Which one to get? Tk35 or DRY 3 xm-l

So I really want a new light for my job as a security guard. I will be using it daily and want it to last and be able to really light up an aspa. I will need the light to e in a holsteinim a duty belt with holster. Between the fenix TK35 and the DRY 3XM-L which one would your reccomenoff or if there is another light you would reccomendedplease do.

Well considering I just bought the dry,I say dry,lol

The Dry is not tactical. The modes cannot be changed with ease, there's no real grip, neither can be used with ease in self defense. You will also have to be careful how much time you run it, because of the temperature.

Strobe is also useful for disorienting as guard, few modes, and as forward clicky for momentary on.

I would recommend the Solarforce M6. It has a Stainless steel bezel and on the tail cap. Maybe one downside is the light is only 500 lumens. https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/4688

Or if you want a more throw the Crelant V9 XM-L is another tactical light, just bit more light coming from this one. Stainless steel bezel, cigar grip, forward clicky. Can be sue with 2 Cr123A primaries if needed.

Any 5-mode UF C8 XM-L should work for you just fine. The TK35 is a thrower, the DRY a massive powerhouse (too much for your uses) but also not as practical. Ultrafire XM-L should be the way to go. Not too expensive and easy to replace if need be.

Having worked security for 8 years, you get less done playing with lights as opposed to those you actually use. No need for show ponies.I hated getting higher dollar models and then babying them because I spent so much on them.

My EDCs are an UF C8 XM-L and a Sipik 1AA. Both heavily used.

I have to agree in some points on “just basic C8”.
It’s so cheap you can beat it, no need to bay it. It also offers IMO a pretty good hold for cigar grip which I use often.
5-mode is a minus. For security use I would suggest 1 to 2 modes for quick action / less hassle if needed to use fast.
I recently made a thread and got a bunch of very good recommendations. I will bump it soon when I get to my laptop.

If I should select one of the lights, I would take the TK35. Good handling (easy to take with one hand and to select the mode), good built quality (IPX8, HA III, regulated eletronic) and bright.

Another nice flasglight (a little bit smaller and with a XP-G LED - I think this is the best allround LED with fllod and throw Fenix TK15)

Thanks for the reccomendations. I'll have to look up the c8 and l would appreciate your link cheap thrills.

TK35!

Another choice you might want to look at that doesn't cost too much is a Jetbeam BC40. 820 lumens with only two modes making it simple. Not a great thrower but not bad either. About the same beam and brightness as the TK35 but less expensive and easier to use as a tactical light. I have mounted this light on my Go To AR15 as my primary weapons mounted light.

Here it is:

https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/5500

The BC40 is a great allrounder for a decent price. Since I own both a DRY and a BC40, I can also share that the BC40 throws considerably better than the DRY. The DRY on the other hand is really bright.

For everyday allround use I would however go with the BC40 since it's bright enough, throws better and don't need any "babysitting". (The DRY is more of a supercharged thoroughbred.)

BC40 reviews:

http://www.flashlightreviews.ca/BC40.htm

Vote for TK 35

I would go with the recommendations on the XML C8.

It's cheap and being used for work, so you won't feel bad if it gets beat up.

It's compact, and easy in the pocket.

It has good spill and throw.

I also recommend the C8 and you could even pick up spares at that price if absolutely needed. The one trade off: Less run time because it will be running on only one cell. It's lightweight, compact and will definitely get the job done. If you have to go with a tail switch light then you might as well go this route. I would still prefer a side switch in your line of work though.

But we also shouldn't fall into the trap that you should get cheap lights for work because you won't have to worry about babying them. Even though I'm a huge offender of treating my electronics light this, it still doesn't mean the expensive lights aren't supposed to be used for this application. They're high quality and are meant to be used. Sure you run the risk of losing more money if it breaks, but you should still get what works best within your budget. It's possible you can get more value out of using a more expensive light even if it eventually breaks versus keeping it as a shelf queen. Actually, I WISH I had more excuses (i.e. work related) to get better flashlights :)

TK35 hands down, for several reasons.

If I was a security guard/cop/EMT, I would not trust my illumination to the $20-30 lights recommended above, I'd buy at least a Fenix or better light.

You can run it on 4x Cr123, that you can keep handy as a backup, if you are using 18650 batteries.

Almost every triple-XM-L reviewed or owned on these forums seems like it has had reliability issues, plus you are using multiple-18650 batteries which you have to be very careful about charging and keeping in similar states, unless you like hand grenades.

A Blaze from Shiningbeam would probably be a good choice as well if you want something in a smaller, easier to handle package.

I'd also look at the Jetbeams, Klarus, and Olights in terms of quality but still reasonable...

You can't go wrong with a TK35

LoL. This is getting awkward.

If considering a C8 model, I'd look at this option more than any of the other C8 models out there for your purposes for the following reasons:

  • Large stainless steel bezel
  • 3 modes (High > Low > Strobe)
  • $24
  • Easy availability of spare parts

How2 has contributed over 1300 posts here, and I think he at least deserves to be able to express his opinion without being told to STFU. Everyone has opinions about different lights, which is one reason I hang out here. But to dismiss him in such a condescending manner is totally inappropriate. Take a step back and a deep breath....

]I’m new here but been on Cpf for quite a while, I can honestly say I was a smoggy Cpf guy that only bought the high end stuff back 4,5 years ago but back then they were that much better ,but I can say I bought a uf2100 and was floored with the quality for under20 bucks, so then I try a z1 and it is a beast for 12 bucks so then I buy that triple XML beam tech 4000 and it just keeps getting better , now the dry is on the way , Im not a fenix fan ,iremember when they first introduced themselves sort of like bronte is now , if u want name brand get a surefire , stream light , if u want budget then both u referred to r cool probably the tk35 from what I read may work good for security but when I was a security guard I would have crapped for a triple XML ,lol even my $50bt4000 has that wow for me;) but I like modding so as soon as Tony and the other guy finish doing and show me how I expect I will have to fun bright wrasse triple XML light:) if u r like e the brighter the better, shit all the XML will throw great with a lot of flood for security guard purposes on medium,lol