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Posted: 4/4/2012 6:09:28 AM EDT
| How do I know if a flashlight is good or not? Do I just have to look at reviews? Because it seems that manufactures all measure lumens differently. Or should i just stick to like fenix and surefire? |
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I would go with brand names for reliability.
I own some Chinese flashlights that are 1/5 the SureFire prices. They are just as bright if not brighter. However, they do fail occasionally, which makes them better for in car or perhaps at home. My SureFire never fails me as weapon light or anything, so I carry SureFire when I go camping or use as weapon light. I have heard good things about Fenix, but never own one to give out any suggestion. Just my $0.02. |
I have Surefire, Chinese, Maglite and some misc. Go LED only. My favorite is the Surefire E2D LED Defender for carry. 200 lumens on high. Standard CR123 batteries. They make a less expensive G2X series that are just fine. Weirdest one is my FN flashlight. Heavy, pronged for breaking glass and skulls, very bright. I leave that one next to my side of the bed.
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Depends on what you want to do with it. If you're getting a weapon light, make sure it's designed to be a weapon light. And no, having Surefire on the side doesn't automatically mean it's designed to be a weapon light.
If you just want a general light, there is Chinese junk and there are Chinese lights that, build quality-wise, are equal to or better than my Surefires. My favorite light is a Sunwayman (sounds like a bad translation) V10R. Now it wasn't $20, it was $80, but it's a very nice light. If it said Surefire on the side people would pay $200 for it, easily. The nice thing about Surefire is you don't have to do any research to know you're getting a good light, but if you care to do some digging around, probably on Candlepower forums, you can find nice, quality stuff out there that doesn't cost an arm & a leg. |
| I am hoping to save up money this summer and get a surefire x300. Though im not sure why its cheaper than the millennium series when the specs seem better. But I was l looking at my craftsman k2 which is rated at 160 lumen on high and like 80 on low (and they're practically indistinguishable) and it doesnt seem much brighter for lighting up a room than my 27 lumen fenix e05. though the craftsman has better throw I think. |
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As with anything in life
Good Now Cheap You only get to pick two. I end up with Surefire products because I heavily prioritize the first two. I own more than I can remember and they have never let me down - weaponlight or handheld. Of course, there are less expensive options out there and compromises to be made depending on how you value the first 3 choices. |
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Quoted:
I am hoping to save up money this summer and get a surefire x300. Though im not sure why its cheaper than the millennium series when the specs seem better. But I was l looking at my craftsman k2 which is rated at 160 lumen on high and like 80 on low (and they're practically indistinguishable) and it doesnt seem much brighter for lighting up a room than my 27 lumen fenix e05. though the craftsman has better throw I think. If you have to save up money to buy a $220 dollar light, I'd suggest one of the Streamlight TLR offerings. They're designed for weapons, cost half what an X300 costs and offer 100% of the functionality. Even ignoring cost, some people prefer them due to the switch being different, but that's a personal thing. They're not uncommon in the sandbox or patrol cars, so they'll likely stand up to whatever you're going to use it for. |
| I prefer my surefire lights, high quality, and they have never failed me. Which is more than I can say for my maglites in the past. In my opinion they are the best lights out there. Other companies such as Fenix and Streamlight have good name too, I just like what I am used to so I don't see myself changing. |
| I have three Fenix TK35s with dual 18650 3,000mAhr and they are my standard go to lights at night for situational awareness, great strong throw beam with four levels, difficult to beat this performance in an all around night torch, although the throw of my Olight M-3Xs will beat it, it is still a standard heavy duty functional light. |
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I always check the reviews section on candlepower forums [Link here: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?19-Flashlight-Reviews&s=c4d3715277de45e516814343bffd86cf ] Alternately, I look at the reviews posted on http://archive.light-reviews.com/
As others have said, there are things you need to consider when purchasing a light... It's intended use, the wanted output and run time, the battery types you are willing to use [or convert to]. All these will determine what type of light you get. I EDC either my modified Surefire E2L [sometimes on an E1E body], or HDS systems Ra Clicky 140n. These are my primary go to lights; tough, durable, reliable and efficient. I have a few other lights, though nothing on the scale of a "play" light, that has tons of output but is of little practical use [to me, at any rate]. As with tools, there is some measure of expense. Realistically, for my needs and uses, my Fenix and Quark lights are more than good enough. But I like to buy things and keep them for a long time, so I chose to spend more [a good deal more, in some cases] to get what is arguably the same product. I would say you should look at your intended uses, then determine the output/runtime figures, and Then, establish a budget. |
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Talking to Surefire technical support a while back. I asked where their lights were made and he said "Asia" not in the USA. He wouldn't say exactly China but said it wasn't an island nation. Ok after playing word games with him I asked if Surefire made "anything" in the US. He said no, just the R&D and sales division are in the US. Ok why are your lights so much more expensive than the competition's? Good marketing he said. Anyway, somebody else can research it more if they like, but that was enough for me. I do own several Surefire lights, so I fell for it too. I'm a big "buy American" guy, so I was willing to pay more for something made here. So this was pretty depressing news to me. For what it's worth I'm more impressed with the build quality of the Streamlights though. I have Streamlight TLR's and Fenix TK-15s on my rifles and Surefire X300s on my pistols just 'cause they're lighter and a little tighter beam. So, for my money it'll be Streamlights and Fenix from now on. The only lights I've found to be made in the US is the Maglites but they can be finicky as their battery gets low. Their LEDs go from from very bright to very dead without much warning.
-Mike |
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Quoted: Talking to Surefire technical support a while back. I asked where their lights were made and he said "Asia" not in the USA. He wouldn't say exactly China but said it wasn't an island nation. Ok after playing word games with him I asked if Surefire made "anything" in the US. He said no, just the R&D and sales division are in the US. Ok why are your lights so much more expensive than the competition's? Good marketing he said. I'm calling BS on that. SF would not sell so much to the government if they were chicom. There are other high quality USA Made flashlights: Elzetta, Insight, Inforce, HDS.
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Well I called their tech support again today to get the story straight, and talked to someone else and this time a different guy tells me that the electronic circuits and LEDs are imported but the body's, anodizing, engraving are all done here in their California facilities. So that's good to know. I was bummed out if the whole piece was imported. I guess I originally must've gotten ahold of a disgruntled employee or something.
-Mike |
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Quoted:
Well I called their tech support again today to get the story straight, and talked to someone else and this time a different guy tells me that the electronic circuits and LEDs are imported but the body's, anodizing, engraving are all done here in their California facilities. So that's good to know. I was bummed out if the whole piece was imported. I guess I originally must've gotten ahold of a disgruntled employee or something. -Mike I'm hoping they import the components, then assemble them in the US. That would make me feel better about potting, soldering, etc. Most of the stuff I've bought from China has been garbage, but only due to shoddy assembly. It wasn't a failure of the individual components. |
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