Flashlight

M

MCJAG4402

Inactive
I'm currently working as a security guard (concerts, etc.) and I'm Marine headed to TBS in the next year or so. I need to get a good flashlight to use at work, carry with me daily, and use at TBS. I don't to get a light I have to make modifications to. I want something that will serve me will out of the box. I've looked into the Surefire G2 LED or the Pentagon L2 LED. Here's a quick comparison:

Price: G2 - $65 (Surefire's website); L2 - I've found it for $70

Lumens: G2 - max of 80; L2 - max of 85

Runtime: G2 - peak unknown/ 12 hours usable; L2 - 90 min. peak/ 3-5 hours usable

Material: G2 - Nitrolon ; L2 - Aerospace-grade aluminum w/ Mil-Spec III Hard Anodized Exterior

Length: G2 - 5.14" ; L2 - 5.5"

Weight: G2 - 4.10 oz ; L2 - 5.4 oz

Sealing: G2 - O-ring sealed ; L2 - Double O-ring sealed

Tail Cap: G2 - press for momentary on, twist for constant-on, can be locked out; L2 - Push lightly for on, click for constant-on, can be locked out

Pocket Clip: G2 - no; L2 - yes, removable

Anyone have any experience with either of these? Any big advantages of one over the other? Any further insight would be greatly appreciated.
 
Setting aside technical specs aside, if you need a duty flashlight for your security job, I would suggest a Mag Light 3D LED. It's got a nice weight, and a clear powerful light that won't fade.

I've carried one on duty in the past, dropped it 15 feet onto rock faces, dipped one in a shallow puddle before quickly fishing it out, and have used them in temperatures around 10 below zero. They are also perfect for executing non-lethal joint-manipulation and disarming/defense techniques.




If you need something tactical- for your job in the Marines, or if you want something small and light weight, then go with a surefire. Their small pieces are superior to anything else that I'm aware of. I used a single cell LED version of an early Surefire, which could be mated to the back of my M-9, with a thumb click on the bottom end of it, allowing me to quickly "peek" at a dark area, and then cut the light off again as I maneuvered in the dark. The Surefire's were pioneers in that design, and seem to be more geared towards law enforcement and those that will also be carrying firearms.

MCJAG4402 said:
Tail Cap: G2 - press for momentary on, twist for constant-on, can be locked out; L2 - Push lightly for on, click for constant-on, can be locked out...
Click to expand...

This thumb cap is perfect for what I described above, when you are carrying a firearm. As your weapon is drawn and sighted in- or at the ready, your weak hand grasps the Surefire with the lamp-end pointing out of the "pinky finger" end of your fist. The thumb cap sticks out of the "thumb" end of your fist, and your thumb pushes and releases the switch. Then, in this position, you would mate the back of your weak hand against the back of your firing hand. This adds support, and allows you to move tactically and "flash" (like a camera flash) whatever area you are investigating, without constantly transmitting your position to a suspect.
 
I'd have to recommend the SureFire brand, myself.

My constant riding companion is a SF E1e. Not only has my Harley managed to find every pot-hole and asphalt patch in Wisconsin, but I've dropped the E1e several times.

Contrary to the worrisome run-time estimates, my E1e almost never runs out of power. Granted, I carry a spare 123A with me, but in +4 years I've only needed to replace the battery once. I try to limit useage as you can well imagine, but I have used it until it is warm to the touch.

I do have a P6 for longer jaunts, and I bought the LED replacement, the KL3, for those instances.

True story. I gave a SureFire to my BIL on Christmas. His daughter had gotten a pair of garnet earrings as a gift, and she lost one in large Milwaukee park. I told her to borrow her Dad's SureFire and shoot a beam back and forth across the lawn. I told her the red glitter would be her earring. While she doubted me, she did it anyway. She came back wearing both of her earrings.
 
My surefire g2 is great, I bought the surefire belt pouch to carry it since the pouch is made to keep the tailcap from getting pressed and accidently activating the light.

It puts out a ton of light and chews up batteries if you need to use it constantly.

I use it for spotlighting stuff.

I also have a smaller surefire that is one of their led flashlights, it uses one battery and have a 4 hour runtime. It does not put out as much light as the g2 but the 4 hour run time and lower output lets it be more useable for things where I need constant light but not blinding light.

Because of the above I think an adjustable output would be the best option since carrying 2 flashlights can be annoying. I consider carrying one to be annoying at times.

I am very happy with my surefires and in the future at some point I will probably pick up an adjustable output flashlight using some of the newer technology that is out there.

With any of my surefire stuff I carry spare batteries. When they die, they die.
 
I've got a Surefire G2 a G3 and a 6P. All great lights. They do eat batteries if you use them constantly though.

The actual street price for the G2 is much less than what you quoted there. I got mine for around 40.00 locally.
 
both are excellent lights and Surefire has it's reputation for a reason. I'm a collector of high end "lighting tools" and I could point out a half dozen that would do the job.

On the high end of things, another you may want to consider is the Inova T-4 Rechargable. I have one and would have loved to have it when I was in law enforcement. Smaller, tough as a brick, RECHARGABLE (save ya on battery costs) and powerful.

On the budget end of things, the new LED version of the 3 "D" cell Mag Lights are also a really decent light.
 
Any particular reason you want LED vs. Xenon, etc.? They put out decent light up close, but Xenon does a much better job in in making a beam that has some throw to it. The bulbs and batteries obviously won't last as long but you'd get more light out of it.

Jason
 
Jason_G,
That's just not true anymore. I know of (and have a few) LED lights that will stand toe-to-toe with any incandescent light out there. Of course to get similar throw from an incan is a lot cheaper :rolleyes:
 
Jason_G,
That's just not true anymore. I know of (and have a few) LED lights that will stand toe-to-toe with any incandescent light out there. Of course to get similar throw from an incan is a lot cheaper
Click to expand...
Yeah, there are LED's that are pretty bright now, around 100 lumens for some of the better lights that can be realistically carried comfortably, and a few have pretty good throw, but not many that I've seen. I was painting with a big brush I guess, but I still haven't seen any LED setups that produce the same quality beam as an equal output incandescent with the same quality reflector, although I know I haven't seen every light out there. If flashlights are your hobby, then I will take your word for it that they are out there. In my experience though, the brighter xenons have always given alot more bang for your buck, and even the best LED lights I've seen haven't compared to the best HIDs and incandescents in terms of overall output and throw. At least not any that I've seen so far. I'm interested in any setups that might be an exception to that, as I like the cooler operating temps of the LED setups, and the generally longer run times.

Jason
 
I'm a fan of the good ol' 3D maglite myself. Its a little bulky and heavy, but its dependable, and it works well for me.

I'm very suprised at just how bright those small LED flashlights are, but i just cant seem to see anything in that blueish-white light. I cant seem to make out outlines, or pick out details, even with the really bright ones. It may just be my eyes, but i like the standard bulbs alot better.
 
I can't believe nobody has mentioned Fenix lights- adjustable (& very high) output, good selection of battery types and sizes, good reputation and sturdiness and all for less $$.

You might want to check out http://flashlightreviews.com/reviews/uk_2l.htm before you spend that much on a light.

I got a AAA Cree (great pocket EDC) and a 2 AA Cree for less than $100 for the pair at Lighthound and they put everything else I've ever seen to shame- and I get my choice of over 100 lumens or seriously long runtime. The choice is also nice when you're trying to do something up close or read a map, etc. And they'll run on rechargeables.
 
Surefire E2D

All I carry around is the Surefire E2D.

This light does everything I need it to do. It's bright as hell, blinding to someone's night-adjusted vision and even hard to look at it in dim settings. It's got a crenelated bezel that could be used to strike, break glass or in compliance techniques.

It's light and strong. It fits my hand perfectly but I have smaller hands.

After using it I would recommend anything by Surefire.
 
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