Getting ready to leave for Zim. Seems everytime I go hunting that picking flashlights is a "major" decision. I guess I have too many.

What light(s) do you all take?

Thanks, PG

Previously, I've taken a Surefire M2 Centurion, and it's been a great flashlight. I also use it for self-defense carry at home, simply by switching to a higher-output bulb.

This year, I'm taking Craig Boddington's preferred Surefire Aviator, and based on my use of this torch so far, I can see why Craig likes it. I took it with me on a couple of business trips this spring and summer and tested it in various ways. Two things stand out in its favor: It's very small and compact, yet extremely bright at the high setting. You can also run it on the low-output LEDs that provide very subdued light, which is often appropriate for various hunting applications or for use in airplanes. These LEDs really help conserve energy, and won't give you away when you're climbing into a blind in the dark hours of the morning. You can also obtain filters, which increase versatility even more.

Surefire flashlights are simply built better than anything else, and they are certainly worth the money. I won't take anything else these days.

AD

For the bush, a Surefire M6 w/spare Lithium batteries plus a Petzel headlamp. The M6 is not cheap, unless you consider a flashlight part of the "critical gear" list.

I fully agree with Allen Day. I am a surefire fan. LEDs are a great improvement. Should you use it full blast, take care to bring a couple batteries along. Sure you could be in deep trouble, should you follow a blood trail at night without your having packed these b... batteries. Youll have only 30 minutes available.

The M6 is similar to a landing light on a 747. I have one but not sure it is needed on a safari, , unless I was night hunting jumbo.



I think it was Sarge that suggested the Streamlight Scorpion. Since then I have bought a bunch (for no good reason, and my kids are tired of me giving them flashlights!) and they are handier than the various Sure Fires, as they have a rubber grip, a combined momentary and on/off switch. So I am taking two! along with a Sure Fire C3 with a high output bulb in case I have to signal Mars for some reason.



I have not tried the Sure Fire Aviator, but how can I justify another addition to the present supply of 20 lifetimes worth of flashlights?



And if I bought an Aviator then I would have to buy another as backup, along with another box of batteries....it just never ends!

Saeed gave me a Seafire Devestator and it must have been designed by poachers, it will light up a pasture..I've never seen anything like it, I thought all flashlights were the same..Guess I've been out of touch with flashlights for a decade or so...anyway when I got home I tossed my kerosene latern in the dump....

I was introduced to this light by NE450#2.
Petzl Zipka Plus

This is a great light. You can put it on your hat leaving your hands free. You can warp it on a stand and have a hands free work light. It is bright 4 bulbs and lasts a long time.


The spring loaded woven cord retracts and stores in your pocket. It has three bright settings and a Flash for emergencies!

I have the standard 3 LED Petzl head lamp similar to Rusty's and they are very good if somewhat expensive for what they are. I was intially concerned the cord head band would not hold up, but with two years of use its been fine.



The 3 led model is bright enough to grollach a beast by and throws out enough light to see the ground for walking by night. Being LED's, the batteries last for ages. And of course there is no bulb to go "pop" at the wrong moment.



Since I bought mine, I have noticed there are quite a few copies at about a 1/3 of the price of the Petzl; a friend has one and it seems ever bit as good.



Regards,



Pete

PG:

I have a Surefire C2. I also bought the spare lamp and battery container and the higher output lamp assembly. I highly recommend this flashlight but as mentioned by others, they do go through batteries.

Checkout their website www.surefire.com then use your search engine or "Google" to find the best prices. Cost can vary greatly and buying directly from Surefire is not always the least expensive route. Surefire seems to have the best price on batteries, $15.00 for 12 last time I checked, and those 123 Lithium batteries have a 10 year shelf life so stock up. Definitely get the spare carrier. A little smaller than a hockey puck, it will hold 6 batteries and a spare lamp assembly in a waterproof twist off package. Might want to pick up a blue filter as it illuminates blood when tracking in the dark, or so I am told.

If I was going to do it again, I would give the Aviator as previously mentioned a good look. Interesting features. It was not available when I bought mine.

RCG

All those lights mentioned are great...still the one I find myself using day after day is one of those silly Inova (brand name) Microlights...it is just the one clear LED bulb deal with the two dime size lithium batteries it uses...it fits your key chain. I have one loose with my pocket change and am forever using it to see in an action, down a bbl, seem some hard to read number, shine my way around in the dark (like in Kruger Park), use it as a bedside light for making my way to the John without disturbing others etc.
You can just press it and it works or it has a small on / off switch. I have no idea how long the batteries are good for but it will be a bunch plus! Replacement batteries are available in most drug stores etc. in my end of the world. Lot of folks don't know you can replace the battery and they throw them away after the batteries finally go down.
It is now like my watch and my pocket knife...I am about naked if I don't have it with me.
Big Mag Lights are in my cars and they make a handy baton also but a Sure Fire goes where I go hunting plus that little microlight that I use near every day for some reason or another. Hold it between your teeth and it looks where you look and both hands are free. It is 2" long by 1" wide by two dimes thick! A lot of light for the money. Once you get one you will be lost without it.

Personally, for hunting and general carry around camp ect, I want a reliable torch with a good duration that puts out an even white beam of decent brightness.

Looking at Cabelas, they have various multi LED hand torches such as the XPG at $90 which look very interesting.

The XPG is said to give an even white light with a 3 hour duration at 115 Lumen brightness. Using the Surefire 6P Classic & Surefire Z2 Combat Light as a bench marks, they give 65 Lumens with as little as 60 minute duration in the case of the 6P Classic (duration of the Z2 not quoted).

One thing is for sure and that is with the way technology is progressing, I can't ever see me buying another conventional Maglite!

Regards,

Pete

I have Surefire that I keep with my handgun. It certainly is a bright light.

For safari, I've never found the need for anything brighter than the Pelican Stealthlite. A good quality and bright light for not a lot of money. I usually take two (one for me and one for the wife) and give them to the staff at the end of the safari.

Regards,

Terry

Terry, Thank God you're OK. Don't ever do that to us again!!

I would love a Surefire M6, but I cannot justify $392.00 for a flashlight at this time. Can anyone think of a good way for me to justify that expenditure?

The flashaholics have their own forum: candelpowerforums.com



There are a lot of flashlight reviews at: flashlight reviews



Have Fun



"Once you have been amongst them, you can never have too much flashlight"

Just because I'm a nice guy, I'll get you one for my cost + shipping. $290?

I'm not sure there is any justification whatsoever.

I do appreciate all the responses. I will be taking a surefire 2 cell lithium-just not sure which one. I like my E2E, but I use the combat lights as well. I am taking my Pelican Stealthlite. Good to see ya Terry. I agree it is a great light.

I will be taking a third light which will be a LED. I am leaning towards one of my Princeton Tec's.

Best Wishes to All, PG

Surefires are really good, headlamps are good for general use and we use quite a few inova neck lights as well.

I use 6P with blue filter and lots of batteries. LEDS are best on continous on applications.

cheers,tm

Link

This is a great flashlight for only 25 bucks, it even comes with batteries. I have used it as a lantern while camping and propped in a tree to load an eland in the dark in RSA. I left it with my PH and you would have thought I gave him a pair of Swarovskis. 150 continuous hours on one set of batteries.

any one use a Coast Tek torch. I have one and I like it pretty good, it fits in my sheath next to my leatherman super tool. In my business when I need to find houses at night it will cast a beam bright enough to see the #'s on the house. I might have bought the streamlight TL2 but it only has a bottom on off switch that looks as if you could easily turn it on accidently while it is in the sheath. The Coast unit has bulbs that last 100,000 hours and the batteries are said to last 100 hrs all for 45$

I prefer a headlamp, same kind I wear while mountaineering, which is a lot more dangerous than any hunting unless, perhaps, you are tracking a wounded lion or leopard at night. But like being stuck on a dangerous peak at night, sometimes it is just best to wait until daylight.

I have a Surefire E1E that stays in my pocket. It's light, bright, and there when I need it. It will also fit on a cap bill for hands-free use. Haven't picked up an Aviator, but it's only a matter of time. I take it and a two cell (Z2) on most hunts or trips. This has served me well so far.

So it would seem that the good old maglites are no longer in favour ??

Should one now by-pass a maglite and get a sure fire ??

Try a sure fire and a mag lite side by side. No comparison. D