Flashlight and holster

[buffaloguy89]

Looking to buy a mini flashlight that I can keep on my belt in a leather holster. Any recommendations on a good quality one? Thanks

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[PelicanPines]

Google surefire flashlights. They are used by alot of cops and firefighters.

 

[Partsman2012]

No holster but the Snap-On LED light they sell at Menard's is marked down to $8. Menard's SKU 5757133

 

[jabin]

I've had good luck with the mini-mag but now days I won't buy anything but LED.

I've used a Pelican dual filament flashlight since 1991
http://www.pelican-case.com/flashlights.html

 

[Danver]

I have 4 or 5 of these Streamlights that I have had great luck with. A bit on the pricey side but still great lights. Mine are all around 7 or 8 years old but I would like to try one of the LED models that are out now.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00008BFSI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[RossABQ]

Try the UltraFire WF-501B, BUT only the single-mode model. Unbelievably bright, battery lasts forever, genuine Cree LED. The separately-sold batteries and charger are well worth getting.

 

[Chris4x4Gill2]

I was looking for something similair to what you want a while back. I wanted something small enough to wear on my belt, use "normal" batteries (AAA, AA, C,D etc.) and had a decent run time. And I didnt want it to break the bank.

I ended up getting the Mag Lite XL50. very happy so far.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004JJQ3UY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

This is the only holster I found to fit it though - nylon

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004FNHSYO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[GCncsuHD]

Budget? Do you have a holster already, or looking to buy one with the light? Opposed to pocket carry with a clip?

I have the new generation mag solitaire LED I sometimes clip on my keychain. Blows a regular mini mag, and even most standard mini mag LED conversions out of the water. 37 Lumens.

I have a Nitecore EC1 I carry almost daily. Extremely small light, but packs a HUGE punch, 330 Lumens. Multiple brightness levels to choose from to conserve battery life. Takes up less room than a small pocket knife in your pocket. Could easily clip to your belt or in a small pouch.
http://www.nitecore.com/productDetail.aspx?id=24

I also have the EC2 version of that one, stays clipped to the visor of my truck. Same diameter, longer, more batter life, a little brighter 410 Lumens.
http://www.nitecore.com/productDetail.aspx?id=25

They make a AA version, EA2 that is similar in size to a Mini Mag, and should fit the same holsters. 320 Lumens
http://www.nitecore.com/productDetail.aspx?id=23

Sometimes I swap out the EC1 in my pocket for a Coast/LED Lenser P4BM. Comes with a holster, love this light, the most crisp beam I've seen, zero artifacts in the beam so it's great for looking at little details 18 lumens.
http://www.brightguy.com/LED+Lenser/LED+Lenser+Penlight+P4BM

This is probably the best bang for the buck light I have, the Fordex/Ultrafire 300Lumen (very inflated, but still impressive). They ship from China, (might find a US distributor), but for $3.50 shipped FROM CHINA! it's hard to beat. Buy several at one time, keep them in vehicles, give to friends/family etc. I have one of these clipped to both fire helmets, one in each set of gear, one in each vehicle's glove compartment, etc. Zoomable, Brightness and beam rival that of a $50 flashlight. Quality is OK, I haven't had one break even in extreme conditions (fire, banging around, soaked with water), but they do feel a little cheap. I keep several around as backups at their price.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00828MZ3W/?tag=atomicindus08-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006E0QAFY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Pretty much any of the above can fit in a small leather holster, just remove their clip if needed.


Another light I really like is my Streamlight Stinger with Terralux LED conversion. It's rechargeable, this one stays on my workbench charged up and ready to go. Very bright, nice pattern, 300lumens, good battery life, very durable. Not cheap.

 

[GCncsuHD]

I have 4 or 5 of these Streamlights that I have had great luck with. A bit on the pricey side but still great lights. Mine are all around 7 or 8 years old but I would like to try one of the LED models that are out now.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00008BFSI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Look into the Terralux LED upgrade for those lights. I have the same light and put that LED upgrade and it doubled the brightness and the battery life, very nice.

 

[Danver]

Look into the Terralux LED upgrade for those lights. I have the same light and put that LED upgrade and it doubled the brightness and the battery life, very nice.

Thanks! I just read your prior post and was already checking that out. I am going to order one to try it and if I like it I will eventually convert the others. I see some of the reviews mention not being able to focus the beam with the conversion. Is that the case and is it a big issue if so?

 

[GCncsuHD]

Thanks! I just read your prior post and was already checking that out. I am going to order one to try it and if I like it I will eventually convert the others. I see some of the reviews mention not being able to focus the beam with the conversion. Is that the case and is it a big issue if so?

That is true, you lose the beam focus. My experience is that the LED unit has a mid ground approach. It doesn't have quite as much "flood" as a fully flooded standard stinger, but it is still pretty good, but with the power of the LED it does beat a fully focused standard stinger in throw.

Also, look into upgrading to NiMh batteries from the standard NiCad batteries. They have almost double the run time and will charge on the standard charger, with less battery "memory" issues, but they do take twice as long to charge... I have the version that charges the light, and a spare battery at the same time, so the charging time is not an issue for me.

In case you haven't noticed...I have a bit of an addiction with lights...That is only maybe a third of my flashlight collection listed above, we won't even talk about the lights on my truck....

 

[Jrsixx]

LED Lenser P5R. great little light, rechargeable, usb plug as well. comes with a belt clip. @ modes and strobe.

 

[Beemer533]

I picked up the Dewalt 2 AA LED at HD on sale a while back and for the price I have been really happy. I've been beating on it for a while at work with no issues...

I started using the Lithium AA in it and they last forever.. (not sure how long that is in hours)

I paid a bit less, but even at $20 I think it is worth it.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CNUMSQY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[southalabama]

I've got a surefire back from my task force days. Uses nicad or cr123.

It's served me well.

 

[bad_idea]

Streamlight Strion. Love mine. Stupid bright and rechargeable.

 

[Caddybill]

This is probably the best bang for the buck light I have, the Fordex/Ultrafire 300Lumen (very inflated, but still impressive). They ship from China, (might find a US distributor), but for $3.50 shipped FROM CHINA! it's hard to beat. Buy several at one time, keep them in vehicles, give to friends/family etc. I have one of these clipped to both fire helmets, one in each set of gear, one in each vehicle's glove compartment, etc. Zoomable, Brightness and beam rival that of a $50 flashlight. Quality is OK, I haven't had one break even in extreme conditions (fire, banging around, soaked with water), but they do feel a little cheap. I keep several around as backups at their price.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00828MZ3W/?tag=atomicindus08-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006E0QAFY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

QUOTE]

I have a few of these and have given them out as gifts. You would not expect much from a $3 light but you will be surprised. Put a 14500 rechargeable battery in it, amazing.

 

[GCncsuHD]

I have a few of these and have given them out as gifts. You would not expect much from a $3 light but you will be surprised. Put a 14500 rechargeable battery in it, amazing.

I'll be honest, I have yet to try it with a 14500, but even with just an AA it is very surprising how it performs. Since I keep them as backup lights in vehicles etc where they don't get much use I've been fine with just AAs, I probably would benefit from 14500s in my helmet mounted ones, I just have a hard time justifying a battery that cost more than the flashlight

 

[DodgeMech]

streamlight strion...or stryon...either way, the best mini flashlight you can get

 

[buffaloguy89]

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. I have started looking though them but don't know what I will get yet. I'll keep ya posted

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[SKFishing]

I have the Rigid Industries Halo. 800 lumens and the battery will last for several hours. I have been very impressed.

 

[tyjoja]

another vote for streamlight, have 2 and will never, never have anything else. worth it now matter what the price and rechargeable

 

[Trey T]

Streamlight and Surefire are high-end flashlights. There are chinese flashlights that work just as well at a fraction of price. I bought about 10 of them for christmas present one year w/ high-end batteries (samsung high discharge)

I use Streamlight Strion personally, it works well.

 

[nicksnothereman]

I use a maglite usually. I've got one of those chinese lights I bought from lowe's (utilitech?) with a fancy square cree led that I carry otherwise that's pretty good. Mid-market (non tactical) flashlights are typically pretty good component-wise.

Depends on what you have access to. I'm sure if you go to a gun shop they have the higher end stuff that you can check out (probably even have testers); price won't be the best but they probably have a bit better knowledge base than say the reviewers on amazon.

If you don't want to spend that much check out the mainstream brands that they carry at retailers. I see duracell, energizer, dorcy, maglite, and house brands; I saw "nebo" branded stuff at kmart recently which is a popular amazon low end brand. Some of it is rebranded but most are still pretty well built. The dorcy stuff, though I don't recall seeing aluminum models, is very good for the price in my opinion but won't have incredibly bright leds.

 

[Super Mech]

I've got a Coast PX25 for about a year now and it has held up suprisingly well. It has been dropped on concrete floor many times and still works perfectly. Uses 3 AAA batteries and is very bright. I got mine at HD but then saw it on Amazon for 1/2 the price. I'm very happy with it.

 

[Danver]

I bought three of these Fenix E05 lights last summer and I have had one in my pocket almost all the time since then. They have pretty much replaced my better lights for everyday use. They use one AAA battery and the light isn't much bigger than that--maybe the whole light is about the size of a AA battery.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AA6XIRG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I'm not sure I would pay the $19.95 they are at now but I came across a deal at Slickdeals and got them for $8.70 each. I think they come up on sale every once in a while.

I really love having a small light with me all the time. My eyes aren't what they used to be and where it is really handy is at antique stores where the lighting isn't all that good to begin with. Without the light I would miss a lot of things in darker corners and especially under tables.

 

[elronin]

I carry a Streamlight 88031 Protac Tactical Flashlight 2L it includes a nice holster. I carry it every day at work and I'm a Police officer love the thing, don't even notice its on my belt.

 

[Danver]

Thanks! I just read your prior post and was already checking that out. I am going to order one to try it and if I like it I will eventually convert the others. I see some of the reviews mention not being able to focus the beam with the conversion. Is that the case and is it a big issue if so?

That is true, you lose the beam focus. My experience is that the LED unit has a mid ground approach. It doesn't have quite as much "flood" as a fully flooded standard stinger, but it is still pretty good, but with the power of the LED it does beat a fully focused standard stinger in throw.

Also, look into upgrading to NiMh batteries from the standard NiCad batteries. They have almost double the run time and will charge on the standard charger, with less battery "memory" issues, but they do take twice as long to charge... I have the version that charges the light, and a spare battery at the same time, so the charging time is not an issue for me.

In case you haven't noticed...I have a bit of an addiction with lights...That is only maybe a third of my flashlight collection listed above, we won't even talk about the lights on my truck....

Well, I upgraded one of my Stingers today with the Terralux LED upgrade and a NiMh battery. I won't be able to compare the battery to the standard ones until I use it for a while and charge it a few times, but the LED upgrade is fantastic. I think I have 5 Stingers altogether and I will probably gradually start converting them as I can afford to. I'm pretty sure I have at least one more standard battery that no longer holds a charge so I will start with that.

It is a little on the pricey side but still cheaper than buying a similar new LED light.