QUICK Flashlight Question

[mikie333]

Sorry for brining up such a popular topic, but I just need a few quick opinions...

I'm not wanting/ready to purchase a nicer flashlight for my jacket, so would this (clipped w/ lanyard or something) be a decent flashlight (I already have one) and not get in the way? And would the 'turn' style lamp (as opposed to a button) pose a problem?

(it's the traditional small maglight that comes with the waist carrier for like $10 (comes in black, red, green and blue, silver, etc...)


ps-is it worth getting that 10$ upgrade to an LED?

[mcaldwell]

I've been a longtime Maglite user and champion, but even I would never reccommend anyone buy the mini-mag's for severe duty when there are so many other options out there.

They just don't give enough light, and they wear out in a high use environment. Plus, anything made of black metal is going to cook in even a small training fire, further shortening its life. If it's all you have or can afford, then of course it's better than no light, but honestly I would stick that mini-mag in your glovebox for an emergency spare in the car.

I would take the first ten bucks, scrape up ten more, and get a little Pelican Mitylite or 4AA Stealthlite (or similar). More light, more robust for fire service, etc. When the budget allows, upgrade to a Little Ed LED or a Streamlight Survivor LED (much more than a mini-mag).

Twist vs button activation is really only personal preference for a utility light. You will want one handed operation in a searchlight however, so you can use it in confined space/entrapment scenarios. Those are usually found on the truck anyway.

FWIW,

I keep a Little Ed Recoil LED in my gear bag for responses, and use a Pelican M6 LED for a personal duty light. Both give decent light with long battery life, but are around $70 or $80 each.

[volfirie]

I'm with mcaldwell - maglights are great torches. Mini-mags are useful little things for little jobs.
I'd suggest using what you've got, while putting that ten aside to start saving for something purpose designed for firefighting. I use a helmet mounted UKE 4AA LED, not cheap but very effective - and the light points where I'm looking.
Push-button or twist? Up to the individual, but I hate the twist lights, too hard to use one-handed. Our BA sets have twist control torches attached to one of the D-rings - I find them too hard to remove as well as too awkward to turn on!

[CALFFBOU]

I hope I can answer your question, but one of the BEST flashlights I have ever owned is the Streamlight Survivor, non-led, recharagable.

Spent the extra money, and have a light for the rest of your career, plus.

[IowaFFandEMT]

I personally use the mini mag light. My helmet has a small bracket that the light clips in to. then i added a fishing stringer to the small hole on the end of the light and secured it to my helmet so if the light would ever come out of the bracket i don't lose it. It has worked many times too!

As far as the LED option for it, its all personal preference. I did add the LED option to my light and think its alot brighter than the regular bulb. To add to that, as the batteries wear down the LED will always remain bright unlike the regular bulbs will do.

[gunnyv]

Another vote for the UK4AA, and an honorable mention for the Big Ed right angle light, it was only $65 for the 4C version.

[firemonkey311]

I hope I can answer your question, but one of the BEST flashlights I have ever owned is the Streamlight Survivor, non-led, recharagable.

Spent the extra money, and have a light for the rest of your career, plus.

Best advice here! Excellent light.

[mikie333]

thanks everyone, i'm really glad this thread turned out positive, not a flashlight bashing thread or anything

again, thanks