tactical flashlight question - The Firearms Forum

sydsdaddy · 02-09-2009, 06:46 PM

Hi all I am in the market for a tactical flashlight to keep in my nightstand with my gun. I was wondering what recommendations you guys may have. I am not going to spend $300.00 on a flashlight, so lets keep it in the realm of reality. Im just wanting some opinions on a what type you may use and why you would recommend it. Thanks in advance.

Bill DeShivs · 02-09-2009, 07:08 PM

For a nightstand light, the DeLight works exceptionally well. It's brighter than most of the "tactical lights".
It can be found on my web site.

GojuBrian · 02-09-2009, 09:21 PM

You can find a good flashlight that won't break your budget at most outdoor outlets or retail stores. They just don't have the word 'tactical' attached to them, but they woork fine.

21bravo · 02-09-2009, 09:44 PM

i have a Surefire G2 LED flashlight that i keep in the bed side table with my xd. i paid roughly 70 dollars for it. it is the best "tactical" size flashlight ive ever owned. its extremely bright and you can also see much farther than with regular l.e.d. flashlights. (i like the 3 d-cell maglite pretty good for a bigger light) i wont every own any small size flashlight that isnt a Surefire. i debated on spending that much on a flashlight for a long time while a vol. firefighter friend of mine kept swearing by his. he owns 3 different Surefire's and has another on the way from the factory. if that tells ya how much he loves them.

hope to have helped

pickenup · 02-09-2009, 11:58 PM

Go with a LED, not a bulb.
I will next time.
I had to replace the bulb on my Surefire Z2.

TranterUK · 02-10-2009, 05:33 AM

I say go with a Surefire.

I have four and used them a great deal. They have been dropped, stood on, crushed, got wet, had weird chemicals get on them, been in the heat of 40 plus and the cold of -10, they just keep going. And you dont need to spend $300.00!

oscarmayer · 02-10-2009, 06:02 AM

can't go wrong with a surefire, top quality and handy. but if you want to hold down the price abit there is nothing wrong going "old school" get a maglite.

carver · 02-10-2009, 07:36 AM

Buy a Mag Lite, LED, 2 D cells. It is very bright, and can also be used as a striking weapon if need be. Around $35.

thakidc · 02-10-2009, 09:44 AM

I got a flashlight from walmart for 20 bucks made by coleman, 115 lumens for 2hrs, max distance 65m, uses two CR2 batteries. one piece aluminum body, 1in tube. Only downside non-focusable beam and non replaceable bulbs. Plan on mounting it to my Sub2000 seems well built, very very bright!

johnc · 02-10-2009, 10:44 AM

The new LeatherMan flashlight is great, and the price is right. It is small but puts out alot of light. About $24 at COSCO.

Bill DeShivs · 02-10-2009, 01:57 PM

None of these recommendations is as bright as the DeLight. It's not a tactical light-just an extremely bright LED light with focusable beam that uses commonly available AAA batteries. Cost is $43.00. Almost everyone who has bought one was so amazed that they bought more immediately.
Surefires are good, expensive lights.

delta13soultaker · 02-10-2009, 03:01 PM

Wellllllllllllllllll....these lights again.

You can get a Surefire G2 for $40 from places like Patriot. As Bill mentioned above however on the AAA batteries, your Surefires need 123A lithium batteries. (Never buy a Surefire that isn't included with batteries...)

The $300 light thing...that's either really high end Surefire or Phoebus lights. Most people absolutely don't need lights like those. A great Surefire costs $70 at most and will outlast the owner unless you're doing room entry training every night for several months (I have worn the switches out on some Surefires...both the remotes and bodies too, but it took 6+ months.)

A friend of mine a year+ ago pulled out this little rubber coated cool-guy LED light...was bright as hell. Easily as bright as a good Surefire. I asked what it was and where from. Wal-mart $15-ish. I found one by the fishing gear, bought some AAA, put it together in the car...damn thing didn't work. I found it the other day under a seat in the car while vacuuming. Still junk. You usually get what you pay for.

JakeArnold · 02-10-2009, 04:52 PM

Hey Sydsdaddy,
I found a tactical LED flashlight I like much better than the the Surefire or anything else. It's a bad-a## light with a powerful zoom feature that shoots the light about a quarter mile. You can get it at LEDinsiderhttp://www.LEDinsider.com for only $49. It's called the Zoom-Lite and it is very light and compact (4 inches). 
The Zoom is an amazing feature - it gives you a very wide bright flood light or when it zooms, it gives you an AMAZINGLY BRIGHT focused light that penetrates through smoke and fog. It’s even waterproof. 
The Zoom-Lite is great for military or tactical or police or fire, or just for safety and self-defense for anyone. 
Good luck. Jake

delta13soultaker · 02-10-2009, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JakeArnold

AMAZINGLY BRIGHT focused light that penetrates through smoke and fog.

Even the sun cannot make light bright enough to "penetrate" smoke and fog. This is a catch 22; The brighter the light, the worse it works in such conditions.

Terry_P · 02-11-2009, 09:52 PM

I got the Surefire Executive Elite and have been real happy with it.

Bill DeShivs · 02-12-2009, 12:05 AM

JakeArnold
The light you mentioned is the same as my DeLight.
Mine doesn't come with a fancy box, but it's only $43.00, shipped.

Rockchucker · 02-12-2009, 03:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 21bravo

i have a Surefire G2 LED flashlight that i keep in the bed side table with my xd. i paid roughly 70 dollars for it. it is the best "tactical" size flashlight ive ever owned. its extremely bright and you can also see much farther than with regular l.e.d. flashlights. (i like the 3 d-cell maglite pretty good for a bigger light) i wont every own any small size flashlight that isnt a Surefire. i debated on spending that much on a flashlight for a long time while a vol. firefighter friend of mine kept swearing by his. he owns 3 different Surefire's and has another on the way from the factory. if that tells ya how much he loves them.

hope to have helped

Shelf life on Surefire 123 batteries is10 years or longer. I own two, one on the night stand and one for every day use. Haven't upgraded up to the led lens yet but may try to later.

TranterUK · 02-12-2009, 06:13 AM

While the old Police saying is true, 'the longer you are on the force the smaller your flashlight gets' Its also true the good four cell Maglites can make a great club.

Freeman · 02-22-2009, 11:27 AM

I'm having a shotgun built and adding a Surefire LED light ($270 ouch!) but from what I understand most people say Surefire is the way to go because most lights just can't survive the recoil of the 12 Ga. Any opinions?

02-09-2009, 06:46 PM	#1
sydsdaddy Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 19	tactical flashlight question Hi all I am in the market for a tactical flashlight to keep in my nightstand with my gun. I was wondering what recommendations you guys may have. I am not going to spend $300.00 on a flashlight, so lets keep it in the realm of reality. Im just wanting some opinions on a what type you may use and why you would recommend it. Thanks in advance. -->

02-09-2009, 07:08 PM	#2
Bill DeShivs Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Contributor Posts: 1,470	Re: tactical flashlight question For a nightstand light, the DeLight works exceptionally well. It's brighter than most of the "tactical lights". It can be found on my web site. __________________ Bill DeShivs www.billdeshivs.com

02-09-2009, 09:21 PM	#3
GojuBrian Former Guest Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Arkansas Posts: 62	Re: tactical flashlight question You can find a good flashlight that won't break your budget at most outdoor outlets or retail stores. They just don't have the word 'tactical' attached to them, but they woork fine.

02-09-2009, 09:44 PM	#4
21bravo Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: wilkes county, nc Posts: 790	Re: tactical flashlight question i have a Surefire G2 LED flashlight that i keep in the bed side table with my xd. i paid roughly 70 dollars for it. it is the best "tactical" size flashlight ive ever owned. its extremely bright and you can also see much farther than with regular l.e.d. flashlights. (i like the 3 d-cell maglite pretty good for a bigger light) i wont every own any small size flashlight that isnt a Surefire. i debated on spending that much on a flashlight for a long time while a vol. firefighter friend of mine kept swearing by his. he owns 3 different Surefire's and has another on the way from the factory. if that tells ya how much he loves them. hope to have helped

02-09-2009, 11:58 PM	#5
pickenup Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains Posts: 6,838	Re: tactical flashlight question Go with a LED, not a bulb. I will next time. I had to replace the bulb on my Surefire Z2. __________________ The gene pool needs chlorine

02-10-2009, 05:33 AM	#6
TranterUK Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 5,103	Re: tactical flashlight question I say go with a Surefire. I have four and used them a great deal. They have been dropped, stood on, crushed, got wet, had weird chemicals get on them, been in the heat of 40 plus and the cold of -10, they just keep going. And you dont need to spend $300.00! __________________ DVC - Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas - Accuracy, Power, Speed. The light at the end of the recession tunnel IS a train coming the other way!

02-10-2009, 06:02 AM	#7
oscarmayer Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Contributor Posts: 2,387	Re: tactical flashlight question can't go wrong with a surefire, top quality and handy. but if you want to hold down the price abit there is nothing wrong going "old school" get a maglite.

02-10-2009, 07:36 AM	#8
carver TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: DAV, Deep in the Pineywoods of East Texas, just west of Shreveport, LA Contributor Posts: 11,288	Re: tactical flashlight question Buy a Mag Lite, LED, 2 D cells. It is very bright, and can also be used as a striking weapon if need be. Around $35. __________________ Y'all be safe now, ya hear! Lamentations Chapter 5: 1. Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach. 2. Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. 3. We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers [are] as widows. 5. Our necks [are] under persecution: we labour, [and] have no rest. 16. The crown is fallen [from] our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned! 21. Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.

02-10-2009, 09:44 AM	#9
thakidc Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Lockport, NY Posts: 35	Re: tactical flashlight question I got a flashlight from walmart for 20 bucks made by coleman, 115 lumens for 2hrs, max distance 65m, uses two CR2 batteries. one piece aluminum body, 1in tube. Only downside non-focusable beam and non replaceable bulbs. Plan on mounting it to my Sub2000 seems well built, very very bright!

02-10-2009, 10:44 AM	#10
johnc Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 7	Re: tactical flashlight question The new LeatherMan flashlight is great, and the price is right. It is small but puts out alot of light. About $24 at COSCO.

02-10-2009, 01:57 PM	#11
Bill DeShivs Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Contributor Posts: 1,470	Re: tactical flashlight question None of these recommendations is as bright as the DeLight. It's not a tactical light-just an extremely bright LED light with focusable beam that uses commonly available AAA batteries. Cost is $43.00. Almost everyone who has bought one was so amazed that they bought more immediately. Surefires are good, expensive lights. __________________ Bill DeShivs www.billdeshivs.com

02-10-2009, 03:01 PM	#12
delta13soultaker Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Depends on Uncle Sam's whim every 3 yrs. Posts: 2,948	Re: tactical flashlight question Wellllllllllllllllll....these lights again. You can get a Surefire G2 for $40 from places like Patriot. As Bill mentioned above however on the AAA batteries, your Surefires need 123A lithium batteries. (Never buy a Surefire that isn't included with batteries...) The $300 light thing...that's either really high end Surefire or Phoebus lights. Most people absolutely don't need lights like those. A great Surefire costs $70 at most and will outlast the owner unless you're doing room entry training every night for several months (I have worn the switches out on some Surefires...both the remotes and bodies too, but it took 6+ months.) A friend of mine a year+ ago pulled out this little rubber coated cool-guy LED light...was bright as hell. Easily as bright as a good Surefire. I asked what it was and where from. Wal-mart $15-ish. I found one by the fishing gear, bought some AAA, put it together in the car...damn thing didn't work. I found it the other day under a seat in the car while vacuuming. Still junk. You usually get what you pay for. __________________ Never say die! "A nation who forgets its defenders is soon forgotten itself." "A good shot must necessarily be a good man since the essence of good marksmanship is self-control and self-control is the essential quality of a good man." – Theodore Roosevelt

02-10-2009, 04:52 PM	#13
JakeArnold Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1	Re: tactical flashlight question Hey Sydsdaddy, I found a tactical LED flashlight I like much better than the the Surefire or anything else. It's a bad-a## light with a powerful zoom feature that shoots the light about a quarter mile. You can get it at LEDinsiderhttp://www.LEDinsider.com for only $49. It's called the Zoom-Lite and it is very light and compact (4 inches).  The Zoom is an amazing feature - it gives you a very wide bright flood light or when it zooms, it gives you an AMAZINGLY BRIGHT focused light that penetrates through smoke and fog. It’s even waterproof.  The Zoom-Lite is great for military or tactical or police or fire, or just for safety and self-defense for anyone.  Good luck. Jake

02-11-2009, 09:52 PM	#15
Terry_P Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NH Posts: 2,513	Re: tactical flashlight question I got the Surefire Executive Elite and have been real happy with it. __________________ NRA and NAHC Life "Both oligarch and tyrant mistrust the people, and therefore deprive them of their arms." -Aristotle

02-12-2009, 12:05 AM	#16
Bill DeShivs Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Contributor Posts: 1,470	Re: tactical flashlight question JakeArnold The light you mentioned is the same as my DeLight. Mine doesn't come with a fancy box, but it's only $43.00, shipped. __________________ Bill DeShivs www.billdeshivs.com

02-12-2009, 06:13 AM	#18
TranterUK Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 5,103	Re: tactical flashlight question While the old Police saying is true, 'the longer you are on the force the smaller your flashlight gets' Its also true the good four cell Maglites can make a great club. __________________ DVC - Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas - Accuracy, Power, Speed. The light at the end of the recession tunnel IS a train coming the other way!

02-22-2009, 11:27 AM	#19
Freeman Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 5	Re: tactical flashlight question I'm having a shotgun built and adding a Surefire LED light ($270 ouch!) but from what I understand most people say Surefire is the way to go because most lights just can't survive the recoil of the 12 Ga. Any opinions?