I got a question on flashlights

[2bunik]

I know this is a big question in life. what flashlight worxs best. .. This is the deal.. I really like maglights.
1 cause they take a beating
2 cause we use them at work.

but I went to buy a flashlight and could see myself buying a 18.00 maglight. Then I saw these LED flashlights. they are smaller and you never have to worry about the bulb breaking...

But has anyone tryed this type of flashlight ..
is it as good and do you recomend it.
or would you get a regular flashlight..?

[MikeyZR5]

I have a small LED flashlight and I am happy with it...but there is something about those Maglights...Got three of them.

[Dragonmaster]

Nothin wrong with led lights, although I still have to maglights.

[marks10cc]

I have both as well. I have two mini flashlights and a big maglight (Double A vs D cell). Of the two AA flashlights, I like the LED better, but that's probably because it's made of a composite plastic instead of metal, and when your under the hood with the temp below freezing, sticking that maglight between your teeth isn't all that great of a time.

[a2b]

mag lights all the way....cuz you can beat people with them or at least get in trouble for looking like you are about to long story

[Mike H.]

Go to www.brightguy.com . I have ordered from them many times. Great site.

I have had several maglights, as well as many others. As far as light output, side by side Maglights perform poorly and are compatively only good for use as a club, IMHO. They are very heavy and use primitive bulbs. Go with something with a Zenon bulb.

I have this one: http://www.brightguy.com/detail.html?ca ... L8040B_YEL

It is much brighter than a 4C maglight.

I also have this one: http://www.brightguy.com/detail.html?ca ... u=UND80009

It is bright, but the 1st one above is better and a little brighter.

This is one of my favorites: http://www.brightguy.com/detail_int.htm ... L2400C_BLA

I have 2. It is surprisingly bright (about like a 3C maglight) and is tiny. It is flat and fits in your back pocket well, and in a pinch it holds well by your teeth.

I always get yellow so when I dropped it in the woods at 5:00am I could find it.

[2bunik]

the LED one I wanted to get was plastic so it could be easier on the teeth. I think I will go on the path less traveld and get the LED one.
I know every one has a maglight here .. so If I test the led one..I will at least give some feed back on whether people should upgrade.. I will take it to work and see if keeps up with a two cell maglight.



maybe I should get this one 1906 ever ready

[MikeyZR5]

What brand is the LED flashlight that you are looking to get?

Mine is a Brinkman.

[NTXCrew]

mag lights all the way....cuz you can beat people with them or at least get in trouble for looking like you are about to long story

...or beat someone who's in trouble..... long story, too.

[2bunik]

What brand is the LED flashlight that you are looking to get?

Mine is a Brinkman.

I think it was a light wave. .. it had a magnafying glass looking lens. was silver and about 6 inches long.[/quote]

[Guest]

I think LED's are much better. I used to have maglights but when I tried LED, I never went back. White ones are the only ones I like though. I think www.Photonlight.com started their popularity. Now everybody makes LED's. I think LED's illuminate the area around you better. THey also don't need batteries as often, like 5 times longer. You should check out www.knifecenter.com they have the coolest flashlights.

[smokinjoe]

i have a 6 "D" cell maglite, its about a foot and half long,doesnt fit anywhere other than standing up in the corner or under the bed, but i could hit a homerun with that thing, or knock someone clean out,as for how bright it is, given its size i could probably use it for an airplane landing light

[Crew02]

I must admit I am a fan of the Mag light too. The only difference is that I like the C-Cell version. The narrow body is alot easier to keep a hold of. I keep 2, 3-Cell lights in my truck. I have been debating on getting the Mag charger. Does anyone have one that can tell me what they think about it?

[HenryJ]

i have a 6 "D" cell maglite, its about a foot and half long...

I'm pack'n the same weapon
One in my toolbox, and one in the house by the bed

[smokinjoe]

nuttin better ever

[jeramey_pa]

I have been debating on getting the Mag charger. Does anyone have one that can tell me what they think about it?

MAG CHARGER!! They are the best, for $100.00 they should be. But they have 40,000 CP (candle power). I have 2 (because the place I ordered from messed up). But they are awesome. FYI: they do burn really hot. A State Trooper's 5 year old was playing with one and left it on sitting on the couch and it actually ignited the couch. But it's excellent when you need to warm your hands up on the side of the road.

I would definately reccomend it. But make sure it has the "NEW" bulb. The old style bulb only gave you 30 minutes per charge and was 30,000 CP. The new style bulb gets about 2.5 hours per charge. Try www.galls.com for your order, there are others but that's a reputable place.

[smokinjoe]

Try www.galls.com for your order, there are others but that's a reputable place.

Nice site
i think i may throw down on some ballsitic armor

[Bad_Ass_S10]

I work at nite so I probavly use flashlights more than most people here and must say that that I have a 3-D cell battery that I keep in my service truck but have not used it ever since I got my LED flashlight - I dont know what brand it is but it has 5 led bulbs in it and takes 3 -C batteries I also keep a pocket led light o me all the time - its small but bright - I dont think I could go back to using a mag light after using the led light which I think give a better output of light - not saying they are brighter but get one of each and turn them both on and u will see

[Warnoffroad]

every light seems to be going to an LED. they even have LED neons for cars

[Mike H.]

I stumbled upon a horsepower mod for the Maglites today.

I'm not an advocate of Maglites simply because I have found their light output to be substandard when compared, on an equal battery basis, with makes like Pelican, Underwater Kinetics, Princeton Tec, and Bright Star. (I have at least 1 of all 5 brands.) Maglite's primary downfall is they don't come with Xenon bulbs. They come with older technology Krypton lamps.

But, looking around Home Depot today, I found that Maglite sells an upgrade bulb called the "MAG-NUM STAR Xenon". They were $3 so I figured I'd give it a try in my 3-C Maglite. It gives a much "whiter" color, is a little brighter, and seems to be able to focus a little tighter. (Probably due to the much smaller, high pressure, bulb head.) They are advertised as 15% brighter than the "stock" Krypton bulbs. From the look of it, it seems to be about that.

I figured you Maglite guys might be interested, but maybe already know of them.

[code3crew]

The Maglite is a brick that has little candle power and a led is nice and bright small and powerful but a xenon bulb is the brightest white not yellow haze light ever. Surefire is a light manufacturer whos lights are unsurpassed. I use one in my turnout gear at my fire dept. and I have smashed things with it gone into burning buildings with it and the thing just keeps on going. Expensive lights but worth the money http://www.surefireflashlightsonline.co ... asp?bhcp=1

[HenryJ]

The Maglite is a brick ...

Exactly why I carry one! It can double as a baseball bat..."Hmmm, officer I'm not sure what happened? He must have stumbled while running from my house? Weapon? No I only have my flashlight"

[adrenalnjunky]

That's why I like the streamlight series as well -- Their rechargables are nice.

[HenryJ]

Boy , there are lots of flashlights and more people modding them than I ever dreamed.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/

I am going to try a 3 watt LED in my 6 cell Maglite. Run time is up around 20 hours. Light output is reported to exceed the stock offerings. I ordered a TerraLUX MiniStar5 P4 from BatteryJunction.com
Service has been great, as well as communication.

It really is amazing the power that is coming from such small packages.

I think it has been posted before, but this one is quite a cooking machine: The Torch

The hot ticket in a suitcase flashlight seems to be the $20 Costco HID. I have not found one of them close, or I am sure I'd add it to my collection.
I don't think of myself as a flashlight nut, but when you sit back and start counting, I start looking a little nutty.

I have a nice Earth Torch that I carry in my bugout bag. I can set it in the sun for the day and have reasonable light all night long. No extra batteries to carry.
On my keychain I pack a Photon Micro light Very nice and easy to use. I have a "normal" red LED micro light on my spare set of keys. It has been with me for years. I only recently upgraded to the new yellow cased light.
My truck carries one of the 6 half D cell rechargables. It was won in a NAPA drawing and uses the high intensity hallogen bulb.
I have one of those huge luggable flashlights modded with a Silverstar bulb. It really sends a beam. Run time is fairly low. Not really worth packing for a long trip, or so I found.
I tried a couple of the shake and shine lights. Fun for the kids, but not really practical.
In the garage I have the Craftsman 19.2 volt flashlight that came with the drill. It has been great. Watch the abuse though. Bulbs can only be purchased from Sears and they are hard to find. I keep a spare after my education, err..uuh drop.
I carry three of the inexpensive Energizer LED headlamps in the truck. One for each of us. They are good for everything. Great around a campsite for hands free lighting. Those are probably the ones I would never want to be without.
Wandering around I would probably find a half dozen more lights. None of really any importance though.
I hope that the LED upgrade for my old 6 D Maglite will bring it back in to favor among my gear. It is much easier to pack than the huge 12 volt monster light.

Oh, I forgot to mention that I have a very nice Inova X5 LED ultraviolet light I am looking forward to some "bug" hunting at night during the Maob trip

[HenryJ]

The TerraLux upgrade bulb is in. I like it!

Of the three D cell Maglites I own This is close to the top.
I still think that the rechargeable light may be the best. The LED upgraded may be a tie now. It really is hard to say for sure yet.
The LED upgrade is worthwhile. The field of light is very good. Much more light in the field and a sharper / smaller focal point. With the stock bulb the focused light was the usable light, with the LED the whole field is bright enough.

It is advertised at 140 lumen. That doesn't offer me much help as I do not have a good concept or comparative reference. It is bright enough that you do not want to look at the source. The stock bulb is different there. Compared to the 4 d cell light with a stock bulb the difference is huge. The rechargeable is a hard judgment call. The lights are both bright, but different. The rechargeable has a larger focal point of light.