Hi, just discovered this forum about a week ago along with flashlightreviews, both excellent sites imho. Never knew the world of flashlights was so rich and diverse....whoa! Took my first step beyond m*gs and purchased a TT 2L as an all around type light. I'm quite happy with it so far and want to thank Quickbeam for the thorough review. Plan on getting a dozen batteries(surefire or batterystation), spare bulb, and possibly one of those nice pelican cases. Anyway, just wanted to say hi and how much I'm enjoying the forum. Already scheming on my next light..hehe.
New Guy With New Light
- Thread starter Quasar
- Start date
Welcome to CPF!
What do you want for your next light? Here are some to consider.
ARC4
ARC LS
ARC AAA
Surefire A2
Surefire L4
Surefire E2E, E2E/KL1
Surefire C2/M2
Surefire G2Z
Surefire M3T
Surefire M6
Surefire G2
Tec 40
Streamlight 4AA 7LED
CMG Infinity Ultra or Ultra-G
BadBoy/MadMax
What do you want for your next light? Here are some to consider.
ARC4
ARC LS
ARC AAA
Surefire A2
Surefire L4
Surefire E2E, E2E/KL1
Surefire C2/M2
Surefire G2Z
Surefire M3T
Surefire M6
Surefire G2
Tec 40
Streamlight 4AA 7LED
CMG Infinity Ultra or Ultra-G
BadBoy/MadMax
pedalinbob
Flashlight Enthusiast
hoghead...quit trying to corrupt the guy!
ooohhhh...ARC4!
Bob
ooohhhh...ARC4!
Bob
Now that I have the TT 2L for close and medium range, I would like something with some spotting power. Gets pretty black out here in the desert with no street lights and the houses somewhat spaced apart. I'm on a limited budget for now, so that eleminates the A2 which would be my first choice for the combination of runtime at full brightness, compactness, and pretty good throw. The PT 40 looks to have a good throw and is inexpensive. There's also the PT surge, which puts out an incredibly powerful beam and is also cheap. The new models at Brightguy no longer have the bulb melting problem. It uses eight AA's, so the brightness would probably dim fairly fast. I just can't resist that much power tho, and on alkaline batteries. So that's where I'm leaning just now. Appreciate your list as possibles Hoghead.
The SL6 might be another option. They are $35.95 at BrightGuy
http://www.brightguy.com/detail.html?cart=10743190631223903&sku=UND18017
Or the Pelican M6 for $32 CPF Special from BatteryStation
http://www.batterystation.com/cpf.htm
http://www.brightguy.com/detail.html?cart=10743190631223903&sku=UND18017
Or the Pelican M6 for $32 CPF Special from BatteryStation
http://www.batterystation.com/cpf.htm
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JerryM
Flashlight Enthusiast
You made an excellent choice in the TT-2L. It will do everything that you probably NEED to do.
I have been a hunter, fisherman, and outdoorsman all my life. My profession was military.
I hope no one takes what follows wrong.
I am new here and am having a load of fun fooling with and learning about flashlights. I have bought quite a few since I bought my son a Surefire E2e in December 03. I had never seen a light like it, and was WOWed. I had to have one.
Since then I have bought the E2e, E1e, Pelican M6, several TT1L and TT2L, a couple of Arc AAAs, some Sonics, and Ultra Gs, some Dorcy AAA, a TL-2LED, and several I don't remember.
Until Dec 03, I had never seen lights like these, and the best lights I had were Mag C lights. I never liked D cell lights because of the larger barrel.
But, I had never felt the need to have the kinds of lights I now have. I bought cheap lights at Walmarts or wherever, and they did all that I needed to do. I never was in the dark or failed to find my way in the dark because the light was too dim.
I did on some occasions not have a light, and had to travel by moonlight. My foolishness.
In saying all this my point is that this flashlight stuff is a lot of fun, and for some a technical hobby. But I do not have any need for the lights as bright as the PM6 or E2. I do not need to do what LEOs or the troops in Iraq do. They do need such lights, but I don't. They are just fun to look at something in the dark. I will use them very seldom.
The problem with the incandescent lights is that the batteries do not last long enough for all night operations. At 1 to 1.5 hours on a set of batteries they eat too many unless there is a real need for such lights.
The LEDs are the best way to go. They are now more than adequately bright, and provide a much longer battery life.
For that reason I have settled on one of the TTL lights as the most practicable for me. The LED mde is more than adequate for walking the trail in the dark, and the Xenon is available if needed. It is brighter in the xenon mode than any flashlight I used in the past, and I never felt the need for more throw.
I think a small key chain light or similar one such as the Arc, Sonic, Ultra G, are very useful and will always be with you. I find all those about equal in brightness, so the choice boils down to whether you like one or the other based on price, and quality as you perceive it.
It might be that the Surefire L4 is about ideal in battery life, throw, and overall brightness, but I have never even seen one and have no desire to buy one.
I really like my TL-2LED and it would be a good choice as one light for me.
Now again, having said that, have as much fun as you can here. The people are superb, helpful, very intelligent, and the dealers here are without peer. Buy some lights and try them out. It will be enjoyable if you are like the rest of us.
Some like 150 mph cars, which have no good use except to have fun if you can live through it, or to say that you have such a thing.
And as one member said, "It is sad, but some people collect stamps and they don't even use batteries."
Some will disagree with me, but that is my take.
I might add that I have a LOT of things that I don't need but which add to my enjoyment.
Jerry
I have been a hunter, fisherman, and outdoorsman all my life. My profession was military.
I hope no one takes what follows wrong.
I am new here and am having a load of fun fooling with and learning about flashlights. I have bought quite a few since I bought my son a Surefire E2e in December 03. I had never seen a light like it, and was WOWed. I had to have one.
Since then I have bought the E2e, E1e, Pelican M6, several TT1L and TT2L, a couple of Arc AAAs, some Sonics, and Ultra Gs, some Dorcy AAA, a TL-2LED, and several I don't remember.
Until Dec 03, I had never seen lights like these, and the best lights I had were Mag C lights. I never liked D cell lights because of the larger barrel.
But, I had never felt the need to have the kinds of lights I now have. I bought cheap lights at Walmarts or wherever, and they did all that I needed to do. I never was in the dark or failed to find my way in the dark because the light was too dim.
I did on some occasions not have a light, and had to travel by moonlight. My foolishness.
In saying all this my point is that this flashlight stuff is a lot of fun, and for some a technical hobby. But I do not have any need for the lights as bright as the PM6 or E2. I do not need to do what LEOs or the troops in Iraq do. They do need such lights, but I don't. They are just fun to look at something in the dark. I will use them very seldom.
The problem with the incandescent lights is that the batteries do not last long enough for all night operations. At 1 to 1.5 hours on a set of batteries they eat too many unless there is a real need for such lights.
The LEDs are the best way to go. They are now more than adequately bright, and provide a much longer battery life.
For that reason I have settled on one of the TTL lights as the most practicable for me. The LED mde is more than adequate for walking the trail in the dark, and the Xenon is available if needed. It is brighter in the xenon mode than any flashlight I used in the past, and I never felt the need for more throw.
I think a small key chain light or similar one such as the Arc, Sonic, Ultra G, are very useful and will always be with you. I find all those about equal in brightness, so the choice boils down to whether you like one or the other based on price, and quality as you perceive it.
It might be that the Surefire L4 is about ideal in battery life, throw, and overall brightness, but I have never even seen one and have no desire to buy one.
I really like my TL-2LED and it would be a good choice as one light for me.
Now again, having said that, have as much fun as you can here. The people are superb, helpful, very intelligent, and the dealers here are without peer. Buy some lights and try them out. It will be enjoyable if you are like the rest of us.
Some like 150 mph cars, which have no good use except to have fun if you can live through it, or to say that you have such a thing.
And as one member said, "It is sad, but some people collect stamps and they don't even use batteries."
Some will disagree with me, but that is my take.
I might add that I have a LOT of things that I don't need but which add to my enjoyment.
Jerry
bwaites
Flashlight Enthusiast
Really Bright + Inexpensive = Pelican M6 from batterystation.com!! Around $32!
Great Service, Good prices, (you might find it a little cheaper elsewhere, but you WON'T get it from a better place!)
I have one, and comparing it with my Z2 with high output lamp assembly (HOLA) from Surefire, which is twice as bright as the A2, it is as bright with adjustable beam, dies a little faster than the A2 because it isn't regulated, but last longer than the Z2.
Bill
Great Service, Good prices, (you might find it a little cheaper elsewhere, but you WON'T get it from a better place!)
I have one, and comparing it with my Z2 with high output lamp assembly (HOLA) from Surefire, which is twice as bright as the A2, it is as bright with adjustable beam, dies a little faster than the A2 because it isn't regulated, but last longer than the Z2.
Bill
Hoghead...That Sunlight SL6 looks pretty good with the C cells instead of AA's. I tend to shy from the M6, G2 and such due to reading the run time chart on fall-off for the Scorpion. Being a newbie, I'm nervous about going thru lithiums that fast. That's what I like about the A2...steady output for 60 minutes. Jerry....Appreciate what you're saying about what's useful on a day to day basis. For my type uses, the TT 2L will cover most things. I am however experiencing latent flashaholic tendencies...uh oh.
Charles Bradshaw
Flashlight Enthusiast
Welcome Quasar! Latent? I don't think so. Back before the day that the White LED became available, I was like everyone else: a flashlight is a flashlight. Then I was listening to Art Bell and heard about the CC Trek Light, which got my immediated interest. I got one, and was hooked. I went with LEDs due to my income source (socsec) and amount ($386/month in 2003). Even so, I have a Surefire L4, and it cost me $148 (just barely had enough left in one month in spare cash). Still, I have a Brinkmann Legend LX to satisfy my rare need for bright, long throw.
What you need to do, is use NiMH or Lithium Ion (Pila) to help offset the longterm cost of disposable batteries.
Look at your particular needs. Then look at the the lights that meet those needs. Finally sort out those that either fit in you budget, or are very close (price wise). Then list them here and ask for opinions on which is the best quality (reliable too).
I may consider a light for several months, before making a decision. I have never been disappointed, as a result. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
What you need to do, is use NiMH or Lithium Ion (Pila) to help offset the longterm cost of disposable batteries.
Look at your particular needs. Then look at the the lights that meet those needs. Finally sort out those that either fit in you budget, or are very close (price wise). Then list them here and ask for opinions on which is the best quality (reliable too).
I may consider a light for several months, before making a decision. I have never been disappointed, as a result. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Thanks for the welcome Charles. Congrats on your purchases. Not sure it's entirely healthy for me to be fixating like this, but there's something wonderful about a good torch. My uses are casual and I'll "probably" draw the line at a reasonable limit. Currently I'm looking for a portable power light similar to the LX you have(see my latest post). That will round out my needs with the TT-2L I just bought. Oh...and possibly an arc AAA.
rlhess
Enlightened
Hi, Quasar,
I have two UKE SL6s and while they are nice lights, for just a little more money, you can have the lithium-powered Streamlight TL-3.
The TL-3 throws farther and wider than the SL6 and will keep up its throw for longer (the alkalines seem to get wimpy quickly). It's three 123 cells and will share cells with your TT 2L. If I had to do over, I think I'd use these two as my utility lights for everywhere.
The TL-3 is much smaller and lighter than the UKE SL6--it easily fits in your jacket pocket.
Look at Quickbeam's wonderful comparison here, though he doesn't show the UKE SL6--my tests show it to be as described.
Cheers,
Richard
I have two UKE SL6s and while they are nice lights, for just a little more money, you can have the lithium-powered Streamlight TL-3.
The TL-3 throws farther and wider than the SL6 and will keep up its throw for longer (the alkalines seem to get wimpy quickly). It's three 123 cells and will share cells with your TT 2L. If I had to do over, I think I'd use these two as my utility lights for everywhere.
The TL-3 is much smaller and lighter than the UKE SL6--it easily fits in your jacket pocket.
Look at Quickbeam's wonderful comparison here, though he doesn't show the UKE SL6--my tests show it to be as described.
Cheers,
Richard
brightnorm
Flashaholic
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2001
- Messages
- 9,027
Quasar,
I'll second Richard on the TL-3. Based on my very-long- throw "vertical throw tests" it's probably the longest throw 3x123 non turbohead light in commercial production. This includes the Surefire 3x123s which are designed to throw a beam precisely calibrated for professional tactical use rather than long throw, which is delegated to SF's turboheads.
Also, the TL-3 retains its brightness longer than one might expect, especially if used intermittantly.
Brightnorm
I'll second Richard on the TL-3. Based on my very-long- throw "vertical throw tests" it's probably the longest throw 3x123 non turbohead light in commercial production. This includes the Surefire 3x123s which are designed to throw a beam precisely calibrated for professional tactical use rather than long throw, which is delegated to SF's turboheads.
Also, the TL-3 retains its brightness longer than one might expect, especially if used intermittantly.
Brightnorm
Thanks much Richard and Brighthnorm. The TL-3 does indeed look like an excellent choice. Since I'm going for throw on an intermittent basis, that should suit me well. Very timely feedback from you both, as I was just perusing those over at flashlightreviews. Was a little concerned with size, so I'm glad to hear they'll fit in a coat pocket easily. That "vertical throw test" sounds interesting.
I'll reiterate the Pelican M6 from battery station suggestion, just got mine today, and am simply wowed. I took it out back to play with the dog and lit up the side of the next door neighbors house with this little flashlight. From what I hear the Surefire G2 Nitrolon is pretty much equivalent in light output, size, and price. I'll admit, even 32$ seems a lot for a flashlight to me, but I'm slowly rationalizing even more like the 17$ PM6 modified kroll and lens combo from flashlightlens.com. Hang out here too much, and surefire's will seem reasonable. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif
Quickbeam
Flashlight Enthusiast
Quasar: Welcome aboard! Glad you found my reviews helpful!
