better than a maglight

[Thumper2t]

Im interested in a replacement for my mag light. Yes, im going for size (the better to hit with) and especially brightness. Any hints? Im seeing alot of full sized LED lights, and I dont know anything about these.

Sam

[bearandoldman]

Use a6 D cell amg light myself, very bright and in and emergency will make a hell of a close range defensive weapon before I have to switch to the 1911 Micro. http://www.geocities.com/oldman1727/Microwood.jpg

[santa]

Hello All,

Surefire has a new flashlight out with a strike bezel. This is a crown shaped shroud on the front where it protects the lens. It is meant for striking at something to defend yourself. I beleive it is made of aircraft grade aluminum. Not quite as big as a Mag 6 cell but still quiete hefty.

Have a great Christmas!

[gottripletsNC]

Not only am I a paramedic, but I am also a volunteer firefighter, and I have used beam lights on actual fires, never used a LED, however, I have used several LEDS in training burns, and smoke simulations. In the smoke simulations I was the trainer in at least 3 of them, and did not require an airpack therefore I had nothing inhibiting my field of view other than the simulated smoke. LEDs are wonderful for bright light in close proximities, but will not project a beam very far at all, most I've seen wont project a beam more than several feet, after that the light just fades out in the surroundings.
LEDS are good little lights for small areas, and for blinding someone at close range, but If you want a good flashlight spend your money on a beam light...
Xenon beams are hard to beat...
Personally I like streamlights.

[santa]

Good morning all,

Trips, thanks for the feedback. I had no idea that the small IEDs do not projedt that far.

Maybe a good compromise would be a surefire LED and a baton.

Does anyone know if the fullsize LEDs project further into the night?

[gottripletsNC]

LEDS just dont project to amount to anything, big ones or little ones, the light just wont beam down even with a reflector, now at long distances, if you look DIRECTLY at the LED its still brighter and will literally hurt your eyes. The NFPA, the agency that sets rules and regs for fire service will allow LED light packages on firetrucks, but still require rotating beacons on the back of the truck because the light from an incandescent bulb can be projected with the help of a reflecting device i.e. mirror. LEDS are good for battery consumption, and flooding a small area with light, but just do not produce the beam that you want in a good light, there are combos out there made by streamlight that have both regular spotting beams such as incandescent or xenons, and LEDS also, with a multi-function switch to choose between LED, incandescent, or both at the same time...

Look at those, if you want the best of both worlds...

[ctdl92]

I suggest a Streamlight Ultra-Stinger. 75,000 CP in a relatively small size. They are still aluminum and have some heft to them so they can still be used as an impact weapon in emergencies. The beam is adjustable from a spot to flood.

[gottripletsNC]

I actually own a stinger, not the ultra, and its kinda short for a weapon, but got enuff whump to hurt ya...
Small enuff not to be bulky, but yet big enuff to swing with...

[ctdl92]

The Ultra is about 12" long and the head is substantially bigger in diameter than the body so it gives a surer hold.

[gottripletsNC]

hey I might be interested in one of those...

[N7CAV]

I use a 6-C cell mag light; Much smaller and easier to handle than a D-cell, and works just as well. Can be used as a defensive baton if needed.

The Surefire 9Z emits a bright beam at long distance and works well for blinding unwelcome approaches, use with weapon, ect.

The X-Treme LED torches (5 or six LED's with a cap-button) are great for your belt because of the short range, bright glow that is 90% of what is needed from a flashlight. They last a heck of a lot longer (ten fold longer at least) between battery replacement.

I kind of like the idea of NOT using a flashlight in conjunction with a weapon if at all possible. If I had to, it would be the 9Z, mainly because of beam intensity on a subject's eyes. Depends on what the situation is, however, sometimes a 6-cell maglight is a better or more reasonable choice. Maybe I missed some training, but I'd never bolt/weld/connect or otherwise attach anything to a weapon. It's enough just trying to stay awake from the boredom of being in a threat situation. Adding all that extra hardware to the mix would just confuse me. :-)

[The Angry American]

Do you use your light for work or EDC? My EDC is a Surefire E2D. It's a small light about the size of a kubatan with strike bezels on both ends. The output is 60 lumens. I never leave home without it.

[wildon1911s]

I carry the Surefire Z2 Combatlight, 65 lumens, and the Pelican M6, 85 lumens, both are about the same size and are great in conjunction with your pistol.

[black bear 84]

Some friends and I are making a modification of the 3 "D" Maglite, using 9 Nimhs rechargeable batteries, new solid aluminum reflector and pyrex lens, we run a superbulb.
We have achieve the unheard of before figure of 951 lumens!!!
A regular 3 "D" will produce about 14 lumens!!
The most powerful Surefire Guardian M-6 costing $392.00 can only produce 500 lumens. And it use 6 123's batteries for a running time of 20 minutes.
Our light uses rechargeable Nimhs for free lumens!!
here is some beamshots.
Beamshot of my desk using a 3 "D" Maglite

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v111/blackbear11784/basement1.jpg

This beamshot using the Maglite modified 951 lumens

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v111/blackbear11784/basement2.jpg

This is so far the most powerful flashlight in round configuration.
The only contender, but much heavier and using 20 123's batteries is not a flashlight at all but is considered a searchlight. Is used by the Army mounted in heavy machine guns, and is made by Surefire, called "The Beast" it sell in Surefire website for $2,900.00 (yes it is not typo) this light produces 2000 lumens, but been a HID it will take a few seconds to start up. So can not be used as a tactical flashlight at all.
Also you need a jeep or a very stout horse to carry the extra supply of batteries.
bb 84

[black bear 84]

For those guys that still like the heft and lenght of a Maglite 3 D, but look for something more powerful, I have what you are looking for.
A Maglite 3 D, modify by me with a rechargeable battery system.
So you don't expend another dime in batteries.
Now, grab into your chair, this is the most powerful flashlight in the world
It output 951 lumens

A regular Maglite 3 D will output with new fresh batteries 39 lumens, for one hour, after that the batteries have drop enough voltage that the output is half that, or about 20 lumens. To understant that look at this chart.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v111/blackbear11784/mag3d.gif

Now to see the diference between 39 lumens and 951, look at my desk

Beamshot with regular Maglite 3 D (39 lumens)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v111/blackbear11784/enlarge39lumens.jpg

Beamshot with Maglite 3 D rechargeable modified for 951 lumens

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v111/blackbear11784/MAG951bas2.jpg

If you like one please visit my thread in the flea market of this Forum, here is the link:
http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=4671

Best regards
black bear 84