Need Help with Flashlight Decision

[demoIL]

Hey there, just really looking for some help.

I'm to "quality" flashlights and honestly after reading about them for a couple weeks now I'm probably more confused than ever.. lol

I was hoping I could tell you guys what I need and see if you could offer up some suggestions. I read alot of info on flashlight reviews but it seems maybe they have not been updated for quite some time. I've been told the LumaPower M1 and the Huntlight ft01xse Cree would good but have several friends with various surefire lights..

Anyway..

I am using it for hunting and or camping.

I need a light that is very bright maybe 100 lumens or more but one that has a selector to drop it down to a much lower power for reading maps. Of course I feel I need the biggest baddest one in town but that may not be true.. lol
I would like something weatherproof and somewhat small, doesn't have to be tiny but smaller in size I guess.
I need something that will last for a while as far as run time. If i get lost or have to do some tracking I need a light that will last for hours and still be very bright.
Cost.. Well this is tough.. I don't really know, hundred bucks maybe or a bit less.

I really just want something that can take some abuse, be very reliable, be very bright when trying to locate direction but be able to tone it down for reading. Something than can get wet and cold and have a really good run time.

Is this is enough information for some advise? If you guys have any question please ask.

Thanks for any help.

 

[deranged_coder]

:welcome:

There is a flashlight recommendation checklist that you can answer and that will help the community better recommend a light. Please answer it when you get the chance and post your answers in this thread so we can better help you find the light for you.

I think a Ra light would probably fit the bill as a rugged, reliable light with multiple levels. I believe the new Ra EDC Executive is priced at $99, can go from 0.3 - 120 lumens, is water resistant and built like a tank. Not sure how you feel about using CR123A batteries, though. Also, not sure if the Ra will have enough throw for your use.

I am not into hunting though so I apologize for not being able to make a better recommendations. I am sure others here on CPF who are into hunting can provide better recommendations for a good light to use.

 

[demoIL]

Great Idea, thank you!





0) What Region/Country/State will the light be purchased in?

_x___I will be mail-ordering or buying online, so this doesn't matter.
____I am in North America. More precisely I am in _______________.
____I am in South America. More precisely I am in _______________.
____I am in Europe. More precisely I am in _______________.
____I am in the Middle East. More precisely I am in _______________.
____I am in Africa. More precisely I am in _______________.
____I am in Asia, Japan or Micronesia. More precisely I am in _______________.
____I am in Australia. More precisely I am in _______________.


1) Price Range: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!

____I only want to pay $1-10.
____I can spend $15-30.
__x__I could spend $40-60.
__x__I am willing to spend $80-$120.
____I have no limit!

2) Format:

__x__I want a flashlight.
____I want a headlamp.
____I want a lantern.
____I want a portable spotlight.

3) Length:

____I don't care.
____1-2 inches. (Keychain sized)
__x__2-4 inches. (Pocket carry)
__x__4-9 inches. (Holster carry)
(about 3 to 6 in.)

4) Width:

__x__I don't care.
____I prefer a long narrow light.
____I prefer a short wide light.

5) What batteries do you want to use? Alkaline batteries are easier to find and less expensive but don't pack as much stored energy and are don't work well in cold temperatures. Lithium batteries have long shelf life (10+ years, great for stored emergency lights) and are not as affected by cold but must be kept dry and are more expensive. Rechargeable start expensive, but if used frequently pay off quickly.

____I want common Alkaline batteries. (AA, AAA, C, D)
__x__I want lithium batteries. (coin cells, CR123, AAA, AA...)
__x__I want a rechargeable system. (an investment, but best for everyday use)

6) How much light do you want? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is impossible).

__x__I want to read a map, or find a light switch, in a dark room. (5-10 lumens)
____I want to walk around a generally paved area. (15-20 lumens)
____I want to walk unpaved trails. (40 lumens)
____I want to do Caving or Search & Rescue operations. (60+ lumens)
__x__I want to light an entire campground or dazzle an intruder. (100+ lumens)

7) Throw vs Flood: Which do you prefer, lights that flood an area with a wide beam, or lights that "throw" with a tightly focused beam? Place an "X" on the line below.

Throw (distance)---------------------x-|----------------------Flood/close-up

8) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims (like some LED lights). but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries.

____20 min. (I want the brightest light for brief periods)
____60-240 min. (1-2 hours)
__x__240-360 min. (4-6 hours)
____360+ min. (More than 6 hours)

9) Durability: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.

____Not Important (A "night-stand" light.)
____Slightly Important (Walks around the neighborhood.)
__x__Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box.)
____Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Self-defense, Survival.)

8) Switch Type:

__x__I don't care.
____I want a sliding switch. (Stays on until slid back.)
____I want a "clickie" switch. (Stays on until pressed again.)
____I want a momentary switch. (Only stays on while held down.)

9) Switch Location:

__x__I don't care.
____I want a push or sliding switch on the body near the head.
____I want a push switch on the back end of the body.
____I want a rotating head switch.
____I want a rotating end-cap switch.
____I want a remote control.

10) Operational Modes: Check all that apply.

____A simple on-off is fine for me.
__x__I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
__x__I want multiple light levels. (some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
____I want a strobe mode. (blinks to show location.)
____I want a tactical strobe. (Flashes rapidly to disorient an opponent.)

11) Is it important whether the body is metal or plastic/composite?

__x__I don't care.
____I want a metal-bodied light.
____I want a plastic/composite light.

12) Special Needs: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Circle any below or write in your own comment(s).

__x__Red (night vision preserving) filter (a lens would be nice but not a must)
____Other filter colors (Amber, Green, Blue, _________)
__x__Waterproof – how deep: ___dunkable__________
____Non-reflective/dark finish (stealthy/hard to find)
____Polished silver or brightly colored finish (for easy locating)
____Corrosion resistant or hard-anodized finish
____"Hybrid" light (bright incandescent combined with long running LEDs)
____Built-in second (or spare) lamp or filament
____Belt/Jacket clip
____Holster
____Wrist/Neck Lanyard
____Kobuton/self defense features
____Non-sparking Intrinsically Safe (IS) for use in explosive environments

 

[Toaster]

Jetbeam Jet-III M with warm tint option. The warm tinted LED is particularly well suited for outdoors use. See a review of it here. With discount code "cpfjet" it comes out to $75 + shipping. That should leave enough room in your budget to get some 18650 li-ons and a charger.

 

[Flying Turtle]

Based on my own experience I'd say the LiteFlux LF3XT would qualify except for the total runtime. But, since it's output is variable and programmable, it could easily make 4-6 hours at a low level. No factory red filter, but these can be cobbled together with bottle caps and such. Another variable light is the Proton Pro, that will also reach a long runtime at lower levels. Not as bright as the LiteFlux, nor as perfect a beam, but still a good thrower, and it has a small red LED in addition to the main beam. There's tons of info about both in the LED section and Reviews section. You might need to do a search.

Good luck in your quest, and welcome to CPF.

Geoff

 

[demoIL]

Jetbeam Jet-III M with warm tint option. The warm tinted LED is particularly well suited for outdoors use. See a review of it here. With discount code "cpfjet" it comes out to $75 + shipping. That should leave enough room in your budget to get some 18650 li-ons and a charger.

I do like the looks of that Jetbeam light.. I like the fact it can tailstand as well.. Might be the one, will do a bit more looking first but I do like it..

 

[154CM]

I just purchased a JB III M. I can tell you one thing, you wont be disappointed with the overall quality of it. If I had more funds I'd buy one more while they were still on sale.

 

[Kestrel]

This is, like, crazy to suggest, but have you thought about two specialized lights, a high-output thrower and a small, relatively dim, long-running light?
(yeah, I know, sounds crazy to get more than one light, huh?):tinfoil:

Advantages:

• Specialized lights often work better for their intended purpose than one light trying to do two different jobs
• Reliability - less to go wrong with a single output & no switching mechanism / circuitry
• Backup - when one fails, when cells deplete, or you need a loaner.

Disadvantages:

• Cost - not necessarily, I think the dual-output SureFire L1 is the closest thing to a perfect single light, but a person could buy a brighter single-mode SF and any number of dim (but still high-quality) utility lights for less total expenditure.
• Extra to carry - not significantly, the dim map/reading light can be exceedingly small. And I'd rather have twice the chance to find a light while groping in a dark tent or backpack.

I carried the dual-output SF for a while before realizing that it's just more fun to carry multiple, more specialized lights.

 

[demoIL]

Ya I thought about that, I have all sorts of lights that are just OK right now. Some are not very bright at all.. I have several Mags and mini mags and quite a few lights with multiple led.. Problem is at times when backpacking or hunting conserving space and weight are important.. I think I'd rather have one small, bright light that has a low setting.. Just bring a few batteries..

After looking into this more I am actually blown away by how many high end lights are out there. there are just so many, and you never hear about them. I don't see them on tv or in most retail stores.. I can see where this can get addicting.

Thanks for all the replies.

 

[cabindriver]

Don't discount a headlamp. Nothing beats using both hands when you're out in the woods. I'll second the RaLights or NovaTac.

 

[demoIL]

Oh I'm not.. I want another one of those too.. but have a decent one right now so I want the flashlight first..

 

[Search]

I would say..

Fenix PD30

It meets EVERY need except: I don't know if you can get a red filter and I think it might throw too much.


Surefire 6P w/ Malkoff M60F

It meets EVERY need except: I don't know if it's runtime is long enough.

 

[Mjolnir]

I still don't understand how these companies can flourish so much, given that the majority of their consumer base is probably on this forum it really is interesting, since probably only 1 in a thousand people has actually heard of companies like fenix, olight, etc.
Wait, a second, maybe that DOES explain how they can flourish, especially from what I have seen of the spending habits of these forumgoers.

 

[Gunner12]

How much throw?

Since you have a maglite, check this thread for drop-ins and mods(the ROP and Mag85 would be nice, not much runtime though, the Malkoff 1 Seoul P4 drop-in should throw the furthest for a LED drop-in).

Then get a closer range light, the Fenix, Olight, Nitecore lines might be good, along with iTP, Jetbeam, the smaller Lumapowers, and a few more I'm forgetting.

:welcome:

 

[Search]

I still don't understand how these companies can flourish so much, given that the majority of their consumer base is probably on this forum it really is interesting, since probably only 1 in a thousand people has actually heard of companies like fenix, olight, etc.
Wait, a second, maybe that DOES explain how they can flourish, especially from what I have seen of the spending habits of these forumgoers.

It's like Surefire..

There are a couple of stores that sell them. There aren't TV ads, there aren't magazine or radio adds, there are no adds.

The only thing Surefire has over Fenix for example is that there are more stores that sell them, even if it isn't a large amount.

People who need quality lights for anything will find them and will buy them.

There are more forums out there that talk about lights and there are more people that like lights, need lights, and want lights that aren't internet forum people.

Word gets around.

Plus, America isn't the only country in the world.

You better bet a ton of Chinese and Japanese people own Fenix lights they are sold in lots of stores over there.

 

[Mjolnir]

Still, its a shame that the majority of these brands are not advertised more (in the US) and sold in retailers other than specialty flashaholic stores. Of course, much of the general public feels that spending 70 bucks on a flashlight is absurd, but spending 70 bucks on jeans is OK.
We americans sure are strange...

Back on topic, a malkoff dropin is always a good choice. They are very well made, and Gene provides excellent customer service. However, they don't have multiple modes, so they may not be ideal for you. If I were in your place I would probably go for the JET III M, since it has variable brightness and multiple battery options.

 

[Search]

Still, its a shame that the majority of these brands are not advertised more (in the US) and sold in retailers other than specialty flashaholic stores. Of course, much of the general public feels that spending 70 bucks on a flashlight is absurd, but spending 70 bucks on jeans is OK.
We americans sure are strange...

Before we hijack the thread I'll say one last thing.

I think the flashlight companies would lose money in the end.

It's really a market only for people who would look for a good light and not people who saw it on a tv ad.

 

[demoIL]

I think I'll probably go with the Jet III M. And just for you cabindriver I think I'll order the princeton tec eos in olive drab.

Question on batteries though.. The lithium ion 18650 is made by many people. I see the AW 18650 for about 15.00 per battery. On other sites and Ebay I see Ultra Fire and no name 18650 for much less.. Is there a big difference in performance that any of you have seen?

 

[rmteo]

Question on batteries though.. The lithium ion 18650 is made by many people. I see the AW 18650 for about 15.00 per battery. On other sites and Ebay I see Ultra Fire and no name 18650 for much less.. Is there a big difference in performance that any of you have seen?

See this thread:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=178727

 

[gsxrac]

Ok well keeping it in the $100 range the JetIII M (as mentioned earlier) and the Olight M20 Warrior (my personal favorite for hunting camping and my EDC) Both of those lights have selectable modes so you can have a 200+lumens or down to just a few lumens AND both accept an 18650 rechargeable lithium! Now for something a little smaller which will probably be my new kayak camping light I purchased a novatac 120E its got a 120 lumen output on high and if you use CPF you can "unlock" it and have almost ANY 3 outputs you want between .3-120 lumens!http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=213286 and its still in the $100 range http://www.manventureoutpost.com/ou...ge=product_info&cPath=44_48&products_id=13643