[ARCHIVED THREAD] - need flashlight advice (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 7/20/2009 6:50:50 AM EDT
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i've narrowed it down to 3 options to replace my SureFire G2 LED:
1) another Surefire G2 LED ($60) -i loved this light, great brightness and diffusion, only downfall was limited throw 2) Fenix TK11 ($75) -seems to be very popular, really long throw in turbo mode, long battery life in 60 lumen mode but not as long as my surefire had with 80 lumens... 3) NiteCore Defender Infinity Q5 ($75) -from what i can see on paper this should be my choice, battery life up to 60hrs on 5 lumen mode, capable of 190 lumen output, infinitely adjustable brightness, has glass breaker bezel and tail cap button, will stand on it's end like a candle, very small compared to the fenix i will most likely get another surefire G2 led since it served so well until i dropped it in the inlet. doing research on comparable lights revealed the fenix and the nitecore. i am VERY tempted to try the nitecore light since it has adjustable brightness. the fenix light claims it will throw like 200yds, how does the nitecore compare @ its highest setting? poll inbound, thanks in advance for all constructive advice ETA: seems the Fenix P3D would also be very comparable to the lights listed and is priced like the Surefire G2 LED @ around $60 |
| I would take my Fenix PD30 over and G2. I have not handled a Nitecore. You can see some comparisons here. |
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One thing that the nitecore has over the G2 is batteries. You can walk into any 7-11 in BFE and buy a couple AA's and have light. You will not get the max performance out of a standard 1.5volt AA, but you will get light. You can buy18650's the rechargeable Lithium-ion AA's and get some really serious performance.
I have the Nitecore 2AA model and I really love it. It throws out nice light and is really solidly built. ETA: everyone who is voting for the G2 obviously hasn't compared them to a nitecore or a fenix. |
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My 3 favorite lights are:
Wolf-Eyes Boxer 24 Watt H.I.D. Wolf-Eyes Storm 3 X Cree R2 Wolf-Eyes M300 All use 3 X 18650. They're kinda pricey but definately hand cannons. The Boxer has 1,800 lumens and runs for over an hour on 1 charge. I selected other in the poll. Check them out at pacific tactical solutions. |
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thanks for the linky and opinion. i'm debating on coughing up another 30 bucks for a ra clicky I would take my Fenix PD30 over and G2. I have not handled a Nitecore. You can see some comparisons here. 
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i was thinking the same thing, thanks for your advice & opinion
everyone who is voting for the G2 obviously hasn't compared them to a nitecore or a fenix. |
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You have an 80 lumen Surefire with longer run time than a TK11? Which one? My 2 main lights are a TK11 and a Surefire M3 Millenium w/LED upgrade. The M3 is a 9 volt and still isn't as bright, and doesn't have the same run time. I far prefer the TK11. the tk11 said 60 lumens for 10 hrs and the g2 led says 80 lumens for 12 hours, if memory serves |
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Standard G2 with this upgrade for under $80 total upgrade
256 lumens of blinding light |
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I run something similar (R2 drop-in 250 lumens (claimed)) only in a P6. I'm not sure, but might the G2 have heat-sinking issues with the higher output LED modules? For the price, I haven't had a better light than my Fenix P3DQ5. I loved my SF E1B also until I lost it.  Much more $$ though.
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I'm probably going to get flamed for this, but my favorite flashlight I have is a coleman 3 AAA light from Walmart. It is definitely bright enough for a tactical type light, then it has a turn switch to go to red and blue bulbs. The batteries say they will last 6 hours on white, and 50 hours on red/blue. I bought it about 6 months ago, and it is a great light. At $30 I don't think you can go wrong, especially with using common, cheap, AAA batteries.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10196617 |
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I'm probably going to get flamed for this, but my favorite flashlight I have is a coleman 3 AAA light from Walmart. It is definitely bright enough for a tactical type light, then it has a turn switch to go to red and blue bulbs... I guess it's tactical enough... for air-soft games and slumber parties. |
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I'm probably going to get flamed for this, but my favorite flashlight I have is a coleman 3 AAA light from Walmart. It is definitely bright enough for a tactical type light, then it has a turn switch to go to red and blue bulbs... I guess it's tactical enough... for air-soft games and slumber parties. I'm no LEO, or military, or anything like that. Just an average guy that doesn't have the needs for a "tactical" light. This Coleman fulfills all my everyday needs, and could be used as a bump in the night type light, or any other likely scenario I may encounter. |
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candlepowerforums.com This is where you need to go. http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?s=0e8b220e5b847352554c4deb47c679f4&f=45 |
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I run something similar (R2 drop-in 250 lumens (claimed)) only in a P6. I'm not sure, but might the G2 have heat-sinking issues with the higher output LED modules? For the price, I haven't had a better light than my Fenix P3DQ5. I loved my SF E1B also until I lost it. Much more $$ though.I've got the R2 in a 6P body. I personally don't think it's 250 lumens. My Fenix Tk1 is brighter (on "turbo") than the 6P side by side. |
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I have some fenix lights and love them. But about 6 months ago I picked up some eagletac lights (T10L and a P10A) and love them. High quality, super bright and great run times. Check them out
https://www.eagletac-store.com/index.php?cPath=103 |
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You have an 80 lumen Surefire with longer run time than a TK11? Which one? My 2 main lights are a TK11 and a Surefire M3 Millenium w/LED upgrade. The M3 is a 9 volt and still isn't as bright, and doesn't have the same run time. I far prefer the TK11. the tk11 said 60 lumens for 10 hrs and the g2 led says 80 lumens for 12 hours, if memory serves That's kind of an apples-to-oranges comparison. The TK11 is regulated, so it produces a constant 60 lumens for 10 hours. The G2 LED is unregulated - SureFire only claims that it produces "useful light" for 12 hours, not a constant 80 lumens over that period. In practice, what you get is 80 lumens immediately after installing fresh batteries, with declining output thereafter. |
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I run something similar (R2 drop-in 250 lumens (claimed)) only in a P6. I'm not sure, but might the G2 have heat-sinking issues with the higher output LED modules? For the price, I haven't had a better light than my Fenix P3DQ5. I loved my SF E1B also until I lost it. Much more $$ though.If it was left on for a period of time i'm sure it would have heat issues . you can buy the kit |
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My choice depends on application. For overall bang for the buck, the G2-LED is hard to beat, but it's not a size that I would want to every-day-carry. My personal choice for EDC is an E1B Backup. Since it costs about three times the price of a G2-LED, it is harder to justify, however, the ease of always having a 2-stage light is worth the price for me. I use the hell out of it, and still I'll change out the battery probably every 2-3 months (long enough between that I write the date with Sharpie on the battery).
Greg ~SGCUSA |
| I would get the G2L, but thats because of how many P60 drop-ins there are available..anything you want in a flashlight can be done with a p60 host with the amount of drop-ins out there, and how many accessories there available for SF's and the fact that its probably the toughest. |
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You have an 80 lumen Surefire with longer run time than a TK11? Which one? My 2 main lights are a TK11 and a Surefire M3 Millenium w/LED upgrade. The M3 is a 9 volt and still isn't as bright, and doesn't have the same run time. I far prefer the TK11. the tk11 said 60 lumens for 10 hrs and the g2 led says 80 lumens for 12 hours, if memory serves That's kind of an apples-to-oranges comparison. The TK11 is regulated, so it produces a constant 60 lumens for 10 hours. The G2 LED is unregulated - SureFire only claims that it produces "useful light" for 12 hours, not a constant 80 lumens over that period. In practice, what you get is 80 lumens immediately after installing fresh batteries, with declining output thereafter. With declining output to 60 lumens then it stays flat for 4.5+ hours on fresh batteries. SF's P60L is thermally regulated. So once the LED module cools down you'll have 80 lumens again, but only until the thermal regulation starts turning it down 60 lumens. And the runtime with the G2L and 6PL are different. This graph shows it, the 6PL runs at around 80 lumens for 2.5-3 hours, with declining output, but the G2L thermal regulation kicks in at around 15 minutes because the 6PL heat sinks better. And the G2L stays at 55-60lumens for 4.5 hours. http://lights.chevrofreak.com/runtimes/Surefire%20P60L/SureFire%20P60L.png |
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You have an 80 lumen Surefire with longer run time than a TK11? Which one? My 2 main lights are a TK11 and a Surefire M3 Millenium w/LED upgrade. The M3 is a 9 volt and still isn't as bright, and doesn't have the same run time. I far prefer the TK11. the tk11 said 60 lumens for 10 hrs and the g2 led says 80 lumens for 12 hours, if memory serves That's kind of an apples-to-oranges comparison. The TK11 is regulated, so it produces a constant 60 lumens for 10 hours. The G2 LED is unregulated - SureFire only claims that it produces "useful light" for 12 hours, not a constant 80 lumens over that period. In practice, what you get is 80 lumens immediately after installing fresh batteries, with declining output thereafter. With declining output to 60 lumens then it stays flat for 4.5+ hours on fresh batteries. SF's P60L is thermally regulated. So once the LED module cools down you'll have 80 lumens again, but only until the thermal regulation starts turning it down 60 lumens. And the runtime with the G2L and 6PL are different. This graph shows it, the 6PL runs at around 80 lumens for 2.5-3 hours, with declining output, but the G2L thermal regulation kicks in at around 15 minutes because the 6PL heat sinks better. And the G2L stays at 55-60lumens for 4.5 hours. http://lights.chevrofreak.com/runtimes/Surefire%20P60L/SureFire%20P60L.png The 3 lumens at 12 hours shown in this chart is quite a bit different from your previous "80 lumens for 12 hours" claim... 
By any reasonable interpretation, the TK-11 does a superior job of maintaining full brightness as the batteries discharge. |
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My only advice is don't buy a used one. No matter how many times you clean it, it will always be dirty.............Oops, you said FLASHlight, nevermind. 
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i did not realize the info in red text. i am speaking from manufacturer's specification chart numbers only. my dad is a surefire fanboy and i friggin' loved my G2 led. dad bought mine and i dropped it in the inlet, so i am just scoping out my options before i spend $60+ on a replacement. i'm really leaning to the Ra Clicky b/c it's smaller, will use the same CR123a batteries as the G2 (which i've got like 10 of), and it just looks bad ass.
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You have an 80 lumen Surefire with longer run time than a TK11? Which one? My 2 main lights are a TK11 and a Surefire M3 Millenium w/LED upgrade. The M3 is a 9 volt and still isn't as bright, and doesn't have the same run time. I far prefer the TK11. the tk11 said 60 lumens for 10 hrs and the g2 led says 80 lumens for 12 hours, if memory serves That's kind of an apples-to-oranges comparison. The TK11 is regulated, so it produces a constant 60 lumens for 10 hours. The G2 LED is unregulated - SureFire only claims that it produces "useful light" for 12 hours, not a constant 80 lumens over that period. In practice, what you get is 80 lumens immediately after installing fresh batteries, with declining output thereafter. With declining output to 60 lumens then it stays flat for 4.5+ hours on fresh batteries. SF's P60L is thermally regulated. So once the LED module cools down you'll have 80 lumens again, but only until the thermal regulation starts turning it down 60 lumens. And the runtime with the G2L and 6PL are different. This graph shows it, the 6PL runs at around 80 lumens for 2.5-3 hours, with declining output, but the G2L thermal regulation kicks in at around 15 minutes because the 6PL heat sinks better. And the G2L stays at 55-60lumens for 4.5 hours. http://lights.chevrofreak.com/runtimes/Surefire%20P60L/SureFire%20P60L.png The 3 lumens at 12 hours shown in this chart is quite a bit different from your previous "80 lumens for 12 hours" claim...
By any reasonable interpretation, the TK-11 does a superior job of maintaining full brightness as the batteries discharge. eta: i suspect that upgrade would have a significant negative impact on battery life. would it allow adjustable brightness in the G2 surefire? |
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I run something similar (R2 drop-in 250 lumens (claimed)) only in a P6. I'm not sure, but might the G2 have heat-sinking issues with the higher output LED modules? For the price, I haven't had a better light than my Fenix P3DQ5. I loved my SF E1B also until I lost it. Much more $$ though.I've got the R2 in a 6P body. I personally don't think it's 250 lumens. My Fenix Tk1 is brighter (on "turbo") than the 6P side by side. Comparing lumens is tough, but I would say that the R2 drop-in that I have is definitely more than twice as bright as the stock 80 lumen module on fresh cells. It has a much warmer tint as well. The quality is lacking compared to the Surefire module. I had to re-solder a few things shortly after I got it. |
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My Fenix tk11 is all that I could ask for. Great quality and the features are great. Except it is made in China. I bought mine off of Ebay used for $55 but in perfect condition from an American, so I don't feel like I sent China any extra money so it isn't as tainted. |
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I run something similar (R2 drop-in 250 lumens (claimed)) only in a P6. I'm not sure, but might the G2 have heat-sinking issues with the higher output LED modules? For the price, I haven't had a better light than my Fenix P3DQ5. I loved my SF E1B also until I lost it. Much more $$ though.I've got the R2 in a 6P body. I personally don't think it's 250 lumens. My Fenix Tk1 is brighter (on "turbo") than the 6P side by side. Comparing lumens is tough, but I would say that the R2 drop-in that I have is definitely more than twice as bright as the stock 80 lumen module on fresh cells. It has a much warmer tint as well. The quality is lacking compared to the Surefire module. I had to re-solder a few things shortly after I got it. Oh, absolutely. It's much much brighter than a stock G2 or 6P. Dropping one into a $35 G2 gives you a great light for the money...$50 for a ~200lumen LED flashlight. I only wanted to draw attention to the stated lumens of the R2 module vs. what actual output may be. |
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EagleTac looks like the current best buy leader.
Eagletac T100C2 1x18650: * Turbo Mode: 220 Lumen for 3 hours * General Mode: 55 Lumen for 20 hours or EagleTac T10LC2 Output: 295 / 60 lumen Thing about these lights is they're regulated with the 18650 battery, and that delivers longer runtime. From what I understand, most lights on the market are designed around 123A batteries, where these are compatible for both cell types. The advantage there is that you get the full benefit of the best cell available (IMHO), but if your 18650 shits out, you can still use more readily available 123As. ETA: http://www.eagletac-store.com |
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I absolutely love these two flashlights....the Olight is on my rifle and I gave the Freedom R2 to the wife for her purse / stun factor. Both are incredibly blindingly bright and include High/Low/Strobe. Both of these vendors are great also with fast shipment and good customer service. Use the smooth reflector on the Olight.
http://www.cfrlights.com/servlet/the-465/R2,-cree,-250,-lumens,/Detail http://liotec.com/store/Urnabeam.htm |
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EagleTac looks like the current best buy leader. Eagletac T100C2 1x18650: * Turbo Mode: 220 Lumen for 3 hours * General Mode: 55 Lumen for 20 hours or EagleTac T10LC2 Output: 295 / 60 lumen Thing about these lights is they're regulated with the 18650 battery, and that delivers longer runtime. From what I understand, most lights on the market are designed around 123A batteries, where these are compatible for both cell types. The advantage there is that you get the full benefit of the best cell available (IMHO), but if your 18650 shits out, you can still use more readily available 123As. ETA: http://www.eagletac-store.com The T10lc2 will also run on CR123 batteries. I don't really see a difference in light output but I don't have a meter as well. |
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EagleTac looks like the current best buy leader. Eagletac T100C2 1x18650: * Turbo Mode: 220 Lumen for 3 hours * General Mode: 55 Lumen for 20 hours or EagleTac T10LC2 Output: 295 / 60 lumen Thing about these lights is they're regulated with the 18650 battery, and that delivers longer runtime. From what I understand, most lights on the market are designed around 123A batteries, where these are compatible for both cell types. The advantage there is that you get the full benefit of the best cell available (IMHO), but if your 18650 shits out, you can still use more readily available 123As. ETA: http://www.eagletac-store.com The T10lc2 will also run on CR123 batteries. I don't really see a difference in light output but I don't have a meter as well. Yes, as I said, they run on both. There is no difference in output, the difference is in runtime. |
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OP here, i just bought a brand new SureFire G2 LED for $40 shipped!!
i'll be spending the $ i saved on a chicom clicky tail cap ($10 shipped, tail stand capable) and a crenelated "strike" bezel ($8 shipped) since i'd feel stupid paying more for the genuine SureFire counterparts as i did for the whole damn'd flashlight. pics of said equipment: 
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Fenix LD01. Rated at 80 lumens for 1 hour off of a little AAA battery.
Fenix LD01 linky I have other lights, but once you get used to carrying a little AAA light with very useful output other lights become too big. I can clip it on sleep pants and forget it's there. For trips you want to bring more horsepower, but they are very hard to beat for EDC (every day carry). |
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I have been real impressed with the Streamlight Microstream. It is small, light as a feather, surprisingly bright and cheap. It bumped off my Surefire E2E.
Microstream Review |
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i agree, let's hope it's "new out of box" as described.
$40 is cheap for a G2 LED, you got a good deal. i see the strike bezel i want is listed to fit a G2 and a 6P, but it doesn't say anywhere that it fits the LED models of those flashlights. anyone know if i'll run into fitment issues??? eta: shouldn't be any fitment issues, i verified that SureFire G2 and G2 LED are interchangeable with 6P and 6P LED. i'll update once i get everything in the mail |