Flashlights? Which Type. Any Recommendations?

[OCExec22]

I hope you guys are enjoying your weekend! I was doing a little reading online and I was looking for a good flashlight. I don't have a ccw yet so I was considering getting a weapon mounted lighting system on my USP Compact as opposed to a standalone flashlight. A few days ago on the outdoor channel "Personal defense tv" they brought up the same question. They both have good points, Im steering towards just the flashlight because the though of having to point a gun at something to illuminate it just doesn't go down smooth but I am up for recommendations. Also I was looking at the surefire lights whats the difference in the light between the led and Incandescent. I was comparing the output and runtime between both and the LEDs seem to have the Incandescent beat. Is it that simple or is there more to it. Does the Incandescent lights have a better or brighter light? I was looking at the surefire 6p-led a seller online has them for $70 shipped. Anyone have experience with these?

[Spicy McHaggis]

Originally Posted by OCExec22

I hope you guys are enjoying your weekend! I was doing a little reading online and I was looking for a good flashlight. I don't have a ccw yet so I was considering getting a weapon mounted lighting system on my USP Compact as opposed to a standalone flashlight. A few days ago on the outdoor channel "Personal defense tv" they brought up the same question. They both have good points, Im steering towards just the flashlight because the though of having to point a gun at something to illuminate it just doesn't go down smooth but I am up for recommendations. Also I was looking at the surefire lights whats the difference in the light between the led and Incandescent. I was comparing the output and runtime between both and the LEDs seem to have the Incandescent beat. Is it that simple or is there more to it. Does the Incandescent lights have a better or brighter light? I was looking at the surefire 6p-led a seller online has them for $70 shipped. Anyone have experience with these?

I carry a Surefire on me at all times and have them upstairs, downstairs, in my car, at work, etc. I just have the incandescent and no LEDs. I've had some lights for four years, use them all the time, and haven't had to replace the batteries in them yet. So, I don't worry about runtime too much. However, I have had to replace one of the bulbs in one of them. I'd say just get whichever you prefer to have.

[BonoVox]

I love my Surefire E2D. When I travel to some cities that is my only SD tool. Great light.

[thegratenate]

Well, I'll go ahead and toss my two coins in.

I have to say that a weapon mounted light in place of a standalone light is an extremely bad idea, I am in favor of having both, or just a standalone light, but the weapon light alone is a bad idea.

Having both would allow a person to transition from the standalone light to the weapon light once a target is identified and it becomes necessary to point a gun at that target. The only advantage I can see is that it would allow a proper two handed grip in addition to the illumination. Having just the standalone light would only give up a bit of accuracy, and at the ranges a violent encounter is likely to occur this doesn't seem like a huge problem. I think that the problem of pointing a gun at anything that moves, inviting an ND aimed at a family member or pet is a worse.

On the subject of LED vs incandescent,
Incandescent does not have many advantages over LED, some people prefer the hue of the beam and tinkerers are able to crank more lumens out of incandescents. They are also older tech which means they cost less and are more commonly found.

In my opinion LED beats incandescent up and down both sides of the street. The battery lives of the two aren't even in the same ballpark, the LEDs under normal operating temps are much brighter, and LEDs are not sensitive to shock. An incandescent will pop if it is dropped while on, an LED will not. Incandescent bulbs also burn out and have to be replaced periodically, while an LED is pretty much a lifetime bulb.

I would rather spend a few extra dollars on the flashlight in the first place and then have my batteries last longer and not have to replace bulbs ever.


Also Surefire is top notch, they are the standard by which others are judged and they stand behind their products.

[Bombard]

Originally Posted by OCExec22

I was comparing the output and runtime between both and the LEDs seem to have the Incandescent beat. Is it that simple or is there more to it. Does the Incandescent lights have a better or brighter light? I was looking at the surefire 6p-led a seller online has them for $70 shipped. Anyone have experience with these?

LED's make about 5 times more light with the same electricity. So by going with LED over Incan, you can get 5 times more light, or 5 times longer light, or somewhere inbetween the two.

Personally I have LED Maglites everywhere - 4 around the house, 2 in each car. Read the stuff at candlepowerforums.com, they're a little nuts but the create some amazing flashlights.

For sheer power, the best I've ever played with was a 38 watt HID flashilght. It's literally an aircraft landing light with a lithium battery pack. It's bulky, but it lights up the other side of the Grand Canyon (I tried it).

[OCExec22]

I appreciate your posts. Thanks thegratenate your post was very informative. I know LED are much more energy efficient but I wondered if the light quality was as good as the incond bulbs. To me LED seem like they have a blueish hue to them where as the incond is a fuller spectrum of light. I have heard nothing but good things about surefure and most of them are priced great especially their new Nitrolon series. Does anyone have experience with the 6P LED? For price its got the best runtume but I was also considering a light where you can chance the brightness level is that really useful? Sure costs a lot more and most of them don't have as much runtime at their highest setting.

[Bombard]

The color from LED varies with the LED manufacturer and even the lot. The people who are seriously into them refer to "bin number" - basically they're made, tested, and depending on how much light and what color, put in one of several bins. Generally the higher the bin number, the brighter and whiter the light.

Sorry to be vague.

For a light in the Surefire 6p class (2 123A lithium batteries) see LumaPower M1 Hunter

[El Gato]

I carry the e2e and the Streamlight tlr2.. I carry the streamlight on duty in the sidepocket of my 511 duty pants ... I almost never use my streamlight stinger as the tlr2 is handier and almost as bright... smaller and the tiger ring is very very handy...

[JandJDude]

Originally Posted by OCExec22

I appreciate your posts. Thanks thegratenate your post was very informative. I know LED are much more energy efficient but I wondered if the light quality was as good as the incond bulbs. To me LED seem like they have a blueish hue to them where as the incond is a fuller spectrum of light. I have heard nothing but good things about surefure and most of them are priced great especially their new Nitrolon series. Does anyone have experience with the 6P LED? For price its got the best runtume but I was also considering a light where you can chance the brightness level is that really useful? Sure costs a lot more and most of them don't have as much runtime at their highest setting.

I have a 6P LED mounted to my AR. It's a great light. 80 Lumens is plenty bright (my E2E is only 65 lumens) and with my military discount it only cost me about $60. Went in to Surefire and bought it literally right off the assembly line (their HQ is in Fountain Valley). Great light for the price though my E2E is one great light too.

Their XM weapon lights are also pretty amazing, though Insight's weapon lights are almost as good and a bit cheaper as well. Unless you kick in doors for a living, I would look into those if you're going to buy a weapon light.

[THE Gimper]

I have a 6Z with the 120 lumen White Scorcher bulb. I was considering converting it to the LED system, but as A Guy once said to me, "I never give up lumens."

[OCExec22]

I was comparing companies and the fact surefire is so close is great. If anything breaks I can probably just drive over there and they will replace it on the spot. I'm gona grab the 6p led. If its good enough to be on an ar its good enough for me. I appreciate all the replies.

By the way did anyone go to the NHRA races in Pomona today?

[OCExec22]

I've been reading candlepowerforums.com. They take their love for flashlights to unhealthy levels. I never thought you could have a flashlight forum! Its very resourceful though.

[Bombard]

Originally Posted by OCExec22

I've been reading candlepowerforums.com. They take their love for flashlights to unhealthy levels. I never thought you could have a flashlight forum! Its very resourceful though.

They probably think the same about us.

[IAmASensFan]

Originally Posted by Bombard

They probably think the same about us.

You should have met the guy with the paracord tying forum that was laughed off californiaccw.org

He noticed a lot of redirects from that site, so he went to see what was causing the commotion...he was PISSED because of all the people making fun of him.

[OCExec22]

I've heard just about everything now. You really gotta have some serious free time to be a member of a paracord tying forum.