Flashlight question

[Civilian]

I know we have some flashaholoics around here so I figured I might be able to ask about em instead of searching around the net. I have a Streamlight M-3, have loved it for years. So it is the time to get a couple of flashlights to go around the house. I would like to keep atleast the same brightness as the M-3 but get somthing the size of a "mini maglite" but be rechargable with a base-station. I would also like to get a second flashlight that is larger as well but still rechargeable.

[ghostrider]

I can't speak for the others, but I really don't know all that much about these things. I know I saw a light at a show that was rechargeable and pretty bright. Might have been a Pelican or Streamlight. The place to ask questions like yours is candlepowerforums. The people over there are almost as helpful as the people here, and there will be a greater pool of knowledge to pull from.

[*Cho*]

I would like to keep atleast the same brightness as the M-3 but get somthing the size of a "mini maglite" but be rechargable with a base-station.

A little bit off topic but your mention of maglite caused me to remember. I heard Mag were showing off their new LED/Luxeon flashlights at the SHOT show. Has anyone seen/felt or heard any news about these and how they preform? Perhaps one of these new guys might fit the bill for you.

[rycen]

About the smallest rechareable light is

http://www.streamlight.com/strion_info.htm

[spyderknut]

Why rechargeables Civilian?

If you want your lights always ready, I would just get some Lithium AA or 123 cells and some lights to put them in. Lithium 123s can be had online for about a buck a pop. You can get either cell size in rechargeable forms but rechargeable 123s are higher voltage and slightly bigger diameter than the nonrechargeable cells.

Nice AA lights include Streamlight 4AA propolymer Luxeon, Fenix L1P and L2P.

There are a lot of nice 123 lights.

I keep 3D Maglights modified with Diamond 3W Luxeon bulbs and UCL lenses in my home. A little bigger than what you want but awesome runtime, very bright and you have a club with you.

Check out http://www.flashlightreviews.com/index1.html
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/index.php?
http://lighthound.com/

[Cameron23]

Flashlightreviews is an awesome site, lots of great info.

I think the Streamlight model already mentioned is about the smallest rechargable, but you might also want to look at the Inova T4. A little big but a great light from all reviews. The photo below is from Flashlightreviews.

Cameron :spyder:

[zenheretic]

The above guys have some great suggestions. Another route is to look for an LED light that takes AA batteries and have a battery recharger. This is especially useful if you already have AA rechargeable batteries and a recharger as these flashlights are usually much less expensive than the rechargable flashlights. One downside is they may not be as bright as your stated requirements although I find many LED quite bright.

[zenheretic]

This link has some down and dirty flashlight reviews that seem pretty relevant to your needs...also the current newsletter has instructions on how to self wave the Byrds with a dremel... http://www.themartialist.com/pecom/pecom.htm

[zenheretic]

In case it wasn't clear or obvious in previous posts, a strength of the lithium 123 batteries is the 10 year shelf life and that they stand up to heat in cold much better than regular batteries...which is real nice for flashlights used for emergencies like in vehicles. Mix 123s with Led bulbs (which last 100,000 hrs+ usually and don't burn near the power of other bulbs) and you have a great combo. Downside is the expense of the batteries which are usually $4 a piece in stores, but real cheap online and from Surefire.

[spyderknut]

In case it wasn't clear or obvious in previous posts, a strength of the lithium 123 batteries is the 10 year shelf life and that they stand up to heat in cold much better than regular batteries...which is real nice for flashlights used for emergencies like in vehicles. Mix 123s with Led bulbs (which last 100,000 hrs+ usually and don't burn near the power of other bulbs) and you have a great combo. Downside is the expense of the batteries which are usually $4 a piece in stores, but real cheap online and from Surefire.

Lithium AAs now share this benefit though they are not as powerful.

[psimonl]

You could look for the Inova T4, which is a Beautiful, not too large POWERFULL rechargeable Tactical Flashlight...

http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/inova_t4.htm

BTW, this website http://www.flashlightreview.com is amazing!!!

Simon

[Civilian]

Why rechargeables Civilian?

[/url]
Ya it seems that my M3 is the most popular light in the house. I keep it on my nightstand and the kids love to use it! I am guessing because it is so bright, and small. I am considering getting 2 lights for the "family" just to have always ready to go, but it must be at least as bright as my M3.