Hey everyone one of my good friends little brothers just joined the marines, and I am looking to get him a powerful light that can handle the elements and normal wear and tear of armed forces...any input from current armed forces would be greatly appreciated...thanks!!
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- Thread starter solloron1
- Start date
PhantomPhoton
Flashlight Enthusiast
:welcome:
Honestly if he just joined, he's got to go to basic training/ boot camp and stuff first. In which case he won't get to use the light there anyway. :sigh:
So if this is the case my advice to you would be to wait until he's getting out of training. LED lights just get brighter/ more efficient as time goes on, so you'll end up with a nicer light if you wait a couple months.
If you really do want to buy him one now then I'd still say you should wait a bit if you can. A new LED just became available to the market and lights using them should be showing up hopefully by the end of October.
Now as to what to get him, that depends. There are hundreds and hundreds of quality lights available. So the big question is, how big of a light? Keychain, pocketable, belt holster/ molle carried, or a big M@glight sized beast?
That feeds into the question of what sort of battery will be most useful to him. Military use may want to stick with CR123 lithium cell lights.
:thinking:
Honestly if he just joined, he's got to go to basic training/ boot camp and stuff first. In which case he won't get to use the light there anyway. :sigh:
So if this is the case my advice to you would be to wait until he's getting out of training. LED lights just get brighter/ more efficient as time goes on, so you'll end up with a nicer light if you wait a couple months.
If you really do want to buy him one now then I'd still say you should wait a bit if you can. A new LED just became available to the market and lights using them should be showing up hopefully by the end of October.
Now as to what to get him, that depends. There are hundreds and hundreds of quality lights available. So the big question is, how big of a light? Keychain, pocketable, belt holster/ molle carried, or a big M@glight sized beast?
That feeds into the question of what sort of battery will be most useful to him. Military use may want to stick with CR123 lithium cell lights.
:thinking:
BlueBeam22
*Super Flashaholic*
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2008
- Messages
- 1,518
It sounds like a Fenix TK11 (2xCR123A or 1x18650 Li-ion batteries), TK20 (2xAA batteries), or TK40 (8xAA) might be what he will need. From what I have read those are incredibly tough and reliable lights, have great runtime and are very powerful for their size. Just a suggestion to consider. :)
burntoshine
Enlightened
yea im actually asking a little bit early because i want this for around xmas time...but yea he just left for south carolina and i dont know what he will be doing after basics...as for size something that is less than 6in. and has an output of 220+...and also should be able to throw well...im asking now cause i like to do my research and if you know anything about future lights coming out id have no problem waiting a little...thanks for the recommendations so far, i will look into those :twothumbs
I have a Fenix TK11 R2. (18650)
Built like a tank and throws crazy far with nice spill.
5.31" long
1.33" diameter
Built like a tank and throws crazy far with nice spill.
5.31" long
1.33" diameter
- Turbo Mode: Constant 240 Lumens, 2.7 hours, then 50% output (18650 Li-ion)
- General Mode: Constant 64 Lumens, 12 hours (18650 Li-ion)
- Highly efficient focused head - throws beam over 200 meters
- Smooth reflector for maximum throw distance
- Digitally regulated output - maintains constant brightness
- Low battery indication system
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Terralux 220 is rated at 220 lumens on hi setting, and uses 2 AA batteries and only costs $30 . I got one and I think for the money its one of the best values out there. If he isnt happy with that, he could get the
iTP A6 Pole Star LED Flashlight with Cree MC-E LED - 700 lumens on 6xAA Batteries
for $80 in about 3-4 weeks when they become avaliable for sale. This seems to be one of the best deals for a powerful flashlight in AA format .
iTP A6 Pole Star LED Flashlight with Cree MC-E LED - 700 lumens on 6xAA Batteries
for $80 in about 3-4 weeks when they become avaliable for sale. This seems to be one of the best deals for a powerful flashlight in AA format .
For me to do a critical job simple is best. In the field you don't want to have to figure out why something isn't working. I like a kiss interface. A good light that I use alot is a Malkoff MD2 with a M60 and the two mode switch. It is bullet proof simple to operate and bright. The M60 puts out 235 lumens and has a nicely focused beam. That setup can be had for just over $100.
JeffInChi
Enlightened
I have a jetbeam iii military and love it, although I recently broke the lens, which is made of (or coated with) sapphire. Sapphire lenses are very scratch resistant, however not very impact resistant.
If you were to switch out the lens or maybe even add an additional o ring, that might do the trick. The high setting is very bright and throws well for its size and the other setting (with just a twist of the head) is programable by the user to a very low low, medium, or strobe w/variable speeds - very useful. The light has a stainless steel bezel and tailcap and can take a beating and a half. Bugoutgearusa.com had a deal on them last time I checked.
To answer the o.p. - don't neglect a surefire light, its really hard to break those. If you find a way to, however, surefire's customer service is first rate.
Good luck.
