Inexpensive tactical flashlight that rocks?

[HighVelocity]

I have several of these lights and they're VERY bright. You can't beat it for the price. Well, today while in Target http://www.target.com , I saw that they are on sale dirt cheap.

Took this with my cell phone:



I have used one of these lights in several "low light" pistol matches. Kicked around in the gravel at Elm Fork, dropped repeatedly on the concrete at The Shooting Gallery and never quit working.

Today might be the last day of this price too.

[Greybeard]

Yep, that's dirt cheap for one that runs on the 123s. There's a semi-new Super Target about 1/2 way between home and the range, so I may just need to stop in there and see ... Thanks for the heads-up. Maybe I'll get lucky and snag another one cheap ...

[Skiprr]

Found this brief review on the Brinkman: http://www.ar15armory.com/forums/index. ... topic=1742

At that price, it sure looks like picking up one for the car and one for the toolbox is in order. Hard to go wrong.


As an aside, if any of you have seen the special price on a 500 lumen rechargeable xenon light from Sportsman's Guide, you might want to think twice. Not a bad torch at all, but at 8.25 inches long and with a 2.25-inch bezel, it isn't something for casual, on-person carry. And I find the claim of 500 lumens pretty suspect. My SureFire L5 at 100 lumens seems every bit as bright as this Sportsman's Guide model (just subjectively looking at the results). Again, though, it ain't a bad light. It's become my new nightstand flashlight.

[KBCraig]

http://www.flashlightreviews.com/review ... firelx.htm

[stevie_d_64]

Looks like I might have one more thing I gotta do this weekend!

Haven't been to Target in a long while...

[kwf2006]

I found these at my local Sams Club, at the everyday price of $20.00 FOR TWO OF THEM.

They each use 3 AAA batteries, and Energizers are INCLUDED.

They are only available in silver, but they are 3 WATT lights (the package says 1, but there are newer models now), bright, tight spot and they are watertight, shock proof and I have been VERY happy with them!

The webssite doesnt give the price, and says they are not availble but thats ok, they are in the stores.

Hope this is something someone might appreciate.

http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/naviga ... tem=167770

[fm2]

I got a couple of those Luxon lights as well. Sam's used to have the Cyclops brand in packs of two also, IIRC they were $18. They are similar to the 6P size using 2 of the 123 batteries.

[stevie_d_64]

Bought two of the Brinkman's (his and hers pair, I know I'm such a good husband)...

The advertised price at Target is dead on the money still...

They had 4 on the hook, with one that had everything still with it, but one side of the packaging was neatly cut open...

So I immediately went to condition orange, and scanned the aisle for a threat...

You know how dangerous Target can be!

[KBCraig]

I got a couple of those Luxon lights as well. Sam's used to have the Cyclops brand in packs of two also, IIRC they were $18. They are similar to the 6P size using 2 of the 123 batteries.

Yup, I think I wound up buying four packs of those Cyclops at Sam's. Sent a pair to our son in the Army, one in each bedside table, one in each vehicle, one on my duty belt, and one in my gear bag.

I also recommend the Titanium brand batteries mentioned on flashlightreviews.com; they're cheap and they work.

[NcongruNt]

I recently bought an Inova Bolt (AA model) at Fry's. It was $27.99, and included the batteries. I chose it because it had a nice bright light (3.8 Watt LED), decent longevity, and took AA batteries. It has a momentary switch (push the button on the back end) and constant on (twist the back end). It has a nice rubber grip, and an octagonal shape which makes it easier to hold onto. It also does not roll away as easily when set down due to the shape. It is supposed to last around 3 hours on Alkaline batteries, but should be more like 16 if you use lithium instead.



The only issue I've noted with the design is that it tends to turn itself on when pocket carried and the front facing down. This orientation seems to twist the constant control to on with walking motion. I've noticed that it doesn't really happen if carried with the front facing up. I've had no such problems vest carrying it.

[stroo]

I have a couple of the Brinkmans as well as a Surefire G2. While I like the Surefire a little better, the Brinkmans are a better value and I actually use them more.

[Dwight K. Schrute]

During a year+ stint as a gun salesman in a small local shop, I learned a lot about flashlights. Seriously, like disgusting amounts. I wonder how many useful facts were deleted by info on batteries and lumen-counts... Anyway, just thought I would share my humble knowledge of lights, specifically in reference to the Brinkmann that this post was written about.

Went to Target with the gal today and, sure enough, $12.99 was still the listed price. I buy flashlights like most of you buy groceries, so I went ahead and picked up a pair; about $28 with tax. Comes with two quality CR123A lithium batteries and a faux leather holster for your belt. Holster is nothing special, but will work just fine for those who wear on the belt-- or those who just need a spare mag carrier! Lets talk unit specifics...

The light is (arguably) a hair brighter than any of my SureFire G2's, but despite their ugly price tags, you cannot beat the consistency of SureFire's beams. The Brinkmann is not splotchy by any means; rather, it's beam is much tighter than your standard ML. I assume most folks on this board don't need an example of what "as bright as a G2" means, but if you're still living in the ML days, just buy one of these Brinkmanns or a G2, put it next to your 3' long ML (we all know we have owned one at some point) and prepare to be amazed. Moving on...

Anti-roll bezel? It is what it is; no anti-roller has ever pleased me anyhow, but this one kinda stays in place. Keep it on your person, in your hand, or on a flat surface and you won't have to worry!

Construction is actually quite pleasing. Turned it on and smacked it as hard as I could against my shoe, palm, and floor-- not one flicker or lapse in light. Yet, the bulb construction looks like it was made by Fisher Price, so I wouldn't trust it to hold up if you were (for whatever reason) to drop it with the lens cap temporarily removed.

The grip (prepare to wince, SureFire lovers) outdoes the G2 by a mile. Am I the only one who think a sweaty hand, bit of rain, etc. might send the G2 right out of your grip? Oh well, maybe just me... The packaging claims only water "resistance" (Read: Hide it from anything other than a misty rain), and I believe it. I find that if you put your mouth over the lens/bezel and blow quite hard, you can learn a good deal about how tightly your light is sealed up. My G2's all keep the air (and thus, the water) out, but the Brinkmann let in a good bit of air. You'll note this by whether or not the lens fogs up for a few seconds or not; this means air is getting inside.

Heck, if for no other reason, buy the light because MSRP is $29.99!

In the end, I fear this lengthy review may have been a waste as "stroo" summed it up quite well in the post before mine. While I love my SureFire G2 and it will continue to be my everyday light, the Brinkmann MAXFIRE LX will be my new light to keep in the car, bedside drawer, shooting/hunting bag, and my Bug-out-bag. The minimal differences in the Brinkmann's quality are significant enough to deter me from replacing the G2, but are not enough to keep me from buying three for the price of one G2 and allotting them throughout my home/vehicle.

Brinkmann Lighting Products, Model #820-1025-1
http://www.brinkmann.net/Shop/Detail.as ... 0-4&id=138

Hope this helps. Feel free to PM with any questions or comments.

-DKS

[stevie_d_64]

Well I figured for ~$13 bucks...It be neat to see how well it works over a period of time, and when we need to get new batteries, then see how readily available those are when the time comes...

Besides, the dogs love lights and lasers...

The thread just gave me that extra push to go and take a better look at these things...

[bigolbigun]

I picked one up today at Target. Still at the $12.99 price. What's the proper way to hold the flashlight while identifying your target? Do you hold it with your off hand and use your same pistol grip? Or do you point the light with one hand and your gun with the other. Just curious, thanks.

[Dwight K. Schrute]

I picked one up today at Target. Still at the $12.99 price. What's the proper way to hold the flashlight while identifying your target? Do you hold it with your off hand and use your same pistol grip? Or do you point the light with one hand and your gun with the other. Just curious, thanks.

Here's how I do it:

Assuming you are right handed (just reverse these directions if you aren't), put the gun in your right hand and the light in your left with the tail cap/switch pointing up. Now extend your left arm out, make a thumbs-up, and turn your hand into your body as if to touch your thumb to your chest. Place your right hand over your left so the hands sit perpendicular, or like an X. To find the best way to to set your hands, try looking down your sights and then turning on the light to see how accurately they match up.

NOTE: Remember that when using a light-- EVEN A RAIL LIGHT-- that you should use your sights to aim, not the light; it is merely a tool of illumination. Hope that all made some sense.

DKS