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Flashlight For Wife For Christmas


BigJim

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I have a number of these. Never had one fail, they seem to hold a charge for a long time, and there is no separate charger (just a USB cord). They are extremely bright, and not too big.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Streamlight-88052-Professional-Tactical-Flashlight/dp/B00T8J9FGO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1510101378&sr=8-3&keywords=Streamlight+usb

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I've got a Streamlight that I absolutely love. Uses CR123s. Snagged one for my mom as a Christmas gift at PSA on black friday a few years back and loved it so much that I had to get the more powerful version for myself heh.

 

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Is this too much? ;-) your choice of 4100 or a 40% smaller version of 2300 lumens

 

http://www.wickedlasers.com/torch

 

POPULAR MECHANICS REVIEW

In addition to pumping out a blinding 4100 lumens (just about every other commercial flashlight clocks in at well under 100), the Torch is supposed to be able to set fire to paper, melt plastic and even scramble eggs.

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I stand by my Streamlight Protac 2L (CR123). Didn't recall the model when I first posted. Sucker is extremely bright (lights up my entire backyard at night in high output mode) and sturdy as a tank. Has a serrated cap so you can smack a bad guy in the face with the endcap if all else fails. 3 modes, high, strobe, low. Have had it for three years and only had to replace the batteries once. Streamlight also makes a smaller version, the 1L that only uses a single CR123. It's tiny.

 

I stay away from rechargeable flashlights because I'm SOL without a power source or don't have time to wait on it to charge plus those internal batteries eventually go bad, not much can be done except replace the flashlight. Much easier to just drop a new pair of batteries in there. Mother Earth probably hates my guts right now for chucking used up lithium batteries but oh well.

 

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Is this too much? ;-) your choice of 4100 or a 40% smaller version of 2300 lumens

 

http://www.wickedlasers.com/torch

 

POPULAR MECHANICS REVIEW

In addition to pumping out a blinding 4100 lumens (just about every other commercial flashlight clocks in at well under 100), the Torch is supposed to be able to set fire to paper, melt plastic and even scramble eggs.

 

That design is at least 5 years old; modern LED technology has basically surpassed it.

 

I just got a 4-LED light that will put out over 6000 lumens with the right batteries, runs at least twice as long, has lower modes that can be used for normal flashlight stuff without blinding you when you just need to look at something up close, and doesn't get hot enough to start fires. Total cost including 4 high-drain 18650 batteries and a 4-battery charger (that will work with all my other batteries as well, so isn't exclusive to this light)? Under $75.

 

That's serious overkill, almost to the point of being useless for EDC though. My current favorite is the Nitecore P12GT. It's "only" 1000 lumens, but for "defensive" use, the lumens aren't the most important consideration. The lumen rating includes all the light that spills off to the sides. More important is how far away the light will illuminate a target (which is a function of reflector design more than anything). The P12GT will light up objects over 300 yards away. It works best with a 18650 rechargeable battery, but accepts 2xCR123 batteries if you run down your rechargeable and don't have a charger handy; you just get about 75% of the run time. It's a 1" tube without a flared reflector, so it's easy to carry, and will fit in a 1" scope ring if you need the ability to mount it somewhere.

 

Streamlight is a good choice too. I still occasionally use my TL-2 (old-school Xenon, not LED); remember how I said lumens weren't the most important consideration? The TL-2 puts out "only" 120 lm, but has a better usable range than the vast majority of LED lights out there... The downside is that it only gets 15 minutes of runtime (and no low modes), where the Nitecore will last anywhere from an hour on "turbo" mode to over 500 hours on the lowest setting.

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A friend suggested that I review the switch location on the light when making a choice. It was good advice.

 

I’ve not had a Streamlight or Surefire or other good light with a protected tail cap switch turn on accidentally and that is important for pocket or bag carry (if your wife will ever do that). For me, that’s a big deal and it is also easier for me to index to the switch one handed if I ever need it for a serious, immediate emergency use. It is also true for a less-critical one handed issue (three dogs pulling hard on leashes in on hand, approaching creature in the dark that turns out to be a clueless (or sick) skunk closing in fast and requiring an immediate flashlight warning to scare it off with the other hand).

 

I’ve had other experience with some good lights like Fenix with a switch on the side of the body. They’ve turned on by themselves in a bag or pocket. I noticed one due to the burning heat in a nylon jacket pocket (no glow noticed in the bright sunlight) and stopped a potential melted pocket. I watched a woman dump a great, high quality, high lumen light out of a purse that was useless because it switched in the purse and used up the battery. If bag or pocket carry is a need for your wife, make sure you’re comfortable with the switch type and if it is a one hand or two hand (twist) type.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I've got several flashlights... some are more specialized. Eagle Tac, (5) Streamlight, Olight. I've also used Nitecore & a few others.

 

Understand what Lumens refers to & what Candela refers to... it's important if you want something specific.

 

Out of all the lights I own/use... the one that is with me if I'm awake is the Streamlight Protac PT1L. As a matter of fact several co-workers, my wife, & some others friends all have this light as well. The main reason is that it's small enough to have with you without even thinking about it (my wife would not carry a larger light religiously). Also, it has one of the best beam profiles for general use. (enough lumens/ right amount of throw). I have a couple of them. The Olight S1 Baton is also in this size range but, it is a much more 'floody' light.

 

The best light in the world is of no use, if you don't have it with you.

 

Best of luck in your search.

Respectfully,

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I'm a big fan of flashlights with clicky tailcaps. My Protac 2L stays in a travel bag of mine and it never clicks on inadvertently. I love that it has three modes and a knurled/serrated/any Protac owners wanna describe that (?) tailcap to use as a blunt instrument for self-defense if the excrement really hits the fan. Every flashlight I've ever owned that has a switch on the side has inadvertently turned on and the batteries drained.

 

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My Protac 2L uses a pair of CR123s and blasts the corn field behind my house when I put it on high output. It lights up half of my back yard (probably a quarter of an acre) when it's pitch black. Batteries on it last forever. Had it for 4 years or so, only changed out the batteries once. Then again, I don't use it as often as others use theirs.

 

Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk

 

 

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