Practical Tactical Flashlights

[AngelDeVille]

So I picked up a Kel-tec KSG and I wanted to add a flashlight to it.....

 

Holy crap! there are entire forums dedicated to flashlights, and a whole range of prices and options and battery options!  There are some serious flashlight nerds out there....

 

I just want to put a light on my damn weapon!

 

 

So I weeded out the nonsense, and got way more flashlight than I needed with a rechargeable Lithium Ion batterie, and the charger.

 

The light I found was a Fenix PD35.  It can take two of those short camera batteries (like a midget AA) OR these newer ones that are the same size as the two short ones.

 

It has 960 Lumens, which from what I'm reading you really only need a couple hundred to blind an intruder.

 

I got the package used off Ebay for about $20 less than the light by itself, with no batteries.

 

I had narrowed the initial search down to the Fenix and a Streamlight before I stumbled upon the ebay auction.

 

I had added a $4 flashlight mount to an Amazon order a couple weeks ago and it turns out it looks like an NcStar, and is actually pretty nice, so I ordered a couple more on my next order.

 

I will receive the light next week, so I'll give you the full rundown... If I like it, I will add two more to my tacticool AR's.

 

So without getting too nerdy, what do you guys use/like?

Edited June 1, 2015 by AngelDeVille

[Robocop1051]

Streamlight recently came out with a bunch of USB rechargeable lights. I've been looking into them recently.

[blue109]

A note of caution....if you plan on using that for home defense, something that bright can end up disorienting you just by reflecting off walls or glass. I keep my hd lights under 200.

Edited June 1, 2015 by blue109

[edgecrusher]

I will give Fenix my vote of confidence. I own many of their lights, for on and off duty, best part is you buy replacement parts but they warranty everything anyway. Good stuff, at a good price.

[AngelDeVille]

I did see the E35 which is the rechargeable version, but it was longer, and it just adds a usb port. I figured it would look odd having my shotgun plugged into the computer... I plan on having a couple spares in the grip.

 

 

Yeah the Lumens on this one is ridiculous, I think it has 5 settings that the flashlight will remember when you turn it on next time.  I think I would only use the max setting if I was using it handheld with a pistol.  I just got it for the price of one of the lower lumen models, I was looking at the PD32, which maxes at 340 lumens. If I don't run across another "deal" I'm looking at that model for the other two I may get.

 

 

 

The Fenix flashlights seem to be pretty highly regarded, and the price for features seems to be just a little better than the closest competitor.

Edited June 1, 2015 by AngelDeVille

[FaRKle!]

A note of caution....if you plan on using that for home defense, something that bright can end up disorienting you just by reflecting off walls or glass. I keep my hd lights under 200.

Is this from experience? Because I find it to be more conjecture than anything every time I've seen it come up.

Not one light on any of my guns has less than a 500 lumen rating except for my original TLR-1. I've gone through my place many times in the dark to see what I could see and what I can't with them (Streamlight TLR-1 HL - 630 lumens, Streamlight Protac HL - 600 lumens, Elzetta Charlie AVS - 900 lumens, Inforce WMLx - 500 lumens, Surefire P1R Peacekeeper - 600 lumens). I've never come close to blinding myself. You can use your light-colored walls to bounce light in order to make your WML act as a lamp instead of a spotting light if you're worried about blinding yourself.

Edited June 1, 2015 by FaRKle!

[blue109]

I had 500 lum inforce and traded it off. Never "blinded" myself but it was uncomfortable a few times, and never saw any advantage over my 160 or 120 pistol lights.

[AngelDeVille]

This is what I'm replacing.... I don't think it registers as lumens.... Maybe half a candle power...

[FaRKle!]

This is what I'm replacing.... I don't think it registers as lumens.... Maybe half a candle power...

b-b-but it has like eleventy LEDs!

On another note, is your front sight backwards?

[jtallen83]

I like about 200 lumens for rifles, 100 is fine for a pistol. I find more does mess with my vision at times if inside but most the time I'm poking around in the woods and pasture. I'm a Surefire snob but own a Streamlight TLR-1 and like it just don't have the same confidence level with it. I like the Surefires because I can buy them used on ebay fairly cheap and not worry about any issues, snow, rain, below zero and 110 they just kick a$$.

[Robocop1051]

On another note, is your front sight backwards?

Is there really such a thing?

[planeflyer21]

Is there really such a thing?

 

No.

[AngelDeVille]

It's angled for easy insertion once I run out of ammo.

[AngelDeVille]

Mailman delivered today.

https://youtu.be/57tUJFu2rag

Edited June 6, 2015 by AngelDeVille

[unforgiven]

Used Surefire for sale ???

[AngelDeVille]

So how did I go from looking for a couple flashlights, to this?

[blue109]

Nice

[98Z5V]

So how did I go from looking for a couple flashlights, to this?

 

 

You're an addict...  <laughs> <lmao> <thumbsup>

[AngelDeVille]

I can quit any time I want....

[98Z5V]

Might be true - but nobody likes a quitter... 

[JF89]

I like streamlight or surefire.

I bought a couple of these streamlights for a $100 a piece https://www.streamlight.com/en/products/detail/index/protac-rail-mount-2

They are a great value.

[Robocop1051]

I recently added a new Streamlight to my EDC. 

The ProTac 1L-1AA is advertised as a “dual fuel” being able to use CR123 or AA batteries. I can attest that it will also use use AAA batteries. It came with a battery, but when that’s dead I’ll replace it with a rechargeable CR123, and reserve the feature to use AA or AAA for emergencies. 350 lumens is perfect for my EDC, and the versatility of batteries tickles my prepper bone. 

and it now comes in FDE.... how can one not buy it?!??!

[JF89]

2 hours ago, Robocop1051 said:

I recently added a new Streamlight to my EDC. 

The ProTac 1L-1AA is advertised as a “dual fuel” being able to use CR123 or AA batteries. I can attest that it will also use use AAA batteries. It came with a battery, but when that’s dead I’ll replace it with a rechargeable CR123, and reserve the feature to use AA or AAA for emergencies. 350 lumens is perfect for my EDC, and the versatility of batteries tickles my prepper bone. 

and it now comes in FDE.... how can one not buy it?!??!

I own that exact one too, so I agree. I have the bigger version too. I even tried killing one and it took a whooping like a champ.

[sketch]

Just picked up an OLIGHT pl mini valkyrie 2. In (fde?) more like metalic green but no one can see past the 600 lumens. fast charge usb, super lite weight compared to my others. and very affordable 90$ It states for pistol only so ill keep it there for now. 7 yards to the 12' wide garage door in the dark. I'll test it at the range soon. 

[Robocop1051]

I carry an Olight M2 Warrior on duty. They are very rugged for a VERY reasonable price.

 

Im thinking a Surefire Stiletto is on the shopping list for an EDC light. The Streamlight will go in my bag and the Surefire will clip to my pocket.