The Tactical Flashlight

[Matrix68]

I have had real good luck with these...the folks are local (Austin)...very nice to deal with...

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

[T3hK1w1]

I'm rather fond of the Inova T series lights, and the fenix lights as well. I think the Inova T1 is the best 1-mode compact flashlight out there for the money. An honest 100 lumens for 4-5 hours in a 2x CR123 light is darn good at $50. I wish it had a strobe mode, but hey, nothing's perfect.

[drjoker]

See my tactical flashlght review:
http://www.texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=29067

For your price range, I suggest getting a used one from ebay. Flashlights have no moving parts and if you buy an LED light, there is no lighbulb to burn out, either. So, a used one would be just as good as a new one.

[joe817]

Thanks everybody so much for all your great comments. Deeply appreciated. I've spent a whole lot of time researching all the recommendations and comments, and educating myself on the specs of these and other flashlights, and their meanings. Phew. Talk about a chore!

I've narrowed the field down to 4.
Fenix TK12($74.95): http://www.batteryjunction.com/fenix-tk12.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Olight T20-M($59.95): http://eliteled.com/products/flashlight ... t20-t.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

UltraFire WF-503C($22.26): http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.26120" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

MTE SSC P7($34.95): http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.12060" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm leaning toward the Olight because of the quality and reputation. But the UltraFire and MTE are SO affordable, and the comments are so favorable that I may choose either one of those. The issue is still in doubt.

Has anyone out there ever owned an UltraFire flashlight?

[Bulldog1911]

revitalizing this old thread cause I'm thinking about a ultrafire myself. Anyone here tried them? Pretty sure I'm gonna buy one regardless, as I figure it's worth the $15 just incase it is a good one. Either way, I'd like to hear if anyone here has some thoughts on the brand.

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/ultrafire- ... 123a-16179" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm all ears

[Dave2]

revitalizing this old thread cause I'm thinking about a ultrafire myself. Anyone here tried them? Pretty sure I'm gonna buy one regardless, as I figure it's worth the $15 just incase it is a good one. Either way, I'd like to hear if anyone here has some thoughts on the brand.

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/ultrafire- ... 123a-16179" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm all ears

My thoughts on that light mirror yours. Unless someone's got a reason not to, I'm gonna order one when I get home after work tonight.

There's also one called the Redline or something that I found at Target Masters for $30. Seems like a good light, except its switch doesn't seem to remember the last setting, so it just keeps cycling through high, med, low, SOS, and strobe as you're using it. On the sideways side (neither a plus or a minus), the crowning on it is sharp. As in it kinda scrapes my thigh sometimes through the inside of my pocket. Bad for carrying, but fantastic if you ever need to hit somebody with it.

[drjoker]

I have an ultrafire. It has more features than the surefire, BUT the ultrafire has a clickey button to cycle through the different functions such as strobe, high light, low light, etc. The surefire has a silent momentary on switch which is more stealthy. The surefire that I have is the old light bulb one, not the new led one. It is not very reliable because the light bulb may break if you subject it to hard impacts. The ultrafire that I got was a defective one. The ebay seller did send me another one to replace the defective one. I did not have to mail the old one back to china (seller was in china). However, after they sent me the good one, i subjected it to rain, mud, and hard impacts without affecting it's reliability.

I prefer the ultrafire to the surefire because it is a led and there is no bulb to burn out. Also, it is very light on energy consumption so the battery lasts forever.

[gigag04]

Some thoughts:

How did you arrive at 220 lumens? I use an SL-20 on traffic stops, and a Strion LED (a true 160 ish) for everything else, including building search. I also have a TLR-1s on the handgun, and a TLR-1 on the rifle. I have have never felt "under-lighted." I find that I frequently destroy my night vision even using the Strion LED when used properly (read intermittently unless you have ID'd a threat).

Is this just for illumination or do you have plans (plus training and experience) to use the flashlight as a weapon?

I think if I was worried about wanting a light for EDC (which I'm not when off duty), I would get a small belt clip (example) that consists of a pic-rail and use a TLR-3 (which I own). That way you can use it as a handheld light or throw it on your railed carry weapon (like an M&P compact) if time permits. I usually fall on the practical side of EDC when I'm not in uniform. My work belt is super heavy, and has every tool imaginable, but my priorities and intended responses are a little different when it's off. I have a stinger in the truck if needed. If I can't see well enough to make the shot, then I can use that darkness as concealment and move to cover, or get out of there, avoiding the engagement all together. Also - I fully expect to be out of free hands since I am usually with my fiance, and her 6 yo little boy (If the need arises to go for a gun, I will be literally shoving them behind cover with a free hand), or carrying something in my support hand like keys, groceries, guitar, etc.

All that said, I think focusing less on beam intensity would behoove you. If I made a must have list for an EDC flashlight it would be as follows:

• --Rechargeable (I will not negotiate this. CRXYZ batteries are costly. I replace the ones in my gun lights twice a year as a precaution, and it is costly)
  --Tailcap switch at a minimum (surgical shooting with a light in your hand, under stress, is tricky at best - my people learn faster on a tailcap light, or a gun mounted light)
  --Small and not sharp - while those weaponly studs are cool looking and tacticool they hurt when you move around dig into your sides.

[bayouhazard]

revitalizing this old thread cause I'm thinking about a ultrafire myself. Anyone here tried them? Pretty sure I'm gonna buy one regardless, as I figure it's worth the $15 just incase it is a good one. Either way, I'd like to hear if anyone here has some thoughts on the brand.

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/ultrafire- ... 123a-16179" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm all ears

The Ultrafire lights I have are good EDC utility flashlights but they have some shortcomings as defensive shooting aids, most notably the UI. For example, they lack momentary on.

Also be patient if you order from delayextreme. My orders have averaged about a month to get here on the slow boat from China. One took longer than two months That's the trade off for the low prices. I still order from them but it's more fire and forget, then a surprise shows up in my mailbox weeks later. :D

[Bulldog1911]

but it's more fire and forget, then a surprise shows up in my mailbox weeks later. :D

Ha, yah, I figured that. I order most of my media cars, flash drives, etc from china and it's the same 4 week delevery system. But when you can get 16gb SD card for 4 dollars, it's worth it

[Excaliber]

I've been very happily using a Streamlight PT series LED light for a couple of months now for EDC. It's small, light, extremely bright, and has 3 modes: High, strobe, and low.

Mine is the version that uses the CR123A lithium batteries, but there is an AA battery version too (which I'm sure won't be quite as bright due to the difference in available power between the two battery types).

Here's a link to one source.

If you have a Brownell's discount account, they have the same light for less, although without the free shipping from OpticsPlanet, the difference might end up to be small or none.

[Wysiwyg101]

I just bought a Mag-lite LED XL50. Only 104 lumens, but it has a low-power, a hi-power and a strobe. It's also a three AAA battery device and I can get those very easily and cheaply versus the 123's. It was only about $30 at Home Depot. It'll do me for a tac-lite for now. I did see this though in case someone is interested in some serious light:

http://elektrolumens.com/Kong/Kong-12.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That's right, 10,800 lumens. I think you could permanently blind someone with this tac-lite...lol.

[Excaliber]

I just bought a Mag-lite LED XL50. Only 104 lumens, but it has a low-power, a hi-power and a strobe. It's also a three AAA battery device and I can get those very easily and cheaply versus the 123's. It was only about $30 at Home Depot. It'll do me for a tac-lite for now. I did see this though in case someone is interested in some serious light:

http://elektrolumens.com/Kong/Kong-12.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That's right, 10,800 lumens. I think you could permanently blind someone with this tac-lite...lol.

And at 6 pounds, you could get part of your daily workout by carrying it around.

The price isn't listed, but the ad does note that the special batteries and charger it requires aren't supplied with the unit.

I think I'll wait for the pocket model..........

[speedsix]

...useful in signalling the space station should the radio go down...or doing popcorn in the woods...

[Excaliber]

...useful in signalling the space station should the radio go down...or doing popcorn in the woods...

And for helping your neighbor at the other end of the block read his newspaper at night during a power outage....