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Posted: 3/29/2023 10:36:02 PM EST
[#1]
I bought a Streamlight Stylus Pro when they first came out. It was 24 lumens. The second version was 48 lumens. Then there was a 60 or 75 lumen version. The current one is 100 lumens.
The amazing part is that due to LED technology advances, they have all had roughly the same battery life. The newest one actually seems to have a longer battery life than the original in spite of having 4x the light. |
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Posted: 3/29/2023 10:36:05 PM EST
[#2]
Quoted: My first Surefire (Laser Products marked) light was the shit at 60 lumens! First WML was an HK UTL that cost half as much as my USP 45. Lost my first 6Z (a ton of $ at the time) in a bar fight. $12 for 60 minute run time batteries, in the 90s. Now, looking for more TLR-1 WMLs at 300 lumens to not be blinded by the $10 more 1000 lumens HLs indoors. Yeah, I'm old... Yep, was running a SF 6P and compared to the old 4 to 6 cell maglites it was an arc light. I remember pulling the krypton bulbs out of maglites and installing a halogen bulb. Also remember getting a UTL for my brand new HK USP 9 back in 1994. Now X300s rule my world.  1000 lumens of turn around and go away. Lights for rifles are insane at 1500 lumens. The new USB rechargables are amazing. |
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Posted: 3/29/2023 10:39:31 PM EST
[#3]
Quote HistoryUgh. Not the same brand, but one of those 'Bic' lights is the first flashlight I ever recall buying with my own money. |
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Posted: 3/29/2023 10:40:57 PM EST
[#4]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Lumens suck. It includes frequencies that humans cannot see. Candelas measure what humans can see. 
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Posted: 3/29/2023 10:42:16 PM EST
[#5]
Kids. lol
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Posted: 3/29/2023 10:43:42 PM EST
[#6]
Quote HistoryYup. Still like the interface (that rotary knob selector + button to activate). The ability to preselect one of multiple modes before turning the light on, was pretty sweet. Pretty simple too, because if you just wanted max lumens, you just cranked the knob all the way. |
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Posted: 3/29/2023 10:46:05 PM EST
[#7]
Last week I bought a flashlight from Lowe's that has 1500 lumens I paid $23.80 out the door. It runs on 9 AAA batteries. It claims to have a run time of 100 continuous hours.
I used it at the deer lease and could see deer in full detail 400 yards away with it at night. I could do that 40 years ago but I had to have a million candle power handheld light that was huge that you had to have plugged into the cigarette lighter in your truck. Those things cost like $50 then. |
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Posted: 3/29/2023 10:46:13 PM EST
[#8]
Quote HistoryI had a metal 5 D version of that.. it was the designated light for when we would play german spotlight while at boy scout campouts. |
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Posted: 3/29/2023 10:47:04 PM EST
[#9]
Disclaimer: This is not a Streamlight commercial. It's just funny.
So...I just purchased a new weapon light for my home defense rig. The one that's been on there for years was an older Surefire and the light was tinted a little bit yellow and that always bugged me, and I think it was MAYBE 500 or 600 lumens. (Which, by old standards is STILL REALLY bright) I moved it to another gun. The one I just purchased to replace it is the Streamlight ProTac HL-X USB 1000 lumen model. So I mounted it up and decided to test it out a few nights ago. Long after dark, and leaving the lights off, I went to my bedroom safe, got the rifle out, walked over to the landing of my stairway and shined my new light down the stairway...and blinded myself. It's way too bright. I suppose it would be ok to look inside closets during the daytime when your eyes (my eyes are old also) are use the the daylight already and you are looking into a darker room or closet...but to just turn 1000 lumens on in the dark when you've been in the dark is just too much for my eyes. Fortunately (again, not a Streamlight commercial) this model is adjustable. You can program it to come on at 600 lumens on the first press or click and if you want the full 1000 you can double click it. So I programmed it that way, and to be honest...that 600 lumens is perfect. It's WHITE, not yellow, so it seems brighter than the old Surefire, but it's not blinding in the dark. When I read your post, I laughed and totally related. Old eyes. And yes, I've got a bunch of older low lumen flashlights also that seem fairly worthless nowadays! |
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Posted: 3/29/2023 10:49:28 PM EST
[#10]
1.6 million candella.
400 lumens One battery. 6hrs run time. 2,650 meter -yes Meter throw.  Attached FileYes. You can mount them on rifles. |
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Posted: 3/29/2023 10:53:02 PM EST
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted: 1.6 million candella. 400 lumens One battery. 6hrs run time. 2,650 meter -yes Meter throw. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/32554/385074AB-DF45-4045-B513-5AC73ADA236A_jpe-2763532.JPG Yes. You can mount them on rifles. You left out the part we needed most. @evilyoda |
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Posted: 3/29/2023 10:54:37 PM EST
[#12]
Quote HistoryOh wow! I might have touched one back then. The rich kids owned them 
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Posted: 3/29/2023 10:56:30 PM EST
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted: SureFire G2 Nitrolon. I thought it was the shit. I've lost 2 of them  they were great at the time. Junk by today's standards |
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Posted: 3/29/2023 10:57:06 PM EST
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted: You left out the part we needed most. @evilyoda Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: 1.6 million candella. 400 lumens One battery. 6hrs run time. 2,650 meter -yes Meter throw. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/32554/385074AB-DF45-4045-B513-5AC73ADA236A_jpe-2763532.JPG Yes. You can mount them on rifles. You left out the part we needed most. @evilyoda LEP Laser Excited Phosphor. I have the 1.8 million candela Weltool W4. In one of these flashlight threads, an arfcommer posted a pic. They hiked up to the top of a mountain, then called their (wife?) to ask if they could see the light from the mountaintop in the daytime. They could, and took a photo. The light is visible from the mountaintop, in the photo, in daylight, from about 10 miles away, IIRC (he was pointing the light in the general direction of the person who took the photo). |
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Posted: 3/29/2023 10:59:16 PM EST
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted: But what noise does a maglite make when it hits a man’s skull? Traveller Origin Not Known. |
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Posted: 3/29/2023 11:02:22 PM EST
[#16]
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Posted: 3/29/2023 11:06:15 PM EST
[#17]
I still have a 60 lumen Surefire.
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Posted: 3/29/2023 11:06:18 PM EST
[#18]
Quote HistoryQuoted: 1.6 million candella. 400 lumens One battery. 6hrs run time. 2,650 meter -yes Meter throw. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/32554/385074AB-DF45-4045-B513-5AC73ADA236A_jpe-2763532.JPG Yes. You can mount them on rifles.  Attached File |
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Posted: 3/29/2023 11:08:18 PM EST
[#19]
Quoted: My first Surefire (Laser Products marked) light was the shit at 60 lumens! First WML was an HK UTL that cost half as much as my USP 45. Lost my first 6Z (a ton of $ at the time) in a bar fight. $12 for 60 minute run time batteries, in the 90s. Now, looking for more TLR-1 WMLs at 300 lumens to not be blinded by the $10 more 1000 lumens HLs indoors. Yeah, I'm old... I had the same exact light I bought at a gun show in about 1990 for around $60. It was so bright it hurt my eyes! I seent it! |
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Posted: 3/29/2023 11:09:06 PM EST
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Oh wow! I might have touched one back then. The rich kids owned them Quote HistoryQuoted: I might have touched one back then. The rich kids owned them 6 years old, 1970....it was way more than just a flashlight. That flip open cap/switch was so cool. Doubled as a Star Trek phaser for flashlight wars. Crazy how much flashlight and battery tech has changed in 50 years. 
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Posted: 3/29/2023 11:11:36 PM EST
[#21]
Quote HistoryQuoted: LEP Laser Excited Phosphor. I have the 1.8 million candela Weltool W4. In one of these flashlight threads, an arfcommer posted a pic. They hiked up to the top of a mountain, then called their (wife?) to ask if they could see the light from the mountaintop in the daytime. They could, and took a photo. The light is visible from the mountaintop, in the photo, in daylight, from about 10 miles away, IIRC (he was pointing the light in the general direction of the person who took the photo). Ok that’s awesome. I gotta see that pic… |
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Posted: 3/29/2023 11:15:15 PM EST
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted: SureFire G2 Nitrolon. I thought it was the shit. I've lost 2 of them they were great at the time. Junk by today's standards |
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Posted: 3/29/2023 11:24:17 PM EST
[#23]
------
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Posted: 3/29/2023 11:25:26 PM EST
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted: CEO of SF hated the Nitrolon and believed it cheapened the brand. SF was giving them away as SWAG at shot show around 2005. I like mine and I still use it as a shop light with the surefire rechargable kit. It is LEd swapped now. Pretty sad compared to my Fenix I EDC but it works. Paid $20 for it at one of the Reno gun shows probably 20 years ago. |
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Posted: 3/29/2023 11:49:11 PM EST
[#25]
Quote HistoryYes. We issued them and did strobe training. And then we all promptly decided to never, or rarely, use the strobe function... Anyhow- The Surefire 60 lumen weapon mounted light was a godsend in the 90’s. Bought mine the day after a shitshow hostage situation at night where I was trying to hold an AR15 and a flashlight at the same time. (Suspect had a shotgun). Bought Trijicon night sights as well for the AR (already had them on the pistol). Upgraded to a bastardized 12PM Surefire (500 lumens, 4 123 batteries, could only run a couple minutes before overheating) after a buddy used his 60 lumen light in a 40 yard shootout and it was inadequate for the task. Had to make a spacer to standoff the 12PM head, but it worked pretty well until better options came along a few years later. Folks today don’t know how well they have it for flashlights and weapon lights. Tech has come a long long way. |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 12:09:08 AM EST
[#26]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Surefire 6Z the pinnacle of small flashlights, circa 1996. I still have mine. It's fucking terrible and much brighter than the moonbeams we had in the Corps. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/124978/6Z1_jpg-2763507.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/124978/6Z2_jpg-2763508.JPG Still have mine. Gave it new life with a LED upgrade, still dependable and a lot better not just for candlepower but battery longevity. |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 12:09:57 AM EST
[#27]
My first weapons light was a D cell Mag light taped to the hand guards of my SP1 CAR.
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Posted: 3/30/2023 12:28:41 AM EST
[#28]
What was an old school 90-degree GI plastic 2-D cell flashlight do?
They sucked. |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 12:34:23 AM EST
[#29]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Still have mine. Gave it new life with a LED upgrade, still dependable and a lot better not just for candlepower but battery longevity. I bought one cheap, here on the EE, dropped in a Malkoff M361 (selectable to 20 lumens/100 lumens/500 lumens), run by a single 16650 USB-rechargeable battery, and used it tonight/use it often. It stays in my work bag, The C2 I bought new back in the day, and a M2, and an L5 body that is now set up as a C2 Centurion too, are my around the house lights, walking the dogs, supervising them at their late night turnout, etc. They are all set up the same way, although the L5 was bored out for an 18650 battery. The 6v SF body is a good size, Malkoff makes them relevant and useful, and they're large enough that I don't misplace them. If I'm going out without the work bag, I'll pocket-carry a SF 3v Aviator.  |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 12:46:47 AM EST
[#30]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Oh man. Found one in a drawer along with some converted lights from way back! Have several of those too, now running a 16650 battery behind a Malkoff M61LL (100 lumens). That particular LED runs cool enough to not be an issue for the nitrolon body and bezel, with the brighter M61L, M61, M91, etc. Malkoffs getting hot enough to require a metal body to dissipate heat. Xenoled.com makes a diffuser tube/bezel wrench (Xeno TW02, works with any 1.25" bezel light (G2/6P/6Z, etc.) that slips over the bezel and makes it into an effective lantern/traffic wand too. |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 12:50:51 AM EST
[#31]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Some of us still live that retro life... https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/60042/20221104_221425-2588119.jpghttps://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/60042/20220923_093703-2536276.jpg God I remember hating those. The only thing wonkier was the MP5 "preSF" (Laser Products Corporation) handguards with tape switch light. |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 12:53:05 AM EST
[#32]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I remember taking my first handgun night shoot class with a 6Z, where Rogers and Harris technique were taught... Am I an old fart? Chapman hold for the win. |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 1:34:38 AM EST
[#33]
Quoted: My first Surefire (Laser Products marked) light was the shit at 60 lumens! First WML was an HK UTL that cost half as much as my USP 45. Lost my first 6Z (a ton of $ at the time) in a bar fight. $12 for 60 minute run time batteries, in the 90s. Now, looking for more TLR-1 WMLs at 300 lumens to not be blinded by the $10 more 1000 lumens HLs indoors. Yeah, I'm old... 60 lumens was and still is bright af. I can see very well on the 65lm setting of my multi mode flashlight. For perspective, the 2D Maglite was 27 lumens, and that dropped by 1/2 within a short amount of use. 
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Posted: 3/30/2023 1:43:56 AM EST
[#34]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Lumens suck. It includes frequencies that humans cannot see. Candelas measure what humans can see. |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 2:58:45 AM EST
[#35]
FYI the Surefire G2 can run on rechargeable batteries.
Get a 16650 battery. It's just 2mm smaller than a 18650. Get several hours of run time out of it as well. Now no need for CR123 batteries. |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 3:49:39 AM EST
[#36]
I still have a p6 mounted on a surefire mount to the FSP of my home defense gun !
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Posted: 3/30/2023 4:48:01 AM EST
[#37]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I remember that Glock used to have first-party WMLs that were dog crap by today's standards. I had one turn on unintentionally in my pocket and it got melty. Still have it somewhere. |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 4:56:15 AM EST
[#38]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Double the lumens but still pretty dim. I wish I would have kept one or two just for nostalgia https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/132893/Surefire_png-2763482.JPG I have that exact light on my clone, came with a 65 lumen bulb. Upgraded to a Lumens Factory mil-spec LED. Way better now but still has the clone look.  Attached File |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 5:06:44 AM EST
[#39]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Really it was less about the lumens than how much damage you can do with a 4D Maglite. I once long ago ran pizza for Domino's in my little high-crime hometown. You bet your ass I had one with me. Good dual purpose "instrument" lol. |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 5:15:15 AM EST
[#40]
Quote HistoryQuoted: They failed epically with those! Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: I remember that Glock used to have first-party WMLs that were dog crap by today's standards. They failed epically with those! I owned one, it was the most underwhelming turd. My ancient AA powered incandescent Mini Maglight was brighter and didn't burn through expensive cr123 batteries. |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 5:16:29 AM EST
[#41]
Quote HistoryStill have two. Was the cat's meow at the time. Still has the best interface ever. |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 5:24:17 AM EST
[#42]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I remember the E2D Executive Defender was like $150 for 90 lumens, back in 2007 Remember it?!... I still carry an E1E...
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Posted: 3/30/2023 5:24:57 AM EST
[#43]
I don't use my surefires anymore.
They are the old ones 6p g2 and a first gen e1l. They all look dim compared to the modern led lights I have. Edit I never led swapped the incandescent ones. And surefire didn't embrace led quickly. |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 5:31:19 AM EST
[#44]
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Posted: 3/30/2023 5:41:43 AM EST
[#45]
I actually need to find another 6P for a build.
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Posted: 3/30/2023 6:07:37 AM EST
[#46]
Quote HistoryQuoted: FYI the Surefire G2 can run on rechargeable batteries. Get a 16650 battery. It's just 2mm smaller than a 18650. Get several hours of run time out of it as well. Now no need for CR123 batteries. @memsu What's a reputable 16650 battery? All the ones on Amazon have ~40 ratings, so likely all Chinese co-workers saying how awesome the battery is (until it lights my house on fire). |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 6:23:28 AM EST
[#47]
I still have a couple of 6Ps floating around my glove boxes.
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Posted: 3/30/2023 6:28:35 AM EST
[#48]
60 lumens sounds like a luxury. They estimate these were 10-15 lumens.
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Posted: 3/30/2023 6:37:44 AM EST
[#49]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Remember when having a rechargeable Maglight with a halogen bulb was a status symbol?  Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: My first Surefire (Laser Products marked) light was the shit at 60 lumens! First WML was an HK UTL that cost half as much as my USP 45. Lost my first 6Z (a ton of $ at the time) in a bar fight. $12 for 60 minute run time batteries, in the 90s. Now, looking for more TLR-1 WMLs at 300 lumens to not be blinded by the $10 more 1000 lumens HLs indoors. Yeah, I'm old... Remember when having a rechargeable Maglight with a halogen bulb was a status symbol? I remember those, and also getting one of the factory led Maglite 3ds and being a good among men |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 6:53:18 AM EST
[#50]
My first "tactical" flashlight was a Surefire G2 in 2002. Bought in the PX and way brighter than anything I was issued at 80 whole lumens.
My first weapon mounted light was a M3X rocking out at 120 lumens. I distintly remember a pause when most firearms instructors were saying that 200 lumens was "plenty bright" and cautioned on over powered 300 lumen lights. Fast forward to today where my handgun light throws 1.2K and my longgun and handheld are throwing 3K. Technology can be a beautiful thing. |
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