Best flashlight thread (or, "torch" if you are from Southern Africa)

[steve white]

When I last went to Zimbabwe, the PH's were all in for SureFire flashlights except for one thing--they burned through batteries which were not always easy to replace. Now we have high intensity LED, etc. and some with batteries that are high tech and somewhat unfamiliar. What are your latest thoughts on the best and brightest in flashlights, preferably super bright but not as large as a riot baton?
Also, do any have portable solar recharging capability?

 

[Tanks]

I am happy with these folks

https://www.fenixlighting.com/collections/flashlights?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=21328493240&utm_content=169711137064&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21328493240&gbraid=0AAAAADunleZBJ0yVZ-c9GTUveUd8KmqAo&gclid=Cj0KCQjwgr_NBhDFARIsAHiUWr58pq-EVR2zaiTf97ISkU6vTlq-euTouCciEYLkO2gbU1hSKurTc88aAje8EALw_wcB

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

Olight
Gumpy

 

[Russ16]

I’ve had very good luck with Coast products. I like their rechargeable flashlights and headlamps that come with a spare rechargeable battery. My Coast headlamp is by far the best I’ve ever used. They aren’t the cheapest but they are great.

 

[Flbt]

I really don’t know when I stoped using mag light
I went to surefire and there still my “good” flashlight
I was giving a rechargeable one for Christmas.
But have not used it much

 

[Rimbaud]

Check out the Surefire rechargeable flashlights. 1000 Lumens. V handy to carry. Stiletto models. I have v1 and keep it in my kit, EDC

 

[275r7x57]

Been very pleased with Maglite.

MAG-TAC LED Rechargeable Crowned Bezel Flashlight | Maglite

Shop for the MAG-TAC LED Rechargeable Crowned Bezel Flashlight System, an ultra-bright tactical light with fast charging and rugged reliability.

maglite.com

Maglite XL50 LED Flashlight Compact Weather Resistant

Compact, Maglite XL50 LED flashlight delivers bright illumination in rain or shine with a rugged, weather-resistant build for everyday carry.

maglite.com

 

[Woodcarver]

I really don’t know when I stoped using mag light
I went to surefire and there still my “good” flashlight
I was giving a rechargeable one for Christmas.
But have not used it much

Same here. Kept a 3D Mag in every vehicle for years, and the 2x AA minis in every pack, bag, trailer, etc (there's a lot of them still scattered around here, lol).
The handheld flashlight that gets the most use nowadays is a Surefire 2x123A that I use rechargeables in. Biggest gripe is I only get about 2-3 hours per charge. When I need really good light, I use one of my dive lights. Hard to beat 1000-2500 lumens. Have to be careful using dive lights; a lot of them can't be used out of water or they overheat quickly (very bad thing to do to expensive lights), but some of my SeaLife and OrcaTorch models can be used dry. They will get pretty warm on the lens if used for extended periods. They also use rechargeable batteries. Nice thing about dive lights is they are typically built tough, and for obvious reasons, it doesn't matter if they get wet, lol.
Even though they aren't "flashlights", per se, the lights that get the most use are the Petzel (sp?) headlamps. Now there's 1 of them in every truck instead of the Maglites. I prefer having both hands free if I'm working on something.

 

[GuttormG]

The best flashlight is the one you have available when needed, so I have bought a bunch of this ones of eBay and have them "everywhere"; cheap, reliable, uses AA.
For when I need lots of light (like lamping foxes or what the heck is over on the other side of the garden I have other, too expensive ones using weird rechargeable batteries..

 

[CBH Australia]

Olight are building a good reputation.

I had Mag Lite back in the day and I have a nightcore in my travel bag today.

Bring a “Torch” if you come to Australia. It’s good to see what venomous creatures might be under foot in the night. Rumour has it everything here is trying to kill us.

 

[uplander01]

Nebo rechargeable, been very impressed with the one I was forced to buy in SA due the airport jackals steeling my luggage

 

[eatmore-pbj]

Olight seeker 4 and and warrior 4.
They are incredibly small and extremely bright and have very long run times.

 

[Daggaboy375]

+1 for Fenix LD22.
DB

 

[Tanks]

I like the Fenix TK25R: 3600 Lumens, rechargeable battery, and multiple light modes. And still pretty compact at a bit over 6" in length.

 

[skydiver386]

Been very pleased with Maglite.

Maglite XL50 LED Flashlight Compact Weather Resistant

Compact, Maglite XL50 LED flashlight delivers bright illumination in rain or shine with a rugged, weather-resistant build for everyday carry.

maglite.com

I have half a dozen Mag lite XL50's and I'm always ready to buy more when I see them. They throw a tremendous beam for such a small light, and the price is less than half that of a similar SureFire.

I prefer them for following blood trails at night over everything else. The new wave UV lights don't work as well as a good old fashioned bright WHITE LED.

 

[wvfred]

Another vote for fenix I've had mine 4 or 5 years and still holds a charge for a very long time. It is small and I think is around 3000 lumens on the high setting.

 

[Hornedfrogbbq]

The best headlamp I have ever used is the Coast XPH34R. Rechargeable, bright with various settings, magnet on the end to be able to fix it to metal and work with it shining on your project, battery charge indicator and damn near indestructible. It isn't the lightest headlamp but in terms of capability, it blows everything else out of the water that we have tried.

We have been using different headlamps duck hunting for the last 20 years. This is the best we have found in terms of capability and toughness. The IP54 rating seems conservative because I have used this in pouring rain and never had an issue (when my kuiu and sitka gear were struggling to perform). It also is on sale now. Highly recommend and we are big fans.

 

[Russ16]

The best headlamp I have ever used is the Coast XPH34R. Rechargeable, bright with various settings, magnet on the end to be able to fix it to metal and work with it shining on your project, battery charge indicator and damn near indestructible. It isn't the lightest headlamp but in terms of capability, it blows everything else out of the water that we have tried.

We have been using different headlamps duck hunting for the last 20 years. This is the best we have found in terms of capability and toughness. The IP54 rating seems conservative because I have used this in pouring rain and never had an issue (when my kuiu and sitka gear were struggling to perform). It also is on sale now. Highly recommend and we are big fans.

Yep that’s the one. And I find all their products to be to the same standard.

 

[samson7x]

I'm a fan of surefire and would get one of the dual fuel with rechargeables.

 

[C.W. Richter]

'Gave up on carrying flashlights in hunting long ago. Have you ever operated a knife (gutting) or gun while holding a flashlight?? LED headlamp of your choosing. Wear it walking in the dark in America and it may just save your life (esp. on public lands)! Headlamps: Because we got tired of that flashlight electroplating getting deposited on our teeth when field dressing animals in the dark. I always have a backup in camp, and usually it gets lent to someone else. *I do keep flashlights in vehicles for quick inspection of anything in the dark. Some of the LEDs today will cast a beam out to 150 yards or more (which is better than headlamps) and that can be handy in retrieving game in the dark. Most all are contract made in China, but there's still some good stuff to be gotten out there. Online or in high-end mountaineering stores (Some still exist!) **Stray away from the ones that look like a telephoto lens sticking out of your cranium (they grab branches, then do Newton proud, then get your spare!) They have exposed wiring, for God's sake. LOL Low-profile, large surface area light. To preserve battery on long walks and/or in the extreme cold, when walking with others or on your own (safe) property, keep the light on low beam as much as practicable. "Let there be Light!"