Newbie Question

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Don't take this the wrong way, but now I'm sure I'm a geek. The knife forums were (are) bad enough, but now a flashlight forum!

I've carried flashlights for years just like good pocket knives. It's only recently that I've discovered "better flashlights". I mean better than Mag lights. I have a half dozen of them: Mini Mag, Mag 2D and an old 6D monster. I've also got a Photon3 and have given many Inova Microlights as gifts.

The question is: What should I get to step up from a Mini Mag for an EDC? So far the cadidates are a Surefire E2 and an Inova X-5. Any other options? Ideally, I don't want to go bigger than the Mini Mag.

jmx

 

[ChrisA]

hi jmx,
if you need long throw get the surefire. very good for maximum brightness but runtime is quite short... the inova produces a nice bright beam but lacks the ability to illuminate objects far away so it's more like a floodlight. for close up tasks and edc it's IMO fine though. maybe you should check out craig's review page to get an impression of both lights. by the way - both will be a major step-up to a minimag in every respect.

chris

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

If your used to a minimag and don't really need something as bright as an E2/E2e how about an E1/E1e. I got one 2 days ago and am now in love with it, visually it is quite a bit brighter than my mag 2AA, and the beam is perfect, very focused but with a beam shaper you can make it more useable a close range.

As far as size goes the bezel is the same diameter as a mag AA, but it's no longer than a mag solitaire. You really can put it in your pocket and forget about it.

If you want something brighter then go for the E2/E2e, they really do have all the light you need in a small EDC.

Tim

 

[Carpe Diem]

Hi Jmx... welcome to the CPF. You`ll find CPF`ers to be a friendly group of people, with a good sense of humor.

If you buy the Surefire E2 or E2e as your next flashlight, you`ll never regret it. It`s of the highest quality, has a really spectacular light beam for its size, and is a "must have" flashlight in the always-exciting world of flashaholics.

The E2/E2e can easily be carried in your pocket, and like alot of the rest of us, will probably forever become a part of your EDC.

In any event, if you`re a true flashaholic {such a condition, if you have it, being totally out of your control), the E2/E2e will just be one of many nice flashlights that you will end up buying. (Make sure, for instance, that you also get a few Arc flashlights from Peter Gransee.)

Good luck to you, and again, welcome aboard!

 

[Size15's]

Welcome to CPF.

E Series SureFires that are fresh out of the factory now come with a LockOut TailCap. This is a real improvement for 2002.

Personally, I'd suggest an E2e-HA.

You'll be wanting more SureFires once you get your first.

Good Luck!

RE: Sense of humour?
Please email me those that display such a thing and I'll make sure they're moderated!

Al

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

This is not good. After reading the reviews of both the Surefire E-2 and Inova 5-X, they seem like completely different lights. One with a diffuse light that's easy on the eyes and has great battery life. The other one seems like a torch. Real bright but terrible battery life. Both seem tough as hell.

It almost seems like a person might really need both.

jmx

 

[Lonewolf]

jmx if you can wait six months SF is releasing a light that has both incandescent and LEDs in the bezel. So you choose which kind of light you want and still have the option of a long burntime if you use the LED's.

 

[Graham]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by jmx:
This is not good. After reading teh reviews of both the Surefire E-2 and Inova 5-X, they seem like completely different lights. One with a diffuse light that's easy on teh eyes and has great battery life. The other one seems like a torch. Real bright but terrible battery life. Both seem tough as hell.

It almost seems like a person might really need both.

jmx<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ahh, welcome to the world of the Flashaholic - the search for the perfect light. Long runtime? Bright spot? Dispersed beam? Which is more important? The eternal question (at least, until Surefire come out with a 2000lumen HID light the size of the E2, with a 20 hour runtime..)
This is actually a turning point - the choice you make now may affect your outlook on flashlights (or torches, where I come from) for the rest of your flashaholic life..

Many here will tell you to take the easy route - get 'em both! Others will point to one or the other. But ultimately, the choice is yours. Choose well..

Graham

 

[Carpe Diem]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by jmx:
It almost seems like a person might really need both. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Now you`re getting the hang of it!

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

What about the recently discovered 6 lamp Flashled? Seems like a cool light especially with the dual power option. Is this a gimick?

jmx?

 

[Chris M.]

What about the recently discovered 6 lamp Flashled? Seems like a cool light especially with the dual power option. Is this a gimick?

It`s OK, nothing special and a little spendy even on Ebay. Not blinding, but the battery life is OK. I found that the 2AA battery option was virtually useless (white model) cos it was so dim. But in an emergency, any light is nice to have so it`s not totally useless.
Seems nicely enough made, but I broke the switch in mine after I dropped it. Admittedly it did get dropped 10-12ft onto concrete so it`s a miracle it survived at all

There are better lights, there are worse lights. It`s OK.

 

[Chris M.]

only puts out about 3 lux at 1 meter

Hmmm.....I must check mine again. Maybe I got a duff one? I`m sure it was dimmer than that.

 

[Quickbeam]

I am in the process of completing my review on the 6-LED FlashLED. It's a decent light. I like the AA option for getting around indoors at night - only puts out about 3 lux at 1 meter - dosen't kill your night adaptation.

The N cells are about a buck a piece at Wal-Mart. The Inova x5 blows it away (96 lux vs. 70 lux with the N cells), but then you're spending about $5 for one change of batteries for the 123A's instead of $3 for the 3 N cells.

I concurr with Chris's opinion - there are better, there are worse.

It all depends on what you need....