Newbie: Recommend me a flashlight

[avian pneumonia]

Hellohello,

After much lurking on this forum I've decided to start posting and buying some lights.


As of now, the only light I have is the Photon Freedom Micro on my keychain which I use for pretty much everything.

I've also just ordered a Zebralight H501 for when I need a hands-free light. (reviews on this site seem to suggest it's one of the best)

I'm kinda thinking about buying a Stanley HID0109 spotlight for checking out stuff in the yard, impressing friends, and doing other EXREME nonsense. But before I get into something like that, I should probably buy a more traditional 'flashlight'.

Here's the questionairre:

1) How would you prefer to purchase the light
-- Doesn't matter
2) Budget
-- Less than $150
3) Format
-- I'm looking for a fashlight
4) Size
-- Between 5 and 12 inches long.
5) Light Source
-- This I'm not sure about. I much prefer the way that incandescents look, but the other options (like LED) are more likely to be brighter and more efficient with regards to power, right? And what's the story on HID?
6) Manufacturer
-- Doesn't matter
7) Battery Type
-- Doesn't matter
8) OTF light
-- I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens)
9) Throw vs. Flood
-- I'm not sure here, I guess I'd want whatever would be appropriate for a general purpose flashlight. Somewhere between a h501 and a big spotlight?
10) Runtime
-- Should be able to last at least a few hours on low-power.
11) Durability
-- I'd like a very durable light.
12) Switch type and location
-- Doesn't matter
13) User Interface
-- I want multiple light levels
14) Material/Finish
-- Something heavy duty but not too heavy.
15) Special extras
-- A beltclip would be nice but isn't necessary.

The HDS Ra Clicky looks neat but is a bit too small. The lightflux LF2XT looks gorgeous but is also a bit too small and kinda underpowered. Any ideas?

 

[avian pneumonia]

The Fenix TK40 looks really neat but is probably overkill and a bit big.
I suppose I'm leaning towards the Fenix TK12 R5 at this point?

 

[Jash]

5-12 inches, any battery type, up to $150.

You can purchase just about any light that most CPFers will suggest.

For that money, this is what I would look at (not in any order of preference):

- Fenix TK11/30/40/45
- iTP A6 Polestar
- Thrunite Catapult
- Jetbeam M1X, RRT-1
- Quark 123x2 Tactical (or AAx2)
- Lumapower D-Mini VX/VX Ultra (optional turboforce kit)
- Olight M20/21/30

There's somewhere to start at least.

Happy light hunting.

O, nearly forgot. Sunwayled is bringing out some new product that looks promising.

 

[sfca]

Surefire E2DL. More like 250 OTF (333 emitter) lumens. Ebay or join the marketplace for the good deals/discounts available to members.

You will not regret this light!

Or, Surefire C2 w/ a drop-in of your choice and characteristics. Infinitely upgradeable.

Both of these are simple, durable and downright awesome.

 

[avian pneumonia]

At this point i'm torn between the Fenix TK12 R5 and the EagleTac T20C2.
Any ideas/thoughts?

 

[NightKids]

The TK11 R5 might be a better option.

And if you want to impress friends definately get the Fenix TK45. The looks and the light will definately make them go WOW! $152.95 on 4Sevens website and don't forget to the CPF8 code to bring the price down to about $140 (with free shipping included).

 

[ArmyMedicDad]

Like you, I'm a relative newbie to the flashaholic world. I've spent months shopping around, reading so many posts here, researching the 'Net, reading the reviews, comparing beamshots, almost to the point of overkill. Do I spend $50 or $150 or ....? Do I get this Jetbeam, or maybe that EagleTac, or possibly one of the Fenix's???

Then one of the members posted here about a deal on eBay where one could get a brand-new Solarforce Skyline I for $27 (I'm not kidding). Well, I jumped on that deal yesterday and just got the email that it was shipped today. Also ordered 2 18650 batteries and a home/car charger from the same seller. Thought that was a great way to jump into this flashaholic world without spending an arm and a leg (have to ease my wife into this world sloooowly).

 

[Vortus]

With the cpf discount, an ET T20C2 MKII, a couple ET 18650 batteries, a UF-WF-139 charger comes in well under 125 after the 8% discount for cpfers from illuminationgear. Along with picking up a multimeter for battery maintenance and your set. Of course, the other lights listed are just as good I think.

 

[red02]

ET M2XC4 (150) will push around 700lms + from 2x18650s and will light up the whole yard and has good throw.

Nailbender Linger special (50) + 6P/L2(40/14) will push 500lm OTF for less than 100.

Dereelight MCE/SST DBS will probably be up there also.

Either of these would be my choice for if I went for Li-Ion.

 

[skyfire]

Surefire E2DL. More like 250 OTF (333 emitter) lumens. Ebay or join the marketplace for the good deals/discounts available to members.

You will not regret this light!

Or, Surefire C2 w/ a drop-in of your choice and characteristics. Infinitely upgradeable.

Both of these are simple, durable and downright awesome.

+1

E2DL although almost twice the price of a tk11 or tk12 or the eagletac. i like mine much more than my olight m20, or jetbeam lll M. which are similar to the tk11. plus its a surefire, comes with lifetime warranty, and great service.

the C2 is very nice, but you will have to bore it to accept 18650 li-ion. but you can still use 17670 li-ion or 2 primaries.
a much cheaper option would be to get a solarforce L2 or L2P which is about $20. and get a nailbender drop-in. SST-50, SST-90, and linger special drop-in are over 500 out the front lumens!