Flashlights

[RogerFGay]

Probably an odd question for the Tech. forum, but it doesn't seem to fit elsewhere, and I thought, since there are FreeCons that hunt and fish and camp, etc. I might be able to get some good advise.

My girlfriend walks the dogs at night and sometimes gets into situations where a flashlight would come in handy. I'd like to get her a good one that will fit in her coat pocket. Around here, it's never really dark in the summer and dark most of the 24 hr. during the winter - so winter coat pocket - something as large as 6 in. would probably work ok.

I've been reading up and googling and so far it looks like the LED stuff could be great. I've also seen some wind up types that don't use batteries. That seems like it would have advantages as well. I've gotten to the point of trying to order, but lots of places don't ship them to Sweden. So I haven't gotten anything yet. Am about to try a $20 wind up from a local store - maybe that will do.

Any knowledgable suggestions?

[mkafrica]

Get a Surefire. My cousin got one as a gift when he last went to Iraq, and he stated that it was the best flashlight ever made.

So, I got one....

With the standard 65 Lumen bulb, you get about 1 hour of constant use at full brightness, then it starts to dim, and you get about 30 minutes of degrading light due to the battery.

It's also a very good self defense tool. I had heard that they could effectively blind someone for at least 1 minute, with 5 minutes for full recovery, if shined directly into their eyes. This I know for a fact, because I'm always the stupid one that has to verify that things will work as they say... :D You DO go fully blind for about a minute, and it BURNS... lol

This (http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_disp/displ/prrfnbr/878/sesent/00) is the one I have. I always carry it in my coat in the winter.

Also, in regards to your concerns on size, it's 5.1 inches, but it's brighter than the biggest Maglite I've seen.

[RogerFGay]

Oh man .... I can just imagine how many times she's going to blind me just for the fun of it. I can hear the laughter now.

It definitely looks like a great one. The only problem I can think of is I'd have to buy her new batteries every week. But the LED versions promise about the same thing but with much longer battery life.

[DoctorDoom]

For a lady, that Surefire light looks like a good deal.

For manly men, a 4-D-cell Maglite with the LED replacement bulb is a beast. No incandescent bulb can equal it for light output. And when it's loaded with heavy-duty alkaline cells, it doubles as a truncheon if needed. :evilgrin:

[DoctorDoom]

It definitely looks like a great one. The only problem I can think of is I'd have to buy her new batteries every week.You can buy the 123A cells in bulk, cheaper than from SureFire.

CR123A Batteries (http://www.batterystation.com/cr123a.htm)

Unfortunately, they are not replaceable by standard cells or rechargeables.

[Rhino]

I like Surefires, but I prefer Maglites (http://www.maglite.com/index.asp?m=skipflash). They use regular batteries, work fantastic, and are extremely rugged. I have a bunch of them. I haven't tried the LED models yet, but hope to soon.

[mkafrica]

So far, I haven't seen any LEDs that match the output of the Surefire that I have. It could be that I'm content with it, and haven't looked at any of the new LEDs on the market though... :D

[Rhino]

So far, I haven't seen any LEDs that match the output of the Surefire that I have.No doubt. I haven't yet seen any LEDs that match the output of my Maglites either, but is that really necessary for walking the dogs? I like Surefires, but everything has it's drawbacks. I was just offering up another choice. It's up to Roger to decide what best fits his needs.

[mkafrica]

Yeah, I have both a Maglite and a Surefire. The big Maglite I keep in the car, and the Surefire in my coat, just in case.

The thing I like about the Maglite is that it's a self defense option in more than one way... :evilgrin:

However, it just won't fit into my pocket that easily, lol.

Plus, the other thing I don't like about LEDs is that they're energy efficient. If I can make an environmentalist grumpy, I'll pay for the batteries.... :evilgrin:

[altekruge]

I have a Streamlite that has three power settings and uses two "D" batteries (79 lumens, 80 hrs. runtime). It weighs about 1 pound, all aluminum case, water tight, and has a wrist lanyard. It is a great flashlite.

It is sold by Sportsman's Guide and the catalog number is WX2-0127986.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com

You should check it out.

[DoctorDoom]

So far, I haven't seen any LEDs that match the output of the Surefire that I have.LEDs can be overdriven to increase their output, with the consequence that it shortens their life. Regulated LEDs are not as bright, but they're good for 100,000 hours, which for normal flashlight use should outlive the owner. And they're kinder to the batteries.

[Sarah]

I have an LED flashlight made by brinkmann. It's bright and small enough to fit in the pocket and it has been using the same batteries and LED bulb for about four years now.

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/9061/brinkmannflashlightyr7.jpg

[ThomasMore]

I use a Streamlight Stinger HP (http://www.streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=10) for night-time aircraft preflights. It lights up a 30' high tail for inspection quite effectively, and I can easily see details inside a sooty engine exhaust 8' above me at night.

Two disadvantages for your criteria, JustaGuy: it uses custom-made rechargeable batteries, and it uses an incandescent bulb. But it is fairly light and very bright (40K candlepower, 125 lumens).

Streamlight makes a pocket-sized light called the Strion (http://www.streamlight.com/product/class.aspx?cid=1), which is also advertised as being pretty bright.

Streamlight makes a number of LED flashlights (http://www.streamlight.com/product-selector.aspx?filters=1736&page=1), and some with LEDs in combination with incandescent. I had a "Twin Task" LED/Xenon light, but was disappointed with the light output. I don't know how well their other LED flashlights perform.

[DoctorDoom]

If one isn't looking for artificial sunlight, is interested in a light that is ample for dark-adjusted eyes, wants a bulb that won't self-destruct when dropped, and doesn't want to go through batteries like popcorn, LEDs are more than ample.

The major drawback at present to LEDs that replace bulbs is that they're relatively expensive. A bulb for a 4-D Maglite costs as much as the light.

[ThomasMore]

Well, I wasn't really talking about artificial sunlight, just a small Quasar.

:D

[DoctorDoom]

Well, I wasn't really talking about artificial sunlight, just a small Quasar.You're in luck.

The Quasar is a multi-function special purpose keychain light with several different functions. It is a white strobe, a white light, a UV strobe, a UV light, and has the ability to detect radio frequencies from 400 MHz to 2.4 GHz by signaling the user with a tiny red LED. The white light and strobe can be used for navigation and signaling. The UV strobe and light can be used to view invisible UV ink in currency, creditcards, and handstamps, as well as other places. The radio detection frequencies are those used by common surveillance devices including hidden audio and video transmitters, so you can tell if your conference room, hotel room, or anywhere else, is under surveillance by these common devices. Manufactured by Litepro, it is available for purchase from PocketLights.com. (http://www.pocketlights.com/quasar.asp)Litepro Quasar (http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/litepro_quasar.htm)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/DocDoom777/MiscStuff/quasar.jpg

You can't get a smaller Quasar than that. :biggrin:

[DoctorDoom]

For Roger's needs:

Welcome to PocketLights.com we specialize in high quality, LED flashlights that fit on your keychain or in your pocket.PocketLights (http://www.pocketlights.com/default.asp)

[BarryC]

Regarding Maglites, my father and I have had nothing but trouble with them, believe it or not. He had 3 bad ones in a row, and I had two in a row that were bad. All 5 were basically useless, because they were so darned unreliable. Sometimes they would light up, but not always. Then sometimes the light would inexplicably go out or start flickering or go dim. Sometimes shaking it or hitting it against your leg or whatever might help, but not always. Dad finally gave up on them and bought himself a Sears Craftsman Professional "Ultra Beam" lantern. He now has two of them and I have one. They are the best flashlights I've ever used, bar none. They are rechargeable and I think they have sealed-beam bulbs. They are extremely bright, and project a wide beam, and one that doesn't have a dark spot in the middle like a lot of flashlights in the past.
Dad says Sears stopped making them, but you can still get new bulbs and batteries. I just did a search and found one on Ebay for next to nothing. It's even the same color as mine. This is the auction number: 250211148436.
As I say, this thing is the best.
By the way, I also have a Mini Maglite that has also turned to junk. What a shame. I can't even unscrew the batter compartment on it. I don't know why.

[Suzie]

I got a wind up led set of 2 for Christmas. I like them they are bright. But I haven't had much time to use them yet. So far so good though.

[DoctorDoom]

Regarding Maglites, my father and I have had nothing but trouble with them ...The only one that I had a problem with resulted from battery self-destruction. Did you contact the company? They would certainly be interested .

[Suzie]

I have had the really small maglights get the batteries stuck inside of them.

[BarryC]

I never contacted the company, but my dad was the one who gave me every Maglite I ever owned, and I doubt that he contacted the company. But no doubt he should have. But these Sears Craftsman lanterns have been awesome, for years now.

[Rhino]

I've never had a problem with Maglites, besides having to replace the occasional bulb. Oh, and people stealing them too.

[RogerFGay]

Getting used to comparisons in lumens. Found a watt v. lumen explanation. Of course, now there's yet another donkey's per astrix to consider. Is a candela or # "candle power" equivalent to a lumen?

[Rhino]

No.

http://www.theledlight.com/lumens.html

[RogerFGay]

one candlepower equivalent equals 12.57 lumens

thanks

[MaxLoad]

I've tried every MagLite made, plus several others. My preference is Surefire. I carry the E2E daily in my jacket or on the belt in summer, and the A2 Aviator is in my pack for camping and outings.

The E2E (http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_disp/displ/prrfnbr/888/sesent/00) is a good size for pocket carry - men or women. The A2 Aviator (http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_disp/displ/prrfnbr/900/sesent/00)has 2 light bulbs - one, LED, is colored (I chose red for reading maps at night) and two, is Xenon - very bright white light!

Both have tail push buttons and are very easy to operate.
And, both are great for just finding your way in the dark or for shining a blinding light in the eyes of an attacker!

[BarryC]

Of my two small MagLites (the 2-AA model) one of them won't open. I have even tried pliers, but to no avail.
The other one says Brinkman on it. I don't know why. I think I found that one.

Barry

[DoctorDoom]

Of my two small MagLites (the 2-AA model) one of them won't open. I have even tried pliers, but to no avail.That happens if the cells leak and the corrosive craps seeps into the threads. If lights are used infrequently, it's wise to remove the batteries.

[RogerFGay]

I've managed to locate a multitude of options right here in the Stockholm area. Who'da thought? My girlfriend expressed satisfaction with a very small cheapo that I got her - I explained that I needed time to research the issue and get her a good one, but she wouldn't be without light in the mean time.

So no. That doesn't mean that I said ok and left her with the cheapo; but I did understand that she actually had a logical case. That gave me a little guidance about what would make her happy. I may end up getting her an assortment, because I may still have been slightly inclined toward getting her what's good for her as much as getting what she wants.

The actual point that sunk into my male brain: Not important to get the brightest flashlight on the market.

OK. So I got two different flashlights that use LED (10,000 hr. life) and use no batteries whatsoever. You get energy into one by winding, the other by squeezing. She preferred the wind up, so I took the squeeze model. I squeezed mine up a few times and it gave good light for about 3 hours before I had to squeeze it again.

So I'm thinkin' what a hero I must be. She'll never have to worry about bulbs or batteries. Even if it runs down in the middle of a dog walk, all she has to do is wind it a couple of times. It's not really very large; easily fits in the pocket of a winter coat.

Anyways, as soon as I get back to the store, I'm going to get one about as small as the cheapo I got for her. Remember, she said she liked that. Turns out she meant it. Sometimes you just can't listen too closely. (And I'm going to get the best and the brightest LED flashlight in that size that I can find at the store.)

:lightsabers: