What kind of flashlight do you use?

MZUNGO · Post by **MZUNGO** » Sat Jan 05, 2013 5:42 am

Duracell 2 AA flashlight $20 from home depot. I have used it constantly for over 4 years and it is still going strong. on off button on the back, so none of those stupid strobe effects. 2 AA's will last 2 weeks, and I use it a lot.

200Above · Post by **200Above** » Sat Jan 05, 2013 10:37 am

I picked up a set of 3 tactical flashlights (Cree LED) for $20. Costco.
It's 250 Lumens, really bright.
It's also got a feature where it flashes on/off at a rapid rate, great if you're stuck somewhere and want to get someone's attention.

+1. The lights have 3 settings; 2 settings of brightness and a medium paced strobe. I'm not sure if your's is a hand held flash light but mine is a headlamp. You are able to point the light up or down to match your vision and works really well. When I need to get into smaller corners I just take the headlamp off and use as a regular flash light. Can't beat the price.

It's also good in the cockpit to do journey log/OFP/data card entries without draining the a/c batteries.

HHI · Post by **HHI** » Sat Jan 05, 2013 11:11 am

I have a headband with a pouch for holding a mini mag lite (has a red lens cover) and used to wear it facing in the direction I looked, for night flying in light aircraft. Sometimes my headset would not fit correctly over the flashlight and therefore not block out aircraft noise.

I currently wear a minor's headlamp for night flying. It has 2 white bulbs and 1 red bulb in the centre. Slide switch left for white and right for left. I use the red in the cockpit while flying and the white for night per-flight inspections, maps and logbooks.

The white also comes in handy when parking the Cessna in the hangar. At CZBB there is no electrical power to Apron 3 hangars and we rely on generators or solar/wind powered batteries - and headlamps - for night operations.

HHI

SmokinJoe · Post by **SmokinJoe** » Thu Jan 10, 2013 1:56 am

Check out 4sevens flashlights. I have the Quark X 123. It has Moonlight .3 Lumens (Great in the cockpit), Low 3 Lumens, Medium 65 Lumens, and High 360 Lumens. Also has a beacon mode and SOS mode as well as strobe. Flat base so you can stand it on end, comes with hand holder (kinda fits around your fingers, hard to explain) and belt pouch. It's smaller then a maglite. The Quark X 123 takes the CR123 batteries, but they make a AA version, just not as bright 280 Lumens. Sells for 69.99 from Warriors and Wonders in BC. 10 year warranty and uses the CREE LED.

I am very happy with mine.

http://www.warriorsandwonders.com/4_Sev ... 20a&page=2

Specifications

Powered by: 2 CR123A batteries (included)
LED Emitter: Premium Cree XM-L
Voltage range: 3.0V ~ 9.0V
Dimensions
Length: 4.5 inches
Diameter: 0.86 inches
Weight: 1.8 ounces
5 Current Regulated Output Levels
3 Flash modes: Strobe, SOS, Beacon
Momentary Activation
Level Memorization
Square threads for lifetime smooth operation
Type III Hard Anodized finish
Fully knurled
Reversable/Removable Clip
Flexible & secure hand grip accessory
IPX-8 Waterproofing
Impact-resistant glass lens with Dual-coating - sapphire coating on the outside and anti-reflective coating on the inside for optimal efficiency and durability.
Reflector: Light orange-peel textured
T-6061 Aircraft-grade Aluminum Body
Reverse-polarity protection
Included accessories: Two 4Sevens CR123A batteries, lanyard, holster, hand-grip, spare o-rings, instruction manual.
Typical Output Levels and Runtimes

Moonlight: 0.3 lumens for 25 days
Low: 3 lumens for 5 days
Medium: 65 lumens for 11 hours
High: 160 lumens for 4 hours
Max: 360 lumens for 1.7 hours
Strobe: 360 lumens for 3.4 hours
SOS: 360 lumens for 6 hours
Beacon: 0-360 lumens pulse for 16 hours

Flying Low · Post by **Flying Low** » Thu Jan 10, 2013 10:03 am

No pocket clip but I have used this one for several years. 3 AAA batteries and casts a narrow beam to 100 feet. Single push rubber switch on end cap. Great for doing walk arounds and shining a beam high up on a T tail, etc.

http://www.dorcy.com/p-300-41-4286-45-l ... minum.aspx

They also make a more powerful one, apparently projects a beam to 130 meters:

http://www.dorcy.com/p-212-41-4287-100- ... witch.aspx

tellyourkidstogetarealjob · Thu Jan 10, 2013 8:42 pm

I stopped using Maglites years ago due to poor switch reliability. The click ones were okay but always lost their rubber covers - allowing hydraulic fluid/ rain/ fuel to ruin them. The twist ones were terrible. One of those once lasted me only two days. They know the cost of postage means few people ever send them back.

I've used dozens of makes since. Cheap and expensive. Some worked well at first but didn't last. They couldn't stand the abuse or skydrol/dirt/fuel an AME works with. Some, annoyingly, turn off when the voltage drops (or cold) even though the batteries will still easily power other makes. The cheap ones are bad for that. Some eat battieries ridiculously fast.

About a year and a half ago I picked up a Maglite XL50. Not widely available in Canada but can be purchased online or stateside. It's the best combination of toughness and brightness I've seen yet. Small, easily pocketable. Good switch, for a change. Rubber actually stays on. Click type on the back of the flashlight, as God intended. No stupid twisting. One, two, or three clicks on, one off. I almost always full power (one click on) as the battery life is quite good unless I leave it on in my pocket!

Not expensive. Around $30. Takes 3 AAA batteries.

TheCheez · Post by **TheCheez** » Thu Jan 10, 2013 8:51 pm

RCAF issues a sharpie sized pelican light that has always served me well.

Shajkil · Post by **Shajkil** » Mon May 13, 2013 10:28 am

Gorgons wrote:led Flashlight? Two words on that subject... Day VFR

Everybody has a different choice. Day DFR isn't a bad flashlight but there still remains many other good tactical flashlights, if you want.

Lights are available here http://www.marinesalvageantiques.com

Cessna driver · Post by **Cessna driver** » Mon May 13, 2013 9:01 pm

boogs82 wrote:Fenix Tactical make some of the best lights out there. Not cheap and not inexpensive.

+1. I use the fenix pd32 for walk arounds, its like day time ( blah blah blah i let my eyes readjust before flying). Has strobe light and s.o.s. funtions

GyvAir · Post by **GyvAir** » Tue May 14, 2013 10:50 am

Just because your aircraft may not leave the ground with it doen't mean you should leave home without it..

http://www.gadgetonian.com/2010/03/dude ... lashlight/

I'm assuming it runs off the typical 3 AAAs?

tbaylx · Post by **tbaylx** » Tue May 14, 2013 1:10 pm

They are expensive, but if you want reliable and bright for walk arounds then Surefire makes the best stuff hands down in my opinion.

Lotro · Post by **Lotro** » Wed Jul 03, 2013 6:06 am

Forget the jerk-off light, check this one out, powered by the heat in your hand!

Ann Makosinski was thrilled with 200 views for her YouTube video showing how she created a flashlight powered by the heat of her hand.

But after the teen was chosen as the sole representative from Canada at Google’s upcoming international science fair, views shot up to over one million.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... CCGUMkcbjg[/youtube]

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013 ... _fair.html

Colonel Sanders · Post by **Colonel Sanders** » Wed Jul 03, 2013 6:49 am

$6.99 gets you 4 of these at C Tire:

LED Aluminum Flashlight, 4-pk Product #199-0298-0

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/5 ... ?locale=en

They're not the brightest, but they actually work very
well in the cockpit.

I picked up a couple Snap-on flashlight at costco, and
they're pretty neat, too. They were $20. Batteries
last forever, and it works very well as a cordless shoplight.

dashx · Post by **dashx** » Wed Jul 03, 2013 2:37 pm

http://www.maglite.com/Mini_Maglite_ProPlus_LED.asp

This is the Maglite PRO+ using AA batteries. Next Maglite I get will (probably) be this one. The C and D models are only good for fending off would be robbers (and we all know who carries the billy club Maglites).

Dorcy is a recognized name in the flashlight industry. Here is a model offered by Costco (as well as TSC, Sears online etc....):

http://www.costco.ca/Dorcy-Rechargeable ... 41057.html

For now I have a AA LED maglite and a Princess Auto lithium ion 5W (it was on sale...) flashlight. I purchased extra higher capacity 18650 cells for a few dollars on Ebay for it.

It's amazing how many batteries you can go through when they are free.......

As well I have a Coast headlamp using AAA batteries that I got (on sale) at Home Depot. Next headlamp will be a rechargeable (probably 18650 cell) model from (probably) A Chinese seller on Ebay (because I'm cheap). Anything brand name will cost a lot more so ........

If you are going to have an abundant supply of AAA batteries then your choices are limitless. I use rechargeable AAA's in my headlamp but they simply do not have the same capacity as AA or the 18650 cells. So to keep "green" .........

Flashlight LED technology is constantly changing so whatever you buy will be "obsolete" next year.

iflyforpie · Post by **iflyforpie** » Wed Jul 03, 2013 9:02 pm

Colonel Sanders wrote: I picked up a couple Snap-on flashlight at costco, and
they're pretty neat, too. They were $20. Batteries
last forever, and it works very well as a cordless shoplight.

I got one of those too.... primarily to use as a cordless shop light after I smashed my last trouble light.

I dunno, LED light is bright but the light it gives off really sucks. I find myself going back to my old standby 2AA Maglite. One thumb on the hand that is holding it turns it on and off..... a little bit of DC4 or your favourite lubricant on the O-ring and threads helps it turn easily and keeps it weatherproof.

Of course, I logged my last night hour nearly a decade ago (geez, really?) so I don't really use a flashlight in the plane except for night runups.

Rookie50 · Post by **Rookie50** » Thu Jul 04, 2013 6:51 am

Longest thread ....we pilots sure like our flashlights!

Walker · Post by **Walker** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 2:45 am

Currently resides in my jacket pocket:
http://www.surefire.com/product/6px-g2x ... p-pro.html

Or for less practical applications (I have this in my truck):
http://www.wickedlasers.com/torch

You may also want to checkout CandlePowerForums (forum for people who like flashlights..... yes... it exists)
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/content.php

CID · Post by **CID** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 6:18 am

I've been using this for a few years now:

http://www.toolexperts.com/led-pen-ligh ... 66118.html

Its never given me trouble and the batteries last a long time.

GUMPS · Post by **GUMPS** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 2:02 pm

Flashlight? I'm still using my shirt on a stick dipped in fuel as a torch.
Don't worry about me running out of fuel, I steal it from my granny gas...

complexintentions · Post by **complexintentions** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 2:24 pm

Got tired of flying a $280 million a/c with a provided $10 flashlight with dim conventional bulb and usually, dead batteries. So did some research and splashed out on a Klarus XT11.

Cheap for a tac light. Lighter than a mag or comparable - adds nothing to my flight bag. Built like a brick you-know-what.

600 lumens at max, switchable to 150 and 10 lumens, which is nice for battery life. Bonus feature: put it in strobe mode and give your FO an instant seizure. Can be mounted on an assault rifle, should that need arise. Mostly, just fun to turn day into night with something the size of a penlight. And oh yeah, uh, good for walkarounds. Occasionally handy on layovers when the hotel power dies. I run it on the rechargeable 18650 batts so no real running cost.

Eff yeah.

http://www.amazon.com/Klarus-XT11-XM-L- ... pg__header

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