Looking for a New Flashlight

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mdauben

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Several years ago I bought a NovaTac Classic LED flashlight (based on some online recommendations), and was very happy with it. It was primarily a bedside flashlight for me, so it served me when the power was out, something went "bump" in the night, or I was looking for a dropped remote under the couch!). Unfortunately, it died on me recently, and when I tried to disassemble it, I found the AA batteries in it had swollen up and I could not get them out.

So, its time for a new flashlight! I would have been perfectly happy to just replace the NovaTac, but it appears to be OOP now and I can't find one anywhere. I'd like to find something similar (LED, aluminum construction, 2xAA or 2xCR123A batteries). After a bit of looking, I was thinking about the Streamlight ProTac 2L flashlight. Its reasonably priced and seems to have a lot of positive reviews.

I was just wondering if anyone here had first hand experience with this particular light? It appears to be available with either 2xAA or 2xCR123A batteries. Which would be the better choice? My primary concern is durability and reliability, with absolute brightness a secondary concern. Is there any similar light from another manufacturer I should be looking at, too?

Thanks!
 
I bought one of those flashlights that regularly shows up on television commercials. You know, the one that shows a Semi running over it, freezing it in a bucket of ice. I bought the original at WalGreens. Best and brightest I ever seen. You won't be disapointed. I think it was like $29 dollars.
 
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The 6 to 10 dollar LED flashlights are very bright and I have one in very vehicle and more in the house and shop. They work much better than an expensive one that I never have when I need it.

For an EDC I would consider spending more but I don't carry one.
 
I’ve carried a Streamlight Pro Tac 2L for years. It’s a great flashlight with plenty of power. I carry it daily and I’ve added a tiny strip of skateboard tape along one side for extra grip. They are programmable but mine is set for one click- low beam, double click- incredible high beam. Great for scanning the backyard at night.
I carry a second one in my Jeep’s console.
Armored Farmer has me wondering if I could just turn my belt clip around and use it on my hat bill.
 
I've been shopping for a small EDC light and need one to check the fith wheel latch , everything is covered with grease and hard to see. I learned to get under there and look after dropping a couple of loaded trailers.
 
I have a Surefire 6P that's decades old and been beaten to death. There are certainly flashlights out there now with far better features but the 6P has proven to be brutally reliable. For sure in the middle of the night in the woods miles from the truck that old 6P will be in my pocket.
 
The 6 to 10 dollar LED flashlights are very bright and I have one in very vehicle and more in the house and shop. They work much better than an expensive one that I never have when I need it.

For an EDC I would consider spending more but I don't carry one.

Like any Fine Figure of a Man, I have several dozen of the $6 Cree-based lights from Amazon. They are made in China so if you want to get a good price I would order them soon:

Hanging on my door knobs (always handy and makes noise when the door is moved) I have:
I have both the $10 WdtPro (three AAA or one 1865 battery) which are much brighter on 18650 (maybe 500 lumens) but work perfectly well on AAA (300 lumens). They provide a wide beam (about 2x the diameter of the mini-cree's below) and are waterproof:

71WmquAN5QL._SX425_.jpg

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N66TZ4M/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

these are similar to the $12 Outlite (which I also have, zero difference):

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00R5VM3FM/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1


Stashed around in packs and cars and for EDC I have the MIni-Cree's. These run at 300 lumens, are waterproof and run on AA batteries. They are available in many places and generally run from $2 - $5 I give these out every year at work, etc as Christmas presents.

s-l640.jpg

s-l640.jpg

https://www.ebay.com/i/152199024306?chn=ps

They also come in colors (best price here):

https://www.dhgate.com/product/best-wholesale-ultrafire-7w-zoomable-sk68/250527903.html?utm_source=pla&utm_medium=GMC&utm_campaign=batteryfactory&utm_term=250527903&f=bm|250527903|024061|GMC|812091101|pla|batteryfactory|US|024061001|c||2|&gclid=CjwKCAjwhLHaBRAGEiwAHCgG3sJJusNKc4RR_kty-I5RM6JP8UOpbtZpI5m1022vGoL1gHsAydS7oRoCg4YQAvD_BwE

https://www.ebay.com/i/322327869389?chn=ps

And on Amazon for $6:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B016V3MHAA/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01A7A0NPO/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
 
I got a Steamlight in the Truck. Big and bulky, rechargeable. I use this when I have to work on things in the dark or need some good light, not what your wanting, but wanted to say what a quality product they make. For small, I have an Atactical A1S. Works great. For my daughters, they both have an LE Brand Rechargeable LED (about $17). What I liked about the Atactical was the rechargeable battery. There are many to choose from today.
 
I've bought a few of those $10 cree lights from Amazon. They are certainly bright, but every one I've had has died between 6 months and a year.

My nightstand light is a Fenix PD35. It's twice the price of the Streamlight ProTac 2L, but it also is way brighter with a much further throw if and when you need it. I liked it enough that I bought a Fenix headlamp to keep in my truck. I've had several AA and even AAA powered lights in the past, but the future of "premium" flashlights seems to be the CR123 and 18650 batteries. I've tried both the CR123 batteries and the 18650's, and settled on the 18650's due to their longer run time. I'm OK with giving up some brightness to have a longer run time. The Nitecore charger linked above is a good one for keeping your batteries in good shape.
 
There is a ton of information out at candlepowerforums.com. The LED Flahlight forum has quite a bit of good information in it. My last couple of flashlights have been Malkoffs, and I like them.
 
I would take a strong look Olight. They are a great value and if you check YouTube have awesome feedback
 
Shoot, I have 2-3 dozen of the mini-crees and about half that of the WdtPros. The mini-crees go back 4-5 years and the WdtPros 1-2 years and zero have failed. I switched from Surefire and StreamLight. Still use Surefire for headlamps and both Surefire and Streamlight for weapon lights.
 
Candle Power Forums is great! I stay away because the fever begins after reading about all the various flashlights. ;):confused: The LED tech changes with some frequency that buying $$$ lights has become unappealing for my wallet. Spend $200 then in a few months or year there is a new emitter or drive circuitry so the output yield jumps. If there are particular beam characteristics desired that is a challenge with some configured lights.

I like AA and AAA because the Eneloop cells are so good. I have some first generation AA's brought back from Japan in '05 that are still going. They charge up into the 1000-1100mAh now so they serve low priority usage. I go through a 123 cell about every 10-14 days. I'm growing tired of buying them where the dual fuel 1L or 2L will run on AA's. That's pretty reasonable to recharge them. Candle Power forums has a battey section and tests so there are updates as far as how well the AA's may perform relative to 123's.
 
The 6 to 10 dollar LED flashlights are very bright and I have one in very vehicle and more in the house and shop. They work much better than an expensive one that I never have when I need it.

For an EDC I would consider spending more but I don't carry one.
Agreed, though I've seen them for as little as 5 for $20. I keep them all over the house, so in case the power fails I don't need to go stumbling around from one room to another to find one. OTOH, my EDC is a SureFire, and my car flashlight is a Streamlight.
 
My microstream looks just like Armored farmer’s ... if not more worn, since it rides in the same pocket as my keys. The Streamlights are tops for EDC; I have a couple of stylus pros too. I do have a Surefire 6P, but it gets carried less frequently.
 
I have had the same Streamlight Protac 2L since April 2013. It is a very useful (and lightweight!) pocket flashlight. Mine is the older model, I believe the high setting is 260 lumens. It is a very durable flashlight and I have carried it daily. The only complaints I have about my light is the pocket clip falls off way too easily. I lost it years ago, and it just slides in my pocket anyway. And my particular light is old enough where it does not accept 18650 rechargeable batteries. If using 18650 batteries is part of your plan, make sure you get the 2L-X model.
 
I have had a Streamlight Protac 2L for a number of years now... maybe 5+? I like it a lot. Very bright on high, and a lower power mode/option. Seems well made.

I have a number of Streamlight Microstreams around for the girls as keychain lights and they like their small lights as well.

-Jeff
 
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