Flashlight

I have used a bunch of the fenix pd series. The 35 is my current. I have a couple, one for edc and another that stays in my turnouts. Nothing is 100% but they have been good so far and they both have been used hard. Edc has run several night handgun and rifle classes and the other is in turnouts, so it get rode real hard.

To me the best feature of the fenix is the modes. I leave it on high all the time. When the battery gets low it automatically steps down a mode. It has 5. Run time on low is measured in days I believe. I'll never not have one.

I've used modlite and Surefire as well. Modlite is great for weapons.
 
I settled on UK Dive Lights. Absolutely bullet proof. They come in a variety of sizes, shapes and weights. Like the rest of you folks I tried them all. None come close. uwkdive.com
None come close is a little strong. There are many great lights out there. For comparison, the UK SL4, with 600 lumens, 4 C batteries, 15 ounces, $125, and the Fenix E18R, 750 lumens, magnetic rechargeable or CR123, 1.65 ounces, $65. You don't necessarily need a light waterproof to 500ft depth for EDC or hunting.
 
I was gifted a couple of new Fenix (PD35 and PD25) by a good friend who has done comparisons of the major brands and these are his hands down favorites. After using them for a bit, I must say, they are my favorites too. Have yet to find a complaint.
 
I settled on UK Dive Lights. Absolutely bullet proof. They come in a variety of sizes, shapes and weights. Like the rest of you folks I tried them all. None come close. uwkdive.com
I'm With you on UK Dive lights. Underwater Kinetics. I've had two small (four AAs) and two larger (four Cs) for a good 25 -30 years. Once while backpacking in the sierras I was squatting on a log over a lake, doing dishes. I had my only flashlight in my back pocket. It squirted out and I watched it slowly burn out. I had to do a pack out after dark on a moonless night for miles and miles. Starlight was almost enough until I got under the trees then there was only dark. Kicked rocks and trees over and over. From then on, only waterproof lights for me. So back to UK. After twenty years one of my lights would not light with new batteries. So I replaced the bulb. No good. So I'm driving in San Diego and I see a UK facility. I pop in, tell them my story. They said sometimes the switch goes bad and gave me a brand new flashlight. Gotta love it. I still use them
 
Try not to laugh to hard......but this is a great little flashlight for the money. Video at the end is worth a watch.

 
What is the best flashlight that will never let you down even in the rain or snow
Maratac by County Comm. Best ever EDC flashlight. Selectable 700/140/5 lumen main beam, 2xAA, strobe and beacon functions, all heavy duty aluminum black anodized, high performance Cree LED, O seals at all joints, **** near unbreakable! AA has highest power density/weight/availability. Small enough to carry same as a backup light in your pack. $50. Everybody in my family has at least one.
 
Surefire and Streamlight have both been pretty good for me, depending on your price point. SF has poor customer service if you are not LEO, and all of their lights seem to have lots of spill for clearing rooms and lack the throw and candela power I generally want for outdoor use. If I were to buy a new handheld tomorrow I would look at Cloud Defensive or Modlite looking for that different beam pattern and better customer service.
My experience was different. I am not a LEO, but I had a warranty issue on my Surefire Tactical. No matter what I did, it would only put out minimal light (akin to a wall mounted night light). I got in touch with SF tech support and with minimal hassle sent it back for rework/repair. Instead, I received a brand new flashlight that works great. No complaints here.
 
For the past several years my brother inlaw sent me his Surefire and thats been my go to light.I recently sent it back to him so I need one.
wernerpd that is important to me,customer survice.
It MUST be able to work in bad weather and abuse,Fenix and Surefire seems to fit the bill.
 
My experience was different. I am not a LEO, but I had a warranty issue on my Surefire Tactical. No matter what I did, it would only put out minimal light (akin to a wall mounted night light). I got in touch with SF tech support and with minimal hassle sent it back for rework/repair. Instead, I received a brand new flashlight that works great. No complaints here.

They have had a reputation for poor customer service in general over the last few year, maybe it has improved. I placed an order with them directly to get the radio ear pieces they used to make that were phenomenal, and it was like my order vanished. It never came, it was never canceled, my emails weren't responded to, I couldn't get through on the phone, and I think my credit card still got charged. My buddy is law enforcement and gets the red carpet treatment. Perhaps it is just my luck. I have a used their lights and muzzle devices for years and have never had anything break so I haven't had to go back to them, but I just deal with their distributors even though I live like an hour from their headquarters and went to college down the freeway from them.
 
The lights that use the 18650 3.7 volt rechargeable batteries are the way to go.The lights and batteries can be purchased on Ebay for some really cheap prices.The batteries are 2.640" x .71" and powerhouses for battery energy.Another good light is the Anker LC90.It too is rechargeable.The battery on that one is 18650-3350,3.6 volt.The battery is about the same size but the ends are a little different than the 18650.Another thing about these batteries I've been told,do not leak like traditional batteries
 
They have had a reputation for poor customer service in general over the last few year, maybe it has improved. I placed an order with them directly to get the radio ear pieces they used to make that were phenomenal, and it was like my order vanished. It never came, it was never canceled, my emails weren't responded to, I couldn't get through on the phone, and I think my credit card still got charged. My buddy is law enforcement and gets the red carpet treatment. Perhaps it is just my luck. I have a used their lights and muzzle devices for years and have never had anything break so I haven't had to go back to them, but I just deal with their distributors even though I live like an hour from their headquarters and went to college down the freeway from them.
Thats a shame.I emailed them awhile back to make sure they were still made here and not China and they seemed nice.
I'll remember your experience.
I still have not made a purchase and could go towards Fenix also so not sure right now.C S makes a deal
 
I have various brands and trust Surefire the most, by far. Stream lights have been good but the Surefires just work. I normally have 2 handhelds plus 2 headlamps in my pack. I also zip tie the Surefire Titanium on my pack buckle, where it stays and I forget about it. The Ti puts out 300 lumens if needed and is great for easy access quickly.

I pull out all batteries at the end of the season and replace with new each year. The only downside I have with Surefire is that they are not easily held in my teeth. Laugh at me, but I know you do it too when scrambling in the dark!
 
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