Best flashlight

[MNicolai]

I use a Surefire G2 LED. It's a very bright flashlight. The batteries are a little pricier if you get them from Surefire, but you can get them from other suppliers online for about a $1/battery.

It's a sturdy flashlight. Not that I would go ahead and try, but I think if I accidentally dropped it from a grid, it would still work fine. I remember when I first got it, I went outside on a foggy night and it cut clear through the fog to the other side of the neighborhood. It probably isn't the best flashlight for someone who is constantly just a few feet offstage during performances, but for people who are constantly doing a lot of work in the dark for focusing lights and setting gear up, it's a great flashlight.

This would be the type of flashlight you'd reach for if your theatre lost power and you had to escort patrons out of the theatre in the dark. I wouldn't use any other flashlight and I think this flashlight will still work just as well as it does in 15 years from now.

For all of those reasons, it's also the flashlight that all of our local emergency services use. Most people I know who have a heavy-duty, high-quality flashlight, also carry a MiniMag on them as well.

I gave up on MiniMags a few years ago though. I had an incandescent Mini and an LED as well, and after a few months of regular use both ceased to function at all. At the rate I was buying them, it made sense to spend a little more and go with the Surefire G2 and know it would last for several years.

 

[masterelectrician2112]

Thanks guys. Keep the awesome suggestions coming! Everything that you all have suggested looks great!

 

[GreyWyvern]

I use my 7 year old Maglite with the LED retrofit and a blue lens. Works great and have never had a problem with it. At first I replaced the clear lens with the blue one, but found that it is more convienent to be able to remove the blue lens (by keeping the clear in the Maglite and the blue in the holder) so I can have white light when I need it.

 

[fx120]

I carry a Fenix P2D C5 in my pocket daily. Runs off a single CR123 that with daily use will last about a month or more. The best thing about it is the low-output mode which is only about 9lm, but is enough to navigate backstage without making myself obvious. Tap the power switch again and the middle output mode is enough light for pretty much any task, or if you hit it again it switches to 90lm mode at which point you can illuminate things from quite a distance. And of course if you're crazy, twist the body and put it in turbo mode and you've got 125lm out of a 3" long light.

It is by far the best 50 bucks I have ever spent.

I also have a TK11 from them that uses rechargeable 18650 lithium batteries, and outputs 225lm on it's highest mode.

I've owned Surefire lights and while they're nice high quality lights, I can't honestly say that they're any better built than the Fenix lights or any more dependable. I've dropped my TK11 from the top of a 12' ladder, picked it up and other than a little cosmetic damage it still functions perfectly.

 

[dcollins]

Fenix is really the way to go. I have one of their units (3XAAA I think, or was is 3XAA?) sitting in my mail at school waiting for me to get back.

I was wrong - 2XAA variable intensity from 12-180 lumens. Cost me $50. Not bad at all.

 

[gafftapegreenia]

I had been hardcore Mini-Mag for several years. Probably have about 5 still kicking around. I've tried every version. The incan. eats batteries, the LED drop in's are dim and the LED models die after a few drops. A few months ago I purchased a Leatherman Serac s3. I love that light. 3 intensity settings and disappears in the pocket. It's so wonderful to see to the grid. A powerful flashlight is a beautiful thing.

+1 on the Fenix brand. I have a Fenix E01 on my key chain and it beats the pants off the Mag Solitaire.

 

[masterelectrician2112]

I do like the Fenix P2D. Thanks for that suggestion.

 

[mnfreelancer]

I was using an Innova 3W LED that took 2 CR123 batteries and loved that light, other than the cost of batteries and the steep fall-off curve of bright vs. usable light. I'd put fresh batteries in it for a show and by the end of the strike it would have gone from blinding grid-illuminating light to "usable light" still suitable for looking in cases / loading trucks but not much else. I eventually convinced the company to start buying the batteries for me since I used that light exclusively for work but even that was a hassle, another part number to keep in stock and the added cost factor.

I bought myself a Streamlight Strion LED for Christmas . For about $120 including 2 chargers (one car, one home) it is by far the best light I have ever owned. Only slightly larger than the Innova it fits in the pouch I wear daily and has a Litium Ion battery that doesn't develop a memory from being charged every night despite not being fully discharged. Also if the battery ever does go, I can get a replacement (or a spare) for around $25. The LED module is warranted for life against shock/defect. And let me tell you, the thing is BLINDING. It weighs in at 160 lumens and will light up even the tallest grids. Runs for about an hour and a half at that full brightness and also has lower brightness modes that are very useful for run conditions. For me, it was well worth the significant investment.

 

[fx120]

I was using an Innova 3W LED that took 2 CR123 batteries and loved that light, other than the cost of batteries and the steep fall-off curve of bright vs. usable light. I'd put fresh batteries in it for a show and by the end of the strike it would have gone from blinding grid-illuminating light to "usable light" still suitable for looking in cases / loading trucks but not much else. I eventually convinced the company to start buying the batteries for me since I used that light exclusively for work but even that was a hassle, another part number to keep in stock and the added cost factor.

For anyone in need of CR123 batteries, I just order 50 or so at a time from BatteryStation.com, but even their individual unit pricing is very reasonable.

CR123A Batteries CR123 Batteries CR123A Battery CR123 Battery

 

[MNicolai]

For anyone in need of CR123 batteries, I just order 50 or so at a time from BatteryStation.com, but even their individual unit pricing is very reasonable.

CR123A Batteries CR123 Batteries CR123A Battery CR123 Battery

I've been getting mine from BatteryJunction.com. The more money you want to save, the more you should buy at a time to spread out the cost of shipping. I buy about 20 at a time (at $0.98/ea) and at the rate I use my Surefire G2, I go through about 2 batteries every 4-6 months. So one bulk purchase will last me anywhere from 2.5-3 years.

 

[shiben]

Light for Life Flashlight UC3.400 | Flashlights | 5.11 Tactical

discuss.

 

[MarshallPope]

Light for Life Flashlight UC3.400 | Flashlights | 5.11 Tactical

discuss.

I want one.

That is all.

 

[NickVon]

Product: S&W Galaxy 28 LED Flashlight

I've had this for almost a year now and love it. two seperate buttons for White and Blue/Red

A little big around if you have a small mouth and use your mouth to hold flashlights.

 

[zuixro]

I got a Leatherman Serac2 in the mail a few days ago. So far I love it. It's small and very bright. Tail clicky button. 2 levels of brightness. It defaults to the lower one which is nice for backstage work. It has a 10 year warranty through Leatherman, so if it breaks for any reason other than outright abuse, the will replace it. I highly recommend it

 

[LeadHead]

I have a Spider Fire C-R8 from DealExtreme. DealExtreme: $30.23 SpiderFire C-R8 Cree R2 2-Mode 240-Lumen LED Flashlight with Assault Crown (1*18650/2*CR123A)

Its essentially a Chinese knock off of some more expensive flashlight brands, but for the $30 it cost you really cannot beat it. All anodized aluminum, glass lens, metal reflector, o-rings sealing the lens and end cap, two brightness levels, somewhat silly stainless steel "assault crown" for the extra "B/A Factor". It does have a Genuine Cree R2 LED though, and it takes rechargeable lithium-ions. Its single 2-3 watt Cree LED puts out easily 3 times the light if not more then my buddy's 14 LED harborfreight flashlight.

The only issues with it is that it is a tad large to carry around in your pocket all the time, but if you have fairly loose fit jeans, or just jeans with big pockets then its not too much of an issue. The other issue is that if you use internally protected lithium ion cells/batteries, the flashlight will be putting out near full brightness then essentially just turn off.

 

[masterelectrician2112]

Thanks for ressurecting this thread. I have a question about the maglite led. What are your personal experiences with this flashlight? I have heard mixed opinions and have had the regular maglite with the led conversion reccomended instead. Could you 'shed some light on this' (sorry, couldn't resist! ) I am looking to compare as many different good flashlights as possible before I make my decision. So keep the suggestions coming!

 

[avkid]

I did a review of the 1st generation Maglite LED.
PSW Sound Reinforcement Forums: The Basement => They do exist!!!!!

I have yet to get my hands on the 2nd generation units.

 

[masterelectrician2112]

Looks pretty good!! I'll keep that one on the list.

 

[chris325]

+1 on the Fenix brand. I have a Fenix E01 on my key chain and it beats the pants off the Mag Solitaire.

I've got a Solitare and it works really well for situations where I'm looking for something in the dark backstage, but in all reality is not that powerful. However, it's cheap. How much does the Fenix cost?

 

[gafftapegreenia]

I've got a Solitare and it works really well for situations where I'm looking for something in the dark backstage, but in all reality is not that powerful. However, it's cheap. How much does the Fenix cost?

About $12 on amazon.