Need a duty flashlight

[Maverick44]

I need a good flashlight for my new job. Here's my criteria.

• Decently sized (NOT a Maglite, but it doesn't have to be one of those super tiny lipstick lights. It can either go in a pocket or on a duty belt.)
• Tough (able to take a beating, abuse, ect and keep working)
• Bright, but with multiple settings.
• Able to be used for self defense (I can't have some medieval looking spikes on the front of it, but something more reasonable and less intimidating/weapony looking is fine)
• Rechargable with a long battery life
• Under $100

Here's what I've looked at so far.

Fenix PD36R - $100

https://www.amazon.com/Fenix-rechar...ds=fenix+pd36&qid=1569457883&s=gateway&sr=8-1

A little under 5.5" long, weighs 3 oz. Settings below.

Brightness Level / Runtime:
Turbo: 1600 Lumens / 2 Hours 50 Minutes (Light level drops down for temperature protection)
High: 800 Lumens / 5 Hours 49 Minutes
Medium: 350 Lumens / 8 Hours 24 Minutes
Low: 150 Lumens / 26 Hours
Eco: 30 Lumens / 115 Hours

It comes with a holster

I like it. Even it's brightest setting has a fairly decent battery life. The high/medium settings are more than enough for my needs. It's definitely on the high end of my budget (actually exceeds it just a bit), but the brightness, the battery life, and the size just seems right. It's my pick so far.

Streamlight ProTac HL 3 - $80

https://www.amazon.com/Streamlight-...reamlight+hl3&qid=1569458759&s=gateway&sr=8-1

It's a touch over 7" long, 9.3 oz, puts out 1,100 lumens, and come with a holster. It only has a low (35 lumen) and a high setting. Battery life is about 1.5 hours on high. I'm not too happy with that.

Streamline ProTac HL 4 - $81

https://www.amazon.com/Streamlight-Pro-Tac-HL-Flashlight/dp/B01B5DZ0LY/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=streamlight+hl3&qid=1569458759&s=gateway&sr=8-1&th=1

Programmable, a little over 8.5" long, 17 oz, three brightness settings. High puts out an unGodly 2,200 lumens and lasts 1.5-1.75 hours, medium is 600 lumens and lasts 4-4.25 hours, and low is 60 lumens and lasts 40-43 hours.

It's a little on the large size, but I like it. the 600 lumens would likely be the most used setting and lasts long enough (I will more than likely be able to recharge or change batteries mid shift), and I like the option of the 2,200 lumen setting. It can reach roughly 350 meters, which would actually be useful to me.

Fenix PD35 TAC - $73

https://www.amazon.com/Tactical-Fla...uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

5.4" long, 3.1 oz. It would be the lightest and easiest to carry flashlight on this list. It has two different modes and multiple settings for each (listed below).

Switching between Tactical/Outdoor modes: Press and hold side button for 3 seconds.

Modes

TACTICAL MODE
Turbo: 1000 Lumens (1 hr., 10 min.)
Low: 60 Lumens (29 hr., 15 min.)
Strobe: 1000 Lumens

OUTDOOR MODE
Turbo: 1000 Lumens (1 hr., 10 min.)
High: 500 Lumens (2 hrs., 55 min.)
Mid: 200 Lumens (8 hr. 30 min.)
Low: 60 Lumens (29 hr., 15 min.)
Eco: 8 Lumens (140 hr.)
Strobe: 1000 Lumens

It comes with a holster.

I like the size. The battery life is kinda meh though, and I really don't need that many settings.

Klarus XT11GT - $86

https://www.amazon.com/Klarus-Tacti...9Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

about 5.5" long, 13.6 oz. The settings are listed below.

Turbo: 2000 lm--50 min
High:400lm-- 3.5 h
Medium: 100 lm --12 h
Low :10 lm-- 170 h
Strobe :2000 lm--1.7 h
SOS: 100 lm --36 h

It comes with a holster and a bunch of goodies. I like the size and the lumens output. The battery life is not the best though.

What do you guys think? The Fenix PD36R is my favorite out of these, but the Streamline ProTac HL 4 is my second, and its very close. The weight and size has it's pros and cons, and it's cheaper.

 

[Maverick44]

Found another I like. This one is definitely in the top 3.

Fenix PD35 V2.0 - $80

https://www.amazon.com/Fenix-PD35-V...jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

5.4" long, 3.1 oz. It has better battery life than the other PD35.

5 modes plus Strobe
- Turbo: 1000 Lumens (2 hr. 50 min. - 820 feet/250 meters)
- High: 350 Lumens (5 hrs. 10 min.)
- Med: 150 Lumens (12 hr. 25 min.)
- Low: 50 Lumens (29 hr. 30 min.)
- Eco: 3 Lumens (430 hr.)
- Strobe: 1000 Lumens

 

[digger]

What kind of duty? Writing traffic tickets too game warden or ?

 

[Maverick44]

Armed security of a large, mostly wide open property.

 

[digger]

Streamlight would be my choice

 

[BuzzinSATX]

I have bought and used a LOT of lights and for a duty light, I prefer Streamlight lights.

But I have also used and carried OLight, Sure Fire, and Pelican. I also always have a Thorfire light on me and the specific one I currently carry every day has been in a pocket every day for the last 3 years with only battery changes (AA) every few months (used and ops-checked daily)

If I were on night duty, I’d have two lights on me at all times. One Streamlight (PROTAC HL USB 850)
https://smile.amazon.com/Streamlight-Professional-Tactical-Flashlight-Batteries/dp/B07VXRSHS6/ref=sr_1_19?keywords=streamlight+protac+flashlight&qid=1569467230&s=hardware&sr=1-19&th=1

And a Thorfire backup (my EDC):
https://smile.amazon.com/ThorFire-F...c+flashlight&qid=1569467441&s=hi&sr=8-2-fkmr0

 

[perfor8]

I've carried a lot of Fenix lights (still do), and they're very reliable. I've had more problems with Pelican and Streamlight than any other brands.

 

[El Spicoli]

I dunno if any of those could effectively be used as a club. I have an old superstinger and replaced it with a led bulb. It goes out with me walking the dog. You can also add a car charger too. I would not want to get hit with one.
I also have a NightStick Personal Size Polymer rechargeable 850 lumen light and it is a bit shorter than the superstinger but could still hit someone with it.

Of course you could go with a smaller pocket or belt case light and carry an ASP baton or if on a large scale property, go old school with a PR24 baton.

 

[andre3k]

Go to any cop shop and pick up a Streamlight Strion DS HL.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[Bithabus]

I would go with Streamlight over Fenix. The Fenix lights I've owned fail to turn on about 1% of the time. I have an HL and it's OK for the money.

I would recommend this light (but it's over $100): https://www.amazon.com/SureFire-Sin...e&qid=1569477474&s=sporting-goods&sr=1-3&th=1

 

[tsugsr]

Go to any cop shop and pick up a Streamlight Strion DS HL.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

I have fielded several streamlights for Law Enforcement/Security purposes.

As quoted, get you a stream light DS HL, great light and very bright. Can be used with a simple loop holster or a Blackhawk retention type holster I use now.

I’ve never used fenix lights, but for the cost and support with streamlight products, they cannot be beat.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Bozz10mm]

My vote goes to the Fenix PD35 V2.0

 

[Geezer]

I have 2 Streamlight HL2 lights, one for home, one for truck. I also pocket carry a Streamlight ProTac 2L. I have nothing but good things to say about Streamlight.

 

[oldag]

I always liked the five D cell maglites. Like carrying a lead pipe. Sounds like more than you want to carry, though.

 

[ZX9RCAM]

I always liked the five D cell maglites. Like carrying a lead pipe. Sounds like more than you want to carry, though.

I still have my five C cell maglite I carried 35 years ago.

 

[Dad_Roman]

My kid is an electrician and he loves the Fenix brand.

I have a knockoff of the Streamlight Protac HL4. Its certainly not as dependable as a Streamlight but its a wicked azz flashlight. Bright enough to light a LZ for a chopper. I use it at work mostly and didnt want rechargeables. It uses 9-AA's. 2500Lumens

........course when I go in a fire......its Streamlight...

.

 

[F350-6]

Flashlights have come a long way. I'd actually suggest you go by Home Depot or Lowes. They'll have some pretty good flashlights with a rubber outer shell to help with drops and such. I think the Ray O vac ones I have from Home Depot have held up pretty well and shine just as bright as flash lights that cost 3 times as much.

If you want an adjustable beam, look at Coast. They've been doing the adjustable beam for a long time. I don't remember the brand I got from Lowes, but it was just a simple on /off light.

Personally I hate the lights that come with hi/med/lo/strobe. I'd rather have just an on/off switch.

 

[Maverick44]

For using the light as a self defense tool, I was thinking of more metal pipe with potentially sharp end to the temple than a club, just due to the size I'm wanting. A Maglite makes an excellent weapon in a pinch, but I don't think it would be enjoyable carrying it around for 8-12 hour shifts. Honestly, if I have to use a light as a weapon, shits gone horribly horribly wrong. It's definitely not going to be it's main purpose.

The backup light idea is a great idea. I liked that little Thorfire, so I'll probably pick one up. It's small and light enough that I could probably just drop it in a pocket and forget it's there.

I looked at the Strion, I don't doubt that it's a good light but I think I like specs on the HL 4 a little better.

Right now, I'm stuck between two lights the Fenix PD35 V2.0, and the Streamlight ProTac HL 4. They are the same price.

Fenix PD35 V2.0

• Multiple light settings with decent battery life - Turbo: 1000 Lumens (2 hr. 50 min. - 820 feet/250 meters)
  - High: 350 Lumens (5 hrs. 10 min.)
  - Med: 150 Lumens (12 hr. 25 min.)
  - Low: 50 Lumens (29 hr. 30 min.)
  - Eco: 3 Lumens (430 hr.)
  - Strobe: 1000 Lumens
• Small and light weight
  - Length: 5.4 in./138mm
  - Body diameter: 0.91 in./23mm
  - Head diameter: 1 in./25.4mm
  - Weight: 3.1 oz/89-gram weight (excluding the battery)
• Made of aluminum
• USB rechargable
• Tactical tail switch features instant activation, Metal side switch for output selection.
• Submersible to 2 meters
• Comes with holster

Streamlight ProTac HL 4

• Super bright with long battery life
  - High for maximum illumination: 2,200-lumens; 30,000-candela; 346-meter beam; runs 1.5-hours (CR123A batteries); runs 1.75-hours (18650 batteries).
  - Medium for bright light and longer run time: 600-lumens; 8,300-candela; 182-meter beam; runs 4-hours (CR123A batteries); runs 4.25-hours (18650 batteries).
  - Low for extended run time: 60-lumens; 800-candela; 56-meter beam; runs 40-hours (CR123A batteries); runs 43-hours (18650 batteries).
  - Strobe for signaling or disorienting: runs 2.75-hours.
• Big and heavy.
  - 8.63-Inch length; - 1.24-inch barrel diameter, - 2.35-inch head diameter, - 2.29-inch tri-lobe diameter. - 1-Lb, 1-oz. with CR123A batteries. 1-lb, 2-oz. with Streamlight 18650 batteries.
  
• Made of aluminum
  
• USB adapter sold separately
  
• Tail switch
• Programmable
• Specially designed "lens" prevents user from blinding themselves when illuminating reflective object. Supposedly does not cut through fog as well as some other lights due to that design.
  
• Submersible to 1 meter, drop tested to 1 meter
• No holster

So the Fenix comes kitted out a bit more with the USB charger and a holster, but the Streamlight is simpler with it's 4 settings and it's one tail switch. The USB is not that bid a deal, but the holster is a must. If I can't find one, I could just make one. I have experience with leather working, so it would be easy to make. The Streamlight is also several times heavier, but is still at a pretty reasonable weight. In a pinch, it would likely be a better self defense tool, and I have a feeling that it's size would be more ergonomic than the smaller Fenix. The Fenix is also brighter. I do wonder how that lens would work if viewed directly through. There are some instances where you'd want the ability to limit someone's ability to see. I imagine even wit the lens, 2,200 lumens is probably going to be pretty blinding.

It's a tough choice.

 

[Bozz10mm]

The weight and size are definitely something to consider. 17-18 oz. vs 3 oz. 8.6" long vs 5.4". If you are going to be carrying it for 8 hours.......

 

[oldag]

For using the light as a self defense tool, I was thinking of more metal pipe with potentially sharp end to the temple than a club, just due to the size I'm wanting. A Maglite makes an excellent weapon in a pinch, but I don't think it would be enjoyable carrying it around for 8-12 hour shifts. Honestly, if I have to use a light as a weapon, shits gone horribly horribly wrong. It's definitely not going to be it's main purpose.

Yep, no doubt. But before pistol carry was legal as it is now, the big maglite was one of the better alternatives to have under the car seat.