Your Hunting Flashlight of choice ??

cshold · Post by **cshold** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 2:16 pm

I don’t know about you all, but I for one am constantly on the search
for the perfect hunting flashlight. (kinda like looking for the perfect rifle caliber)

These to date are my go to flashlights. So what are you all using these days
in the world of flashlights?

fordwannabe · Post by **fordwannabe** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 2:24 pm

I use an old surefire 6 al(I think) if you can't see it with that you need glasses. Tom

Marc · Post by **Marc** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 2:26 pm

I used to use a Mini-Mag. Now I use a Black Diamond headlamp. Sure is nice having your hands free! For a flashlight I carry a little keychain crank up LED that El Chivo gave me. It works to dig something out of backpack or to see to take my meds early AM.

cshold · Post by **cshold** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 2:32 pm

fordwannabe wrote:I use an old surefire 6 al(I think) if you can't see it with that you need glasses. Tom

Fordwannabe does that one use the 3V. batteries?
The only thing I don’t like about my Surefire is,
I really wish it had a hole for a lanyard.

Pathfinder09 · Post by **Pathfinder09** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 2:38 pm

I carry a surefire 6P in my pack and use a mini-maglight and now an LED light. All work fine, but the surfire is the brightest by far, and eats batteries. That is why it is in my pack for necessities and carry a smaller one for general work.

cnjarvis · Post by **cnjarvis** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 2:47 pm

I use a Streamlight Buckmasters Twin Task 2L with both a 72 lumen incandescent bulb and 3 green LED's. It's small, light weight and works very well.

dave in maine · Post by **dave in maine** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 2:50 pm

i found a coleman that takes two AA bateries and has a very bright led at wallys it has exceeded my maglite in lumens.

MrMurphy · Post by **MrMurphy** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 2:58 pm

I have a profusion of Surefires from my time in uniform, so I keep them handy.

The Inova X1 and the Gerber Recon are tiny, run forever on 1AA and are good for the small stuff (digging through your bag, looking in the chamber of a rifle, etc) without blinding yourself.

The Petzl Tikka and TacTikka line are good, and a little brighter, for hands-free doing the same.

The Streamlight Super Tac throws light quite far and has good runtime, though it's a bit more fragile than the Surefires (very little short of getting blown up will knock off a Surefire).

madman4570 · Post by **madman4570** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 3:04 pm

Used to always use the Mini Mag Lite/ now lately have been using the Element 3 watt L.E.D. Very reasonable from Sams Club!

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 3:43 pm

1. Dorcy 3 watt LED lights are sold at Meijer for $30, and are bright enough to see a cat in the weeds at 75 yards, and fit 30mm scope rings...

2. The Mini-maglights that use THREE AA cells are way brighter than the 2-cell ones, and can be slipped in pieces of rubber tubing underneath 1" scope rings...

Streetstar · Post by **Streetstar** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 3:49 pm

I use a 3 D cell Maglight, or sometimes a 2 D cell. Pretty boring pick, but they are cheap and reliable. Keep a mini-mag in the water pack for my mountain bike in case i get stuck out on the trails after dark too

Bullard4075 · Post by **Bullard4075** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 4:28 pm

I use more than one. My main (believe it or not) flashlight is built into the brim of my camo
ballcap. It has two led bulbs in the brim and two replaceable battries in the side rim. I bought it at Lowes for 19 bucks. Bought a backup too!!
I also hqve a Surefire and a number of Maglites, tiny (AAA) to 6D cell.

adirondakjack · Post by **adirondakjack** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 6:11 pm

Here in NY we are limited when going into and out of deer woods to a 2AA light. My trusty mag light comes with. It has a lanyard atttached to my belt so I don't lose it AGAIN. (Lost it deer hunting, found it a year later, still worked)

madman4570 · Post by **madman4570** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 6:38 pm

adirondakjack, Where are you getting the 2AA max thing?
How about 4 AAA???like on a 3watt LED??? or using your ATV with the big halogens when going into the woods or returning??
Only thing I was aware of was that "no artifitial light of any size can be used to"aid in taking of a animal" I drive my Grizzly ATV in the woods in the dark to the general vicinity of area in order to get setup in time and dont shoot anything prior to the hunting hours of sunrise and after hrs of sunset???
I just went through the 2009 NYS DEC Hunting Regulations

Post by **Hobie** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 6:51 pm

let me try a post again...

I have a Surefire but feel the Maglite AAA lights with the LED bulbs to be the best choice, cost included. I like having them in several places, just in case. Can't afford to do that with the Surefires and the LED Maglites throw adequate light. I don't use my flashlights for spotting deer!

Mike D. · Post by **Mike D.** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 6:54 pm

I use a SureFire, too. The batteries are cheap from them at about a buck each. I keep a dozen with me, but have only replaced them once this year.

Old No7 · Post by **Old No7** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 6:54 pm

Here's mine!

Swiss Army Rifle.jpg

And it slices & dices too!

Old No7

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 6:55 pm

adirondakjack wrote:Here in NY we are limited when going into and out of deer woods to a 2AA light.

Sounds like NY must be heaven for micromanaging fascist bureaucrats! We used to have a law in Indiana that said you couldn't have a handgun on you during non-handgun seasons, but they finally got rid of it.

Maybe you could get around it by having ten or twelve "AA lights" taped together...

madman4570 · Post by **madman4570** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 6:56 pm

Hobie, Thanks, I have been wondering about those LED Maglites.
Also are the ones where you can just get the LED head replacement and use your old Maglight body portion!(like $19)or somthing as good?

I dont see anything about that 2AA thing!(Heck its my land I only hunt on so maybe I am just gathering some firewood first before hunting,just so happens I have my gun in case a bear is there ??

)

madman4570 · Post by **madman4570** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 7:01 pm

AJMD429 wrote: Maybe you could get around it by having ten or twelve "AA lights" taped together...

I love it!

On the handgun deal,Dude we wont even go there

my own mountain(cant have a pistol in NYS)AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Post by **Hobie** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 7:04 pm

I tried the replacement kit and it worked ok. I prefer the factory LED setup.

I once saw an OCS candidate running through the woods with 3 of the big maglites taped together and slung under his arm. Looked like a bouncing semi coming through the woods!

madman4570 · Post by **madman4570** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 7:16 pm

OK guy, I am getting a brand new LED Maglight! Your word is good enough for me! Thanks!

L_Kilkenny · Post by **L_Kilkenny** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 7:32 pm

I use a 3D LED Maglite for coon hunting. I used to have NiteLites w/ battery (belt pack) and headlamp but got tired of them and don't coon hunt as much as I used too. The 3D LED light is very bright but doesn't "flood" as well as the halogen maglight. I also use Energizer LED headlamps from Walmart for hunting, camping, fishing and working in attics. Have 2 or 3 of those scattered around.

LK

dr walker · Post by **dr walker** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 8:20 pm

I bought a Rayovac Sportsman Extreme last year, it has now replaced all of my Mini Maglite LED and regular.The Rayovac is a 2AA 3 Watt LED light. Batteries last just over 2 hours of continous time. Cost is about $30, maybe less.

deerwhacker444 · Post by **deerwhacker444** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 8:46 pm

I use a Streamlight Key Mate with a green led going to and from my stand, and I keep a regular 3 D-cell Maglite in the truck.

I have resorted to light by Zippo and Cell Phone Screen on certain occasions..

cshold · Post by **cshold** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 10:46 pm

deerwhacker444 wrote:I use a Streamlight Key Mate with a green led going to and from my stand, and I keep a regular 3 D-cell Maglite in the truck.

I have resorted to light by Zippo and Cell Phone Screen on certain occasions..

Yep! been there done that

BigSky56 · Post by **BigSky56** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 11:56 pm

LED is the way to go. I use to use a maglite but got tired of having to carry a 24 pack of AA's for a 3 day/night hunt, use a victorinox LED in AA its good for 225 ft they have them from AAA to C most are under 30.00. danny
http://www.smkw.com/webapp/eCommerce/pr ... &SKU=V2ARR

fordwannabe · Post by **fordwannabe** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 8:12 am

Casatahle, I have a little wire clip that came with mine that has a place to clip a lanyard to it, I don't know if yours had one or not but mine was in the box and had to be installed(keeps it from rolling around too). Tom

Bullard4075 · Post by **Bullard4075** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 10:54 am

I'm tellin ya guys, try the light in the hatbrim thing (see my earlier post) as it works for 80 percent of what I find I need a light for.

BigSky56 · Post by **BigSky56** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 11:54 am

Bullard, I had one of those clip ons that I put on my cowboy hat when riding in the dark was good for right around me but not distance and fouled up the horses night vision It would be ok if I was afoot though. I have a phobia to having a light on for more than a second or 2 at a time, carry over from RVN I believe. danny

RANisbet · Post by **RANisbet** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 2:59 pm

I am with the Army and bought several of these TeraLux lights
for me and the kids.
Use 2 AAs and output is very bright.
All aluminum and almost same size as minimag.
Brighter than my 3D cell Mag light.
Cost is reasonable too. Under $30
Batteries in low output mode last about 6 hours.

http://www.zbattery.com/Terralux-3W-LED ... -220-Lumen

El Chivo · Post by **El Chivo** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 3:30 pm

Marc wrote:I used to use a Mini-Mag. Now I use a Black Diamond headlamp. Sure is nice having your hands free! For a flashlight I carry a little keychain crank up LED that El Chivo gave me. It works to dig something out of backpack or to see to take my meds early AM.

I have abandoned regular flashlights in favor of the little crank thing. It weighs less than an ounce, and never needs batteries. I don't have to deal with the weight, or carry extra, or stand there 3 miles from the trailhead with failing batteries. The weight savings is my main reason, carrying extra sets of batteries took up about two pounds - I'd rather carry the water.

In CA we're limited to 3 volts only, so we can't have a nice bright flashlight. This little guy is enough to walk with, I've tried it in the field. When it starts to dim I crank it 4-5 times and it goes for a good while.

I do carry a lantern for the road portion of a trip but may not bother this year. We'll see.

flash.jpg

adirondakjack · Post by **adirondakjack** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 4:02 pm

madman4570 wrote:adirondakjack, Where are you getting the 2AA max thing?
How about 4 AAA???like on a 3watt LED??? or using your ATV with the big halogens when going into the woods or returning??
Only thing I was aware of was that "no artifitial light of any size can be used to"aid in taking of a animal" I drive my Grizzly ATV in the woods in the dark to the general vicinity of area in order to get setup in time and dont shoot anything prior to the hunting hours of sunrise and after hrs of sunset???
I just went through the 2009 NYS DEC Hunting Regulations

Well, the law has changed. it used to say that when using lights on lands inhabited by deer, guns had to be unloaded and broken down or cased EXCEPT that a flashlight no larger than 2 AA could be used to walk in and out.... Now it says NO ARTIFICIAL LIGHTS, and if ya do have any (including vehicle lights), ya gotta go through all the above.

I guess the advent of REALLY BRIGHT lights that use batteries smaller than AA got to their attention.

Oh, to comment on the other post, we CAN observe deer using lights, while in the possession of a handgun, even a loaded handgun, but not a rifle, bow, etc. Whacked? Sure.

alnitak · Post by **alnitak** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 4:22 pm

Olight M-20 and T-20M.

cshold · Post by **cshold** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 6:05 pm

fordwannabe wrote:Casatahle, I have a little wire clip that came with mine that has a place to clip a lanyard to it, I don't know if yours had one or not but mine was in the box and had to be installed(keeps it from rolling around too). Tom

Hummmm!! that's the price yea pay by going the used route.
I didn't get that little item.

Glenn · Post by **Glenn** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 7:02 pm

My daughter bought me one of those clip-on-the-hat-brim lights a few years ago and I can't believe how handy that thing is! Great for walking into the stand in the A.M. Really handy for getting stuff out of the cooler which is outside the camper in the dark. Have a Mini-Maglite in the fanny pack but don't need it much anymore.
Glenn

Paladin · Post by **Paladin** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 9:38 pm

Got this at the P.X. at Ft Bragg a few months ago. Holds 2 lithium 123s and is brighter than my surefire 6P (15 years old) and has a LED for the main bulb and two other color led’s around the main for low light.

Post by **Hobie** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 10:02 am

Paladin wrote:Got this at the P.X. at Ft Bragg a few months ago. Holds 2 lithium 123s and is brighter than my surefire 6P (15 years old) and has a LED for the main bulb and two other color led’s around the main for low light.

I've been looking at those. Have you used it on operations? Do you recommend it?

cshold · Post by **cshold** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 10:53 am

Paladin wrote:Got this at the P.X. at Ft Bragg a few months ago. Holds 2 lithium 123s and is brighter than my surefire 6P (15 years old) and has a LED for the main bulb and two other color led’s around the main for low light.

That looks like an: "I gota get me one of them" lights.

Post by **Hobie** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 11:53 am

casastahle wrote:
Paladin wrote:Got this at the P.X. at Ft Bragg a few months ago. Holds 2 lithium 123s and is brighter than my surefire 6P (15 years old) and has a LED for the main bulb and two other color led’s around the main for low light.
That looks like an: "I gota get me one of them" lights.

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 12:46 pm

Brinkman, don't know the model, but uses two #123 batteries. Plenty bright and can use the red lens from my Mini-Maglite. I like the Brinkman better than the Mini-Mag as its; on/off swtch is in the battery cap,, convenient and only takes one hand!

MrMurphy · Post by **MrMurphy** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 1:08 pm

That's the "MOLLE" model, made to clip into a loop of MOLLE webbing.

I didn't use one while I was in because I already had 3 Surefires and a Gerber Recon, but several guys in my unit did as well as one of my officers, they loved them for minor stuff (digging in bags, reading maps, etc).