Your favorite flashlight...

[crizyal]

Just buy the Ra Clicky right away. You will save a ton of money on purchases of inferior lights.:twothumbs

 

[Databyter]

P1D CE

Small as my thumb and always with me.

Never failed me, always bright, always light.

It's my favorite because I've had it longer than most of my lights and I still use it more than all of the others combined, because it's always there, and spans the gap of capabilities when I don't have another task light handy.

It's really simple and durable, hasn't dimmed or got ugly since I've had it (years). It's really the best little budy that I've ever owned.

I'm sure there must be alot of other lights like this and maybe even better, but for me it's been my lil P1D that has saved alot of situations from being dark ones.

It's the only light I use at work AND at home. It's right by my bed, or right on my belt.

 

[recDNA]

MG PLI

 

[kelmo]

At my stage of flashlight evolution my favorite is my most current aquisition! That being said I should have a 12ZM by tomorrow.

I'm still partial to Arc AAAs and Surefire E2es.

BTW welcome to CPF!

 

[Gatsby]

The problem is that you'll get a myriad of answers to this question and you'll end up just as confused!

So much depends on your personal preferences, how you use it (duty light, walking dogs, bike rides, home inspections, or just EDC uses like finding the pancake mix in the back of the pantry), size constraints (EDC pocket carry, belt carry, knock a person in the head with it...), how much runtime you want, battery considerations (rechargeables, CR123, AAA/AA, etc...), how much money you want to spend, etc...

I will say that day in and day out if I could only have one it would probably be my Novatac 120P. I've owned an Arc4+, an HDS 42XRGT, a Novatac 85P and now the 120P and with the possible exception of my custom Milky Creemator I have yet to find a more flexible all around day to day use light. But there are some who hate the ergonomics, or the UI (I love the UI but it is unique)...

I don't think you can go wrong starting out there as long as you are willing to learn the simple interface. But there are lots of other equally good places to start depending on your budget and needs...

 

[trampasc]

Quark 123^2 Turbo

 

[Brigadier]

Jet-III M OD R2

 

[saabgoblin]

I'll second what Burgess said. Kind of works that way for me. Wait for that light that really tweaks your fancy or you'll end up with a drawer full of orphans. Believe me, I know.

Geoff

I'll throw in a third for this method. Personally, I become attached to all of my lights so I try to be careful of what I buy because I know that I'll want to keep them and I'll find a way to rotate my orphans. I believe that it has something to do with having Depression Era Parents or maybe I am just a crazy flashlight hoarder, if I were a woman, I'd probably be one of those "Cat Ladies", collecting every orphan I come across.

Should you be a totally analytical person, you may just do the checklist thing and be happy with your choice but if you are an emotional buyer, good luck hanging out around here if you expect to be holding onto your cash. Personally, I really like and recommend the warmer tinted LED's for more of an incandescent color rendition but they aren't available in all lights but that is one of my newest criteria but then again, I am an emotional buyer so I usually cave in from time to time.

Whatever road you choose, enjoy yourself.

 

[souptree]

Get a Ra Clicky and a SureFire A2 (the original incan version, not the A2L).

Then start saving up for McGizmos. :thumbsup:

 

[mrartillery]

I'll second what Burgess said. Kind of works that way for me. Wait for that light that really tweaks your fancy or you'll end up with a drawer full of orphans. Believe me, I know.

Geoff

Agreed 100%! Take time and read through Flaslight Reviews section and just read through various threads until you see something that strikes you. What I might like and what you might like is more than likely two different things. :thumbsup:

 

[fisk-king]

ra clicky(carrying right now at work w/no backup :( )
mcgizmo haiku xp-g

honorable mention:
mcgizmo ti-pd-s

 

[Launch Mini]

My SPY007. Toss up between warm & cool white. Warm is nice indoors. Doesn't have that "shockingly bright' effect. But do like the throw of the cool white.

 

[djj]

Ra Twisty (modded with high-CRI SSC emitter)

I would bet that the new Twisty will have a high CRI option, like the Clickys do. If it's available any time soon, it might be my next flashlight purchase.

 

[RobertM]

Get a Ra Clicky and a SureFire A2 (the original incan version, not the A2L).

Then start saving up for McGizmos. :thumbsup:

This is some great advice right here! :thumbsup:

 

[computernut]

Favourite light out of my collection would be either of my A2's. Second favourite would be between my E2E and L1.

 

[rayman]

My favourite flashlight is the JETBeam Jet-III Pro I.B.S. The UI is just amazing with the I.B.S. function. It looks amazing and since I change the emitter to a Q3-5A it's very funtional. But it's kind of my shelf queen as I like it so much ;).

rayman

 

[Vesper]

This guy:

Malkoff MD3 MC-E W high/lo - my go to light most of the time. Nothing like searching the shed with the equivalent of a light bulb in your hand, and a nice up-close low for everything else.

 

[hyperloop]

My choices:-

Favourite EDC light:
EX10 GDP and Quark MiNi 123 warm, i carry them both everyday, EX10 is clipped to my pocket, MiNi123 is on my keys. Why i like 'em, instant access to max and minimum on the EX10 with capability to ramp up and down as needed. MiNi 123 for the warm tint and also as a backup. I like' em as they share commonality of cells so i just pack these 2 lights, 2 spare RCR123s and am good to go.

The EX10's deep carry clip makes it a discreet light to carry and the MiNi123's size and weight is a nice keychain light. I used to carry an LD01 but having to carry AAAs as well as 123s made it a bit troublesome so the LD01 doesnt see that much use of late.

Favourite light (other):
For times when more light is needed and the activity at hand.

Biking: MG PLI MC-E warm - on 2fish lockblock on my MTB. Fenix TK20 on the other 2fish lockblock for throw.
Fishing: as above but using Quark lanyard instead.

If a thrower is required:-

Biking and fishing: Jetbeam M1X warm in fishing bag or pouch attached to bike seat.

General purpose light (in my work bag): Surefire G2 with Lumens Factory HO-9 (shares cells with my EDCs)

I have a whole host of other lights but when i sat down and thought about it, these would be the lights i use most.

Not so often used lights nowadays:-

Jet III Pro ST (will carry that when travelling, better balance of runtime and output as compared to CR123s)

 

[OfficerCamp]

I'll second what Burgess said. Kind of works that way for me. Wait for that light that really tweaks your fancy or you'll end up with a drawer full of orphans. Believe me, I know.

Geoff

That's OK though, this is what the marketplace is for.
There will always be members willing to take a couple neglected orphans off your hands.
Honestly, this may be the way to go. Buy a few lights you have interest in, and flip the ones you don't like.

 

[Flying Turtle]

I guess they all eventually become orphans, and, really, would we flashaholics/collectors want it any other way. If new and improved was to stop our interest would fade. Trouble is even the old and obsolete still look good to me. I'm just hopelessly sentimental I suppose. :shakehead

Geoff