new flashlights, Fenix,Eagle,surefire?

[garyrnr]

Anyone have experience with any new high-tec flashlights, I'm looking for something small, and powerful that runs on AA. do the blood trackers work, or are they a gimmick. Any advice appreciated

[SkookumHntr]

I wouldnt get a surefire, the battery life sucks and getting the batteries can be a pain in the ass! What I did this year was I got all new stuff completly that took AA Bateries, 2flashlights, GPS , Walkie talkies, that way I just by a brick of batteries and Im good for quite awhile on all my electronic stuff. Worked for me! Wholesale sports had a good selection of lights that took AA Batteries, alot better then Cabelas.

[garyrnr]

I am also trying to do the same,  standardize my batteries, Fenix has some lights that perform well on AA.I have heard good things about surefire as well.I'll have to take a look at a few.

[Machias]

do the blood trackers work, or are they a gimmick.

I used one last month on a archery kill down in MO and it did not show up at all for me.  I don't know which model I was using as it was borrowed, but I could even see the blood using the light, changed to a nice powerful headlamp and could see the blood really well.  I was able to find my deer....with the headlamp.

[CAMPMEAT]

Get a flashlight with nickel cadmium ( I think that's how you spell it ) batteries with LED. I've got a Streamlight Polystinger rechargeable for home or truck. Beats the crap out of anything with AA batteries. Bright som bitch ! I use it everday and it is the best flashlight I have......period. About $125, shop around.

[mazama]

I have bought several lights all led some aa,aaa, the newer lifhts have the cree led light with 3aaa it lasts about 4 hrs, a regular led is double that,the cree bulb is very bright,i test all of them in a pitch black warehouse 200ft long,also mini mag has come out with one with a cree bulb and aa batery.

[garyrnr]

Thank for the info, I will look into all.

[BuckHunter23]

Buddy of mine picked up a small Smith&Wesson M&P tactical flashlight from Sportco in Fife.  Around $50 and is great.  Getting one myself actually.  Very small, really bright and takes AA batteries.

[thinkingman]

I have Cabelas Cree 80 lumen light that runs on 2 AA's.
Very bright and sturdy.
Not as focused as the Luxeon bulbs but don't have to reload $5 worth of 123 batteries, either.
I don't miss my Luxeons.
Haven't tried the blood tracker lights.
Cabelas light is $20.

[Cylvertip]

Costco was selling three packs of ChiCom led tac lights for around $20 - 160 lumen with multiple settings including strobe.  Take 3 AAA batt's and O-ring sealed.   

[jgregg]

I own a Fenix PD-30. The highest setting gives you 265 lumens of light which is 125 lumens more than the comparing surefire and 120$ less. Surefire's are great lights but you are paying a lot for the name. The fenix has low, medium, high, Super high, and Super high strobe settings. Run time is decently good on the low setting and it offers plenty of light for camp chores and what not. The LED has a good mix of spotlight and flood beam. It runs on the Nickel Cadium batteries which are a bit spendy (6$ for 2) but their performance is well worth the buy. Unlike alkaline batteries, the energy they put out does not slowly fade as you use it, but rather stays consistent and then dies very fast. In other words, you have a good, strong beam of light until the last 15 minutes or so until it dies. I would recommend fenix gear from my experiences. Waterproof as well. The Aluminum housing is very tough. Definately reccommended!

[thebeavertailwhap]

is that they are amazing..
You can get the C3 technology from them in the Stealth Jr..
About $40, and outshines a Maglite by about 80%
Check them out on the web, and see what you think as far as price..
Several people stock them, including Electronic Resoucing in Tumwater, to CED and Rainier Lighting in Lakewood..
I don't know where you are located, but I am sure there is a full line electrical wholesaler close to you who handles Streamlight..
They are the best I have ever seen.
Regards,
The Whap

[follow maggie]

I like the Streanlight, too.  They're a good light and make several that run on AA.  I'm not sure if SureFire makes a light that runs on AA.  All the ones I've seen use the 3 volt lithiums, which are expensive, have short lives and can be hard to find.  They're good lights, though, if you don't mind the batteries.

[uncoolperson]

may not be crazy high tech.... but I'm way happy with my gerber omnivore, AA, AAA, or CR123

[Bob33]

I have all three and like the Fenix models best.  Bright, durable, less expensive battery options.

[MtnMuley]

Thanks for the info jgregg.  I was just in the market for a new compact light, and went with the Fenix PD-30.  Upon comparing them with Surefire, the decision seemed easy for me.  A third the price, equal reviews, and more high end lumens.....

[Tony 270]

I got some from CostCo, comes in a two-pack and only $20 for both.

Here it is

[Instinct]

I'm happy wth my surefire g2. Only problem was I chose od green n lost it in the woods when it fell out of my pocket while dropin a log on a campin trip  but other than that I find em awsome. However if u go wth the higher end models then battery life goes to crap quick.

[mazama]

Those lights from costco are very bright,mine lasted 4hrs with light left on i was testing how long batteries would last,it is brighter than i actually need to walk through woods at night,takes 3aaa. tried new mini maglight it has new bulb,high,low strobe and 2AA also brighter than it needs to be for nifht walking also both penetrated through trees.

[jgregg]

Glad to hear Mtnmuley! Mine's been treating me well.

[Skyvalhunter]

Hey what ever happened to the flashlight man we had on here that did all the flashlight testing?

[MtnMuley]

If it's the guy I'm thinking of, he built his own lights.  I thought of him when I ordered my light.  I'm sure somebody can get a link to his older posts.

[CAMPMEAT]

I got some from CostCo, comes in a two-pack and only $20 for both.

Here it is

Tony, Tony, Tony

I bought one of those and they don't even compare to the Surefire I bought for $60. I put the Cree in my ATV pack. Not very bright or
reliable. I hate to say it, but they are junk. I did research on the Cree ang figured it would be a good glove compartment light since it got good reviews. Sorry man, just my opion.

Campmeat

[Tony 270]

So comparing a $10 light (each) against a $60 light? 

Don't know how much light you need to walk down a path, but these are more than bright enough for any walking I do.

[Tony 270]

For the diehard Surefire fans, was just looking at the Lacey Cabela's flyer and they have the G2 LED for only $40 right now.

[addicted]

I got some from CostCo, comes in a two-pack and only $20 for both.

Here it is

i have 2 sets of these. I say they are better than the surefires as far as usefulness and longevity of performence.

They are bright.  they dont have the lumens of a surefire but i can light up accross a feild with a nice bright white light. probably 100 yards no problem.
The batteries last longer than surefires and are cheaper. AAA's.   The batteries last longer because the LED sips battery power and you have 3 settings. medium, bright, and strobe. These lights kick ass.  they have a computer chip that keeps the light bright to the end of the batter instead of dimming as battery power dies. The low power indicator is cool too.

I had a surefire for a bit and i wasnt too dissapointed when it dissapeared on me. batteries are expensive. bulb burns hot. battery would drain if it was set standing up. 

keep one in my pack, one in my truck, and a couple around the house.

if you want a good read on which light to get youve got to look at watchmakers thread.  He is a flashlight nut.

[mazama]

I have a question,how much do the batteries cost for the shurefire and how many hours of run time do you get.

[Ridgeratt]

I just got a 3 pack of them at costco tonite for 19.99 with batteries.
and these use 3a's
cheap to run

[addicted]

I just got a 3 pack of them at costco tonite for 19.99 with batteries.
and these use 3a's
cheap to run

makes me cringe every time i see them in the store 

[Black Plague]

I have a princeton tec apex pro headlamp that I really like...I like to have my hands free

[addicted]

headlights are the way to when it comes down to gutting.

[wildmanoutdoors]

I just got a new NEBO redline and WOW is all I can say! 220 lumens for one bulb and 4 hrs run time with 3 aaa's. Check out the reviews on these.

[MtnMuley]

Just got my backordered Fenix.  Absolutely, hands down, without a doubt:---- more impressed with this light than with the 3 times as expensive Surefire of the same class.  For me it's a hunting tool, not a combat tool.

[Big10gauge]

I sure like my Elusive technologies 250 Killlight