I dont really own a lot of lights, I just buy what works for work. I'm a fan of moderate power, durability, throw over flood and simple function since when you are on the job whatever it is, you need flashlights to be able to work on the most basic muscle memory. I am stuck in 2015 basically 
which is about when the lumens/function race got out of hand for me. Here is my pick of some lights which worked well in both domestic, 3rd world, work, hunting and emergency use.
Nitecore EC4GT, 1000 lumens model. owned now several years. Good duty handheld flashlight, never missed a beat, you can work or clear areas in floods with this thing and not be too worried about losing track of time and having it go out on you. The protective coating is a bit weak, it was wearing from contact with the holster after the first month or two. Otherwise very nice light and has taken drops, submersions and continuous duration use without a hitch. Wish I could find another since the newer versions are too high powered.
Fenix E01, the 13 lumens model. curse the day I only bought three of these and not 20 as I gave two away to family early on and only have the one left! Latest versions with higher lumens sort of defeat the purpose for me, being a light that almost never runs out of power, you can set and forget it on a keyring for months. 13 lumens works just fine to light up rooms, inside of vehicles and the road when casual walking. I spotted a black snake warming itself on the road the other night, plenty of light to avoid it.
Fenix HL-23 headlamp. All the comments for the E01 apply as well, partricularly the sensible lumen levels, additionally the slight throwiness of it. Again I wish I had bought 20 of them not just three, since I gave two away to family and they have lost them already
Armytek predator, 2014/2015t XP-G2 600 or so lumens model. I gave this to my brother who is a cop and 6 years it has served him well as his duty light in outback and rural police stations. It has once been frozen solid when left inside an industrial blast freezer, had signalled helicopters during storms whilst standing in waist deep water and he has even deterred dogs with it. Very good coating on it as well, doesnt seem to be scratched much at all.
And on a serious note if anyone has any of the top three in older spec for sale, do let me know, I'll pay top dollar. Its crazy having to pay more for less tech but its my own fault for not buying models when they were still sensibly powered.
which is about when the lumens/function race got out of hand for me. Here is my pick of some lights which worked well in both domestic, 3rd world, work, hunting and emergency use.Nitecore EC4GT, 1000 lumens model. owned now several years. Good duty handheld flashlight, never missed a beat, you can work or clear areas in floods with this thing and not be too worried about losing track of time and having it go out on you. The protective coating is a bit weak, it was wearing from contact with the holster after the first month or two. Otherwise very nice light and has taken drops, submersions and continuous duration use without a hitch. Wish I could find another since the newer versions are too high powered.
Fenix E01, the 13 lumens model. curse the day I only bought three of these and not 20 as I gave two away to family early on and only have the one left! Latest versions with higher lumens sort of defeat the purpose for me, being a light that almost never runs out of power, you can set and forget it on a keyring for months. 13 lumens works just fine to light up rooms, inside of vehicles and the road when casual walking. I spotted a black snake warming itself on the road the other night, plenty of light to avoid it.
Fenix HL-23 headlamp. All the comments for the E01 apply as well, partricularly the sensible lumen levels, additionally the slight throwiness of it. Again I wish I had bought 20 of them not just three, since I gave two away to family and they have lost them already
Armytek predator, 2014/2015t XP-G2 600 or so lumens model. I gave this to my brother who is a cop and 6 years it has served him well as his duty light in outback and rural police stations. It has once been frozen solid when left inside an industrial blast freezer, had signalled helicopters during storms whilst standing in waist deep water and he has even deterred dogs with it. Very good coating on it as well, doesnt seem to be scratched much at all.
And on a serious note if anyone has any of the top three in older spec for sale, do let me know, I'll pay top dollar. Its crazy having to pay more for less tech but its my own fault for not buying models when they were still sensibly powered.
Last edited:
