Want a BRIGHT flashlight.

[vvisoo]

Hello everybody, im here again and this time im looking for a strong flashlight to play around with.
The big problem is... i know absolutely nothing about flashlight... exept maybe where to put the batteries /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon23.gif

Anyways, lets get to the point. Could anyone help me out to find the perfect flashlight for me? Just a couple of recuirements.

1) it shall NOT cost more than 60$
2) it shall be strong, even if i cant get an über strong withing the price range ive told you (60$), but i prefer to get a as strong as possible within that price range.

I dont even know if i should get a "regular flashlight", or if "led" ones are stronger, anyways, thank you all for helping me out /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Mags]

Re: Want a strong flashlight.

Welcome to CPF vvisoo! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink2.gif
I hear that the Elektrolumens XM3 has very thick walls. Maybe someone who owns one can tell us? Anyway, it uses common AA's so that you dont have to worry about CR123's and it is decently bright. It uses a Luxeon LED. Also, it is 49.99 with just a little more when including shipping. There is a review on this light here.
http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/elektrolumens_xm3.htm
The reviewer is very experienced and his reviews are popular around here so his information is very reliable.

 

[cratz2]

Re: Want a strong flashlight.

Well, you keep saying strong, but could you tell us why you want one stunningly strong? There are probably many lights out there that will likely suit your needs, within reason.

Also, how bright do you need it to be? How long would you like it to run on the batteries? How large (though generally the smaller the stronger) can/should it be?

Personally, on lights I keep on my person, I don't expect them to be radically stronger than ME. I mean, if I get run over by a tank and am crushed and smeared into a boody grease spot 25 feet long but my flashlight survives... well... I guess I just don't personally need that kind of strength. On the other hand, if you're looking for a light that can fall 25 feet onto rough concrete and still work and not be too hideously mangled, there are many options.

I'd probably generally suggest an LED light. Incandescent bulbs tend to break much more easily than most flashlights. LEDs won't have this problem. In the lower powered range, the CMG/Gerber Infinity Ultra is a nice choice as are the Peak LED Solutions lights. Some of the multi-LED Peaks are pretty bright as is the Inova X5T. I think you would generally have to go out of your way to significantly damage these ligths. Surefire makes some very well respected lights but their LED lights start at about $100+. For impact resistance, plastic LED lights from Pelican, UK and Princeton would likely survive a great fall.

 

[vvisoo]

Re: Want a strong flashlight.

Hehe, with "strong" i dont mean eye-blinding, i just want it to be... well, pretty strong.

Ive bought a green laser pointer and im out during the night with my friends alot, but... lets just say it doesnt feel nice to walk into a tree /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The stronger the better. About battery time, thats nothing to important, but lets just say the longer they last the better, but i prefer strenght before long battery time.

The size doesnt matter, but not to big (i wanna have it in either my jeans pocket or my jacket pocket)

 

[scudinc]

Re: Want a strong flashlight.

The two strongest lights I can think of are the Glo-Toob and the Vortex KC-1. You could have both for under $60.

 

[vvisoo]

Re: Want a strong flashlight.

Okey ill check them out, any links?

 

[shifty646]

Re: Want a strong flashlight.

i think by strong he means bright....

 

[vvisoo]

Re: Want a strong flashlight.

Yeah, exactly... i want it to shine bright, and shine for far distances (not ridiciously far)

 

[paulr]

Re: Want a strong flashlight.

I didn't think of the glo-toob as being strong.

Vvisoo, what do you mean by strong? Do you mean a powerful light? Most of us think "strong" means you can smash the light against the wall without damaging it. But it can be very dim and still be strong. For example, security guards often carry big metal Maglites, which are lousy flashlights but can be used as weapons if necessary (bonk!).

Could you please be more clear about this, and say how you want to use the light? That will get you more helpful answers.

If you want an ultra-reliable emergency light, try a Tektite Trek 4 with lithium batteries, or something comparable. It's not terribly bright though.

If you want something very bright for under $60, hmm, try a Princeton Tec Surge which is about $30.

 

[kongfuchicken]

Re: Want a strong flashlight.

inova X0 or pm6 then?

 

[vvisoo]

Re: Want a strong flashlight.

aw aw aw, sorry for the inconvenience !!!

With "Strong" i mean bright, not "smashable" .... *feeling embarrased*

 

[bjn70]

Re: Want a strong flashlight.

Streamlight TL-3 Xenon- can be found under $60 and is very bright. Another choice would be the Pelican M6 Xenon. Both of these run on CR123 batteries that are expensive unless you order on the internet.

If you need other forms of battery power then UK makes a variety of lights that run on 4xAA, etc. Check them out on flashlightreviews.com.

 

[deranged_coder]

Re: Want a strong flashlight.

I bought a Pelican M6 (incandescent) at a retail store (Frys Electronics) for $59.99. Battery Station has them for around $35 IIRC. That light is very bright and throws very far IMHO, but eats 123A batteries fairly quickly. There is an LED version of the Pelican M6 but I do not own one so I cannot say much on how well it works.

 

[DaGeek]

Re: Want a strong flashlight.

Try any of surefires lights.

 

[vvisoo]

Re: Want a strong flashlight.

Hmm... im thinking of spending some extra money and buy a UK Cannon 100 or what it was called, or do you think that the Princeton Surge will be bright enough?

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

Re: Want a strong flashlight.

If bright is the answer and not "strong"....

A nice cheap light is the Princeton Tec Tec40. It uses 4AA which can easily be rechargable NimH, a normal PR bulb, and twist the head to turn on.

With 4AA NimH and a KPR103 bulb, it is a pretty darn impressive light.

If you can shop online to take advantage of cheap CR123A batteries, doing a 2C M*g with 3x123 and a 5 cell KPR112 bulb is SMOKING bright and not real big.

Also if you can buy 123 online, the Surefire G2 is a damn nice light that costs about $35.

Neither the G2 nor the PT need any beam help.

The M*g mod beam can be made much better with some Scotch Satin tape or Writeright PDA film on the lense.

 

[deranged_coder]

Re: Want a strong flashlight.

"bright enough" is all relative. I am sure for many of the flashaholics around here, nothing is ever really "bright enough"; it is an unending quest for a brighter light. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Anyway, just to add a few more possibilities to the mix:
<ul type="square">[*]Brinkmann Maxfire LX (buy at Walmart for $19.99)
[*]SureFire G2 Nitrolon (listed on the SureFire website for $34.00, toss in the P61 HOLA for $25.00 and you get 120 lumens for $59.00)
[*]SureFire 6P (listed for $56.00 on the SureFire website)
[/list]

 

[scudinc]

Re: Want a strong flashlight.

[ QUOTE ]
paulr said:
I didn't think of the glo-toob as being strong.

[/ QUOTE ]
Try hitting one with a sledgehammer. Then try the same with any SF light. You'll see.

 

[mossyoak]

Re: Want a strong flashlight.

how about a surefire g2 with the p61 lamp 120 lumens (strong output) and nitrolon (strong in that other sense)

 

[bladerunner]

Re: Want a strong flashlight.

Hi vvisoo, the PT surge is very bright, might be just what you need. Not too much $$, good throw/spot, and a ton of usable side spill light. Check for recent posts and you can learn a lot about this light. I will also put in a second vote for the Princeton Tec 40. Even in stock form it is bright and cheap $.