home defense flashlight

mkim1120 · Post by **mkim1120** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 11:14 pm

lately i have been considering purchasing a flash light to use during a home defense situation.
there seems to be many options
maybe some texaschlers could shed some info and pics on what they use?
what kind, what model, where to purchase?

jbirds1210 · Post by **jbirds1210** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 11:24 pm

Surefire G2 is the best bang for the buck IMO. It is bright......very bright and you wont have to take out a loan for it.

Jason

packina45 · Post by **packina45** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 11:32 pm

+1 on the Surefire G2. Bright enough to be disorienting to night adapted eyes, cheap enough to buy a couple, and built to last.

G.C.Montgomery · Post by **G.C.Montgomery** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 11:34 pm

http://www.fenixlight.com
http://www.streamlight.com
http://www.surefire.com
http://www.pentagonlight.com
http://www.insightlights.com

Just what comes to mind. Personally, I'm carrying a second generation SureFire L1 LumaMax these days. 65 Lumens from a one cell light that fits in my pocket pretty easily and is much more convenient for carry than my old L2, G2 or any two cell light. I also own a Pentagon X3, nine-volt light that I like when I need lots of light with a little bit of reach. LEDs have come a VERY long way in the last two years and are worth consideration.

I've head good things about all the companies I noted earlier. SureFire makes excellent products and they have always stoof behind them. However, SureFire is generally the most expensive option among avalable flashlights. I can't vouch for significant value added beyond Streamlight and others. I've seen examples from Fenix Light recently and I thought they were pretty cool.

nitrogen · Post by **nitrogen** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 11:51 pm

I have a surefire G2. It's small, so I can put it in a pocket very easily, and its very bright.

A buddy of mine runs a great webstore for knives and flashlights, and his prices are decent too.
http://1sks.com/
Tell him Nitrogen sent ya ;)

mkim1120 · Post by **mkim1120** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 11:54 pm

for those who own a g2..
has anyone done a 120 bulb switch?

also
from everyone who owns a g2 what is the battery life of these?

mkim1120 · Post by **mkim1120** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 12:05 am

just did a bit more research..

there is a g2 and a g2 led?

i thought the g2 was an led...?????

please clarify

Mike1951 · Post by **Mike1951** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 12:07 am

Nope.

IIRC, the G2 LED is almost twice the price.

nitrogen · Post by **nitrogen** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 12:25 am

mkim1120 wrote:for those who own a g2..
has anyone done a 120 bulb switch?

also
from everyone who owns a g2 what is the battery life of these?

The bulb switch is very easy to do. I got the 120 bulb when I got my surefire, but I rarely use it. The stock bulb is bright enough as far as I'm concerned. The 120 bulb eats battery life at almost 2x the rate of the stock bulb.

Post by **Skiprr** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 1:31 am

SureFire L5 Lumamax.

Don't scrimp. A quality light should be an integral part of your carry.

KD5NRH · Post by **KD5NRH** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 2:11 am

nitrogen wrote:The bulb switch is very easy to do. I got the 120 bulb when I got my surefire, but I rarely use it. The stock bulb is bright enough as far as I'm concerned. The 120 bulb eats battery life at almost 2x the rate of the stock bulb.

Closer to 3x actually. I carry a the 3W Rayovac Xtreme all the time, and keep the Surefire in my vest with my carry gun. The Rayovac is plenty for indoor target acquisition and identification, and the Surefire is reserved for checking things at longer ranges, or when I just feel I need a photon cannon :)

Battery life on the Rayovac ends up being about a month on 2 AAs for me, the Surefire, with little use, goes 2-3 months on 2 CR123s.

Anybody got a Fenix P3D? I've looked over the specs, and hinted to the wife that it would be nice on the Christmas list, but there's no substitute for trying things out in the real world.

[Edited to add; the Brinkmann LX with the rubberized exterior will take Surefire reflector assemblies; since I couldn't find a Brinkmann replacement locally, that's what I did with the original 60 lumen lamp assembly from my Surefire, and it makes a great light for the driver's side door pocket in the car.]

seeker_two · Post by **seeker_two** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 8:49 am

I use the old-fashioned Streamlight Scorpion--the rubber body sleeve is easy to grip. I also keep a LED light I bought at CTD for regular use.

I'm thinking about getting the Stinger rechargable to supplement the Scorpion. Anyone out there use it? Is it worth the money?....

yerasimos · Post by **yerasimos** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 9:23 am

The individual who started this thread enquired about a "home defense" flashlight. As the user may be in condition orange when picking up the flashlight for checking out his home and making sure there were no hostiles present, I would try to keep the flashlight as simple as possible. No multiple output settings or different colors, just bright white light. The on switch should be on the end opposite the output bulb so that it is easily found in the dark.

I have been guilty of doing "retail therapy" via the Surefire route. They certainly know how to make great flashlights, they are very savvy in marketing them and they make great money selling them. They have always worked in my experience, and I am not motivated to try out other brands at this point.

As of right now, I typically carry a small, lightweight 6V LED flashlight that is easily clipped wherever I want and does not interfere with the rest of my daily carry gear. This small, high-output light should work just fine for "home defense" as well. I use my older 6V incandescent flashlights at work, in the car or for air travel.

Lodge2004 · Post by **Lodge2004** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 9:38 am

Since the use is "home defense" there is little need to go for small and easily carried devices.

I am a big guy, so I tend to prefer flashlights that fit my hands and have a little weight to them. The classic 6P is perfectly sized for my hand and with the new crenelated bezel (6P Defender) it is a wicked looking striking device.

The larger/heavier MagLites are also nice to have around. With one of the 4D models, you get a very bright light combined with an effective club.

KinnyLee · Post by **KinnyLee** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 11:17 am

My flashlight of choice is either the Surefire X200A or NighOps Gladius.
Yes, the X200A is a weapon mounted light, but because of the tail pressure switch I can still use it on hand. I also have a X200A in car with me in case I need a light. Gladius gets home duty 99% of the time. Hehe.