Brightest flashlight (Up to 3 123, $100 or less)?

What is the absolute brightest flashlight I can get within that range? Size is fairly important. It has to be able to fit in a coat pocket. Runtime is (mostly) irrelevant as long as it is good for 20 min or so. A Surefire G2 w/ P61 currently fills this niche, but I have been thinking about using an E2e, CR123 cell extender, E2C adaptor, & a C or M head with a P91 LA. (I already have everything except the new bezel & lamp.) What can I find in that same approximate form factor which puts out a brighter light?

Andy

(This isn't a work light. I spend quite a bit of time outside during the night or inside parking garages at all hours. I want the maximum dazzle effect possible if I run into a freelance property redistribution specialist.)

Actually, for dazzling, the 5W Luxeon does a grand job I've found compared to bulbs.
I've not used it in such a situation though.
Please don't rely on a flashlight alone to save you. It may buy you a few seconds to resolve the situation to your advantage using physical force (in which you need to be trained and practiced).

Al

Brightest flashlight for its size is probably gonna be the E2e and fits in your pocket or clips on your pocket or pants well.

He asks for the brightest (up to 3 123's) light UNDER $ 100.

The Streamlight TL-3 Xenon blows the P61 (and E2e) out of the water in throw, and overall lumens.. It will also easily fit in a coat pocket.

And it's a LOT under $ 100.

Throw isn't important for the intended application. Close quarters dazzle is. The L4 is slightly more expensive then your budget at about $120. You'll get longer, more useful runtimes and no bulbs to fail - also a third less batteries to use each time. You'll be saving money with the L4 compared to a bulb flashlight during your self-defense and low-light self-defense training within a couple of months I bet.

I don't think "power" is as important in your case as "technique". It's what you do with the light and how it can help you. If you feel it is important to protect yourself against freelance property redistribution specialists then you'll need to invest a lot more time and money.

A flashlight, even an M6 is no magic solution.

Al

Re: Brightest flashlight (Up to 3 123, $100 or les

I'm not planning on a flashlight alone to save me. I HOPE a flashlight might buy me a second or two to use what force is available, or to run. I don't count on it doing anything, except illuminate where I point it. I almost always have a Kershaw Leek clipped to my RF pant pocket. I have an E2E in my back pocket & a g2 w/ P61 in my LF pant pocket or left coat pocket. I have considered pepperspray, but have come to the conclusion that it is one more thing I wouldn't have time to try in a close range confrontation.

How big is a TL3 compared to a G2? How bright is a TL3 compared to a P91LA? (Real world answers, not manufacturers claims.)

I have also thought about a 3w or 5w luxeon. I've got a incandescent "police" flashlight sitting next to me I bought on Ebay to mod. Can I get enough power from from 2 123 batteries if I run direct drive?

Re: Brightest flashlight (Up to 3 123, $100 or les

The TL3 is quite a short flashlight as three SF123A flashlights go.

I bet that you could head over to the mods forum and discuss getting a Pelican M6 (aka PM6) modded with a 5W Luxeon to be very bright for short duration use. I doubt it would cost you very much PM6 is about $30 I think. It would also be an interesting and fun thing for a Flashaholic to do!!

Al

Re: Brightest flashlight (Up to 3 123, $100 or les

jhereg- I will give you RELATIVE brightness units, and Lumen units (overall light output) from Quickbeams review site.


You have a P61, so you can compare easily.

P61-63 Lux (brightness units), and 70 QUPS (Lumen units)

SL TL-3- 100 Lux (brightness units), and 100 QUPS (Lumen units)

SF L4- 24 Lux (brightness units), and 58 QUPS (Lumen units)

I really don't think you need a Luxeon for this obviously tactical use. The TL-3 is $ 60 from several sites.

Re: Brightest flashlight (Up to 3 123, $100 or les

A 2C mag running 3x123 with the KPR112 bulb is pretty dazzling. You can really trick it out with a UCL, an electrolumens C-to-123 sleeve, even an aluminum Perfect Mag Reflector and still have $50 left for two boxes of surefire 123s and a boatload of bulbs.

Re: Brightest flashlight (Up to 3 123, $100 or les

I think you don't really need the weight of a 2c mag for that. You can probably do the same with some generic plastic 2c light that's smaller and weighs much less. It might overheat if you run it continuously for too long, but you don't care about that.

Re: Brightest flashlight (Up to 3 123, $100 or les

TL-3 Xenon!

Re: Brightest flashlight (Up to 3 123, $100 or les

Thanks for all the answers. A 2C mag is too big for what I want. It needs to fit in a coat pocket or a pant pocket when it gets warmer. My khakis don't have pockets that big. I'll try my current plan & will look into a TL3 or a 5W PM6.

Andy

Re: Brightest flashlight (Up to 3 123, $100 or les

There's some way of extending the Surefire G2 with the old version of the A19(?) battery sleeve. That lets you put in a P91 which should be brighter than a TL3.

Re: Brightest flashlight (Up to 3 123, $100 or les

The TL-3 Xenon is a small light for 3x123A, is kick-butt bright and avaiable at a good price. It's one of the brightest lights I have for both overall output and throw.

Re: Brightest flashlight (Up to 3 123, $100 or les

I agree with Quickbeam for the TL-3 LED. But if you add some dollars, the L4 Lumamax is a terrific choice for his size. If you don't plan to buy another one, buy the L4 for $140 /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Re: Brightest flashlight (Up to 3 123, $100 or les

quickbeam said TL-3 xenon.....not led

Re: Brightest flashlight (Up to 3 123, $100 or les

So sorry Sir, It's a mistake.... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif
But if I can't compare with the TL3-Xenon, because I haven't one, I confirm my choice of L4 Lumamax. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif