Official Flashlight Thread!

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MikeSantor
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Official Flashlight Thread!

Post by MikeSantor » 29 Aug 2012, 17:51

Well I think there should be a thread about the OTHER tool no one should be without a good one of...

It seems to have come up a few times with people asking questions about lights so I figured we could keep one thread where people could come ask questions and what not.

If anyone thinks this is a dumb idea, Mods please feel free to delete with no hard feelings.







So to get it started...
My current work light, a Surfire 6P had moved on to better things. Its new job was to be stationed on my Rem 870 HD shottie.

Image

Well, This left me with no work light. So Here is what I whipped up...

Surefire C2-HA, Bored to 18mm to accommodate 18650 cells with XML drop in run at 5.2A soldered on to a solid copper PCB. She should be pushing ABOUT 1200 lumens on high. With the hot drop-in, I also put a Cryos cooling bezel on it. Although, medium will suffice for most tasks since it pushes over 500 lumens. Since I went with the bigger bezel, this brought on the next problem. The light did not fit my old sheath, So I went with the highly reviewed Blackhawk! holster. Not without a few modifications of course. First thing I did was swap out the rubber strap, which was one thing that all reviewers of the holster said would break, with an ITW stretchy string. This stuff is made in `Merica and is touch as nails so I should not have a problem with it breaking. Next I made a kydex battery holder for the side of it. With all the extra holes on the holster it was real easy to attach. Just put it up on the holster and mark out 2 preexisting holes in the holster on the kydex and drill. Throw a couple Chicago screws in and Im golden. Now we have an extra IMR 18650 on board and one in the pipe.

Im pretty stoked about the new work horse. Can not wait to get it beat up. I think the first thing Im going to do when I get to work tomorrow is see how far I can throw it. Should make all the Surefire collectors throw up on their keyboards...

Image

Image

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Re: Official Flashlight thread?

Post by blueorison » 29 Aug 2012, 18:08

Great setup.

Those who have not operated any kind of equipment at night cannot truly appreciate the import of a task-appropriate light.

Nice holster, smart mod, and 1200 lumens...

are you trying to illuminate Japan from here? :D

If you did, you might want to meet my friend.

I dug up this picture from our Surefire-sponsored Nightmatch just for you, brocellence. Enjoy!

Image
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Re: Official Flashlight thread?

Post by MikeSantor » 29 Aug 2012, 18:16

Ahh, the beast. Very nice but very rare. They never went into full production. Now if you want to talk surefire megalights, its the hellfighter. I know a few people with them but at $5k, I will NEVER own one.

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Re: Official Flashlight Thread!

Post by Esteves » 29 Aug 2012, 18:16

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Re: Official Flashlight thread?

Post by blueorison » 29 Aug 2012, 18:30

MikeSantor wrote:Ahh, the beast. Very nice but very rare. They never went into full production. Now if you want to talk surefire megalights, its the hellfighter. I know a few people with them but at $5k, I will NEVER own one.
Oh, like THAT thing we were using?

Image

Flashlight porn only cuz I love you and know you like it.
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Re: Official Flashlight Thread!

Post by MikeSantor » 29 Aug 2012, 18:49

Yes, that is definatley the silhouette.old of a hellfighter :)

Way cool but WAY overpriced. Then again, I guess all American made HIDs are expensive....

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Re: Official Flashlight Thread!

Post by PainKillaX » 29 Aug 2012, 19:09

That is impressive! Very jealous. So with your expertise, what would you recommend for a flashlight that can take a beating, doesn't drain the batteries too quickly, is relatively bright, can transition from a pocket to a rifle mount quickly, and is under $200? Too tall of and order? :p

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Re: Official Flashlight Thread!

Post by MikeSantor » 29 Aug 2012, 19:13

PainKillaX wrote:That is impressive! Very jealous. So with your expertise, what would you recommend for a flashlight that can take a beating, doesn't drain the batteries too quickly, is relatively bright, can transition from a pocket to a rifle mount quickly, and is under $200? Too tall of and order? :p
Run off primaries or rechargables?

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Re: Official Flashlight Thread!

Post by f3rr37 » 29 Aug 2012, 19:14

How about we just make a sub-forum?

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Re: Official Flashlight Thread!

Post by PainKillaX » 29 Aug 2012, 19:15

Hmm. Is it possible to have both? Like how they have the rechargeable AAs?
I too would enjoy a flashlight sub-forum :)

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Re: Official Flashlight Thread!

Post by f3rr37 » 29 Aug 2012, 19:23

PainKillaX wrote:I too would enjoy a flashlight sub-forum :)
Well then... welcome. :)

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Re: Official Flashlight Thread!

Post by MikeSantor » 29 Aug 2012, 19:31

Thanks fuzzy!
PainKillaX wrote:Hmm. Is it possible to have both? Like how they have the rechargeable AAs? :thumb:
I too would enjoy a flashlight sub-forum :)
Your biggest problem is going to be getting a rifle mount for a flashlight that takes 14mm batteries, AKA AA's. The majority are made for 16-18mm cells.

If you are willing to use 16mm cells, aka cr123's or even better, 18mm rechargeable cells, a world of opertunity opens up.



EDIT, Now that I got to an actual computer instead of my phone...

If I was going to go AA, I would probably go this route:

http://www.foursevens.com/product_info. ... ts_id=3190" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

4sevens is a great company with great CS. This is the newest Cree LED that JUST came out, the XPG2. Has great specs and people are loving it. I like going with Throwy lights for long guns and floody lights for hand guns. A lot of people dont think about this but when you have a rifle, you are USUALLY trying to engage something out past say 30 yards. Why use a floody light for this. This goes the same for a handgun. You are usually using this at less then 20 yards. Why have a throwy light for this?

If you want something with a little less throw but more OTF lumens, go with the XML LED version of the light:

http://www.foursevens.com/product_info. ... ts_id=2933" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



Some notable mentions would also include:

Olight
http://www.olightworld.com/en/products_ ... CateId=523" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Fenix
http://www.fenixlights.com/fenix-e/fenix-e25-r4.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Jetbeam
http://www.jet-beam.com/links/pro/pa10.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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Re: Official Flashlight Thread!

Post by jmz5 » 30 Aug 2012, 15:22

Mike, go nuts with this sub forum, I love flashlights and want to get into building them. I love your flashlight posts! Maybe you could do a budget build?

:thumb:
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Re: Official Flashlight Thread!

Post by MikeSantor » 30 Aug 2012, 16:02

Thanks Justin.

I copied one of my posts from a few weeks ago and modified it a little. Here is my take on the budget P60/Surefire clone build.

Host- Solarforce is making the most high quality 6P hosts in China. extremely nice. Note, also comes in lots of colors.

http://www.lighthound.com/Solarforce-L2 ... _2629.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Engine/Drop in- If you want rock solid USA made engine, Nailbender is the man and the XM-L is the LED you want. Here is a basic drop in. He will also build you something with a different voltage if you need more than 600 lumens.

http://www.lighthound.com/Nailbender-Cu ... _3832.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Battery- The best:

http://www.lighthound.com/AW-18650-Prot ... _3954.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Or this for high power[ current] applications:

http://www.lighthound.com/AW-IMR-18650- ... _4075.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Charger- Great quality to price ratio:

http://www.lighthound.com/Ultrafire-WF- ... _2279.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Total: under $140.

Lighthound and oveready are 2 of the best companies in the game to buy from. Amazing CS, fast shipping and great prices.

This right here is a monster set up. The best part is, the P60 is futureproof. As new LEDs come out, all you have to do is get new engines/drop ins a you are up to date. I can promise you, YOU WILL NOT FIND A BETTER LIGHT FOR THE MONEY, PERIOD.

If you want to go 100% USA made and you like having a surefire in your pocket, all you have to do is replace the solarforce with an actual SF p60 host that has been bored out to accept 18mm cells: http://www.oveready.com/a-hosts/surefir" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... od_12.html

If you need more run time get a 9P. Same as 6P only longer battery. http://www.oveready.com/a-hosts/surefir" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... od_16.html

Then swap the above 18650 battery with (2) 18500's http://www.batteryjunction.com/ultrafire-18500.html0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, AKA the surefire 6P build:


Host- Solarforce is making the most high quality 6P hosts in China. extremely nice. Note, also comes in lots of colors. http://www.lighthound.com/Solar-Force-L" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... _3473.html

Engine/Drop in- If you want rock solid USA made engine, Nailbender is the man and the XM-L is the LED you want. Here is a basic drop in. He will also build you something with a different voltage if you need more than 600 lumens. http://www.lighthound.com/Nailbender-Cu" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... _3832.html

Battery- The best: http://www.lighthound.com/AW-18650-Prot" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... _3954.html

Charger- Great quality to price ratio. http://www.lighthound.com/Ultrafire-WF-" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... _3669.html

Total: less then $130 bucks. And thats WITH batteries and charger, a one time expense.

Lighthound and oveready are 2 of the best companies in the game to buy from. Amazing CS, fast shipping and great prices.

This right here is a monster set up. The best part is, the P60 is futureproof. As new LEDs come out, all you have to do is get new engines/drop ins and you are up to date. I can promise you, YOU WILL NOT FIND A BETTER LIGHT FOR THE MONEY, PERIOD.

If you want to go 100% USA made and you like having a surefire in your pocket, all you have to do is replace the solarforce with an actual SF p60 host that has been bored out to accept 18mm cells: http://www.oveready.com/a-hosts/surefir" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... od_12.html

If you need more run time get a 9P. Same as 6P only longer battery. http://www.oveready.com/a-hosts/surefir" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... od_16.html

Then swap the above 18650 battery with (2) 18500's http://www.batteryjunction.com/ultrafire-18500.htmjust" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; make sure you have a drop in that is rated up to 7.4 volts.
Last edited by MikeSantor on 31 Aug 2012, 17:15, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Official Flashlight Thread!

Post by jmz5 » 31 Aug 2012, 17:00

lighthound links no workie.
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Re: Official Flashlight Thread!

Post by MikeSantor » 31 Aug 2012, 17:16

Relinked, from my phone, while out in the woods...

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Re: Official Flashlight Thread!

Post by jmz5 » 01 Sep 2012, 04:01

Could I power something like that with 123 batteries? Most of my flashlights take them and I have over a hundred on hand.

My new favorite little flashlight is the streamlight ProTac1L
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Re: Official Flashlight Thread!

Post by MikeSantor » 01 Sep 2012, 04:13

It would run amazing on 2 123's. That drop in is rated for 6 volts so you would be giving it full power with 2 primaries. Go for it man.

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Re: Official Flashlight Thread!

Post by jmz5 » 01 Sep 2012, 16:21

How about single cells, what would recommend to get the most bang for my buck to run on a single 123? Maybe new thread? I'm going to order that setup.
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Re: Official Flashlight Thread!

Post by jmz5 » 01 Sep 2012, 16:22

MikeSantor wrote:It would run amazing on 2 123's. That drop in is rated for 6 volts so you would be giving it full power with 2 primaries. Go for it man.

The bulb says DO NOT USE 2xRCR123?
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Re: Official Flashlight Thread!

Post by MikeSantor » 01 Sep 2012, 16:30

That drop-in is good down to 2.8 V so it will rn off of 1 primary fine. It will just die a little faster since all the primary has to do is loose .2 volts before its too low to run it. Where if you run 2 primaries the voltage can drop 3.2 v before it is too lbody
So again, 1 will run it, just not as long.

Shoot me your address if you want and ill send you a 1 cell body. All you will have to do is put the tailcap and bezel on it and you can run just 1 cell.

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Re: Official Flashlight Thread!

Post by MikeSantor » 01 Sep 2012, 16:33

jmz5 wrote:
MikeSantor wrote:It would run amazing on 2 123's. That drop in is rated for 6 volts so you would be giving it full power with 2 primaries. Go for it man.
The bulb says DO NOT USE 2xRCR123?
I'm going to shoot dave (nailbender) an email. Makes me sense. If its rated for 6v there is no reason you shouldn't. Let me see what he has too say.

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Re: Official Flashlight Thread!

Post by MikeSantor » 01 Sep 2012, 16:44

Ooh crap, I'm an idiot. That's RCR's as in, RECHARGABLE CR123's. Rechargeable rcr's are 3.7 v. So 2 of them would put you over 6 v...

So you are fine with 2 CR123s, just not 2 rechargables....

Almost got me there Justin...

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Re: Official Flashlight Thread!

Post by jmz5 » 01 Sep 2012, 19:20

Ok, awesome.
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Re: Official Flashlight Thread!

Post by ChuckD » 04 Sep 2012, 15:57

I've got a SureFire Fury that I really like.

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Re: Official Flashlight Thread!

Post by fzr confused » 04 Sep 2012, 19:07

glad to see the new sub-forum! i am rather new to this type of stuff and have already learned what i feel is a lot from you all! thank you :thumb:

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Re: Official Flashlight Thread!

Post by f3rr37 » 04 Sep 2012, 19:15

Feel free to make new topics... its a whole subforum. :)

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Re: Official Flashlight Thread!

Post by Rapier1772 » 04 Sep 2012, 19:23

No, it's easier to keep all the data in one thread. Don't have to go searching multiple threads that way

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Re: Official Flashlight Thread!

Post by MikeSantor » 09 Sep 2012, 14:39

Got a package in the mail last week from a few things that were 10 months in the making.


First was a modest mod. This started life as a Maratac Cu AAA. It had a crappy aluminum pill/heat sink so I had one made of Copper. Then it was upgraded to a Cree R5 XP-G and ripped a new 3 mode driver from an iTP eos3. Installed it all and you have The PERFECT keychain light IMO.

Copper Pill

Image

Light all put together

Image

Image

Next up was the good one. I LOVE the Surefire E series for EDC. It just has a few set backs. First and foremost, it will only run on 17mm cells instead of the far superior 18mm rechargeables. Second, with it being so small, even with a custom drop in it can only accept small die LEDs. So here was my solution. First I had the body bored to except 18mm cells. Next I bored the one piece Bezel/Reflector out to accommodate a Cree XM-L LED. Next I had a custom drop in made of copper with XM-L and 3 mode driver. What I ended up with is 800+ lumens that fits INSIDE the palm of your hand...

Image

Bored for 18s

Image

Stock on left, custom on right

Image

Image

Business end

Image

Comparison to a 6P/C2 sized surefire

Image


I say worth the 10 month wait...

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Re: Official Flashlight Thread!

Post by Burt Gummer » 12 Sep 2012, 22:17

I'll be back.

A flashlight thread .... :).

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Re: Official Flashlight Thread!

Post by m1afolder » 10 Dec 2012, 04:09

I have 5 or 6 (not including about 15 Thrunite Ti's since they keep having them for $44 for 5.

*Microfire Challenger
*Olight M20 Warrior Titanium 1 of 500 X 2
*Nitecore IFE1 in Tan
*Thrunite TN11
*Sunwayman M30R
*Thrunite TN31

But I usually carry a black Nitecore IFE1. Maybe soon I can afford one of the new Xtar's.

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Re: Official Flashlight Thread!

Post by PainKillaX » 22 Dec 2012, 23:57

Y'all have me hooked...I'm thinking I want a Nitecore but I don't know if I want the EC1 or the EC2.

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Re: Official Flashlight Thread!

Post by blueorison » 17 Jan 2013, 02:30

Streamlight just announced their release of 600+ lumen WMLs that look like the same low-profile form factor as the original bodies.

They might have just fixed my carbine light issue with not being able to find a commercial one that is under $300 and can hit 100-200yd targets with real illumination, not just dim light.

Gotta get one to test it!

http://www.streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=276" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Official Flashlight Thread!

Post by NLVMike » 31 Jul 2015, 15:12

I'm reviving a zombie thread, just to share this recent experience. Flashlights have changed a lot in the past few years. I like to have one EVERYWHERE. Costco made that easy with three packs of handy little lights. However, I'm still always in search of the perfect light.

I live in Nevada, and last year it was big news that Tesla is building their $5 billion gigafactory here. It will be revolutionary in the world of batteries. So I went to a small private presentation by the Tesla top engineers to talk about the battery factory. They said that the first thing they did was spend millions researching the best battery technology. They had every intent to invent or design all new technology. Their research determined that the tech of the Panasonic 18650 can't be beat. So they partnered with Panasonic to move the entire production to this facility. Currently, 14 companies mine, manufacture, package and ship components of that battery to Japan, where the cells are assembled. They are moving all 14 companies under one roof.

Lots of other good stuff, which I can share if you are interested, but the end result was my infatuation with the 18650. So I tore apart a battery pack out of a laptop I wasn't using anymore, and sure enough, found 8 of them inside. Then I went on the hunt for a flashlight to use them. I discovered that my observation of the output and the stated lumens of most lights have no relationship. Forget what they say, and just use them till you get what you want. I don't mind paying a lot for a good light, but I sure enjoy cheap. That said, I have found that an Ultrafire 502B from Ebay is awesome. They are less than $15 shipped. They often come with low output Ultrafire 18650 battery and charger. Find a real Panasonic and they are even better. I now have 6 laying around. The kids call them the "computer flashlights" because they use the batteries out of an old computer. Brightest light at scout camp for a whole week on one charge. I love it.

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Re: Official Flashlight Thread!

Post by panzermk2 » 01 Aug 2015, 17:03

My big Thru-Nite uses 2 18650's and it turn night to day.
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Re: Official Flashlight Thread!

Post by Mister Freeze » 03 Aug 2015, 04:38

My Solarforce sporting 2x18650 was a big deal at Natural Bridge Caverns near San Antonio. The guides were jealous.

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Re: Official Flashlight Thread!

Post by MikeSantor » 09 Aug 2015, 02:28

Im currently waiting for these heads to be back in stock:

http://www.oveready.com/moddoolar/moddo ... d_238.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

3498 lumens on high and there is an adapter to run it on a surefire m600. Those numbers are just ridiculous, Fully programmable too.

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