Looking for a new flashlight

[herp_man2003]

I was not all that impressed with my phenix pd35 and I some how lost it. So now im looking for a new light. My requirements are it has to be small enough to carry in my pocket and I don't want to spend more than 100 on it. So you flashlight snobs what's a good choice? Thanks Anthony

[WY_Not]

Not your typical flashlight but...

I've got a Streamlight 14512 Sidewinder Compact II Military Model Angle Head Flashlight, Headstrap and Helmet Mount Kit (http://smile.amazon.com/Streamlight-145 ... compact+ii) and love it.

Three levels of brightness plus strobe.
White, red, blue, and IR.
On/Off switch and color selector are separate.
Takes CR123, AA Alkaline, or AA Lithium.
Detaches from headstrap. Can then be clipped to hat, packstrap, etc.
Rugged as can be.
Compact and lightweight.
Good battery life.
Throws a great beam.

Originally had a Compact I model but didn't have the headstrap. Wife then bought me the Compact II kit. Only one real differences besides some style changes. 1. The model II uses CR123 or AA, model I is CR123 only.

Wouldn't give up either of them for any flashlights I've found so far. Great all around flashlights. I've got some old Maglights I've converted to LED that I keep for really reaching out to see what is going bump in the night out in the yard/woods. I've got a Surefire 6PX Defender Single Output LED Flashlight (older version that has checkering rather than the finger grooves) that I keep attached to the firearm for things that might go bump in the night in the house. I've got a few different lanterns for general illumination. Also, quite a few different lights I've picked up over the years. But, those two Streamlights are my go to flashlights for general use and EDC and when camping.

[TSiWRX]

I was not all that impressed with my phenix pd35 and I some how lost it.

So, what did you not like about the PD35?

^ Not asking so that I can somehow bait you into an argument - rather, I'm asking out of genuine curiosity, in the hopes that what you will bring forth will shed light on (sorry ) what might be a better fit for you with your coming purchase.

In terms of losing it, were you using the pocket clip or lanyard when that happened? Again, this is in an attempt to nail down something which may be better suited for your needs, for the upcoming purchase.

[Double3]

I picked up an Elzetta Charlie a while back.

Really nice flashlight.

[QuackXP]

Streamlight Microstream

Tough, AAA battery lasts 2-3 months of my use, waterproof, cheap enough that I will not be that upset if it gets lost.

http://www.amazon.com/Streamlight-66318 ... B00143JZ08" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[herp_man2003]

I did no like the button to change the modes and I also did not like that it did not revert back to the brightest setting after it was turned off. As far as losing it I will find it it's in my garage some where. I link to carry on a pocket clip. Thanks Anthony

[TSiWRX]

I did no like the button to change the modes and I also did not like that it did not revert back to the brightest setting after it was turned off.

OK, this one is both relatively easy to solve - as well as hard.

It's easy to solve if you can go with a single-stage light.

It's much harder to solve if you want a multi-purpose light with different output levels. If this is what you want, then you'll need to do a bit of homework: various manufacturers now host quite a bit of their support documentation online. For example:

http://flashlight.nitecore.com/product/mh12" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

^ That will take you to the product page for the Nitecore MH12. If you scroll down a little, there's a horizontal line of hypertext that reads:

"Image | Video | Download | Review"

Click on the "Download" link, and it'll download a .pdf version of the printed manual.

Unfortunately, with multi-functional lights, that utility often comes as a result of complexity. That complexity will necessarily mean a bit more involvement by the user. That involvement really needs to begin at the pre-purchase stage.

Also, most name-brand lights will have had at least one review on YouTube by an outdoor or flashlight hobbyist. This may prove helpful, too, especially when the (often foreign-language translated - trust me, I know, I used to proof such translations for a company in another field, it can be rather horrible, if they don't have a high-level fluency specialist doing this job for them) product manual is unclear or otherwise vague.

Now that you've had some experience with a multi-mode light, you probably know what you're looking for in terms of features, but just in case, here's a quick run-down:

- how is mode selection effected? - is it via the main switch or another switch?
- how do the modes cycle? - this is particularly important if the selection is done via the main switch and the mode change occurs in-operation; is there a debounce?
- is the selected mode remembered by the light after it's switched off? after you've replaced the battery/ies?
- how hard/easy is it to switch between modes? is there a lockout feature to prevent accidental switching? if mode-switching is effected by separate controls, is it possible that, under stress, one could hit the wrong control surface unintentionally?

As far as losing it I will find it it's in my garage some where. I link to carry on a pocket clip.

Did the clip snag and break? did it come loose from your pocket?

[Bianchi?]

I have the Streamlight 88040 ProTac http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007RB ... ge_o00_s00" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; , and it's been very good to me. I carry it in a Bianchi Accumold Elite Size 1 open top holster: http://www.amazon.com/Bianchi-Accumold- ... B0052CVGNG" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; . That holster (coupled with my gun belt) is....just fantastic. The flashlight has NEVER fallen out, but snatching out of the holster is an absolute breeze. I've gone crawling under cars, through attics, and run completely flat out. The flashlight just stays put until you need it.

The Streamlight (at least mine), has 3 modes: High, low and flash. You can "program" the in a few different ways. I think mine has high-low-flash, high, low-high. A "tap" (not click) cycles through the modes. I've always had mine on low-high.

I've had it since April 2013, and mine looks like absolute crap. It's clearly been used, and I've abused it A LOT! But it just keeps right on ticking.

[MyWifeSaidYes]

I buy my LED flashlights by the 10-pack.

They aren't very bright, but they are SO COOL to watch when you shoot them out of a potato cannon at night !!

[147Doc]

I'll send you to look over the 4Seven's line.

http://www.foursevens.com/products/flashlights/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I have their Quark. All black, tail switch, about as big as a Mini-Mag.
It has two main modes - one with the bezel tight, the other with the bezel loosened by a half turn.
Tight it's max bright, then a touch or another click and it's max bright in strobe mode. I carry it with the bezel tight for self defense use.
Loosened, it goes dim, medium, high, max, then blink, SOS, and stuff. I use this mode when I want a flashlight, and not a self defense torch.

4Seven's lights come in two models: AA battery powered or CR123 - your choice. I love that, because I've been buying AA powered stuff for years... walkie talkies, weather radios, travel alarm clocks... heck, I even had a AA powered electric razor when I was in uniform. Having to carry spare AAs for these, but CR123 for one other thing was stupid... my Quark is AA, so I just carry one kind of spare.

It comes with a pocket clip that I use all. the. time. It also came with a lanyard, if you like that.

[screwman]

http://budgetlightforum.com/forum" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Here's some reading material

[herp_man2003]

Really think I would be disappointed with a single stage light. I often use my light as a flash light but want the ultra brightness as well. I carried a stream light protac 2l for a long time but the pocket clip broke off and i stoped carrying it. That nite core that was posted looks interesting, but I will need to do some more reading on it. I was using my phenix light and I think it's on the frame rail of my falcon and now its to cold for men to want to crawl under it to try and find it lol. So now seems like a good time to upgrade my carry light.

M flashlight is usually my best defensive tool. I am unable to carry at work or even have my gun locked in my car at work. They also ban knives so I carry my leatherman and a flashlight when at work. They both come in handy for alot of other things and they do not have that scary factor like say my spyderco delicia 4 does. So off to do a bunch of reading and to see if I can learn a little flashlight lingo lol thanks Anthony

[TSiWRX]

Really think I would be disappointed with a single stage light. I often use my light as a flash light but want the ultra brightness as well.

I know what you mean.

Weekends or sometimes when I'm out and about at night, I simplify to a single-level, high-brightness light (as I know that the keychain I have with me have low-brightness lights to use otherwise), but for my job, a low-brightness is all that I both need and want. Personally, I'd like at least two levels.

For the last 4 years, I've carried a Surefire LX2 as my workday EDC. It has two levels, 200 high, 15 low, and a very simple tail-switch that is push for low, push harder for high (and can also be locked on in either of those two modes, as well as locked off if desired). I just purchased a E2B with "Tactical" tailcap (500/5, same activation as the LX2) to replace the single-mode (E2D body, Malkoff M60 w/VME head) light I spoke of above.

I carried a stream light protac 2l for a long time but the pocket clip broke off and i stoped carrying it.

The pocket clip is always a potential weak-point with any EDC tool that uses it. The outside edge of the pocket also tend to make it more vulnerable. Sadly, it's one of those compromises.

Will Streamlight send you a free replacement clip?

One of the reasons why I went with Surefires was for the free lifetime replacement clips.

That nite core that was posted looks interesting, but I will need to do some more reading on it.

It's my current dog-walking light. That's where I find the most utility for a variable-output light. The low-to-medium settings are great for picking up the dog's mess, and the high settings great for keeping on the lookout for skunks, as well as potential defensive use.

Although I've been collecting flashlights since about '99 or so, I'm actually new to the rechargeable game. Previously, my needs were better met by primary lithium cells. Having rechargeables is nice for these frequent but non-critical uses, and modern rechargeables really have taken a lot of the worry about ending up with a dead light when I need it.

With the MH12, there's a port on the body that's covered by a flip-up rubber cap/gasket that allows for plug-in for direct Micro-USB charging, so you don't need to buy a stand-alone charger. This is a nice feature for those who are watching the bottom line, but there have been reports of early demise of the cap. Despite the fact that Nitecore packages a spare cap with the light, I would advise, based on such reports, that if you EDC or otherwise put the light to harsh use, you may want to look at their MH2C, which has a metal screw-down port cover or, alternatively, go with the MT2C if the extreme output on the high end of the MH12 and MH2C is not necessary and you wish a physically shorter light (I don't know if the light will simply keep in Turbo mode, though, if you don't exceed the three-minute cut-out time in one go; that would be something that you'll want to seek out more detailed info. about, if you're interested in that light).

Overall, as you may know, a lot of the hard-use guys actually really like products from the "established" import brands like Fenix, Nitecore, 4Sevens, etc. Heck, Paul Howe's been cited as saying that one of his favorites is a Nitecore, and he's known to not be easy on gear. Modern technology has pretty much made these LED lights near-indestructible.

That said, warranty claims to these foreign-based companies can be spotty. Certainly, it can even be troublesome for some "Made in USA" products, but by and large, most of the domestics tend to be more straightforward to work with, and for some, the initial investment upfront for a Surefire or Malkoff is in part worth it, knowing that they will have worry-free/question-free service later on.

They also ban knives so I carry my leatherman and a flashlight when at work. They both come in handy for alot of other things and they do not have that scary factor like say my spyderco delicia 4 does.

How do you feel about a knife inside the tool?

The Multitasker has a very stout blade, and the Emerson variant (the EDC-2), although it lacks the pliers and is functionally very plain-Jane, offers a Wave on the primary blade.....

[dcludwig]

Here is an option to consider. I purchased this headlamp from Amazon. It is Xtreme's low end headlamp for $17, so though I won't vouch for it's quality, but it does have a lifetime warranty. The cool thing is that it comes with a flashlight base where you can unscrew the lamp from the headlamp and screw in onto the flashlight base. The bad thing is that is does not come with the 3.7v battery. I also purchased 2 Panasonic rechargeable batteries and a Nitecore D2 charger (which I really like) The charger will charge batteries from R123s to AAA/AA/3.7v. It does only have 2 positions, but that's fine with me as use another charger for my AA's and will use the D2 primarily for the R123s and 3.7v batteries. Again the headlamp is low-end with plastic on the straps/ratcheting headlamp which can break if you are not careful. It has high beam/low beam/strobe that works on both the headlamp and flashlight. The headlamp also has a rear red light that has three modes and I think will be great for biking. The rear light is where the battery is stored. Yeah, it doesn't come with a battery, but for $17 to get a headlamp/flashlight combo is pretty cool. My tactical flashlight is an MX which also uses 3.7v (a lot of them use that battery) I already had a rechargeable for that so the charger is extra handy. Here is the link for the headlamp/flashlight combo: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00S6Y ... ge_o06_s00" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Just something to consider for a backup or even EDC flashlight. It actually is pretty bright (I forget the lumen rating) but I have used the headlamp while working on some wiring in my house and plan to use it when biking this summer. I use rechargeable batteries for about everything now. Beats the heck out of constantly buying new batteries. ETA, just noticed it is on sale for $12.64 - not sure if that is just for Prime members or not.

[slowhand23]

Another vote for the Foursevens Quarks, prefer the older interface modes over the current but both great for EDC.