what is the best 2D or bigger flashlight?
- Thread starter flashniac
- Start date
Phaserburn
Flashlight Enthusiast
Tough question. It depends on what your needs are; your question is very broad. Surefire makes a line of very small lights that are very tough. Streamlight makes a large line of professional use (fire/police/dive) lights that crosses size, power and functionality. Can you be more specific about exactly what you're looking for?
How bright? Size? Batts? Rechargeable? Led or Incandescent? Cost? Runtime needed? Flood or tight beam?
You've come to the right place. Where in the Caribbean are you, Flashniac?
How bright? Size? Batts? Rechargeable? Led or Incandescent? Cost? Runtime needed? Flood or tight beam?
You've come to the right place. Where in the Caribbean are you, Flashniac?
greenLED
Flashaholic
check out flashlightreview.com Quickbeam should get you started on this with his thorough reviews.
Quickbeam
Flashlight Enthusiast
flashlightreviewS.com /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
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js
Flashlight Enthusiast
flashniac,
Obviously, the wise answer is going to be "It depends." But as I've been told, I'm lacking in wisdom, so let me answer you directly.
However, I'm ignoring the "3D" part of what you said above, OK? hehe. I like to hear myself talk sometimes.
OK. Production flashlights only:
Cost no object: SureFire M6 is one beautiful and amazing light, but it's expensive to run.
On a budget, rechargeable OK: TigerLight Gold System--can be bought with pepper spray or without (FBOP). FBOP version is 8" long and is what I have. It's a great bargain. One of the best values out there for big incan lights.
On a budget, rechargeable NOT OK: PT Surge. However, I don't own one of these myself, so take this recommendation with a grain of salt. Also, do NOT store it with batteries installed and buttoned up. Either remove the batteries or make sure that air can get in and out.
The StreamLights are probably something to consider, too, I suppose, but I stand by my absurd list. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/evilgrin07.gif Absurd because it really does depend on what you need your flashlight to do for you and on how much money you can spend up front and on operations costs.
Obviously, the wise answer is going to be "It depends." But as I've been told, I'm lacking in wisdom, so let me answer you directly.
However, I'm ignoring the "3D" part of what you said above, OK? hehe. I like to hear myself talk sometimes.
OK. Production flashlights only:
Cost no object: SureFire M6 is one beautiful and amazing light, but it's expensive to run.
On a budget, rechargeable OK: TigerLight Gold System--can be bought with pepper spray or without (FBOP). FBOP version is 8" long and is what I have. It's a great bargain. One of the best values out there for big incan lights.
On a budget, rechargeable NOT OK: PT Surge. However, I don't own one of these myself, so take this recommendation with a grain of salt. Also, do NOT store it with batteries installed and buttoned up. Either remove the batteries or make sure that air can get in and out.
The StreamLights are probably something to consider, too, I suppose, but I stand by my absurd list. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/evilgrin07.gif Absurd because it really does depend on what you need your flashlight to do for you and on how much money you can spend up front and on operations costs.
js
Flashlight Enthusiast
Oops!
Also, I should add what is sort of a production light and modded light hybrid:
A MagCharger with a Welch Allyn 01160 lamp installed. Buy the MC, then buy a UCL or borofloat lens for it and a WA 1160 lamp. These can be bought at www.flashlightlens.com. The MC is around a $100 and the 1160 is about $5 and the combo is very bright--not as bright as an M6, but in the ballpark, and less expensive and rechargeable. The draw back is that the heat from the 1160 will eventually start to melt the pin socket, especially if you run it for longish periods of time.
Personally, the MC is a bit too large for my tastes, but that's just me. I prefer shorter flashlights.
And if you wanted to get into the world of incan mods, well, that's another story (and another and a longer list.)
Also, I should add what is sort of a production light and modded light hybrid:
A MagCharger with a Welch Allyn 01160 lamp installed. Buy the MC, then buy a UCL or borofloat lens for it and a WA 1160 lamp. These can be bought at www.flashlightlens.com. The MC is around a $100 and the 1160 is about $5 and the combo is very bright--not as bright as an M6, but in the ballpark, and less expensive and rechargeable. The draw back is that the heat from the 1160 will eventually start to melt the pin socket, especially if you run it for longish periods of time.
Personally, the MC is a bit too large for my tastes, but that's just me. I prefer shorter flashlights.
And if you wanted to get into the world of incan mods, well, that's another story (and another and a longer list.)
Phaserburn
Flashlight Enthusiast
A 3D size alternative to MC is the Streamlight SL-20X. Using the SL-35X lamp in it (which is Streamlight approved, and totally safe) creates an extremely bright light. It has a nice flood pattern too for night visibility. Throws pretty good too. This is a police fave here in the US. Get some 4aH cells for max brightness and runtime, around 1.25 hours. Did I mention it's rechargeable?
Cost is around the same as the MC. The 35X lamp is around 10. There is also an electronic dimming tailcap available, to dim it down for up close work like reading a map. It strobes too. The strobe flashing is the brightest, fastest, most attention getting light I have ever seen.
Cost is around the same as the MC. The 35X lamp is around 10. There is also an electronic dimming tailcap available, to dim it down for up close work like reading a map. It strobes too. The strobe flashing is the brightest, fastest, most attention getting light I have ever seen.
PlayboyJoeShmoe
Flashaholic
I kind of favor the modded M*g a bit, but no one has mentioned the Streamlight 3C XP LED/Xenon light.
It has three 5mm LEDs for close up use, and a seperate switch lights up the Xenon beam. Mine has Writeright, because without it it throws a slightly too tight for my taste beam. It doesn't weigh much, and after the Xenon won't light anymore, several hours of LED light remain.
It only costs somewhere around $45, and a rechargable version is available.
It makes an EXCELLENT dog walking light! And I believe it would serve an LEO pretty good too.
It has three 5mm LEDs for close up use, and a seperate switch lights up the Xenon beam. Mine has Writeright, because without it it throws a slightly too tight for my taste beam. It doesn't weigh much, and after the Xenon won't light anymore, several hours of LED light remain.
It only costs somewhere around $45, and a rechargable version is available.
It makes an EXCELLENT dog walking light! And I believe it would serve an LEO pretty good too.
Longstreet
Newly Enlightened
Check out a Streamlight TwinTask 3C. At about $30.00 from BrightGuy.com they're moderately priced (yes, MagLites are cheaper, but you get a lot less flashlight too), they're rugged and durable, and with your choice of 3 LED, 6 LED or xenon all in the same light they are extremely versatile. I have a TwinTask 2L clamped to the side of my fire helmet and I love it. In fact my next purchse is going to be a 2D or 3C TwinTask for my wife to keep in her van. I think you'd be pleased with them as well.
