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Looking for a good flashlight


luckydawg13

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A good battery powered flashlight is essential for many reasons. Re-chargeable lights are handy, but what if the power is out?

Output is important too. For EDC I have a few that are dual lumen. 50 on low, 600 on high. Look at all available on Amazon and remember some of them use special batteries that can be expensive. Sales are always available for the batteries if you keep an eye out for them.

This one has served me well and we own a few of them, car, nightstand, range bag. Wherever you need light!

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BH2HYXG/ref=sspa_dk_detail_4?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B07BH2HYXG&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=950202000752607969&pf_rd_r=7X8NG584KH01TER53PTW&pd_rd_wg=YvaY2&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&pd_rd_w=6Fdil&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pd_rd_r=71fbe521-5971-11e8-8cec-ffa842b30098

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Avoid the really small Streamlight. I forget which model, but I believe it takes one AAA battery. That thing was trash.

 

ETA: left out one A for the battery size.

 

I have the Streamlight Microstream and love it. It uses one AAA battery and I have never had a bit of trouble out of it. In fact I use it every day for one reason or another and I have owned it for 3 years now. It is only 35 lumens though.I also carry a Fenix PD 20 with it set on turbo setting for 180 lumens out od a flashlight a tad over 3" . I don't think the PD20 is made any longer though.

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Avoid the really small Streamlight. I forget which model, but I believe it takes one AAA battery. That thing was trash.

 

ETA: left out one A for the battery size.

 

I have the Streamlight Microstream and love it. It uses one AAA battery and I have never had a bit of trouble out of it. In fact I use it every day for one reason or another and I have owned it for 3 years now. It is only 35 lumens though.I also carry a Fenix PD 20 with it set on turbo setting for 180 lumens out od a flashlight a tad over 3" . I don't think the PD20 is made any longer though.

 

That's surprising to hear. I've had two that died, one just died for no reason, and the other had the battery vent more than once.

 

My uncle had a few of these, and had similar issues....dead, or venting batteries.

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Olight is my favorite. Also like Streamlight and Fenix. I use a Streamlight Protac 2AA at work every day (juvenile detention officer), it's held up for 5 years so far and that's with my coworkers stealing it all the time and I know it's been dropped alot.

 

To give a truly good recommendation though, a few questions...

 

What size do you want? I'm talking pen sized, Magic Marker sized, etc..

How many lumens do you want? Do you want something with high/low/strobe capability? Or something you can change the programming of? Or just one brightness level?

Do you want something with more commonly available batteries (AA, AAA, etc.) Or are you ok with using CR123/18650 batteries? Speaking of CR123/18650, do you want something rechargable? Do you want something reschargable via USB or a charging station?

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Avoid the really small Streamlight. I forget which model, but I believe it takes one AAA battery. That thing was trash.

 

ETA: left out one A for the battery size.

 

I have the Streamlight Microstream and love it. It uses one AAA battery and I have never had a bit of trouble out of it. In fact I use it every day for one reason or another and I have owned it for 3 years now. It is only 35 lumens though.I also carry a Fenix PD 20 with it set on turbo setting for 180 lumens out od a flashlight a tad over 3" . I don't think the PD20 is made any longer though.

 

That's surprising to hear. I've had two that died, one just died for no reason, and the other had the battery vent more than once.

 

My uncle had a few of these, and had similar issues....dead, or venting batteries.

 

I have had 2, lost the first one and have had this one for a couple years,both were beat to heck and never gave me a problem. I don't go anywhere without it.

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I've kept the same 3 for 10+ years. They all went through multiple deployments with me and more IED strikes than I can count. I EDC the original E2D that I picked up in late 2006 or 2007 and it has yet to fail me. You can find them used on ebay for between $50 and $60 all the time.
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I have 4 or 5 of these, they come with the battery, recharging cord, and the company has awesome customer service. You can buy 3 of these for the price of the name brand lights.

 

900 very bright Lumens on High

 

Have a look

 

https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Tactical-Flashlight-Rechargeable-Water-Resistant/dp/B01KH2JP5G/ref=sr_1_8?s=hardware&ie=UTF8&qid=1526579411&sr=1-8&keywords=flashlight#customerReviews

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Olight is my favorite. Also like Streamlight and Fenix. I use a Streamlight Protac 2AA at work every day (juvenile detention officer), it's held up for 5 years so far and that's with my coworkers stealing it all the time and I know it's been dropped alot.

 

To give a truly good recommendation though, a few questions...

 

What size do you want? I'm talking pen sized, Magic Marker sized, etc..

How many lumens do you want? Do you want something with high/low/strobe capability? Or something you can change the programming of? Or just one brightness level?

Do you want something with more commonly available batteries (AA, AAA, etc.) Or are you ok with using CR123/18650 batteries? Speaking of CR123/18650, do you want something rechargable? Do you want something reschargable via USB or a charging station?

1# size small enough to fit in my pocket big enough to use as a weapon so maybe 4" x 1"

2# lumens ? high / low no strobe

3# batteries I'm good with 123

4# rechargeable no

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Avoid the really small Streamlight. I forget which model, but I believe it takes one AAA battery. That thing was trash.

 

ETA: left out one A for the battery size.

 

I have the Streamlight Microstream and love it. It uses one AAA battery and I have never had a bit of trouble out of it. In fact I use it every day for one reason or another and I have owned it for 3 years now. It is only 35 lumens though.I also carry a Fenix PD 20 with it set on turbo setting for 180 lumens out od a flashlight a tad over 3" . I don't think the PD20 is made any longer though.i have one for several years now. Carry it everyday. Never a problem that wasn’t a battery related. Batterys today aren’t very robust. Drop it and the battery either doesn’t function, quits as it warms up, or is intermittent. Love it

That's surprising to hear. I've had two that died, one just died for no reason, and the other had the battery vent more than once.

 

My uncle had a few of these, and had similar issues....dead, or venting batteries.

I have had 2, lost the first one and have had this one for a couple years,both were beat to heck and never gave me a problem. I don't go anywhere without it.

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1# size small enough to fit in my pocket big enough to use as a weapon so maybe 4" x 1"

2# lumens ? high / low no strobe

3# batteries I'm good with 123

4# rechargeable no

 

 

With that in mind, here's what I'd recommend...

 

Streamlight ProTac 2L, $43.89

https://www.amazon.com/Streamlight-88031-Professional-Flashlight-Batteries/dp/B00396S1Q2

This one comes as high/low/strobe, but you can set it to high only or low/high using their TenTap system. It's lower on lumens than the Olight choices, but still a very good light and 350 lumens is plenty for most situations.

 

Olight S2 Baton, $49.95

https://www.amazon.com/Bundle-rechargeable-flashlight-magnetic-charging/dp/B01EF4ULDM

This one is a side switch, not a tail switch if that matters. It also has more than 2 brightness settings.

 

Olight M2T Warrior, $69.99

https://www.amazon.com/Olight-Warrior-Tactical-Flashlight-Tailcap/dp/B079C4NSPZ

This does have a strobe, but in my experience with Olight they make you have to be pretty intentional to activate it. Also has more than 2 brightness settings. If you want the best combo for carry AND nightstand duty, IMO this would be my choice.

 

Olight M1X Striker, $59.95

https://www.amazon.com/Olight-Striker-Flashlight-Battery-Tactical/dp/B011HJ05SY

Pretty much everything I said for the M2T Warrior applies to this as well. This has the most aggressive bezel I've seen, making it great as a last ditch weapon. Also makes it a little more likely to cause unwanted wear on your pocket, something to consider for EDC. This is my personal nightstand light.

 

Fenix PD32 (2016), $62.95

https://www.amazon.com/EdisonBright-PD32-2016-Flashlight-Batteries/dp/B00AIBFZME/ref=sr_1_3?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1526702098&sr=1-3&keywords=fenix+pd32+2016

This does have strobe, but like others you have to be pretty intentional to access it.

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