Flashlight for duty use, with needed features.

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netchemica

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May 30, 2011
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I'm in the Coast Guard and I carry my Fenix LD20 while on duty (bought personally, not issued). I do a lot of night patrols and it comes in really handy when checking documents or lighting up a small area. The only issue is that I frequently hunger for more throw / brighter illumination.
I was looking at the EagleTac G25C2 MK II light and I am about to order it off Amazon Prime, I just don't know if it'll suit my needs.
In addition to a higher lumen output, I NEED to be able to know if my light will turn on to the highest setting or the lowest setting. We do a lot of law enforcement in addition to search and rescue, and I use my LD20 to read documents at night. I'll know that my LD20 will turn on to the lowest setting because I can simply twist the lens to one side.
If I turn on my G25C2 to read a document and I'll turn on the 1180lm mode I'll blind everyone in the cabin, which could be a bad situation.
So, again, is there a way to know for sure if you will be turning on the low more or not? I'd prefer an easy way to switch between max and minimum, but setting it for minimum without turning on the light is a must.
I posted this question on another forum and only got two responses. Both of those responses claimed that Eagletac made unreliable lights. Is there any truth to that?

If this light isn't capable of something like that or isn't reliable, can you guys recommenced a light that is? It needs to accept rechargeable batteries, be "holsterable", and needs to have a good throw if I need it for spotlighting.
 
The Sunwayman D40a has a shortcut so it'll come on in low as long as you turn it on that way. I like the dual switches and the fact that it runs on 4 AA Nimh batteries makes it a great choice ;)
 
The Foursevens Turbo may be a good choice.
 
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Armytek Predator V2 or up. Crazy amount of throw, great optics and fully programmable. You can program it to turn on in high, in low, in strob, etc. you can also program it to just have two modes if you like or have 20 modes if you need all of them. You can set the light's memory on or off and it has a fail-safe circuit. Absolutely love this light, it's the most programmable light I've ever had (or is out there).

I've also been looking at the Nitecore SRT7 after purchasing the SRT3. Reviews show the SRT7's great throw. Not so sure how it is compared to the predator but I think it's a great thrower too. I love the smart ring interface, very simple and straightforward to use. The secondary RGB led's might find some use in your field of work, too.

If budget is a restriction, I also have a Romisen RC-T602. Throws like crazy for $25. 8modes but no mode memory, build quality is pretty good too. I just wouldn't drop it in the water.
 
The Surefire LX2/M3LT/UB3T lights with the two stage tailcap are reliable and always turn on in low, but will go straight to high if you want, and I strongly reccomend these lights for "tactical" use.
The low is great for paperwork (ok maybe not on the UB3T)

Basically the switch has two stages, press lightly on the tailcap, and it comes on in low mode, press further and it comes on in high.
if you twist the tailcap on, it twists on to low first, momentary high is still accessible with a push, and twisting further will give constant high.

If you are under high stress, like in a combat situation, the low mode gets out of the way, you just "push through" the low mode and the light acts like a single (high) level light.
 
LightWalker said:
The Foursevens Turbo may be a good choice.
Click to expand...

I like the 870 lumen output and (what seams like) the ease of operation. The only issue is that I use Amazon for 99% of my online purchases and I can't find it on there. I use Amazon Prime because I can time the package arrival for when I'm home. I stand duty for two days, then I'm home for two days, and I don't want the package to sit outside for a few nights.

HaileStorm said:
Armytek Predator V2 or up. Crazy amount of throw, great optics and fully programmable. You can program it to turn on in high, in low, in strob, etc. you can also program it to just have two modes if you like or have 20 modes if you need all of them. You can set the light's memory on or off and it has a fail-safe circuit. Absolutely love this light, it's the most programmable light I've ever had (or is out there).

I've also been looking at the Nitecore SRT7 after purchasing the SRT3. Reviews show the SRT7's great throw. Not so sure how it is compared to the predator but I think it's a great thrower too. I love the smart ring interface, very simple and straightforward to use. The secondary RGB led's might find some use in your field of work, too.

If budget is a restriction, I also have a Romisen RC-T602. Throws like crazy for $25. 8modes but no mode memory, build quality is pretty good too. I just wouldn't drop it in the water.
Click to expand...

The Armytek and Nitecore both look like outstanding lights. I don't know which one I'm leaning to. I like the Armytek's warranty and programability, but I'm also digging the Nitecore's built in red light (and that I can Prime it to arrive when I'm home).

Echo63 said:
The Surefire LX2/M3LT/UB3T lights with the two stage tailcap are reliable and always turn on in low, but will go straight to high if you want, and I strongly reccomend these lights for "tactical" use.
The low is great for paperwork (ok maybe not on the UB3T)

Basically the switch has two stages, press lightly on the tailcap, and it comes on in low mode, press further and it comes on in high.
if you twist the tailcap on, it twists on to low first, momentary high is still accessible with a push, and twisting further will give constant high.

If you are under high stress, like in a combat situation, the low mode gets out of the way, you just "push through" the low mode and the light acts like a single (high) level light.
Click to expand...

Surefires are great lights, there's no denying that. I just have an issue paying $200 for a 200lm light (lx2), and the ML3T/UB3T lights will not really work with my duty belt. I was actually looking at getting another P2X, but I really wish it could accept 18650 batteries.

CarpentryHero said:
The Sunwayman D40a has a shortcut so it'll come on in low as long as you turn it on that way. I like the dual switches and the fact that it runs on 4 AA Nimh batteries makes it a great choice ;)
Click to expand...

I really like this light, I just don't like the shape of it. I sometimes need two hands and I hold the light in my mouth... with this I'll feel like I'm participating in an interracial porno.
 
If you order from Foursevens, you can upgrade the shipping.

[h=3]Domestic Shipping (USA)[/h]We will ship your order within the US by First-Class US Mail by default. This shipping option arrives within 2-5 business days!
If you need your order to arrive more quickly, please choose from either Priority or Express (Overnight)
 
+1 for the 47 Turbo QB2L-X with Burst. Compact light with a decent amount of throw.

You can't go wrong with the build and quality of 47 products.

Just take note that you can only access 2 modes (out of the 8 modes) at any given time. Suggest to set it at low and max/burst.
 
I would recommend either an Armytek programmable light (your choice of Predator Pro 2.5 and Viking Pro 2.5) or some kind of tactical interface Quark (ie Quark Tactical or Quark Turbo). The Armytek is very programmable but once programmed it is just as easy as any other "head-twist" based UI light out there. Quark is also programmable but not to nearly the same degree, but that being said the variety of modes it offers is fine for almost any application. The Armytek can be setup to behave pretty much exactly like the Quark, but with the additional versatility to do many other configurations as well.

Here's my opinion

Armytek Viking/Predator
Pro: Good (Predator)/Great (Viking)Output
Wicked throw (30-35 kcd) (Predator)
Programmable to a degree beyond any production light that I am aware of
Solid build with great annodizing
Good warranty
Momentary

Con:
Somewhat expensive
Ships from China
Programming is more involved (not too difficult but does require some time and thought)

Quark Turbo:

Pro:
Simple 2-mode programmable interface /w momentary
Great Warranty (with local address to ship to)
Good build (slightly less than Armytek IMO but still quite good)
Simple to program

Con:
Not as programmable
17670 only, no 18650 (for me this is a big one, the performance difference between 17670 and 18650 is getting even wider)
 
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netchemica said:
I really like this light, I just don't like the shape of it. I sometimes need two hands and I hold the light in my mouth...
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Would you consider a second, smaller light with a 90° head and a clip? The "zebralight H52Fw AA Floody Headlamp Neutral White" seems like a good light. I've been looking into headlamps. The other consideration is that for professional work you probably should have a backup light.

~D
 
netchemica said:
I really like this light, I just don't like the shape of it. I sometimes need two hands and I hold the light in my mouth... with this I'll feel like I'm participating in an interracial porno.
Click to expand...
The D40a
LoL no this is not a mouth light.
I clip my Sunwayman S10a to my cap for hands free use, I'm not one for holding lights in my mouth, that's where the nails and screws go (when I run out of hands)


most throwy lights will be uncomfortable in the mouth, except maybe the Armytek predator with xpg2 ?
 
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You can pick up a Foursevens Quark Turbo X gen1 from goinggear for $50. Thats a great deal. Another light worth looking into is the Maelstrom MM-X. The UI looks funky on paper but works nice in hand. Both those lights have good throw. I think the Maelstrom MM-X would make for a better duty light. More options for batteries and better feel in hand.
 
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netchemica said:
The Armytek and Nitecore both look like outstanding lights. I don't know which one I'm leaning to. I like the Armytek's warranty and programability, but I'm also digging the Nitecore's built in red light (and that I can Prime it to arrive when I'm home).
.
Click to expand...

They are both really good lights but I'd lean more on the Armytek Predator for serious duty. Double o-rings on each side of the battery tube (should be more waterproof than nitecore) and its fail-safe circuit seems to make it more of a serious duty light when compared to the SRT7 so that is what I would get if I were in your profession. I love my SRT3 but it's my first light with a magnetic ring and while it's fine for an edc light, I'm not sure how these magnetic rings will stand the test of time (and abuse).

Both are fantastic lights, for sure. It's just that I tend to rely on my Predator more when I'm expecting my lights to take abuse mainly because I'm sure the Predator won't quit on me. Good luck on deciding! I know it's tough making a choice :)
 
Have you considered the "EagleTac D25LC2 CREE XM-L2 U2 850 Lumens Clicky LED Flashlight, Black" available on Amazon prime for $62.50? Its smaller and lighter (easier to mouth hold), almost as bright and of course on Amazon prime. It will take 2xCR123 or a rechargeable 18650 which could reduce your cost of ownership considerably over time.

I've had good luck with EagleTac quality (have 6 of their lights, varied models) and they do have a 10 year warranty. I have that particular light and really like it. It has a UI similar to Fenix - turns on max bright with head tightened, on with low with head loosened (and can then ramp up through med and high using the reverse clicky).
 
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