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Extremely bright handheldlights - any feedback or reviews or recommendations?
3/10/2012 9:00:44 PM
I'm looking for an incredibly bright handheld flashlight. Something that will light up a 100/200 yard field with extreme prejudice. I'm willing to spend up to $300 to do it as it's long been an itch in my BRD to own one.
Seems the Surefire M3LT-S has a 400 lumen beam....I own a Primary Arms UWL (380 lumens?) Any feedback from others who populate this fine tecnically unique forum? What about other brands? Streamlight? Fenix? Or?
Thanks! The Fenix TK70 looks like a real torcher at 2200 lumens.
I was about to click "buy" but paused and figured I'd check here first.
Seems the Surefire M3LT-S has a 400 lumen beam....I own a Primary Arms UWL (380 lumens?) Any feedback from others who populate this fine tecnically unique forum? What about other brands? Streamlight? Fenix? Or?
Thanks! The Fenix TK70 looks like a real torcher at 2200 lumens.
I was about to click "buy" but paused and figured I'd check here first.
3/11/2012 2:03:34 PM
Take a look at 4Sevens' maelstrom line. Some of them are weapon-mounted, but if you just want handheld, go with these:
1200 lumen, $259
800 lumen, $149
640 lumen, $119
Fenix lights are generally pretty good, but I prefer 4Sevens for a few reasons. I think Fenix now uses ANSI lumens, but they used to be a bit generous with their measurements. 4Sevens also has a 10 year warranty versus Fenix's 2 year. 4Sevens is based in the USA (lights made in China, of course), and their CS obviously speaks very good english and is very easy to reach. You could even email the CEO if you really wanted to, but I don't think you'd need to.
1200 lumen, $259
800 lumen, $149
640 lumen, $119
Fenix lights are generally pretty good, but I prefer 4Sevens for a few reasons. I think Fenix now uses ANSI lumens, but they used to be a bit generous with their measurements. 4Sevens also has a 10 year warranty versus Fenix's 2 year. 4Sevens is based in the USA (lights made in China, of course), and their CS obviously speaks very good english and is very easy to reach. You could even email the CEO if you really wanted to, but I don't think you'd need to.
3/11/2012 5:03:37 PM
JetBeam Raptor RRT-3 XM-L 1950 Lumens
You can get a weapon mount for it or attach a carry handle to it plus you change modes via a control dial instead of clicking the tail switch.
You can get a weapon mount for it or attach a carry handle to it plus you change modes via a control dial instead of clicking the tail switch.
3/11/2012 9:07:30 PM
Just confirming this is a handheld and not a weaponlight?
3/11/2012 9:13:38 PM
lumen has a little to do with it... but if you have a 400 lum light doesn't mean it will reach out longer than a 250 lum light.....
if you want to project a beam you need something with a deep cone
selpharms.com has one
and so does elusive wildlife...
I own one from selph and it gets out to 100 easy... and its cheap, and works great...
not saying buy that one but look at how deep the cone is...that is what helps project the light
it pushes out ALOT further than my 200 lum surfire scout or my stream light once again both have shallow cones
if you want to project a beam you need something with a deep cone
selpharms.com has one
and so does elusive wildlife...
I own one from selph and it gets out to 100 easy... and its cheap, and works great...
not saying buy that one but look at how deep the cone is...that is what helps project the light
it pushes out ALOT further than my 200 lum surfire scout or my stream light once again both have shallow cones
3/11/2012 10:30:02 PM
Originally Posted By Fooboy:
Just confirming this is a handheld and not a weaponlight?
Just confirming this is a handheld and not a weaponlight?
Yes, primarily a handheld. Having the option to attach it to a weapon would be nice, but is in no way a must. I'm really looking for performance 50-200 yards.
3/11/2012 10:40:20 PM
IMO I'd get a good ole Q Beam
and sock the savings
eta
3 CREE X-Lamp LED bulbs, 600 lumens, 315 meter beam distance, 12 hour run time on high mode, AC adaptor, ABS plastic housing, high, low and red settings. Color: red / tan
$50 dollar range or less
and sock the savings
eta
3 CREE X-Lamp LED bulbs, 600 lumens, 315 meter beam distance, 12 hour run time on high mode, AC adaptor, ABS plastic housing, high, low and red settings. Color: red / tan
$50 dollar range or less
3/12/2012 4:29:29 PM
I dropped a 600 lumen TNVC head on a cheap, lightweight G2 surefire body and bolted that into a Larue QD mount. That head does a nice job of "throwing" the light, still offers good "spill" and with the QD it can be weapon mounted or handheld. I'm in a psudeo-rural area on the edge of town, mostly wooded, and outdoors it's fantastic. I don't think you'd have a problem out to 200 yards. The G2 comes with a momentary only tail cap. Perfect for an outdoors weapon light IMHO.
Now for the downside: G2's are single mode so you get the full 600 lumens or nothing. Indoors 600 lumen is way too much. Even if I point the light at the floor and use the "splash", it is still far too bright for me (eyes adjusted to the dark or not).
Second, I've become a snob for things that run on AA's. Due to limitations of voltage, you won't find a ton of lights as bright as you're looking for that run on AA's, but there are a few. Mine ain't one of 'em (two 123's). That said, I get a little more than an hour of useable light (71 minutes according to TNVC), which is average or slightly better for a light in this category from my resarch. In my totally unscientiffic tests, the light only drops off after an hour or so, so I get an hour of the full 600. The drop off doesn't seem bad either. I'm guessing the last 10 minutes is still giving me 300 or so.
Third, my 600 lumens just aren't as bright as I thought they would be. I've A/B'd it against a little 160 lumen Streamlight TLR2s, and while the difference is definitely there, it just isn't as dramatic as I thought it was going to be. I feel like I could ID a target just the same at distance with either. I think "throw" is the biggest factor here as both lights were designed with a certain amount in mind. Reflector shape has become more important to me than the lumen count. My TNVC light is powerful enough to "throw" the light but I think sort of does it by brute force. It has a deep'ish reflector, but it is also an "orange peel" textured reflector to help create more spill. The little Streamlight on the other hand has a deep and polished reflector.
My next light will be a "thrower" that runs on AA's with at least a high/low mode option, and I would want the high/low to be accessible without having to use the tail cap. Now that I've had a 600 lumen light, as long as the light "throws" well, I think 300-400 lumen is about all I would ever want or need.
3/12/2012 10:32:30 PM
Interesting points re: throw vs lumens.
My end game (revised) is to have a handheld light turn a coyote translucent across a 150 field behind my house. I'd like a 20-30 foot FOV ideally.
My end game (revised) is to have a handheld light turn a coyote translucent across a 150 field behind my house. I'd like a 20-30 foot FOV ideally.
3/12/2012 10:41:13 PM
DEFT
Go over to candlepower forums and prepare yourself to learn. CPF is the ARFCOM of lighting.
Go over to candlepower forums and prepare yourself to learn. CPF is the ARFCOM of lighting.
3/12/2012 10:42:53 PM
Originally Posted By zoe17:
DEFT
Go over to candlepower forums and prepare yourself to learn. CPF is the ARFCOM of lighting.
DEFT
Go over to candlepower forums and prepare yourself to learn. CPF is the ARFCOM of lighting.
I was afraid someone would link me to a higher power!
3/12/2012 10:56:57 PM
Originally Posted By Hokie:
I was afraid someone would link me to a higher power!
Originally Posted By zoe17:
DEFT
Go over to candlepower forums and prepare yourself to learn. CPF is the ARFCOM of lighting.
DEFT
Go over to candlepower forums and prepare yourself to learn. CPF is the ARFCOM of lighting.
I was afraid someone would link me to a higher power!
Nail Bender can fit thing in light bodies and burn retinas.
3/13/2012 9:27:29 AM
Originally Posted By zoe17:
DEFT
Go over to candlepower forums and prepare yourself to learn. CPF is the ARFCOM of lighting.
DEFT
Go over to candlepower forums and prepare yourself to learn. CPF is the ARFCOM of lighting.
+1 on that! That place is just as crazy about their toys as we are. Tons of great info.
Also, after my reply yesterday curiosity got the best of me and I started doing a little research. Of all the lights I found, this one looked really interesting: EagleTac G25C2 770 lumen
3/13/2012 9:36:54 AM
I've got a Fenix TK70 and an NiteCore Tiny Monster that will both light up daylight to 600+ yards, way way better than having two automobile headlamps and a twelve-volt 700 amp battery in one hand!
But my favorites are the Olight M3-X for long range night torches, the Fenix TK35 is one of my favorite night blasters too.
But my favorites are the Olight M3-X for long range night torches, the Fenix TK35 is one of my favorite night blasters too.
3/13/2012 11:09:20 AM
I just got a Klarus XT11 600 Lumen handheld light. It is amazing. It will throw all the way down my street, roughly 150 yards. It also has a nice and easy to use strobe feature.
3/13/2012 11:13:24 AM
3/13/2012 11:57:36 AM
The Klarus XT-20 makes an awesome dual CREE XM-L 1,200 lumen night burner too!
3/14/2012 9:59:59 PM
Originally Posted By zoe17:
DEFT
Go over to candlepower forums and prepare yourself to learn. CPF is the ARFCOM of lighting.
DEFT
Go over to candlepower forums and prepare yourself to learn. CPF is the ARFCOM of lighting.
That exactly what i did awhile back and now i have more lights than ARs
As far as a good torch..the ThruNite TN11 throws good and has a nice spill.Its what i prefer to use when im out calling yotes.Sunwayman T20CS,Armytek Viking X or Predator are also superb lights.
3/15/2012 11:12:31 AM
For a "thrower" it's hard to beat the Fenix TK41, not much flood (if ANY) but it will reach out there. BTW, do NOT get the earlier TK40, it's not even in the same class.
If you don't care about weight, NOTHING beats the Olight SR90 for throw at 2200 retina frying Lumens.
Good HID lights are higher priced but that is a quantum leap in brightness.
If you don't care about weight, NOTHING beats the Olight SR90 for throw at 2200 retina frying Lumens.
Good HID lights are higher priced but that is a quantum leap in brightness.
3/15/2012 11:18:29 AM
Originally Posted By c0nspire:
I dropped a 600 lumen TNVC head on a cheap, lightweight G2 surefire body and bolted that into a Larue QD mount. That head does a nice job of "throwing" the light, still offers good "spill" and with the QD it can be weapon mounted or handheld. I'm in a psudeo-rural area on the edge of town, mostly wooded, and outdoors it's fantastic. I don't think you'd have a problem out to 200 yards. The G2 comes with a momentary only tail cap. Perfect for an outdoors weapon light IMHO.
Now for the downside: G2's are single mode so you get the full 600 lumens or nothing. Indoors 600 lumen is way too much. Even if I point the light at the floor and use the "splash", it is still far too bright for me (eyes adjusted to the dark or not).
Second, I've become a snob for things that run on AA's. Due to limitations of voltage, you won't find a ton of lights as bright as you're looking for that run on AA's, but there are a few. Mine ain't one of 'em (two 123's). That said, I get a little more than an hour of useable light (71 minutes according to TNVC), which is average or slightly better for a light in this category from my resarch. In my totally unscientiffic tests, the light only drops off after an hour or so, so I get an hour of the full 600. The drop off doesn't seem bad either. I'm guessing the last 10 minutes is still giving me 300 or so.
Third, my 600 lumens just aren't as bright as I thought they would be. I've A/B'd it against a little 160 lumen Streamlight TLR2s, and while the difference is definitely there, it just isn't as dramatic as I thought it was going to be. I feel like I could ID a target just the same at distance with either. I think "throw" is the biggest factor here as both lights were designed with a certain amount in mind. Reflector shape has become more important to me than the lumen count. My TNVC light is powerful enough to "throw" the light but I think sort of does it by brute force. It has a deep'ish reflector, but it is also an "orange peel" textured reflector to help create more spill. The little Streamlight on the other hand has a deep and polished reflector.
My next light will be a "thrower" that runs on AA's with at least a high/low mode option, and I would want the high/low to be accessible without having to use the tail cap. Now that I've had a 600 lumen light, as long as the light "throws" well, I think 300-400 lumen is about all I would ever want or need.
You make a DAMN good point on throw vs Lumens. I have a Wicked Lasers "The Torch" at 4100 lumens, it's great for setting things on fire (NOT joking). But frankly it sucks! It won't illuminate a building 100 yards away.
