Question LED Flashlights

[Neal]

Okay folks, I want the bestest LED flashlight out there. Walking a dog I want no surprises. Something rechargeable would be ideal. Here's my credit card. Ready set go!

 

[Akdare]

I have a few different ones...but for dog walking, you can’t beat this...

H600Fd Mk IV-H600Fd Mk IV 18650 XHP50.2 Floody 5000K High CR

www.zebralight.com

Can be used as a flashlight or headlamp, super bright. Uses 18650 batteries, very common size for flashlights. Batteries charge outside of the flashlight.

These are the batteries I like:

Samsung 30Q 18650 3000mAh 15A Battery

Samsung Battery - Samsung 30Q 18650 3000mAh 15A Battery

www.imrbatteries.com

And the charger...

Nitecore D4 4 Channel Digital Battery Charger

Nitecore Charger - Nitecore D4 4 Channel Digital Battery Charger

www.imrbatteries.com

This charger can also be used for most any size rechargeable lithium batteries...

My wife has this one...uses 3 x 18650’s, and can blind someone in the next state; it could also be used as a weapon.

SUNWAYMAN LED Flashlights - Official North American Distributor SUNWAYLED

www.sunwayman-usa.com

you can also get a plug in charger for the sunwayman

Sunwayman Charge Base AP06

Shop Sunwayman Charge Base | Be The First To Review Sunwayman Charge Base + Free Shipping over $49.

www.opticsplanet.com

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

I'm pretty "old school" when it comes to flashlights. Rechargeable is great...until you find it dead. Recharging takes too long. With a D-cell (or AA/AAA) model, you just toss in a couple of new batteries and you are good to go. Here's what we carry in our coach.

MagLight (2 D-cell model with LED lamp):

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000XT5616/?tag=rvf01-20

Petzl Tikka XP headlamp. (Can use alkaline or rechargeable AAA batteries, LED lamp)

Amazon.com: Petzl Tikka XP Headlamp Lighting Orange: Sports & Outdoors

For things I use in potential emergency situations, I like the "simple is best" approach. BTW, the MagLite also provides a secondary emergency use as an effective baton if you get surprised.

TJ

 

[RKins]

I use a small Intova scuba diving LED flashlight - super bright, waterproof, anodized aluminum but it's not rechargeable. It uses CR123A batteries which seem to last a year.
Tovatec IFL 660-R Torch, 430 Lumens Light

 

[NWIP]

When camping with the boys when they were young finding a flashlight that had any usable light left was a challenge. Boys decided they would repay me now that they are older and got me a Streamlight Pro-Tac which is rechargeable. 30 hours use, bright, waterproof, drop proof and anodized aluminum. Great light

Streamlight ProTac 2L X Flashlight

The Streamlight ProTac 2L X Flashlight is a compact, ultra-bright flashlight that is ideal for your everyday carry setup.

lapolicegear.com

 

[CaptainGizmo]

TK20R Tactical Rechargeable Light

Fenix TK20R USB Rechargeable Flashlight - Fenix Lighting

The Fenix TK20R micro-USB rechargeable flashlight delivers a maximum beam distance of over 1000 feet (310m) with a maximum output of 1000 lumens.

www.fenixlighting.com

Blinding bright - self defense

Expensive, and it's your money I'm spending!

You're welcome.

 

[Neal]

It looks like 1000 lumens is about the brightest I'm seeing. Are flashlight manufacturers limited by something?

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=1000+lum...flas,aps,324&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_15&tag=rvf01-20

 

[JoeHogan]

Manufacturers claims, especially on non regulated specs, in my opinion have proven to be suspect. On Amazon there are a wide variety of claims of Lumen output.

We have used Streamlight products over the years and have been pleased. If you get a very bright flashlight be sure that the output is adjustable. The very bright settings are useless for general purposes.

I have a few different Streamlight flashlights, a ProTac X for distance, or Self defense, and a smaller carry pocket model for general purposes.

Regarding rechargeable vs non- rechargeable, you will want to understand the various battery chemistries to get the best for your application. A good source of info I found is Secondary (Rechargeable) Batteries – Battery University


After many tries with rechargeable batteries, we end up using standard Amazon Basic primary cells and carry spares. Just easier and more reliable.

 

[Neal]

What is the highest lumen flashlight anyone can find?

 

[Akdare]

SUNWAYMAN LED Flashlights - Official North American Distributor SUNWAYLED

www.sunwayman-usa.com

2400 lumens... but remember, that’s only for a very short period of time, for 2 reasons. 1) battery life 2) heat. If I use my 900 lumen Sunwayman for longer than 10-15 minutes, the light-end will burn you. Not sure why you’d need more lumens, unless you’re in search & rescue.

@JoeHogan , I agree with you totally about the rechargeable AA & AAA’s...but the 18650’s are superb...

Flashlights are a rabbit hole...there are entire forums on brands, batteries, LED technologies, cool vs. warm, spot vs. flood, etc. Makes the Freightliner vs Spartan debate look tame.

 

[JoeHogan]

If I use my 900 lumen Sunwayman for longer than 10-15 minutes, the light-end will burn you.

Yes I forgot about that detail. The flash light gets very hot quickly at high settings as well as quickly using available power.

 

[Neal]

Okay, I may be able to affect climate change with this one!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FKF9ML6/?tag=rvf01-20

 

[ARD]

I love flashlights...never can have too many. I carry in my purse/jacket pocket the Fenix PD22. I also have a Surefire E2D LED Defender from learning to shoot firearms in low light conditions. I like walking pups with that one for the light and as a potential bludgeoning weapon (lol), but it is not as bright as my Fenix PD35 TAC which is my go to flashlight if my PD22 is not in my pocket. I really became frustrated with always buying the CR 123A batteries all the time, so I bought the Arlo CR Rechargeable Batteries with Battery Charger. It works great so far.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WVVDQ8G/?tag=rvf01-20

 

[JoeHogan]

Based on the discussion here I am considering this for general pocket flash light .. Amazon.com: Olight S30R III 1050 Lumens EDC LED Rechargeable Flashlight with Magnetic Charging Dock and LumenTac Premium Holster: Sports & Outdoors

 

[Akdare]

Based on the discussion here I am considering this for general pocket flash light .. Amazon.com: Olight S30R III 1050 Lumens EDC LED Rechargeable Flashlight with Magnetic Charging Dock and LumenTac Premium Holster: Sports & Outdoors

Olight is a good brand...and I really like the 18650 battery format for flashlights.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

And, with the 2000 Lumens model, you can also cook your hot dog (or fingers) in turbo mode.

TJ

 

[CaptainGizmo]

To help Illuminate the subject...oh geez, sorry...couldn't resist...

The problem with "specs", is most companies CHEAT!!! Just as with headlights, LUMENS is only a BRAG-point, if the focus and distribution isn't top-notch.

I've had many discussions/arguments from the "younger cheaper" kids about off-road CHINESE LED lights being "so cheap" off Amazon. They buy their $75 light bar and laugh at my Baja Designs for a bunch more....until I flip the switch, and continue to do so years later.

So, the TOP brands (like Streamlight, Fenix, etc.) don't play the numbers game as much. They're quality products.

That said....the junkie throw-away C-cells from Costco are pretty stupid bright...LOL. So forget everything I just said.

 

[RKins]

The Intova light I posted about is only about 450-475 Lumens but the focus is pretty narrow and she's plenty bright.

 

[Neal]

This company popped up in the ads on this site (RVF supporters can't see the ads) and looks interesting. Some powerful flashlights, pricey, but that's fine. Saw one with 12000 lumens!

Flashlights - Shop Brightest Most Powerful LED Flashlights - Fenix Lighting

Best flashlights on the market. Fenix flashlights are the brighest, high lumen, rechargeble LED flashlights. We have everything from EDC to tactical.

www.fenixlighting.com

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Felix offers some interesting high-end flashlights. I don't quite get the quest for mega-lumens, however. A well designed 800-900 lumen flashlight lights things up very well without producing a lot of heat. YMMV

TJ