[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Flashlight advice needed.... (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 3/22/2014 3:25:52 PM EDT
| Looking for something pocket size, bright as humanly possible for its size.. What options do I have? |
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Fenix PD35
850 lumens on Turbo. Great value for the price. PD35 |
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Surefire EB2 (2 battery Backup, 123 Lithium is the only serious way to go) about 6 inches long, clips into front pocket, 500 Lumens. Surefire EB1, (single battery, 123 Lithium, Backup), about 4 inches, 200 Lumens. For your cargo pocket - Nitecore SRT7, 2 batteries, 123 Lithium,, about 6 inches but thicker than Surefires and bigger head, 1000 Lumens. I have been playing flashlights since before Surefire had any LEDs. We used to marvel at 65 to 120 lumens in your pocket. THESE ARE the good old days. The LEDs amaze me.
Eb2 about $165 EB1 about $120? Nitecore SRT7 about $85 |
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I just ordered a 900 lumen new model from Fenix. $44.95 with free shipping, runs on two CR123's or one 18650 rechargeable. Anyone who knows flashlights will attest for Fenix quality and durability.
Fenix E35UE Features •Cree XM-L2 U2 LED with a lifespan of 50,000 •Maximum lumen output of 900 •4 Brightness Levels: ?Burst - 900 Lumens ?High - 360 Lumens - 3 hr. ?Mid - 120 Lumens - 11 hr. ?Low - 10 Lumens - 140 hr. •Maximum beam distance: 156 meters •Waterproof to IPX-8 standard |
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I've spent years and many hundreds of dollars trying to find the perfect EDC flashlight. (NOTE: this is NOT to be interpreted as the perfect tactical light... I'm talking a light as a tool, not as a defensive weapon.) Last fall my search ended with the purchase of a FourSevens Mini MLR2. http://www.foursevens.com/products/MLR2-AE 216 lumens on high, 4 on low. Strobe, SOS, Beacon modes available. It tail stands. So small it is literally a pocket flashlight. Here's a pic of it next to my Victorinox Classic for size comparison.  |
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I concur. It's my EDC. |
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Cree is a diode manufacturer. They don't make flashlights Quoted:
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Look at the Crees. Every bit as good as the big name, big price lights but for a fraction of the cost. Cree is a diode manufacturer. They don't make flashlights You sure about that?? Cause those, as well as the Cree I personally own, would like to differ.. |
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They're great but you need a 14500 battery to get the best brightness. Regular AA's don't cut it. Can't beat them for the price. Quoted:
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What about the 300 lumen three dollar Amazon jobs??? Any good? They're great but you need a 14500 battery to get the best brightness. Regular AA's don't cut it. Can't beat them for the price. This guy gets it. |
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You sure about that?? Cause those, as well as the Cree I personally own, would like to differ.. Quoted:
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Look at the Crees. Every bit as good as the big name, big price lights but for a fraction of the cost. Cree is a diode manufacturer. They don't make flashlights You sure about that?? Cause those, as well as the Cree I personally own, would like to differ.. He is right, cree makes LEDs, not lights. Just like how Bosch makes bulbs, not cars. Cree does make some household LED bulbs though. I recommend Solarforce lights. 90% the quality of Surefire at 20% the price. |
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came to post this. Have one as my EDC light. Bought it about six months ago as an upgrade to the pd30 that i carried daily for almost two years. great light |
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Quoted: What about the 300 lumen three dollar Amazon jobs??? Any good? |
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I've spent years and many hundreds of dollars trying to find the perfect EDC flashlight. (NOTE: this is NOT to be interpreted as the perfect tactical light... I'm talking a light as a tool, not as a defensive weapon.)Last fall my search ended with the purchase of a FourSevens Mini MLR2. http://www.foursevens.com/products/MLR2-AE 216 lumens on high, 4 on low. Strobe, SOS, Beacon modes available. It tail stands. So small it is literally a pocket flashlight. Here's a pic of it next to my Victorinox Classic for size comparison. <a href="http://s13.photobucket.com/user/MikeSlisher/media/photo_zps166d9a8b.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a251/MikeSlisher/photo_zps166d9a8b.jpg</a> This four sevens makes awesome lights for the money. |
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I came here to say this. I have one. Three other guys I work with have bought one since I bought mine. Freaking amazing. |
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The Amazon $5 Cree branded lights are OK if you don't absolutely have to depend on them. I've never had one die.
I daily carry a Surefire E1B Backup Fenix or Streamlight both have brighter options for less money in the same package size (single CR123) If you are on a budget, try the cheap one. If you like it, and you will, you will be amazed how often an EDC light really gets used. Tons of dark spaces, even in well lit environments. You can decide if you want longer battery life, more light, both, or whatever. If you've never carried a good light before, you may as well not busting the bank getting used to having one, especially finding out you don't like it. |
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I've been carrying a Streamlight Protac 1L now for >4 years.
My first light lasted 4 years before the tail cap stopped working and Streamlight sent me a new light free of charge. 
It's truly pocket size, is programmable, runs on CR123As and puts out 110 lumens for nearly 1.75 hours. Light |
| I just switched from a Fenix PD32UE to a Nitecore P12 throwing 950 lumens. I've been half tempted to upgrade to the Fenix PD35 for months but wanted to hold off to see who breaks the 1000 lumen mark with an 18650. I couldn't take it anymore when I came across the Nitecore P12. I now like the Nitecore better, not just for the lumens, but for the tail cap stand feature and non-crenulated bezel. |
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The nice thing about Fenix is that they keep making new lights. It's nice to see that they are trying to stay up with the market.
They might not be as "bombproof" as Surefire is known to be, but I can't afford all the big Surefire lights and the Fenix lights do what I need them too. I have the TK22, TK35 and PD32. I plan on getting a PD35 and TK75 next. For a very small pocket light I have a Streamlight Protac 1L. I would have gone with another Fenix but I had a Bass Pro gift card I needed to burn. |
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Some of you have "nice little" 100 or 200 lumen flashlights, but did not comprehend the OPs request for "bright as humanly possible for it's size". I know "pocketable" varies from person to person. Please beat Surefire EB1, 200 lumens, 4 inches, SF EB2 500 Lumens, 6 inches, Fenix PD 35, 850 Lumens, 6 inches ?, or Nitecore SRT 7, 960 lumens, 6 inches.
Instead of a SF EB1, I carry a Jetbeam BC10 at 270 Lumens on a primary 123 battery, and about 3.5 inches in length. There are a few flashlights that short (Nitecore) that run up to 550 lumens on a rechargable battery. I greatly prefer primary batteries over rechargable, because they are more likely to be with you in numbers than rechargables. How many of you rechargable guys carry a fully charged extra battery with you? |
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Quoted:
Some of you have "nice little" 100 or 200 lumen flashlights, but did not comprehend the OPs request for "bright as humanly possible for it's size". I know "pocketable" varies from person to person. Please beat Surefire EB1, 200 lumens, 4 inches, SF EB2 500 Lumens, 6 inches, Fenix PD 12, 850 Lumens, 6 inches ?, or Nitecore SRT 7, 960 lumens, 6 inches. I also greatly prefer primary batteries over rechargable, because they are more likely to be with you in numbers than rechargables. How many of you rechargable guys carry a fully charged extra battery with you? All my Fenix lights run off 18650 or CR123s. I have a stockpile of CR123, so no matter what, I have plenty of backup batteries at home, in my truck, in my pack or in my luggage depending on what I"m doing and where I am. |
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I carry a Sunwayman m11r as an EDC - it is something on the order of 180 lumens. It is a good light but sometimes a bit finicky.
On the other hand, I have a Surefire E2D led that is dead nuts reliable. It's not the brightest, but it works exactly as it should every single time. |
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Quoted:
I've been carrying a Streamlight Protac 1L now for >4 years. My first light lasted 4 years before the tail cap stopped working and Streamlight sent me a new light free of charge. <a href="https://imageshack.com/i/mr0qvoj" target="_blank">http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/819/0qvo.jpg</a> It's truly pocket size, is programmable, runs on CR123As and puts out 110 lumens for nearly 1.75 hours. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003GXF9MW/?tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=43856938169&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5077088334877385240&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_1rlotp2b0c_b How is the beam pattern on your PT1L? I've got an 3 year old model and I don't care for the beam. It has a nice hot spot but its surrounded by rings like an old Maglight. |
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Fenix PD22 is my edc.
The Fenix PD35 is my larger light I wear on a belt when I'm hunting. |
