Tactical Flashlights for Personal Use

[RedFord150]

I have kept handguns for HD for way over 20 years. Never owned any kind of a tactical flashlight. American Rifleman Magazine (NRA) ads all claim a 'Tac Light' is a must.
Again, thinking of personal use (not LE or professional security), can someone answer these questions;
1) What is minimum cost for decent quality?
2) How many 'lumens' for indoor use?
3) How many 'Lumens' for outdoor use?
4) Xenon or LED, which is better?
5) What are best brands?
6) Low priced options from Smith and Wesson. Are they any good?
7) Battery size of CR123A is common. How long do they really last?
8) Is a flashlight that is not mounted good enough?

I would really like to see some replies from those with lots of personal experience.

Thank you.

[badicedog]

Surefire sets the standard on TAC lights. 123CR batteries are very common among TAC lights and battery life varies with brand and lumens/output of light. I prefer LED over others due to increased brightness and battery life. TAC lights work great indoors to momentarily blind an intruder but I would not recommend it for outdoor use. Outdoor use would require different tactics. I'm sure more qualified individuals will chime in soon. Hope it helped.

[wash]

I got my Fenix TK10 for about $60 a couple years ago.

It does everything you need. If you want something to EDC, look for one of the less tactical 2xCR123A lights. They fit the hand well if you have to use it as a cubaton but they aren't too big for comfortable pocket carry. Lithium batteries are the way to go for their long shelf life. They can sit inside a flashlight for months and loose very little charge. Alcalines and NiMH will die a lot earlier, leaving you in the dark.

[wash]

Oh, LED all the way. They are more efficient and durable, most are rated for 30,000 hours or more. Bulbs burn out or break much faster.

[mcholak]

I love my Surefire G2, think I paid about $40 for it. Going to get a G2 LED when I get around to ordering it. Durable as hell, great light, and with the LED good on batteries.

[bombadillo]

Fenix TK-11 for most uses. TK-12 if you need a strobe. 225 lumens of power and the beam they throw is amazing at distance. Lots of people mount them on AR's and they hold up quite well to the abuse.

[randy]

I've spent a bunch of money on "You must have a tac light" flashlights. The SF's are great lights but I wouldn't buy another one except for a gift. Mine just sit where I think I'd need them.

I wouldn't get an LED for a shooting light I don't like the light they put out. Personal preference. I would get an LED light for camping/hunting because of the extended battery life, and durability.

[rkt88edmo]

Candlepower forum has all the scoop, but way too much scoop to wade through.

Surefires are nicely but they made a decision to use ultra-premium pricing. Fenix & pentagon can provide a much better $ value.

Go LED.

Battery life is related to light output (all other things being equal).

How far outside do you want to see?

indoor 60 lumen minimum
outdoor 90 lumen bare minimum

I like mounted lights. Some have a strong aversion to only using mounted lights because they feel you have to point your firearm at what you are trying to light up, which is sometimes true. Hand helds lights have their own +/-s. I use surefire x300s for mounted lights - all bought used. There are plenty of other lighting options.

LED flashlights are electronics - in 6 months there will be something brighter for the same price or cheaper. Don't get caught up in chasing the best, pick a price point and feature set and buy a reliable light that does what you need without breaking the bank.

Get training.

[rabagley]

I don't buy anything but LED these days. For EDC, I buy the mid-priced lights ($12-$30) from dealextreme.com The really cheap ones on dealextreme barely work and often strip their threads out fairly quickly. Romisen and Fenix tend to be slightly higher quality.

Also, I strongly prefer 1xAA lights and I use Energizer Lithium's because they last long enough that I don't notice how expensive they are.

[akjunkie]

I highly recommend the Fenix TK11.

220Lumens for 1.5hrs OR
60 Lumens for TEN HOURS

on regular CR123 batteries.

[PonchoTA]

My everyday carry is the Fenix P3D. Fantastic light, small frame, with Turbo light level (200+ lumens IIRC), and a high powered strobe to disorient your opponent. It also has three lower light level settings, and an SOS blinky strobe too.

I also have the Fenix P2D on my Sig, and a TK11 on my rifle (or HD shotgun) on a quick-detach Pic rail.

All in all, I'm VERY happy with the Fenix lights. Recommend them highly.

.

[Sniper3142]

I currently have several lights for various uses.

My home HD light is a Fenix TK10.

My EDC is a Fenix L1D (someday to be replaced by the Fenix LD10). I love the fact that is is powered by a single AA battery so I have no worries about using it all the time.

I've also got several Surefires as well. I sometimes carry my E2DL. It is an amazing light in every regard.

You really can't go wrong with any of the recent compact lights for EDC. I ALWAYS carry a light with me these days.

[Heavy Haulin]

Surefire E2L Outdoorsman. Best light I ever had. All my lights are SF. This is #6. Remember...you get what you pay for...

[Grakken]

Get the Surefire X300. Only light I know of that has a remote switch. Makes it real convenient and quick. The remote (DG) switch makes your rig one hand-able, which will free up your second hand for well whatever u need it to be doing. It's expensive, sure. Whats a few hundred when we are talking about personal defense. Thats my humble opinion anyways.

oh and why go old tech (tho, a bulb isnt bad), get LED. My X300 will definitely blind someone, even during the day if they look at the light...and if you point your weapon at someone, they will no doubt be looking at your gun, thus blinding themselves, seriously, it hurts. It is bright! Ask me how I know. lol

[Purple K]

I use the Pelican M6 LED. Tough, bright, LED and won't cost you a fortune like most of the others.