Flashlights?

[cornfedkiller]

What flashlights do you guys use?

I have a couple cheapies, but I would like to buy a decent light. I realized last Friday when tracking a buck how much better a decent flashlight is when my stepdad brought his new Streamlight along on the track.

His Streamlight is the ProTac 2L, which is rated at 260 lumens, and I think it was plenty bright, so I don't think I need a whole lot more than that.

The lights I'm contemplating are that Streamlight ($45), a Surefire G2X Pro (320 lumens, $58), or maybe something from Nebo.

What are you guys carrying? Which ones have you had good luck with? Any to stay away from?

 

[Backpack Hunter]

If it is not a backcountry hunt blood trailing with a Coleman lantern is hard to beat. Otherwise I use my headlamp, usually a Zebralight.

 

[Cantharellus]

Big fan of Olight's rechargeable line.

 

[HawkCreek]

I carry a Streamlight StylusPro for EDC but I keep a Streamlight MicroStream in my pack. The Micro throws enough light to easily navigate at night (but the beam doen't go way out there either), it's clip is handy because it can be used not only as a pocket clip but also clipped to a hat to act as a headlamp.

 

[Blinginpse]

Stream light super tac here. Lights up the world.

I used to use a 2million candle power spotlight gettin dairy cows in to milk of mornings then realized my super tac does way better on shining farther and lasting. Not to mention it's tuff

 

[tipsntails7]

Surefire Fury. Basically like holding the sun in your hand.

 

[Darren Best]

Zebralight, 600 series.

 

[Kevin Dill]

All good lights and I own or have owned most. The Zebra is killer-good but very expensive, plus generally used in headlamp form. If you crave a super-bright light, the Fenix PD35 will burn the leaves off trees at close range with around 700-800 lumens I believe. For whitetail hunting, I just landed a Fenix PD25. It is small...uses one CR123 battery...and has outstanding run times. I use the low setting for general in-out purposes, but this little light will go to 400 lumens on turbo setting. Plus, if you decide to run their rechargeable li-ion cell you can get 550 lumens out of a 3.5" pocket-sized light. I'm really impressed with the overall level of performance engineered into this dude.

 

[cornfedkiller]

Thanks guys. Do those Fenix lights have a high and low setting? One of the things I liked about the two lights I mentioned was that they have a high and low setting so I dont have to burn up all my battery when I just need a little light..

 

[Felix40]

I carry a small led maglite. Looking at their website Im guessing it is the XL 50. It has been a good light and its way brighter than I need. For the most part I never take it out unless Im on a really hard blood trail. The ozark trails headlamps at walmart are freaking legit for the price. $12 for a 150 lumen light with a low setting and a red led was good enough for me to buy two. Ive been using them constantly for the last 3 years with no problems.

 

[Kevin Dill]

All of the handheld Fenix lights do have multiple output levels. Most have at least 3, and some have more. My PD25 has 4 levels, plus strobe. The lowest level is around 5-8 lumens and that's more than enough to light the way on a walk in the dark. One really good feature for me is that these lights have intelligent circuits and return to the last brightness level used when switched off and back on. Also, some of them have a tailswitch with momentary on-off. I use that a lot just to glimpse the path ahead and then release the pressure allowing the light to go out.

 

[twall13]

If you are sticking with a handheld I've been very happy with my Fenix. And yes, you can adjust the output level. If you want a headlamp I think there are some other better values than Fenix, but their handheld lights are up there with the best of them.

 

[camelcluch]

There are good suggestions in the thread already but I will add one more. Night Core makes some good lights for a decent price. Sometimes you can find very good deals on lapolicegear.com. Go into the close out section.

 

[Hunt'nFish]

Multi-setting headlamps for me.
Hunt'nFish

 

[dunner543]

Hard to beat zebralight. Super light and bright and can be hand held or used as a headlamp.

 

[rileybassman]

There are good suggestions in the thread already but I will add one more. Night Core makes some good lights for a decent price. Sometimes you can find very good deals on lapolicegear.com. Go into the close out section.

Agreed, I have a P12 and it is a fantastic light.

 

[cornfedkiller]

Those Nitecore P12s look nice. And there are packages I can order that come with the charger, rechargeable battery (I like the option of having both rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries). 1000 lumens is wicked bright, but 240 is a nice amount for most things - and 6 hours of battery on that setting is a ton. Most of the other lights I was looking at only have 3-4 hours of runtime with that bright of light.

I have a question about them - when you select a mode (say 240 lumen mode), when you turn the light off then back on, does it stay on that mode you had it selected on?

Thanks again guys - I really appreciate your help!

 

[rileybassman]

Those Nitecore P12s look nice. And there are packages I can order that come with the charger, rechargeable battery (I like the option of having both rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries). 1000 lumens is wicked bright, but 240 is a nice amount for most things - and 6 hours of battery on that setting is a ton. Most of the other lights I was looking at only have 3-4 hours of runtime with that bright of light.

I have a question about them - when you select a mode (say 240 lumen mode), when you turn the light off then back on, does it stay on that mode you had it selected on?

Thanks again guys - I really appreciate your help!

To answer your question, Yes. There is the power button on the bottom of the light (protected so it won't accidentally turn on) and there is a mode button on the side. Mode cycles through the brightness levels, power will recall last used brightness level.

I have two additional rechargeable batteries, but have yet to need more then one in the field. Also will run on two CR123 alkaline batteries.

I picked one of these up a while ago and it makes it so I can use it as a headlamp as well... little heavy but works really well.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00REG8GRC?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00

 

[cornfedkiller]

What batteries are you guys running in your flashlights? Rechargeables? Non-rechargeables?

Any certain brands that work better than others?

 

[Cub10]

My go-to flashlight is my Fenix LD20. I've had it about 4 years (I think?) and its been a great flashlight. It uses two AA batteries. I opted for the AA model over one that uses CR123. I buy Costco alkaline batteries and they last a long time in this light.

For a my head lamp I use a streamlight, but I forgot what model it is. It uses AAA batteries and has low/high beam modes. I use it for getting ready in the early morning hunts. It has came in handy more times than I expected.