says an LED might be good.
Why not go for a Streamlight Baton Lite?
It's a little smaller than the Mini-Mag and comes with a large key ring so I'd make a Lanyard and have it round my neck so it was always there when I needed it and then when you need both hands just drop it.
It also has a momentary switch on the tail or you can twist the tail to turn it on and keep it on.
For close up work the beam is probably nicer and more even and you'll not have to worry about ever getting new bulbs for it.
Runs on 3 "N" size alkaline batteries and being LED will run much longer than the Mag.
Since I have bought my one, it pretty much replaces all the things I used to use the Mini-Mag for.
Link: http://www.streamlight.com/2001/batonlite.htm
Personal I think the E2 is a fantastic light, however I'm not sure I'd want to use it for daily close up work, for one you'll probably get a headache, you'll be about 4 inches from the distributor cap looking for a tiny crack switch on the E2, illuminate the entire work shop and then be seeing a green blob in your vision for the next 20 minutes.

Anyway whatever you choose, good luck.
Grummond.

 

[FNG]

Well, the Baton is $50.

 

[Empath]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by FNG:
Well, the Baton is $50.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

You can get it for $27 at Texas Tactical
Baton Light

 

[FNG]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Grummond:
I agree with kogatana that for working on cars a Mini-Mag would seem to make sense, not too expensive, rugged and reliable.
One thing that comes to mind though is that I would imagine you would be using it most days and there for as kogatana says an LED might be good.
Why not go for a Streamlight Baton Lite?
It's a little smaller than the Mini-Mag and comes with a large key ring so I'd make a Lanyard and have it round my neck so it was always there when I needed it and then when you need both hands just drop it.
It also has a momentary switch on the tail or you can twist the tail to turn it on and keep it on.
For close up work the beam is probably nicer and more even and you'll not have to worry about ever getting new bulbs for it.
Runs on 3 "N" size alkaline batteries and being LED will run much longer than the Mag.
Since I have bought my one, it pretty much replaces all the things I used to use the Mini-Mag for.
Link: http://www.streamlight.com/2001/batonlite.htm
Personal I think the E2 is a fantastic light, however I'm not sure I'd want to use it for daily close up work, for one you'll probably get a headache, you'll be about 4 inches from the distributor cap looking for a tiny crack switch on the E2, illuminate the entire work shop and then be seeing a green blob in your vision for the next 20 minutes.

Anyway whatever you choose, good luck.
Grummond.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I found Baton light for $35 shipped on ebay. Is this light pretty bright? How much do the batteries usually cost? I wont use the light very much since I have a drop light. Only use it in those tight spots or under the car. Im a newbie to flashlights and never heard of LED flashlights until the other day. Thanks for everyones help.

 

[dano]

My brother owns his own auto repair shop, and he uses a Stylus, but always seems to be breaking them...When I was doing auto repair stuff, way back, i had a AA mini-mag, which seems to be the most popular choice of the mechanics I know...If you wanted to splurge, a Streamlight Stinger would be an excellent choice, also.
--dan

 

[txwest]

FNG,
If you've never used a LED light, you'll be dissappointed. As much as I like my BatonLite that I recently got from TTS, in your applecation, you need something brighter. You're working around a droplight so your eyes will not be dialated. You'll probably be useing it to look in the dark spots the drop light doesn't get. The E2 would do a great job, but you'ld probably not want to get it greasy or banged up. If you don't need to carry it in your shirt pocket, get the Nexstar. Has a rear switch for 1 hand operation, & a good bright bulb. If you need it handy in your shirt pocket instead of your pants pocket, get the Legend AA or AAA & the Nexstar bulb. I believe they both have the rear switch for 1 hand operation, & you don't have to refocus each time you turn it on. IMHO TX

 

[FNG]

Like I said, I just found out how much there is to know about flashlights. Can you guys give me links to the products and a ballpark price? Ive always thought that Maglight was the best flashlight out there until yesterday.

 

[DArklite]

You may want to check out the 3-LED Clipper 3 Headlight, or the Petzl Tikka Headlight (also 3 LEDs); both available from www.glow-bug.com.
The Clipper 3 can be either worn as a headlight, clipped to hat or anything else.
Both will give you plenty of available light for working on cars and pretty good battery life too.

 

[FNG]

i dont want a light u put on my head. what light do you think would be good for a backup light? the photon 2 or the e2? theres a $40 price difference between the two.

 

[FNG]

Ive done some research and came up with 3 flashlights I wanna get. Ill use the 2 AA Mag for daily use.

Out of these three, which would be good to use as a backup light or a all around light? The Arc AAA light, the Streamlight Baton, or the Inova X5? Theres only a $10 price difference between the three(all under $40). I really wanna get all three but dont have the funds. So, what do you guys think? Thanks for everyones help.

 

[waumpuscat]

FNG, I haven't used the other two lights you mentioned, but I have an ARC AAA limited edition that I keep on a lanyard, and it does a dandy job of making things up close real bright

. Easy to carry arround the neck, too. just my 2cents

Phil

 

[txwest]

FNG,
I order of brightness, it's ARC, Baton, X-5. As much as I like & use my ARC LE (carry it on a lanyard around my neck), you may be dissappointed on the output, being your 1st LED. The Baton Lite is very good, but uses "N" batteries, which may be hard to find &/or expensive. The X-5, from the reviews I've read, is a very good light, but uses 123 batteries, which, if you don't buy online in bulk, are generally very expensive. You might consider the Eternalight. I got the Marine model with lithium batteries for $30. It puts out more light than the Baton, not as much as the X-5, & runs on AA batteries. The ARC LE is probably the best made & the one I use the most, but not a good LED starter. IMHO TX

 

[brightnorm]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by FNG:
Ive done some research and came up with 3 flashlights I wanna get. Ill use the 2 AA Mag for daily use.

Out of these three, which would be good to use as a backup light or a all around light? The Arc AAA light, the Streamlight Baton, or the Inova X5? Theres only a $10 price difference between the three(all under $40). I really wanna get all three but dont have the funds. So, what do you guys think? Thanks for everyones help.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Welcome FNG,

My guess is that the ARC AAA, great though it is, would not be bright enough. The Inova x5 is an exceptionally bright small LED, probably the brightest of its size.
If a twist on/off head is OK for your work, I would recommend it. With good lithium batteries it will run for 5-7 hours straight. Are you familiar with lithium batteries? The kind the Inova takes are 123 3 volt batteries. (they often have different letters before or after the numbers, for ex: 123A or CR123 etc. They are very expensive in stores, ranging up to $12.00 apiece! (Seattle/Telephony). You can buy the Sanyo's on linefor about $1.50-1.75 at ZReiss
web page
The better ones(longer burn time)like Surefire or Duracell Ultra are more expensive, but probably not necessary for your use.

Good luck

Best regards,
Brightnorm

 

[FNG]

Lets forget about using the light for automotive work. I just want a LED flashlight. No one I know has one except for my brother. He just got the Stylus 3 the other day. Thats why I started looking up LED flashlights.

Out of those 3, which is the best all purpose flashlight?

 

[Empath]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by FNG:
Lets forget about using the light for automotive work. I just want a LED flashlight. No one I know has one except for my brother. He just got the Stylus 3 the other day. Thats why I started looking up LED flashlights.

Out of those 3, which is the best all purpose flashlight?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

In that case, the Arc AAA is an essential.
The Baton may prove brighter, but you'll find it not as useful. I wouldn't settle for only one, but your second can come later.

 

[BuddTX]

If you set the flashlight down to work, any completely round flashlight will roll. That would include the Maglite AA.

If you do stay with the mag-lite, don't forget to consider the three simple upgrades that other CPF members have posted here:

1. Use a Brinkmann lamp in place of the mag-lamp (its 20-50% brighter).

2. Use AA Lithium batteries

3. Use the WriteRight film to coat your lense.

Do a search on here to read more than you ever wanted to know about upgrading your mag-lite!

The Princeton Tec Surge is about the size of a 2-D light, but is very bright and powerful! It has gotten a lot of favorable comments around here. (I have two and I really like them!)

 

[txwest]

FNG,
If you've seen the Stylus 3 & had no problem with the comparativley lower output of the LED light, I concur on the ARC. It's my most used light because it's the one that's always with me. TX

 

[FNG]

Ok. Made up my mind. Gonna get the replacement bulbs for my 2 AA Mini Maglite. Also, get the Arc AAA light because its bright and the batteries you can get anywhere. Thanks for everyones help. What do you think my next flashlight should be?