Hi everybody,
I am brand new to this. I stumbled onto this sight looking for knives and realized I already carried around alot of the stuff you reccomend for day to day. Very interesting information here. I am just starting to realize how important it is to be prepared and will be assembling my kits soon. What flashlight to you think would be best for a kit. Is the Shurfire one of the best brands to consider. I have maglights, pelicans, and a browning now. But I have a thing with lights, knives, and multi tools................thanks for your thoughts

This site has a section on flashlights look there.

Lee

The first response to your type of question is always: "what are you planning on doing with it?, what is important to you? runtime, brightness, availablity of batteries..."
Flashlights are a whole sub-discipline/obsession/moneypit unto themselves.
check out:


Candlepower forums
flashlightreviews.com
led museum

P.S. Goodluck and hide your wallet.

Marc

That question is like asking which model of SAK is best or which cakiber is best. It bouls down to which one works for the situation or person.

Surefire's are good in their place.

If you want to light up the world you might want one of those multimillion candlepower rechargable spot lights.

If you want to just light up a small corner an led like a Photon.

A 6 D cell maglite will give a tremendous amount of light and act as a billy club. But is hugh and heavy. You are unlikely to carry it for very long.

Generally a good rule of thumb are AA maglite is about the standard maximum size for most kits.

Led's don't quit match the shear light out put of standard bulbs or high power bulbs. They do have the advantage of being much more power effecent and are more rugged.

A good compromise is the multi-bulb headlamp LED units. Good battery life and adiquate light output. Many of the multi-bulb outfits can adjust the number of LED's lit at anyone time so you can adjust the amount of light for the current use. That way you can conserve battery life as most of the operating time you will not need the maximum light available.

It is a balancing act between the weight and amout of light output. Also the longer the batteries last the fewer spares will be needed for the same period of time. Remember those spares quickly add up to weight and bulk.

The "best" flashlight is the one that is most useful to you AND you carry all the time. My personal fave is the Maglite Solitaire - with a mod. The stock bulb is too wimpy for any meaningful use. However, if you replace it with a Tektite LT-3 LED replacement module, its output rivals that of the original AA maglite. Sure - it's a $23.95 upgrade, but it is worth it considering how much light and battery time you squeeze out of that tiny package. Mine rides in the pocket on the side of my TREO 650 case. It is also a great pocket flashlight.
Tektite LT-3

I'm no authority on flashlights, but have played with several. I won't buy non-LED lights anymore, but I just can't justify spending more than $50 or so on a flashlight right now. My needs are related to hiking/camping, walking through unfamiliar areas at night, and lighting up my work area while outdoors. I don't need to blind people 100 yards away. So, here is what I've found works well:

EDC - Ritter customized Photon Freedom - amazingly bright for the size; love the bulb collar.

Carried in my bag - Underwater Kinetics 4AA LED in yellow - bright enough to light up my work area; operates one-handed; runs on regular AA alkalines; non-rolling; bright yellow makes it easier to find; unscrewing the head "locks out" switch.

Headlamp: I like the Princeton-Tec Aurora - 3 LED's; 3 brightness settings plus several flashing modes; light weight; provides a nice flood for my work area --- I also have Princeton-Tec's EOS headlamp. Nice and bright, but the beam is a bit too concentrated for my taste.

I also like the Princeton-Tec Impact XL, but it is turned on by screwing in the head - that means I need two hands to turn it on and that is frustrating at times.

Rock River 1.5W LED Lantern (from Target) - a nice LED lantern for only $20

Avoid the Rock River 1.5W 2C LED light from Target. It looks like a spotlight (bright moon-like circle of light - I don't care for it).

I've also been reading great things about the Rock River .5W LED 2xAAA flashlight at Target

For reviews go to http://www.flashlightreviews.com .

A good flashlight-related forum is http://www.candlepowerforums.com .

Ask youself what you plan on using it for and where. Then try to standardize on one type of battery to make resupply easier. My standards are AA and CR123A's. Since I travel the subways alot, I need a strong light. Also, a strong light is a force option (blinding). Here is what I have:

On me: Streamlight TL-3, Streamlight 3AA 1 Watt Luxeon Tasklight. (Carry extra CR123 batteries as these things go out on you without warning when they run out)

PSK: Princeton Tec Yukon HL (1 watt Luxeon head lamp with 3 secondary LED lights)

B.O.B (sits at home and never sees daylight unless I check on the status of the equipment) 3 LED rechargeable light with built in hand powered crank.

Well, everybody has their opinions. I'll give you mine.

Assuming that are on a reasonable budget, here are the ones that I would look at:

1) Arc AAA light. Perfect keychain light. Around $30 or so. Or, you can get the Gerber Infinity for around $25 or so. The Infinity is dimmer and bigger, but will give you one heck of a run time from one battery.

2) Photons are also good for a keychain, but they take expensive button cells. The lights are cheaper and easier to find, though.

3) Streamlight TT lights. They have xenon bulbs for bright use, and LED's for dimmer, but more efficient running. So you get the best of both worlds, and they are in the neighborhood of $30-$40 or so. I have the one that runs off of a pair of 123 cells, but they come in AA, C and D sizes too.

4) Headlamps are also useful. My favorite is the Princeton Tec - Eos. My local sporting goods store has them for $40. Very nice.

5) If you want a Surefiire, the most affordable one is the G2 Nitrolon. Nice and bright, and only $35 or so.

6) Target has a nice LED lantern using a single LED for around $20.

7) I really like my Princeton Tek Attitude, but ther are other lights that will work equally well. Look at the Underwater Kinetics - eLed and the Streamlight 4AA LED lights.

My list was made with lights under $40 in mind. There are also some great ones in that category that I missed. If your budget will allow you to go up to $100 or so, then a LOT more nice lights open up. For only $250 or so, you can have the very best. One place that I like to buy lights from is http://www.brightguy.com. You can also try http://www.batterystation.com/led_flashlights.htm .

But as others have said, one thing that you might want to do is to choose one or two types of batteries, and stick to the lights that use those. I like 123 cells and AAA cells.

The selection of lights is so great right now, and the quality is so good, that it is hard to choose a bad light (as long as you stick to known name brands).
Note that I am not affiliated with any of these companies that I have mentioned.

surfires are a great brand .. another brand you might take a look at is the streamlights.........

can you tell us for what purpose you'r using/going to use for, how much you want to spend, type of battery, want high powered lights of are less powerfull ones good enough, what size, do you need a momentarily switch, do you need a, for what kind of kit and so on. I could name a few good flashlight bardn and models, no problem. I'm just not sure that it is what your looking for.

i recomment a visit to www.flashlightreviews.com to look for what light fits your need.

The one that is all the rage on candlepowerforums is the Fenix L1P, 1 watt led AA light. I just got mine [$45] and it is a very impressive light and I think much brighter than the ARC AAA for about the same dollars. Sizewize, it is larger than the ARC, but still incredible for it's size. I wondered about the hype on this light, but it is true! A Fantastic flashlight and much cheaper than my 3 surefire's and it only takes one AA battery, which is what I always wanted to stay with, battery compatibility in my kits. Hate carrying many different spare batteries. Check out the posts on this light at cpf.

I'll bite! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

If I had all my flashlights spread before me and I could only take one; it would be my Petzl Zipka Plus with its pouch. The Zipka is a headlamp with an extractable cord instead of a headband. It works well as a headlamp, handheld light, tent light, trail light and emergency strobe light. I would carry it, in the pouch, on my belt. It is currently attached to the shoulder strap of my CamelBack. It is not super bright but it shines for a long time on 3 AAA batteries. I first saw one on the Survival and Outdoor Safety web site by Gene Ward. The more I looked at it and thought about it the more it looked like a good PSK survival light.

But, I carry red and ultra-violet Photon I Coverts on my keychain. A CMG Infinity Ultra AA LED in my pocket and a SureFire C2 on my belt. I also have a SureFire G2 sitting in a car door pocket in my car. Plus I have one of the cheap 6 volt lantern battery flashlights in the back of my SUV. Also a white Photon III Covert in my first-aid kit in my PSK.

What is the UV Photon for? Wait, lemme guess, to ward off vampires, right? Or am I only one here who has watched the movie Blade too many times? <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I use the four D cell Maglight as a reasonable compromise between convenience and use as a weapon for in the vehicle. My father, (a retired police officer) once hit a guy in the side of the head with one & the "perpetrator" went straight down to the ground. They even have a book of tactics for the use of the flashlight for personal defense.
I use a Surefire 9Z when I want a bright light. Just be advised that the batteries die suddenly without warning. When the voltage drops below that required to light the xenon lamp, it goes from very bright to very dark instantly. Be sure to carry extra batteries. The CR123 batteries are reasonably priced at Surefire's website but about $8 each at the drugstore. I edc a minimag with a piece of Tygon tubing on it so I can hold it in my mouth to use both hands. I may want to use the conversion kit to LEDs as it seems like the bulbs burn out too often.

Can't speak for Craig, but I suspect we share at least one use for the Photon UV (both being AZ residents)...scorpion detection, since they fluoresce under UV light.

I can't say one brand over another, but I do have a criteria for wilderness lighting, it goes like this...
I want a light that I can see well enough to walk on the darkest night. I want it to have at least 16 hours of runtime, so at least 2 nights of continuos light. It has to be less than 8 ounces and take cheap batteries, like AA. It must be reasonably waterproof, hold up in a heavy rainstorm.
I always carry spare batteries and bulbs, if not an LED.
Oh, one other thing, it will always be a headlight, that way I can use it hands free or in hand.
I carry a spare LED mini light as well, always!

xbanker,

You are correct! My family went on the scorpion hike at North Mountain Park a few weeks ago. It was night and the park ranger passed out 2 fluorescent tube black lights. They were at the front of the group of about 20 hikers. There was one on each side. We were to look and try to find scorpions as we walked. I was also using my ultra-violet Photon I Covert. I located a bark scorpion a few feet off the trail. In all we saw 3 scorpions in about an hour and a half. The others were a hairy scorpion and another bark scorpion.

Also when we go camping it is good for removing any fear that the boys have that a scorpion is in their tent after they go to bed.

It is also a fun toy. You can see bacteria in kitchens and rest rooms. It is also interesting to look at dollar bills. Another use is to cause glow in the dark paint to glow without using a bright light. It is wonderful to use to power up the glow paint on the dial of my compass.

I agree with the others that we really need to know more about your intended use and budget before we can make reasonable suggestions.

FWIW, I'm quite partial to multi-level lights because they can be used at lower light levels for prolonged or close up use.

My current EDC light is an HDS EDC Ultra 85. This small light has four light levels (programmable) and can run over 300 hrs on the lowest setting, or output 85 lumens (as much as most Surefire 2 cell lights).

This light replaces my previous EDC which was a SF E2e *and* a SF L1. It simply does the job of both.

You can find a review of the HDS EDC Ultra 60 which has the same modes but slightly less output here.

I carry mine with a (slip on) SF F04 beamshaper which diffuses the beam into a flood. This allows easy use of the light as a flood light, or one with a reasonable amount of throw. The SF F05 red filter also fits fine.

-john

I have a Solitaire with the Tektite LT-3. It's not too bad, I guess. Still, I think that something like the Arc AAA or the Peak Matterhorn would be a far better bet for not much more money than the combination of the Solitaire and the LT-3.

The LT-3 keeps the Solitaire head from screwing all the way down, and mine wouldn't turn off reliably until I put a different, thicker spacer on the bottom. The LED color isn't great, the brightness is a bit better than the Solitaire (that's weak praise!), you aren't supposed to use the 1.7V LiFe batteries, and the anodizing on the Solitaire isn't very durable.

I got the LT-3 because I already had the Solitaire, but if I had it all to do over again, I might just get that Peak.

I find favor AND fault with all my various flashlights. However, the little solitaire is ALWAYS at my side. You're right in that it isn't perfect, but it works for me.

Yep, mine's on my keychain and always with me, too. It works fine, and will probably last forever. In hindsight, one of those other alternatives look like better value for the money, so if it ever goes bad or goes missing, I'll replace it with something else.

Heh. You almost got me. It's sort of trick question.

I can think of two non answers:

(1) There is no best flashlight. They're all compromises in one way or another.
(2) The best flashlight is the one you'll always have with you. A perfect flashlight left behind is useless.

Those of you reading this who cannot spend, or chose not to spend, $250 on a flashlight, rejoice. You can find your way out of a dark room just as well with a $1.00 CountyComm special.

If flashlights aren't a hobby for you, simply buy something you can afford, put it where you can find it when you'll need it, check the batteries once in a while, and move on. (If, on the other hand, flashlights fascinate you, take my advice.... just stay the heck away from Candlepower Forums. They'll take everything, including your lunch money. You've been warned.)

Funny you should mention that, I just got in (with the 550 cord) a half dozen of their clip lights. Wonderful little things, and cheap enough that you can keep them everywhere (they make good trade goodies too).

Troy

Wait for it to go bad??? No way. A true flashlight nut could never wait.
Anyway, thanks for the tip - after reading about the ARC AAA, I couldn't resist. Now I just have to figure out how I'm going to handle the 6-8 week wait. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I've also been reading great things about the Rock River .5W LED 2xAAA flashlight at Target

KenK,

I couldn't resist, and picked up the River Rock 2AAA. It's definitely brighter than my 2AAA Minimag with the drop in LED module, and it works out cheaper, too, at $9.99.

Randyo,

You can avoid the wait by doing what I did - buy a Peak Matterhorn to play with in the meantime while you wait for the Arc. It's the CPF motto - When in doubt, buy them both!

I did consider that option. However, I already have the modified Solitaire, a couple of River Rock 2AAA's, and too many Mag-lites. Eventually sanity must prevail. I just couldn't pull the trigger.
Don't know what to do with all the Maglites. I used to think they were the ultimate small flashlight. Technology has passed them by and they've made no apparent attempt to catch up .

My daughters love playing with flashlights, but they trashed the Rayovacs Grandpa got them. I just found a Dorcy LED AAA at Wal-Mart for $5.94. It's aluminum body, and with only one battery to recharge (when they fall asleep with it on) and the LED bulb (hopefully they don't find a way to break that!) I got two. The output seems like it's brighter than my Gerber Infinity Ultra, but I can't test them side by side, because the Infinity is in the repair shop <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

For the price, I thought it couldn't be beat, for what I wanted it for, and so far so good. I'm thinking about getting one of th $13 Dorcy LED's for the bedside.

Pretty sure it's not weather resistant, but hopefully that will never be an issue in the house!

If you want to EDC a flashlight with you, then I would recommend the Fenix L1P. It's THE flashlight to get. Cheap, runs on a single AA, very bright for its size. I'm very happy with it that I got 2 instead. Check out candlepowerforums.com and you will know what I mean.Yes, there are other flashlight that's better than Fenix, but they costs a LOT more and runs on more expensive CR123 batts. For a flashlight that runs on a single AA, the Fenix wins hands down! Hope this helps.

I will second (or third) the Fenix. I have been carrying it as my EDC for about a month now. It is very bright and has a run time of about 3-4 hours on a single AA. At close range (less than 15 feet) it is almost as bright as my Surefire E2, but much whiter. It will light up a house across the street. I am having a hard time justifying EDC'ing the E2 now. All in all a great light.

Ready