Best flashlight?

[PonchoTA]

i kinda like my 4D mag light, sure there are others but they are smaller.

the new led light is only $40.00 and it will spot light up anything up to 1/4 mile away. and if needed you can point it at them and then whap them with it if they attack you.

can be driven over with a semi. and live.
can be droped and still work.
can be used as a hammer in a pinch.

...

Yeah, my buddy is an owner/operator for OTR rigs and he uses his 4D to check his tires instead of a bat! He uses it for all kinds of things! Even my old XO on USS Last Ship used his for berthing inspections, swore by it since he could see behind bunks and such with it. More non-rates failed his inspections because of what he found and they didn't than anybody I ever heard of!! Was actually pretty funny if you weren't on the receiving end of his rants!

[maxicon]

CR123 batteries are better under sustained load than AAs, and have higher voltage (but about the same energy, depending). CR123 are 3V each, while AA are 1.5V each, so CR123 have always been better with high-output lights and lights with electronics like regulated LED lights. CR123s maintain a pretty steady output until they're dead, then die quickly, while alkaline AAs taper off more with use, growing dimmer.

CR123 only come in lithium, which has a very long shelf life - roughly 10 years - which makes them perfect for survival and emergency gear. I had many AA lights in my emergency kits get damaged over the years due to leaking batteries, which I haven't seen with lithium. You can get lithium AAs with similar shelf life, but they're more expensive for about the same energy.

The benefits of CR123 are better performance in high output lights, much better shelf life than alkaline AAs, and shorter cells, which can make for more compact lights. Lithium cells also have better performance at low temperatures.

The downsides are poor availability on the street and high cost when they are available (often $5 each at drugstores, and unavailable at convenience stores). Also, low quality or mixed brand CR123s can fail destructively under heavy loads, venting hot toxic gasses and causing lights to explode or burn up.

The benefits of AA are ready availability, low price for alkaline, and slim cells. Lithium AAs also have good shelf life and good heavy load and cold weather performance.

The downsides of alkaline AAs are poorer performance under high loads, poorer performance at low temperatures, and a tendency to leak and corrode the gear they're in, rendering it useless in an emergency.

Which tradeoffs are best depend on personal choice. I switched to CR123s years ago when tac lights became readily available, as they're clearly the best choice for emergency/earthquake kits and high output lights. I have backup lights in AA, as well. For CR123 batteries, I buy them in large lots, like 50 at a time, and package spares in the car kits and earthquake kits.

To prevent destructive battery failures, avoid cheap Chinese batteries, don't mix new and used, and don't mix brands. Best bet is to buy USA made batteries. Panasonic makes most of the USA brand names, including Surefire, Streamlight, Kodak, Energizer, Duracell, and (reportedly) Rayovac. They're available for $1.50 each or less online, while Chinese batteries are around $1 each.

[Creampuff]

http://www.lighthound.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1305

You mentioned you wanted a rechargeable option. I would also order for a couple of these batteries and the Ultrafire charger. The rechargeable lith ions have an advantage in they have a low rate of self discharge compared to standard NiMh and less prone to "memory" found in Nicads.

[Darklyte27]

I was a surefire guy till I was introed to fenix lights.

I have the L2T L2D P3D P3D Cree E01 and the new TK11.

CR123A and AA lights. High rec Fenix. Much Brighter and lasts longer with various modes.

Different lights in sizes shapes and light output, from 10 lumens to 225 lumens, from 20 hours to 1.5 hours

They recently have offered rechargeable CR123As varying 750 mah to 900 mahs, I recently bought a 3.7 volt 2200 mah cell for the new TK11 light.
will see how this works.

[hooookup]

I picked up a Streamlite Skorpion today at Bass Pro Shops for $30.. Pretty powerful little light. My next purchase is going to be a tk10 or tk11..

[Darklyte27]

I picked up a Streamlite Skorpion today at Bass Pro Shops for $30.. Pretty powerful little light. My next purchase is going to be a tk10 or tk11..

Hey, I just got my TK11 Thursday, it seems just as bright as my P3D which puts out 215 Lumens and 225 for the TK11.
Its about the size of a surefire 6P. The pouch is pretty big.
I also got the AW 18650 Rechargeable Li ion cell. it fits the light perfectly as the inner diameter is made for the 18mm rechargeables vs the 16mm CR123A cells.


PS I might be able to get a few TK11s or other lights for a bit less with the 8% CPF8 coupon from fenix. let me know if you are interested.

[maxicon]

I picked up a Streamlite Skorpion today at Bass Pro Shops for $30.. Pretty powerful little light. My next purchase is going to be a tk10 or tk11..

The Scorpion's a great little light - I've got 3 of them, and have always liked them more than the G2 because of how much easier they are to click on - it's a full press, rather than having to twist the tailcap like on the G2, and it's easier to do one-handed. I also like the rubber coating, the spare bulb in the tailcap, and the low cost of replacement bulbs. The only problem is they roll when you set them down.

The other problem is they don't convert to LED easily, so I'm using my G2s and 6P more as I'm converting them to LED drop-ins.

[CSTactical]

If you would like a lot of lumens the beta 9 300 lumens are nice but big!


If you would like a nice small unit UL200 Thumb Screw Mount LED Light System.

[hooookup]

Thanks for the headsup on the Fenix TK11. Just bought one off their website. Stoked. Can't wait to get it.
Any idea how fast their shipping is?

[Darklyte27]

aww man, you shoulda talked to me haha i could have hooked you up with a discount on top of that 8%

[hooookup]

aww man, you shoulda talked to me haha i could have hooked you up with a discount on top of that 8%

damn... I used th Candlepower Forum's code and got the 8% off. Thanks to the person that posted that.
That discount might come in handy. I am thinking about buying a P3D for my bug out bag.

[ciscosixgun]

LED's don't work in smoke. Even a little smoke from a few rounds going off will greatly diminish the effectiveness of the light.

[V8toytruck]

PM sent on that Fenix code! Can someone recommend a mounting solution for the TK10 to a 870 18'' HD Express? I'd much rather put money into another rifle (See sig) than drop $300 on a new 618LF from Surefire (But they sure are awesome!)

[trinydex]

Fenix TK10 seems the best value. Super bright, nearly indestructible, has momentary and click on, has two modes, long life or super bright.

i have two i like them a lot.

[Rover]

I just bought an Innova, and I have to say that for $40 it's a bargain. Much brighter than a Surefire 6p and it uses AAs instead of the CR123s, not the same kind of power for long periods of time, but for the price a great option.