Recommendation for best CHEAP 2 cell lithium light

[Bushman]

I just traded my edc e2e for a rechargable surefire. Now i need another edc besides my arc aaale Any suggestions and if you suggest a legend lx, (which i am open to) please tell me who has one because the wal marts in my area are NEVER going to get them... I would even consider buying or trading something used off of someone but i need some suggestions first. Thanks.

Note to moderators please resist moving this to "buy/sell/trade" Thanks a million guys!!

 

[prn]

BuddTX says:
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>I think that with bigger lights, like a Mag 3-D or whatever, it would be hard to use a tailswitch.

But with the smaller lights, the tailcap (for me, anyway) is ideal.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'll certainly agree with the first thought!

What I don't (yet) get, though, is why the tailcap switch would be "ideal" for even the smaller lights for utility use. To use the light in that position, you have to wander around with your hand held up by your shoulder. Now, I can see that you may not want to use something like a Legend LX for extended periods anyway, but even assuming that battery life and cost is not an issue, why would one prefer to hold their flashlight at their shoulder rather than letting their arm relax and hang down in a more normal position? Note also, that your hand, at least my hand, has a much greater range of motion when down rather than when my arm is bent double at the elbow, so you can shine the light in more different directions.

Now, I'll make it clear again that I'm not talking about shooting situations. Those are very different, but in non-shooting situations, what is the advantage of the tailcap switch? I know you can always shift the position of the light in your hand, but I don't see how that is an actual "advantage". It's more just a way of mitigating the disadvantage.

I'm sure you can all tell that I have not carried a light with a tailcap switch on any constant basis, so I'm more than willing to be "enlightened".

Paul

 

[revolvergeek]

Bushman,

The UKE 2L is a great little light, and probably a good bit tougher and more waterproof than the LX. I suspect that it is also lighter due to its construction. I used these as my main backup lights for years, and still have a couple of them around in 'oh-poop' bags.

Bison makes a 2C cell light that is rumored to be pretty nice, but they are quite a bit bigger and most likely not as bright.

The LX is a pretty cool light that I find myself very enamoured with for the $20 retail. Not to big and heavy, the tailcap switch has enough resistance that it is not gonna come on by accident, and the light output is quite nice.

 

[Brock]

I would take the UKE 2L. It is smaller, lighter and more durable then the Legand LX. Although the LX is brighter, but with about an hour of runtime compared to the 2L's 2.5 hours. The size factor does it for me.

 

[brightnorm]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by prn:
...Now, I'll make it clear again that I'm not talking about shooting situations. Those are very different, but in non-shooting situations, what is the advantage of the tailcap switch? Paul<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Welcome to CPF, Paul

The main thing to remember is that virtually all 2x123 tailswitch lights are in fact tactical lights, and were never meant to be used as general purpose lights. Their usual mode of use is in short, sharp engagements when immediate maximum light is essential and burntime secondary. IMO even the eventual production of regulated Surefire incandescents will not change this.
In addition to its utility with specific hand gun holds, the tail switch enables instant on/off without having to fumble to find a barrel switch when a split second can make the crucial difference.

Some manufacturers (Surefire and Inova) are blurring the lines between tactical and general use with the introduction of the E2 and the Inova X5 with tail switch. By the way, if you have an E2 you can easily convert it to "regular flashlight mode" by turning the tailswitch to "on" position, then turning the bezel 1/4th turn counterclockwise. Then, with your thumb resting on the clip, you have an efficient, comfortable switch that enables you to hold it the way you prefer. Note that this doesn't work with all Surefires. By the way, I would second the positive posts about the UKE 2L. It is an excellent compromise between brightness and burntime and its twist on/off head can be easily operated with one hand if the threads and O rings are well lubed.

One good way to buy a light is to ask yourself some questions:

1) What will I use it for?

2) Are size/weight a factor? (Burntime and brightness requirements will be determined by question 1)

2) What are the best lights for that purpose regardless of cost (based on your research on CPF)

3) If I can't afford the best lights which cheaper light compares most favorably to the ideal and falls within the parameters set by question 2?

If you use this approach you're very likely to end up with a light you'll be happy with.

Best regards,
Brightnorm

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

UK 2L...

Nuff said...


Eric

 

[DonL]

Yep, the UKE 2L is a great buy, and I think I prefer it over the Brinkman.

I've seen Streamlight Scorpions priced in the $33-36 range.

Don't forget the Surefire G2 Nitrolon, available in a number of places for $45.

If you have a little more $$, Galls is selling a "H.A.L.O." which is pretty much their version of the SL Scorpion, right in the $50 range.

 

[Sean]

I would get the Streamlight Scorpion ($28) if you want cheap bulb replacements ($4), or the Surefire G2 for $43~45.

Scorpion can be focused to flood for close range illumination & the Surefire G2 can hold the P60 or P61.

 

[danno]

Bushman,
You should have mentioned that you wanted a Legend LX - I would have mailed you one instead of cash for the Zetex circuit. I've seen them in stock in a couple of stores around here this week. If you really need/want one, e-mail me - I'm sure I could pick one up to swap for another Zetex circuit.

 

[prn]

Brightnorm says:

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Welcome to CPF, Paul<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks, Norm. It's a pretty nice place.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>The main thing to remember is that virtually all 2x123 tailswitch lights are in fact tactical lights, and were never meant to be used as general purpose lights. Their usual mode of use is in short, sharp engagements when immediate maximum light is essential and burntime secondary.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

That certainly makes sense. The big question of this moment, though, may be something like where does the Legend LX fall in this categorization? Bushman started out asking about an edc light and a couple of people suggested that the LX would be a good choice.

I see the problem with the LX as there being no really good way to carry it. *IF* it's intended as a tac light, then I would hope to carry it bezel-down so that I could grab it and be ready to turn it on with my thumb and be ready for trouble. But that oversized head would seem to make that kind of carry difficult. If it's intended for utility, then a more "utilitarian" holster would be more likely to fit it bezel-up. But then, you have to extract the LX from the holster with the bezel on the thumb side of your palm, reverse your hold so you can reach the thumb-switch, and then (presumably) reverse your hold again for the "utility grip" (as opposed to the tac grip).

This doesn't sound very appealing to me as either a utility light (too much clumsy grip shifting) or a tac light (no good way to carry it pointing down for a tactical draw, not really as bright as the real tac lights, either).

The LX strikes me as something that you could, for example, set on your nightstand on its bezel next to a nighttime handgun, so that you could grab it with the thumb on the switch ready for instant use, but it doesn't seem all that good for edc.

OK. Time to criticize my analysis. How close am I to being sensible and how far off the mark am I?

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>One good way to buy a light is to ask yourself some questions:<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Those sound like some pretty good questions to me, though I'd add asking onesself just what features make a particular light good for the purposes of question 1.

Paul

 

[Josh]

hi mike, yes the LX is the best choice for the money, as to where to find one? i went to galians and got it for 20 bucks. so go check sporing stores in your area, good luck.

 

[BuddTX]

Like you, I was going crazy trying to find a Legend LX. I went to every Wal-mart in my area,including any Super-Wal-mart that I could find. In the Houston area I finally found them at Academy Sports. (Like 22.00 and change.)

I do not know what Gaylans is, but people have posted that you can find them there (I probably spelled it wrong).

I have also read that Sams Sells them, but again, I have not seen any at Sams.

I think you can purchase them direct from Brinkman, but they are more expensive, like 29.00, but I think shipping is included, and no tax, unlesss you live in the same state as Brinkmann.

Do some searches here as to where to buy a Legend LX.

Good Luck.

 

[BuddTX]

Check out this thread:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=002024

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

You can probably get a Legend direct from Brinkman.

 

[prn]

Hi Mike,

I can't claim experience with all that many of the 2-123 lights, so take my thoughts with a suitable quantity of salt.

If you decide to go with a Legend LX for edc, you need to think first about how to carry it. With its rather large head, it's not going to fit into many of the readily available holsters. I got a couple of the LXs recently at Meijer, a food/clothing/building materials/etc chain in the Midwest. The light is terrific. It's noticeably brighter than my Mag 4D. The only problem is that it's not going to be easy to carry on a constant basis. I figure it's a good emergency light, but I have my doubts about edc. If anybody knows of a suitable holster, I'd like to hear about it.

Frankly, although I haven't used it all that much yet, I also have my doubts about the tailcap pushbutton switch for non-tactical uses. For most utility purposes, I'd rather have the light coming out of the thumb side of my fist rather than the heel side. I can understand why you want it at the heel of your hand for shooting a handgun, but otherwise not so good.

As I say, take my thoughts with a suitably large quantity of salt (and don't hesitate to put me straight when I err).

Paul

 

[Bushman]

thanks guys what do you think about the uke 2l? or are there any other 2cell lithium lights scorpion? etc.

 

[BuddTX]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by prn:
I also have my doubts about the tailcap pushbutton switch for non-tactical uses. For most utility purposes, I'd rather have the light coming out of the thumb side of my fist rather than the heel side.Paul<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I thought EXACTLY the same thing until I started using my Brinkmann Legend LX.

I think that with bigger lights, like a Mag 3-D or whatever, it would be hard to use a tailswitch.

But with the smaller lights, the tailcap (for me, anyway) is ideal.

 

[BuddTX]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by prn:
What I don't (yet) get, though, is why the tailcap switch would be "ideal" for even the smaller lights for utility use. To use the light in that position, you have to wander around with your hand held up by your shoulder.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I am not familiar with all tailcap switches, just the brinkmann Legend LX. It is a momentary on switch, or can be "clicked" on.

After it is on, you can hold it anyway you want to.

 

[brightnorm]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by prn:
...OK. Time to criticize my analysis. How close am I to being sensible and how far off the mark am I?

One good way to buy a light is to ask yourself some questions:<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Those sound like some pretty good questions to me, though I'd add asking onesself just what features make a particular light good for the purposes of question 1.

Paul

Paul,

Why don't you set out your requirements as specifically as possible (Primary use,How bright, light, weight, size, waterproof. etc)
and we can come up with something.

It you were to ask me my opinion about the best small general utility EDC 2x123 light, it would be the UKE 2L because for years it has been, and still is the best compromise between brightness and runtime in a tiny 2.5 oz package, in addition to being extremely tough and waterproof.

If you wanted a 2x123 light with a beam identical to the SF 6P and all its contemporary versions that was cheap, unusually light and tough then I would recommend the SF G2 over the Legend LX. It is more expensive but still very cheap for a first class tactical light, and is much smaller and lighter, with IMO a more convenient tailswitch. It is Surefire's "economy" version of the famous 6P. It lacks 2 features of the standard Surefires: It doesn't have a lock-out tailcap and you can't reconfigure it because I don't believe it accepts the A19 extender collar which allows you to turn it into a D3 (modern version of 9P with non-roll bezel, etc.) Despite the lack of a lockout tailpiece, I effectively lock mine out with 2 complete counterclockwise turns of the bezel. It's just as effective and only slightly less convenient.

If you wanted to spend a little more and get the most highly convertible, reconfigureable, not overly expensive Surefire then I would recommend the 6P(D2).

For the ultimate in a remarkably long throw, 6P-sized 2X123 I recommend the ASP Triad (formerly Taclite). It is the best compromise between a standard 2x123 tactical light and a turbohead light. In other words, it will throw an intense beam further than any
other 2x123 or even 3x123 currently available.
It does this through a combination of a non-faceted reflector (brighter but less "perfect" beam, though excellent for real life situations) and a smaller diameter beam. It is my EDC bright 2x123 and is not much used by flashaholics for reasons that are not clear to me. It is also carried by at least one other member who is very experienced and knowledgeable in the use of this light in the most demanding of "professional" situations.

I hope this is of some use to you.

Best regards,
Brightnorm

 

[Bushman]

Ok much more info than i ever wanted but now to decide asp sounds nice! g2 is convertable with a hola but shortburn, uke sound like a good option for long burn. Decisions, decisions. this is a back yard all around the house digging for things light not tatical or otherwise...