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Getting the flashlight bug....need advice!

IsaacT

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So I am starting to really want to get a nice flashlight. I don't think I am going to go off the deep end and start collecting them, but I would like a nice one with decent throw for checking out noises in the backyard, or going camping, or navigating to the kitchen(maybe overkill?) lol.

Do any of you flashlight people have any advice for me? I put a thread up over at CPF but I have to wait for moderators to check it out :/

I want a sleek flashlight. I love my Aurora SH-032 host, except for the fact that the tailclicky is a little soft for my taste. It is mushy, difficult to press. So yeah. I like the sleek ones, not the bulbous giant head 4D maglite monsters....

Any advice would be appreciated. I would like to stay under 75 dollars. Under 50 is even better.

Thanks,
Isaac
 





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Take it from someone who meant to only get a couple of flashlights a year ago, and 2-3 lasers two years ago... when the light bug bites, it bites HARD :D

You already have some 18650 batteries and charger I imagine, so get yourself one of these: $37.90 Sky Ray King 3* Cree XM-L U2 3-Mode 2500-Lumen LED Flashlight - 4*18650 at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping

You really should have decent batteries, if not stock up also at FT... best 18650 prices I know of.

Obviously the Skyray King is NOT a pocket light, but it is pretty small, and puts out a TON of light.

In a pocket format, IMO the absolute best dollar to quality ratio light is this: Crelant 7G2CS 658 Lumen Tactical flashlight (XML-U2)

(Order a bit more to hit $50 for free shipping, I suggest the battery carriers, silicone lubricant or anything else that catches your interest.

It will throw OK, but not having a larger reflector obviously will not perform up to the same levels as true, non pocket-able throwers. It's at the edge of what I consider to be a pocket light.

Use coupon code BLF at both to sites to save a bit. For a little over $75 you'll have a monster flooder and good pocket light.

Good throw in a pocket light is kind of hard to achieve without a bulbous reflector (to me good throw is 500 meters plus). If good throw is what you're after, you can forget about being able to stick it into your pocket.
 
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I know this is way over the price you were looking for but I have the bug for the Fire-foxes IV (or FF4) about to come out. There is a GB I am in going on at another forum for them but they are going to run around $270-$300. lol thats a big bug i know :(
 

IsaacT

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I mainly want a light that can illuminate very brightly over a decent distance...but 500 meters? That is what? 5 football fields? Holy shite that is a long way....how about 50 meters? good and bright to 50 meters would be pretty dandy :)

PS- thank you for responding! That pocket-able light looks pretty sexy.
 
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50 meters is really not that far... We're kind of lucky to be so spoiled for lumens now days. :D

I remember literally drooling over the possibility of 300 lumens from surefire in 2007. Now days you can get that much power for under $20.

Look at this light: Review: UltraFire C20 / Crelant 7G3CS clone | BudgetLightForum.com

I EDC the Crelant version of it. The main reason is size, and completely variable output.

For up to 50 meters, I think you'll be very pleased with it. The 7G2CS beats it in every department, but it's quite a bit more to lug around.

My next non thrower light requirement is 3000 lumens+ :eg:

About the firefoxes... I've seen several HIDs in action, and while they are very impressive, IMO they aren't worth the hassle. Custom battery packs, warm up time, bulb that can burn out.... why bother? An LED light you can use and ABUSE and it will take it all in stride. My lasers, for the most part I baby. My lights, I beat the crap out of, and I'm not apologetic about it.

If you're willing to go up in price, and don't care about portability, the next step up from the Skyray King, is the Apex 5T6. After that the Blackshadow Terminator, and last, for the moment at least, the king, Fenix TK75. It's the best all purpose light I have seen to date. If they drop below $150 I'm getting a second one :tinfoil: although the RC40 looks VERY promising.
 
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Your going to get bite hard by the flashlight bug I did. I think the reason is because the prices are much less then lasers.

This is an inexpensive flashlight that is zoom able so it throws good when you want it and doesn't when you want it.
https://www.fasttech.com/product/1206400
 

IsaacT

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Are you saying that THIS is a good size for every day carrying or that it is too heavy? Are you advocating the Ultrafire C20 or the Crelant 7G2CS? Thanks
 
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EDC means every day carry. The 7G2CS is an absolutely pocketable light, but you will certainly notice it in your jeans pants pocket.

In you position, I would grab the C20, for $30, and SkyRay king for $36.

When you have a bit more to spend, get a dedicated, non pocket, thrower.
 

IsaacT

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As of yet I don't really want a non-pocket....but I think that crelant looks awesome! Have you tried the Waterproof feature on that flashlight? And is the tail clicky nice?

Thanks....the C20 looks nice as well, but 50 bucks is not bad AT ALL imo. If this is a good quality flashlight, I have no qualms about dropping 50 dollars on it. And the adjustable brightness is legit!

Isaac
 
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Hey if you want to make one and don't mind a red LED flashlight then could put one of these in there. They take 13 amps, but i could only put 3 amps because that is the max of my cheap power supply.

... i think i have one floating around somewhere that i could actually give you if you paid for the shipping i guess.

This was only at 3 amps! :)

red1af.jpg


red2qx.jpg
 
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IsaacT

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Do you know where MD-Lightsource ships from? If it is not China I think I might buy that Crelant tonight and see how I like Lumens soon....If it is China then I might still but yeah. I hate the China Wait.

Isaac

EDIT: and laserlight84: aren't red flashlights supposed to be good for night vision?
 
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Ahh, phatlights... that's another category of insanity right there...

@wannaburnstuff - The tailcap switch on the Crelant is nice. Nothing special, but nice... there is a clear audible click.

Not sure about the waterproofing. Supposedly it's waterproof, but I doubt it... more like weather resistant. If it leaks anywhere, it would be at the secondary switch.

I just ordered the C20 out of curiosity to see how it compares to the crelant version.

MD Lightsource ships from Texas, and usually very fast. I ordered from him many times now, and service is excellent.

For a non pocket thrower, the U2 version of the Crelant, lowest price right now is with these guys : http://www.sbflashlights.com/Crelant/Crelant-7G5CS-with-Cree-XM-L-U2-Cool-White-p248.html coupon code Crelant will discount 15%.
 
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IsaacT

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The 7G3CS XML-U3 EDC Style Light appears to be what the C20 is cloning, whereas the one you linked seems to be different. Which is better? The one you posted looks like more lumens and doesn't have the (imho) ugly pocket clip....

Thanks,
Isaac

PS - the clip isn't "ugly" perse, but I just don't like pocket clips....they ALWAYS crap out on me.
 
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IMO the 7G2CS is the best middle ground option. It has some throw, and plenty of mass to handle heat. It's a very solid light, and easily one of my all time favorites.

It's just a bit too big for EDC comfort though. Doable, but not optimum. The clip on the 7G3CS is removable.

Here's my Crelant collection;

Collimator Head, 7G5CS U2, 7G5CS T6, V9CS, 7G2CS U2, 7G2CS T6, 7G3CS, V11A.

2013-03-19014845_zpsf0c3e565.jpg

2013-03-19014756_zpsc664e75a.jpg

2013-03-19014828_zpsf6628a59.jpg

2013-03-19015003_zps885ebcda.jpg

2013-03-19015016_zps57f7c4b3.jpg


7G2CS, and 7G5CS from the business end, next to each other:

2013-03-19015034_zpsec98e4d8.jpg


You can see how much larger, and deeper the reflector is on the 7G2 versus the 7G3... that difference amounts to a lot more throw.

If I had to pick just one, I'd go with the 7G2CS.
 
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IsaacT

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Sounds good to me! I am gonna pull the trigger on that now! (can't believe I am actually going to spend 50 bucks for a flashlight....but I have a feeling it will be one hell of a lot more practical than my lasers...lol). And plus, I don't own a flashlight....I feel like I should.

I will get the 7G2CS and then a small mini-mag at Academy for the little things.


Thanks,
Isaac

PS- plus 1 to everyone who posted in this thread helping me....especially you InfinitusEquitas!

EDIT: srry awillis but I have to spread some....damn forum mechanics have done it again! :beer:
 
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Could not find where to put in the code? How long is typical shipping for these guys:) Fasttek
 
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