Page 1 of 6 123 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 84
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    5,854
    Downloads
    2
    Uploads
    0

    Please recommend a good non WML flashlight...

    I recently had a thread about a weapons mounted pistol light. Thanks to everyone who contributed and special thanks to Slippers as well. Now I am the proud owner of a Surefire pistol light. I am highly pleased so far. Not much use or testing yet but so far so good.

    ---

    With this thread though it's the same concept only for a NON Weapon Mounted Light. Below I will tell you how I plan to use it so that you can see what my intended purpose is. After that any recommendations will be highly considered and applied accordingly.

    ---

    I will be carrying this light on my person as an EDC option. That said my real estate is limited and I don't want to be like batman walking around with heavy crap hanging off everywhere. During the day I might not carry it at all, but if I know I will be out near or after dark I want an easy way to carry it. I can leave it in the car if I want or wear it as needed.

    As of right now I carry the following: Right front pocket keys, Left front pocket wallet, pistol (appendix carry now), spare mag (horizontal belt mount--left side), and a pocket knife (DPX Hest) (usually right front pocket). I don't like carrying stuff in my back pockets.

    ---

    Like was pointed out in the other thread if you have a WML you can't openly draw your weapon in public just to use the light...hence the plain flashlight. Unlike my WML which is for around he house, this one is for comfort and ease of carry (EDC) out and about.

    ---

    I like horsepower. I want it bright enough, but not a huge light. The bezzle(?) (new word for me) can't be huge because it will become uncomfortable to carry I think.

    I don't want it too long because it might wind up in my pocket or something depending on how I wind up carrying it. It may need a pocket clip (maybe) or some form of horizontal holster like my spare mag has.

    The controls ideally will have a momentary button and a twist for full on. Anything other than that, like strobes and stuff is too complicated for my use.

    Ideally the momentary button on back will be slightly recessed. I don't want to be accidentally discharging the light all the time.

    I don't think a pen light is enough for my use. I can get those for cheap, but I a looking for a good quality light with more power even if they are $150-$200 bucks or whatever.

    ---

    My primary use won't be room clearing or whatever, but more like lighting up my own car in a dark parking lot, scanning the area such as a tree line, finding keys that somebody lost on the grass, scanning the area to see if people are around or any other 10,000 sundry uses of a flashlight.

    It will be used in both rural and urban settings. My Arisaka SBR light can throw a good bit of light out 75 to 100 yards out. This is a good thing.

    Bonus points for suggestions for how to most comfortably carry it will be appreciated. My first inclination is for a clip on or horizontal holster on my right side. Currently that real estate is unused. A good other option would be left front pocket provided it's not jamming me in the leg when I walk or sit.

    Thanks!!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Posts
    1,583
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    Surefire edcl1 or 2 are my current favorites. Slim, and with a gas pedal tailcap where you slightly press for low and press a little harder for 500 or 1200 lumens (1 cell vs 2 cell). Has a pocket clip, and works with the thyrm loop if you like those.
    Will - Owner of Arisaka LLC - http://www.arisakadefense.com

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    The Unfree State (MD)
    Posts
    2,731
    Downloads
    3
    Uploads
    0
    Elzetta.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Posts
    300
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    My EDC is for carrying every day, all day. For the past two years it's been a Surefire Titan Plus. Fits nicely and unnoticed in the watch pocket of blue jeans. The lower settings of 15 and 75 lumens provide illumination for 99% of my Average Joe needs (and many of those needs turn up during daylight hours inside). Capable of 300 lumens if needed for a brief period. I'm a AAA devote.

    If you're considering something as large as a 2 x CR123, I keep in my truck a Malkoff MD2. Powered by 18650, 400 lumen to sub-lumen with Gene's bezel switch, and built bombproof. If there's a better built, more versatile, simpler to operate and reliable light in it's class I'm unaware of it. $150. It fits most all your listed criteria. If while out and about I thought I might need a more substantial light than the Titan I'd just clip the MD2 and go. Never have. And that's the story with larger lights; they are awesome but seldom EDC outside of professional needs. Gene makes some nice 1 x AA and 1 x CR123 lights. I have a Malkoff AA MDC HA. Sub-lumen to 115 lumen. Very nice.

    Over at CandlePower in the "Good Deals" section of the forum, someone got ahold of 800 new units of the previous version Surefire G2X Pro. 2 x CR123 15/320 lumen. $36. About all the flashlight Average Joe would ever need in both performance and reliability. I bought one a few years ago for the wife's backpack. My neighbor is a UPS driver and has been using a G2X Pro for years at work, particularly when the days are short during winter. He's told me how impressed he's been with reliability having dropped it many times, rolled out of the truck... on and on.

    I've got several Surefire, Malkoff and Streamlight handheld. The two that are used the most are the Titan Plus (smallest) because it's always in my pocket when I need it. The other is a Streamlight Stinger DS HPL (biggest) because it's always hanging on the wall fully charged by the back door when I need it for going outside at night. Location location location. All my other bang-zoom 'tactical' flashlights remain busy self-discharging.



    Last edited by ChattanoogaPhil; 21 July 2018 at 13:48.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    PNW
    Posts
    15,286
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    I'm a huge Surefire Fan, but... EDC, and on my uniform daily as a maplight/backuplight is a Malkoff MDC HA

    Hard Anodized Black MDC (Malkoff Daily Carry) 115 Lumen, 1AA Flashlight. Modes are LowLow-Low-High. Perfect when I need barely any illumination to look at something without blinding me, and it runs on cheaper AA batteries. It's not a 1000 lumen retina melter... but it does what I need it to do.

    https://malkoff-devices.myshopify.co...1aa-flashlight

    Name:  37167356_1706673572721572_3952385032135376896_n.jpg
Views: 367
Size:  97.8 KB

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    On the bank of the Mighty Muskingum
    Posts
    4,029
    Downloads
    6
    Uploads
    0
    Chronology of handlights: Maglite 6D back in the day, Fenix TK16L 1x 18650R, Indeo Lumipower 1x CR123. The Lumi is 500 lumens but super small, the TK is 1k lumens and strong enough for pretty much anything. Not pictured is a Pelican Super Saberlite 3x C I keep on my scene bag.

    There's no "Team" in F**K YOU!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Central Florida - Gulf Side
    Posts
    2,219
    Downloads
    2
    Uploads
    2
    OLight SR1 Turbo S Version - 900 lumens - tailcap USB rechargeable - or 1 CR123A - tiny - belt clip, or remove it and drop it in your pocket ... mine shown below, and a link to purchase at Amazon.



    https://www.amazon.com/Turbo-Version...eywords=olight
    NRA Benefactor Member
    NRA Certified Instructor

    "I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on."
    John Wayne - "The Shootist"

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    The Unfree State (MD)
    Posts
    2,731
    Downloads
    3
    Uploads
    0
    I liked the Olight. The magnetic tail cap was pretty handy in a mechanical room or in a pump vault. Unfortunately they suffer from not liking water. When mine got wet it crackled and popped like bacon cooking for 30 seconds and never lit again.

    I gave the replacement to my Father in law and it’s worked well for him in a less demanding role.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Colorado
    Posts
    1,104
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    I just picked up a new EDC light from Zebralight. I've used their headlamps for many years. The user interface is a bit more complicated than others, but easy enough once you get used to it. You could also program it to be super simple with just 1 mode if you like that option.

    I've bought probably 30 flashlights since the LED revolution began, and this is cream of the crop so far:

    Zebralight SC64w 18650 XHP35 Neutral White Flashlight

    If you prefer the AA format:

    Zebralight SC53w AA Neutral White Flashlight

    The pocket clip is great and affords unobtrusive, painless carry. The amount of light you can get from a pocket light nowadays is truly astounding.

    I also carry a simple AAA light on my keychain. This is my most-used light:

    Fenix E05 AAA LED Flashlight

    I've quit using Amazon for high-end stuff simply because there are so many counterfeits, but you can find them there as well.

    All of these are super pocket-friendly, durable, waterproof and damn near unbreakable. I have been using them a lot for many years. My Zebralight headlamp has been on countless camping trips and long-distance mountain bike rides. It's survived rain, snow, extended submersion, lots of drops from 3-4 feet onto concrete and asphalt, you name it. Never a problem.

    I'm not super concerned with the "tint" of the light, but I have noticed these newer lights are far more pleasing to the eye. The Zebralight in particular has a very "incandescent" warm tint unlike many of the older LED lights that have a really green or blue cast.

    I quit worrying some time ago about "tactical" this and that, momentary vs not, super blinding weapon-wannabe nonsense that is so common in this community. I use the light all the time for trivial shit, and if I absolutely had to try and blind an attacker, there is a light on my gun for that.

    Hope this helps!
    Last edited by MoxyDave; 21 July 2018 at 14:13.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    5,854
    Downloads
    2
    Uploads
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by Slippers View Post
    Surefire edcl1 or 2 are my current favorites. Slim, and with a gas pedal tailcap where you slightly press for low and press a little harder for 500 or 1200 lumens (1 cell vs 2 cell). Has a pocket clip, and works with the thyrm loop if you like those.
    That sounds like a good contender. I like that kind of simple functionality. Is it like a click switch or more like a pressure switch? All that 'click twice real fast to change to this mode or that' meh... but if it's just additional pressure that would be awesome.

    I will look at the specs. I wonder if it has a twist to always on thing too? That's not absolutely needed (the twist) but it could be kind of nice I guess. I will have to think about it a little.

    I googled 'thyrum loop' and I guess that's just a finger loop... I am not sure about that just yet, but I am glad you mentioned it.

    Quote Originally Posted by SINNER View Post
    Elzetta.
    Never heard of them (never heard of a lot of stuff) but I will check out their lights for sure.

    Quote Originally Posted by ChattanoogaPhil View Post
    My EDC is for carrying every day, all day. For the past two years it's been a Surefire Titan Plus.

    Fits nicely and unnoticed in the watch pocket of blue jeans.

    I'm a AAA devote.

    If you're considering something as large as a 2 x CR123, I keep in my truck a Malkoff MD2.

    with Gene's bezel switch

    that's the story with larger lights; they are awesome but seldom EDC outside of professional needs.


    The two that are used the most are the Titan Plus (smallest) because it's always in my pocket when I need it. The other is a Streamlight Stinger DS HPL (biggest) because it's always hanging on the wall fully charged by the back door when I need it for going outside at night. Location location location. All my other bang-zoom 'tactical' flashlights remain busy self-discharging.
    I will check out the Titan Plus for sure.

    I am sort of beach bummish in my attire. I go relaxed if ever given the opportunity. That said I've had so many suit and tie with a coat jobs... but in my day to day stuff I naturally dress for the seasons (of Texas). In summer if you ever see me NOT in shorts it means either someone died or is getting married. Shorts sandals and light weight wicking shirts are my main summer attire. It was 105 degrees and humid here today. Summer is just starting.

    In winter I will wear jeans usually and shorts on nice days. But honestly when it's colder I have many more carry options because of simply more clothes. That said comfort is king, well right behind reliability. I am of the school that if you wear a gun or holster or anything that hurts, pokes, rubs, jabs, etc it will deter you from carrying.

    I am not a devotee of anything yet but I am not against the CR123A batteries. That said I have two lights that run those now so might has well have a third one and keep it standard. This is definitely a consideration. I could buy say 8 rechargeable batteries so I always have spares for each gun without having to keep buying batteries.

    The best light is the one you have with you at the time. I used to have a giant D cell sucking Maglite in my truck and it barely ever got used and to be honest it wasn't even very bright. Currently my most used flashlight is a tiny little key ring light that is on my key chain for the very reasons you mentioned. I have it therefore I use it.

    PS. I have no idea who Gene is or what a bezel switch is.

    Quote Originally Posted by UWone77 View Post
    I'm a huge Surefire Fan, but... EDC, and on my uniform daily as a maplight/backuplight is a Malkoff MDC HA

    Hard Anodized Black MDC (Malkoff Daily Carry) 115 Lumen, 1AA Flashlight. Modes are LowLow-Low-High. Perfect when I need barely any illumination to look at something without blinding me, and it runs on cheaper AA batteries. It's not a 1000 lumen retina melter... but it does what I need it to do.
    LOL! Retina melter! HAAA!!

    You do bring up very important stuff I hadn't thought about. Having and using a low power setting will probably be very handy. If I am riding in the passenger's seat and somebody drops something under the seat emitting a 1,200 lumen blinder while cruising down the freeway might not be good. I imagine it would get pretty hot too. Being able to give somebody a sunburn is not really the idea.

    After I read your comment I took my new 300X outside and whatever lumens that is is about right for the high end. It throws light really well, just like the Arisaka light. That's plenty. My idea is on the high end to be able to scan or scope out a parking lot or light up a car or something to avoid a problem rather than try to find one. Also if I need to scan the tree line or any other number of things like that it's more than enough.

    The specs said the pistol light I have now is 600 lumens and it has a pretty broad spill so I think that's about the top end of what I would want depending on a few other things. I think that at least gives me a ballpark idea of what to compare. Run time is also an important factor.

    Quote Originally Posted by Joelski View Post
    Chronology of handlights: Maglite 6D back in the day, Fenix TK16L 1x 18650R, Indeo Lumipower 1x CR123. The Lumi is 500 lumens but super small, the TK is 1k lumens and strong enough for pretty much anything. Not pictured is a Pelican Super Saberlite 3x C I keep on my scene bag.
    As for right now I am leaning towards a single CR123 battery light if for nothing else to have all my light batteries be standard. Like I was saying... I used to have a big maglite that I didn't like or use. If I needed to beat someone into submission maybe but barring that... a small but powerful (enough) light is the ticket.

    Another thing I didn't mention is that I live in hurricane territory. Living in the country during storms the power goes out CONSTANTLY. This light I am talking about getting will become part of my EDC but also part of my emergency preparedness kit. And by emergency preparedness I mean I can grab the light and make it to the bathroom during a blackout without kicking a coffee table. It's very practical to have one good small light that I keep up with rather than 20 dollar store cheap crappy ones with dead batteries that no one can seem to find when they are needed.

    Quote Originally Posted by Jerry R View Post
    OLight SR1 Turbo S Version - 900 lumens - tailcap USB rechargeable - or 1 CR123A - tiny - belt clip, or remove it and drop it in your pocket ... mine shown below
    That might be a good option for sure. I am going to put it on my list of things to be compared. The rechargeable batteries though, yeah, I am definitely going to go that route.

    Quote Originally Posted by SINNER View Post
    I liked the Olight. The magnetic tail cap was pretty handy in a mechanical room or in a pump vault. Unfortunately they suffer from not liking water. When mine got wet it crackled and popped like bacon cooking for 30 seconds and never lit again.

    I gave the replacement to my Father in law and it’s worked well for him in a less demanding role.
    Oooooh!!! Good point! VERY good point!

    I wonder how these lights all do in wet/damp/rainy (and by raining I mean flood) situations? When it rains 18 inches in a day at your house this does become an issue. A certain level of water resistance is a very good idea and worth paying extra money for IMO.

    Quote Originally Posted by MoxyDave View Post
    I just picked up a new EDC light from Zebralight. I've used their headlamps for many years. The user interface is a bit more complicated than others, but easy enough once you get used to it. You could also program it to be super simple with just 1 mode if you like that option.

    I've bought probably 30 flashlights since the LED revolution began

    The pocket clip is great and affords unobtrusive, painless carry. The amount of light you can get from a pocket light nowadays is truly astounding.

    All of these are super pocket-friendly, durable, waterproof and damn near unbreakable. I have been using them a lot for many years. My Zebralight headlamp has been on countless camping trips and long-distance mountain bike rides. It's survived rain, snow, extended submersion, lots of drops from 3-4 feet onto concrete and asphalt, you name it. Never a problem.

    I'm not super concerned with the "tint" of the light, but I have noticed these newer lights are far more pleasing to the eye. The Zebralight in particular has a very "incandescent" warm tint unlike many of the older LED lights that have a really green or blue cast.

    I quit worrying some time ago about "tactical" this and that, momentary vs not, super blinding weapon-wannabe nonsense that is so common in this community. I use the light all the time for trivial shit, and if I absolutely had to try and blind an attacker, there is a light on my gun for that.

    Hope this helps!
    If I ever need to go coal mining I will remember your post! LOL!

    You are right though... the improvements in lights has been great! It's just like other stuff I see... I go "I need a flashlight" and now there is all kinds of cool options to account for.

    My tactical light will probably help me find the toilet during a blackout. Pretty ninja isn't it? Overall though it will be a practical investment.

    I've also never heard of zebra lights. I will look them over as well and make a comparison.

    As far as the 'tint' goes, I don't know what the 'tint' is for the Surefire I have or the Arisaka. Maybe somebody can clue me in. I don't want an irritating colored light. The idea is for me to see what I'm doing.

    My keychain light is by far my most used light, but I will need to replace it pretty soon too because it's getting worn out. For a $4 key chain it has more than paid for itself. I am constantly using it because it's THERE. That's what kind of role I want a 'bigger' light to have as well. Basically when I need a light I want the damn thing in my pocket, and preferably it will be comfortable.

    All the comments are definitely helping. This is great. Getting tons of ideas. A little pen light might not be the best for me because I'm not trying to read people's driver's licenses at night or generally reading documents and I don't know if it's capable of throwing light 75 or 100 yards like I want.

    On the flip side I hope I don't need to subdue anyone so this concept of blinding a suspect--- I will leave that to the PoPo for the most part. There might be a rare exception to that but not much. If it gets down to that bad they should probably fear the muzzle of the gun more than the light.

    I definitely have a lot to think about to narrow the choices down.

    I also want to replace my keychain light too. (It's a throw away kind---but I've been using it for several years already)
    Last edited by alamo5000; 21 July 2018 at 21:31.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    On the bank of the Mighty Muskingum
    Posts
    4,029
    Downloads
    6
    Uploads
    0
    Battery Junction is pretty much the go-to for the EDC crowd. Since you say you want a EDC handlight in 123, here's the best rated ones. Go apeshit, bro.

    https://www.batteryjunction.com/flas...drating=5+Star
    There's no "Team" in F**K YOU!

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Posts
    2,101
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    I was going to read your post Alamo but decided to read the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy instead. It took less time.
    -One Nation, Under God

    -"The bad news is time flies. The good news is you're the pilot." ~ Michael Althsuler

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Posts
    300
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by alamo5000 View Post
    PS. I have no idea who Gene is or what a bezel switch is.
    I apologize. Gene is Gene Malkoff of Malkoff Devices. He makes flashlights, parts and conversions. Reputation among flashaholoics for being among the best of the best. Gene is a great guy. If you have any questions give him a ring and he'll likely tell you more than you ever wanted to know.

    A bezel switch is an optional part that allows the Malkoff MD2 series flashlight to function in low mode. Think of it like a resistor. Say your MD2 is a 400 lumen single output light. Turn the head 1/8 turn and now you've got a single output 20 lumen flashlight. My MD2 has three output levels from I think 30 to around 400 lumens. Turn the head slightly and now I've got a three output flashlight from 20 lumen to sub-umen. Comes in handy when you don't want to lose your night vision by clicking the tailcap to 'Retina Melter' mode by mistake.

    A flashlight junkie's playground.
    https://malkoff-devices.myshopify.com
    Last edited by ChattanoogaPhil; 22 July 2018 at 12:49.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Posts
    1,583
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    The edcl1 and 2 don't have click switches. You can go constant on at high or low by threading in the tailcap. Low occurs first, then keep going for high. Just like when you're pressing on it.

    It's very intuitive and they aren't overly expensive.
    Will - Owner of Arisaka LLC - http://www.arisakadefense.com

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    PNW
    Posts
    15,286
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by ChattanoogaPhil View Post
    Gene is a great guy. If you have any questions give him a ring and he'll likely tell you more than you ever wanted to know.
    It's a good thing that long distance is basically free now.

    I cringe to think what a phone bill between alamo and Gene would be.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •