Flashlight Recommendations?

[jabba359]

I'm thinking about picking up either a Fenix TA21 or TK11R2. I want to replace my LED modified AA Maglite. So I'm looking for something that has:

1) High lumen output
2) Relatively small size (pocketable or small holster)
3) Can use rechargeable Li-ion batteries (such as the 18650)
4) Under $100
5) High quality

These two <STRIKE>knives</STRIKE> flashlights seem to fit what I'm looking for. Any recommendations on either of these two? Suggestions for another model or brand? Please let me know what you recommend and why. Thanks!

[vampyrewolf]

Not sure how bright the AA mag mod is, but my 2D is bright as ****.

Inova X1 should do you well. I've had mine for a few years (got one of the first from my local knife shop). O/ST sells kydex for it but I'm not sure of his price any more (think I paid like $10-20 back then).

Bright for it's size, runs about 10hrs on a single AA batt (about 7hrs before it starts to dim). And because it runs on AA you can pop rechargables throught it. Dropped mine a couple times without any problems, but then I torture tested my X5 :cool: :p
Think I paid $35 for the X1 when I got it. Pick up rechargable batts and you won't get to 50usd for the lifetime of it

[cyberspyder]

I'd stray away from the newest model of Inova X1 with the 2W LED claim. Battery life sucks, the second generation is what you should look for (I'm still searching for one myself).

[vampyrewolf]

I've had my X1 for 4-5 years now. Have had my X5 for 5-6 years... not as bright (floodlight compared to spotlight) but batts last a little longer.

I get my AA batts from my sister, as they replace the batts in all thier patient monitors every shift (2x per day). End up with bags of "dead" batts every week and one of the nurses will take it home. So I haven't bought batts for my X1 in a long time

Waiting on a dozen 123A's now, should arrive in a couple days here. I run em through my SF 6P with P61 head (120lumen), and when they start to fail in there I toss em in my X5 and run it till they're dead (still get 12hrs outta em).

[firebert]

My friend, what you want is a nitecore.
http://www.nitecore.com/products/d10/

I have one, It is the best little flashlight ever, skip fenix and go nitecore.

[casey]

I just preordered one of these:

http://www.4sevens.com/product_info.php ... ts_id=1811

Titanium body, next generation Cree XP-G emitter, programmable, good price considering the features. Won't ship before Sept 28, however.

Here's the announcement page:

http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showth ... p?t=198575

[Monocrom]

I'd stray away from the newest model of Inova X1 with the 2W LED claim. Battery life sucks, the second generation is what you should look for (I'm still searching for one myself).

I was fortunate in that I saw a review of the then new 3rd Gen. X1. Learned about the horrible runtime in exchange for a timid increase in brightness. I rushed over to a nearby Target store, and bought one of the last two 2nd Gen. models they had in stock. The 3rd Gen. was mixed in with them.

The last time I heard of someone finding a 2nd Gen. X1 at Target was a couple of months ago. Unfortunately, the light had to be returned because the battery inside of it had leaked all over the place, tailcap was stuck like glue.

Your best bet might be the MarketPlace sister forum at CandlePowerForums.com

Very family friendly. Make a Want to Buy (WTB) topic. It'll be used, but nowadays any unopened 2nd Gen. X1 has likely been destroyed by a leaking battery.

[Noble]

My friend, what you want is a nitecore.
http://www.nitecore.com/products/d10/

I have one, It is the best little flashlight ever, skip fenix and go nitecore.

I second the nitecore, i have the SMart PD EX10. Best ight i have evar owned. You gotta try one. Its definately part of my EDC, no Doubt.

[jzmtl]

These two knives seem to fit what I'm looking for. Any recommendations on either of these two? Suggestions for another model or brand? Please let me know what you recommend and why. Thanks!

I don't think those two flashlights can cut stuff very well. :p

Pretty much anything on market today is going to be brighter than a LED minimag, and all have similar output since they are all limited by LED. First you need to decide if you want a single or dual cell, and what cell. Then just pick one with UI you like.

[PolishSumgai]

Surefire E1B Backup LED Dual Output Flashlight - SILVER + 50 FREE Batteries
$139.99. Tough price to beat for a SF !

http://www.lapolicegear.com/surefire-e1 ... light.html


http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main.pl? ... id=1566092

[jabba359]

I don't think those two flashlights can cut stuff very well. :p

Dang...guess Spyderco needs to make a flashlight then... :D

[grunt0331]

i'll 2nd the E1B. badass light. i bought the nitecore D10 on recommendation and it is going back for repair or replace. i got about 50 hours out of it. i am currently using a fenix E20. it's cheap and simple and so far i have no complaints (after a week of use). i've been through the inovas and will agree that, although they are high quality, the run time is limited. i own many streamlights, pelicans, princeton-techs, fenix, olights, coast, etc., but i always come back to my Surefires. there are many Chinese lights that, when tested, can out-throw and out-shine the American lights, but they usually only last a couple of months before i have to send them back to the distributor for a refund or replacement. the only problem that i've encountered with my Surefires is that if i set them down and turn my back, they disappear. i'm guessing that is not a warranty issue.

for the record, i am a commercial contractor. i use flashlights on an hourly basis. they get dropped, shocked, burned, frozen, saturated, etc.
for recreational use, you may not need a light to live up to my standards.

[oregon]

What casey said: four sevens ti XP-G.

I have the aluminum version of the AA regular model and I carry it via the pocket clip along with a lanyard. It is the best edc light I've ever owned.

I have the AA version of the ti model on pre-order.

Four Sevens sets the standard for flashlight vending. He is peerless.

oregon

[dsmegst]

I have a bunch of Fenix LED lights, 1AAA, 1AA, 2AA, 2CR123 models. They're all great at any price. I haven't looked at the latest offerings but they should be good quality at reasonable cost. I have a TK11 on one of my AR-15s and it's been through many hundreds of rounds without issues. I've given Fenix lights as gifts and everyone's been happy with them.

[Torpedo Vegas]

My friend, what you want is a nitecore.
http://www.nitecore.com/products/d10/

I have one, It is the best little flashlight ever, skip fenix and go nitecore.

I third it :) If you check out Candle Power Forum you will see that the D10 is widely considered the top single AA light out there.

[subrosa]

I am a hardcore Surefire fan.

carry my E1L outdoorsmen everywhere I go :D

The E2DL comes out only when I need a little more...light.

[Don Ellis]

I third it :) If you check out Candle Power Forum you will see that the D10 is widely considered the top single AA light out there.

It may be a great light, but the two Fenix models he mentioned are 225 and 240 lumens. I doubt if he would be satisfied with 130 lumens.

Don

[spyderknut]

Ra Twisty can be had for $99. Probably the best light for the money. Novatac are very nice too. I just saw a Novatac 120P go for $89 on the bay. Fenixes are nice. Almost as nice as the two I have mentioned.

[mrappraisit]

jabba359 - I don't have either of the lights you linked too, they are beyond my needs and budget, but I do have a Fenix TK20 that I have been using for about two months and am really happy with the quality. I would buy a Fenix product with no hesitation. Just my $.02

[vito72]

Hi,
im searching a good flashlight too in the beginning i thinked at TK 11 R2 but now i found the nitecore D10 and Novatac 120T are exactly what i need about size and features of course are low in lumens D10 i think have 145 and Novatac 120 but seem they have better features and are very nice i think i will go with D10 because Novatac its a bit expansive,if someone have link of good flashlight sellers i want apreciate to know
Thanks.