T-Bone Posted October 9, 2015 Report Posted October 9, 2015 Looking to get a nicer tactical flashlight than the Ultrafire cheapie I have now and researching on the web is a vortex of contradicting info. I figure with all the hunters and night fishing done by the members here there would be some good recommendations to be had. I'm not looking to spend more than $50 (maybe a bit more if necessary) on it as these things can get up to $200 in the blink of an eye. Optimal balance between cost, reliability, and lumens would be great. As always, I appreciate the insights in advance. Thanks.
Raf Posted October 9, 2015 Report Posted October 9, 2015 (edited) i have the nitecore ea41, happy with it. 2015 model is marketed as 1020 lumens. runs on 4aa's i have another that runs off 18650s that I prefer but they are specialized bastteries decide what batteries you want to run off of and go from there. Edited October 9, 2015 by Raf
porkpie Posted October 9, 2015 Report Posted October 9, 2015 Why tactical? Costco usually sells a 3 pack of "tactical lights" for $20-25. I have some older ones that didn't have all the bells and whistles, and they are still going strong. I wish they'd bring in some more non tactical flashlights..
DRIFTER_016 Posted October 9, 2015 Report Posted October 9, 2015 I have a Garrison Heavy Duty LED flash light that was inexpensive and has performed really well now for years. I bought it @ CT but I see it is no longer available. They do have a new model with 3 watt LED which if as good as the old 1 watt one I have would be an excellent investment. http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/garrison-3w-cree-flashlight-0650059p.html#.VhfgVBFViko
dave524 Posted October 9, 2015 Report Posted October 9, 2015 I've got a 3 D cell Maglite that dates from the late 70's, better flashlights out there now , but from a tactical standpoint you definitely wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of a crack on the head, lives in a handy spot for noises in the night.
porkpie Posted October 9, 2015 Report Posted October 9, 2015 Lol... That's true, the old 3D mag is the most "tactical" flashlight out there.
ckewley Posted October 9, 2015 Report Posted October 9, 2015 What Porkpie said, I bought a 3 pack of Duracell tactical looking flash lights 550 or 800 lumens can't remember, came with batteries for $20.00 at Costco, think it is a 5w LED.
Pigeontroller Posted October 9, 2015 Report Posted October 9, 2015 Check out the 'Police Security' line-up that Walmart carries.
porkpie Posted October 9, 2015 Report Posted October 9, 2015 (edited) Check out the 'Police Security' line-up that Walmart carries. They're not bad, I have the mid size in my jacket pocket at work. So far I haven't been able to break it. I bought it specifically because despite the name it wasn't too tactical, and just had hi low and pulse, with no face masher on the back or around the lense. Edited October 9, 2015 by porkpie
SirCranksalot Posted October 13, 2015 Report Posted October 13, 2015 What the heck is a 'tactical' flashlight?
John Bacon Posted October 13, 2015 Report Posted October 13, 2015 What the heck is a 'tactical' flashlight? Well here is the Wikipedia definition: "A tactical light is a flashlight used in conjunction with a firearm to aid low light target identification, allowing the marksman to simultaneously aim and illuminate the target. Tactical lights can be handheld or mounted to the weapon with the light beam parallel to the bore. Tactical lights also serve a role as a method of non-lethal force, used to temporarily blind and disorient targets.[1][2] Features particularly associated with tactical lights include shock resistance, reliability, lightweight and powerful batteries, and high light intensity. Tactical lights may have optional filters to produce colored light, or may emit only infrared radiation for use with night vision equipment. A sighting laser may also be added to a weapon-mounted tactical light."
Ainsley Posted October 15, 2015 Report Posted October 15, 2015 I like jetbeam flashlights. They hit a good price/value point for me. I like surefire as well but their pricing is quite a bit higher. That said my most used light is my zebralight headlamp.
Shloim Posted October 16, 2015 Report Posted October 16, 2015 Ive found that you can lose an expensive light just as easily as a less expensive one....
Fang Posted October 16, 2015 Report Posted October 16, 2015 Agree with Drifter, my house, boat and hunting packs are full of the Garrison 150 Lumen flashlight. They sell them under the Mastercraft label now and the POWER METAL model is on sale this week for $14.99 - great compact flashlight and very durable. I also have a couple of LED Lenser lights I bought from Lowes Hardware on sale. The PR14 at $70 is an awesome flashlight especially when it goes on sale for $40 (what I paid) 350 Lumen on 4 AA batteries. Lights up half the lake and you can focus the beam.
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