Recommend a side-switch light?

most lights i hear about have the tactical type switch. i'm wondering what are the better options in lights with side switches.

prefer flood over throw

adjustable output a plus (low/high etc.)

the SL propolymer luxeon 4AA sounds great except for the tail switch. i might try one anyway, but wanted to investigate other options first.

maglites would seem an obvious choices but i don't like the flimsy finish on the mags that scratches up so easily.

thanks for any recommendations!

If you prefer flood over throw, the Photon Proton is a very nice side switch light. It has adjustable levels in white and red. Nice small AA form.

What kind of size?
Prize?
Batteries?
How bright?
Runtime?

The SL PP 4AA is pretty much only throw though?
There are a bunch of lights with sideswitches and variable brightness out there.

LRI Proton
http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/lri_proton.htm
Wiseled Tactical
http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/wiseled_tactical.htm
Ultrafire FMR1
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3786
Ledlogic Striker
http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/ledlogic_strikervg.htm
LedBeam 3C
http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/ledbeam_3c.htm
Rayovac Sportsman
https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/172807


To name a few. Beware though that the reviews I linked to might be out of date, and there might be updated versions out by now.

Cheers.

I have been looking at this Wolf Eyes Guider...

http://www.pts-flashlights.com/products/product.aspx?pid=1-99-120-6387

I have their D2AX Defender, and am greatly impressed with it. The Guider has gotten at least one really good review...

https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/176951

tm3 said:

the SL propolymer luxeon 4AA sounds great except for the tail switch. i might try one anyway, but wanted to investigate other options first.

Click to expand...

The UK 4AA eLED® Zoom is similar to the SL propolymer luxeon 4AA but with the switch up front.
review

LEDninja said:

The UK 4AA eLED® Zoom is similar to the SL propolymer luxeon 4AA but with the switch up front.
review

Click to expand...

LEDninja is correct about the UK 4AA eLED® Zoom.

It's my favorite light for walking in town and also for hiking and general outdoors use. Uses optics to produce a superbly smooth main beam with merged hotspot and corona.

Ergonomics of this light is excellent with the switch located just behind the bezel. Textured body is just the right size to get a good grip, but short and flat enough to be easily pocketable. Switch function is excellent, with both momentary capability and easy output level changes.

The low level provides plenty of light for walking rough trails or to bushwack cross country and the runtime on low is excellent. High level kicks out enough light to see way down the trail and will last 3 to 4 hours on alkalines.

Doesn't throw as far the a Streamlight PP 4AA Lux, but is much better for close to medium range purposes. For distances out to 80 feet or so, I prefer the UK Zoom's output to that of a SL PP 4AA Lux. Beyond that distance, the intense hotspot of a SL PP 4AA Lux is more useful.

A very tough light. My frontline UK 4AA eLED Zoom has been dropped many times, stepped on a few times, and has been used for swimming on several occasions with no leakage.

An excellent combination for hiking is a UK eLED Zoom as the main light and a Streamlight PP Lux for distance spotting and backup.

.

lots of options to investigate now. thanks!

i'd like to spend under $100, i like 123s or AAs best but not critical. runtime over 1 hour.

the nuwai tm115 and SL tasklight 3AA luxeon also caught my attention.

tm3 said:

i'd like to spend under $100, i like 123s or AAs best but not critical. runtime over 1 hour.

the nuwai tm115 and SL tasklight 3AA luxeon also caught my attention.

Click to expand...

If you want to spend a little more, check out the Streamlight 2L 3W Luxeon LED Task-Light Flashlight for $73:
http://www.brightguy.com/products/Streamlight_2L_3W_Luxeon_LED_Task-Light_Flashlight.php

I don't own one, but was able to check out a friend's SL 2L TL on a camping trip. Very nice light!

A great light for outdoors use, with long runtimes on both high and low. Low level is plenty of light for most purposes including hiking. High level is quite impressive.

If you don't mind using CR123s and want a multi-level with a side switch, this light is ideal.

(Can sometimes be found on sale for about 50 bucks on Amazon or eBay.)

.

I also like this light. It will run on rechargeable RCR123 3.6v batteries and 17670 batteries.

ringzero said:

If you want to spend a little more, check out the Streamlight 2L 3W Luxeon LED Task-Light Flashlight for $73:
http://www.brightguy.com/products/Streamlight_2L_3W_Luxeon_LED_Task-Light_Flashlight.php

I don't own one, but was able to check out a friend's SL 2L TL on a camping trip. Very nice light!

A great light for outdoors use, with long runtimes on both high and low. Low level is plenty of light for most purposes including hiking. High level is quite impressive.

If you don't mind using CR123s and want a multi-level with a side switch, this light is ideal.

(Can sometimes be found on sale for about 50 bucks on Amazon or eBay.)

.

Click to expand...

Another yes vote for the Streamlight Tasklight 3W 2L. I picked one up last year for $54 at Amazon. I'd like a brighter spill on low, but the light does run for lots of time at that setting. The throw on high is very good. It is a useful light.

update:

since i alsready have a mag 4D i decided to try a terralux drop in LED.

depending on how i like it i may go with a 2D + terralux, or the streamlight.

i appreciate the help!

Another vote for the Streamlight 2L 3W.

The Photon Proton also has a side switch and you might like it for EDC. It has a flood beam.

Two that have already been mentioned, the UK 4AA eLED and the Proton. Neither is as bright as many others, but they will serve well, and are kind of unique in their class.

Geoff