Posted: 10/29/2009 6:39:10 PM EDT
| I know there is a lights section under the AR heading, but I am looking for more of an all around type light. I need a good flashlight for work, recreation, camping and possible use as a weapon light. I had a mini-mag 2AA led that I liked, but the dust seemed to cause contact problems and it no longer works at all. The led version is expensive enough that I have been looking at a Surefire Nitrolon, or a Fenix. I need a light that can take temp. extremes, soaking and dust. AA battery versions are a plus for convenience unless one of the other types provides a large performance advantage. Give me some pros and cons as well as other options. |
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Here are a couple of links for you to poke around on.
Fenix AAA lights Fenix CR123 lights |
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This is my thread in the survival gear forum. I have a slight addiction problem. You will find lots of great options in that thread.
be kind |
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The Fenix lights are top notch, so are surefire. Once you get that kind of light output in a compact package, you will be spoiled for any other kind of light.
IF you are considering trying to use rechargeable CR123's in any way, plan for this up front as many CR123 devouring flashlights wont work in any rechargeable configuration, so do your homework up front. My fav in this size/shape is my Fenix T1, 225 lumens/60 lumens low power mode, runs for 10 hours on low power, 1 hr high power, and will take 3.7v Rechargeables. |
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I firmly believe that the SureFire LX2 is the best handheld light made.
LED with high beam of 200 lumens and low of 15. With the two stage tailcap you can access the high beam or the low beam whenever you want: you're not locked out of the high within 2 seconds of previously using the high beam. You have access to the low beam without tapping the high beam first. You can toggle between the two. It's the best flashlight I have ever seen. I'm looking forward to the single-battery version, LX1, coming out. |
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The little 1xAAA Fenix LDO1 is excellent. VERY compact, as in keychain compact, yet versatile. I love mine.
I bought several lights at dealextreme.com, I like they high rated single 123 and AA ones. The Akoray AA is very well made, its powerful, and if you want high lumen output you can use 14500 batteries on it. NIce. The nice thing is that you can get a couple well made flashlights for half the price of a Fenix. FerFAL |
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If I had to have only one light it would be the Fenix TK-40. Little amount of light for a long period of time all the way to fry the retinas using 8 AA rechargeable batteries. Of course you got the strobe feature at the high end. Maybe I get to use it tonight on the trick or treaters!!
Find some way to use a car inverter to recharge your AAs and you are good. Size of 2 D Maglight with the power of a car head lamp. |
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+1 for the Surefire G2 LED. I have 3, one of them is rechargable that I use nightly. Run time on the rechargables are not great, but I also won't go through batteries much, and can always re-charge them at home or in the car. 1 in BOB, 1 in vehicle.
Any ideas on how to secure the G2 to something, like make a lanyard? |
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Checkout the selections from Nitecore. I picked up a 2aa model that was around $50, and I like it better than my $150 Surefire E1B. The 2aa d20 has to be the worst of the Nitecore line. The d10 is much nicer and less quirky. I have not tried the E1b out. At work I use a Fenix L2D. It is just darn easy to live with in the nylon sheath. At home I alternate between various 2x123 lights that fit in the ruler pocket of my Carhartt's. |
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This
My EDC that relaced my Surefire E1. It's bright and has 3 modes - just about as bright as my G2 LED - but smaller and only uses 1 CR123A. Hard to beat for <$15. |
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http://www.bugoutgearusa.com/jemi.html I've uses the heck out of mine and it never fails...I'm running a rechargeable lithium in mine. |
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The Surefire G2 mentioned above is indeed an excellent weaponlight. I own one and wouldn't hesitate buying more.
Having said that it would not even come close to being my first choice for a general purpose hand-held utility light. I know what Surefire states is the max runtime on the batteries but I have to wonder weither the light would overheat before then. On a hand-held utility light I want to be able to adjust the output on a light that I will be using for various tasks and amounts of time. On a weaponlight I want simplicity, robustness and the ability to turn it on "scorch" mode right away. YMMV |
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surefire G2 led. 80 lumens, 12 hr battery life. nothing else i've found comes close to having both. i have two that i use as weapon lights, 12ga and 5.56. G2 is a hell of a light, but look to pay around $2 a battery  . The OP mentioned AA's, and there are plenty of AA lights that are quite capable without the cost of CR123s.
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Fenix LD01 is awesome for AA and $ 41.00. +1 for Fenix. Awesome lights. The Fenix LD20 seems like it would be a good fit, 180 lumens is pretty impressive out of 2 AA's. It has multiple modes to fit your needs (I keep mine on high, not turbo). Or for the ultimate in AA flashlights, the Fenix TK40 is an absolute beast and puts a smile on your face every time you turn it on. Its a bit bulky for everyday use though 
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surefire G2 led. 80 lumens, 12 hr battery life. nothing else i've found comes close to having both. i have two that i use as weapon lights, 12ga and 5.56. G2 is a hell of a light, but look to pay around $2 a battery . The OP mentioned AA's, and there are plenty of AA lights that are quite capable without the cost of CR123s.
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Fenix LD01 is awesome for AA and $ 41.00. +1 for Fenix. Awesome lights. The Fenix LD20 seems like it would be a good fit, 180 lumens is pretty impressive out of 2 AA's. It has multiple modes to fit your needs (I keep mine on high, not turbo). Or for the ultimate in AA flashlights, the Fenix TK40 is an absolute beast and puts a smile on your face every time you turn it on. Its a bit bulky for everyday use though I just thought I should mention that $2 a piece for 123 batteries is about the same for Lithium AA's. If you look at the run time differences, the price is pretty competitive between the different types of batteries. The 123 lights usually put out more lumens because of the higher voltage and they run longer on average. I have lights in both sizes that perform very well. AA's are nice if you are not a addict like me.
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surefire G2 led. 80 lumens, 12 hr battery life. nothing else i've found comes close to having both. i have two that i use as weapon lights, 12ga and 5.56. G2 is a hell of a light, but look to pay around $2 a battery . The OP mentioned AA's, and there are plenty of AA lights that are quite capable without the cost of CR123s.
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Fenix LD01 is awesome for AA and $ 41.00. +1 for Fenix. Awesome lights. The Fenix LD20 seems like it would be a good fit, 180 lumens is pretty impressive out of 2 AA's. It has multiple modes to fit your needs (I keep mine on high, not turbo). Or for the ultimate in AA flashlights, the Fenix TK40 is an absolute beast and puts a smile on your face every time you turn it on. Its a bit bulky for everyday use though I just thought I should mention that $2 a piece for 123 batteries is about the same for Lithium AA's. If you look at the run time differences, the price is pretty competitive between the different types of batteries. The 123 lights usually put out more lumens because of the higher voltage and they run longer on average. I have lights in both sizes that perform very well. AA's are nice if you are not a addict like me. I agree that CR123's (and lithium AA's for that matter) put out more light. My weapons lights have 123's. For AA's though, especially for everyday use, I can't see spending that much. Personally, I use Kirkland AA's, which are much cheaper and seem to put out good light from my Fenix's (Admittedly less power than a lithium, but a quarter of the price). My TK40 puts out A LOT more light than my G2/6P with a 120 lumen bulb (not even comparable the TK40 obliterates the G2/6P), yet is the same cost to replace the batteries. I'm just not sold on the CR123, the batteries are expensive and a pain to buy. It seems to me that 1xCR123 will always be outclassed by 2xAA (even with non lithium normals like a kirkland or a duracell), and still be half the price of a CR123. I know that we are now comparing one cell to two cells, but still half the price. Of course size is a factor because the 2xAA is now bigger than a 1xCR123. This is just my latest thought process on the whole thing. What do you think? I know you are much deeper into the whole flashlight scene to me, so does my theory make sense? |
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surefire G2 led. 80 lumens, 12 hr battery life. nothing else i've found comes close to having both. i have two that i use as weapon lights, 12ga and 5.56. G2 is a hell of a light, but look to pay around $2 a battery . The OP mentioned AA's, and there are plenty of AA lights that are quite capable without the cost of CR123s.
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Fenix LD01 is awesome for AA and $ 41.00. +1 for Fenix. Awesome lights. The Fenix LD20 seems like it would be a good fit, 180 lumens is pretty impressive out of 2 AA's. It has multiple modes to fit your needs (I keep mine on high, not turbo). Or for the ultimate in AA flashlights, the Fenix TK40 is an absolute beast and puts a smile on your face every time you turn it on. Its a bit bulky for everyday use though I just thought I should mention that $2 a piece for 123 batteries is about the same for Lithium AA's. If you look at the run time differences, the price is pretty competitive between the different types of batteries. The 123 lights usually put out more lumens because of the higher voltage and they run longer on average. I have lights in both sizes that perform very well. AA's are nice if you are not a addict like me. I agree that CR123's (and lithium AA's for that matter) put out more light. My weapons lights have 123's. For AA's though, especially for everyday use, I can't see spending that much. Personally, I use Kirkland AA's, which are much cheaper and seem to put out good light from my Fenix's (Admittedly less power than a lithium, but a quarter of the price). My TK40 puts out A LOT more light than my G2/6P with a 120 lumen bulb (not even comparable the TK40 obliterates the G2/6P), yet is the same cost to replace the batteries. I'm just not sold on the CR123, the batteries are expensive and a pain to buy. It seems to me that 1xCR123 will always be outclassed by 2xAA (even with non lithium normals like a kirkland or a duracell), and still be half the price of a CR123. I know that we are now comparing one cell to two cells, but still half the price. Of course size is a factor because the 2xAA is now bigger than a 1xCR123. This is just my latest thought process on the whole thing. What do you think? I know you are much deeper into the whole flashlight scene to me, so does my theory make sense? I have never done a strict analysis on this. I would have to say that if you figure the cost per lumen per hour you will find that a single cell AA will cost only slightly less than the single 123. Without the proper testing equipment it would be hard to get real numbers. I do know the difference is getting less and less with the very high performance LED's in the new AA lights. I haven't bought an alkaline battery in years because the lithiums run much longer. My work lights in AA were running 6 months or more on one $1.67 battery. Price is hard to figure for the half dozen times I would have changed that battery at $0.63. I know I don't have all the answers so I say get both! 
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I'm just not sold on the CR123, the batteries are expensive and a pain to buy. It seems to me that 1xCR123 will always be outclassed by 2xAA (even with non lithium normals like a kirkland or a duracell), and still be half the price of a CR123. Most of the good single CR123 LED flashlights are dimmable - and you rarely need the full 180+ lumens. Operated at 60-120 lumens, a single CR123 cell lasts a long, LONG time, even when used dozens of times every day. I've replaced the CR123 in my Fenix P2D twice, in over a year and a half of service - and it gets used many times each day. IMO, the much smaller size of a single CR123 light is well worth the extra $1.00 per year in battery cost. |
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My EDC is a Fenix LD20. I highly recommend it.
ETA: I see some of you are talking about battery life. I use eneloop rechargeable batteries. I use my light every night and the batteries last me at least a week before I swap for freshly charged batteries. The eneloop is the best rechargeable IMO and many others agree. For very good info on lights and batteries go here Here is forum all about flashlights. CPF They are as crazy about lights and batteries as we are here about firearms. Hope this helps. |
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I just wanted to mention that in addition to the Surefire and Fenix and Nitecore and Olight brands, 4Sevens.com has developed its own brand of flashlights.
The Quarks are a series of lights that can be had in a number of different configurations including tactical and non-tactical tailcaps, one and two AA and CR123 battery tubes, the option of an angle head accessory for standard heads, and then there are the turboheads. These have the advantage of the newest and brightest led technology available. They are stupidly bright for something you can hide in your fist. |
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Surefire E1B is a hell of a light. It's my everyday carry light. They're bombproof, but surefires simply lack the runtime needed for a utility light. I'll burn through CR123's for work lights (weapon lights, hand helds), but not for just lighting stuff up. I'm partial to the Princeton Tec lights; they're waterproof, affordable, light, bright enough, and the batteries will last for a long, long time due to LED bulbs. Changing batteries is a 2-3 times a year thing. For utility purposes you're also going to want a headlamp... I really like the Petzl tac-tikka w/ 4 LEDs But, since we're on the topic - Is there any good combination out there of rechargable CR123's, a solar charger, and a good quality CR123 flashlight? I really need to get one for work. |
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Surefire E1B is a hell of a light. It's my everyday carry light. They're bombproof, but surefires simply lack the runtime needed for a utility light. I'll burn through CR123's for work lights (weapon lights, hand helds), but not for just lighting stuff up. I'm partial to the Princeton Tec lights; they're waterproof, affordable, light, bright enough, and the batteries will last for a long, long time due to LED bulbs. Changing batteries is a 2-3 times a year thing. For utility purposes you're also going to want a headlamp... I really like the Petzl tac-tikka w/ 4 LEDs But, since we're on the topic - Is there any good combination out there of rechargable CR123's, a solar charger, and a good quality CR123 flashlight? I really need to get one for work. I have a Princeton Tec Attitude, that I paid 12 bucks for. The battery life is insanely long, and it weighs nothing. I could probably break it jumping up and down on it but for $12 I wouldn't shed a tear and would go buy another. |
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Surefire E1B is a hell of a light. It's my everyday carry light. They're bombproof, but surefires simply lack the runtime needed for a utility light. I'll burn through CR123's for work lights (weapon lights, hand helds), but not for just lighting stuff up. I'm partial to the Princeton Tec lights; they're waterproof, affordable, light, bright enough, and the batteries will last for a long, long time due to LED bulbs. Changing batteries is a 2-3 times a year thing. For utility purposes you're also going to want a headlamp... I really like the Petzl tac-tikka w/ 4 LEDs But, since we're on the topic - Is there any good combination out there of rechargable CR123's, a solar charger, and a good quality CR123 flashlight? I really need to get one for work. I have a Princeton Tec Attitude, that I paid 12 bucks for. The battery life is insanely long, and it weighs nothing. I could probably break it jumping up and down on it but for $12 I wouldn't shed a tear and would go buy another. I have a high opinion of those lights as well. Durable and they perform well for the price. I worked through several of those on my way to where I am. Gave them away as I got better lights. My old girlfriend still has the one I bought her. |
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iTP Light A3 EOS Upgrade Edition AAA LED Flashlight - $20.50 at goinggear.com. It's smaller than my little finger but throws 65 lumen. Fits in my watch pocket and I forget its there.
I got one for myself and then went back and got several for Christmas gifts. Google them for the reviews. |
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By far my favorite compact light:
http://www.coastportland.com/product.php?prodid=263&prodnums=¿934¡268¡264¡263¡260¿&mastCat=1&catid=8 |