Starting my collection today.

[lisantica]

Hello CPF folks. I'm uncertain as to how you each got started in flashlight collecting, but today is the day I start my collection.

I pretty much woke up today and thought I'd like to start a collection. My main hobby is photography, so lighting is very important to me. I don't know what it is about flashlights, but they are extremely cool and functional too, so that's a win-win in any collection I would think.

Any recommendations for a 1st flashlight? Looking to spend in the $100-300 range to start with, thereabouts.

I'd use it for collecting mainly, but I'd probably like to take it hiking, or to have as a safety mechanism...I read something about certain lights being able to disorient an attacker, so I like that safety feature.

I'd sure appreciate any recommendations.
Thank you,
Lisa

 

[Barbarian]

:welcome: Lisa.

This forum has a wealth of information and can look overwhelming to newcomers. I suggest that you take your time and try to research what type of light you are looking for.

There are so many quality choices in the price range you mentioned that I'm sure you'll get many different suggestions from various members.

I recommend you go here and choose one to your liking.
http://hdssystems.com/?id=Clicky

 

[lisantica]

Imagine my delight in finding this forum so early in my quest. I'm hoping that by finding this site and reading threads about fine collections, it may save me some money by avoiding some newbie mistakes like the ones I bought from Costco.
They are BluMaxx flashlights, but they are the lights that kicked off this desire to start collecting, so they can't be all that bad.

Thanks for the link.
Lisa

 

[SFG2Lman]

well i think you are fairly safe getting a surefire 6P, thats become kind of the maglite of CPF members, if you buy one, i would buy it from a fellow member already bored out to accept 18650 batteries, and then you get to choose if you want flood or throw, warm or cool tints, bright or long batt life, and then selecting the drop-in module that represents this most perfectly,

another option is the solarforce L2 is basically the same light, but larger inside so it doesn't require the boring, its about 1/2 as much money but you get what you pay for, there's plenty of research to be done for you (like the whole quark line) but i think most would agree a surefire 6P is a great starter/foundation light (start looking a P60 drop-in modules now lol)

 

[lisantica]

Thank you for those tips. There is a lot of information to digest with this new hobby, but that's half the fun!

Lisa

 

[Barbarian]

Once you get your hands on a quality flashlight, you'll be hooked for life.

This place is a blessing for all of the information, but a curse to your purse. .....so be careful. :thumbsup:

Once you get comfortable, don't forget to also register at the Marketplace. You'll find great deals from other CPF'ers.
http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/forumdisplay.php?f=123


Keep us informed on what you buy.

 

[HKJ]

Hello CPF folks. I'm uncertain as to how you each got started in flashlight collecting, but today is the day I start my collection.

I pretty much woke up today and thought I'd like to start a collection. My main hobby is photography, so lighting is very important to me. I don't know what it is about flashlights, but they are extremely cool and functional too, so that's a win-win in any collection I would think.

What type of collection do you want?

• Many cheap flashlights
• A broad selection of the better lights
• A broad selection of a single type lights (Like AAA, HID, throwers etc.)
• A single manufacturer (Surefire is very common, but it is also possible with many other manufacturers)
• All version of a single light (Often Maglite with different colors or print)
• Special edition lights
• Custom lights

Here is part of my AAA collection:

And part of my stainless steel collection:

But I have a few other lights.

 

[paintballdad]

:welcome: and perhaps the start of your financial ruin.

There is a dizzying selection of flashlights out there and picking your first one is always the toughest. Different sizes, UIs and power sources are just a few of the things to consider.
You might want to take a look at 4seven's Quark line. Quite a few models to choose from and you'll probably find something to your liking. The link below will take you to the Quark series and you'll find the different choices on the left side under 4sevens lights.

http://www.4sevens.com/index.php?cPath=297&osCsid=033ce37c6fa4cdca22c65b6941d053c3

Good luck.

 

[bluecrow76]

:welcome:

Once you get your hands on a quality flashlight, you'll be hooked for life.

This place is a blessing for all of the information, but a curse to your purse. .....so be careful. :thumbsup:

Truer words could not be spoken!

BIG +1 for the Ra line... ights with lifetime warranties (Surefire, Novatac, Ra, I'm sure there are others) are priceless!

 

[corvettesR1]

Hi lisantica.Ill just trow out this suggestion as a starting point for your collection because I have found this to be a truely wonderful light.Its even much less than $100.

Here is a link.
http://www.eliteled.com/products/flashlights/liteflux-lf3xt.html

 

[lisantica]

Thank you all for posting!

I just got back from the local swapmeet, was hoping to find a used Surefire or at least a pelican case to start housing my new collection in.

As for what I am looking for in a collection...I'm thinking maybe a little of this and that. But likely I'll find something I like and then I'll want every version, color etc. And the more accessories the better :twothumbs

Going to register for the marketplace now.

Lisa

 

[Dances with Flashlight]

Welcome to CPF! You're really going to enjoy this place. As for your new hobby, be sure to check out the subforum for PEAK LED SOLUTIONS. Here's a really great Peak collection from MWClint (and this photo is one of my all-time favorites):

 

[lisantica]

This is going to be fun! I knew I picked the right hobby.

I'm wanting my "first" official flashlight of my collection to be kind of special so I want to be careful as to what I choose, but I hope I don't put myself into analysis paralysis. If I start to feel too pressured by the decision, I might just get impulsive and buy something, so that I can at least get underway with the adventure.

I'll let you all know what I come up with. I'm kind of parital to the Surefire, but I'm still looking around.

Lisa

 

[Purpleorchid]

Welcome! It doesn't meet your price range (it's $69), but it fits your "special" requirement.

Quark has a new popular pocket light: the Quark MiNi. They just released them in Titanium versions, and the first 1000 are numbered. I'm not sure if any of the serialized ones are left, but you could probably call them and ask before ordering one.

In the 4Sevens subforum, you'll find several threads about the MiNi and the Titanium MiNis.

A numbered Titanium flashlight could be a fun way to start your collection!

 

[lisantica]

Going to check into the Mini right now.
Thanks!
Lisa

 

[lisantica]

Bought my first flashlight (well not first ever, but first with the intention of starting a collection).

I bought a SUREFIRE M6 500 Lumen flashlight. Now to go find a nice Pelican case for it!

 

[skyfire]

welcome,
when i first looked into quality lights, i bought about 6 or 7 my first month, so becareful.:sick2: some of thses guys have like 50 lights, which does make me feel alittle better. but im very satisfied with most my purchases, and it took me a few tries to find the lights i favor most. which are small bright lights, such as the quark 123-2.

with a range of $100-130 your options are huge, many many quality lights you can get. surefire seems to be a great choice, i would really like a LX2 or E2d model, but those might spoil you, and every other purchase after that might dissapoint lol, since hearing so many great things about surefire.

some other brands you might want to check out are quarks, and jetbeam.

 

[lisantica]

I'll try to not go overboard.
I just knew I had to have the M6 or something like it because it said it can temporarily disorient an aggressor and that sold me right there as I wanted one of the flashlights in my collection to be for safety.
The rest can be for fun

 

[Barbarian]

Bought my first flashlight (well not first ever, but first with the intention of starting a collection).

I bought a SUREFIRE M6 500 Lumen flashlight. Now to go find a nice Pelican case for it!

I see you don't like to stick your toe in the water, you like to jump in head first.

Well done, just don't expect all of the other lights you buy to be that bright. :naughty:

 

[bigdukesix]

This may be a good start!!

I spent a lot of time looking and got one.

Can't go wrong really

http://www.4sevens.com/product_info.php?cPath=297_305&products_id=1620