Looking for a great outdoors flashlight

Anthony · **on:** July 20, 2008, 05:48:32 PM

I might be camping again this summer and need a good reliable light. Last year I carried a 3AA Maglite LED and it was great, but found out after I got back that the Mag LEDs just "shut off" when the battery is dead instead of slowly getting dimmer..I really don't want to be on my way to the outhouse if it fails. I had a backup Fauxton in my pocket at night, but still..

So now I'm looking for the following features, and would like to get a solid American made light;

-A low light mode for around the camp/in the tent, and a high mode for walking in the pitch darkness.
-Something with good spill.
-LED.
-Something with decent runtimes.
-A recessed clicky tailcap switch.
-Under $100

Any suggestions?

Tarrodemierda · **Reply #1 on:** July 20, 2008, 05:53:00 PM

this is the topic i have to keep on eye since im planning to do same step from good ol´mags

Leatherman123 · **Reply #2 on:** July 20, 2008, 08:41:38 PM

I'd look into a Fenix L2D.. There are two versions, the CE and the Q5. And in my opinion, the Q5 is the better buy ( much brighter!) I would also recommend buying an L1D body so you have two flashlights!

EDIT- you can even buy the L2D CE and a E01 as a package deal for $56.50! Here's a link- https://www.4sevens.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_52&products_id=473

Tarrodemierda · **Reply #3 on:** July 20, 2008, 08:44:32 PM

thanks for the link man.

Leatherman123 · **Reply #4 on:** July 20, 2008, 08:53:35 PM

No problem!

Mike D · **Reply #5 on:** July 20, 2008, 10:11:30 PM

This little beauty: http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_disp/displ/prrfnbr/24263/sesent/00

Or for a few dollars more and a little more power and runtime:
http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_disp/displ/prrfnbr/24205/sesent/00

Rodion · **Reply #6 on:** July 20, 2008, 10:45:55 PM

I'm no flashaholic and this is my first quality purchase, but I wouldn't hesitate to drop everything and run into the woods with nothing but these.

Not the most comfortable to use and you have to turn the head way out of the "ON" mode to be safe. It actually spent several hours illuminating my pocket (don't know how long, but it got hot by the time I discovered) and hasn't gotten any dimmer, like its 3.5 hour advertised limit suggests. Has great balance of throw and spot; you can see the spot clearly and far away, even in a well-lit area. Also, it's got a little Victorinox logo on it. How cool is that?!

P.S. It also has the advantage of using cheap and easily replaceable batteries.

Anthony · **Reply #7 on:** July 20, 2008, 11:02:19 PM

I think I might pull the trigger on the E2L Outdoorsman...what's a good online place that would carry it?

I was looking at those earlier in the week to...looks like everything I want.

Mike D · **Reply #8 on:** July 20, 2008, 11:57:21 PM

I saw one on Ebay brand new for around 100 awhile back, but have no clue about the seller.

This place is reputable and you get some free batteries to boot, just make sure you check the box for the dual mode one before ordering.

http://www.batteryjunction.com/e2l-ha-wh-cree.html

If this will be your first Surefire you wont be disappointed, you truly get what you pay for everytime, plus their warranty is second to none.

edap617 · **Reply #9 on:** July 21, 2008, 12:04:04 AM

Based on you requirement I would also highly recommend Fenix L2D.

Mike D · **Reply #10 on:** July 21, 2008, 12:19:56 AM

No Chinese stuff, that's his first requirement.

Anthony · **Reply #11 on:** July 21, 2008, 12:29:18 AM

Quote from: Mike D on July 21, 2008, 12:19:56 AM

No Chinese stuff, that's his first requirement.

True, I'm pretty set on getting a Surefire, but down the line I might get a Fenix for EDC. I think I'd just trust a Surefire more.

That said, I haven't handled anything by either brand, so what do I know?

Benner · **Reply #12 on:** July 21, 2008, 12:37:08 AM

Fenix's quality is superb.

Mike D · **Reply #13 on:** July 21, 2008, 12:41:57 AM

There are plenty of pretty nice Chinese lights out there now for sure, but this is what will keep me buying Surefire products.

THE SUREFIRE NO-HASSLE GUARANTEE

Lamps will burn out and batteries will be used up.
Everything else is covered by our no-hassle guarantee:
If it breaks, we fix it.

If you find a great Chinese light dealer like the Fenix store, you should have no worries either.

nezza33 · **Reply #14 on:** July 21, 2008, 12:42:28 AM

How about a streamlight Twin-task.

Anthony · **Reply #15 on:** July 21, 2008, 01:12:09 AM

Quote from: nezza33 on July 21, 2008, 12:42:28 AM

How about a streamlight Twin-task.

I like the propolymer series a lot, I might get one of those down the line...but about 5 minutes ago I just bought a Surefire E2L from Batteryjunction.com

Rodion · **Reply #16 on:** July 21, 2008, 01:18:39 AM

Mazal Tov!

Anthony · **Reply #17 on:** July 21, 2008, 01:29:56 AM

Quote from: Rodion on July 21, 2008, 01:18:39 AM

Mazal Tov!

The best part is I should have it Tuesday!

If it ships UPS tomorrow from CT, I'll have it the next day here one state over in RI

I rarely spend more than $40 or so on "gear" so I'm pretty psyched.

Mike D · **Reply #18 on:** July 21, 2008, 03:23:23 AM

Very, very nice!

Leatherman123 · **Reply #19 on:** July 21, 2008, 03:26:52 AM

But for an outdoors light the Fenix L2D would have been MUCH better. It's brighter on turbo and it runs of cheap AA batteries! Oh, and just because Fenix lights are made in China doesn't mean they are low quality or cheap either.

prime77 · **Reply #20 on:** July 21, 2008, 07:51:33 AM

Quote

I like the propolymer series a lot, I might get one of those down the line...but about 5 minutes ago I just bought a Surefire E2L from Batteryjunction.com

Congratulations Corrugated on your new light. Nice choice for an outdoor light. I think you'll be pretty happy with it. I'd recommend getting a F04 diffuser before you head out into the woods. It'll turn your E2L into a great flood light. You can find them for around $14. Take a look at this thread on CPF http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=191607 to hold you over until yours arrives. You couldn't have made a better choice on runtime, over 5 hours of 100% output. Good choice.

edap617 · **Reply #21 on:** July 21, 2008, 08:10:30 AM

Quote from: Mike D on July 21, 2008, 12:19:56 AM

No Chinese stuff, that's his first requirement.

Sorry, I missed that. Disregard my suggestion.

Anthony · **Reply #22 on:** July 22, 2008, 12:26:34 AM

The Surefire shipped!!

Mike D · **Reply #23 on:** July 22, 2008, 04:59:33 AM

Quote from: prime77 on July 21, 2008, 07:51:33 AM

Quote
I like the propolymer series a lot, I might get one of those down the line...but about 5 minutes ago I just bought a Surefire E2L from Batteryjunction.com
Congratulations Corrugated on your new light. Nice choice for an outdoor light. I think you'll be pretty happy with it. I'd recommend getting a F04 diffuser before you head out into the woods. It'll turn your E2L into a great flood light. You can find them for around $14. Take a look at this thread on CPF http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=191607 to hold you over until yours arrives. You couldn't have made a better choice on runtime, over 5 hours of 100% output. Good choice.

I agree it will be an awesome camping/hiking light. I don't have this one yet, but it is high on my flashlight buy list. Surefire always underestimates there outputs on the low side too, you will be very surprised how much light this little wonder puts out.

Hoghead · **Reply #24 on:** July 22, 2008, 08:14:52 AM

Quote from: Corrugated on July 22, 2008, 12:26:34 AM

The Surefire shipped!!

Please let us know what you think of it when you get it.

Anthony · **Reply #25 on:** July 22, 2008, 02:27:06 PM

Quote from: Hoghead on July 22, 2008, 08:14:52 AM

Quote from: Corrugated on July 22, 2008, 12:26:34 AM
The Surefire shipped!!

Please let us know what you think of it when you get it.

I sure will! Got to wait until it gets dark tonight though to get the full effect.

UPS: OUT FOR DELIVERY

RichardMT · **Reply #26 on:** July 22, 2008, 09:35:41 PM

I think you made an excellent choice. As mentioned above, SF seems very conservative on output. I was mentioned above the the Fenix L2D is "brighter". I have an L2D Q5, and it is rated at 180 lumens on turbo. It is bright, thats for sure. However my wife has an L1 Lumamax rated at 65 lumens on high, and guess which one appears brighter? Yup, the L1. Of course it has the TIR reflector, but the point is, lumen ratings are not the be-all-end-all statement of brightness. My L2 Lumamax is 100 lumens on high and does not have the TIR...and it comes very very close to my Fenix TK10 (rated at 225) in brightness and throw.

Maybe on down the line you will try Fenix as they are superb lights. But your SF was probably the very best first choice you could have made. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on it!!!

Oh, as an afterthought, you might consider ordering a box of 50 123's from batterystation. They are USA made, inexpensive (for 123 batteries) and work extremely well.

Also, the SF spares carrier might come in handy to tote a few extra batteries with you.

Mike D · **Reply #27 on:** July 22, 2008, 10:07:54 PM

Good points Richard.

I think he made an excellent choice too. The thing that everyone gets hung up on is how bright a light is on maximum, which is nice, but when your in the woods at night its hella dark and max brightness doesn't need to be near as much as an urban setting to have plenty of light. I think where this light rocks is its run time, 11hrs on high is beyond good, and the low of 100hrs is spectacular.

I think Surefire did a hell of a job with the design of this light, and unfortunately its overlooked by many just because its max output is lower then most other manufactures claimed highs.

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