New Member Question

Greetings. I am new to the pleasures of flashlight ownership. About a month ago, I ordered a Pila GL3 based on a discussion at a web sight entitled "The Gadgeteer". I knew absolutely about flashlights but thought it would be something worth having, and I was drawn to the high level of workmanship and design. In retrospect, I really didn't do adequate research, but I am happy with that purchase. A new acquaintance I met on a rafting trip in Wyoming noticed my Pila and gave me a Surefire A2 as a holiday gift. I took that flashlight to Italy last week and it served me well.

I have since purchased an ARC AAA Premium Edition light which is on my keychain based on suggestions from this forum. It is great for reading the menu in dark restaurants.

I guess I am hooked, as my wife assumed I was looking at porn being on my computer for so many hours when I was actually reading these forums.

So, in one months time I have the Pila GL3, the Surefire A2 and a little keychain ARC.

I know I am deluding myself in to believing that two or three additional flashlights will be sufficient to complete my collection.

Part of me wants something super powerful that can blister the paint on cars parked several blocks away. I also would like something of an everyday carry unit with a strobe, multiple light levels and fairly high brightness that is still small but more powerful and versatile than the ARC. I am reading something about a new cree bulb that is supposed to enhance the performance of LED flashlights. I would appreciate some input and suggestions to augment the three lights I already have. Perhaps there is something new and wonderful on the 2007 horizon that is worth waiting for. It appears that most of these higher performance flashlights are sold on-line, so it is difficult to find a local dealer to do a hands-on comparison.

Thanks in advance for your guidance. Ken

Welcome to CPF, KenD!

These are indeed exciting times in terms of lights (especially LED) with new technology. Fenix, Huntlight, and Lumapower lights seem to be at the bleeding edge of lower-priced commercially produced lights right now; their newer offerings come with Cree XR-E emitters, and multiple modes.

The most "advanced" light you'll find at B&M stores might be Luxeon-powered (if you're lucky). Nothing wrong with those, but if you want the latest, you'll have to shop on-line with CPF dealers.

That said, and since you've had a taste of lights that are tough as nails (Pila and SF), I'd wait a few weeks until SF releases their new XR-E-based lights. Then there are, of course, a few people offering custom builds.

On the scorching side of things, there are a couple of people who build "hotwire" mods on the forum - check the Incandescent and the Custom and Modified sections for more on that.


Yeah, there's lots and lots of "porn" out here. :lolsign:

For your EDC I would suggest an HDS EDC if you can find one in BuySellTrade section. Or you can wait a week or two until after the Shot Show and see what lights they come out with. HDS's are my favorite EDC...1 cell small, 4 light levels, excellent build quality etc. Do a search for HDS's and you'll see how many satisfied customers they have here. Since I got mine it hasn't left my side. The only thing I see that might replace it in the short-term is another HDS in 85+ lumens.

Greetings KenD!

First of all... a friend GAVE you an A2?????? Wow, what a friend!!! Second, do you prefer incans or LED's? If you like incans then may I suggest the Wolf Eyes M90X, the Scorpion G&P R500 or, since you're already familiar with their product, you could upgrade to the Pila GL4 w/ 550 lumen lamp assembly. If you prefer LED's then the new CREE edition lights seem the way to go for now. The best of the new CREE lights would have to be the new Fenix (very small.... keychain size) or the Huntlight (This sounds like what you are looking for in an EDC - check out jsburlys.com for $80.). All of these are very bright but the only thing that will blow you away in terms of brightness will be a modded Mag and that's a fun but slippery slope...beware! Good luck on your new addiction!

Welcome, Pila are great lights...if you love your gl3 then you will really love a gl4 550...as lobo said mag mods are a slippery slope....but what a ride!!! enjoy

Welcome Ken and don't overlook the HID section for "beyond bright" lights. Fair warning though, it will end up costing you lots of money.

KenD, welcome to CPF. Could you give me your friends name as I'd like a Surefire A2 as well! :rock: I think most of the people here suffer from the same delusion that a couple more lights will completely round out their flashlight needs. Ha! Buckle up real tight and get ready for the ride. Hide your wallet if you can.

KenD,

I think you might need to build a M@g '85 using an FM deep dish reflector for burning the paint thing, and welcome to CPF!

Ray

Thank you all for the kind welcoming words and fair warnings. For the time being, flashlights are keeping me from my prior interests, higher-end audio and mechanical watches. Thankfully, flashlights don't require vacuum tubes or offer models with a tourbillon. Here I can at least see the bottom of the slope. Do any of you now actually look forward to a power failure, or am I the only one?

Happy new year to all and thank you again.