Posted: 11/30/2007 6:46:36 PM EDT
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I've been carrying a cheap walmart light for the last 6 months and I have decided its time to step up to a better light. I don't know shit about lights though. I do know that I want at least an hour of run time, a metal body and preferably a large belt clip unless someone offers another means of rapid deployment. Any suggestions? THe guys at candlepower are way over my head. Are there any good rechargeable lights for carry? |
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Rayovac makes these and they've been selling at walmart and kmart. 2AA batts and 80 lumens. Lasts about 2 hours. I have 2 and I love them! Costs about $25 Belt clip, THICK aluminum. Tail cap quick button or twist on. Wrist strap. www.rayovac.com/flashlight/selux2aa3w-b.shtml  -Foxxz |
javascript:document.frm.submit(); javascript:document.frm.submit(); DAmn all I can find is the one watt version, which is what I have been carrying. The belt clip is a little flimsy but if I find the 3watt version I will buy several of them to keep around the house and such. |
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Take your pick ETA: there are other flashlights too. That is just a link to some of the xenon lights they have. The Cree lights they have are pretty nice too. Just read user reviews to help make your selection. |
As previously mentioned, just about anything that Fenix makes will be very well-made, easy on batteries, and powerful enough to burn the eyeballs out of your sockets.  The "Lumen" rating is what you want to use when comparing the brightness of different flashlights. Comparing other specs (such as "candlepower") is meaningless.
Best approach is to buy a flashlight that takes conventional batteries (either AA or CR123 cells), and then buy a set of rechargeable batteries and charger for it. Most rechargeable batteries don't cost more than a couple bucks apiece (in 4-packs), plus another 10 bucks for the charger. I really like the Kodak pre-charged AA size NiMH batteries ($7.88 for a 4-pack a Wal-Mart) - lots of capacity, and will sit on the shelf for over a year without losing their charge. |
Buy a Surefire G2. Thank me later. |
Are these all Chinese knockoffs? I have to admit, I'd rather give them my money than spend another dime on Surefire products, though, so I might cehck into their replacement bulbs. Do you know which ones fit a 6P? |
EXACTLY what I was going to suggest. I have the 1 Watt and the 3 Watt. The 3 Watt is noticeably brighter than the 1 Watt, and 2 AA batteries last for a few hours. The LED bulb is also shaped in such a way that you can use it as a 180 degree lamp if you unscrew the focusing end. Unless you're a hardcore flashlight buyer, I would very highly suggest this flashlight, whether it's the 1 or 3 Watt - both are excellent. |
Yeah, These are all shipped from Hong Kong. The one I bought is THIS ONE It is 3.6v. It is bright as hell even though I only have a 3v cr123 battery in it at the moment (forgot to order batteries with it  ), and it is made as well as any surefire I have seen. Get it, with THESE batteries and THIS charger. You will have a bright light with rechargable batteries for $26.23 shipped. I promise you will not be at all disappointed with the light.The only draw back is it took two weeks for me to recieve it  Worth the wait tho.As for replacement bulbs, I have no idea. That would be a question to take to the Candlepower Forums. Sorry that I couldn't help with that. |
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Cree makes an upgrade for the 6p. Personally I like my 6p just the way it is. Though I literally have dozens of lights, its my first choice despite my newer ones being high output LED. For defense, I wouldn't waste a dime on anything that isn't instant on and/or you have different cycles off the same button. When you need a light, you need it and shouldn't have to worry about twisting that or have to go oh darn, I need to click it two times. Tj |
That's what I was going to say--I won one donated by Brightflashlights (site sponsor) and I really, REALLY love it!  I immediately bought one for my brother. He seems fond of it too, though he shows emotion about like the guys on Mt. Rushmore. 
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I like my fenix lights. I have 2 L2D-100s emitters 1 running off of 1 CR123 battery(P2D) and the other running of 2 AAs. I'm thinking about picking up a L1D body tubes for the hell of it.  My only grip about the fenix lights are their holsters leave a lot to desire, like a clip instead of a belt loop and something a little looser so I don't need two hands to reholster the damn light. Rip-off tells me they make holsters for Fenix lights but no one distributes them yet. 
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Searched and found this replacement bulb upgrade: www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.6090 Is that what you are talking about? |
This one: www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.6076 SKU 6090 looks good also. I bought a couple of the Cree replacement heads for my G2's, and they are honestly the best $10 you will ever spend. Get some 3.6 volt 123a rechargeable and a charger for an extra $10 or so (combined) and you will have one hell of a light without ever having to worry about buying 123a's again. fwiw- I have had better luck with the cheaper blue non protected rechargeable 123a's. The more expensive silver ones are voltage regulated/protected, but that means they cut out suddenly when the voltage slips below a certain point. I prefer to see the light dim slowly. The big advantage with the LED's is that they work over a large range of voltage. The circuits are protected, so they wont burn out if you use 3.6 volt batteries instead of 3 volt. I also bought a couple of the single 123a cree lights. They are impressive as well. For all around use, you cant beat the single and double AA cree lights for $20-$40.00 DealExtreme is one of those places where you rue the day you discovered it, because there are so many good deals to be had. |
I have those in both of my Surefire combat lights. Thusfar they have performed splendidly for me...even in the low light class. They are definitely worth a shot in my opinion. |
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very happy with this one so far: www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5925 |