need new flashlight

[the intimidator]

Hey fellas I am looking to get a new flash light to replace my mini mag I carry daily. I use my light alot from connecting plugs on the computer fixes on the trail to trail navigation at night (requires a pretty bright light) anyways I have had my trusty mag at my side for 2 years now and I have a few small issues with it 1. It doesnt throw light very far after abought 10 minutes on new batteries 2. It eats the dam batteries like mad 3. once the batteries start to get a little warn out the lite goes from a ok colour to a very muddy colour and the last complaint I have is it has alot of irregularitys in the beam pattern. I love this lite It has never let me down I have droped it submerged it a few times and lost it in the snow for a week once it has never failed to produce light.

I have been eying the new mag led lights and different led lights in general and was just wondering what you guy's may suggest to purchase I require a steel/alum body and a virtualy indistructable light in general, I here reports that the new mags will run up to 10 hours for the mini mag and 24-50 hours for the 2-dand 4-d cell lights? any comments or other brands you have had good luck with I am looking to possibly replace my mini mag and also get a larger light in the c or d cell range for extended use for trail navigation thanks guy's

[dink]

http://www.streamlight.com/


Far better quality then your mag's

Pricing reflects it also

[SuperKid]

Want a bright flashlight?

Here you go:

http://www.lapolicegear.com/subemopoflev.html

:wtf: $4,800 for a flashlight?

[chevy302dz]

The new Mini Mags are very bright (they throw more light than the small StreamLight) and are well constructed. I can't speak to battery life as I just picked up mine.

[KeukaDan]

I have to agree on the streamlights, I have a streamlight survivor light, a couple of lightboxes, and a Strion, also some of their 4AA plastic lights. For what you want the strion is about the best you could get. It is designed for police and tactical use, it is small, metal and rechargeable. It is incredibly bright but pretty expensive(around $100 depending on where you get it, and how many chargers you get). I use it all the time for everything that I don't use one of the larger lights for. I also have a group of LED lights that I like but they are for a different purpose. LED's are good for long lasting light but not incredibly bright, long distance type work. For what I want they just don't cut it. I keep them for when I don't have anything else available. My strion has two chargers, and it lives in my truck right next to my Survivor. I grab the survivor for fire calls, and I grab the strion for most everything else.

That being said, if normal batteries are fine with you something like a minimag or the like are great flashlights, I personally have 5 or 6 around my house they just rarely have working batteries because I use the other lights more.

[the intimidator]

wow 5 grand for a flash light once again proves people have more mony then brains :wtf:

chevy302dz

Which model did you buy the 2-aa or the 3-aa version? wanna keep us informed on the batterie life too thanks

I have looked at the streamlights and have not been very pleased overall with the price tag I was expecting a higher quality lite with longer batterie life and it seems that most of them run on a 123a batterie? I have never heard of these before nor have I seen them I would much rather stick to common batteries I can find anywhere cause in a emergency you cant pick those 123a batteries out of a tv remote and I bet they cost a pretty penny too :)

[KeukaDan]

I have looked at the streamlights and have not been very pleased overall with the price tag I was expecting a higher quality lite with longer batterie life and it seems that most of them run on a 123a batterie? I have never heard of these before nor have I seen them I would much rather stick to common batteries I can find anywhere cause in a emergency you cant pick those 123a batteries out of a tv remote and I bet they cost a pretty penny too :)


The quality streamlights are their rechargeable. Their market is police, fire and industrial, non of those want to buy new batteries every week so rechargeable is important. Surefire also makes wonderful lights they just are really expensive.

[KeukaDan]

I have never heard of these before nor have I seen them I would much rather stick to common batteries I can find anywhere cause in a emergency you cant pick those 123a batteries out of a tv remote and I bet they cost a pretty penny too :)


CR-123A batteries can be expensive but they are pretty high capacity for their size. they are a 3V lithium battery that are pretty easy to come by. They are used heavily in photography and can be found in most chain drug stores and home improvement centers. That being said AA and AAA are much cheaper and easier to come by. I don't think I would want to use a flashlight with those batteries in it, unless there was a real compelling reason to do so.

[the intimidator]

KeukaDan,

I looked at those lights you reccomend and the only two downfalls I can see is one the price the new mini mags are expensive enough up here in canada. And they run on rechargable batteries that would be great for keeping in the truck or use around the house but when I am out camping or a hike runs a lil late and you need to treak out of the bush at night I wouldnt be able to charge them up and I assume they wont run on conventional akaline or reghargeable batteries? I am happy enough using conventional batteries in my lights I get 50 aa for 10$ and that lasts me a couple months between the flashlights and tv remotes ect. I am also thinking of getting one of those new energizer 15 min chargers and rigging up a small solar panel to charge them out in the field. thanks for the suggestion :)

[KeukaDan]

I totally agree with that statement, they only work if you can keep them charged and when they die, it is an hour at a minimum before it is ready again. I have myself been thinking one of the new maglight LED's might be nice for my desk at work so I would be interested in how you make out with a new one.

[the intimidator]

lol we have a sort of mixed up chat going on here :beer: anywho thanks for informing me of the 123a batteries honestly I have only ever heard of them a few times before for use in flashlights.
That makes sense it would get rather expensive having to replace batteries constantly when You can have the light constantly charging in you're cruiser truck ect. I am still usure of having a reghargable light around for use outdoors were there is no electricity I would feel more comforatable knowing I can still make use of my light even when the power is down for a weeks time or I am stuck in the bush up north and I have to walk back to camp cause my machine has failed, it is pretty easy to get 15-20 miles away on a atv/snowmobile without realizing it and when you have a failure you are looking at a 2-3+ hour hike back to camp

[chevy302dz]

wow 5 grand for a flash light once again proves people have more mony then brains :wtf:

chevy302dz

Which model did you buy the 2-aa or the 3-aa version? wanna keep us informed on the batterie life too thanks

I have looked at the streamlights and have not been very pleased overall with the price tag I was expecting a higher quality lite with longer batterie life and it seems that most of them run on a 123a batterie? I have never heard of these before nor have I seen them I would much rather stick to common batteries I can find anywhere cause in a emergency you cant pick those 123a batteries out of a tv remote and I bet they cost a pretty penny too :)

I have the 2 AA type, I'll post a update once I kill off the first set of batteries.

[chevy302dz]

Those CR123 batteries are horrible unless you have a source to get them cheap (not likely). They have a short life when used with anything that draws a good amount of current.

[the intimidator]

ok I think I am going to purchase the aa mini mag and a 3-d mag lite aswell the one local store has them on sale for 30% off the mini mag is going for 25$ from 36$ and the big mag is on for 34$ from 50$ I figure I midas well get both and save 30$ over buying them seperatly when they are not on sale. I'll right a review later on this week once I get a feel for them and have a few nights of use with them I am still open to other suggestions as I am not going to buy till wednesday thanks for the help guy's :thumbup:

[TNToy]

Maglight...:lol:

You have no idea what your missing.

There's a reason why every cop had a Maglight on his belt back in 1988, and nowdays every duty belt in the nation has a Surefire or Streamlight on it. Technology has left it behind, and the cost difference is well worth it.

Basically, what you've done is like coming in here and asking what the best new cars are likee - since the 1988 Accord you're currently driving is horrible. We tell you all about the wonderful new BMWs, F-150s, and Civics, and you head down to Bob's Auto Sales and buy a 1994 Mustang with a blown headgasket. ;)

Every complaint you have about your current light will still ring true with whatever maglite you buy. It'll just be bigger.

Get a Stinger or a Strion and keep the 110v charger on your desk, and the 12v one in your vehicle. There's a reason they go through batteries about 10 times faster than a 2 or 3D maglite... they're 10 times brighter. Really. Anything decent will eat its batteries in a couple of hours, especially small lights using 123A batteries. Rechargeable is the best way to go for long-term use.

[the intimidator]

Maglight...:lol:

You have no idea what your missing.

There's a reason why every cop had a Maglight on his belt back in 1988, and nowdays every duty belt in the nation has a Surefire or Streamlight on it. Technology has left it behind, and the cost difference is well worth it.

Basically, what you've done is like coming in here and asking what the best new cars are likee - since the 1988 Accord you're currently driving is horrible. We tell you all about the wonderful new BMWs, F-150s, and Civics, and you head down to Bob's Auto Sales and buy a 1994 Mustang with a blown headgasket. ;)

Every complaint you have about your current light will still ring true with whatever maglite you buy. It'll just be bigger.

Get a Stinger or a Strion and keep the 110v charger on your desk, and the 12v one in your vehicle. There's a reason they go through batteries about 10 times faster than a 2 or 3D maglite... they're 10 times brighter. Really. Anything decent will eat its batteries in a couple of hours, especially small lights using 123A batteries. Rechargeable is the best way to go for long-term use.

true those 100+$ streamlights may have more tecknoligy in them and they are much better suited for use were you have a reliable source of power to plug the charger into, or are able to aquire those cr123a batteries consitently and cheaply but for my use I feel I would be better to stick with a conventional batterie type that Is easy to get anywhere and cheaply at that. It would not be very convenient for me to be hiking have somewon sprain there anckle around 4:30 and still have to cover 15 miles before sundown at 6:30 It is going to take a fair bit longer then the advertised 70 minutes of light from that streamlight strion to get out with a injured person and what would I do when the batterie runs flat I mitas well huck it at a tree as It would only be extra weight to carry at that point. My point is the mag lights are reliable I am only hearing good things abought them from everybody I talk to, they seem to have got the led setup down pat and they have a nice batterie life that acompanys the new led tecknoligy I am not saying the mag is the best light in the world because there is obviosly far greater tecknoligy avalible now but they are proven still a top rated light by most people are relitivtly cheap I can carry a couple spare batteries in my pocket and not have to worrie abought charging it up after I am done with it besides I would much rather have a light that will run for 20 hours and produce 3/4's or half the light that strion will put out as It is far better for my purposes to have a long runtime I do not need the most powerfull light in the world I have been using my mini mag for everything the past few years with only a few complaints and most any light led or not of today will put out 10 times the light my mini mag will and probably last a fair bit longer doing it I think I will be happy with the new led mags I'll put one of those streamlight rechargables on my christmas list to have around the house and in the truck just to see what all the fuss is abought :thumbup:

[ranger_dood]

www.cyberguys.com offers a LED conversion for your minimag.

[MarkH]

Originally Posted by TNToy
Maglight...

You have no idea what your missing.

There's a reason why every cop had a Maglight on his belt back in 1988, and nowdays every duty belt in the nation has a Surefire or Streamlight on it. Technology has left it behind, and the cost difference is well worth it.

Basically, what you've done is like coming in here and asking what the best new cars are likee - since the 1988 Accord you're currently driving is horrible. We tell you all about the wonderful new BMWs, F-150s, and Civics, and you head down to Bob's Auto Sales and buy a 1994 Mustang with a blown headgasket.

Every complaint you have about your current light will still ring true with whatever maglite you buy. It'll just be bigger.

Get a Stinger or a Strion and keep the 110v charger on your desk, and the 12v one in your vehicle. There's a reason they go through batteries about 10 times faster than a 2 or 3D maglite... they're 10 times brighter. Really. Anything decent will eat its batteries in a couple of hours, especially small lights using 123A batteries. Rechargeable is the best way to go for long-term use.

If that is what I was doing or I had a job where my light was as critical to my job the Surefire - Streamlight would have been the way to go. But for me that is not what I do. So the Mag-light makes a good well above the standard plastic light option. So just like tools where it may surprise us that people take different choices. So I have a reliable light that does not cut into the tool budget in the Mag-lights.

[MarkH]

Sorry got disturbed on the last post.

Here is what I felt.

If that is what I was doing or I had a job where my light was as critical to my job the Surefire - Streamlight would have been the way to go. But for me that is not what I do. So the Mag-light makes a good well above the standard plastic light option. So just like tools where it may surprise us that people take different choices. So I have a reliable light that does not cut into the tool budget in the Mag-lights. OK choice.

[chevy302dz]

I don't know why some people here seem to think Mag lights are equal to a 2 dollar EverReady. The luexon star MagLights are not junk, they are constructed in the same way as the originals, and throw plenty of light with the new bulbs. The only thing MagLight messed up was sticking with regular bulbs for so long.

[the intimidator]

ok I bought a 3-D mag led light from canadian tire for 32$ +tax and a 8 pack of energizer batteries at 10.99$. SO far the light is very bright I have compared it to the spare incan bulb in the tailcap and the led is a huge improvement it produces a very clean bright light and there is very few iregularitys in the pattern. I'll do a full review and take some pics of the beam patterns ect once I get a better feel for it and use it some more outside in the bush.

I have since lost my mini mag if I cant find it I will be looking for a replacement for it except in a key-chain size or a 2 aaa size the 2-aa mini mag is nice but it is abought the largest I would like to carry with me everyday from reading a bunch of different forums It seems there are alot of lights that will put out 10x the light of my mini mag and run for 30-60 minutes on 1 small batterie or I can get something that will run for 20 hours and put out a similar amount of light to my mini mag I think I want something inbetween mayby 10-15 hours usable light and a bit brighter then the mini mag any suggestions? thanks