I've become fascinated with this new breed of LED flashlights. Mostly because the batteries last a long long time. The $10 compact size brinkman with one LED is a good light. I put it in my truck a long time ago and the it still works great off of original AA batteries. Last night I bought an Inova X5 for $30. 5 LED bright floodlight, solid one piece construction, waterproof, small, batteries last 20 hrs. If i'm wandering around the backyard by the ranch looking for the dogs I still use the old fashioned big maglite for its whacking ability but the old flashlights seem obsolete. I was thinking about getting a surefire or something when I found the Inova X5. The X5 lights up the yard, how does that compare to the expensive tactical lights. How long do the bulbs and batteries last in those $100 lights. Is 60,000 lumens that important. I don't even know what a lumen is or how it compares. And are Xenon bulbs worth it, how long do they last. Looking for opinions.
It's just a flashlight
- Thread starter eyz
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Black Snowman
Member
After doing some research I ended up with a Streamlight Twintask 2L. Two lithium 123 batteries with a 28 hour life on the 3 LEDs. Xenon bulb that's brighter and more even than my old Maglight. 10 hours of battery life on it I believe. Inch in diamater and 4 inches or so long. Very handy. I carry it every day.
My 2 lithium battery Streamlight M3 weapon light is MUCH brighter and has much shorter battery life. A lot of the extra cost is in the shock absorbing system that absorbs enough recoil to prevent the filimant from failing and the higher power and quality bulb. Even during the day it's bright enough to daze you indoors. Watch out for those mirrors
Makes my 3D Maglight look like a $1 store special.
I like the value of the Streamlight brand. Surefires are way over-kill for most people IMHO. If I put my life on the line on a regular basis and I had to know that the light was going to work thousands of times every time I'd pay for the Surefire. But for an armchair commando like myself it's a bit much.
Check out
the Candlepower forums for more information on flashlights than you could possible want to know
My 2 lithium battery Streamlight M3 weapon light is MUCH brighter and has much shorter battery life. A lot of the extra cost is in the shock absorbing system that absorbs enough recoil to prevent the filimant from failing and the higher power and quality bulb. Even during the day it's bright enough to daze you indoors. Watch out for those mirrors
Makes my 3D Maglight look like a $1 store special.I like the value of the Streamlight brand. Surefires are way over-kill for most people IMHO. If I put my life on the line on a regular basis and I had to know that the light was going to work thousands of times every time I'd pay for the Surefire. But for an armchair commando like myself it's a bit much.
Check out
the Candlepower forums for more information on flashlights than you could possible want to know
I like the idea of LED and a seperate bright bulb. I might have bought a surefire if they were available in local stores. I work in a very large limited window enviroment. One time the power was out for half a day and the LED flashlight kept right on going when others discount flashlights lasted 1/2hr or 1hr.
762x51
Member
If you think the Inova X5 is bright.......you should get yourself a 5w LED Surefire L4. I have both and there is simply no comparison. Shorter runtime of course.....but MUCH more light with decent throw.
I like to use the L4 until it is past peak brightness, and then throw the batteries into my X5T and use them up.
I like to use the L4 until it is past peak brightness, and then throw the batteries into my X5T and use them up.
Stand_Watie
Member
I bought a Garrity LED light at walmart last night for 12 bucks. It's about 4 inches long and 3/4 inch diameter. It seems to be about as powerful as a typical 2 D cell flashlight, but runs on 3 AAA batteries and the packaging claims it will last 10x as long as a regular light.
I got it for work, it's small enough to be convenient and has a little belt holster, is aluminum and supposedly shockproof, and it has a push button on/off switch instead of the hassle of the twist on/off that the small maglites have.
I got it for work, it's small enough to be convenient and has a little belt holster, is aluminum and supposedly shockproof, and it has a push button on/off switch instead of the hassle of the twist on/off that the small maglites have.
I buy into the hype of Surefire.
http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_disp/displ/strfnbr/6/pgname/why_surefire
They are on the leading edge of light technology. They put a lot of R&D into their lights.
I have never bought any other of the "new" generation of flashlights, so I can't compare them. But, the Surefires I own are so much better than the old D and C cell flashlights that it is ridiculous.
Contrary to internet myth, you don't have to pay $100 or more to get a Surefire flashlight. I carry a Surefire G2 Nitrolon at work, on a daily basis. You can get one from Surefire for the full retail price of $34.00. As I said, I don't know if it is better than what you have now or not. But it costs about the same.
I also carry a Surefire E2 Executive with an LED head. It is a single battery flashlight that is very compact. I carry mine in my front pocket. If you shine it in your eyes, it will dazzle you. Even this is brighter than most of my old flashlights and it is smaller than a "C" size battery.
"If I put my life on the line on a regular basis and I had to know that the light was going to work thousands of times every time I'd pay for the Surefire."
I do and I did.
Oh, and another internet myth: the batteries are way too expensive to even consider a Surefire. You can buy the batteries for $15/dozen right from Surefire. I usually get mine in a couple days. I carry my flashlight every day and use them fairly often and don't use more than a dozen batteries a year.
Now if you want to get into the expensive Surefire lights, I want the one that Special Forces uses to signal a satelite from the ground (M4 or M6 I don't remember which one it is). Now that is bright: but it ought to be, for over $300.
http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_disp/displ/strfnbr/6/pgname/why_surefire
They are on the leading edge of light technology. They put a lot of R&D into their lights.
I have never bought any other of the "new" generation of flashlights, so I can't compare them. But, the Surefires I own are so much better than the old D and C cell flashlights that it is ridiculous.
Contrary to internet myth, you don't have to pay $100 or more to get a Surefire flashlight. I carry a Surefire G2 Nitrolon at work, on a daily basis. You can get one from Surefire for the full retail price of $34.00. As I said, I don't know if it is better than what you have now or not. But it costs about the same.
I also carry a Surefire E2 Executive with an LED head. It is a single battery flashlight that is very compact. I carry mine in my front pocket. If you shine it in your eyes, it will dazzle you. Even this is brighter than most of my old flashlights and it is smaller than a "C" size battery.
"If I put my life on the line on a regular basis and I had to know that the light was going to work thousands of times every time I'd pay for the Surefire."
I do and I did.
Oh, and another internet myth: the batteries are way too expensive to even consider a Surefire. You can buy the batteries for $15/dozen right from Surefire. I usually get mine in a couple days. I carry my flashlight every day and use them fairly often and don't use more than a dozen batteries a year.
Now if you want to get into the expensive Surefire lights, I want the one that Special Forces uses to signal a satelite from the ground (M4 or M6 I don't remember which one it is). Now that is bright: but it ought to be, for over $300.
stevesmith7
Member
I've been bitten by the LED flashlight bug as well. Until recently I just had some cheap Dorcy's and an Inova X1 but I finally found what I'd been looking for. I got one of the first ElectroLumens XM-3's. 3 watt LED, runs on 2 AA's, lasts about two hours. Built like a tank and really bright. I use rechargeable NiMH so I always have fresh batteries. Runs about $40.
Steve
Steve
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php
More than you ever wanted to know about flashlights.
More than you ever wanted to know about flashlights.
My favorite small light is the Pelican L1. About half the size of a mini-maglite, and maybe a quarter of the weight, it has a tailcap switch, and a lifetime guarantee (which does not cover shark or bear attack, or children under 5). In the $10 range. Batteries about $.25, and they last 70-100+ hours, depending on light color chosen. This is as much flashlight as most people will ever need.
I have managed to break one, but then, I don't know how I didn't manage to break myself in the process. I'm lucky to be alive and relatively hale.
The L1 is not a distance light, and I feel it serves best as a primary light, with tac light reserved for distance/emergencies.
John
I have managed to break one, but then, I don't know how I didn't manage to break myself in the process. I'm lucky to be alive and relatively hale.
The L1 is not a distance light, and I feel it serves best as a primary light, with tac light reserved for distance/emergencies.
John
Dave P
Member
Lights on Shotguns
Speaking of LEDS: who makes one for mounting on my Mossberg? I like the surefire solution, but at $250 (or whatever) it sure is expensive!!
I belieive its expensive for the shock mounting? Therefore a LED mount ought to be much cheaper.
DAve
Speaking of LEDS: who makes one for mounting on my Mossberg? I like the surefire solution, but at $250 (or whatever) it sure is expensive!!
I belieive its expensive for the shock mounting? Therefore a LED mount ought to be much cheaper.
DAve
Penforhire
Member
I've got the 3 C-cell TwinTask. I like it around the house for its 100+ hour burn time but the LED's are too blue while the regular bulb could brighter.
I often find myself referring to my job on this board. I am sorry, but I guess that is just the way my mind works. Anyway: When I am at work, we carry a whole truck full of gear. Out of all that gear, there are a few pieces of gear that are absolutely essential. Other stuff we could make due without it, but those few items that are essential, there is no substitute for it. If I am pressed for time when I get to work and can't check out the truck by the checklist, I make sure I check that we have those pieces of equipment that we can't get along with out.
I place a flashlight into this catagory. Not just at work, but anytime. Lets say I am broken down along side the road, maybe I have a flat tire. If I can't see, I don't just say, Oh, it's just a flashlight. There are countless other times when you need to see in the dark, some of them are things that you HAVE to do. When that occurs, you arn't thinking about how you saved five bucks on that flashlight that doesn't work, or had a real bad beam, or whatever. Before I realized there were good quality flashlights out there, I cussed flashlights up one side and down the other. I don't know how many times I was trying to fix something while I was holding a flashlight in my teeth or under my arm having to hold it just so, so the black spot in the beam wasn't on the work and then having the damn thing go off. I think it is well worth everyone's money to get a decent flashlight. This of course doesn't mean you have to spend a lot of money and it doesn't mean you have to buy brand X. As long as it is good quality and has proven to be reliable, it is money well spent. You don't need to be a high speed operator to need a good quality flashlight. You don't need to be making life or death decisions to need a good quality flashlight.
I place a flashlight into this catagory. Not just at work, but anytime. Lets say I am broken down along side the road, maybe I have a flat tire. If I can't see, I don't just say, Oh, it's just a flashlight. There are countless other times when you need to see in the dark, some of them are things that you HAVE to do. When that occurs, you arn't thinking about how you saved five bucks on that flashlight that doesn't work, or had a real bad beam, or whatever. Before I realized there were good quality flashlights out there, I cussed flashlights up one side and down the other. I don't know how many times I was trying to fix something while I was holding a flashlight in my teeth or under my arm having to hold it just so, so the black spot in the beam wasn't on the work and then having the damn thing go off. I think it is well worth everyone's money to get a decent flashlight. This of course doesn't mean you have to spend a lot of money and it doesn't mean you have to buy brand X. As long as it is good quality and has proven to be reliable, it is money well spent. You don't need to be a high speed operator to need a good quality flashlight. You don't need to be making life or death decisions to need a good quality flashlight.
Diamondback
Member
I have LED fever also. I bought a Inova X5-T off the web last week....waiting for it to arrive not so patiently. "eyz",I am happy to hear you are pleased with yours...I just figured I really don't need a super bright Surefire zenon-type light. I am not LEO/mall ninja....if I go trying to clear some dark building by myself I'll just get myself or some innocent injured..."a mans go to know his limitations". A fairly bright LED with good flood and some reasonable throw that lasts for many hours on 10 year lithium batteries in a handy size seems practical for me. Besides....go around flashing a super bright light in someone's eyes and see if you don't provoke them. There was fisticuffs down the block Holloween weekend when someone spotted a Surefire directly into a parent's eyes. Parent yelled "cut it out !"........spotter didn't cease and desist quick enough for the parent's liking. Fight ensued. Surefire are tactical. .......fine if YOU need one for work......I don't ! I guess I just see things the way JShirley does.
-regards
-regards
crawfordew
Member
I use a Photon II & a Streamlight Scorpion. The Photon for close-in tasks & the Scorpion when I want to "light up the night". I'm going to get one of the lithium cell Twin Task lights eventually. Non-lithium cell lights around my house are merely storage containers for dead batteries.
Gene
Gene
Combat-wombat
Member
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- Jan 2, 2003
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The X5 is great. For me it's sorta a "poor man's tactical light" until I can afford a Surefire.
modifiedbrowning
Member
I have a cheapo Dorcy LED that uses one AA that I bought at Wal mart for $10. I have been using it for about a month now, every night, same battery. I'm happy with it.
As far as the bright lithium battery models go I have a $15 light I bought at Target. Aluminum body, bright but has a decided flat spot in the beam. It is made by Fore Sight, but I can't find any info on the company. I also have a Brinkmann Maxfire that I bought at Wal-mart for $19.99. Plastic body, two 123 batteries. Very bright, good throw. Basically, it is Brinkmann's answer to the Surefire G2.
My Brother is a big Surefire fan and I've played with most of his, they are great lights, but if you want a bright,cheap light check out the Brinkmann Maxfire at Wal-mart.
I still want a E2 Defender, though, that is a cool flashlight.
As far as the bright lithium battery models go I have a $15 light I bought at Target. Aluminum body, bright but has a decided flat spot in the beam. It is made by Fore Sight, but I can't find any info on the company. I also have a Brinkmann Maxfire that I bought at Wal-mart for $19.99. Plastic body, two 123 batteries. Very bright, good throw. Basically, it is Brinkmann's answer to the Surefire G2.
My Brother is a big Surefire fan and I've played with most of his, they are great lights, but if you want a bright,cheap light check out the Brinkmann Maxfire at Wal-mart.
I still want a E2 Defender, though, that is a cool flashlight.
jojo
Member
In my job I have access to most types of lights, I have and use both the Innova, Surefire, and a lot of others.
The tactical lights from Surefire are excellent lights. My only fault with them, and it's a minor one, is the battery life (approx 45 min give or take 15)
The innova on the other hand it an excellent work light. The softer light produces much less glare, is good for looking in windows, thru sight glasses, etc.. The battery life is naturally much greater (>8 hours).
Both are excellent choices, but have their nitches.
jojo
The tactical lights from Surefire are excellent lights. My only fault with them, and it's a minor one, is the battery life (approx 45 min give or take 15)
The innova on the other hand it an excellent work light. The softer light produces much less glare, is good for looking in windows, thru sight glasses, etc.. The battery life is naturally much greater (>8 hours).
Both are excellent choices, but have their nitches.
jojo
cslinger
Member
Innova X5 is just about my perfect do it all general purpose light. My "tactical" light is the Innova X03. 85 Lumens and built very tough. I paid around $55 bucks for it. I orignally thought that the 82-85 Lumen claim was high but putting it next to a 65 Lumen Surefire really seems to indicate that the X03 is quite a bit brighter.
I did a write up not too long ago here.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=105583&highlight=Innova
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=105399&highlight=Innova
I did a write up not too long ago here.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=105583&highlight=Innova
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=105399&highlight=Innova
Knife_Sniper
Member
I have two brinkman maxfires, V1 and V2.
V1 is a aluminum flashlight with rubber grip and bezel protector. The new model is a composite peice with full rubber wrapping. The original is the better of the two becuase the new one doesent inspire confidence. The only main flaw with my V2 is how easily the threads "want" to cross thread on the cap. If you had to put the cap on at night for a battery change you might just cross thread it.
I also have a C3 centurion. It has some nicks and scratches in it from many falls onto concrete. Sadly, the only surface which it has EVER fallen upon has been concrete. Over and Over.
Its like a magnet and a fridge. The light has never given me any problems. That said the 40 lumens it has over the el cheapos at walmart isn't a whole lot. However... the fact that I can upgrade the flashlight is a big plus. My first box of lithiums and and light upgrade are on their way as we speak. I can't wait.
SnWnMe
Member
I have the $12 Garrity light that Stand Watie mentioned. Aluminum body, BRIGHT led. I really don't see why I should pay more than $20 for a flashlight unless it's a club like the big Maglites. I mean, I do alot of night mtn biking and some flashlights cost almost as much as my Niterider H.I.D. bike light. Also the batteries for some of these lights are an issue for me. I need for all my personal electronic gear to run on readily available AA or AAA cells because I do not have access to camera shops or electronic shops when I am out there.
I got the LED fever too...
My bikelight is 5 LEDs. Works fine, but pretty much the consensus is this:
If you want superior candlepower and good "throw", get a bulb.
If you want something to read with, get a LED.
If you want superior compactness (power in one LED versus a bulb the same size), durability, and good current draw, get an LED.
If you want a big, powerful Maglight or trucker's flashlight, get a bulb.
That's it. The only reason bulbs (I mean like high-powered bulbs, aka. Xenon) are still around is better candlepower and throw.
I'd still want my bulb bikelight if it wasn't broken, because it's more powerful, without having to subsitute multiple LEDs. I still think a nice compact flashlight with say 3 LEDs is a nice everyday flashlight. I don't necessarily agree with the 15 buck ones...You get what you pay for...
My bikelight is 5 LEDs. Works fine, but pretty much the consensus is this:
If you want superior candlepower and good "throw", get a bulb.
If you want something to read with, get a LED.
If you want superior compactness (power in one LED versus a bulb the same size), durability, and good current draw, get an LED.
If you want a big, powerful Maglight or trucker's flashlight, get a bulb.
That's it. The only reason bulbs (I mean like high-powered bulbs, aka. Xenon) are still around is better candlepower and throw.
I'd still want my bulb bikelight if it wasn't broken, because it's more powerful, without having to subsitute multiple LEDs. I still think a nice compact flashlight with say 3 LEDs is a nice everyday flashlight. I don't necessarily agree with the 15 buck ones...You get what you pay for...
There are rechargeable batteries available for many lights that use the CR123 lithium cells. Check out:
https://www.jsburlys.com/shop/produ...id=28&osCsid=1860f94d335c8699c1429ec5c69fd496
I've bought 2 of these + a charger from this store. The batteries last about as long as a set of CR123's, and you can recharge them many times. If you like to use your Surefire (or other CR123 light) a lot, then this is a good solution, but do the math, because this setup is expensive.
A rechargeable lives in my everyday carry L4 all the time. I still use the good old lithiums in my emergency use only L5, however, because I don't worry about self-discharge in them. To be fair, the rechargeable in the L4 doesn't really seem to suffer from any noticeable self-discharge; I use my light some every day and charge about once a week.
https://www.jsburlys.com/shop/produ...id=28&osCsid=1860f94d335c8699c1429ec5c69fd496
I've bought 2 of these + a charger from this store. The batteries last about as long as a set of CR123's, and you can recharge them many times. If you like to use your Surefire (or other CR123 light) a lot, then this is a good solution, but do the math, because this setup is expensive.
A rechargeable lives in my everyday carry L4 all the time. I still use the good old lithiums in my emergency use only L5, however, because I don't worry about self-discharge in them. To be fair, the rechargeable in the L4 doesn't really seem to suffer from any noticeable self-discharge; I use my light some every day and charge about once a week.
3 gun
Member
I use to think it was just a flashlight until I went to a couple of night shoots this year. The range is well out of town and when they turn off all the building lights it's, "I can't see my hand in front of my face" dark. I had several lights with me and during the walk thru I spent some time seeing how each light worked. First thing, there is no such thing as to bright. They had some of the targets out to about 20 yards. At that distance a normal Surefire (60/65 lumen) had a hard time making it clear if it was a shoot or no shoot target. Second, a bright LED isn't good enough sometimes. I had just gotten my Surefire L2 which is rated at 100 lumens. The spec says it is a white LED but it still has a slight blue tint to it. You could see a slight color shift on the targets when switching between the LED and xenon lights. Third, being able to focus the light from flood to spot can be a huge help. Having to aim the light on each target is slower that having a flood pattern that lights a whole "room" with even light. I had with me that night a Surefire L2, Streamlight TwinTask, Scorpion and TL3. The TL3 was the hands down winner. It was the only light in the squad that was bright enough to light up the long range targets well enough to allow sure calls on the shoot/no shoot targets. It was also bright enough to "flood" an area making finding the targets and sight picture fairly quick and easy. The Surefire was a distance second followed by the Scorpion and lastly the TwinTask. All the light were bright enough to allow you to see the targets, even the TwinTask running it's LEDs. All of the lights would have been fine if used in home defense kind of ranges. Only the 200 lumen TL3 was bright enough to really use outdoors in complete darkness and allow for target identification. I carry the L2 with me. The TwinTask is in the glove box. The TL3 is on the nightstand next to the pistol.
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