Hi I need some help on picking which flashlight to get. I want it to be bright enough that it can be seen from the Moon, Be some what small so I can wear it on my belt. I need to look around in Drop ceilings in A/C units and basic things. What do I get?? ThAnKs
What Incandescent Light 2 Buy?
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mdocod
Flashaholic
give us a few more details.... mainly price range...
yaesumofo
Flashlight Enthusiast
I would say to go for the SureFire 6P to start.
It is the first set of parts that will continue to grow with you.
There are LED options for it, it is compact (relatively).
You will be happy with this up in small crawl spaces.
I would also consider a smaller LED based light for when the batteries crap out unexpectedly, or you drop it into an abyss of darkness...you will need a second light to help find this one since the globe will almost certainly break if dropped onto a hard surface while on.
You have 2 globe choices one is very bright(65 lumens) the other is very very bright (100 lumens).
The bottom line is this if you seek the best, and want to be able to play surefire LEGOS then this is a great starting place.
Check it out on the sureFire web site.
You should be able to find one here (BST) easily.
I say just plonk down the $65.00 and count it a money well spent.
Yaesumofo
It is the first set of parts that will continue to grow with you.
There are LED options for it, it is compact (relatively).
You will be happy with this up in small crawl spaces.
I would also consider a smaller LED based light for when the batteries crap out unexpectedly, or you drop it into an abyss of darkness...you will need a second light to help find this one since the globe will almost certainly break if dropped onto a hard surface while on.
You have 2 globe choices one is very bright(65 lumens) the other is very very bright (100 lumens).
The bottom line is this if you seek the best, and want to be able to play surefire LEGOS then this is a great starting place.
Check it out on the sureFire web site.
You should be able to find one here (BST) easily.
I say just plonk down the $65.00 and count it a money well spent.
Yaesumofo
carrot
Flashaholic
I will second what Yaesumofo says.
flash_bang
Enlightened
- Joined
- Nov 8, 2006
- Messages
- 720
I kind of agree with carrot and above peoples, but I've been very happy with my G2, it's cheaper, same brightness, and (correct me if I'm wrong) but if you drop your light a lot, the surface won't get scuffed up and banged up as much (b/c it's nitrolon).
HAGO
Flash
HAGO
Flash
leukos
Flashlight Enthusiast
The Surefire G3 with a pair of 17500's is a good entry level contender as well.
mdocod
Flashaholic
The same argument can be made in reverse about the SF lens on the G2, which is of lesser quality than the maxfire lens.
SureFires history with switches isn't exactly stellar either. The maxfires switch may be cheap, but the cheaper price is in line with it's cheaper build. The SF price buys a warranty to fix the switch, but doesn't necessarily buy a better switch. However, since the G2 employs a "twisty/push" style switch, they really can't be compared, because if the user prefers a forward clicky inside of a reasonable budget, then the maxfire wins hands down.
I'll happily tell anyone, honestly, that buying into the SureFire world is a good move, because it leaves you with lots of options for upgrades. There's a huge SF lego world to play in, and solid warranties to back up those investments, but at the same time, I'm not going to blindly say that SureFire is the god of flashlights and is the best purchase for everyone. I hear too many single sided arguments from people about SureFire. Soon as anyone tries to point out anything negative about SF, the CPFSFPD steps in and pulls out all the guns and makes everyone feel like scum for buying non-USA made flashlights, while excusing all SF faults and holding offshore companies to a double standard.
cernobila
Flashlight Enthusiast
After having all manner of lights I would choose the Wolf-Eyes 9TX. You have a great selection of 9V lamps, depending on output or run time, you have the LED tailcap for very low light output for close up work and you can choose to run it with either 3x CR123 cells or 2x 18500 rechargeables. Not too big or too small, built like a tank,......cant go wrong really.
Outdoors Fanatic
Flashlight Enthusiast
For HVAC work you will be using your light A LOT. My criteria on this was to get free from worrying about batteries and to have a tough light, reasonably small and bright - really useful bright.. so the following equation was:
rechargeable, tough and sturdy, small, bright around 100 lumens.. which ended in:
recheargeable, Surefire, ~100 lumens = Surefire 8x (now the newer models of 8AX - 8NX)
I do know its kinda pricey, but you will save really much money on batteries..
Your only worry would be to stick the battery to the charger when you come back from work and remember to stick it back to the light next morning..
Plus, I couple this with a energizer LED headlamp with 3AAA batteries..
This combo works for me wonders in this field..
Hope that helps you a bit..
rechargeable, tough and sturdy, small, bright around 100 lumens.. which ended in:
recheargeable, Surefire, ~100 lumens = Surefire 8x (now the newer models of 8AX - 8NX)
I do know its kinda pricey, but you will save really much money on batteries..
Your only worry would be to stick the battery to the charger when you come back from work and remember to stick it back to the light next morning..
Plus, I couple this with a energizer LED headlamp with 3AAA batteries..
This combo works for me wonders in this field..
Hope that helps you a bit..
This is my favorite EDC fits nicely into my pocket, didn't cost a fortune and it's very well made.
Norm
PlayboyJoeShmoe
Flashaholic
Ick! Who wants to carry an incandescent light?
That said, the Maxfire is a very decent choice if you get your batteries online for $1 to $1.50.
Ditto the SF G2.
Yet another option would be a Streamlight Twin Task 2L. Not as good as an incan as the others, but has 3LEDs for long life and close up use.
If you think you could stand a LED light, try the Streamlight 4AA LUX. Cheaper more common batteries, and in my opinion I can see all with the 4AA that I could with a G2.
Another option would be to get a River Rock 2AA LUXIII light at Target. Or a Streamlight 3AA Tasklight LUX.
Lots of choices...
That said, the Maxfire is a very decent choice if you get your batteries online for $1 to $1.50.
Ditto the SF G2.
Yet another option would be a Streamlight Twin Task 2L. Not as good as an incan as the others, but has 3LEDs for long life and close up use.
If you think you could stand a LED light, try the Streamlight 4AA LUX. Cheaper more common batteries, and in my opinion I can see all with the 4AA that I could with a G2.
Another option would be to get a River Rock 2AA LUXIII light at Target. Or a Streamlight 3AA Tasklight LUX.
Lots of choices...
Last edited:
Me, I also carry a DX light.
Please show me the error of my ways, show me an LED that is as small as the Raider and has 380 bulb lumens.
Norm
KeeperSD
Enlightened
FlashKat
Flashlight Enthusiast
ME 3 with a Rattlesnake M90 and 700 bulb lumens
Me too
Abrams.357
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- May 7, 2007
- Messages
- 83
Why not an LED light, cheap ones that are bright are avalible everywhere?
iced_theater
Enlightened
Surefire 10X Dominator It fits in my side pocket of my overall's while I'm at work. But I guess it's not really an ideal EDC light
Otherwise I agree with phil_vr. The 8X, 8NX, 9N, 9AN are all very good incandescent lights that are rechargeable. I'd chose the 9N or 9AN as it has a low beam incandescent in addition to the high.
It fits in my side pocket of my overall's while I'm at work. But I guess it's not really an ideal EDC light Otherwise I agree with phil_vr. The 8X, 8NX, 9N, 9AN are all very good incandescent lights that are rechargeable. I'd chose the 9N or 9AN as it has a low beam incandescent in addition to the high.
9N if incan, or
a mod that sends 900-1000 mAh to the led, if led (Cree/SSC)
(a modded 8X f.e., or a 6P modded to 18650, ...)
for basic things any main beam would be too strong, thus the 2nd bulb of the 9N, or the lower level of a led-setup
PS: with the 9N (or the modded 8X) You have to get other batt sticks. With some 3900 mAh ones from the RC-guys the 9N runs for about 1.5 hours.
a mod that sends 900-1000 mAh to the led, if led (Cree/SSC)
(a modded 8X f.e., or a 6P modded to 18650, ...)
for basic things any main beam would be too strong, thus the 2nd bulb of the 9N, or the lower level of a led-setup
PS: with the 9N (or the modded 8X) You have to get other batt sticks. With some 3900 mAh ones from the RC-guys the 9N runs for about 1.5 hours.
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