Flashlights, Streamlight? Mag Light? Snap On?

[Larwyn]

2D Mag Lite with the Krypton bulb. It's all I need to light up what I am trying to look at.

 

[cool50]

I have been using a Mag Lite XL 100 as an every day carry light for about 9 months now, I have to say I love it. Really bright and tough as nails!

 

[bls2dpj]

I found an inexpensive flashlight, $25 and you can get it at wally world. Its very bright and I'd say it can light up an area around 100 yards away. yeah, its plastic but for $25 its a great deal.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-Max-Bubba/13848697

DJ

 

[6768rogues]

I bought a Streamlight when I was working and spending tax dollars. Now that I am retired they are too expensive. I should have stolen it.

 

[cruzn57]

I have a pelican 7060 i think, Great light!!!

but...
picket up a CREE, skyray 3XT6, 3800 Lumen WOW!!!!!!!
WHAT A LIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mikeceli]

Only those who have never owned a Streamlight, could possibly pick another brand.

I have used the Streamlight "Stinger" and full size (XL100 ?), 14 -12 hour shifts a month, for almost 20 years.

 

[martinm13]

definitely surefire g2 for budget flashlight. the batteries dont last very long but you just have to stock up on the surefire packs of 25. its crazy expensive to buy cr123 batteries from walmart/drugstore. I have had a streamlight stylus pro too and it was fairly decent. not as bright though

 

[PrecisionTools]

Jetbeam user here. RRT-0, 2 x RRT-2, JetIII M & PA01. Love the selector ring on the models that have it.

http://www.jet-beam.com

 

[bowlofturtle]

So i'll piggyback off this thread.

I normally ride my motorcycle at night and well i want a flashlight to throw in my storage compartment for my tankbag. Ive never had a reason to use a flashlight because my android phone had a good LED on there but now i switched phones and its useless. I rather get something that i can throw in there. Something durable and cheap.

I really like http://www.meritline.com/focus-zoom-lens-flashlight-light---p-44806.aspx
for under $10 shipped. Runs off a single AA. From what i gather here a CREE LED is what you want and it has that.


You guys seem to love the fenix LD20 but that is like $50 on amazon. 2x AA battery.

You guys think i should be able to get good results with the meritline one? Low budget, no worries if i lose/break it.

 

[mdbeck1]

Okay, I'll play.
Normally my go to light is a Streamlight Stinger. I'm sold on them. However I was at the gun range a while back and they had some $10.00 lights on the counter. They looked kinda nice and had a clip that would fit my belt. I bought one and it's been clipped to my belt ever since (a couple of months). I'm still on the battery that it came with and it's still working. I'm impressed. Usually I break a cheap flashlight in the first month.

It's a NEBO and for it's size its a decent light. It takes a single AA battery and has a fluorescent push button on the back. The clip is set up to hook to a hat and see forward. The case appears to be made of an aluminum alloy and since it's so small I keep it on my belt when I'm not at work and it's at my fingertips (the streamlight is a little bit big for that).

Here's one on EBay for sale. http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Nebo-55...9900039?pt=US_Flashlights&hash=item3cc13ae487

 

[Lippyp]

I recently replaced my 3D cell Maglite (that was full of leaking stuck solid duracells) with an LED Lenser P7 175 lumens from three or four AAA cells and 13H run time. Way smaller than a maglite, very well made too. It also came with a single AAA cell P3 which is 14 lumens and lives in the little dashboard box in the wifes car. I think the brightest one they do is 1600 lumens!

http://www.ledlenser.com/ENG/produk...ce/highperformance_start.php?id=high_per_line

 

[1948]

best is just the mini maglite. http://maglite.com/Mini_Maglite_AA.asp always seem to last, small enough to stick in your mouth if you gotta work with your hands, semi water proof and durable. the worst flashlight i ever owned was a snap on, that only lasted about a week. i think it was a contracted light made by another company very low quality.

 

[HIRISC]

Just picked up a couple of these - 4Sevens Q Mini 123.

Absurdly small. Absurdly bright.

Best EDC light I've been able to find.

$37

 

[Krokodil]

Surefire can't be beat for quality and customer service. I've got a few of them and also a few modded ones. The current model 6PX and older 6Pled are very good value for money.

 

[great white tj]

For lights and parts take a look at www.brightguy.com

 

[5lima30]

I've got the Stnger rechargeable, LED Surefire, and an older Pelican. My favorites are the Surefire and Pelican. BTW, the Pelican is about half the cost of the Surefire.

 

[c_mccann]

Is it me or has Maglite gone the way of the dodo? I say this in the respect of the efficiency of the bulbs, and the fact that every mag lite I own has contact issues where you have to wmack it to get it to work. I own about 10 maglites, and the cheapie billet LED ones from Home Depot work way better imo.

 

[Addrock]

I read all of the posts and expected to see the Surefire EL1, I think it's the perfect light, it has a backward clip so you can clip it on the bill of your hat making a headlamp, is small enough to have in your pocket all day, a thick glass Pyrex lens. It uses one CR 123a battery, I bought 2 rechargeable batteries and a charger with wall and 12 volt plug and just recharge them in the truck. Also the clip broke after 3 years of nearly daily use, I called and they sent a new one free.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001EJLNA2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[petee_c]

Is it me or has Maglite gone the way of the dodo? I say this in the respect of the efficiency of the bulbs, and the fact that every mag lite I own has contact issues where you have to wmack it to get it to work. I own about 10 maglites, and the cheapie billet LED ones from Home Depot work way better imo.

I am fairly happy with my 2AA LED mini mag. It's the one with super hi / hi / strobe output. My problem is always misplacing the dang thing.

I do have to do the whack thing with a couple of my maglights.

I also have a dinosaur 4D cell incandescent maglight which never gets lost. Don't use it much though

P

 

[HIRISC]

Is it me or has Maglite gone the way of the dodo? I say this in the respect of the efficiency of the bulbs, and the fact that every mag lite I own has contact issues where you have to wmack it to get it to work. I own about 10 maglites, and the cheapie billet LED ones from Home Depot work way better imo.

It's not you.. they have.

 

[SGKent]

we replaced all the krypton bulbs with LED kits in our mag lights and are very happy.

 

[tonym]

mag charger is what I use....hands down a multi tool flashlight...not that I smoke...you can light a cig off it no problem(camp fire also if no matches)

or you can go with a 85 watt HID torch

 

[Greatbear]

Maglite had to be dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century, and they still have a lot of traction keeping them from moving. While so much of the industry moved to LED, they stubbornly kept with their incandescents. For incandescents, they were, and are, still great light, but all the innovation has moved to LED. Maglite reluctantly followed, but still have the full-line incandescent lights to this day. Their LED line is at best average when compared to other brands, and look positively quaint compared to the high end stuff. Unless they get their act in gear, they will become irrelevant. You can only keep a "classic" product lineup for so long.

 

[tonym]

Im by all means pro-led....love them

but I havent seen an led light that you can focus the beam

 

[airbatica]

Another vote for Fenix. I have an HL11, and had an LD20. Both get (got) regular use. I lost the LD20 and replaced it with a 2AA Minimag LED. The Minimag isn't a bad light, plenty of light for what I use it for. My only complaint with it is the lack of regulation (it doesn't like NIMH rechargeables). I will be getting another LD20 though (and maybe and LD10 too).

 

[scott3257]

Only those who have never owned a Streamlight, could possibly pick another brand.

I have used the Streamlight "Stinger" and full size (XL100 ?), 14 -12 hour shifts a month, for almost 20 years.

I have two ultra stingers, which I used as duty flashlights for two years and IMO they ****. Sure the light output is great for the first 30 min or so, but after that forget about it. Not to mention the NICAD batteries only last a year or so before they need replaced.

I replaced the Streamlights with Pelican 8060's. I will never go back to Streamlights until there technology changes. The pelicans use NiMH batteries and LED's for illumination. Plus they are made in good ol So Cal.

 

[Greatbear]

Im by all means pro-led....love them

but I havent seen an led light that you can focus the beam

The Maglite LED lights have a focusing beam that is pretty effective. I recently got a Coast HL7 light that has a focusing beam as well that basically switches from a wide moonlight beam to a tight spot with decent outer spill.

 

[ME87]

3D Maglight for sure. It was an outdated POS until I modded it with a 900 lumen SSC P7 LED emitter. Haven't replaced the batteries in over a year and it's brighter than any light you can buy for under $100.

 

[countryroad82]

I carry a Streamlight Stylus with me at work. Used to keep a little Maglight in my pocket but they seem to quit making contact well after a few months. The Stylus I have no issues with is small enough to keep in my shirt pocket and provides good light. I am sure there is something better out there but for around $20 I can't justify anything else imo. I carried my last Stylus for almost 7 years and the only reason I don't today is I lost it a few months ago

 

[FLgarageDreamer]

Streamlight hands down. I've had a SUrefire and a Pelican(good light) but I love my Stinger LED Dual switch plus it comes with a home and car charger and it strobes.

 

[yaryara]

What does anyone use for flashlights?
Any Back to back comparisons?

The older I get the more I rely on a little light to see good.

I love my little streamlight reach and Streamlight pen light!

I have Mag lights 3 & 4 d size all over one clipped to each side of the lift,every entrance to the garage, the truck, the trailer ,everywhere so the they are close when I need them. usually can get them for 20.00 a pair on sale.

thinking about a streamlight stinger. has anyone compared it to the maglight or snap on? mag light to me seams to be a great price for the way they are built, they usually end up lost or stolen before they break for me.

any other small tac flashlights that work good? i am going to get 3-4 more penlights to strategicaly locate.

Fenix's flashlight is of high quality. I have purchased several different models. The latest products are the highest output and have excellent LEDs. Unlike previous models, there is a distinct yellow halo around the beam hitting the object. Slightly disappointing is that it is not equipped with a rechargeable battery.

 

[Bodycount_NJ]

Flashlight enthusiasts' forum posts guided my decisions. There may be better choices out there since, but these didn't leave me wanting. I'm 100% satisfied with my selections:



Pelican 7060 Rechargeable and Fenix LD20.

The Pelican is the way to go.

I carried one on patrol for 10+ years.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[MarineScott]

I use a Streamlight Stinger Rechargeable daily and love it. Its the older version so no LED or Cree for me but I picked it up off eBay cheap with both house and car charger. Seems to get like 2.5 hours of use before recharge. Before this I was using a Surefire C3 that was killing me in CR123 batteries. I love the rechargeable

I too use a Streamlight stinger every day, and it take a beating. You may have a good light, but the switch seems to be the first thing that goes bad, and the Streamlight stands up to the task. Not cheap, but well worth it for an every day constant use light.

 

[PhantomEB]

My go to is my Pelicans that always seem to be forgotten when I come home from work.....in my favor. Quad storage box has a LED equipped Maglite but I think a lot of the flashlights I have that are D cell batteries will be switched out for the more compact and powerful AA or AAA cell batteried Pelicans.

 

[pizza]

zebralight is my favorite flashlight maker.

i use a H600w headlamp as a task light or if i'm doing real hiking or camping.
http://www.zebralight.com/H600w-Mk-IV-18650-XHP35-Neutral-White-Headlamp_p_215.html
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8237464&postcount=34


if i'm going out on an adventure and either need an extra light or don't want/need the headlamp for some reason, i bring the SC700d. sometimes you need a bright yet pocketable light to light **** up, this fits the bill.
http://www.zebralight.com/SC700d-21700-XHP702-Neutral-White-High-CRI-Flashlight_p_233.html
this light ordinarily lives on my nightstand. it has very low output modes (as little as 0.04 lm), so it's very nice at night when your eyes have adjusted. but it's also zebralight's biggest and most powerful light when you need that.


i also have a SC64w HI. this is always clipped in my pants pocket. nice little pocket thrower. it's what i use if i'm out and about and didn't think to bring a flashlight.
http://www.zebralight.com/SC64w-HI-18650-XHP35-Neutral-White-High-Intensity-Flashlight_p_232.html


if i could have only one flashlight, it would be a headlamp, and it would be the H600w. if i could have a second light, it would be the SC600w Plus.
http://www.zebralight.com/SC600w-Mk-IV-Plus-18650-XHP502-Neutral-White-Flashlight_p_225.html

if you want to try zebralight and want a non-headlamp, just get the SC600w Plus.

the only reason i don't have one is because for me it has too much overlap with the SC700d (a bigger light) and SC64w HI (a smaller light) i describe above. my family members have SC600w Plusses as their only flashlight.

 

[Jakemedic]

Another vote for Fenix here! I have their rechargeable headlamp and a PD35 that uses the same battery, which makes that rechargeable as well. I carry the PD35 everyday with me, and it replaced a PD 30 I lost after 10 years of daily carry with no issues. Their customer service is amazing as my granddaughter chewed off the rubber tail switch cover and they sent me a new one without question or cost. I swear she has no taste buds!

 

[Jackfre]

I have a Streamlight Stinger DS. It is rechargeable. I live in the country and when I want to know what is in the neighborhood I can throw a beam 200 yds. It is fantastic. We have a team of mountain lions working the area and the ability to look around effectively is a comfort.

 

[sberry]

I got some small stuff, never remember it. So,,, I have 5 lights for our battery tool system.

 

[My Old Tools]

$15 Pelican 4AA for me. Waterproof to 300 feet. No switch to fail.