Where are my flash light guys at?

[Speedy78]

So the Squadron I work at has 40K they need to spend in the next two weeks. Currently they issue out this little dinky maybe 40 lumen twin AA light that always seems to go into a strobe mode. Very hard to scan systems on the plane with this POS.

I'm looking for a light <100$ with a decent output (the higher the better) in a fairly compact host. Would be better if the light came with a charger and batteries as its easier to purchase that way. Would like it to have On/Off and no useless modes on it. Also water resistant and metal body are always a plus. Also a US seller. Would get flagged if we sent a bunch of money to an overseas seller from a government credit card haha

Thanks!
Speedy

 

[InfinitusEquitas]

Unfortunately, aside from Surefire, which has fallen behind in terms of innovations as flashlights go, and is extremely overpriced, there are no good US made flashlights.

Are you allowed to purchase Open Market? If you are I have a number of suggestions for you.

If not... buy a flashlight for yourself, and tell your friends to also buy flashlights personally, and then expense them somehow.

There is all this hoopla about not sending money overseas, TAA compliance, Ability One, etc,. The reality of the situation is, our government can save millions if it were to buy products based solely on price, and requirements.

Any number of flashlights I can suggest for you... but aside from the overprice Surefires, most are not gonna be US made, or even TAA compliant.

It's seriously disappointing to me that you are stuck with shitty flashlights... 40 lumens, even from a AA battery, is just a joke.

 

[Speedy78]

Well entertain me. A buddy of mine is the card holder so we may be able to do it

 

[InfinitusEquitas]

Is there a size requirement? How would this light be carried or stored most of the time?

Are you more interested in using up close, or do you need something with a bit of throw to it?

Very small, runs on nimh, alkaline, and lithium batteries. 280 lumens is more than enough for most applications. 500 Lumen turbo mode with 14500 batteries;

SC52w AA Flashlight Neutral White

Also fairly compact, also run on AA batteries;

Sunwayman D40A LED Flashlight with CREE XM-L2 T6 LED - 980 Lumens - Uses 4 x AA Batteries
https://illuminationsupply.com/expl.../nitecore-ea4-l2-xml2-p-324.html#.UfNA4I3_eMQ

Larger version that runs on 8 AA batteries, still smaller than a maglite;
https://illuminationsupply.com/expl...ore-ea8-neutral-white-p-367.html#.UfNA3o3_eMQ

http://www.eagletac.com/html/gx25a3/features/output.html

If you don't mind using lithium batteries the possibilities open up even more. Of these lights, I have owned, or own everything but the sunwayman, and the eagletac. I would actually take the eagletac over the nitecore or the sunwayman.

Also just because you buy a chinese flashlight... you can still support, and benefit the US company that resells it. Illumination supply is run by two guys out of California for example, and one is an active member here. I'd contact him if you decide to go that route.

I suggest join up here http://budgetlightforum.com/ and post the same question.

 

[Sigurthr]

What about EagleTac? They have a US storefront, and it is quality gear.

If you want regular batteries:
EagleTac - EagleTac D25A2 XP-G Mini 2 - AA battery - Model Number: ET/D25A2m - $43.90 325lm
EagleTac - EagleTac D25A2 Clicky XM-L2 Uses 2-AA battery - Model Number: ET/D25A2-C/XML2 - $56.90 453lm
EagleTac - EagleTac GX25A3 Uses 3 AA batteries - Model Number: ET/GX25A3 - $94.90 1116lm

All under $100.

If you want something a bit better and don't mind Li-Ions; EagleTac - EagleTac SX25L3 MT-G2 Base Model - Model Number: ET/SX25L3/MT/B - $134.90 2750lm, though it is >$100. There are numerous other Li-Ion or Li Primary options on the site though.

 

[Speedy78]

Lithium's are not a problem. It actually saves us money. You have no idea how many AA or the surefire batteries we go through daily. It would be kept in a flight suit pocket for the most part. Need a combination of throw/flood. Up close for in the plane but also need to illuminate the tail and rudder at night (C-130). The light I currently have just fades away after 10 feet or so. Those first two from EagleTac look to be about the right size. I just would like rechargeable with Lions

 

[Sigurthr]

Any preference on the activation method? (how you turn it on)

Some have tail clickies, some have twist-on heads.

Edit:
I recommend: http://www.eagletac-usa.com/products/product.aspx?pid=1-3-7196 780lm
2 modes high/low, nothing to foul up. Tighten head for turbo, put back to normal for normal. Simple on/off full click or partial press to select high/low tail clicky. Runs on 2x 16340 or 1x 18650.

 

[Speedy78]

I really like that one. I also like how it can come in in low mode without some fancy click code. I see the option for a "kit" Whats included in that? Doesn't really say.

 

[InfinitusEquitas]

From Eagletac considering it will be in your pocket, I suggest this instead: EagleTac TX25C2 XM-L2 U2 1180 Lumens

It's actually on my To Buy list. Currently I own the XMLu2 version of this: EagleTac G25C2 MKII XM-L2 U2

There are plenty of programming options. Personally I have mine set to High Medium Low Moonlight, and to strobe if I double tap the tailcap.

It will easily light things up 100-200 feet away. The TX version uses a side button instead of a tailcap clickie.

Here's a review of it: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?357531

I think at present it's the smallest throwy light out there.

For up close work... under 100 meters, I carry around a Zebralight SC600II. The UI takes a minute to get used to but it's one of the best out there IMO.

 

[Speedy78]

These also have the option for the kit but doesn't say what is in the kit. That one is nice because it has the clip. I just hate that strobe feature. I always find the light I have to wind up in that mode and its extremely annoying.

 

[InfinitusEquitas]

You can eliminate the strobe from the UI altogether if you don't like it. Keep it to just extra low, low, medium and high. For 99% of things low and medium will be more than enough.

The kits are as follows;

Complete Kit option includes:
- Durable aluminum flip-over filter assembly
- Diffused, yellow, red, blue, and green optical grade anti-reflective coated add-on lens.
- 3 cells extension body tube for three CR123A/RCR123A
- 4 cells extension body tube for four CR123A or two 18650 li-ion
YRGB Kit option includes:
- Durable aluminum flip-over filter assembly
- Diffused, yellow, red, blue, and green optical grade anti-reflective coated add-on lens

So not really fitting "kits" for you... I get the feeling you are more interesting in a set of batteries, a charger, and a holster when you say kit.

If I were you, I would pick a light, and then contact two companies to find out what they can do for you in terms of putting together a few complete kits for you;

Illumination Supply
MD Lightsource

Worked with both of them, and both have top notch service, and are very easy to deal with.

 

[Speedy78]

Thanks abunch. These seem to be what we are looking for. Might even get a bulk purchase discount. Still have to buy batteries and chargers to go with all of them too.

 

[Livinloud]

MD-Lightsource also has a bunch of nice lights. Im selling my Crelant 7G5CS if you are interested 900 lumen XM-L U2 emitter with a large amount of throw. "beam" is visible at night, ramping mode for 5-900 lumen at your choice, SOS & Strobe, blah blah blah. if interested i can get you more specs and photos

 

[Speedy78]

Was actually looking at that one but it was too bog for our needs. Thsts not to say im not personally interested. Pm me with everything please.

 

[Sigurthr]

Ya, I picked the one I did due to its simplicity of operation, but if you don't mind reprogramming the UI there are tons of more options.

 

[InfinitusEquitas]

You can definitely get a bulk discount if you order a bunch of them.

For a charger I suggest either the Nitecore I4, or the Soshine S1-max.

For batteries, AW, Keeppower, Orbronic, are all great. Depending on capacity they are all rebranded Sanyos of Panasonics anyway. Personally I use Keeppower batteries when it matters... best balance of price to performance.

You can contact this guy to get you some in the US: http://budgetlightforum.com/user/3570

Personally I order mine from china from doingoutdoor. You can also get a bulk discount on these: https://illuminationsupply.com/batt...400mah-18650-protected-p-90.html#.UfNT1Y3_eMQ

Edit: The Crelants are great, I own a bunch, but I wouldn't necessarily rely on one in a true emergency. If you get the 7G5CS get yourself the aspheric head... it's worth it. I did a collection of beamshots in this thread a while back, including a few crelants... http://laserpointerforums.com/f66/flashlight-beamshots-collection-81167.html