jahn
Well-known member
What is the best flashlight on there now? Pen & handheld
Flashlights
- Thread starter jahn
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Whoismiked
Well-known member
When it comes to pen style I don't think you can beat a Streamlight Stylus pro.
techieman33
Well-known member
What do you consider a pen light? Are you wanting a single or double AAA battery, is AA ok? How about an 18650 light (would be about 1" in diameter)? Same for hand held, what kind of size are you looking for? What are you going to use them for? Do you want a floody light, or do you want to light something up 1/4 mile away? Budget?
Htscheg
Well-known member
Stream light stulus pro is my go too light
marineman
Well-known member
Samsung Galaxy S7 is my go to. Harbor freight freebies are runner up
plinker
Well-known member
I have a Streamlight polytac, around 35$, nice light but batteries are a bit spendy given the battery life (CR123). Maglite XL50's are what I used before and still have around.
I also have a Snap-on pen light takes two AAA's, nice light but the stylus pro is a bit more budget friendly & likely a better light.
I also have a Snap-on pen light takes two AAA's, nice light but the stylus pro is a bit more budget friendly & likely a better light.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
The new Streamlight Stylus Pro is that came in the mail yesterday is quite impressive. It's a warranty replacement. The new one is 100 lumens, while the one I sent in is 60 lumens. The new one is very bright. They had problems with the caps for awhile but I think they got that worked out.
flynlow8740
Well-known member
I have a USB rechargeable Streamlight Sylus pro. I really like it so far. I haven’t had mine very long, but a co worker has had his for quite a while and it had held up to daily use and living full time in a pocket. They are $25-$40 depending if you get rechargeable or not.
As far as bigger lights go you can’t go wrong with any of the Streamlights. The Strion series use 18650 batteries and the Stingers are physically larger. They are pretty spendy though.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
As far as bigger lights go you can’t go wrong with any of the Streamlights. The Strion series use 18650 batteries and the Stingers are physically larger. They are pretty spendy though.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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The Stylus Pro is a bit disappointing in output compared to what's out there, yet I still own one and a couple other streamlights.
For tiny/handy I've got a Fenix UC02 that's 130 lumens and about the size of a peanut! I've got a couple other little Fenix lights and a PD35 but I'm eyeing up picking up a TK47UE or something in the 3000+ lumen range next lol
For tiny/handy I've got a Fenix UC02 that's 130 lumens and about the size of a peanut! I've got a couple other little Fenix lights and a PD35 but I'm eyeing up picking up a TK47UE or something in the 3000+ lumen range next lol
KM223
Well-known member
Surefire makes the very best flashlights available. Period.
Farmall450
Well-known member
Streamlight Stylus Pro
Finky198
Well-known member
I will second that. I own 5 and have 1000s of hours on them. 10+ years now
For general purpose at work I like the 6px pro. When around town I carry a clean p2x fury.
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techieman33
Well-known member
Not even close. The only reason to buy a Surefire these days is if you have to have something that's made in USA. They're living off of government contracts and that USA label. If you actually take a look at what else is out there you'll find out pretty quickly that they're several years behind the tech curve. The same goes for streamlight.
Companies like Armytek, Zebralight, Thrunite, Lumintop, Acebeam, Olight, Emisar, and Convoy are ones you should be looking towards. BLF branded lights are another one to look for. They're flashlights made by several different manufacturers, but what they share in common is that they were designed by members of the flashlight forums and are usually pretty special lights at pretty good prices.
KM223
Well-known member
You’re out of your mind. I’ve taken Surefire with me to war and those lights helped bring me home safely to my family. I wouldn’t trust my life to some jackass on a light forum.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
It's about the brightest light you'll find for $20 on eBay.
Streamlight has a light that's 1100 lumens if you want to spend the $$$$.
techieman33
Well-known member
I'm happy that they served you well in the field. I never said they made a bad light. And they usually very reliable. There are others out there though that are just as or nearly as reliable for less than half the price, 2x-4x the brightness, and they use rechargeable batteries. If I was constantly using a light in situation where my life could depend on it working then Surefire is absolutely in my top 3. But for general purpose use it's not even in the top 10. That's why in my first post I asked for details of how they were going to be using it, and what their budget was. It's all about the details.
Not even close. Here are a couple of pen lights that will both do over 200 lumens, and both have better reputations than the streamlights that are constantly having tail switch problems.
Option 1, Option 2
Here's a great little singe AA light that does 250 lumens.
If your willing to go a little bigger 18650 powered lights will do 1000+ lumens.
Here's one for $16, they're not the latest and greatest, but they're very well made and reliable.
For a few more dollars you get into one of the BLF designed flashlights. It's been my edc light for 3 years now. I own a few different lights that are much more expensive, but I just love this one. It's survived more drops than I can count and it just keeps on ticking.
Indexmill
Well-known member
Nonsense. They used to make the best. Now, Streamlight, Fenix and Nitecore are just as good or better at 1/3 the cost.
Indexmill
Well-known member
Also, note that you can very easily harvest 18650 Li-Ion batteries from most laptop battery packs. Often a bad pack has only on bad cell and the rest are good. This way, the super-duper rechargeable 3 AHr batteries cost nothing as everybody has access to computer battery packs one way or another.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
How about the discontinued Surfires? I have an L5 and it's a dream. I can't understand for the life of me why they would discontinue perfection like that.
techieman33
Well-known member
Laptop takeouts are getting more and more rare. A lot of people are taking cells out of power tool batteries now. They just go pull them out of the recycling bin at the local big box store. Though unless you need a lot of them, your on a super tight budget, or you just enjoy tinkering with them I don't think it makes a lot of sense these days. You can buy new cells for $5 and know exactly what your getting.
redvalkyrie
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2006
- Messages
- 423
Anytime you bring up flashlights things can get tribal. For a penlight I currently use a Lumintop. For everything else I use a Malkoff.
For a 2D light I highly recommend the Maglite ML300LX LED 2-Cell D Flashlight. I've had one going on 3 years and no issues. Around $45.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00S7W3CT4/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&th=1
Penlight, look at the Streamlight ProTac 2AA. I've had mine going on 7 years. No issues. About $35.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003GXF9OA/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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I'm kind of partial to my Surefire 6P's and Malkoff MD2's. They both take 18650's(6P was modified for this by Oveready) and are built like a brick outhouse. Since mine aren't being used as tactical lights, I have multi-mode drop-in light modules so that I don't get blinded by 400 - 500 lumens reflecting back at me.
I do own and use some of the less expensive Chinese lights as well, I just have found them to be less than reliable, so I don't use them when it really matters, unless I have some sort of backup.
I have a couple of Streamlight Stylus Pros kicking around too, they are great penlights.
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I do own and use some of the less expensive Chinese lights as well, I just have found them to be less than reliable, so I don't use them when it really matters, unless I have some sort of backup.
I have a couple of Streamlight Stylus Pros kicking around too, they are great penlights.
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MiamiPHiL
Active member
Sure...Surefire makes a quality product. But they’re way overpriced. The Streamlight Stylus Pro and the Coast HP3R are the two best penlights available for the money. Especially the Streamlight.
BlindViper
Well-known member
I used to like my coast lights but changing batteries once a week got annoying. I started looked around and I wanted a light that was as bright as my coast(300 lumens) and used a 18650 battery. I also didnt want to take it apart to get to said battery out to charge. I found Olight I bought a s30r III not only is it brighter but its smaller and they use a magnetic charging system. I have since purchased a H2r nova headlamp at 2300 lumens and a PL Mini weapon light at 400 lumens. All use the magnetic system and its great.
https://olightworld.com/led-flashlights/rechargeable/olight-s30r-baton-iii
https://olightworld.com/led-flashlights/rechargeable/olight-h2r-nova
https://olightworld.com/led-flashlights/safety-and-self-defense/olight-pl-mini
https://olightworld.com/led-flashlights/rechargeable/olight-s30r-baton-iii
https://olightworld.com/led-flashlights/rechargeable/olight-h2r-nova
https://olightworld.com/led-flashlights/safety-and-self-defense/olight-pl-mini
Wamsutta
Well-known member
Perhaps if the people working there would stop eating and take the bus to work, they could lower the prices for you.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Moving out of the small and very expensive lights, I still say you can not beat the Streamlight 4AA ProPolymer line. Reasonably priced, rugged, and lots of light !
WhiffySpark
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- Oct 22, 2009
- Messages
- 6,252
I have a bunch of stylus pros. They’re nothing to write home about IMO.
I have Fenix PD35TACs. Can switch it between tactical and outdoor mode. Runs off 16850s. Excellent light. I also have the head-mounted one. Again, excellent light. Fenix is chinese but the build quality is top notch. For weapon-mounted lights, I wouldn't veer from Surefire.
MiamiPHiL
Active member
Why take it so personal, cowboy? Why do you have to be so abrasive and come at me with ******* sarcasm because I offered my 2 cents to the OP? I wasn’t talking to you. Now run along and go private message the forum moderator to have me banned because your feelings are hurt. Take a hike.
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In a very crowded, competitive field with a lot of variables it is hard or impossible to pick a best. I am sure there are pleny of good ones. Concentrate on figuring out your needs in terms of battery configuration and brightness and then choose from a number with a good reputation. People go nuts on which is best.
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Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
AmericanMechanic
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2014
- Messages
- 404
After having several Chinese 4Sevens lights fail on me ( burned-out LED, cracked front glass, Etc.), I discovered Elzetta which manufactures fully-potted lights in Kentucky. The quality is wonderful. If you were wondering about your ability, check out the YouTube videos of the 300-foot dropped from a helicopter onto concrete, or the videos where they hammer a bunch of nails with the light while it is running. I'm just a customer with no affiliation to the company, but Elzetta is the flashlight I'll buy in the future.
SantaAna12
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2012
- Messages
- 1,091
If I was looking to light up a work area from distance I would buy a Streamlight Stinger. The newer series. Ultra- Stinger I think. For your pen light option? There are so many good choices these days that you might consider it an ongoing exploration. You might find common ground with your boss on this Journey. "The people's money?" Respect!
Farmall450
Well-known member
Once you add shipping from that sketchy site your $16 china's finest machining number costs more than the stylus.
techieman33
Well-known member
I can assure you that mtnelectronics is anything but sketchy. It's one of my preferred places to buy things because I know I'll get what I'm paying for. As much as I love amazon they can be sketchy as hell when it comes to things like buying lithium-ion batteries you never know if it'll be legit or one of the numerous knockoffs that are around. Even buying something listed by Amazon isn't a guarantee since they co-mingle their inventory with stuff that arrives in their warehouses from other sellers.
Lots of good options. How small/big do you want?
First, lumens aren't everything. Depending on your needs beam pattern can be more important. As an extreme example, my 2D 120 lumen maglite will shine it's small spot further than my 1000 lumen Atactical light. But the wide Atactical beam provides a more useful flood when you are trying to do areas work. Also, that peak brightness is often a bit of marketing. Often the lights drop in output to a lower steady state output rather quickly. So those 1200 lumen single 18650 lights can quickly drop to say 400-600. Finally, your eye doesn't respond to extra output linearly. The with the same beam shape the difference between 1200 and 700 lumens isn't as much as one might think. With a difference beam pattern the difference can be lost.
Second, don't use unprotected 18650 cells. That's dumb and a "vent with flame" event waiting to happen. Stick with protected 18650s if you go down that route. All these lights eat batteries at the high outputs so rechargeables are good.
For really small I like the Thrunite Ti3. Single AAA with decent output. It's a wide floor area so it's good for up close work.
No opinion in the 1-2AA battery lights.
I've used a few low cost 18650 lights. The Atactical A1 is my favorite. Only $20 off Amazon and includes an 18650 cell with a usb micro change port. Thus I can directly change the battery with my cell phone charger (have to remove the battery to charge). The two button interface is easy to use. The A1S is $30 with more lumens but in a wider beam it doesn't shine further.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DC24BSH/?tag=atomicindus08-20
These guys have a headlight that I've been tempted to try. Currently they are my default recommendation.
Another one I've used and find decent is the Zanflare F1
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZPT47Y/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I don't like it as much as the Atactical lights but I do like that it has a recharge port on the outside under a metal ring. Doesn't come with a battery but I had a spare so they was ok. My only concern is will the change port cover hold up to abuse? It's thin feeling aluminum so my fear is a hard did will deform it. Still the exterior change port is really nice.
First, lumens aren't everything. Depending on your needs beam pattern can be more important. As an extreme example, my 2D 120 lumen maglite will shine it's small spot further than my 1000 lumen Atactical light. But the wide Atactical beam provides a more useful flood when you are trying to do areas work. Also, that peak brightness is often a bit of marketing. Often the lights drop in output to a lower steady state output rather quickly. So those 1200 lumen single 18650 lights can quickly drop to say 400-600. Finally, your eye doesn't respond to extra output linearly. The with the same beam shape the difference between 1200 and 700 lumens isn't as much as one might think. With a difference beam pattern the difference can be lost.
Second, don't use unprotected 18650 cells. That's dumb and a "vent with flame" event waiting to happen. Stick with protected 18650s if you go down that route. All these lights eat batteries at the high outputs so rechargeables are good.
For really small I like the Thrunite Ti3. Single AAA with decent output. It's a wide floor area so it's good for up close work.
No opinion in the 1-2AA battery lights.
I've used a few low cost 18650 lights. The Atactical A1 is my favorite. Only $20 off Amazon and includes an 18650 cell with a usb micro change port. Thus I can directly change the battery with my cell phone charger (have to remove the battery to charge). The two button interface is easy to use. The A1S is $30 with more lumens but in a wider beam it doesn't shine further.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DC24BSH/?tag=atomicindus08-20
These guys have a headlight that I've been tempted to try. Currently they are my default recommendation.
Another one I've used and find decent is the Zanflare F1
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZPT47Y/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I don't like it as much as the Atactical lights but I do like that it has a recharge port on the outside under a metal ring. Doesn't come with a battery but I had a spare so they was ok. My only concern is will the change port cover hold up to abuse? It's thin feeling aluminum so my fear is a hard did will deform it. Still the exterior change port is really nice.
I can't speak about penlights because I don't own any. But for regular handheld flashlights I have absolutely fell in love with Streamlight Stingers. I use them mostly out on the road and I really like the spring loaded charging base that mounts in the truck. Not to mention the build quality and brightness makes the Streamlight perfect for road service. I own two of them.... one regular, and one with the dual switch option. I thought the second switch would be great but I honestly find myself never using the tail cap switch. Anyway.... long story shot, In my opinion you cant go wrong with anything made by Streamlight.
What do you guys recommend for a reliable flashight to be left in a car doorwell for the Mrs ?? This may rarely be used but needs to be reliable do the job when required e.g. on a dark winter night with a flat tyre or the like.