Flashlight Recommendations?

[d.2.the.p]

I want a small but powerful flashlight for camping - nothing too serious, though. I am considering something that runs on a CR123's (at least 2 batteries), but I am open to other power supply formats. I keep a 4Sevens Quark Mini 123 on my keychain, so I first looked at the 4Sevens Quark X 123^2, but I'm also considering the Fenix PD32. I'm open to suggestions, though. I want something pocketable but larger than keychain sized that has a good balance of runtime and power.

[rodloos]

If you are interested in inexpensive flashlights, Jack started a thread here awhile ago that may prove useful:
Flashlights-inexpensive

I have been very happy with my Fenix and 4Sevens flashlights, there is a whole range of options depending on your needs. I like 123 batteries for flashlights that may go in a pack or otherwise need to hold a charge while on the shelf for awhile, and I like AA or AAA batteries for EDC use where I can *always* find a store that sells those. I have a Fenix light that takes 4 ea. 123 batteries or two rechargeable batteries and puts out 630 lumens, incredibly bright, useful when I am kayaking at night and am looking for juglines I placed out for catfish (I put a strip of reflective tape on the float).

And of course for camping, it is very useful to have a headlamp, to keep your hands free for camp chores.

[RanCoWeAla]

I don't like the Maglites any more. If you ever leave a set of batteries in one too long as I have done before and let them start to corrode and stick you may as well throw the whole flashlight away because there is no getting the batteries out.

[MachSchnell]

I too was considering a cr123 or cr123a light, but ended up buying a 4sevens preon2 for my pops for Christmas, and it was impressive enough for me to later pick one up for myself. The great thing is that it runs on 2 AAA batteries and they are readily available and relatively inexpensive (not to mention they last quite awhile in this little bugger).

[MachSchnell]

I don't like the Maglites any more. If you ever leave a set of batteries in one too long as I have done before and let them start to corrode and stick you may as well throw the whole flashlight away because there is no getting the batteries out.

Had this happen last season, got the batteries out but broke it in the process... I bet if I poured in some baking soda and water that would have neutralized and broken down the acid build up and I could have salvaged the light; but who knows?

[Blerv]

Honestly I would avoid CR123's except for single-cell applications.

These days you can get a ton of Lumens for 3 volts (2 AA's/AAA's or one CR123). If you want a real scorcher with 1XRCR123 or 1XIMR16340 you can get 4.2 volts and end up with something less long. The main reason to get lights that use more than one lithium are to get extension tubes and run larger batteries for amazing runtime (like 2x18650's).

If you don't mind using a charger and a single 18650 (as long as 2 x cr123's) this would be my light of choice:

http://www.zebralight.com/SC600-Cree...8650_p_55.html

There are other options. The SC600 has crazy runtime and a ton of settings all very easily accessible due to the genius UI. It's also hard to find a 750 Lumen light with a .1lumen Moonlight. They also have a SC600w which is a Neutral led that suffers about a 10% drop in output; that is almost unrecognizable to the naked eye.


PS: Here's a pic next to the XP-G Quark 123x2 light. .

http://media.photobucket.com/image/r...1/SC600008.jpg

[NoFair]

Sunwayman make mid priced lights that are imho better than 4Sevens. The M20C is great: http://www.batteryjunction.com/sunwa...warmwhite.html

Neutral white works much better in the woods than normal cool white leds.

I always use it with a rechargeable 18650 li-ion, but 2 cr123s work fine as well.

I'd suggest getting a small headlamp for camp use as well, for that the Zebralight H31W is wonderful.

[JD Spydo]

Well I'm going to buck the trend of this thread and go way against the grain>> I've always been a SUREFIRE man going back to the early 2000s. I just recently got 2 new SUREFIRE flashlights and one in particular that I just love so much I didn't even care what I paid for it.

I'm talking about the new LED Surefire E2d Defender model. It operates on 2 of the 123A batteries that everyone seems to not like. When I first turned it on I was absolutely amazed>> It is a real flame thrower and the best flashlight of it's size I've ever used.

The same day I got that one I got one helluva deal on a Surefire L7 rechargable model that the dealer special ordered for a guy and he didn't pick it up over 9 months ago. He sold it to me for $10 above cost and I couldn't be happier because I had that same model stolen from me a few months back.

But that newest LED E2d Defender is my favorite flashlight period. It wasn't cheap ( $125) but I'm extremely satisfied and that's all that matters to me.

[jackknifeh]

Rodloos mentioned my thread about cheap lights but I really had EDC in mind where if it failed to work or got damaged it wouldn't be a really big deal. But for camping I'd want something I could trust to perform more. Actually, my Fenix LD-01 (single AAA) is great for in-tent and a lot of around the campfire. I also have a Fenix E-11 (single AA) that is a little brighter. Neither have the other features you may want (flashing, SOS, etc.). If I get a bigger one I'll get the Fenix LD-40. It uses 4 AA batteries and gets close to 300 lumens if I remember and is about $60. The batteries fit side by side so the length isn't that big but the width would be bigger than a light with 2 AA batteries. I assume those lites are also plenty bright. But for outdoors in the woods you may need something with more output. That way you can wake up more bears. I like lites with batteries you can get in any store but I use recargable ones. If need be though I can stop in any gas station and get some.

Fenix LD-40:
http://www.batteryjunction.com/fenix-ld40-r4.html
This light is a little cheaper at Howe's but they don't go overboard on listing the features. Howe's does provide free shipping within the USA. You can look on Fenix's site also of course.

Jack

[jackknifeh]

Oh, that's Great Sir !!

Welcome to the forum PriligyMai. I see this was your first post. Just wanted to mention I don't know which other post you are referring to. You can include the post you are referring to or use the poster's name. That way we can know what you think is great. Again, welcome to the forum. Sometimes we talk about knives.

Jack

[Blerv]

JD brings up a great topic with Surefire. On that note there are lights out there like the 6p which take drop-ins of various purposes from 240lumen throwers to 800lumen beasts. As tech changes you can upgrade and if something breaks you can as well.

The Solarforce L2m is a single CR123 host. One IMR16340 rechargable puts out 4.2v with safe chemistry. Throw in this for 450 OTF lumens in a light shorter than a Quark 2x123.:

http://goinggear.com/flashlights/acc...-2-7-4-2v.html

The flip side is a single 550 mah battery on high will have about 15 mins and get hot pretty quick . On medium and low runtime would be great though.

The positive: Less length, no recycling (not trashing) two expensive cells when dead, no chance of carrying w/ low-grade explosive device filled with poison gas .

[.357 mag]

I have the fenix LD-01 and love it. Its a great EDC light.

[jackknifeh]

I have the fenix LD-01 and love it. Its a great EDC light.

Me too. That has to be the best EDC light if you don't need anything like SOS, strobe and all the other fancy features. 3 brightnesses changed with one hand as well as on/off. Very small. I have my Jester attached to it and carry it with the light clipped in my pocket so I can pull it AND the knife out easily. That way I can see what I'm cutting. I've used this example to illustrate how bright it gets. On medium, I walk my dog at night. She has a 16' retractable leash and the single AAA light is bright enough ON MEDIUM to see clearly much farther than Tasha gets from me.

Jack

Jack

[Donut]

If it were me, I would want a floody/wider beam for camping. The Quark X doesn't give a very wide beam because it's a very large emitter that is made to fit in a light designed for a smaller emitter. The hot spot is wider, but the overall beam is just as wide.

All the recommendations here look good, I would just advise against the Quark X for that reason, if you're leaning towards the Quark X, I recommend just getting a normal Quark.

[knife nut404]

I have had the 4sevens quark x 123 squared tactical for about a month and have nothing but good things to saly about it. Hope this helps.

[Tank]

+1 on the floody beam. For camping I still use my Zebra H50. Has never let me down.

[Blerv]

They have a H502 coming out shortly. Like the H501, all flood (no reflector) but using a XM-L for 220-240 lumens. That's what you call ambient lighting .

[G-Solutions]

Well I'm going to buck the trend of this thread and go way against the grain>> I've always been a SUREFIRE man going back to the early 2000s. I just recently got 2 new SUREFIRE flashlights and one in particular that I just love so much I didn't even care what I paid for it.

I'm talking about the new LED Surefire E2d Defender model. It operates on 2 of the 123A batteries that everyone seems to not like. When I first turned it on I was absolutely amazed>> It is a real flame thrower and the best flashlight of it's size I've ever used.

The same day I got that one I got one helluva deal on a Surefire L7 rechargable model that the dealer special ordered for a guy and he didn't pick it up over 9 months ago. He sold it to me for $10 above cost and I couldn't be happier because I had that same model stolen from me a few months back.

But that newest LED E2d Defender is my favorite flashlight period. It wasn't cheap ( $125) but I'm extremely satisfied and that's all that matters to me.

I've used Surefire's since I first got introduced to them 13 years ago. I had an E2D Defender in my back pocket when I went down hard with the Motorcycle almost years ago. I literally skidded on the flashlight that was clipped into my back pocket at 25 mph and the light, while badly scratched up, was still working perfectly. Their quality is excellent. I since had the chance to see the inside of their factory in Fountain Valley, CA and I can see why their lights are so good.

'Nuff said.... it's a bit of an investment but well worth it!

[pl4stic]

Check out HDS. I have a Clicky and its my favorite light. Made in USA, high quality, rugged, runs on a single 123A, programmable, and multiple outputs.

I also like the 4Sevens Quark series lights.

[Henry - get both]

Surefire FURY