Flashlights

[libarata]

I love my Maglite XL50. I use two for my bike. I keep one in my car, one on the nighstand next to the pistol, and a Princeton-Tec headlamp in my bag.

 

[fourstringfletch]

I bought the 900 lumen P7 from this guy: http://ledmag.nl/ to breathe new life into my magcharger. Super happy with it, and my communication with Tim who makes these things.
I've always liked how well my maglite fits next to my seat and I decided to spend on an upgrade rather than an entirely new light. I haven't drained the battery yet in a year.

 

[BlindingWhiteTaco]

I have a Black Diamond headlamp in both my vehicles. Stellar quality for <$50. Hand held flashlights have their place, but for working on a stuck vehicle I'd choose a headlamp.

 

[craig333]

Get your surefire or maglite then break out the checkbook and go here. http://www.malkoffdevices.com/

 

[Riptide]

I've been carrying a Foursevens Mini ML-X for about 2 years now as my EDC flashlight in my pocket. It's flat-out amazing how much I reach for it, now that I've gotten used to having a light on me at all times.

http://www.foursevens.com/products/ML-X-AE

It does use CR123 batteries, but I had bought a ton of them back when I was a Surefire junkie, so batts are not a problem. It's eye-popping just how much light this thing puts out, being only an inch or two long.

I also have their Preon P1's on all my car keys, as well as the wife's purse. Very nice lights, and use a single AAA batt...

http://www.foursevens.com/products/P1-AE

But the Mini is still my favorite.

 

[eaneumann]

I have multiple Streamlight Strion led flashlights and other Streamlights. Very good lights, some what affordable, awesome warranty. The Strion is a rechargeable weapon light, compact and bright! I've never used one on a weapon, but I have them mounted in all of my vehicles. Fits perfect in a glove box or center console. I have them hard wired on their chargers, haven't replaced a battery yet in the last 4 years and I use them everyday for work.

http://www.streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=154

 

[daddyusmaximus]

Got a new light at Wal-Mart the other day. The "Bat Light". It's a flashlight shaped like a small ball bat. Marketed for the self defense crowd, I found it in the sporting goods section by the guns. Only 200 lumens, average by todays standards, but plenty for me. Good focused beam, and it's fun to walk around with. Kinda makes you want to hit something with it, but I don't know how shock proof it is for $35. Almost a toy, but works good when I'm out with the dog at night. Runs on 4 AAs that were included.

 

[precision powder]

I carry multiple lights in my Jeep at all times. I have two headlights wrapped around the front roll bars, they double as extra cabin lights if need be but the main purpose is should something happen I have a light right there if I need it. They both use LEDs and are white/red lights. Also I keep a small nebo csi edge in my center console, it is a single LED light that has a defensive end on it should you need to hit someone or bust a window (I keep a spring punch in my console and also a hammer specifically for breaking windows in my door pocket though). It is great though as it has a strobe function. I have a nebo redline select that stays in my tool bag (has 10%, 50%, and 100% power options as well as an SOS strobe and defensive strobe options. It also has a focus-able beam). Big reason I have this light though is for the magnetic base on it. If I need to be under my Jeep or someones car I can stick it anywhere I need to put light where I need it. Last but not least if I am on a trip I keep my dewalt work light in my tool bag with my other cordless tools. It is super bright and runs on the same batteries all my tools run on. I keep a battery in each tool plus I have a 12v charger in the bag as well. I keep 4AAA and 4AA spare batteries in my glove box for the other lights. I keep an emergency kit in the little cubby hole in the cargo area (inside an ammo can) that has some chem lights and some 6 hour candles as well. Sometimes they are more practical than having a flashlight on.

 

[Corey]

I last posted that I had bought the Fenix PD35, an 800 lumen or so torch.
Thing casts a bright wall of light at work shining it on an adjacent building.
A coworker was so impressed with it he asked me what I paid for it, so I looked it up on Amazon, and I ran across a new one by Fenix called the TK35 Ultimate Edition at a whopping 1800 lumens, and I knew I had to have it.

So I sold him my smaller PD35, and I ordered him two Panasonic 18650 batteries (it uses one of them in the light) and a charger for them.
Gave me cash for the light and the batteries and charger.

My TK35 UE came Friday, and good gosh 1800 lumens is bright.
It is a wider light and uses two of the 18650 batteries side by side, and a bigger lens and bulb.
I also bought the 2014 PD35 to have a smaller pocket light again, and it is rated at 960 lumens now instead of the 800 one I sold to him.
Comparing the two lights to each other the PD35 is still very bright (more of a white light) but the bigger TK35 UE blows it away in terms of a wider beam spread, and it is more of a yellow light than white.

Both lights are great, and still liking these way better than any of the Surefires I own.
I will have to compare my 960 lumen PD35 to the 800 lumen PD35 I sold to him to see how much of a difference there is between them on Monday.

FENIX TK35 Ultimate Edition (TK35UE) 1800 Lumen CREE MT-G2 LED Tactical Flashlight with 4 X EdisonBright CR123A Lithium batteries, Holster & Lanyard bundle

Fenix PD35 2014 Edition 960 Lumen CREE XM-L2 U2 LED Tactical Flashlight with Two EdisonBright CR123A Lithium Batteries

 

[verdesardog]

Home Depot and Wal-Mart both have good inexpensive LED flashlights for those that don't need the big name or marketing hype of the more expensive brands. Coleman makes a nice pocket size one that is very bright and uses common AA or AAA batteries.

 

[zelatore]

I too carry a fenix pd35 daily for work. It lives in the left side cargo pocket of my pants constantly - to the point I get lost without it when I'm not wearing my work pants. I rarely turn it to full brightness, instead using it on one of the two lowest settings for typical close-up work and only cranking up the power for the occasional odd job. It also goes camping with me where I'm more likely to turn it up as I'm using it over longer distances.
I also have a couple of Petzel headlamps, one for work and one for camping, but I don't know the models on them. They obviously have their place when you need your hands free, but I don't use them nearly as much as a simple small flashlight like the pd35.
I was a little hesitant about spending that much money for a flashlight, but now I can't imagine being without it. Just don't call it 'tactical', then I'll feel like a neo-military-prepper-type. It's just a flashlight. I use it for work. End of story.

 

[haven]

The "I can illuminate the landing field for the Space Shuttle" kind of flashlights have their place, I suppose. I find a headband-mounted LED light powered by a couple of AAA batteries works well enough for my needs. I've had my Petzl for 15 years without problems.

 

[762X39]

I eat flashlights on my day to day job so I don't have any high priced led monsters. There is a 5 cell maglight with led conversion in our trailer and 2 dual AA led lights in the trailer as well. I bought a dual AA handheld light for my toolbag and use an Energizer brand headlamp with 3 AAA for work use as well. After losing about 6 or 7 $30 and up flashlights on the job, I found the $5 handheld adequate and I haven't lost it yet.

 

[Corey]

I keep my Fenix in its holster on my belt, so I am never going to lose it.
At work I need one of these super powered lights for my job as it is often pitch black with no other lights around.

 

[iluv83vettes]

I have a 3 D cell LED maglight and the AA LED maglight. I find that they are really good value for money. They work well and are bright but aren't so expensive that I will cry if I lose/break one.

I also have a Black Diamond Storm headlamp that I like.