If you want a quality pocket spotlight without dumping a lot of cash, get the SureFire G2 Nitrolon, available for around $30 in the U.S. You get all the light of the 6P, lighter weight, more color options, a high-output lamp option, and many say that the Nitrolon body is actually more shock resistant than the aluminium 6P.

Not a bad package for $30.

I will put in my vote in for the Surefire L4. Great LED pocket spotlight. Pete

I picked up an LSH premium from Arc's website for $50 on the seconds deal they had recently. This is an incredible flashlight! They also sell the CR-123 batteries for $1 each in packs of 5.

Thanks for everyone's input!

What I'm really wanting is a light that is really bright, small, lightweight, can fit in pocket or on a belt so I can carry it around everyday, with a rugged indestructible construction. I don't want to worry about it breaking, so I prefer a metal body.

As for LED vs regular bulb, I'm not as concerned at battery life since I can carry a 2nd set with me. I also prefer onebthat uses AA or CR123 for battery standardization with other gear.

That's why I'm leaning towards Surefire with the 6P leading over E2e due to the high 120 lumens bulb capability.

Am I correct that most of you Surefire users have 6P over E2e ?

You won't break a SF G2, believe me. The Nitrolon (proprietary polymer) is the same stuff they make their Weaponlights out of--for the M15/AR15, Remington 870 shotgun, etc.

I have a vintage 6P (about 15 years old), a newer G2 (less than a year), & brand new C2 (2 months), which I carry every day in a SF V70 belt holster (though the C2 has a belt clip, too). SF has the batteries for $15/dozen, plus shipping, which isn't too bad. it beats the heck out of $3 or $4 each at WalMart or Target.

They do have lock-out tail cap assemblies (extra cost option on the G2, but standard on everything else), which solves the "Hey, my side's getting hot--oops, my light is on" problem. (BTDT!)

While it's true they can't be used as a baton like larger Maglites, they can indeed be used as impact weapons. They even offer a toothed bezel for some of the combat lights to increase striking power.

If I'm wearing clothes, I have at least a Photon light on me; if I'm dressed to leave the house, I have a SureFire on me, either on my belt, around my neck (lanyard), or in a pocket. Like a good locking folder, I don't leave home without it.

There are other good lights available, but for my money, SureFire is the best. They're the ones doing the innovating; everyone else seems to be playing catch-up.

You might check out CandlePowerForums for more info.

Good luck.

David

I have both 6Ps and E2 SureFires. I daily carry the E2 due to size and have my 6Ps now reserved in my CERT kits. I have both 120 and 60 lumen lamps for the 6P, but be warned it eats a set of batteries in 20+minutes at 120 lumens.

I have the NiCad pack and extension for my 6Ps which I use when I know I want a strong light for a known purpose, these do not work as storage lights though as the packs discharge over time.

I also carry an Inova X5, which also takes CR123A Lithiums and it is my preferred light for most uses. Plenty bright, conservative of the batteries, waterproof and durable.

My E2 is reserved as an escape light carried On-body. I prefer the E2 to the 6P as a carry light that is not used much but carried for emergency use.

I have a couple of the Pelican M6 lights, and really like them. I think they've got a nice form factor, and are sturdy lights. The switch can be modified to become a click on, click off with momentary on (I'm told this takes some elbow grease - I've been able to buy mine used, with the clickie already installed).

Flashlightlens.com offers the "clickie mod" mechanism - not sure who else might have it.
Pelican clickie

The replacement lamps are cheaper than Surefire's - they're about $5 each at brightguy.com, and I'm sure you can find them elsewhere, too.

Replacement lamps

I've read on Candlepowerforums that the Pelican M6 has slightly better throw than comparable Surefire lights - but I don't have any Surefires to compare it to. Based on the comparisons I've read on CPF, and owning a couple, I'd say the Pelican M6 is a good-value, sturdy light.
My .02
Dave

I would definitely recommend the Pelican M6 - it has a longer throw (and slightly more overall output) than the Surefires with 60-75 min battery life, the bulbs seem to last forever (I've read 70-80 hours bulb life) and replacement bulbs are only about $6 (compare to $15 or more for Surefire), and includes a neat belt holster with a ring on the bottom to prevent accidental activation. It's my primary EDC light, along with a small keychain LED and a MiniMag with an Opalec LED conversion for those situations demanding more "gentle" illumination <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

If you're really looking for the 100+ lumen output, then you might want to look at the Streamlight TL-3. I ordered one a few days ago and should have it next week. It uses 3 lithium batteries (so it's about an inch longer than most of the usual 2 battery lights, about 6.25" overall) but you get a full 175 lumens for an hour (versus 20 mins for the upgraded Surefire bulb).

If you're going for a rechargable, I'd say the Streamlight Stinger is the way to go, as they can be had for well under $100, and only about 7 inches long (unfortunately the added length comes with the rechargable territory due to thenature of NiCd rechargables...). The Stinger XT has the tactical-style tailcap switch (as opposed to the side pushbutton), and the Stinger HP has a larger head ("turbo-head") which results in longer throw - same overall light output, but more throw. Then if you want to fry an egg with your flashlight there's the 11 inch long Ultra Stinger <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

As for batteries, they can be had on the internet for a little over a dollar apiece - surefire.com is selling them for $1.25 each in boxes of 12, although if you look around you can find various warehouses selling them at comparable or even lower prices.

You can find reviews of all these flashlights, as well as neat charts comparing the specs at www.flashlightreviews.com .

Hope this helps,
Jeremy