which flashlight to get for a first timer

[dc5itr888]

So after months of staring at the Surefire M3LT...I decided it was a little out of my price range. I have no specific requirements as some people are looking for spills or thrower flashlights. Mean while I have no specific category. Im here purely asking for your recommendation on which flashlight would you get in the price range of 100-200 dollars. The only "high end" flashlight Ive ever owned is a Maglite.

Im currently looking at getting either the Fenix TK30, JetBeam M2S, or Sunwayman T40CS. Which one should I get? Thanks in advance.
[h=1][/h]

 

[roadkill1109]

Most people here start with a Quark, but since you seem to know your way around the lights, why not start with the Zebralight SC600? Its an incredibly popular light here and you'll love the interface and how versatile this light can be. Bright when you need it, moonlight when you need night vision. It wont be a thrower though, more of a general area light.

 

[keenism]

I started with the TK35 and man I was blown away after the years with maglights and cheap plastic led's lights from chainstores. Size is great, throws far enough to where objects lit up I cant really see(perhaps an optologist visit is in order) but has a nice mix of flood so you have a nice wall of light effect. I've fumbled it several times from at least 4-5 feet and done some water testing...all good. Only reservation would be about an LED tint problem I had read about but mine thankfully was white. The T40CS is also amazing.... I cant speak for the other two.

Also as a warning, once you buy one of these....lets just say you'll probably have another ordered within a week...

 

[jmpaul320]

i agree with the sc600... it was one of my first lights, and i use it the most out of all my lights still

 

[indychris]

Since you don't have a specific set of criteria but seem to be looking at a good 'all-around' light, I personally would think the EagleTac T20C2 MKII. It's solid. It falls well within your price range. Gives you the flexibility of using 2XCR123 or 1X18650. There are somewhere around 15 different drop-ins that you can get for +/- $25/ea, so you can start with a throw and add a spill later, or add colored modules or filters if you'd like. You can add a standing tail cap if you'd like or put a diffuser filter on it. There are a LOT of options for a light priced under $100 shipped.

 

[roadkill1109]

Also as a warning, once you buy one of these....lets just say you'll probably have another ordered within a week...

Welcome to the club! I also have a few lights on their way here. :)

 

[LGT]

You should look into an HDS 200 rotary. It can be used as a clicky, or rotary to select brightness. With over 40 LED lights, this one is a constant EDC. Everything else is just a backup. The "only 200 lumens" is quite bright enoug for many tasks.

 

[Max_Power]

I like the idea of getting a crazy bright headlight like the SC600, but you will also need to get at least a couple of Li-ion 18650 cells and a charger to go with it. You should read the sticky posts about Li-ion battery (and charger) safety, it's important if you want to avoid a "vent with flame" exploding battery. Executive summary: you want to stick with known-good brands. Use protected cells, or use safer battery chemistry (but those give 1/2 the run time.)

You might be happier with something less ambitious, but nearly as useful, like the Zebralight H51w headlight. It runs on a single AA cell, including NiMH rechargeables. The sc80 flashlight uses a single AA or CR123, and also rechargeable NiMH, or even Li-ion versions of those cells like 14500 and 16340/RCR123. I'm waiting for a headlight version of the sc80 myself.

The Solarforce L2 series is a resonably good low-end starting point for a flashaholic. Depending on the emitter drop-in module you choose, you might need to wrap the drop-in with some aluminum foil (or copper tape, or aluminum from a soda can) to get it working reliably (intentional design issue, avoiding patent infringement.) Expect some battery rattle as well, even with 18mm cells. Reverse clickies are standard.

There are some preorder threads going on right now for dropins using the 92 CRI Nichia 219 LED. If you get one of these drop-ins, you will probably never buy another cool-white LED - they will all look like crap in comparison.
Here's one thread about it: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...chia-219-4500k-beamshots&highlight=nichia+219

My personal preference is for Malkoff MD2 or MD3 body, optional hi-low ring, and Malkoff drop-in module. (Illumination Supply is taking pre-orders for Malkoff Nichia 219 modules already, and others are doing likewise.) But I like simple, reliable, tools that are more safety gear than toy. Go to the website, look around a bit, and then call Gene on the phone - he can surely guide you to the light you really want.

 

[ikeyballz]

From a noob to another noob, I recommend a Quark Tactical or Regular AA. I picked up a tactical AA2, q mini, and a quark AA. I think for usability, the Quark AA wins out. You should purchase a 2 eneloop charger (don't get the 4 port charger because they require two batteries to charge...when you only use one!).

My recommendation:
1) Quark AA in either tactical or regular mode depending on whether you want programmable(tactical) or accessible(regular) light outputs - then consider buying a different tailcap depending on whether you want a forward clicky or a reverse clicky.

2) Eneloop USB charger/ 2 battery wall charger (will charge one battery at a time compared to the other chargers - without going to the pricier chargers)

The best thing is that if you want more output, since its a 1AA, you can always spring for the 14500 (li-po) + charger if you're feeling adventurous...

goinggear, 4sevens and lighthound along with amazon seem to be the most popular places to purchase them from. Don't forget to look up the discount page (google it) for some discounts from the vendors here!