How many flashlights do you really need?

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  • inkd

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 4, 2009
    7,512
    Ridge
    I better get my eyes checked. I coulda sworn the title said "how many fleshlights do you really need?"
     

    Jim12

    Let Freedom Ring
    MDS Supporter
    Jan 30, 2013
    33,860
    I heard you can buy some tourist guided tour to Afghanistan. That is the hard way, but cheapest way. You want the sure way but expensive? Call Hunter Biden. Make sure you ready to have cash on delivery.

    Thanks. Isn't the Taliban selling our surrendered weapons and equipment, maybe even online? Maybe some will appear on e-Bay!

    Oh, wait. There's probably an I.T.A.R. or similar import prohibition, right?

    After all, the U.S. Gov't certainly wouldn't want military gear that we gave to the Afghan army and was then surrendered to the enemy to be returned. It might be used improperly, as opposed to leaving it with the Taliban. :rolleyes:

    Wouldn't buy it from Hunter, knowing that FJB the "Big Guy" gets 10%. FJB's already got his cut for 40+ years, and he has enough. It's time to cut him off.
     

    Johnny5k

    Ultimate Member
    Nov 24, 2020
    1,021
    Not a fan of OLight. I dont consider them a duty grade light. They don't even rate backup status.
     

    willtill

    The Dude Abides
    MDS Supporter
    May 15, 2007
    24,314
    Not a fan of OLight. I dont consider them a duty grade light. They don't even rate backup status.

    I've tried to wrap my head around Olights too. I don't see the particular allure of the brand. I think many of them are simply overpriced for what you materially get. There are so many different manufactured flashlights out there. I really don't have a favorite. Just need one that works when needed
     

    Aamdskeetshooter

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 19, 2013
    1,744
    Moco
    I have “analysis paralysis” when it comes to flashlights. How much should I spend? Do I get the cheap ones at Costco or spend more on a duty flashlight? Which type of battery is best. Rechargeable? How many lumens? Which brand? Etc. etc. etc.
     

    alucard0822

    For great Justice
    Oct 29, 2007
    17,643
    PA
    Not a fan of OLight. I dont consider them a duty grade light. They don't even rate backup status.

    Some of the earlier models had some crap designs, plastic lenses melting, chargers shorting out and crappy batteries. They are all chinese made, so there is that too. The newer models are pretty solid though, and their customer service is good. I pretty much only buy the flash sales, and they are a decent deal. Figure there are 3 "levels" of flashlights, the duracell/energiser/noname junk with crappy design and output, sometimes rechargeable or alkaline. Then Olight, Fenix, Jetbeam and the low-end chinese made surefire and streamlight stuff. Best for home use IMO, but I know a few police that use them on the job and are happy with them. Olight is kind of the Keltec of flashlights, innovative cool designs, lots of cool features not found elsewhere, they tend to work, the magnetic charging cables are really convenient. Even so, they don't have the simple solid build, durability and electronics of the best tactical lights, basically US made Surefire and streamlight. THere isn't a huge difference in price either, but a massive difference in output and features, the US made stuff tends to be bomb proof because it's simple.

    I've tried to wrap my head around Olights too. I don't see the particular allure of the brand. I think many of them are simply overpriced for what you materially get. There are so many different manufactured flashlights out there. I really don't have a favorite. Just need one that works when needed

    Their normal pricing is pretty high for what it is. Covid and the supply chain issues with China really messed them up, haven't bought one in a while. The flash sales were the only way to get an actual "deal". Pretty much all of mine are from bundles or flash sales, usually a new color or model about 25-50% less than the normal price, usually bundled with another light for something like $5 more. Got a couple warrior mini/obulb bundles for $50 each, and their people hand out coupon codes all over the place, so ended up around $75 for 2 bulbs and 2 lights, normally priced at an absurd $250.

    I have “analysis paralysis” when it comes to flashlights. How much should I spend? Do I get the cheap ones at Costco or spend more on a duty flashlight? Which type of battery is best. Rechargeable? How many lumens? Which brand? Etc. etc. etc.

    lithium rechargeable are by far the most convenient, alkaline leak acid over time, and CR123s get expensive. Purpose makes a difference, a backup light for power outages, floodlight for camping, small light for the car etc.. Truth be told the lights with my Milwaukee M12 and Ridgid 18v power tools get the most use, and the massive rechargeable Lithium batteries to run saws and drills will last for days in a lantern. For pocket carry or in the car, I love Olight, provided you get them on flash sale, their normal prices are kinda high. For duty/weapon use, Streamlight or surefire USA made IMO. The cheap flashlights sold at big box stores might be fine to hand out if the power goes out, but they aren't all that great. Output is another thing, it's kinda logarithmic, so it probably takes around 4x the lumens to appear twice as bright. 10-50 is enough to walk around the house without waking everyone up, 100-500 is plenty to light up an area outdoors, 1K+ is best for long range or spotlights. Figure the old incandescent 2 AA mini maglights were around 15 lumens, a car's headlights are about 1K. Reflectors make a big difference too, a small orange peel reflector will spread light further, a larger head with shaped reflector can throw the beam further with less dispersion. The beam is usually made up of a central hot spot, and wider flood area, different designs give different proportions. My Olight Warrior X pro is 2100 lumens with a big head and tight beam, a lot brighter than a car's headlights, and can light up things several hundred yards away. The Warrior mini is about 1700lumens, pretty close, but a smaller lens with more dispersion, it lights up a wider area, but has less than 1/2 the range of the larger Warrior X. It also has several modes, and 5 brightness settings. The Obulb is only 4-55 lumens but is round and will light up an entire room in soft light. Battery life is also dependent on output, the big heat sink of the warrior X sheds heat, but can only keep full brightness for a few minutes, the mini can stay on for 45 days at it's lowest setting.

    20210305_150719.jpg
     

    ezracer

    Certified Gun Nut
    Jul 27, 2012
    4,761
    Behind enemy lines...
    NINE!
    From top to bottom:

    UTG Weapon lights (2) 300 lms
    ASP Guardian (1) 300 lms
    Streamlight ProTac 2L-X (4) 500/40 lms
    Bell & Howell TacLight (2) Lumens ??? guessing 250

    As above I only use rechargeable Lithiums. NO ALKALINES !!!
    Alkalines are garbage and LEAK, especially the Duracell junk.
    I have spare Lithiums charged and ready to use just in case. Every battery operated device in my house has Lithiums

    I do keep ~15 new Alkalines as spares for emergency use.
     

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    Bob A

    όυ φροντισ
    MDS Supporter
    Patriot Picket
    Nov 11, 2009
    30,687
    I've developed a real dislike for the flashlights with multiple programs; high, low, superhigh, strobe, extra buttons for specific features etc. Can't keep them all straight, accidental reprogramming of the sequence renders them useless when you need them quickly . . . just too many gimmicks and bells and whistles.

    Oddly enough, that's the same issue I have with most computer programs; constantly adding new crap that I don't need or want, sucking up memory and cpu cycles. I guess it's a generational thing.

    Now that LED technology is commonplace, no need for the older lights; a drawer full of stuff that uses big clunky batteries and crappy incandescent bulbs. So those don't count. The little ones that need to be recharged through USB ports are a PITA too, though my wife likes her little Olights.

    I've given up on Olight. The only time I can buy one is during flash sales, then the one I really want is seldom available, and their site is also unpleasant to use. Why not just make is simple, stupid, and sell me what I want, when I want it? I know, asking too much. You kids like the excitement of flash sales, so that's what they give you.

    Time to bitch about almost every new site; side-by-side comparisons of the products,with easy to read charts, are no longer in use, apparently. I now have to dig and dig, taking notes as I go along, trying to see which items have specs that best suit my needs. Much more fun to load up a lot of pictures, and make the important info subservient to the flashy illustrations.

    So, mostly Surefire; usually no more that two modes, though accessing them varies by model. Super sturdy construction, and super customer service. Their site is still a PITA for info content, but not as bad as most. (Except the suppressors. Jeez, guys, lay it out in one place, all together. You can do it if you try. Of course, it does give me something to do while I wait a year for BATF to sell me a stamp).
     

    StanleyJobson

    Banned
    BANNED!!!
    Sep 28, 2021
    99
    Even thought I've been recently buying Olights you cannot go wrong with Surefire or Streamlights. Never had a problem with either.
     

    Michigander08

    ridiculous and psychotic
    MDS Supporter
    May 29, 2017
    7,685
    Tell me when was the last time you need to use your flashlight?

    I can't remember how long ago I used it. One time due to loss of electricity for about 30 minutes in the house. Other time I was at an open house astronomy thing where I need to put on red filter flashlight or I trip over something. It was years ago.
     

    chrisflhtc

    Active Member
    Jan 28, 2010
    980
    Hagerstown
    I use a flashlight every day. I am getting older and extra light always helps. I have a light on me 24/7 I usually have at east 4 on me if I am dressed. And many nearby if I am at home or in my truck.
    I have way too many flashlights and there will be some sales+karma's on the way.
    C
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,729
    Socialist State of Maryland
    Tell me when was the last time you need to use your flashlight?

    I can't remember how long ago I used it. One time due to loss of electricity for about 30 minutes in the house. Other time I was at an open house astronomy thing where I need to put on red filter flashlight or I trip over something. It was years ago.

    When you get older, you will be using it more. I use it to read bronze cemetery plaques that have not been cleaned in years, finding a small tool in my range bag, looking down the bore to see if it is leaded, walking the dog in the dark. There are hundreds of reasons where a light comes in handy. ;)
     

    engineerbrian

    JMB fan club
    Sep 3, 2010
    10,148
    Fredneck
    Tell me when was the last time you need to use your flashlight?

    I can't remember how long ago I used it. One time due to loss of electricity for about 30 minutes in the house. Other time I was at an open house astronomy thing where I need to put on red filter flashlight or I trip over something. It was years ago.

    Everyday. I carry a light with me everywhere I go and use it numerous times a day, mostly at work.
     

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