Mikes deer finding thread has me thinking about flashlights. What are the best small flashlights out there?

I was carrying an old dual mode LED Surefire…but it has “mysteriously” disappeared.

Looking for a non-rechargeable small light with a super bright spotlight mode and a lower powered general lighting mode. The old Surefire was fine…just used up batteries fast.

Lane, I've gone from Surefire to Fenix. Check out the Fenix PD35. 1000 lumens on down. It is a LED and uses far less juice than the Surefires. Reasonable prices too.

I bought several different Fenix lights at DSC. Some are headlamps while others are handheld. Thus far, they have been most impressive.

quote:

Originally posted by RCG:
Lane, I've gone from Surefire to Fenix. Check out the Fenix PD35. 1000 lumens on down. It is a LED and uses far less juice than the Surefires. Reasonable prices too.

Thank you kindly…just ordered one.

I have a Fenix - I bought some of them.

I also have 5.11 tactical flashlights that use d and aa batteries.

My issue with fenix has been they get hot after a while.

I also will use a wide beam floodlight that Costco sells for work projects. This should throw off a massive bright light over a short distance to pick up blood trails.

Mike

Larry is correct.

Fenix are great, so are Nitecore!

Surfire are just plain rubbish compared to these.

We used to use Surefire all the time, then got fed up with them running the batteries down, even when off!

Thanks for the advice everyone.

Let me add one more comment. I purchased one that was quite bright. I believe it was 4000 lumens. I used it for a grand total of about 15 seconds. It was BRIGHT! One night I went to really use it. It did not work. We sent it back. Fenix sent me a brand new light. No questions asked. Quickly too!

Some of the batteries are not the cheapest nor the easiest to find for the really powerful models.

quote:

Originally posted by ledvm:
Mikes deer finding thread has me thinking about flashlights. What are the best small flashlights out there?

I was carrying an old dual mode LED Surefire…but it has “mysteriously” disappeared.

Looking for a non-rechargeable small light with a super bright spotlight mode and a lower powered general lighting mode. The old Surefire was fine…just used up batteries fast.

Lane:

Just read this again. They have a head lamp that is adjustable. The spot is extremely bright. It adjusts downward to a more side angle that uses less power as I understand it. I absolutely love mine.

The best flashlight is the one that actually has good batteries when you need it!

Fenix again, USB charger style. Fantastic lights.

I bought the 4000 lumen Fenix after not finding a pig one night. Brighter than the headlights on my Jeep. But don't let it switch on accidentally -- it melted the top off the holster. It is heavier than what you are looking for and uses rechargeable batteries. But for making day out of night when needed, it is the best I have. And the brightness is adjustable.

This flashlight has been on the job since 2012 and it gets very rough treatment.

It has outlasted lights costing nearly 10x as much and given a chance I'd buy several just to put away for later.

I won't make the mistake of buying an expensive light ever again.

quote:

Originally posted by ledvm:
Mikes deer finding thread has me thinking about flashlights. What are the best small flashlights out there?

I was carrying an old dual mode LED Surefire…but it has “mysteriously” disappeared.

Looking for a non-rechargeable small light with a super bright spotlight mode and a lower powered general lighting mode. The old Surefire was fine…just used up batteries fast.

Maybe ultraviolet for nighttime tracking?

For night time blood spoor I am really tempted to buy one of the lower-end thermal units. I am not sure how much I believe the colored or UV lights work, but I am prepared to be convinced. But fresh blood or better an animal down in 100 yards might be easier to spot with a small thermal.

I could be talking out of my ass since I haven't tried it. In fact, I should just be quiet...

quote:

Originally posted by Charles_Helm:
For night time blood spoor I am really tempted to buy one of the lower-end thermal units. I am not sure how much I believe the colored or UV lights work, but I am prepared to be convinced. But fresh blood or better an animal down in 100 yards might be easier to spot with a small thermal.

I could be talking out of my ass since I haven't tried it. In fact, I should just be quiet...

Does not work in swamps. Too many fallen limbs.

Mike

I’ve been using a Olight S1 Baton for couple of years now and love it.
You can run it on CR 123 disposable or there are two options for rechargeable one of which has a direct micro USB port for charging. Very compact with a pocket clip that doubles to go on the bill of your hat for hands-free use.
They make a similar model that runs on AA batteries as well.


A friend of mine gave me Emsher rechargeable light. It’s small enough to fit in your pocket and is variable intensity from moonlight brightness up to bright enough to burn the retinas out of a coons in the tallest oak around here.

Fenix

quote:

Originally posted by Charles_Helm:
For night time blood spoor I am really tempted to buy one of the lower-end thermal units. I am not sure how much I believe the colored or UV lights work, but I am prepared to be convinced. But fresh blood or better an animal down in 100 yards might be easier to spot with a small thermal.

I could be talking out of my ass since I haven't tried it. In fact, I should just be quiet...

I have not tried UV either, it's something I read about. I mostly hunt sage flats and haven't done any tracking to speak of since late 1970s.

I noticed you can get a 20% off coupon and free 3 day shipping with Fenix if you sign up for their promotions. That's awesome.

+1 on Fenix...Also check out Malkoff Devices!

Hi,

Fenix to me. I bought a PD35 2 month ago. Great. I bought also at that Fenix distributor, a headband to use with that PD35 and the other PD of similar size. Great!!! I have now a headlamp of 1000 lumens, just in case!

PH