I'm looking for your recommendations for a flashlight. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/sleeping.gif" alt="" />

I want one that is very bright w/ spot and beam options; relatively small yet power-efficient; lightweight; it'd be nice to be able to recharge it w/ DC.

I have the large Maglight but it's too bulky. This one will be mounted in my truck, so none of those 6" diameter zillion candlepower lights.

I suggest the Mag-lite brand lights. I was an aircraft mechanic for 24 years and loved the things; brightest, most reliable flash lights made. They do make rechargables as well; but they get pricy quick. The damned things last for ever and are built like a tank; I've dropped a few from on top of large aircraft, with the worse case being a bulb replacement to be back in bussiness. I have a 4 cell in each one of my riggs, as well as two in the house.

I used to be a Mag Lite guy, but they pretty much haven't been keeping up with technology.

Now I have 2 of these: Stinger and I'll never go back to Mag.

If 15,000 candlepower isn't enough for you (and there's no reason it shouldn't be), there's this: Stinger XT.
If 45,000 candlepower isn't enough, the UltraStinger has an output of up to 75,000 condlepower.

The best part of all of these lights is that you put them on the charger and leave them there until you need them. I'm not sure what the difference is, but for some reason Ni-Cd's don't have memory issues when used with flashlights. Or maybe it's their Ni-Cd's.

You can buy them on most any Snap-On or Matco truck, just ask your local shop when the tool trucks come by or follow one to their next stop. There are probably other places to buy them, but I don't get out much and the tool trucks drive to where I work once a week <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

My first one came with an A/C charger as well as a separate D/C chrger. I lost the light for a while, and bought a second one thinking I'd left the first in a customer's car. Worked out pretty well since now I have one for the truck and one for work.

Mag-Light just released 3AA LED, it's dam bright for the size. If you have money to burn then Surefire lights are considered top dog. They use Lithium 123 batteries.

Another good flashlight is Surefire flashlights. I have never used their rechargeable ones, only the Lithium powered ones. But their rechargeables can be done with DC power.

Edit:LRJ4x4 you beat me to it!

Surefires are nice, but Stingers are brighter, burn longer and cost about half as much <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

4D? -- I ask because, in addition to this:


...Mag also now has 3 watt LED conversion bulbs for their 2, 3, and 4 (C & D) cell flashlights.

I just bought one at Lowes last night for my 4D Mag, and I have to say that I'm very impressed (even though the bulb unit was a bit steep at $19.98).


They also had 2, 3, and 4 D cell LED Mags (already ready already) for about $34 each.


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I have an old 3-D cell Maglite that has resided in my daily driver (whatever that may be at the moment) since 1993. It has been used and abused for camping, fishing, hunting, used at work (machine shop), for working on cars and trucks, I even had to threaten to use it a as weapon once ! My wife keeps a 2-D cell in her daily driver. We keep 2 other 3-D's in the house for emergencys. Plus I have two 2-AA's that I keep in my toolbox at work and my shop at home. I guess I'm a Maglite guy ! The durability is outstanding !

I'm a total flashlight geek. I have probably 2 dozen different lights, many LED, some rechargeable.

Here's where I go when I need my flashlight geek fix:
Candlepower

These guys can give you more information than you'll ever want about what flashlights do what best.

My 3 year old is as bad about flashlights as I am, and he prefers Stinger too <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> If I leave one in the house, he'll find it and take it. I usually find it left on, battery dead under his bed. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

4D maglight "the club" . I'm going to upgrade to LED