Help me find a flashlight

[DisgruntledVirus]

Well some people may remember this thread, and my Surefire A2 Aviator that was "lost". I've been missing it greatly as of late. Keep doing things where a flashlight is needed, or a better one than the crappy $4 plastic ones. So I have been looking into getting a real light again.

I need a light that has a low/high option (with more settings a plus), bright high end (my A2 was great at 50 lumens, but want to step it up to 80-100 min), uses 2 CR123's max, and about the same size as the A2 was. So far I am looking at lights that are $150-$300, but would like to stay around the $200 mark if possible.

The Surefire lights I am torn between are:
A2L Aviator when it's released (I don't know the ETA release date though) @$200
E2D LED @$150
L2 Lumamax @$200
LX2 Lumamax don't know when it will be released $????
UB3 Invictus can't find release date $???
U2 Ultra @$275

Any others I should look at (Surefire or otherwise)?

Edit: I've narrowed it down so now it's between the E2DL Defender, or the E1B Backup. For about the same price, and similar specs any benefit of one over the other? I am thinking about a Fenix light as an alternative as well.

 

[rivan]

Seems like a lot to spend on a flashlight. I'll be watching this thread, however.

 

[racolvin]

Good heavens I didn't realize flashlights were available like that. Guess I'll keep my recommendation for an LED Mag*Lite to myself

 

[mxyzptlk]

I read fleshlight in the topic, but then I went and clicked the thread anyway so.. what does that say about me

 

[ivan2]

check out goldengadgets.com, the price has been up a bit but the one that I bought is as bright as the surefire my friend's got, and he got one too ($30 now, the 2 lithium batt one). Get a 1 AA smaller light and you will have both brightness for much cheaper.

 

[SandEagle]

I have the Surefire A2 Aviator as well. Probably the best flashlight I have ever owned. If I lost it, I'd buy another one. It may seem expensive at first, but once you try it, you'll know why they cost as much as they do. Try eBay.. you can pull A2s for ~100 if you're lucky. GL!

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Originally posted by: ivan2
check out goldengadgets.com, the price has been up a bit but the one that I bought is as bright as the surefire my friend's got, and he got one too ($30 now, the 2 lithium batt one). Get a 1 AA smaller light and you will have both brightness for much cheaper.

You would get along great with my gf on the subject of flashlights

She sees no reason to spend that much on one. I, OTOH, found it to be worth the money (even in just the techie/fun/cool/nerd/geek factor of it).

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Originally posted by: SandEagle
I have the Surefire A2 Aviator as well. Probably the best flashlight I have ever owned. If I lost it, I'd buy another one. It may seem expensive at first, but once you try it, you'll know why they cost as much as they do. Try eBay.. you can pull A2s for ~100 if you're lucky. GL!

I have an authorized dealer across the street from me who has them on clearance for $120, which was actually what got me to looking again. I had the red LED's, but would need to find a white version. The other issue is the low end wasn't bright enough, nor focused enough for my uses. The A2L though looks to rectify the brightness issue, but don't know about how "tight" the non-main LED's beam will be. And it's not out yet

 

[Unheard]

I bought a nice one off DealExtreme.com. Chinese knock offs and slow shipping, but cheap prices for decent lights.

 

[Ikonomi]

The A2 is tough to replace. There's just something about it. You could always buy the red LED model and swap to some white ones.

That said, you might check http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/ for reviews and recommendations, if you're not already a member.

 

[mcveigh]

HDS RA clicky EDC about $99
or
Novatac 120P
or
new surefire all LED aviator

 

[AstroManLuca]

Originally posted by: mxyzptlk
I read fleshlight in the topic, but then I went and clicked the thread anyway so.. what does that say about me

me too

 

[aceO07]

I have an HDS U60, modded to use newer led. I don't know what I'd do if I lost it. The Novatac isn't as well designed (output isn't as stable and other issues). The RA, I guess that'd be the only option for me as a replacement. Having 4 output levels is definitely very useful.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Originally posted by: mcveigh
HDS RA clicky EDC about $99
or
Novatac 120P
or
new surefire all LED aviator

Any idea on the new Aviator release date?

 

[Barfo]

Last time I posted in a flashlight thread I got a vacation :laugh:

 

[rudeguy]

Does anyone know why us guys are so intrigued by flashlights? I asked for a new one every year when I was a kid and I still drool over monster flashlights. The truth is that I have rarely needed more than a penlight, but I can never settle for what I "need".

Now I'm going to DX to check out flashlights...thanks guys. I'm trying to save money here.........

 

[AmigaMan]

sigh...a fool and his money...
That said, label me a fool cuz if I could afford it, I'd probably have one. But my $15 LED el-cheapo from WalMart is good enough. That just means I have more money to spend on outfitting my power/air tool collection.

 

[Dessert Tears]

Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus
I need a light that has a low/high option (with more settings a plus), bright high end (my A2 was great at 50 lumens, but want to step it up to 80-100 min), uses 2 CR123's max, and about the same size as the A2 was. So far I am looking at lights that are $150-$300, but would like to stay around the $200 mark if possible.

The other issue is the low end wasn't bright enough, nor focused enough for my uses.

I think that these are pretty selective requirements for a single light. Multiple settings mean LED or multiple lamps. I've been out of the hobby for a few years, so I don't know what a high-bin LED puts out. I think your "bright high end" requirements may constrain your base emitter choice.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

After losing (or having them stolen) several Surefire lights (I miss my L2), I've gone to Fenix lights. Their L2D is a decent replacement for the L2, and it uses standard AA batteries. Good flashlight, excellent output, tough to kill, and a whole lot cheaper.

 

[DayLaPaul]

I'm content with my $10 Ultrafire. Sure, it took some modding to get to work properly, but the shrug that I gave the other day, when it took it's first fall from about 4 feet high onto pavement, is priceless. Nothing a Sharpie won't fix.

I'm not sure I could do that with a $200 flashlight.

 

[Omegachi]

I a whole fleshlight.

 

[ConstipatedVigilante]

Originally posted by: mxyzptlk
I read fleshlight in the topic, but then I went and clicked the thread anyway so.. what does that say about me

I was interested by the prospect of a fleshlight called the "Aviator A2." I was wondering, "well, what the hell else does it do?!"

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Originally posted by: ConstipatedVigilante

Originally posted by: mxyzptlk
I read fleshlight in the topic, but then I went and clicked the thread anyway so.. what does that say about me

I was interested by the prospect of a fleshlight called the "Aviator A2." I was wondering, "well, what the hell else does it do?!"

Ever see that movie where they have a blow up doll for a pilot of an airplane?

Yeah it's kind of like that, except a female body with a built in fleshlight.

 

[jlee]

I have a Streamlight Strion that's usually in my truck - I love it (rechargable FTW), but I do wish it had the focused beam that Surefires have now.

 

[shortylickens]

If you get another $200 flashlight I promise you will "lose" it again.
I have an L7 Digital and I never take it out of the house. Nice gift from my uncle but I would never buy something like than for myself. Too risky.

In the car and around the house I use Maglights. Have a six D-cell light in my car and plenty of two or three AA lights in drawers all over the house. The three-cell AA models have LED lights.

Altogether I spent less than the price of one Surefire and have plenty of backups, which are less likely to be "lost".