Flashlight small enough for EDC but blindingly bright?

[Mark-Smith]

So a run in with a person who refused to identify themselves but kept ringing the doorbell (with the porch light having gone out some time in the last 24 hours) made me reconsider keeping a flashlight with my holster.

[seriously, if you're a process server in Texas trying to find someone after dark and you refuse to identify yourself, you're obviously not keen on a healthy and long life]

I'm looking for something that's small enough to keep with the holster - not much bigger than a magazine for a Glock 26, and is really, really blindingly bright. It doesn't need to last for a long time, and if it can be dialed down with a second click, that'd be nice, but the primary purpose is to keep the other person visually out of it rather than look for something in the dark.

Preferably something with adrenaline-proof controls - one click, it goes on (not certain if momentary is better than on / off) at its brightest.

Anything north of 150-200 lumens y'all would recommend?

 

[Rubber_Duck]

Streamlight PT 2L

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduc...& Tactical Lights-_-PriceCompListing-_-946305

Best bang-for-the-buck EDC light I've ever used. 180 lumens, and it has a low mode as well for small tasks. Battery life is 2.5 hours. I know some people are hung-up on not using CR123 batteries but they are pretty common and they offer much more light output for a much longer runtime than comparable flashlights using AAs or AAAs.

 

[Gryffydd]

Fenix LD10

132 Lumens
1 AA Battery
34 hours on low, 1.5 hours on high with several modes in between.

I love the super compact size due to using only one AA. And of course, using a single AA is incredibly convenient.

Edit, sorry, I missed your lumen requirement, though I doubt most people would notice the difference between 132 and 150. The Fenix model that uses 1 CR123 I believe puts it into your range, while still being as compact as the LD10.

 

[Mark-Smith]

I know some people are hung-up on not using CR123 batteries but they are pretty common and they offer much more light output for a much longer runtime than comparable flashlights using AAs or AAAs.

I don't plan on using it often, so as long as the battery will hold a charge for a good long while when not in use, replacement / cost isn't a huge issue.

 

[Rubber_Duck]

CR123 Lithium batteries have a shelf life of 10 years and don't leak like alkalines. Stick with AMERICAN-MADE batteries (Energizer, Duracell, Panasonic, and SureFire) and you won't have any problems with quality, reliable batteries. Quality AA's won't give you too many problems either, again, stick with USA-made batteries.

 

[Mark-Smith]

Is there anything out there that is comparable in size to the Streamlight PT 2L but is over 200 lumens?

 

[Rubber_Duck]

I don't know too many flashlight brands but there is nothing wrong with the 180 lumens of the Streamlight PT 2L, and you will be hard pressed to tell the difference between the Streamlight and another flashlight claiming 250 lumens. You can get a flashlight that uses the P60-type bulb and put in a Thrunite XM-L drop-in that does around 450 lumens (I have one in a SureFire Z2 and the output is dazzling) or any other extreme-output LED but the flashlight will be bigger and less suited to EDC than the PT 2L.

I know Fenix makes some comparably sized lights but I'm not familiar with them to recommend a model that suits your needs. But like I said you will not tell the difference in output. Output isn't everything. The Streamlight PT 2L will serve you well if you are looking for an EDC light. My EDC light is actually a SureFire E2E but it is much more expensive and not as bright nor does it have as long a runtime as the PT 2L but I like both lights so I use both (I'm a bit of a nerd so I have about 12 SureFires but Streamlight is the only other brand I like and I only use specific models of theirs that I require for work).

 

[Mark-Smith]

Ended up going with the Streamlight PT 2L, here's to hoping it will serve me well in any future encounter.

 

[Rubber_Duck]

Be sure to let us know how you like it. I paid $48 for mine, not knowing I could've bought it cheaper elsewhere but it's done and over with and I'm happy with it nonetheless.

 

[Mark-Smith]

It's listed for $42 on Amazon and elsewhere - for $6, I wouldn't lose much nap time over it

Now if you saw it for $22 with free shipping, that'd be something else heh.

 

[cdkhntr]

I have the surefire back up 1 battery123 size plenty of lumens fits in the pocket no problem

 

[rosewood151]

Streamlight micro stream. It takes a single AAA, and has a momentary click switch. It's not as super bright as something like the Surefire backup, BUT its so tiny you always have it. I've given about a dozen away to friends and coworkers. Its also only 20.00

 

[Richard1963]

Ended up going with the Streamlight PT 2L, here's to hoping it will serve me well in any future encounter.

Those are great little lights. I ordered 2, one for the vehicle and one to keep with my Glock 21 under the bed (2nd Gen, no rail). My sister saw it, now she wants one, her friend wants one, my wife wants one, and even my 83 year old mother wants one.

I wonder if I can get a volume discount....although I did find them online for 37.50 + shipping.

 

[Mark-Smith]

Zombie thread!

 

[trickyasafox]

if you didn't buy yet- check out Solarforce - the L2 model with a single output emitter in it. 300+ lumens (factory rated, but brighter than my fenix TK10) and about half the price.

 

[TraditionalCatholic]

I have a Coleman Max that I actually purchased from the good old wally world. I know it sounds ridiculous, but I paid $24.49 for this, and, using a Cree LED, it puts out 144 lumens of light with three AAA batteries. I carry mine every day, and have used it many times. The claimed run time is 6 hours, but to achieve maximum brightness, I usually replace my batteries after about three hours. Yes, there are many better lights out there, but this little Chinese deal gets the job done, and is plenty durable enough for my needs. YMMV.

 

[Rubber_Duck]

Mark-Smith,

Did you end up getting the Streamlight PT-2L? If you did, how do you like it?

 

[Mark-Smith]

Yes, I did indeed get the Streamlight PT-2L, so far it's working great.

 

[Rubber_Duck]

That's good to hear, glad it's working for you.

 

[billy b]

Good info here, thanks guys!

 

[CTPhil]

I wonder if I can get a volume discount....although I did find them online for 37.50 + shipping.

Where, if you don't mind?

 

[Unistat]

Streamlight PT 2L

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduc...& Tactical Lights-_-PriceCompListing-_-946305

Best bang-for-the-buck EDC light I've ever used. 180 lumens, and it has a low mode as well for small tasks. Battery life is 2.5 hours. I know some people are hung-up on not using CR123 batteries but they are pretty common and they offer much more light output for a much longer runtime than comparable flashlights using AAs or AAAs.

I was going to say this exactly. I am really pleased with mine.