I am looking for a flashlight for professional use. I work in a prison. I would like something that is super bright, rechargeable, something in that 4 to 8 inch range, comfortable to hold around the shoulder/head for long periods of time (not thick or thin), momentary on/off, and a crenellated bezel.
I was looking into some options from Monster Flashlight. They have some models that fit that description, but I figured I would try here for more options.
Would the Klarus XT (11/12)GT be the best overall? Is there a better/newer version?
Which one would be the most even edge to edge without a hotspot center? When looking inside each individual cell, being able to see the entire room instantly without having to move the light around would be a godsend.
If you want a tough very well built light, I would advise looking at PFlexpro lights, specifically the S2+:
https://www.pflexpro.com/Nichia-219-Flashlight-p/pfp-s2-2.7a.htm
It uses potting to protect the electronics, so it is almost indestructible.
Choosing the Nichia 219C variant with the OP reflector and MT AR lens, along with an 18650 and a charger, and a holster would be your best bet.
It will have a lot of flood with the lens and the small orange peel reflector, and very good color rendition.
PFlexPro also offers a lifetime warranty.
Thanks for the recommendation.
Which of the 3 Nichia 219C versions?
Protected/unprotected? (I have no idea what this is)
Is it defensively blindingly bright enough? Something brighter?
DNA bezel?
If you want a flashlight that is “super bright”, I recommend sticking with a CREE emitter. Nichia 219C isn’t that bright in comparison.
Nitecore P30 (got 1) does everything you want except onboard recharging. Shouldn’t be a dealbreaker, as recharging the cell outside is easy with a small charger, else pack a 2nd cell.
If that’s a dealbreaker, the Nitefox UT20 (got 2) has everything. Dual-switch like the P30, so set it to turbo (or whatever mode you want) with the side-switch then use the rear switch for momentary-on with a half-press, or full-press to click-on/click-off.
Thorfire VG10 (got quite a few), if you can still get one, NOT the VG10S, has a forward-clicky (momentary-on) switch. The S version reverted to a reverse-clicky (mom-off) switch.
If you can roll-yer-own or just buy the drop-in of your choice, a Solarforce L2M host comes by default with a forward-clicky (mom-on) switch.
Most lights come with a reverse-clicky switch, ie, you must full-press it to turn on, then interrupt the circuit with a half-press (mom-off) to switch modes.
@michigan, choosing the 5000k D240 219C 90+CRI would be your best bet, as it is like sunlight, having great color reproduction and still good brightness.
Protected means the cell is protected from too much discharge. However, the S2+ already has this, and a protected cell can fail in law enforcement cases, so unprotected is best for falls and recoil, and you can even use it with a weapon.
If you want some “DNA bezel” or strike bezel, I would recommend the Convoy M1. A bit bigger, but being bulkier and having a strike bezel, it could be used as a last ditch weapon:
https://www.pflexpro.com/Convoy-M1-PFlexPRO-LED-Flashlight-Forward-Clicky-p/pfp-m1-fc-22m.htm
Here is what I would choose.
Thank you.
Wpuld you say these are of better quality/reliability than the Klarus or Monster Flashlight?
Dunno Monster, but Nitecore is generally Highly Regarded.
Yes. These are extremely well built, and having protected electronics by potting, it makes them virtually indestructible, as proven by this video:
It’s not like those advertised on TV which are “military”. PFlexPro lights are the real deal.
And the lifetime warranty seals it. Typically, the longer the warranty, the more trust a manufacturer has over a light.
So if you had to choose one between the M1 and the P30 to risk your life with to be able to 1) be able to light up the darkness and 2) not fail on you; which would you choose?
The M1. PFlexPro is even a member here, so you can ask him questions :laughing:
What is the blinking frequency of those PFlexpro lights?Because it has to be from 16-18Hz,if the light is intended to be used as a self defense “weapon”.
Hi michigan0626, welcome to this forum.
You will notice that many friendly members can answer any possible question concerning flashlights.
But you will also notice that not all of them share the same opinion about what is best in a given situation.
I have had the Klarus XT12GT, and I must say that this light answers to every item on you list of demands.
Alas …… in the beginning there were some reliability isues, because it kinda pushed the envelope quite a bit.
It has a tactical setting and a truly awesome strobe! But I don’t know if everything is straightened out.
Read carefully what @lightbringe writes. Some lights are discontinued. Why not try a good used one for size?
If a modern light survives the first weeks, chances are it will serve you a lifetime. Maybe as a back-up light.
Get in touch with PFlexpro for some professional advise. He can build you a light to your specifications.
Pay attention to the spread of the light. A flooder lights the whole room, but you also need a blinding center.
Are you looking for true colors, or do you want the most lumens that you can squeeze out of this light.
(some ex-members are approaching St.Peter with hints concerning the light at the end of the tunnel)
A stainless steel crenulated bezel has a high bling factor, but a heat treatment can take care of that.
A modern powerful light is not always very heavy. A tactical ring gives you some extra grip for more thrust.
A modern driver can be programmed according to you wishes. Like L-M-H or H-M-L or L-H-strobe.
The average BLF member seems to dislike strobe(s). But it might give you the extra second you need.
fenix TK16
small and direct access to strobe
“Two is one, one is none.”
If it were critical, I’d always carry a backup.
On me, right now, is a UT20 and SP10A. And that’s not counting what may be stashed in my bag (at least a Jet-II, maybe something else I forgot to rotate-out).
I’m almost kinda hoping for a blackout, just so I could show those “Whaddya carry all those flaaaaaaashlights for?” dweebs. :smiling_imp:
What about an Olight M2R…? USB magnetic charging, instant access to strobe or Turbo (1500 lumens) Has a semi crenulated bezel also.
I EDC a Fenix PD35tac
have for 2 years now
holds battery under moderate use fairly well, rugged as far as I am concerned, no issues at all with it so far.
The convoy m1 would be a excellent as a former Marine I’d have a light that was potted. But I would use a Cree led and use a fet driver. In CQB you need brightness your close enough to any object to not need a high Cri 90+ nichia a few hundred more lumens is much for helpful in situation where a extra second or two of stun time might be necessary. I would get a fet driver and push the light to wjat it could do when needed. And carry a a 4 pack of extra batteries and another back up light clipped in my pocket or something. Like a thorfire tk15.
Im giving my opinion on having been in night time house raids. And the m1 with a fet driver potted in place so you can use it like a roll of quarters in your hand to hit someone and not damage the electronics the light will stay on and a xpl led like xpl v6 1a or 3d or xpl 2 led. That’s what I would build now if I was told your going back. I’d choose a m1, and bring a c8 with me and I’d be fine in the middle east again
Wish I never got out of the Corps.
Speed4Goal, how would you set it up using the options on PFlexPro’s advanced program version:
https://www.pflexpro.com/PFlexPRO-Convoy-M1-XM-L2-LED-Flashlight-p/pfp-m1-ap-fc.htm
