Whats the first non-firearm mounted light you grab when the power goes out?

[triggercontrol]

I am talking about one thats not necesarilly picatinny mounted on your gun, but one that is more general utility applicable as well, I live in Florida, and last year we had a barrage of 6 hurricanes and major tropical storms. I had the power go out numerous times, but the worst was Frances which hit our area bad and I had power loss for 48 hours.
I can tell you that my G2 Surefire Nitrolon saved the day many times. I read by it, went to the bathroom by it, slept with it and so on. For $30, there is no alternative., I was also able to use it to inspect the surrounding vegetation in my backyard from a tactical standpoint and look for possible tresspassers and potential looters. Maglights are great, but I like this one better. Share yours also.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v57/wingedliberty/2ndflashlight.jpg

[Hunter]

Oil lamp. :D No really I have a Brinkmann LED and for the size it really puts out some light. Also a 5 cell Mag Light by my bed and a 3 cell in my pickup. Oh and when power does go out I really do use oil lamps but they are hard to control with a 1911 in your hand.

[wichaka]

Surefire G2 or my other Surefire a G2Z

[triggercontrol]

I've heard alot of good things about Brinkmann products, but have never used them, they seem to be a good value for the money.

[Hunter]

I gave about 15 bucks for the one I have. It is a little bigger around that a mini mag and about the same length, much brighter though. In the dark the 3 LED light really interferes with your sight if shined in you face about 6 foot away(I tried it on myself so I would have an idea).Also the button on the rear to cut it on makes no noise as you are depressing it. It is still somewhat new to me so we will see how it holds up.

[Hersh]

Surefire E2E.

Hersh

[John]

It depends where I am. In my bed table drawer there is a Surfire 6Z, equipped with the high-power lamp assembly, so if I am in bed, that's what I'll get. But since when I am in bed, I am usually asleep, I doubt if I'll notice the outage.

If the outage happens when I am in other parts of the house, I'll try to find my way to the office, where I have a 2 D-cells Maglite. Then candles will take over.

[triggercontrol]

When the hurricanes hit me here in Florida last year, I was very fortunate to have my Surefire G2 Nitrolons. They literally saved me, both from a tactical and practical standpoint.
Winds reached about 110 kph and there was alot of debris flying. I am sure certain thugs and teenage hooligans were tempted to do looting. I had to light them up a couple of times with my surefires and they were quickly gone when they saw that I was armed. (they saw my holster ).

[warmrain]

Biggest SureFire within reach...

[John]

I just want to update you on this. A member here, black bear 84, has send me some pieces which allowed me to upgrade my 2 D-cell Maglite, for a much higher output. Even though I plan to add a detailed report in here, in short, what you need is:

- A lamp from a 5 or 6 D-cell maglite
- Two battery holders, which hold 3 AA rechargeable NiMH batteries each, and they are the size of a D-cell battery
- 6 NiMH AA rechargeable batteries

The old 2 D-cell light has now the output of a 5 or 6 D-cells one! And I do not have to pay for replacement batteries every so often, since those rechargeables can be recharged about 1000 times before they go dead.

Amazing!

[triggercontrol]

Thanks for the feedback John, its an interesting idea.

[warmrain]

BTW, there is also an LED upgrade path as well, though I've lost the URL... The one I'm thinking of has upgrade paths for many other sizes as well (e.g. the 2-AA light). I'll try and find the URL and report back.

[Sandman1967]

I use a 5-D cell maglight.
If I run into any intruders, they would probably rather I shot them with the 1911, verses getting hit with that!

[John]

Thanks for the feedback John, its an interesting idea.

For those interested, I posted a report on the modification. It's in the Member's Test section.

[triggercontrol]

I will go and see.

[Viking]

My everyday carry light these days is a Streamlight Jr Luxeon.
2 AA batteries (=cheap), 1 hi-dome Luxeon LED,
size of a Mini-Mag (=can use any Mini Mag accessory or pouch), or mebbe just a little bit longer.

Since I use it every day, almost always clipped to my pocket, the limited shelf life of those non-lithium batteries is less of an issue, at least for me.

The JR Luxeon was $39 at my local BatteriesPlus, and I just HAD to have it.
Love it. It gets my "cold dead hands" award.
Bright, long battery life, perfect!

I also love my ca 1998 Surefire 9N rechargeable... Not my everyday carry light, tho.

More resources and reviews:
http://www.flashlightreviews.com

[Yoshi]

First pocket maglites ,then 3 D cell maglites then 12 hour chem light sticks
for places like the bathroom a battery powered lantern and small candles around the house.
if the power stays out for more than few hours or has not come on by morning then out with the troybuilt 6500watt generator,then we can have heat too,and maybe a tv :)

[Frank]

One Surefire or another. I usually have an E2O in my coat or vest pocket. There's an Aviator (red) on the bedside table, a 9z in each car, a 6z in the gun safe and an L4 in my desk. I guess I like them.

DVC

[marinakorp]

Ryobe 18v light... extra battery already charged

then I get the candles lit, oil lamp,

[CalNRA]

Surefire M6, or my home-made mag 3D with a 100W Osram bulb that puts out 4000 lumen out of the front of the light on a fresh charge.

[Mitrod3]

since my surefires are all next to guns the streamlights come into play in this scenario.

rechargeable stinger,(downstairs) rechargeable ultra-stinger, (upstairs) or a twin use (2 level LED/White light 3 C cell in my office) are used depending on where we are if the power ever goes.

we have a local streamlight dealer who sells at better prices than anyplace on the web so we went that way.

be safe, shoot well.

[CalNRA]

I carry a HDS EDC U60, a McLux PD, and a SF KL4 on a vital gear body running a rechargable 123. In my room there are 9 other Surefires

In my pack there is a surefire M6, along with a few other LED lights.

[walangkatapat]

I've heard alot of good things about Brinkmann products, but have never used them, they seem to be a good value for the money.

I use the maxfire which runs about $17 at Target and $20 at Walmart.

[JohnMcD348]

MagLite. I have them all over the house and in the cars. Usually the 4D cell units.

[Rio Vista Slim]

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a294/RioVistaSlim/IMG_0205.jpg
This Surefire A-2 Aviator is never far from my hand, so it would be the first thing used in the event of a power outage. I have several other Surefire flashlights, as well as two 3-D cell MagLites in the house. Hurricane oil lamps and candles, just in case power stays out for any length of time.

[MLee]

I'm about the same as Steve. I have a Maglite 3-D cell on the bed stand and in my briefcase, a Surefire Centurion. I also have a Streamlight TLR-2 on my Kimber Warrior.

Mike

[Immortal_Ben]

On my hip my trusted Surefire Z2 rides, day and night. This light made it through OIF I (including a three story drop in an apartment building), and is making a second round working the civilian side of Iraq. It still has its original lamp to this day.

When I was over here in uniform, I also carried a rechargable StingerXT stuffed in the strap of my thigh holster. Got a lot of ribbing for carrying TWO flashlights, but it stopped after a couple of us went into a huge underground cistern. Her light went out, my Z2 went out. Total, complete, deafening blackness. Man that Stinger has never been brighter than it was that night. It now resides in my glovebox, right next to its quickcharger that plugs into the power port.

[pa_guns]

Hi

Biggest D cell Maglight I can find. On sale down at Walmart they are darn cheap. I probably have a dozen of them around the house.

Bob

[shark]

Surefire G3 or G2z. Mag lights pale (literally) in comparison in the lumen department. I also have a Pentagon LED light that works great, but the blue-ish light takes some getting used to.

[Frank]

...Got a lot of ribbing for carrying TWO flashlights, ...
I believe there's an old saying: "Two is one and one is none."

DVC

[dickmartin]

Surefire G2 in Surefire nylon holster rides on my weak side hip any time I'm wearing pants and a belt. I got into that habit when working in a windowless building with a semi-reliable emergency lighting system.

[UC1911XSE]

Surefire E2E.

Hersh

What kind of lamp life to you get with your E2D? I'm looking at the E2E and I am concerned about the lamp life.

[Immortal_Ben]

Frank, never heard that saying, but I can absolutely agree with it.

[garrettwc]

I believe there's an old saying: "Two is one and one is none."

That should be the mantra of the prepared. Doesn't matter whether we're talking lights, knives, or magazines and backup pistols. Have a spare!

Good post Frank.

[chuckles]

I have a lot of lights. Surefires are really nice, well made and tactical and all, (I have 3, M-3, M-2, E2D) but I always reach for the Ultra Stinger, (have 2 of these also), when I need really bright light.

[Sidtek]

If up and about a 1AAA maglight comes out of the pocket first.It' always there. Then to lamps and candles. Streamlight Stylus is always bedside. 3D Maglight with LED conversion is the preferred "lookin' around" light.

[Jerry-R]

I have an example of most of the lights made by Mag-Light, including a 6D under the front seat of the truck for "non-firearm" related emergencies. Having said that, the light beside the .45 on the night stand is a Sure-Fire 6P Defender with the 120 lumen upgrade. The light in the Dillon briefcase (with the same .45) is a Sure-Fire E2 Defender. Yes, they cost a little more, but I really like the features; size, weight, ouput, etc.

Lights are like knives --- you can't have too many.

[pa_guns]

.

Lights are like knives --- you can't have too many.

Hi

Lights are like *1911's* and knives -- you can't have to many. :D :D :D

Bob

[FLuSH23]

One light i love is my Garrity. Its got the back button along with a very though shell.
Stainless steal.
I have had it for years, left it on for nights and it is still blinding.
It was given to me by my father. I would take it over a surelight any day.
I feel very lucky to have it

[Ten_Ring]

4D cell LED MAG light. I also carry a 3AA cell LED MAG light just about every where.

[JRI]

Streamlight Stinger. I have two so one is always on charge. Plus I have a charger in my vehicle so the power outages are also covered. Great light output and will run for an hour before re-charge is needed.

[ghostrider1]

Either my surefire E2D of mini mag with led conversion

[skiking8515]

Surefire G2 for anything where I need some bright light. Mine is yellow so I can usually find it quickly. I also have a Cableas 5watt led that with two brightness settings that sees some use. That puts out some light with three CR123s. For small stuff, I have a sweet Dorcy light that I picked up at wally world for a couple bucks. It has a metal case, and puts out decent light with a AAA battery. I keep it in my Carhart pocket so I always know where it is. I've had it for a couple years and changed the battery once.

[IronForge]

I grab my wolf eyes M90x flashlight. 300 lumens output and rechargable 100 minute runtime.

I used to have a Surefire G2 but it was lost. Set it down inside, someone had the urge to clean the house (not me) and can't remember where they put it. Haven't seen it for years but it will probably turn up sometime.

[Hanzo]

my fenix p3d is always with me

[1911FXR]

Surefire by the bed and Streamlight stinger in the SUV.

[Hawkmoon]

Oil lamp. :D No really I have a Brinkmann LED and for the size it really puts out some light. Also a 5 cell Mag Light by my bed and a 3 cell in my pickup. Oh and when power does go out I really do use oil lamps but they are hard to control with a 1911 in your hand.
Ditto.

Where I live, I'm subject to power losses from hurricanes in the autumn and snow/ice storms in the winter. 2-cell Maglites in all vehicles. 3-cell Maglites in the bedroom and kitchen.

And kerosene (oil) lamps at strategic points throughout the house for long-term, "ambient" lighting.

[beemerphile]

Tigerlight. Are there others? - Lee