I am looking to buy some flashlights for future africa trips.

I found some good ones listed and reviewed here - fenix ect. I am going to buy one of them.

The other one I am looking for I need some advice.

I want a larger flashlight that can throw a good size beam 150-200 meters. I want this light more to keep in my tent and to use at night around the waterhole most camps have.

Ideally I have this larger flashlight run on the same power source as the smaller fenix lights - 18650 battery.

Anyone have any suggestions? One the smaller flashlight I am leaning towards the Fenix PD35.

Thanks in advance,

Mike

I use an INOVA T4 rechargeable .

I have a PD 35 and it is a very handy bright flashlight. It projects a very wide beam much like a floodlight. I also have a TK 22 which projects a more concentrated spot beam and will light things up at a greater distance. I also have a Surefire Fury and to me it splits the difference. It is my favorite! I always need one more flashlight!!!!!

I use a LED Lenser M14X which has an output of 600 lumens - the advantage is that it uses AA batteries which are easy to find and they last a long time. It has an extremely powerful beam and will provide good illumination up to 200m

Check out the Olight i1 miniature. It is my favorite pocket light for hunting. It uses 1 battery and has up to 180 lumens. It has three levels of brightness and costs around thirty bucks. Sturdy, compact and handy. I'm passing them out as gifts to the guides when I go hunting next month.

Surefire has an A123 battery model (Lithium, not a rechargeable) at Lowes Home Centers for $60. USD. I just got one & like it. Two settings of 15 and 320 lumens. Prolly best to gift AA battery torches in Africa, they seem most available.

The T-series Inova flashlights are great:
http://www.inovalight.com/t/

They also make a UV light, for following blood trails:
http://www.inovalight.com/x/x5uv.php

Mike - another good investment is a small ultra violet flashlight. They are great for checking out your tent for scorpions and other beasties that glow in the dark before you hit the bunk or hop in the shower. I got mine on Amazon for about $20.

You might also consider NITECORE. They make exceptionally good lights, that cover practically anything you want.

I have both a surefire and fenix.The fenix seems much better of the two.However,I brought one to Africa and did not use it other than for lighting my room at night so I can light the candle.I do not believe you need such a powerful flashlight or torch.There are some models coming out in LED that cost about a dollar or two and work great.I have used them during power outages and was more than satisfied with them.The surefire and fenix are stored away in the closet and will probably never be used.
[URL= ]LED flashlights[/URL]

I like to have a really powerful torch in the camp.

It comes in handy to look at all the interesting eyes keeping wat5ch over us from across the river.

I'm sold on Surefire lights. Took one to Thierry and he said he could use it for lighting up leopards on the leaning pole. They are a rugged piece of equipment.

My problem with Surefire is the way they kill batteries.

I used to use them exclusively, and the number of times I came to use one and found that it had killed the batteries have far too many.

I have used the Fenix and found them to be very good.

Right now I have a number of different Nitecore torches which we plan to take to Tanzania later this month.

For the money, I have really been impressed with Fenix.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
My problem with Surefire is the way they kill batteries.

I used to use them exclusively, and the number of times I came to use one and found that it had killed the batteries have far too many.

I have used the Fenix and found them to be very good.

Right now I have a number of different Nitecore torches which we plan to take to Tanzania later this month.

same here. i used to use Surefires but they go through batteries like crazy( my M6 Centurion burned up 6 $2 batteries in less than 30 minutes). i had to take an extra 8-12 batteries just to be sure i had enough. switched to Fenix. they burn a LOT longer with equal lumens( i compared them side by side on an output basis) and have a more "white"( less yellow) color. not to mention the Surefires cost 3-6x as much. i know they are a military favorite- because they aren't paying for them or the batteries - we( the taxpayer) are....just for the hell of it i dropped a Fenix TK15 off my balcony onto a concrete patio. no problem other than the scratch, which i could care less about. pay 3 -5 times as much for the name or pay for performance.

Get a Solarforce L2 and a Solarforce M3 Turbohead.

Screw the M3 Turbohead on the L2 Body drop in an 18650 and get about 700lumens.

The light has a low, medium and high beam mode. It sounds like it's exactly what you are looking for. Very happy with mine.

Took the posters recommendation here and ordered the L2 M3 Turbo combo this AM. Should be here in a couple/three days. I'll take it along on the AR Antelope hunt and report back on it's merits when I return. Thanks for the tip.

Larry Sellers
SCI (International) Life Member

quote:

Originally posted by TheBigGuy:
Get a Solarforce L2 and a Solarforce M3 Turbohead.

Screw the M3 Turbohead on the L2 Body drop in an 18650 and get about 700lumens.

The light has a low, medium and high beam mode. It sounds like it's exactly what you are looking for. Very happy with mine.

thanks for all the information - been very helpful

Fenix is my choice! Shootsforshit can keep his in his closet along with his gag ball, butt plug, panties and his other secret stuff.

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:
I have both a surefire and fenix.The fenix seems much better of the two.However,I brought one to Africa and did not use it other than for lighting my room at night so I can light the candle.I do not believe you need such a powerful flashlight or torch.There are some models coming out in LED that cost about a dollar or two and work great.I have used them during power outages and was more than satisfied with them.The surefire and fenix are stored away in the closet and will probably never be used.
[URL= ]LED flashlights[/URL]

We use these powerful torches for the odd follow up on dangerous game at night so they do have their application and nowadays they replace the bulky spotlight. But generally you are right and a cheap LED is often all that is needed around camp.

fairgame,
I remember you telling the story about going after the lion in the dark.Why did you not wait for morning? Was it so other animals dont get to it first?

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:
fairgame,
I remember you telling the story about going after the lion in the dark.Why did you not wait for morning? Was it so other animals dont get to it first?

Not sure which story but if it was a client's trophy then yes in the event of death I would be more worried about hyena or hair slip on the hide.

The LED lights with three modes like the one I recommended above are the way to go. Use the low power mode in camp and close in work. Use the high mode when you need to use a spot. One light handily does the work of two.

As an aside.

If you have an old surefire that eats cr123s batteries (ie. an old P6). A single Li-Ion AW Power 17670 (lighthound carries them) will drop right in and work just fine. Even better you can change the bulb assembly out with an LED drop in and substantially improve the light's performance.

I use a Cyclops,deff the best light I have ever had,and I have tried them all.It is also rechargeable,it is LED,long battery life,cast a beam out to 200 metre's cost about $60

http://www.amazon.com/gp/produ...00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I bought this flashlight (3 off them) on spec when i was buying the fenix. I am very impressed by this flashlight. Comes shipped via regular mail from China. For $3.50 I think it is a steal.

I've bought a couple of Redline flashlights at Beretta Gallery and Ray's. $50 a pop. They are are are adjustable as to lumens and have sos and strobe modes. They take 3 AAAs and have an integral belt clasp. I think finding AAAs and the cost are nice.

Haven't been to Africa in several years and probably will not ever get to go again but really never found any REAL disadvantage with the old 3 battery Maglite I always took. They are almost indestructable,use regular batteries and bulbs and produce adequate LIGHT. THEY ARE NOT SPOTLIGHTS however. The last trip I made I also carried a StreamLight TwinTask that had several modes and 10leds around the reflector and one in the center that was incandesant. You could light 5 0f the leds or all 10 or the center light with pushes of the switch. Pretty good for overall use. Used 2 D cells. Was not either small or light,but nicely made.

I have recently started using flashlight models from Streamlight. I was turned onto them by a long time client/friend who is a fireman and uses some of their models on duty and off. They have many models to suit different needs. So far I am impressed with them, they can take a beating, powerful and seem to give good battery life.

I have bought some of the copy Cree LED lights with brand names like Ultrfire & Trustfire. They are absolutely brilliant & very affordable. One of them is 8000 lumens! they have the small single battery model and a head light version as well.

I'll take them to Africa next year and probably leave a few behind as gifts.

My favorite is the Fenix lights. Close up, convenient and handy is something like the LD12 (125 lumens, AA battery). A bit more light brings up the TK11 or TK12 (280 lumens on a 18650 battery). We were out hunting in the rain when my buddy busted a huge eland. My PH and I went out for the trailer but upon returning, didn't know exactly where they were. My buddy cranked on the TK11 and from our angle it was like a bright star leading the way. Compare to some newer lights, it doesn't have the same lumens but you find out that it depends on how wide the beam throws vs. how concentrated the beam is so lumens overall don't give the whole picture.

I also have the Olight S20 Baton which has 470 lumens (18650 battery). The beam is alot wider than the TK11 so overall it doesn't seem that much brighter.

I'm not as fond of the button on the side (of the Olight) to manipulate the light compared to the twisting of the head and pushing the tailcap of the Fenix.

The Fenix lights do provide you with a holster to put on your belt or MOLLE whereas the Olight does not.

In any regard, there are some nice lights available to you. Good luck

I'm extremely happy with my two Fenix lights: TK45 and TK41.

http://www.kapstadt.de/schindlers-africa

Thanks BigGuy, took your advice and this setup is first rate. Used it on the AR Antelope hunt last month in Wyoming and many times around home here in New Mexico since. It's all you said it was and more. The three light(brightness) settings are the cats' meow. It allows for really good battery management. Covers all the bases in one good torch. I bought an extra battery and charger along with with my purchase and am setup topnotch now.

Larry Sellers
SCI (International)Life Member

quote:

Originally posted by Larry Sellers:
Took the posters recommendation here and ordered the L2 M3 Turbo combo this AM. Should be here in a couple/three days. I'll take it along on the AR Antelope hunt and report back on it's merits when I return. Thanks for the tip.

Larry Sellers
SCI (International) Life Member

quote:

Originally posted by TheBigGuy:
Get a Solarforce L2 and a Solarforce M3 Turbohead.

Screw the M3 Turbohead on the L2 Body drop in an 18650 and get about 700lumens.

The light has a low, medium and high beam mode. It sounds like it's exactly what you are looking for. Very happy with mine.

Very satisfied with my Fenix TK 11.
Handy little light, and perfect for rough use.

I also have a Ledlenser T7 with a fast push pull mode between full beam and a spreader.
Also the Ledlenser Hokus Fokus is a slim and handy light with a strong beam and good battery time.

Used both for hog hunting at night and general field use, and they work just fine for the money.

You guys are awesome!

I simply cannot function without a head-torch that leaves both hands free. The idea of tying up one of my paws by holding a light is a real no-no.

Accordingly, for work around camp/tents/gutting & skinning the Petzl Zipka gets my vote. Like many of the other lights mentioned, it has three level output + strobe, works on easily found AAA batteries and has a life of over 12 hours.

What it also has is an integral head/wrist/tusk band that allows it to live on my belt, 24/7. That way, on the basis I am rarely separated from my pants in the field, it is always to hand when needed.

Sure, I also have a Fenix for following blood / finding carcasses in the dark - but for every occasion it is used, the headlamp is switched on fifty times!

If you are not familiar with the Zipka, you really deserve to have a closer look!

http://www.backcountryedge.com...zl-zipka-plus-2.aspx

Rgds

Ian

I was lucky enough to be given a Surefire R1 LAWMAN (rechargeable), and is by far the best Flashlight i have ever had. Not sure on the cost of it though???