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So do we have flashlight geeks too?

I have been a flashlight geek since I was 9 or 10. I don't have anything real expensive, but I have at least two dozen flashlights in this room. Ranging from cheap, sturdy, rubber multi cell incandescents to a couple of Maglights (they are not waterproof, no matter what they may claim!), to several much nicer and more expensive than Mags. Most of those are aluminum, and LED. I love LED lights. The battery life is amazing for the amount of light that you get. The only thing that I don't like about LED lights is that people tend to 'borrow' them and not return them.
 
I just ordered an Eagletac P20C2. It's a 3 mode R2 bin Cree LED. High mode is 300 lumens for 1.5 hours, Medium is 60 lumens for 13 hours and low mode is 5 lumens for 180 hours!

It's pretty new so it's not on Eagletac's website yet but I think the insides and the light engine are identical to the T20C2 but just in a slightly different and slightly smaller body:
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It does have the stainless steel crenalated bezel like the T20C2.

I cannot believe how much flashlights have advanced since I bought my first Surefire a few years back. And to get a light with all the standard high-end stuff (Type III hard anodized, regulated circuit, IPX-8 waterproof, quality parts, quality machining) for the relatively low price of $60 is pretty amazing.

I'll let ya know how I like it when it gets here. Supposedly flashlightsngear.com have fast shipping.

bc
 
Ok so..er..I've pretty much gone total geek on the flashlights lately.

In the second half of this year I've acquired the following:
Eagletac P20C2, Eagletac T100C2 (now on my AR-15), the new 3D MagLED with the Rebel 90 emitter, 4Sevens Preon 1 and 2 AAA, Nitecore SR3 (little 1xCR123 flamethrower), I won a little Fenix E01 but now comes one that I'm REALLY excited about -

I just won a Fenix TK30. It's a new light from Fenix with an MC-E emitter (four LEDs put into one to make a superbright light). This is a $140 light that puts out some SERIOUS brightness:
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I promptly ordered 2x 18650 rechargeables and a charger so that I can take advantage of the full 630 lumens. Their specs claim that it can shine a beam for 300 meters but we'll see when I get it. I don't have the light yet. Just found out that I won. Here's a pic though:

6843-l.jpg



Of my other new flashlights I'm really digging the little 1 and 2xAAA Preon. It's a really bright but tiny little floodlight that has 3 available brightness modes. Here's a pic of the light compared to some other lights and then a pic of it at it's brightest setting:

L to R - Streamlight 4AA Luxeon, Eagletac P20C2, Nitecore SR3, Preon 1, Standard AAA battery:
sizecomparo.jpg

The lights missing from that shot are the MagLED, my T100C2, the E01 and a bunch of misc. cheapos.

The little AAA Preon:
IMG_4830.jpg


The Nitecore SR3 is pretty darn cool because it has a ring that you turn to choose one of 8 different brightness settings. If you want you can also unlock strobe and SOS modes (the Preon has hidden "disco modes" too). It's also darn bright. Here's a beamshot of the SR3 inside the house:

IMG_4831.jpg


The new MagLEDs with the Rebel 90 emitters are pretty cool too because they have incredible "throw" for the price. Good throw means the ability to shine a light for a good distance. Considering that I got the MagLED for $15 on sale it really has amazing throw.

I sold off a couple of Surefires recently. Just had no use for them.

Anyway...that's my current geekery.. I do realize just how geeky it is, thank you. Carry on.

bc
 
I live in the woods now. Our tiny home butts up to protected wetlands full of trees.
We have a pack of coyotes that roam around out there at night, and quite often the howling sounds like they are feet away from our porch.
My neighbor has some big dog flashlight that lights up the forest. I bust out my Maglite which only lights up a 10-15' circle 10-20 yards away at best.

What flashlight should I buy that will be an improvement from this trusty Maglite? Are Surefire's worth it?
If you search the internet, you get blasted with crap ads from cheap Chinese knock offs and sellers claiming they have the brightest flashlights in the world.

-Mike
 
I live in the woods now. Our tiny home butts up to protected wetlands full of trees.
We have a pack of coyotes that roam around out there at night, and quite often the howling sounds like they are feet away from our porch.
My neighbor has some big dog flashlight that lights up the forest. I bust out my Maglite which only lights up a 10-15' circle 10-20 yards away at best.

What flashlight should I buy that will be an improvement from this trusty Maglite? Are Surefire's worth it?
If you search the internet, you get blasted with crap ads from cheap Chinese knock offs and sellers claiming they have the brightest flashlights in the world.

-Mike
You could probably find a sweet portable, rechargeable, spotlight that would look like the sun out there on the interweb that would meet your needs and then some.
 
I live in the woods now. Our tiny home butts up to protected wetlands full of trees.
We have a pack of coyotes that roam around out there at night, and quite often the howling sounds like they are feet away from our porch.
My neighbor has some big dog flashlight that lights up the forest. I bust out my Maglite which only lights up a 10-15' circle 10-20 yards away at best.

What flashlight should I buy that will be an improvement from this trusty Maglite? Are Surefire's worth it?
If you search the internet, you get blasted with crap ads from cheap Chinese knock offs and sellers claiming they have the brightest flashlights in the world.

-Mike
Mike - look at an LED kit for your maglite. I've got several good lights but when I upgraded the 4 battery maglite it kicked serious butt.
 
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Mike - look at an LED kit for your maglite. I've got several good lights but when I upgraded the 4 battery maglite it kicked serious butt.

Will do. Thanks for the top.
When I was coming up, Maglite was the standard for cool flashlights, so I've always liked having one. I'd rather not venture out to a different brand and I sure don't want some cheap knock off brand.

-Mike
 
I live in the woods now. Our tiny home butts up to protected wetlands full of trees.
We have a pack of coyotes that roam around out there at night, and quite often the howling sounds like they are feet away from our porch.
My neighbor has some big dog flashlight that lights up the forest. I bust out my Maglite which only lights up a 10-15' circle 10-20 yards away at best.

What flashlight should I buy that will be an improvement from this trusty Maglite? Are Surefire's worth it?
If you search the internet, you get blasted with crap ads from cheap Chinese knock offs and sellers claiming they have the brightest flashlights in the world.

-Mike

I think the best option for you might be one of the rechargeable Streamlight brand lights. They're really bright, good quality (def not knockoff) and a common choice for law enforcement. Not as expensive as Surefire either. You can find ones that wall mount and charge when you clip them in. If you're really stuck on maglights then see if they make a magcharger LED. They probably do. Something to be said for having a light that's always charged and ready for the situation you spoke of.

Are Surefire's worth it? Not for my uses when there are so many great brands these days but they are def some quality lights and def worth it for, say, a weapon mounted usage.
 
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Not that long ago I picked up a Foursevens Mini MKII combo in titanium. I was planning on replacing my Eagletac D25C clicky that I EDC with it and I REALLY like the little battery and super minimal charger that it comes with (I'm about to move overseas and don't want to try to find good quality CR123's in Asia anyway). I ended up just using the Foursevens battery in my Eagletac though. The twisty activation of the Mini MKII is a bit slow and awkward compared to the clicky of the Eagletac so I stuck with it even though it's bigger. Upside is now it's way brighter with the rechargeable battery.

Here's the MKII Mini:
Foursevens.com
 
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I've bought probably 30 flashlights at Costco. They started at 200 lumens, but most of the ones I have are in the 350 lumen range, with one 1000 lumen one that takes c cells. I usually end up giving most of them as gifts, but I have one in each car and around the house. The best ones are the ones with the sliding lens and "square" LED.
 
I had one of these from Fenix, but lost it.
Fenix RC05 LED Flashlight

I should buy another.

At 300 lumens, it's more than I'll ever need, unless you go into the woods at night.

Right now, I have a Coast flashlight that looks a lot like the Fenix, but is 130 lumens.

I try to have at least one light on me at all times.

In my opinion, smaller is better.

Another old thread revived.

Mike
 

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