2019: Higher Lumens and Still All Surefire Handheld Lights Seem to Suck

[powell556]

I was thrilled to see Surefire release new lights with higher lumens after all these years of stagnation. I haven't been paying much attention to their lineup the last couple years and am now analyzing what to buy and everything seems to suck. Although it's possible they are amazing and I just don't know what's good. Please enlighten me on handheld lights because maybe there's a current SF model I will buy and love.

Here's what I think I want:

Either an always high super tactical light that gives 400+ lumens on one CR123 / 1000+ lumens on two CR123s

OR If I do have a dual mode low/high light, then one of two systems seems good:

Press in on the tail cap a little bit and get a little bit of light. Press more on the tailcap get a lot of light. This means under stress, I push hard and I get the full light. Under not stress, I can think about what I'm doing and push gentler, and even if I accidentally push too hard, it's "not stress" so it doesn't matter. I want the system to FAIL high, not low.

OR the other method I would allow is a twist of the front lens area to switch between high and low. So I can carry it around on high all the time. This assumes the twist is tight enough to not disengage by accident.

Here's what Surefire thinks I want:

Push in one time and get high, push in a second time within 2 seconds and it turns into low. Okay, but what if I just want to flash a momentary bright light, let it turn off for a second, and re-flash another momentary bright light, as in how you would actually do things in a Craig AMIS world? Well, you can't do that, I guess because the light will think you want low mode on the second press.

Or some other weird series of presses on the tailcap to do the thing. No thanks.

That's not to say that Surefire doesn't offer some models that do what I think I want, but each has problems:

The Tactician has dual mode output with a twist head. But the tailcap doesn't support push deep for constant on. You have to twist the tailcap for constant on. I like the push deep for constant on that exists on my SF Scout lights. I think push deep for constant is superior than twist for constant, because you can push deep with one hand. And if you intended to do momentary on but FAIL, you fail to constant on, but you can press again to undo your failure.

The Fury Intellibeam... okay I am not smart enough to understand how it works. There's some auto-adjustment happening which sounds like a failure waiting to happen. I want to tell the light what output I want, not the other away around.

The E2D Defender... great! High output 1000 lumens on 2 cells. Seems like a nice light. Only problem is the ridiciulous crenelated bezel. So every time I take it to the airport will be a coin flip if TSA wants to take it away. And if NYPD or another overzealous agency sees it, it could mean arrest. For the benefit of what? If I pop someone in the face with the crenelated bezel is that going to be more effective than the non crenelated bezel? Will the bad guy even notice right away or will it take 20 seconds before he starts bleeding and by then the fight is already over, one way or another. And now I have to deal with his high vascular facial blood getting all over me and worry about HIV. Enormous potential downsides, virtually no upsides. It looks cool on Instagram, okay.

Then you get to stuff that seems decent like the G2Z and Aviator, but both have anemic light outputs for the battery capacity. I feel like I'm buying 4 year old light technology at full price. The G2Z is 20% less powerful than it should be for being dual cell and the Aviator is nearly half as powerful as it should be.

I reiterate that maybe my desires in what I think I want in a light are wrong. I am open to hearing that and with a consensus of several posters, I will buy a light that I wouldn't otherwise buy and try it out.

[El Cid]

Um... the EDCL2-T and it’s little brother do exactly what you want. I carry one daily.

https://www.surefire.com/illumination/flashlights/everyday-carry-flashlight-edcl2-t.html

[JSGlock34]

What about the Surefire D3FT (http://www.haleystrategic.com/deft-combat-light)? 500 lumens, a single 123A battery, always high.

[powell556]

Um... the EDCL2-T and it’s little brother do exactly what you want. I carry one daily.

https://www.surefire.com/illumination/flashlights/everyday-carry-flashlight-edcl2-t.html

It's twist for constant on, instead of push deep for constant on. Maybe I'm wrong and I don't need push deep for constant on. I can envision situations where I'm one handed and want constant on. But maybe the knurling is strong enough that I could twist it one handed, if I switched the grip in my hand? Not optimal since I'd have to task fixate for a couple seconds on the light, but maybe that's fine.

[theJanitor]

Um... the EDCL2-T and it’s little brother do exactly what you want. I carry one daily.

https://www.surefire.com/illumination/flashlights/everyday-carry-flashlight-edcl2-t.html

exactly. and they've had this system for a long time. The old LX2, then the EB2, and now the EDCL2T all have the same configuration, with more lumens at each new release. I've edc'd each one and upgraded with each new release.

OP, the want for a high only setting isn't needed due to the progressive nature of the tailcap. I think SF has it just right with the EDCL2T

[El Cid]

It's twist for constant on, instead of push deep for constant on. Maybe I'm wrong and I don't need push deep for constant on. I can envision situations where I'm one handed and want constant on. But maybe the knurling is strong enough that I could twist it one handed, if I switched the grip in my hand? Not optimal since I'd have to task fixate for a couple seconds on the light, but maybe that's fine.

How much low light training have you done? On a duty/defensive light I don’t need or want constant on as a feature. And you’re concerned about use under stress, so anything that pushes to stay on will end up on when you don’t need or want it. Additionally lights with high lumen output get hot quickly. My EDCL2-T is my fighting light that can be used for admin tasks if I need it in a pinch. My daily carry admin light is a Streamlight Microstream USB. With 250 lumens and an S clip it can be carried damn near anywhere. For $30 it’s a steal and I have them stashed all over.

[theJanitor]

also adding the opinion that the "gas pedal" switch makes a very good strobe possible, without having to fumble for a strobe setting

[RevolverRob]

I do not like constantly variable light brightness. I want the simplest system, either being a rotary proper (like the HDS Rotary) or a two-mode, that has a positive switch between modes (head twist or tail twist being the most common approach), and a clicky tailcap (i.e., not the Surefire of twist to get constant).

I carry two-mode lights, FourSevens Quarks. Unfortunately FourSevens no longer makes a two-mode Quark, so that reduces the number of available options.

The current two lights I'm aware of that are clicky-type and have high/low via head twist are the Malkoff M61 w/High-Low Switch (https://malkoff-devices.myshopify.com/collections/malkoff-mid-sized-led-flashlights/products/turnkey-md2-with-high-low-switch?variant=6893022531) and the Elzetta with a High-Low tailcap installed.

The Malkoff uses a head twist. The Elzetta a tail twist.

The Malkoff has 450 OTF measured lumens high, 100 OTF lumens low.

The Elzetta varies depending on if you're using the 1, 2, or 3 cell body - 1 cell = 415 lumens high/15 lumens low, 2 cell = 650 high/15 low, 2 cell = 900 high/30 low.

[CCT125US]

Another vote for the EDCL2T. Carry one daily, great for checking on kids, walking the dog and scanning the fields. Size to output ratio is great, as is the gas pedal.

[powell556]

What about the Surefire D3FT (http://www.haleystrategic.com/deft-combat-light)? 500 lumens, a single 123A battery, always high.

That looks almost perfect. I'd prefer bezel down clip, not this goofy looking hybrid, because it looks like it will be hard to actually run it tip down. But that's the least compromise of the other lights, so I will probably get this one, barring any better recommendations.

It has the same goofy looking clip that the E1B Backup has. It's possible it works amazing and just looks goofy. Anyone have experience with it?

[OldRunner/CSAT Neighbor]

How much low light training have you done? On a duty/defensive light I don’t need or want constant on as a feature. And you’re concerned about use under stress, so anything that pushes to stay on will end up on when you don’t need or want it. Additionally lights with high lumen output get hot quickly. My EDCL2-T is my fighting light that can be used for admin tasks if I need it in a pinch. My daily carry admin light is a Streamlight Microstream USB. With 250 lumens and an S clip it can be carried damn near anywhere. For $30 it’s a steal and I have them stashed all over.

Agreed El Cid on the Streamlight Micro USBs. I forgot who posted about those before Xmas but a damn good find & like you said priced right, small & rechargeable, what’s not to like?

[powell556]

How much low light training have you done? On a duty/defensive light I don’t need or want constant on as a feature.

Not much. Just Craig's AMIS and a little bit of low light as part of a few other structure clearing courses. Interesting idea about lack of desire for constant on. I am not sure of specific scenarios where I want constant on. Now that I think about it, some of the courses I took were around LE/MIL operations where, at least at the time, the doctrine was constant on lights for everybody. This was 15 years ago, not sure how much things have changed, but regardless as a civilian, maybe it's not needed at all.

Possibly in a survival situation, using it constant on for signalling purposes, as you're seeing a potential rescue in the distance, when the weather is cold and you can't manually strobe the light due to physical weakness. But in that case, I think twist for constant on is okay, even if I had to do it one handed.

[RevolverRob]

With the Quark clickies, I’ve had no problems with accidentally going constant on, when I want momentary. I find I want constant on more than I want momentary, anyways.

I don’t carry two flashlights, though. Partly, because one is enough and partly because flashlights are utility tools for me first, offensive/defensive tools second.

If you’re searching for bad guys a lot? I can see the value in “twist for constant”. If you’re using the light for utility purposes? Clicky.

Seriously, more than once I’ve needed a flashlight and only had one hand to access it. Having to twist on a Surefire sucks in those scenarios (I’ve done it quite a few times).

[GOTURBACK]

I sold my surefire fury tac, and now have and carry the Elzetta Charlie 3 cell with the hi/low tailcap and spot lens, it rides on the belt, bezel down just behind my spare mag. I also purchased a bravo body and flood lens to have options as they all interchange.

[Gio]

Not much. Just Craig's AMIS and a little bit of low light as part of a few other structure clearing courses. Interesting idea about lack of desire for constant on. I am not sure of specific scenarios where I want constant on. Now that I think about it, some of the courses I took were around LE/MIL operations where, at least at the time, the doctrine was constant on lights for everybody. This was 15 years ago, not sure how much things have changed, but regardless as a civilian, maybe it's not needed at all.

Possibly in a survival situation, using it constant on for signalling purposes, as you're seeing a potential rescue in the distance, when the weather is cold and you can't manually strobe the light due to physical weakness. But in that case, I think twist for constant on is okay, even if I had to do it one handed.

I think you are overthinking potential "what if's."

My tactical handheld lights are old school surefire 6P's and Z2's with malkoff M61's in them. They are actually used on a regular basis for things like kicking in doors and blinding violent subjects, and they are simple and work great for that. Don't be fooled by Malkoff's lumen numbers, their constant output over the life of the batteries is on par with most current Surefire lights for the same number of batteries.

I usually carry a Streamlight Protac 2LX when I'm not kicking in doors because it's a great task light, easier to carry than most Surefire's, and would suffice if I needed it in a pinch.

[MistWolf]

Twist on flashlights suck! Especially when you've only got one hand to operate them or your hands are slippery or cold. I have one at work that I must use and it's a pain.

[powell556]

I'm probably in the minority, but for the last decade, I've only carried a single AAA cell keychain light as my EDC illumination needs, in addition to my cell phone built in flashlight app.

I use my EDC flashlight approximately 3 to 5 times per year for 30 seconds or less. I don't need rechargable, and prefer lithium non-rechargable batteries since I believe they discharge more slowly than rechargable.

I frequently read of people on forums who say they use their EDC flashlights several times per day. I easily go several months without using one. Perhaps one reason is that I keep a D-Cell Maglite in my home near my front door, so if I'm walking outside in the dark, I sometimes take it with me (And thus don't need more of an EDC light than my AAA keychain model), and even if I was EDCing a surefire, I'd still take the D-Cell Maglite with me when walking outside my home in the dark because it's a giant metal stick that is socially acceptable for me to have in my hand. Perhaps also, there's not really dark places in my day to day life that I need to illuminate. The 3 to 5 times a year covers me dropping something under my car seat once every 4 months, on average.

I also keep a surefire headlamp in my toolbag, so if I'm doing anything tool related, I use that.

That's why I think I'd be okay with forgoing a utility low-lumen option on whatever new "tactical" light I buy, because the juice isn't worth the squeeze. I won't give up my keychain light even if I carry a Surefire, because the keychain light is so small/light. And the 3 to 5 times a year I need a utility light when I'm not already carrying the D Maglite or don't have the headlamp in my toolbag, I don't mind using my keychain light or cell phone. It would add maybe 10 seconds of annual convenience to my life to have the utility light be part of the Surefire I plan to carry. But with the added complexity of switchology that might break or fail to work as desired in an emergency "tactical" situation.

That's why I'm leaning towards that Haley strategic light. I didn't even know it existed since it's not on the Surefire site.

[ssb]

I went with the EDCL-1T despite thinking I'd not like the gas pedal switch. I thought the -2T was a bit long for my pockets, otherwise I would have gone with it instead. For utility, I really like the gas pedal switch and I find no lag in the hard press for full.
My light (bought in February) has a different clip than I remember the EDCs having, slightly wider and beefier. While I'd prefer even more sturdy, it'll do. It's a pretty good upgrade over the EDCL-2T clip I sourced and attached to the Tactician.

I previously used a Tactician. I liked the instant 800 lumens and really liked the size, but the more I've used them, the less I like the Maxvision beam. It just doesn't have any throw -- looking for the dog at night after she got out of the yard, etc. An older 300 lumen Surefire with the TIR lens did a far better job. Further, while the 15 lumen low setting was a good brightness for utility work, the more I used it the less I liked not having it quickly available.

If they'd give me a Tactician with a TIR head and a gas pedal switch set up for bezel-down carry and compatible with a Switchback, I'd have my ideal "tactical" light. A Stiletto with a TIR lens would be a close second.

[msstate56]

I’m currently carrying a Tactician with the click on tail cap from an old E2d. I get high only, momentary or constant if I click all the way. Or twist the bezel for low admin tasks. I’ve got a small fortune invested in Surefire lights, because they are rugged and work when needed. However, I agree that most products SF comes out with were designed by people that have obviously never had to use a light outside of walking their dog.

[RevolverRob]

BTW: I hadn’t realized thay Malkoff had an M61 HOT version with high/low switch optional. That’s 700+ OTF lumens with a TIR lens. Mode controlled by head twist.

I know what my next light will be.

[Leroy Suggs]

BTW: I hadn’t realized thay Malkoff had an M61 HOT version with high/low switch optional. That’s 700+ OTF lumens with a TIR lens. Mode controlled by head twist.

I know what my next light will be.

The Malkoff HOT/MD2 is a great light. It is my EDC.
Throws almost as good as the Hound Dog 18650, and has good spill.
Will run full power with no step down for about 1.5 hours on a 3500mah.

[orionz06]

I carry two-mode lights, FourSevens Quarks. Unfortunately FourSevens no longer makes a two-mode Quark, so that reduces the number of available options.


I really wish Surefire would use the patent they killed the good Quarks with to make their own version of the Quark with the twist head for modes with a good strobe and high mode.

[powell556]

I really wish Surefire would use the patent they killed the good Quarks with to make their own version of the Quark with the twist head for modes with a good strobe and high mode.

Me too. Waiting for a surefire strobe light is why I haven't carried a tactical light in over a decade. I used to carry the original P6 and then when I lost it, I decided to wait until a Surefire strobe model came out. It's been 15 years of waiting and over the time I realized I don't actually need a tactical light, clearly, because it wouldn't have come in handy a single time in those 15 years.

I've given up on Surefire releasing a strobe light. I guess wrist mounted watch lights are more real-world usable.

[El Cid]

Me too. Waiting for a surefire strobe light is why I haven't carried a tactical light in over a decade. I used to carry the original P6 and then when I lost it, I decided to wait until a Surefire strobe model came out. It's been 15 years of waiting and over the time I realized I don't actually need a tactical light, clearly, because it wouldn't have come in handy a single time in those 15 years.

I've given up on Surefire releasing a strobe light. I guess wrist mounted watch lights are more real-world usable.

I don’t know many armed professionals who want or use a strobe. It has limited use in controlling people who are unarmed and peacefully non-compliant. But I don’t want to see what a bad guys hands are doing in bursts. I’m sure there are exceptions out there, as life has few absolutes, but I consider strobing an overrated feature and associate it with folks who have never gone looking for dangerous people.

[orionz06]

I don’t know many armed professionals who want or use a strobe. It has limited use in controlling people who are unarmed and peacefully non-compliant. But I don’t want to see what a bad guys hands are doing in bursts. I’m sure there are exceptions out there, as life has few absolutes, but I consider strobing an overrated feature and associate it with folks who have never gone looking for dangerous people.

I'm not trying to control people with it, at all.

[El Cid]

I'm not trying to control people with it, at all.

How are you using it?

[orionz06]

How are you using it?

Masking movement.

[El Cid]

Masking movement.

I’ve seen it used in training to do that approaching a threshold. But there are ways to do similar things with movement of the light when using regular momentary options.

I’ve used strobe to cause people to freeze and one even sat down. But we were walking up on them in a parking lot and they were not armed or a threat. We didn’t want them to run or know how many of us there were. When using a light in conjunction with a weapon I have a hard time seeing the utility of a strobe feature.

[orionz06]

I’ve seen it used in training to do that approaching a threshold. But there are ways to do similar things with movement of the light when using regular momentary options.


Likewise, but technology is nice. I want all the cake.


When using a light in conjunction with a weapon I have a hard time seeing the utility of a strobe feature.
Yup, haven't seen anything that supports Surefire adding it to the XH line and Streamlight appears to have just added it. The XH line doesn't even have a strobe rate that is fast enough. If anyone can find out who requested it and how they're using it I'm all ears.

[RevolverRob]

Likewise, but technology is nice. I want all the cake.


Yup, haven't seen anything that supports Surefire adding it to the XH line and Streamlight appears to have just added it. The XH line doesn't even have a strobe rate that is fast enough. If anyone can find out who requested it and how they're using it I'm all ears.

The strobe on my TLR-1S is nice for impromptu discos and trying to give a cat a seizure, that's about it.

I have discovered slow strobes are good for making drunk people want to vomit. Super slow strobes are good for screwing with the resetting of night vision (SOS strobe for instance is interesting in this regard), but they suck for masking movement.

I really wish Ken Good could get it all together with the Estrela. In the meantime, I guess I'm going Malkoff or Surefire with Malkoff guts.

[orionz06]

I really wish Ken Good could get it all together with the Estrela. In the meantime, I guess I'm going Malkoff or Surefire with Malkoff guts.

The Night Reaper is solid. It's home/duty sized though.

[RevolverRob]

The Night Reaper is solid. It's home/duty sized though.

Are they still making them? I was under the impression that they haven't made any in a few years. I love the light, a buddy has two of them and uses one for duty. I'm continually impressed whenever I play with it.

Clear Ken Good is a smart man when it comes to flashlights and flashlight designs. I wish he could get back together with Surefire and make some progress, but it seems like that ship has sailed (or sunk...hard to say).

[powell556]

There's been some mention of malkoff lights in this thread. Any of them particularly noteworthy, either entire light or a replacement module? The website seems more enthusiast-focused, so if you have less than 1000 posts on Candle Power Forums, it's hard to make sense of what's what. Also some of the "bulbs"/heads seem outdated for the lumen count. Maybe it's old stock and he hasn't made new versions yet, so I'd like to avoid buying a 5 year old tech in a light.

[PearTree]

There's been some mention of malkoff lights in this thread. Any of them particularly noteworthy, either entire light or a replacement module? The website seems more enthusiast-focused, so if you have less than 1000 posts on Candle Power Forums, it's hard to make sense of what's what. Also some of the "bulbs"/heads seem outdated for the lumen count. Maybe it's old stock and he hasn't made new versions yet, so I'd like to avoid buying a 5 year old tech in a light.

M61hot md2 or the hound dog if you are looking for lumens. I believe the m61 is around 750 lumens. Malkoff posts accurate lumen numbers and sometimes underrates the overall output where most light manufacturers do the opposite. If I’m spending money on a flashlight it’s malkoff, nothing else comes close in my opinion.

[NH Shooter]

This is what I consider my most effective EDC light for SD purposes with a pistol: a Malkoff Bodyguard v.2 head (https://malkoff-devices.myshopify.com/collections/parts-and-miscellaneous-items/products/mdc-bodyguard-v2-head) on a SF body with a Malkoff E-series tailcap (https://malkoff-devices.myshopify.com/collections/parts-and-miscellaneous-items/products/malkoff-e-series-tailcap). It comes on high (1,000 lumens) every time without fail. No twisting of heads, presses of the switch etc. required. The unique feature is that the light will automatically step-down to 200 lumens after 10 seconds. Blip the clicky to reset, or leave it on 200 for longer runtimes and no overheating;

https://i.ibb.co/VWz0JpR/edc-6.jpg


This is the complete Bodyguard v.1 (https://malkoff-devices.myshopify.com/collections/malkoff-small-led-flashlights/products/mdc-bodyguard) light which puts out 600 lumens on a single-cell body (or 900 on a 2-cell body);

https://i.ibb.co/kDWMWg9/BAB0-A30-C-46-CC-46-BE-9-D69-4192-F080-E31-E.jpg


This is The Weapon: a Malkoff Hound Dog Super (https://malkoff-devices.myshopify.com/collections/large-malkoff-led-flashlights/products/malkoff-hound-dog-super-flashlight?variant=32257626883) producing 1,700 lumens with 75,000 lux. It uses the Malkoff high-low bezel switch to drop it down to 80 lumens and about 4,500 lux;

https://i.ibb.co/FmkjLyB/hdsuper-1.jpg


There's much to like about Malkoff lights, including heavy duty construction, simple UIs, extreme reliability and unsurpassed customer service by Gene and Cathy Malkoff. Buy with confidence!

[blues]

There are many Malkoff lights, and Lego versions with Malkoff heads and SureFire bodies that are excellent for any number of purposes.

Here are a few for consideration:

36182

36183

Similar to NH's example, I use the Bodyguard v.1 (https://malkoff-devices.myshopify.com/products/mdc-bodyguard) (of late) as my EDC. It provides 800 lumens momentary, 700 lumens for roughly 10 seconds, and 200 lumens after 10 seconds on an IMR 16340 battery.

I can also use it with my SureFire E2e body with a 16650 battery for extended run time and more lumens. Gene didn't have the exact figures for me when we last spoke on it. My E2e usually wears a Malkoff Scout head otherwise.

You can't go wrong with any Malkoff, imho. Just depends on what your requirements are.

[scjbash]

OP, look at the Nitecore P12GT. 1000 lumens and 25,700 candela running on two CR123's or one 18650 (18650 is the way to go with lights IMO). Clicky tailcap for momentary and constant on. Small button on the side of the light near the bezel changes output and it always turns on with the last output you selected. I'm a several times a day user and I've beat the hell out of it for two years with no issues.

[NH Shooter]

Either an always high super tactical light that gives 400+ lumens on one CR123 / 1000+ lumens on two CR123s

OR If I do have a dual mode low/high light, then one of two systems seems good:

Press in on the tail cap a little bit and get a little bit of light. Press more on the tailcap get a lot of light. This means under stress, I push hard and I get the full light. Under not stress, I can think about what I'm doing and push gentler, and even if I accidentally push too hard, it's "not stress" so it doesn't matter. I want the system to FAIL high, not low.

OR the other method I would allow is a twist of the front lens area to switch between high and low. So I can carry it around on high all the time. This assumes the twist is tight enough to not disengage by accident.



That IMO is a great basis for the selection process. To that I would offer the following based on my own experience;


There was an AAR somewhere on a low light course that revealed the "gas pedal" SF switch takes some practice to always and consistently get maximum output every time the light is activated.
Based on point 1, I would look for a light that is impossible for it to activate on anything but maximum output
Based on point 2, the vast majority of "programmable" lights are non-starters
A simple UI is a must - push the button and the light comes on high every time and without fail - and I would avoid anything with multiple switches


The above points were either learned or reinforced during a low light pistol course I took last year at the Sig Academy. Lots of repetitions, plenty of malfunction clearing drills, constant magazine changes in the dark brought out any deficiencies in both gear and technique. There were nine other people taking the course, a few with programmable lights that were switching modes during use. Nothing more frustrating than getting on-target and having the light come on in some goofy SOS or moonlight mode. I would also avoid any "intellibeam" feature that unpredictably changes output level without operator input.

Another take-away from the course is that the short, 1-cell lights are easy to carry but more difficult to get a consistent grip on. I found the 2-cell length light easier to manipulate in a consistent manner.

If you want to stick with Surefire I think the Fury DFT (https://www.surefire.com/illumination/flashlights/fury-dft-tactical-led-flashlight.html) is worth a look. I also own the 6PX Tactical (https://www.surefire.com/illumination/flashlights/6px-tactical.html) which is one of the few lights with "tactical" in the model name that is actually useful for the application. It's actually a decent light for the money with a very useable beam that I would not feel "under-gunned" carrying.

To reiterate, my go-to light for defensive use with a pistol is a Malkoff Bodyguard v.2 head (https://malkoff-devices.myshopify.com/collections/parts-and-miscellaneous-items/products/mdc-bodyguard-v2-head) on a SF E-series 2-cell body (search e-bay) with a Malkoff E-series tailcap (https://malkoff-devices.myshopify.com/collections/parts-and-miscellaneous-items/products/malkoff-e-series-tailcap). I find the light is easy for me to grasp and manipulate, the thinner E-series body works better for me than 1-inch diameter bodies. The Bodyguard head steps down from 1,000 lumens to 200 after 10 seconds, but for "flash 'n dash" use it's non-problematic for me. The upside is that if the light is needed for extended runtime, it can do so at the 200-lumen level. If the step-down feature is not needed, take a look at the E2 Super/Scout M600 2CR123 High Output Head (https://malkoff-devices.myshopify.com/collections/surefire-drop-ins-for-e1-e2-and-scout-lights/products/e2-super-scout-m600-2cr123-high-output-head).

I did not have this exact light when I took the course, but is the one I would use if I were to take the course again. It checks all the boxes for a defensive-use light for me.


https://i.ibb.co/chT2z03/edc-7.jpg

[majoroson]

Are there now budget, but high-quality headlamps for hunting?

[vcdgrips]

Without more info, I would likely default to a made in the USA offering by Princeton Tec.


What is your budget?

How many lumens are you looking for?

Does it need to be rechargeable?

Do you care if it is made in the PRC (China)?

[HCM]

Are there now budget, but high-quality headlamps for hunting?

https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?48766-Good-deal-on-a-headlamp/page3

[majoroson]

Are there now budget, but high-quality headlamps for hunting?

Yes, the new flashlights from Surefire work great. I am thrilled with them. Basically, it shines about the same as the headlamp I recently purchased (https://www.amazon.com/Vont-Headlamp-Flashlight-Headlight-Headlamps/dp/B07ZWK5QKM). But, I got the Surefire flashlight from a friend of mine who works in law enforcement. As far as I know, Surefire specializes in flashlights for cops, the military, and so on, don't you think? But I can tell you this, if you don't hunt or go camping, there is no point in having such a bright flashlight. It is better to save money and buy something cheaper, but maybe even more colorful. This is my personal opinion... But I got this flashlight for free :)

[vcdgrips]

It looks the OP answered his own question with some fungible item, made in the PRC quasi-drek that will work right until the moment it does not.

To the questions I posted and the link to Amazon re the same. MY COMMENTS IN CAPS TO DIFFERENTIATE-NOT YELLING:


What is your budget? (10.00 ISH FOR 2)

How many lumens are you looking for? (200 AS PER THE COPY ON THE LINKED AD)

Does it need to be rechargeable? (NO)

Do you care if it is made in the PRC (China)? (NO-ITEMS MADE IN PRC)

I would not that the OP has posted up 2x. both re the light to date.