Fire Helmet Flashlights

[WFDFire2156]

I am in the market for a flashlight for me helmet. I am looking at either the streamlight LED with the flashlight helmet rubber band, or the Pelican steathlight LED with a flashlight helmet rubber band. If anyone has any opions or no any other good flashlights on the market please reply Thanks!


343 never forget

[BULL321]

I've got a 4a streamlight led flashlight that works great. But no matter which light you chose, I would go with a "BLACK JACK" light mount. They cost around $21.00 but they are the best on the market and are made to fit the most popular helmet flashlight models. For a picture of same you can look at the "BlackJack" thread or the "helmet picture" thread (next to last page) at my helmet.
Stay safe and Ihope this helps.

[DrewOnFire]

Stick with the classic... go Garrity, goes well with a leather.

Or if you must buck the traditional, Garrity makes LED disposables too now.

[firemonkey311]

Garrity is the way to go. I just picked up a new led one for 8 bucks.

[CourtdaleFF119]

I use the Pelican Steralthlite 2400 series 4AA. I have it attached to my N6A via a blackjack mounting bracket.

[CALFFBOU]

I am more of a "spendy" type of guy. I like to buy something once and have it last me for years.

With that in mind, I have had very good luck with both Pelican and Streamlight lights.

Pelican has replaced parts for me very fast and has an excellent lifetime warranty. I would go with them for a helmet light.

For a turnout coat 90 degree light, I like the Streamlight Survivor. It's thinner than the BigEd from Pelican.

[jonnyirons2]

They dont work, go buy a real light. www.alcorp.com

[standdown231]

I dont have much expirience with fire, although I'm taking FF1 this summer, but from my expirience in EMS, my favorite lights are the surefire flashlights. I have used them for scene lighting in vehicle extrications multiple times, and they have served me very well.

[lieut1sc]

The LED lights don't seem to have the light power than the halogen type when your in the smoke. I carry a Survivor on my flashlight hook on my coat and a Garrity on my helmet. The Survivor halogen seems to cut the smoke pretty good. If the Garrity goes dead or mellts its no big deal because they can be replaced for about $4. I also just bought a Streamlight Vulcan. I like the tail lights for search and rescue.

[JayFireEater]

I am in the market for a flashlight for me helmet. I am looking at either the streamlight LED with the flashlight helmet rubber band, or the Pelican steathlight LED with a flashlight helmet rubber band. If anyone has any opions or no any other good flashlights on the market please reply Thanks!


343 never forget

What kind of helmet is it? modern or trad? that usually makes the options smaller.
I have used the UK 4AA model on my bullard trad. and that worked like a charm, plus it was desgned for underwater use, making it completely waterproof.
For my leather helmet I have a garrity LED, because anything other than a garrity makes a leather look bad, IMO. The LED is bright, and works amazingly well.

my cents

[CALFFBOU]

The Survivor halogen seems to cut the smoke pretty good.

I got to back that, same here. My recharable Survivor coat light has basicly paid for itself. Tough, long lasting halogen light that cuts right through smoke.

I will keep this flashlight for life.

[RFRDxplorer]

Garrity. I think the little lights poking off the sides of helmets look at tad bit wierd........but thats just me.

[fireman4949]

Garrity. I think the little lights poking off the sides of helmets look at tad bit wierd........but thats just me.

It's hard to beat a $3 light that takes one hell of a beating before it quits. ;)

Save the $ you'd spend on an expensive lid light and invest in a good right angle light for your coat. I've used many of them...They're all good lights. Which one is "best" becomes simply a matter of personal preference.

[RFRDxplorer]

It's hard to beat a $3 light that takes one hell of a beating before it quits. ;)

You got that right!!!

[CALFFBOU]

If you go with the cheap light, then you get what you pay for. And we will probably have to hear about in here when it burns out right at the wrong time.

Trust me, a good flashlight is an INVESTMENT that might just save your life or another person's. Spend the money, buy something good that will recharge and serve you the rest of your career. (or close to it)

After all, your turnouts, boot, helmet, SCBA are not the cheap $4 throw away, so why should the one tool thats gonna light your way out be?

I say just do it right the first time and be done with it.

Remember- Steamlight and Pelican BOTH have the LIFETIME warranty. The Garrity throw away junk doesnt after it melts.

[WFDFire2156]

yeah I have a survior on my coat and its great. I hate garritys they look like garbage and are very cheap and don't work well. If i wanted a garity I would go to walmart and buy one....... but I am not going to waste my time sorry. I just purchased a black UK ligth for my Carines 880 Trad with the flashlight rubber band. And it works great! Thanks for your posts.

[RFRDxplorer]

Thats why we also have a Litebox for every riding position.



(Granted this is only at drills) But I get off the truck, grab a portable, a litebox, and usually a set of irons (maybe a TNT tool or axe), turn on the garrity, and am good. This gives me two sources of light, one where I'm looking and one where I'm pointing the light at.

Like I said, just at drills.

[fireman4949]

If you go with the cheap light, then you get what you pay for. And we will probably have to hear about in here when it burns out right at the wrong time.

Trust me, a good flashlight is an INVESTMENT that might just save your life or another person's. Spend the money, buy something good that will recharge and serve you the rest of your career. (or close to it)

After all, your turnouts, boot, helmet, SCBA are not the cheap $4 throw away, so why should the one tool thats gonna light your way out be?

I say just do it right the first time and be done with it.

Remember- Steamlight and Pelican BOTH have the LIFETIME warranty. The Garrity throw away junk doesnt after it melts.

Do the Pelican and Streamlight have a higher melting temp than the Garrity does? :rolleyes:

By the way Bou, I thought that YOUR helmets WERE the cheap $4 throw-a-way ones. :p ;)

[RFRDxplorer]

Do the Pelican and Streamlight have a higher melting temp than the Garrity does? :rolleyes:

By the way Bou, I thought that YOUR helmets WERE the cheap $4 throw-a-way ones. :p ;)



DAMN YOU 4949! I guess I gotta add new keyboard to the shopping list for tomorrow. The standard dell one doesnt stand up under a torrential downpour of Mt. Dew.


I must admit, when I was little, I thought that you West Coast guys were just wearing backwards hard hats.

[CALFFBOU]

Do the Pelican and Streamlight have a higher melting temp than the Garrity does? :rolleyes:

By the way Bou, I thought that YOUR helmets WERE the cheap $4 throw-a-way ones. :p ;)

1. Yes. Those Garrity junk are paper thin.

2. No, my helmet will out last your leather piece of junk anyway. And I dont need to bend it or keep re-painting it either.
:p :p

[DrewOnFire]

They dont work, go buy a real light. www.alcorp.com

Those can't fit (comfortably) on a helmet.

[RFRDxplorer]

For those interested........


Streamlight Survivor.......

***Virtually indestructible nylon casing has over 450° melting point ***

http://www.copsplus.com/prodnum6002.php

[fireman4949]

1. Yes. Those Garrity junk are paper thin.

2. No, my helmet will out last your leather piece of junk anyway. And I dont need to bend it or keep re-painting it either.
:p :p

Yeah, I guess your right. Your helmet most likely will outlast my leather. You see, I actually go INSIDE to put out fires! :p ;)

[smketer]

In another post I asked about the blackjack www.1445designs.com the thing kicks AZZ!!

So far its helped more because I dont worry about my light stays put and out of the way. Plus my light does not take a beating my helmet does.


SMK

[Hexxus]

Yeah, I guess your right. Your helmet most likely will outlast my leather. You see, I actually go INSIDE to put out fires! :p ;)

Ohhhhhhh, burn.

Garrity LED on my helmets. Never had one take a **** on me yet, and I grab them for $4 at Wal-Mart or AutoZone. I'd rather have a $4 light melt and quit working than a $40-50 light.

[doughesson]

On the subject of guarantees:Every Pelican light I've bought has a notice saying that the product is"Guaranteed against everything except shark bite or 5 year olds."
So far my lights haven't been subjected to either but a few months ago,I was using a Pelican pen light while checking a barge for water in the wing tanks at night and managed to drop it over the side in water about 100' deep where we were.You could still see a faint underwater glow 2 hours afterwards so there may be something to the toughness.
On brands:this is a lot like the Chevy/Ford argument(or whatever brand versus another brand)we see all the time.I like Pelicans,another can and will like Streamlight.I can only tell you my choice.
Buy quality and only worry about changing batteries.The only experience I have had with Garrity lights was in Navy Basic Training at Great Lakes Naval Training Center when we had to buy flashlights at the NEX.The "Ricky Rayguns"worked well then despite being dropped and thrown across the space by a Company Commander incensed over improperly folded underwear.
If it can survive an angry Navy CPO,I'd say they could take whatever the firefighting environment can dish out.

[CALFFBOU]

Yeah, I guess your right. Your helmet most likely will outlast my leather. You see, I actually go INSIDE to put out fires! :p ;)

When I do go inside a structure, that old Survivor lights the place up.

One time I was venting on a roof, and that light lit the whole roof top up. Oh well, it works well for me.

PS- On the Pelican lifetime warranty of "bear attacks and children under five"....I called them on it and its more of a joke. They repair/replaced my stuff without even asking.

[BKDRAFT]

Pelican has replaced two of my Big Ed 90 degree flashlights. They have great customer service and I wont buy anything else.

[Dickey]

Best variety and best prices at
www.brightguy.com

Whatever you do, don't walk around with it on and shine it in everyone's eyes. I freakin hate that! I slap them down out of my face and they say "oh yeah, sorry bout that."
:mad: :mad:

[dadman]

MiniMag lite. 2AA, LED.
http://www.maglite.com/AA_Cell_LED.asp

LED conversion for shorter conventional/incandecent MiniMag.http://www.opalec.com/products.html
http://www.opalec.com/store.html

Helmet holder for MiniMag.http://www.thefirestore.com/store/product.cfm/pid_89_flashpoint_helmet_light _holder/

[msgogeke]

I got the blackjack...I'm happy with everything about it except this major problem: how do you deal with the glare when the helmet shield is down? it constricts visibility because there is such a glare on the helmet shield I can barely see anything.

Otherwise the thing is great and I'm happy with it.

[Acklan]

The Streamlight ProPolymer 4AA light works great, and for those of you who demand a rubber strip this should make you happy.


STREAMLIGHT 4AA HELMET LIGHT KIT (http://www.allhandsfire.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=FHUS-68035&Category_Code=Streamlight_ProP olymrs&Product_Count=3)

My department went to them last year. I still carry my Pelican BigED (http://www.allhandsfire.com/page/AHF/PROD/Pelican_BigEd/PL-3700PL), on my coat.

I prefer the BLACK JACK HELMET FLASHLIGHT HOLDER (http://www.allhandsfire.com/page/AHF/PROD/flashlightaccess/BJ001), because it offers more protection for the light. Under the rim instead of on top of it.

[N2DFire]

I use the Pelican Steralthlite 2400 series 4AA. I have it attached to my N6A via a blackjack mounting bracket.


I am more of a "spendy" type of guy. I like to buy something once and have it last me for years.

With that in mind, I have had very good luck with both Pelican and Streamlight lights.

Pelican has replaced parts for me very fast and has an excellent lifetime warranty. I would go with them for a helmet light.

For a turnout coat 90 degree light, I like the Streamlight Survivor. It's thinner than the BigEd from Pelican.

To quote the great Delmer from "Oh Brother Where Art Thou" = Well I'm with you fellers.

Mostly.

I'm wearing a Bullard USRX and the blackjack set-up won't work (without some serious mods to the lid) due to the stupid Bullard Blade mounting system. I'm in the process of getting the components I need to ditch that blade mount thing & remedy this and the 2400/blackjack combo will soon adorn my USRX (only because I already have the 2400. If I were buying it all right now I'd get the 2410pl )


As for Bou's issue with size of the Streamlight vs The Big Ed - There is a 3rd option. Pelican has the "Lil Ed" which is an LED version of the 2400 w/ a Right Angle head adapter on it. The 3610 (or 3610pl which is what we have) is a nice set-up. It's lightweight, bright, and has several coat mounting options.

I'm also +1 with Bou on the service from Pelican. They are without a doubt THE best company I have ever worked with. Short version of 2 past experiences.

1) Needed replacement O-Rings for 2 lights - called Pelican & they sent m 6 each of the 3 sizes I needed - no charge.

2) Had an older Helmet mount that got broken - when I asked if I could swap the replacement for a different model instead of another of the same - they said no problem & shipped me (IMHO) a much nicer mount than what I had.

Between my Fiancées gear & mine - we have 4 lights from pelican (and I love them all).

2000 Saberlite - Xenon - The oldest workhorse in the stable. My first pelican. Has been relegated to "General Purpose work light" in my truck for now.

2400 - Xenon - currently on my extrication jumpsuit

2610 - LED - currently the helmet lamp for my Fiancée (She's a Paramedic & her lid won't see and Fire duty)

3610pl -Recoil LED - on my Volly Turn-out coat (and my favorite so far)

I'm going to be in the market for another light soon for my "Career Gear" from my new Part Time gig - right now my 2 criteria are:
1) Pelican
2) Recoil LED

Other than that - I'm still shopping.

There - that's my thoughts and advice - worth every penny you paid for it & double your money back if you're not 100% satisfied. ;)

[Irish1445]

I got the blackjack...I'm happy with everything about it except this major problem: how do you deal with the glare when the helmet shield is down? it constricts visibility because there is such a glare on the helmet shield I can barely see anything.

Otherwise the thing is great and I'm happy with it.

Which helmet are you using? Is it a traditional with bourkes, or a modern? It is a common question about the glare, but I have not had any one mention the glare after they got a blackjack.

[volfirie]

I'll add another vote for the UKE 4AA LED. It works.

[Mark21]

I have a Streamlight Helmet Band that holds two flashlights, in that I have one MagLite 2 AA cell light. I recently purchaced an LED upgrade kit for it for $7-. Works great. Gives me great light at MVA's and some light in smoky conditions. For fire's can't beat the Survivor LED on my coat.

[mikie333]

I've seen a lot of Pelican lights with 'recoil' ...what is a recoil LED ?

thanks!

[CALFFBOU]

I've seen a lot of Pelican lights with 'recoil' ...what is a recoil LED ?

thanks!

In short, it makes the internal light "bounce back and forth" with in the head unit giving the user a brighter light.

The ticket-

http://www.streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=120

[Command6]

A Survivor halogen on the coat is the best thing I've found. Next to that that, a Pelican 3C cell. Neither work well on helmets.

I have found that in general LED lights do not work well in smoke. They have a diffused light pattern (flood) that reflects off the smoke.

What works best is a narrow beam halogen (spot) that cuts through.:cool:

C6

[robertlassiter]

Having used several helmet lights in the last 10 years, I've found that they tend to melt in high heat situations. I've gone to using a Big Ed. I liked the UK 4aa flashlight, and the one from streamlight works well, but they did melt, eventually. It never hurt my helmet or my bourkes, just my flashlights. This is why I've gone to using a Big Ed. However, you have to find what works best for you. Good luck, stay safe.

[Brecknock72]

i think that the surefire flashlights are a good choice with a helmet rubberband. but thats just me. maybe you should look on firestore.com under flashlights.

[Saunook1440]

Go Garrity

[mikie333]

With all the different helmet mounts, is it difficult to take the light down for hand use without taking off the helmet?

Thanks!

[volfirie]

My helmet mounting has a knurled knob screw fitting - I can undo it and slide the out the UKE without removing my helmet. With gloves on.

UKE 4AA LED, with UKE mounting for a Pacific helmet. No idea if they have mounts for other helmets, but I think they have one that clips to the brim.

[Dirty32]

Wait for FDIC, I jsut heard the other day that Streamlight is supposed to have some really nice helmet mounted flashlight... That is the cat's meow..

[txgp17]

I have a Surefire 6P with a Malkoff Device M60LL LED drop in module hooked to a Gear Keeper http://www.gearkeeper.com/. The output is about 80 lumens, runtime is approximately 8 hours at full output, on 2 CR123 primary batteries. http://www.malkoffdevices.com/shop2/index.php?main_page=product_in fo&cPath=1_8&products_id=9

That blackjack mount looks awesome. Guess I know where part of my next paycheck is going.

[RJAbbott]

I didn't read all the comments so sorry if it's been covered already. I have a garrity on my helmet. It cost $2.24 so instead of buying a $25 light I bought 10 Garrity's. If one melts...if I lose one... if one get's busted... oh well! I didn't even buy an expensive rubber band for my helmet. I went to the tire shop and got a used inner tube that they couldn't repair and they gave it to me. I took a pair of trauma shears and made rubber bands for the entire department. Total cost of helmet lighting $2.24.

And I am not a fan of having the little helmet clips that hold a flashlight. I want my helmet to be a slick as possible. I don't need another thing screwed to my helmet that could possibly get tangled in stuff.

Just my 2 cents.