Surefire......

[alfsauve]

. It took a while for me to come to grips with the price tag but I finally caved.

Here's the deal.  We just went through this discussion over on my StageCraft group.   We use flashlights a lot in theatre.  And there are times when it's not just a nice-to-have, but for safety sake and sometimes for the shows sake, they must work.   Over the past couple of years, as a group, we have tried many different brands, trying to find that one brand that is 100% reliable, puts out a gazillion lumens, runs on AAs, lasts for years and cost less than $20.   What we've discovered, is that you get what you pay for.  (Surprise.  Surprise.)  

Surefire and Streamlight cost, but if you want a light that will work when you need it and won't start going flaky. they can't be beat.

That said, we also have noted the recent promotion by Home Depot, 10 LED flashlights for $10 is really super for throw-away, disposable, lend them to other people lights.   My co-workers and volunteers seem to loose flashlights at prodigious rate.   I've stocked up on 30 of these $1/ea lights.   Heck you can't by 3 AAAs for that price.   So for your "must work" tactical don't waste time trying to find the inexpensive but "just as good" substitute.  Go with the big boys.  You'll never regret it.     For disposable, throw a couple in the tool box, give them to your kids, neighbors and co-workers, run down to HD while supplies last.

[fightingquaker13]

See, this is where I chime in. I am an old fart and a recovering gear head. I remember when lights were measured by candle power not lumens. I was buying mini-mags at $20 a throw back in the '80s, back when $20 meant something. Don't even get me me started on those damn Indians that tracked us when when walked to school barefoot in the snow.
Now, fast forward to the present day (and hopefully reality) for a brief discussion of non-weapons mounted, but still one handed lights. I have two and am looking for a third.
 Loser the first. A Gander Mountain house brand 200 lumen $45 special. Reasons its a loser?
1) it uses an odd ball battery that even Gander doesn't carry.
2) The thing is compact enough that I carry it (past tense) in my pocket. One day I notice my pocket is warm. Given that M'lette wasn't around, I was curious. Then warm became hot. I reached in to grab the light and it burned me. I had to untuck my shirt to grip the thing and get it out and turn it off. Embarassing having it turn on in  pocket. What if it happened in your luggage?
Loser the second. Another Gander special.. A billious yellow LED light by DORCY that went 2 for $10. I love it. Its small, waterproof, cheap and easy to find. Great to get to the can with. Tactical? Maybe for the other guy.
So honestly, what do I need to drop to get a good, non-fire hazard AA (or equally findable) 200 lumen flashlight. My G-26 doesn't have a rail and neither does my AR. I will hold the thing. Minimum dollar, max result that will show someone under the bushes across the street like the GM Fire starter special would? Thoughts?   
FQ13

[Rob10ring]

I have 2 Surefires and swear by them. I have a E2D Executive Defender that has been great. It is is pre-LED and the only problem was that the switch at one time was making a rattle-y noise. I called SF and they asked no questions, but sent a new tail cap assembly, even though the old one worked. I live only 10 or 15 minutes from their headquarters and could have gone on my own, but they had it shipped next day. Awesome! My everyday pocket light is a E1L. It isn't rated as tactical output, but it is still blinding, small and even on the higher output setting, I get incredible runtime from 1 battery. I love this light and will probably get the tactical level 1 cell light. Worth it, durable and great customer service makes this a lifetime light.

[fightingquaker13]

Allright. I am convinced. Gander has the 6P on sale for $70. Is that a good price?
FQ13

[Rob10ring]

Allright. I am convinced. Gander has the 6P on sale for $70. Is that a good price?
FQ13

That's probably for the incandescent version. The LEDs really are that much better and a dual output is nice. However, that 6P may still be a great, reliable light.

I'd consider pulling the batteries in any brand, if the light is going in luggage.

[Sponsor]

[Majer]

Allright. I am convinced. Gander has the 6P on sale for $70. Is that a good price?
FQ13

The local Gander Mtn has the 6P for $69.99 plus a $10 gift card, which makes it an even better deal.

[deepwater]

when not at work I carry an E2d Exec Defender daily. I did find batteries at reasonable price at a Navy base and stocked up. that said, I believe the only drawback is the battery size. look it up online and stock up, surefire sells packs of 10 or so for under $20.00. also, I don't carry anything led because of the range, they are bright out to about ten feet but you can't beat incadescent light when looking through doors etc. led reflects back if there is anything in the way. I also carry a streamlight stinger at work and have had the same light for about 8 years now. no problems with either light. oh yeah, the batteries for the 'defender' last a good while, I've only had to change the batteries twice in the past year after moderate use at work and home.

deepwater


link for batteries
http://www.surefire.com/12-Pack-Batteries

[Combat Diver]

I'm on old Surefire convert.  Started with a 6P in the early 90s (still sits next to the bedroom pistol).  But since 9/11 have been using them more and more around the world.  Got a 951/ScoutLight mounted on my M4s at the house, wife and son have C2 and E1E. (I lost my E1E in Iraq last year )  Carry a M3 with 225 lumen bulb in my truck along with a G2.  Have a E2E clipped to the pocket now (6 yrs old) here in Astan and have a helmet light mounted on my MICH helmet.  That last light took a tumble off my helmet when driving down the road in a MARP few months ago and cracked the housing.  Surefire replaced it free and quickly.  Just remembered other old P3 that was mounted on my Beretta 92 back in the late 90s that I still have.

CD

[bafsu92]

So honestly, what do I need to drop to get a good, non-fire hazard AA (or equally findable) 200 lumen flashlight. My G-26 doesn't have a rail and neither does my AR. I will hold the thing. Minimum dollar, max result that will show someone under the bushes across the street like the GM Fire starter special would? Thoughts?   
FQ13

It's not 200 Lumens but it is 120 and by a respectable manufacturer. It uses 2 AA batteries has a strobe function and is under $40: http://www.botachtactical.com/stpt2aa.html
It's so subjective the way some of these companies rate their lights, it says max lumens 200 but then in real small print it says average operating lumens of 90 or similar. I ordered one of these and one of the 2-CR123 180 lumen models to try out. I live by the code of you can never have to many flashlights, guns or ammo so when I saw a brand I trust for under $40 I figured I'd try them out.

[fightingquaker13]

I wound up getting the 6p. However, I just didn't think it was bright enough to justify the cost. Back it went. I traded it for the same $60is on a Streamlight packmate which I like a lot better. Is slightly longer (about mini-mag length), but still pocket lenghth.  Its much, much brighter. It also has a lanyard, very key for a fisherman.Like the surefire it has a "safe" feature to keep it from turning on acidently. It has four modes, high white, low white, high green, low green. I'm not quite sure what the green is buying me other than a little more battery life, but if I want something green, by God, green it shall be. . My only beef is the mode selector is an external plastic dial, whch is an obvious fail point. Still it has a lifetime gurantee and a good rep. Also the thing is in cammo! What kind of moron wants a cammo mini light? The damn things are hard enough to fnid when you drop them if they'r bright red or blue. I guess scramling around in the dark feeling for your light is "tactical".
FQ13