What kind of flashlight do you use?

Mr. North · Post by **Mr. North** » Wed Jan 02, 2013 9:24 pm

Happy New Year everyone!

I'm looking for a new flashlight. I've been using a Maglite ever since I was a cub scout but I'm sick and tired of using two hands to twist the thing on and off. My girlfriend gave me a cheapo flashlight for Christmas and while it's bright, it's too large and I have to click through the High, Low, and Strobe settings just to shut it off.. kinda stupid. I'm looking for a bright LED that clicks on and off, and preferably has a pocket clip on the side. Amazon has hundreds of flashlights online, but I'm curious as to what other pilots use. Any recommendations?

While we're on the topic, anyone have any recommendations for headlamps?

angry inch · Post by **angry inch** » Wed Jan 02, 2013 9:30 pm

http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.a ... 3456,43349

Got the penlight as a gift from a buddy... this little light is awesome. I was using a small Maglite (the 2 AA model) and my new light is smaller, and much, much brighter. It has a little rubber push button on the end that you can click to keep it on, or partially depress for light while button is depressed. Two thumbs up.

Happy New Year

shimmydampner · Post by **shimmydampner** » Wed Jan 02, 2013 9:38 pm

http://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/HikingCam ... adlamp.jsp

ScudRunner · Post by **ScudRunner** » Wed Jan 02, 2013 9:40 pm

I got one of those magnetic powered jerk off flash lights in case of emergency. I never have to buy batteries its great I just leave it up by the compass and instruments during flight works great.

grimey · Post by **grimey** » Wed Jan 02, 2013 9:48 pm

. wrote: magnetic powered jerk off flash lights

ScudRunner · Post by **ScudRunner** » Wed Jan 02, 2013 9:55 pm

grimey wrote:
. wrote: magnetic powered jerk off flash lights

http://youtu.be/KiWqvQRgJlU

Meatservo · Post by **Meatservo** » Wed Jan 02, 2013 9:55 pm

It's spelled "fleshlight", stoopid.

Lost Lake · Post by **Lost Lake** » Wed Jan 02, 2013 11:11 pm

Cdn Tire. 4 LED flashlights for $5.00, plus an LED head lamp ($10). Oh and a lazer pointer on those nights at the airport when I have nothing better to do.

pelmet · Post by **pelmet** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 2:17 am

I use a very bright regular size MAGLite LED and twist it on and off all the time using just the thumb and finger with ease. However, I am disappointed because it is only on full bright or off. Good for outside but frequently too bright for inside.

PilotDAR · Post by **PilotDAR** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 5:20 am

I use an LED Lensor P5, and received a P5R for Christmas. The P5 is small and convenient, there are smaller ones, but I chose it because it uses a single AA cell, so I can easily find replacements. The P5R is great, though obviously requires frequent recharging. As it is much brighter than the P5, its really too bright for the cockpit at its full bright setting. Leatherman also has a good little AAA flashlight.

I did use the mini Mag Light LED conversions, but the two that I tried were only so-so, as though the bulb is changed, the reflector is not optimized for the LED. I found it better to buy an LED flashlight designed for the LED light source.

I tried "cheap" LED flashlights, though often found that the reliability of the LEDs was compromised by poor quality switches.

Spokes · Post by **Spokes** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 5:46 am

Smith & Wesson. Has 9 LED's, diameter just under an inch and about 3 inches long. Thumb clicker button on the back for on/off.

Colonel Sanders · Post by **Colonel Sanders** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 6:37 am

Cdn Tire. 4 LED flashlights for $5.00

meme chose. Going strong here.

Inverted2 · Post by **Inverted2** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 7:00 am

boogs82 · Post by **boogs82** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 7:26 am

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

lownslow · Post by **lownslow** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 7:37 am

Mr. North wrote:I've been using a Maglite ever since I was a cub scout but I'm sick and tired of using two hands to twist the thing on and off.

When turning it off just turn it 1/4 turn past where the light goes out. You should be able to turn it on and off with one hand from there, or at least that's what I do with mine.

LnS.

ogopogo · Post by **ogopogo** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 7:40 am

Make sure you get one with Cree LEDs -- you won't regret it.

http://www.cree.com/

CpnCrunch · Post by **CpnCrunch** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 10:00 am

I use a Rayovac SPHLTLED-B Sprotsman Xtreme headlamp, $12.99 from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.ca/Rayovac-SPHLTLED-B ... B001F0RCIC

Works very well for night flying, and much easier to use IMO than a handheld flashlight.

NeverBlue · Post by **NeverBlue** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 11:43 am

this one is kick-ass - 100 lumens - batteries last forever

http://image.snapon.com/international/p ... fb200s.pdf

Energizer makes a similar one sold at canadian tire for $20 (40 lumens)

x-wind · Post by **x-wind** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 12:17 pm

Jerk off light, it always stays in the airplane but rarely use it. This is the light I use all the time, expensive and a slight bulky but well worth it after much consideration. http://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/HikingCam ... adlamp.jsp

I have this strapped to my side of my headset. Use it infrequently but its great when you drop something on the floor or there is something across the panel that you can't quite see. http://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/Cycling/L ... -light.jsp

182-SS · Post by **182-SS** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 1:08 pm

Headlamps really are the best for all around. You cant go wrong with a headlamp.

The tactical flashlights are amazingly bright but they chew through the batteries like…..(insert fat joke here)

I have a few of different headlamps, even got one out of a case of beer, and it is great.

I do still carry a hand flashlight, it’s a “tactical” that came in a 3 pack from Costco for cheap, doesn’t chew the batteries nearly as bad as real ones, but the trick is to use the good batteries, leave the alkaline’s at home.

My fave is a little leatherman mini flashlight, uses one AAA, lasts for ever and way brighter than you’d think for its size, not unlike the pen lights.

old_man · Post by **old_man** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 1:37 pm

I've messed around with these before. Always with you. Kind of handy. The generic term I do believe is 'lip light'

x15 · Post by **x15** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 4:19 pm

Surefire A2 Aviator. High intensity Xeon bulb for external inspection. Low intensity led light in red or yellow green for use in dark cockpits. Used US forces.

Gorgons · Post by **Gorgons** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 5:23 pm

Flashlight? Two words on that subject... Day VFR

burhead1 · Post by **burhead1** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 5:33 pm

Mr. North wrote:Happy New Year everyone!

I'm looking for a new flashlight. I've been using a Maglite ever since I was a cub scout but I'm sick and tired of using two hands to twist the thing on and off. My girlfriend gave me a cheapo flashlight for Christmas and while it's bright, it's too large and I have to click through the High, Low, and Strobe settings just to shut it off.. kinda stupid. I'm looking for a bright LED that clicks on and off, and preferably has a pocket clip on the side. Amazon has hundreds of flashlights online, but I'm curious as to what other pilots use. Any recommendations?

While we're on the topic, anyone have any recommendations for headlamps?

Pm me your address or PO box, I will mail you a couple of pen lights.

helicopterray · Post by **helicopterray** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 6:04 pm

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.

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