Posted: 7/27/2015 9:07:05 PM EDT
| I need a new flashlight. Needs to be rechargeable in the truck. I have used Streamlight stingers, (gives you an idea of size I'm looking for) they are ok, hold up pretty well. Just wondering if there is something better out there that I don't know about. Would like it to be in the $100 range. Use is looking for bugs, needs to fit in my back pocket, not all day, just while on a job. Should be pretty durable, but I'm not that tough on my equipment. Thanks! |
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I need a new flashlight. Needs to be rechargeable in the truck. I have used Streamlight stingers, (gives you an idea of size I'm looking for) they are ok, hold up pretty well. Just wondering if there is something better out there that I don't know about. Would like it to be in the $100 range. Use is looking for bugs, needs to fit in my back pocket, not all day, just while on a job. Should be pretty durable, but I'm not that tough on my equipment. Thanks! Fenix UC35 Olight S30R II Nitecore MH12 I'm not a huge fan of rechargeable lights because I wonder how good the charger is that they use, since it's gotta be quite small. I do, however, recognize that they are pretty convenient for people who don't want to 'anal-ize' over this stuff. Chris |
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Fenix UC35 Olight S30R II Nitecore MH12 I'm not a huge fan of rechargeable lights because I wonder how good the charger is that they use, since it's gotta be quite small. I do, however, recognize that they are pretty convenient for people who don't want to 'anal-ize' over this stuff. Chris Quoted:
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I need a new flashlight. Needs to be rechargeable in the truck. I have used Streamlight stingers, (gives you an idea of size I'm looking for) they are ok, hold up pretty well. Just wondering if there is something better out there that I don't know about. Would like it to be in the $100 range. Use is looking for bugs, needs to fit in my back pocket, not all day, just while on a job. Should be pretty durable, but I'm not that tough on my equipment. Thanks! Fenix UC35 Olight S30R II Nitecore MH12 I'm not a huge fan of rechargeable lights because I wonder how good the charger is that they use, since it's gotta be quite small. I do, however, recognize that they are pretty convenient for people who don't want to 'anal-ize' over this stuff. Chris I have a larger rechargeable Fenix and it's great. |
| I use a Fenix PD35, similar to the UC35 listed above, at my job. I use and carry it all day every day and it is an awesome light. You said you don't need durable but the Fenix lights are very tough lights. Mine uses rechargeable 18650 batteries and having a couple on hand is all one would need. Can also use two CR123A in a pinch. One 18650 battery will last me 2-3 weeks of constant use. 960 lumens on burst mode if needed. I love mine. |
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Since the OP is a StreamLight user, here is the ProTac 18650 HD USB light:
ProTac HD USB light... I think that the key is to buy a light that doesn't run on a proprietary cell, that costs more than the $10-$14 that a quality and protected 18650 cell, sells for today. Chris |
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I have a couple dozen high lumen flashlights. My EDC ones tend to be my smaller Fenix lights. They are strong, waterproof, and I get long battery life out of them. I have a Fenix PD32UE on my belt right now and also carry a Fenix 35UE often (both of those are in the 700-900 lumen range on high, but they have lower settings as well). I tend to grab them first. |
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Dont buy a Solarforce is all I can say. Biggest piece of shit I've ever had for a light. Something like the SolarForce L2P is pretty well regarded. What model do you have and what was wrong with it? The body is generally well machined, with a forward clicky switch and you just add any P60 drop-in you want. Chris |
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Something like the SolarForce L2P is pretty well regarded. What model do you have and what was wrong with it? The body is generally well machined, with a forward clicky switch and you just add any P60 drop-in you want. Chris Quoted:
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Dont buy a Solarforce is all I can say. Biggest piece of shit I've ever had for a light. Something like the SolarForce L2P is pretty well regarded. What model do you have and what was wrong with it? The body is generally well machined, with a forward clicky switch and you just add any P60 drop-in you want. Chris L2 and T1. Impossible to change output via the switch. Always stuck in low mode. I can see one lemon, but 2? Wont buy them and damn sure wont recommend them. Theres just too many other not-janky lights in the marketplace to take a gamble on a cheap piece of shit. |
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L2 and T1. Impossible to change output via the switch. Always stuck in low mode. I can see one lemon, but 2? Wont buy them and damn sure wont recommend them. Theres just too many other not-janky lights in the marketplace to take a gamble on a cheap piece of shit. Well, they are inexpensive and I can understand your sourness. I almost bought the L2P, but ended up just upgrading my SureFire 6P, with a Redilast 3 mode P60 and 17670 li-ion. Even with $76 spent, it still sits in the draw...but at least it works. Chris |
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something with a 18650 battery you can take out and recharge. Makes sense, thanks for all the ideas. I really like the idea of swapping to 123's if my battery dies. The link with the one that charges standing on the tail, how secure is that in a vehicle? |
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Stinger DS LED HP Wrong  Stinger DS LED HPL Its like holding the sun, but the same size, excellent throw, and super bright. About an hour and half run time on High, About 10 hours on Low. Low is as bright as High on the standard Stinger LED, it really is quite the amazing flashlight
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L2 and T1. Impossible to change output via the switch. Always stuck in low mode. I can see one lemon, but 2? Wont buy them and damn sure wont recommend them. Theres just too many other not-janky lights in the marketplace to take a gamble on a cheap piece of shit. Quoted:
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Dont buy a Solarforce is all I can say. Biggest piece of shit I've ever had for a light. y Something like the SolarForce L2P is pretty well regarded. What model do you have and what was wrong with it? The body is generally well machined, with a forward clicky switch and you just add any P60 drop-in you want. Chris L2 and T1. Impossible to change output via the switch. Always stuck in low mode. I can see one lemon, but 2? Wont buy them and damn sure wont recommend them. Theres just too many other not-janky lights in the marketplace to take a gamble on a cheap piece of shit. I've bought three over the past about four years (most recent being one I bought a month ago) and all of them have functioned fine. Could be a number of different things wrong. I'm not going to say they are amazing but for $15 for the host itself that will accept any drop in, its not bad. Hell my Fenix PD35s side switch went out on me within a year, sent it back in for warranty while my Solarforce is still going strong. But I still recommend the Fenix over the Solarforce. I like the PD35 for the sideswitch, with the tail switch just doing on/off duty. Cons of that are, the side switch isn't as durable as the tail switch. The Solarforce I like because its cheap and customize-able, the cons are the modes are accessed via the tailswitch so switching modes can be a pain. But the tailswitch is user servicable/replaceable if it comes down to it. I won't feel so bad if I lost one of my Solarforces. My Fenix on the other hand I would be quite pissed if I lost it. |
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My daily carry for the past couple of years, is a NiteCore P12 which runs on 18650 rechargeables or C123's like the Fenix PD35. Both are excellent daily lights and similar construction and output. I chose the NiteCore for a few reasons that may or may not appeal to users.
The Nitecore can tailstand, which is useful to illuminate an room, tent, etc. that has a level surface. It also has a very low (1 lumen) low level that will run for up to 500 hours, and is plenty bright enough to find your keys or see in a dark area without killing your night vision too badly or waking up others who are sleeping. The usual strobe, SOS, etc. I think the two mentioned are about the same price, around $70 retail, and the batteries have an incredibly low self discharge rate. NiteCore P12 Edited to add: Just did some snooping and now see that there is a rechargeable version of the P12 called the MH12, and also Amazon has the P12 for $43 with free shipping. I might just buy a spare. |
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I have an Olight S30R and Fenix UC40E. I'm on my second Olight S30R, the first one would only stay in the low output mode and Olight warrantied it after 120 days without any questions. The second one hasn't given me any problems.
Both of them provide excellent service with the Fenix being the go to light around the house and the Olight being carried in a holster for work. I tried carrying it in a pocket but went back to my Streamlight Protac 1L for pocket duty It's nice not having to worry about batteries going dead and if I had to pick between the two I'd go with the Olight because of the metal side button and charging base versus inserting the mini usb into the Fenix. Both lights have excellent output with the Olight being a little brighter. |
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Fenix UC35.
Mine has withstood hundreds of falls on concrete. The on board charging works very well. It can run for hundreds of hours on 10 lumen low or light up a football field from one end on high at 960 lumens. I suggest having a spare 18650 in the truck but mine only needs recharged once a week after being used daily at 180 lumens. It can run on 2- 123 batteries as well. |
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I use a Fenix PD35, similar to the UC35 listed above, at my job. I use and carry it all day every day and it is an awesome light. You said you don't need durable but the Fenix lights are very tough lights. Mine uses rechargeable 18650 batteries and having a couple on hand is all one would need. Can also use two CR123A in a pinch. One 18650 battery will last me 2-3 weeks of constant use. 960 lumens on burst mode if needed. I love mine. What he said. |
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I'm a fan of Surefire for weapon lights and anything that will see abuse.
However At the rate brightness is increasing, whatever you buy will be laughably dim compared to what is available for the same price next year. A 1W LED has gone from 30 lumens to 200+ lumens in a bit over 5 years. Get a cheap chinese CREE LED Based light. Probably two, since the batteries are where they skimp if you want rechargeable. That way if one breaks, you have a spare. You'll be able to get several for the price of a Fenix/Four Sevens/Surefire light. I gave up on being a flashlight snob sinceI have used/abused a Chinese no-name $10 LED light that is about 3x brighter than my Surefire E1B Backup, and has lasted 6 months of being dropped and carried in pocket. Uses rechargeable AA Sized Lithium Cells, so you can pick the battery quality. I wouldn't trust my life with it, but I'm more than comfortable when I have two of them around, and 4 batteries (battery and charged spare for each one). The other bonus is that if you lose it (or it gets stolen), you really aren't out that much. |
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I like the Fenix lights, I have a smaller one, but I really wish they had a tail cap switch. You Fenix users obviously just get used to the side switch and it's not that big a deal? I like the battery options they have, but I was really looking for a charger that doubles as a vehicle mount. So I'm still not sure what direction I should go.
Thanks for all the input as usual!! |
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I like the Fenix lights, I have a smaller one, but I really wish they had a tail cap switch. You Fenix users obviously just get used to the side switch and it's not that big a deal? I like the battery options they have, but I was really looking for a charger that doubles as a vehicle mount. So I'm still not sure what direction I should go. Thanks for all the input as usual!! The UC35 has a tailcap switch and side switch for mode change Most Fenix lights have a tailcap switch. |
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http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DT5BVOW?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage&tag=donations09-20
I'm running one of these. 110 charger though. |
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I use a Fenix PD35, similar to the UC35 listed above, at my job. I use and carry it all day every day and it is an awesome light. You said you don't need durable but the Fenix lights are very tough lights. Mine uses rechargeable 18650 batteries and having a couple on hand is all one would need. Can also use two CR123A in a pinch. One 18650 battery will last me 2-3 weeks of constant use. 960 lumens on burst mode if needed. I love mine. another vote for the Fenix. I've sent mine through the washer/dryer a couple of times and it still runs like a champ. EDC light for 3+ years with the PD35 - want to upgrade to that brighter one mentioned earlier in the thread. ETA: Didn't RIF 
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http://www.ledlenserusa.com/flashlights#prefn1=llrechargeable&prefv1=true
I use the M7R a bunch, wife carries the P5R2 in her purse, good lights, adjustable focus, tail switch, magnetic charging cradle with USB cord. Picked mine up on Amazon for about 60% list price. |
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I need a new flashlight. Needs to be rechargeable in the truck. I have used Streamlight stingers, (gives you an idea of size I'm looking for) they are ok, hold up pretty well. Just wondering if there is something better out there that I don't know about. Would like it to be in the $100 range. Use is looking for bugs, needs to fit in my back pocket, not all day, just while on a job. Should be pretty durable, but I'm not that tough on my equipment. Thanks! Olight S30R II This needs to sit on a recharging base. It won't work well in a car. It's otherwise a great flashlight. |
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You could get something like this and go 18650 all night long. You would need to swap batteries every week or 4.
12 v charger for 18650 batteries $6 on DX. If that's acceptable, the world's your clam. 
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I need a new flashlight. Needs to be rechargeable in the truck. I have used Streamlight stingers, (gives you an idea of size I'm looking for) they are ok, hold up pretty well. Just wondering if there is something better out there that I don't know about. Would like it to be in the $100 range. Use is looking for bugs, needs to fit in my back pocket, not all day, just while on a job. Should be pretty durable, but I'm not that tough on my equipment. Thanks! foursevens malestrom |