Flashlights

[Mata-Leão]

I carry an Inova X5 Tactical but am not crazy about it. Reason being is: I have no idea where to even obtain CR123a batteries here in Costa Rica. Batteries period are very expensive, but there is a large place here that is owned by Cosco that sells AA, D and AAA Duracell Batteries in bulk for a wonderful price.

Which leads me to a question: Do you guys have experience using a high quality LED flashlight that runs off of AA?

I also have two Inova X1 flahlights that run off of a single AA battery that I liked for a long time until recently. Both of the glass lenses/reflectors have fallen off in the 4 years I have owned them. I used Energizer Lithium AA batteries with them, and have since ran out of those types of batteries. NOW, when I switched back to using normal AA batteries, neither flashlight will work. I have read in some electronics manuals before that specify NOT to use the new Lithium Batteries with their product. I guess it some how affected these flashlights. We can put the old Lithium AA's back in the flashlight and the light will work (of course very dim since the battery is dead) but it refuses to turn on with a normal AA.

Please post some of your personal preferences, products used and experiences that lead to what you are currently carrying. Thanks!

[Local Talent]

Been using SureFire products for years (6Z, then C2). They do exist in rechargeable models (including LEDs), which solves the batterie issue. But I haven't owned LEDs, although they were issued at a job I had and can obviously be useful.
If in need of a "gentler" light, I'd probably break out my old mini-MagLight, that does run on AAs.

For graveyard work, I pack a MagCharger, that I like for its power and impact weapon capability (not restricted for us as it is for local LEOs).

I can attest to the ruggedness and durability of SureFire and Maglight products. My only complaint about combat SureFires is that they go through a lot of batteries, and that gets expensive. But I only use them as back-up to the rechargeable light, as I said, and 123s are available in bulk here.

I'm sure that what you're looking for exists, but I'll admit that the only piece of equipment I've devoted much thinking time to is firearms. For the rest, I tend to be easily satisfied. I hope that more discriminating members will chime in with their own experiences, tastes and suggestions.

[Zeami]

Candle Power Forum (http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/), for all your light porn needs. :jester:

[Local Talent]

I lurked there a while back, fascinated by how little I knew and how much time people can devote to one piece of equipment. I'm sure there's forums dedicated to every single little bit of kit, and it frankly borders on fetishism at times, with posters arguing endlessly about how many angels can dance... you know the rest.

Mindblowing when you think about it. And long gone are the days (Da Vinci's) when one (brilliant) man could claim to have absorbed all human knowledge.

So... Zeami, what do you use when it's too dark to see?

[Lone Wolf]

I have several SureFire Flash lights.. One on my thigh rig one on my belt... My SureFire flashlights are older than dirt but they work.. One hand operation and reliable.. I always carry spare batteries with me as you never know when they will go out... That is the only down fall to my surefires... Like my dad use to tell me if it aint broke dont fix it..

[Local Talent]

I always carry spare batteries with me as you never know when they will go out... That is the only down fall to my surefires...
Same here. As you say, they go without warning! But everytime someone tells me about something else, usually a streamlight, I find it to suck.

[Zeami]

The Coleman Max 3 is amazing, with props to Candlepowerforum for the find. 120 lumens, a red led, a blue led, it runs on three AA batteries, has a machined aluminum body and its $32 at Wally World! I retired the Surefire.

[Lone Wolf]

I will have to check it out Zeami.. Thanks for the heads up Its going to have to really be big for me to switch though.. Im the kind of guy I dont make changes in my equipment very well or often

[Local Talent]

I don't expect that my 2-year-old SureFire will need replacement anytime soon either, but a 120 lumens/AA batteries/$32 light still made me wanna take a cursory look.

As usual, after only a few minutes on the Candle Power forums, my head is turning as bad as after a visit to the Kimber site... :D But I understand that one has to be careful getting the right model: I've seen Colemans taking AAs, AAAs, and lithium batteries with outputs of 85, 105, and 115 lumens so confusion is easy.
On the forums, they also mention a plastic lens and a plastic body encased in thin aluminium, which was a turn-off for me. Not sure whether this is the case for the one you own, Zeami.

Regardless, for the price it looks like a hell of a light.

What I specifically like about my C2 is the clip that's proven to be a big help when suited up.

[Zeami]

The Coleman Max 3 is solid and heavy. It's in my locker at work, so I can't say if the lens is plastic or glass, but the crown is deep enough to protect it. It isn't a focused lens, like Surefire, but the light out put is great. I've used it at night to light up house addresses from my car. Don't know about the other Coleman's, but the Max 2 has issues.

[Lone Wolf]

Im not into heavy I carry enought weight as it is with my weapon.. so heavy is out the windows....

[Local Talent]

Don't want to answer for Zeami, but I think he meant heavy for its size, as in too heavy to be plastic. Sorry to keep referring to another forum, but the Candle Power guys post a lot of pics and the Colemans I saw compare to SureFires for size.
And we both know that SureFires, although extremely sturdy, are small and light enough to be pocket-carried.

Those Colemans look like a fantastic deal: my current SureFire cost me 3 times as much...

[Lone Wolf]

Very cool I will check it out and make an informed decision for sure... I am always looking for new better equipment to assist me in the preformance of my duties...

[SCBA Admin]

I am bit of a flashlight geek, I dont belong to any flashlight forums, but I still have about a dozen good lights, from surefire, innova, streamlight, scorpion, and more. 120 lumens is a great amount of light, anything less imho is not enough.
5.11 recently came out with a 120 lumen rechargable light that recharges in 90 seconds, I havent gotten one yet, still waiting for some official reviews.
Once our membership has grown and the site is more active, we will be approaching different companies for product reviews, and hopefully we can review some great gear...
stay tuned!

[Local Talent]

I am bit of a flashlight geek, I dont belong to any flashlight forums, but I still have about a dozen good lights, from surefire, innova, streamlight, scorpion, and more.
So... do you have a favorite? :)

As far as your 120-lumen minimum, I think it depends on your particular situation and assignment.

As a "just-in-case" backup, I used a Mini Maglite for years and it's rated at only... 15.6 lumens (couldn't believe it when I checked)! :eek: No combat light for sure, but it's better than most people think.
Beyond that, the 3-D Maglite that a lot of cops had in their cruiser (I keep one in my car) gives off less than 80, about the same as a SureFire like the 6Z or C2 I now favor for EDC. I think it works very well even for graveyard, and the SureFire will blind an opponent easily.
Now, we've been spoiled by halogen lamps and rechargeable batteries, that's a given, and I love my MagCharger (218 lumens) so much that I'd hate to work nights without it. But I just can't take it everywhere. I'm aware that they do make smaller lights, but those can't be used as impact weapons and run into battery pbs. I think they're overkill anyway.

So personally, but I'm no light expert, I'd say my minimum is about 70-80. Note: I'm sure that lumens aren't all there is to it, but I don't know jack about CP.

[Mata-Leão]

OK guys, I have officially run out of fresh CR123a batteries. My Inova light is soon to be retired and I have made purchase in the States. After you guys mentioned the candle power forums on here, I went there to check out some reviews. Gooood Grief, you can burn some time reading the VERY adequate reviews they have. I was impressed with how much went into producing those comparisons.

So, after much consideration and understanding that I was looking for a light that ran off of AA batteries, I made my choice. I purchased a Fenix L2D. If you are not familiar with it, a quick search will enlighten you. I am rushed or I would lay it all out for you. But not to sway from my posting style, I will get a picture uploaded of it. It uses 2 AA batteries. I was actually leaning towards the compactness of the single AA battery styles out there, but the performance was more practical with the AA batteries from what I saw.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f390/ebbylyn/Fenix.jpg


At first blush, it seems to be a bit long (a very common misconception I experienced with my wife), but after closer inspection, it is shorter than expected (the end truth with me...):p


http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f390/ebbylyn/FenixHand.jpg



The cost was $54 dollars and a big sell point was the: "Waterproof to IPX-8 Standard". Here in Costa Rica it rains 9 months out of the year and I do not appreciate the term, "water resistant". I now like, WATERPROOF.

As I have garnered a bit more time, here are the specs:

6 inch length, 3 ounce weight,

AMAZING 6 OUTPUT LEVELS:
Low-12 lumens (55hrs)
Medium-53 lumens (10.5hrs)
High-107 lumens (4hrs)
Turbo-180 lumens (2.4hrs)
Strobe ->SOS

Will reach over 140 meters (460 FT) using just two 1.5V AA ( Alkaline, Ni-MH) batteries

Virtually indestructible, microprocessor-controlled, CREE light emitting diode (LED) has no filament to burn out or break

Unbelievable 3 ounce body design is made of durable aircraft-grade aluminum, Type III hard-anodized anti-abrasive finish

I also purchased a red lens filter for it. This particular Fenix got the best reviews I could find. The light will be here December 8th and I will update how I like it then.

If you guys have good/bad experiences with Fenix, let me know please!

[Local Talent]

Please do update us after you have some experience with that light. It does look great and I'd love to go back to "regular" batteries. And you're right, the output seems amazing, on paper anyway.

ETA: check out this case of a SureFire turning into a pipe bomb: http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=951360... HOLY SMOKES!!!
There's 6 pages of this, but my favorite line has to be the first: "I own a few Glocks and am ready for them to blow up any second, but NEVER expected it to happen with my Surefire." :devil2:
There's lithium batteries in cell phones, laptops and more, but if they overheat and blow in a solid aluminium pipe... watch out.

All I ever felt in 10 years is a little excessive heat (light stayed on due to operator error), but that makes me wanna look harder at Fenix and other Colemans...

[SonnyPI]

For tactical/ details I carry a Blackhawk Gladius Maximis.

Additionally, when tactical or on a detail like a BUG, I carry a BUF [back up flashlight, lol]. I also carry this BUF independantly where ever I go and am without the Gladius.

I keep one near the bed, in each vehicle and in my go bag.

Fenix/ 4Sevens www.4sevens.com

These are very small mini flashlights, approximately 2.5 inches, high lumen, strobe and LOW COST!

Cordially, Sonny

[Local Talent]

I've heard of both and they seem to have quite the following. Been sticking to SureFire myself out of pure laziness (they just work), although they do go through a lot of batteries. I also had discounted the LED lights, but have been impressed by the brightness and output of those I've seen in the field lately.

[SonnyPI]

LT, until I was given the Gladius for testing about 4-5 years ago when it first came out, I was SUREFIRE devotee; I've been using the Fenix/ 4Sevens products for 2+ years and find them excellent for BUF and standard type use.

My apolgy and respect goes out to MATA-LEAO for my earlier neglect in failing to acknowledge his FIRST postings on the Fenix products.

Cordially, Sonny

[Local Talent]

Even with all the time I have on my hands, I too am beginning to lose track of what has been said on some of those threads that we keep resurrecting. Bound to happen with a young forum like this one and I doubt that our good buddy Mata minds too much - I think he went back to lurking for now, unfortunately.

[MOrozco]

I have used and still currently use streamlight products. I have a Stinger, Ultra Stinger, Stinger XT. Stinger DS Led, Strion and a Nano. I have had my stinger for 9 years and all I've replaced is the battery one time. I am looking at getting the 5.11 light for life any feedback would be appreciated.

[Local Talent]

Sorry, no experience with the 5.11. Looks like a large light for only 90 lumens, but I do like the fast recharging time (90 seconds!).

As far as Streamlight, I had an issued SL-20XP once and didn't like it one bit. It felt cheap, was so light that it couldn't be used as an impact weapon (side benefit of most large lights), and its body would get pretty hot. The outside polymer cover actually bulged and ended up sliding over the end cap, preventing the light from being removed easily from the wall mount (the trim job I did was just a temporary fix).
Everybody on the detail liked my personal MagCharger I brought there much better.

I'm not a polymer light guy, but that may be simply because there's usually an all-steel gun in my other hand... :D

[Lone Wolf]

LOL LT you are to funny.. I get it though.. For many years (20 or so) I carried a 7 C cell Maglight.. Along with my trusty STEEL firearm.. And yes I know your fav.. 1911..

[Local Talent]

For many years (20 or so) I carried a 7 C cell Maglight.. Along with my trusty STEEL firearm..
Those two will leave a mark in case you run out of ammo or can't justify holes in the other guy... :D:copstick:

[Exec_protect]

I was once an expensive flashlight guy but I kept breaking and losing them. I carry this light now. The brand is Redline by Neebo? Output is adjustable from 220 lumens, 110, 22 lumens, s.o.s. and fast strobe. The beauty of it is the cost. At $15.00 a piece I have yet to break one and it is powered by three triple A batteries so changing the batteries or finding spares is easy. I placed it next to a G19 magazine for size comparison. Hope that helps someone.

[Local Talent]

I'll admit that the short life and sudden death of the expensive and explosive (!) lithium batteries has been making me yearn for more traditional "reloads" for my lights. I'm only sticking to SureFires because I've stocked up on them and that's the "evil I know", but I'm following this thread with interest.

[ToryumonX]

I carry a surefire g2 flashlight to my off duty gigs and use it as a backup light for work. For its size, its a fantastic tool.