Overall Opinion on Pelican Flashlights?

Hello. I just recently found this forum and thought that this is the greatest thing since sliced bread

I'm seeking opinions/experiences on the Pelican flashlights. I have a couple (the 4AA and 2C version) and I wasn't particularly thrilled with them. They were one of the first Xenon lights that I bought and I thought they were better than the "regular" flashlights. But now that I have several Underwater Kinetics and Streamlight flashlights, the Pelicans seem to be pushed to the back of the drawer.

Just curious. If there was a previous discussion on this, please point me to the right URL. Thx.

I have a pair of StealthLites. For me, I like the narrow beams, and they have never failed on me.
Many people prefer the UKE or StreamLight 4AA, but as I've not tried these, I can't comment. As soon as I find a shop with either of these on display, I'll most likely buy them.

I've also got a few Pelican 2AAAs and a 2AA. These lights have failed several times. The bulbs I've had haven't lasted very long.
The 2AA I have has the most pointlessly narrow beam I've ever seen.
The 4C Pelican is just too big for it's light output. Runtime is okay, but it's nothing special. Also, the beam is dreadful with naff focusing.

I've not tried the over mid sizes of Pelicans though.

Anyone know a UKE or SteamLight stocking shop in London?

Al

Streamlight is handled in the UK by Edgar Brothers - you can check out the website for stocksist: www.edgar-brothers.co.uk

For Underwater Kinetics - you can contact the UK distributor website at www.sea-sea.com.

Hope it helps.........

Thanks for that.

However, I really want to see them for real before I buy. There are a number of companies I can buy them from. I'd prefer to audition them agianst my StealthLites or at the very least see one on display.

I could order them right now cos they're cheap. But I want to see, feel and try before I buy.

Can Pelican hold it's own in the 4AA category?

Photos from www.Brightguy.com

Pelican


Underwater Kinetics


Princeton Tec


StreamLight


These are the big guns in the 4AA category.

Al

To be more clear, these companies are the distributors (handling the wholesaling and marketing for the products), so they can tell you where you can go to check them out in person in London - Edgar Brothers actually has a "local stockist" listing. I am sure that they will be happy to direct you to the best shop for getting a hands on feel for them.

Similar quality amongst them all, in my personal opinion though - Pelican falls to the bottom of the group. Tec 40 feels the cleanest to me and a great beam - I prefer the wide beam (they used to se sold with the narrow reflector).

I also have a couple of Pelican's Stealthlite and they are OK. I got them on sale so I can't really complain.

As a follow-up on my original post: the customer service at Pelican has been great!

I recently bought a LaserPro rechargeable flashlight. It was "new", but I guess it was sitting on the shelf for awhile. When I tried to charge it, but battery was completely dead and the charger wouldn't even recognize the battery.

I called up Pelican and talked to their technical support person (Ron). He was great. He knew exactly what was wrong and shipped out a free replacement battery. Even though the warranty says that the batteries were not covered, he sent one out anyway.

In addition, I also just bought a Pelican ProLite rechargeable that came with the dimpled reflector. I talked to Ron again and he said that they don't make the Prolite anymore and that the M11 replaced it. I wanted to order the smooth laser spot reflector. Again, Ron comes to the rescue and said that he'll send out a free reflector. You can't beat that He also mentioned that the laser spot reflector will cause a little bit of overshadowing because of the dual filament bulb.

Thanks to Ron and Pelican for their great customer service.

I have a VersaBrite II and I think it's not a very good light. It's an ok light for close up work and the clip along with the head that can be positioned is useful, but it's too expensive, the lamp replacement is overpriced, and it's not very bright. A PAL light is less expensive, runs longer, and is just as bright.

I second the thumbs down on the versa brite

I also had the VersaBrite, the crappiest light in terms of durability I ever used. Ever time I drop it, no matter how hard the force. The bulb will go out. It is handy, but if I need a small area light. I have my Eternalight.

I've been surprised with the Eternalite. I also have I've been impressed.

I own a pelican light that has two AAA, it has like no light output and its a piece of crap. I was looking at the bigger pelican lights with tailcap switches, does anyone know about the quality of those?

SPECIALIST, if you have the MityLite there may be hope. When it comes time to replace the lamp/reflector assembly don't buy the direct replacement. Get the part for the Super MityLite. It is a direct fit and turns it into a 7 million candle power powerhouse and quadruples the runtime! Truthfully ...it places the Pelican in the same league as the UKE Mini Pocket/2AAA Penlight.

Quality can mean many things here. If you mean excellent fit, finish and material choice I'm sure the Pelican is good to excellent. If you mean beam quality I would think it would be mediocre. But Pelican designs for underwater use. I don't have that light. I'm basing on previous Pelicans I've owned.

The Montgomery County (MD) Police Department's safety committee consucted a field test of ten Pelican M11's in 1999. Several of the lights had reliability problems with the switch melting on some of them. The study indicated the battery charge did not last as long as the issue Maglites.

I emphasize that this was a 1999 study of only ten lights. QC may have improved since then.