Flashlights

[Omal52]

We are looking to buy new lights to place on our Engines. We have narrowed it down to:

Pelican Big Ed (cool name)

Streamlight Survivor

We will be mounting these in the cab so the crew can grab one enroute.

Any feedback, good or bad on either would be great.

Thanks in advance.

God Bless The 343

[EUitts]

I'm glad you're considering something other than the Survivor Lightboxes. They are good lights, but very bulky to carry as a personal handlight.

I have had very good luck with the Streamlight Survivor lights. I have two of them and they have held up very well, and are quite bright even in smoke. The new Surviors are an improvement over the older models in the fact that the batteries can be swapped in the field. I haven't used a Big Ed myself, but several members of my department use them and they seem to like them. I think you'll have good luck with either light.

[quint1driver]

I carry a survivor on my jacket, and my company carries them on the pieces. Either one will suit you well. Ive never had a Big Ed so I can't speak from experience, but the general board consensus is they are very good lights.

[DaSharkie]

I have to ask you this. Why would you take 2 lights with such a large disparity between candlepower output. The Big - Ed, and I have no personal experience with these, puits out about 60,000 candle power and and the Survivor light puts out only 25,000 Candlepower on a much narrower beam of light. I personally use the Koehler Responder and our newest pump just came through with them for every seat postion. These things put out 45,000 off the charger as well asbeing able to put out 65,000 off of C-cell batteries that replace the battery pack. I think the extra light power is necessary. like I said, I'm just thrown off by the candlepower difference of the two lights.

[N2DFire]

O.K. It may take me a minute or two to get to my point, so please bear with my ramblings.

We recently purchased a new Ambulance and in the Spec. we had 2 StreamLight Lite Boxes Mounted in it and also speced for the ability to place our existing Mag Lights & chargers from the old unit.

Now - here's the reason we carry both types of light.

If you just need a flashlight to walk yourself through the dark up the driveway or something - the Mag Lights are fine, but if your trying to work with a Pt. (or relating back to fire calls - do anything that involves both hands) then you need someone else to hold the mag light for you.

Now with the LiteBoxes (and similar models from other Mfgs) you can set the light down and swivel the head around to where you need to see - leaving both hands free to work.

Like EUitts said - they don't make very good hand light's but, personally I don't think they were ever intended as hand lights. I think they were intended as portable flood/spot lights. The strap is to help you get it from Truck to the point of Usage - then set them down & aim them.

As far as CP difference between the 2 models we carry (or the 2 you have chosen) - I agree with Sharkie that more is better, but if you're standing in the dark and need a light would you really care about the CP as long as it worked ?

My suggestion (for Fire Apparatus) would be, if $$ allowed, to mount 1 "hand light" for each riding position and one "Portable Flood Light" for every 2 person team you can split the truck's crew into.

Just my $.02 worth anyway.

Take Care - Stay Safe - God Bless
Stephen
FF/Paramedic

[Omal52]

First off, thanks for the responses all.

Da Sharkie- Thanks for the info. I am gathering info on the Responder.

N2DFire- I agree. We currently have five boxes mounted in a compasrtment in chargers. We are looking to buy "personal" or "hand" lights to mount in the cab.

Personally I am leaning towards the Big Ed,(without looking at the Responder yet), unless someone can change my mind.

So anyone also feel free to give any feedback on the Responder or any of your favorite hand lights out there.

[TailboardJockey]

I'm also looking for a good personal flashlight.

I'm trying to decide between the Pelican Big Ed, and the Koehler Responder. The only real difference that I can see between the two is that the Responder can use a charger or regular batteries on the same light. With the Big Ed, you have to either buy the rechargeable model or the battery model.

Anybody have any experience with either of these?

[Omal52]

.

[weir33]

Here's one for Ya http://www.beaconww.com/pages/detail.las?sku=UK-4AA
Ive used this light for a couple of years, Their lite-weight and you can buy helmet holders. I put the loop side of velcro on mine and attach it to my bunkers where its easy to grasp no pocket diggin with gloves on and no off/on switch. Twist lens. 5hrs constant on 25 hrs per bulb. Good dependable lite

[EdpEmtD]

love my RESPONDER RECHARGEABLE/4C cell battery flashlight .

Life is full of choices, why would you limit yourself when you buy your flashlight ?

The survivor light is used widespread by FDNY, need i say more. be smart dont buy equipment just cuz` FDNY has it.

the big ed never heard or used it.

responder is the way to go.

and when i finish the ROCK im bringing my responder to the streets of NYC.

[EdpEmtD]

did i forget to mention battery life?

c cell batterys 5+ hours @ 60,000 CP
battery pack 2+ hours @ 45,000 CP

these are the stats for division 2 flashlights
div 1 are lower i dont have that info handy sorry.

responder homepage

[ 01-21-2002: Message edited by: EdpEmt_D ]

[cmack]

Personally I use the Survivor, (the new pelican was not out yet) but I have heard very good things about the the new pelican. It did very well at the expo. My survivor has held up very well and when it does finally go away I will go with the pelican!

[Omal52]

Responder......hmmmmmmm.....lookn good.....hmmmmmm