Suggestions for Med/Glovebox thrower

I've been trying to think of a good med. sized
flashlight to complement my 3D Mag under the
passenger side seat and my Gerber Infinity in
the console above my rear view mirror.

Because I wanted something that was
relatively inexpensive and took regular
cells I was thinking along the lines of
perhaps a PT Rage. After the death
of my PT Attitude via a defect I think
that's out the window. In fact all
PT's are out the window for now.

Some lights that come to mind are
the Brink Maxfire but again that takes
CR's. The SL TT 2L but again ...takes
123's. The SL 4aa Pro-po wouldn't be
bad but I'm really thinking incan.

Anyway, I'm stuck and looking for
ideas.

Thanks

MB

Bright Star Responder 4AA or Streamlight Propolymer 4AA Xenon. Don't use 1.7V lithiums with the latter; if you do, the bulb will burn out in a matter of minutes. I don't know whether the Bright Star can safely take lithiums; I wouldn't bet on it.

As a dive light maker, Pelican makes a number of lights that throw well for their size. Their Stealthlite (spelling?) is a 4AA that competes squarely with the Propolymer 4AA. The Pelican is smaller and can use the 50 percent brighter bulb from the rechargeable version.

I keep a MaxFire LX in mine right in the door. Even though it takes cr123's, it does mean that it will have power when you need it no matter how long it's been there or how cold it gets. I keep a couple of extra 123 batteries and extra bulb (less than $5 shipped from Brink) in the glovebox for backup.
So my vote goes for a MF for these reasons:
1. Lithium powered - great shelf life and cold performance. Great for a light that is going to hang out in your car all year
2. Great incan output - Plenty bright and decent enough beam quality.
3. Good "tactical" clicky - can flash it if needed
4. Quiet - many folks don't like the rubberized grips but it does keep it from rattling very much in the door!
5. Inexpensive and easy to replace - if it gets lost, stolen or falls out its not that big of a loss. Go to any Target and get another one. I would be pissed if my nice SF or expensive LED light got lost or stolen!

All these are worthy of consideration. I didn't really need a "monster"
thrower, just a light that is fairly small and compact and scores at
least a 35 or so on flashlightreviews for throw since my Xenon 3D mag will
definately throw.

I really didn't want to keep a terralux mini Mag or some other led or
the stock mag as my glovebox light. Not enough throw from the former
and not enough total output from the latter. I definately wanted a small
compact incan preferably with std batts.

Given the temperature extreme performance of lith-ies maybe the
Maxfire or another CR light would do just fine.

Still thinking on this one...

MB

I know you have had some issues with PT, but a light that is close to your needs might be the Tec-40. (the Attitude and Rage use a little bar that bends to make contact--that can fail).

It will eat whatever AA bats you like, is inexpensive (~$15), PR bulbs, waterproof, tough and very simple. Not much to fail.

The beam is excellent. I keep them in our cars with lithiums and Magnum Star bulbs, and made lanyards that carry a spare bulb.

Bob

On the Tec40 I just don't see any advantage over the 4aaPP-X.
Both are 4aa, but it appears the PP will out output and out throw
and I believe out "runtime" the tec 40. I know that the SL PP is not
a dive light but it is very waterproof and since it won't be used for diving,
that won't matter.

Additionally, the switch on the PP is also one-hand capable and most
of the PT's I've used, the rotating bezel is difficult at best with 1
hand.

Sizewise they must be close.

MB

Yeah, I don't think my PT40 can be easily activated one-handed.

Boy, the PP4AA Luxeon is a little screamer...I did not realize you were considering both incan and LED. The PP Lux throws further, puts out just a bit less overall light than the PT40, and runs dead-flat for over 3.5 hours.
A serious contender for many roles!

If it has the same switch as the SL4AALED, it is very easy to use. However, that could lead to accidental activation in the glove box, because it has a very light action and is not very well shrouded.

Another possibility is the UK4AA incan. It has a clicky (well shielded).
The stock 2.1w lamp doesn't have tremendous output, but it throws reasonably well, and can be upgraded with the 4w module.
I love the form-factor of the UK lights.

Throw rates over 55 with the stock lamp assembly.

Bob

I was actually looking at the 4AA PP-X (Xenon). I have the Lux
and it's a great light but for glovebox I really did want an incan.
Preferably an incan that takes standard batts.

I'm still considering the Maxfire but again....CR batts and only
about an hour of runtime which could have quite a performance
curve as well.

Decisions....

MB

Funny you mention that.

I prefer lithiums because my car sees extremes in cold and heat...but, the AA liths are pretty expensive. The 123's are less.

I am looking at my first Surefire (G2), and noticed the runtime plot is nearly an hour (54 minutes) to 50%. That isn't too bad for $2 worth of bats. Pretty bright too, and it has the great Surefire beam.

The 1 hour runtime bothered me until I saw the 3D mag only went 62 minutes to 50%, and has much less overall output that the little G2--but throws better.

So...I may go for a G2 or a Pelican M6 LED--they both look excellent. I read somewhere that the Pelican has slightly longer runtime, and the lamp allegedly lasts 75 hours. The lamps are pretty inexpensive as well.

Decisions, decisions...

Bob

Thanks for all the suggestions. The winner is the
Brink Maxfire! Just picked one up yesterday. It
was just too tempting at $16.99 at Target, and
what output this light has! Surpasses the E2e I
bought for my father for Critimus last year. Other
than the fact that there is no lockout and it takes
CR123's it has everything I would have wanted for
this flashlight application. Both those quote/unquote
"limitations" are easily rectified.

Now all I need is a spare bulb and perhaps a trip to
the Battery Station for a box of "blues" and I'm all
set.

MB