ncfiretiger
New member
what are your views. i have an idea for a special project i'm working on. cost is not a factor, but if you know, i would appreciate the info. also a link to a source would be nice.
brightest flashlight that uses AA batteries.
- Thread starter ncfiretiger
- Start date
Not AA, but you might want to consider surefire. www.surefire.com They use the CR123 3V litheum batteries.
I have a G2 Nitrolon mounted under the barrel of my M870 with a Tac Star Universal Barrel Mount #4. www.tacstar.com
It is awesome.
Regards,
JD338
I have a G2 Nitrolon mounted under the barrel of my M870 with a Tac Star Universal Barrel Mount #4. www.tacstar.com
It is awesome.
Regards,
JD338
pyledriver
New member
Ditto on the G2! If you want it brighter, you can buy a 120 lumen bulb for it as well! I think that may be the best bang for the 'superflashlight' buck right now.. You can use the 6P tailcap remote switch setup too! You can buy batteries directly from Surefire in quantity to save some bucks. Ebay has some good deals too...
Otherwise, the world of AA flashlights just seems to be kinda........DIM! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif I do like my mini-mag though, especially after I converted it to LED!
Otherwise, the world of AA flashlights just seems to be kinda........DIM! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif I do like my mini-mag though, especially after I converted it to LED!
ncfiretiger
New member
i really appreciate the info. looks like surefire for sure. can you describe some of your experiences with the G2; for instance, recognition range and/or identification range? what kind of beam does it throw? how far away can a safe shot be taken given average eyes and ability?
The Surefires that uses 2 or even three 123 batteries are limited to their throw by the stippled reflector, those lights are made for clearing houses and have a wide flood, the ones with throw are the Surefires that use the turbo heads (Like the M-6 or M-4)
A better flashlight for throw (that I have installed in several of my long guns) is the TACM III, which also come with a remote pressure pad switch.
This ligh have a bigger reflector than the Surefires and is smooth, putting out 105 lumens and using 2 of the 123's batteries.
Now, to answer your question, the most powerful flashlight that uses AA batteries is my own MAG 951 II.
This is a heavily modified Maglite 3 D that carries in a special holder 9 Nimhs AA high current, high capacity RECHARGEABLES batteries.
It have a special parabolic reflector made out of heavy walled aluminum and a Pyrex lens, the special super-bulb is held by a custom made ceramic base (to deal with heat) and the light will run on the charge for 45 minutes and output,
(seat down) 951 lumens, with the plastic carriers and 1050 lumens with the one piece metal battery carrier.
This is more than twice the lumens output of the former more powerful flashlight in the world, the Surefire M-6 (500 lumens 20 minutes run on six 123 batteries)
That my light is rechargeable means FREE runs. that is made in the "host" of the Maglite 3 D, means that if ever get damaged a new body will cost less than $20.00.
I have mounted such a light with a Pelican Lite-Saddle on several long guns and friends have made shoots at coyotes as far as 200 yards.
All my pictures are sized at 750, so posting pictures will be a major undertaking, but here is one of the light under a rifle with the Lite Saddle.
best regards
black bear
A better flashlight for throw (that I have installed in several of my long guns) is the TACM III, which also come with a remote pressure pad switch.
This ligh have a bigger reflector than the Surefires and is smooth, putting out 105 lumens and using 2 of the 123's batteries.
Now, to answer your question, the most powerful flashlight that uses AA batteries is my own MAG 951 II.
This is a heavily modified Maglite 3 D that carries in a special holder 9 Nimhs AA high current, high capacity RECHARGEABLES batteries.
It have a special parabolic reflector made out of heavy walled aluminum and a Pyrex lens, the special super-bulb is held by a custom made ceramic base (to deal with heat) and the light will run on the charge for 45 minutes and output,
(seat down) 951 lumens, with the plastic carriers and 1050 lumens with the one piece metal battery carrier.
This is more than twice the lumens output of the former more powerful flashlight in the world, the Surefire M-6 (500 lumens 20 minutes run on six 123 batteries)
That my light is rechargeable means FREE runs. that is made in the "host" of the Maglite 3 D, means that if ever get damaged a new body will cost less than $20.00.
I have mounted such a light with a Pelican Lite-Saddle on several long guns and friends have made shoots at coyotes as far as 200 yards.
All my pictures are sized at 750, so posting pictures will be a major undertaking, but here is one of the light under a rifle with the Lite Saddle.
best regards
black bear
knockemdown
New member
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pyledriver
New member
JD, the tailcap can be bought on ebay for a reasonable price. I checked with a guy that sells Surefire parts and he's the one that let me in on the 6p/g2 tailcap switch secret! You'll have trouble fitting the G2 into a scope ring though if you want to mount it to your rifle. There are several simple solutions to that problem of course!
The G2 with 120 lumen bulb works better than my Optronics scope-mounted 350yd light for both intensity and throw! I've ID'd critters at 100yd with Optronics light, so I know the Surefire won't have a problem. I haven't used it in that capacity since it's not mounted on my rifle....yet. Here's a HUGE tip: DO NOT buy the surefire red filter! It's just way too dark! I made my own by using the red filter from an LED light. I just ground it down around all edges till I could drop it behind the lens on the G2. It's still a little dark, but much better than the Surefire version!
The G2 with 120 lumen bulb works better than my Optronics scope-mounted 350yd light for both intensity and throw! I've ID'd critters at 100yd with Optronics light, so I know the Surefire won't have a problem. I haven't used it in that capacity since it's not mounted on my rifle....yet. Here's a HUGE tip: DO NOT buy the surefire red filter! It's just way too dark! I made my own by using the red filter from an LED light. I just ground it down around all edges till I could drop it behind the lens on the G2. It's still a little dark, but much better than the Surefire version!
The only Surefires than can go for more than 100 yards are the ones with turbo heads (example: the M-4 and M-6) due to the small sized reflector and the heavy stippled surface in the reflector the smaller surefires put a lot of flood (specially good for the Police and Military market) but lack any serious throw for varminting.
None of my Surefires running two or three of the 123's batteries can show me the fire hidrant that is located 88 yards from my front door.
Only the Surefire M-4 mounted on my rifle can do that and of course the hand held M-6.
When you point the light to an animal with they deep light drinking fur the only thing you can see with the smaller lights is the shine of the eyes, at the distance that we are talking about (77 to 88 yards) to see the body of a coyote it should be inside the 45 yards mark if you are using one of the Surefires two batteries models (G-2, C-2, 6P etc) and no more than 50 when using the three batteries models (C-3, 9P)
With Surefires using a caliber bigger than the 223 is very recommendable (to protect your lamp) that you choose the shock isolated models like the M-2 or M-3 or invest in a special Z-32 shock isolated bezel for the C-2, C-3, 6P, 9P. etc.
Any Surefire from the C series and the G-2 or 6P can benefit from the remote pressure pad switch. The Surefires model are quite expensive but Tac Star made one that sells for under $20.00 (with a curly cord) and G&P made another with straight cord.
My own Surefire M-4 use a G&P and I am very happy with it.
For inside the 88 yards distances I like the TACM III lights, they throw a tight beam and I don't have any problem seeing the fire hidrant at 88 yards.
black bear
None of my Surefires running two or three of the 123's batteries can show me the fire hidrant that is located 88 yards from my front door.
Only the Surefire M-4 mounted on my rifle can do that and of course the hand held M-6.
When you point the light to an animal with they deep light drinking fur the only thing you can see with the smaller lights is the shine of the eyes, at the distance that we are talking about (77 to 88 yards) to see the body of a coyote it should be inside the 45 yards mark if you are using one of the Surefires two batteries models (G-2, C-2, 6P etc) and no more than 50 when using the three batteries models (C-3, 9P)
With Surefires using a caliber bigger than the 223 is very recommendable (to protect your lamp) that you choose the shock isolated models like the M-2 or M-3 or invest in a special Z-32 shock isolated bezel for the C-2, C-3, 6P, 9P. etc.
Any Surefire from the C series and the G-2 or 6P can benefit from the remote pressure pad switch. The Surefires model are quite expensive but Tac Star made one that sells for under $20.00 (with a curly cord) and G&P made another with straight cord.
My own Surefire M-4 use a G&P and I am very happy with it.
For inside the 88 yards distances I like the TACM III lights, they throw a tight beam and I don't have any problem seeing the fire hidrant at 88 yards.
black bear
pyledriver,
My G2 is held to the barrel by a TacStar Universal Mount #4
www.tacstar.com You could add a turbo head and have enough room.
I made a red filter for my G2 from clear plastic material used for retail packaging. Not sure exactly what it is.
I used a red magic marker and colored both sides. Works pretty good.
Regards,
JD338
My G2 is held to the barrel by a TacStar Universal Mount #4
www.tacstar.com You could add a turbo head and have enough room.
I made a red filter for my G2 from clear plastic material used for retail packaging. Not sure exactly what it is.
I used a red magic marker and colored both sides. Works pretty good.
Regards,
JD338
pyledriver
New member
Blackbear, I can't say for sure about 100yds, but I've used my G2 to watch pigs at +/-75yds and they don't reflect for beans! Admittedly, the G2 may not be a portable sun, but for it's purpose, it fills the bill quite nicely! Maybe you don't see good results using the fire hydrant test because there's ambient light around when you're using it?
Anyway, the poor guy that started this thread wanted to know about AA lights..sorry your thread got hijacked! I'll say again that I really like my mini-mag and used it for walking into my hunting areas for years. It was actually too much light most of the time for that use. Rugged, reliable decent on batteries and CHEAP!
Anyway, the poor guy that started this thread wanted to know about AA lights..sorry your thread got hijacked! I'll say again that I really like my mini-mag and used it for walking into my hunting areas for years. It was actually too much light most of the time for that use. Rugged, reliable decent on batteries and CHEAP!
pyledriver
New member
Thanks for the mount tip JD! I'm pretty sure my G2 is gonna be riding around on the front end of an FAL pretty soon.. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
ncfiretiger
New member
you guys are great! don't worry about hijacking the thread. i'm new to this sport. until now, i didn't even know about surefires and 123 batteries and that now looks like a better way to go. lots of good ideas so far.
i didn't mention it in the beginning and probably should have, but north carolina will require red or amber lens. i will probably use red. i'm hoping you guys already know this and are considering this in your answers. if not, then i hope you'll excuse my lack of experience and ignorance by not knowing how to ask the right questions.
i didn't mention it in the beginning and probably should have, but north carolina will require red or amber lens. i will probably use red. i'm hoping you guys already know this and are considering this in your answers. if not, then i hope you'll excuse my lack of experience and ignorance by not knowing how to ask the right questions.
pyledriver
New member
Understood on the red.. A red filter will cut your range considerably! That's why I mentioned NOT buying the Surefire red filter-too dark. I probaly should've clarified in my earlier post about watching the pigs at around 75yd-that was with NO filter.
Still, for the money, a Surefire G2 at around $32 with the 120 lumen bulb at around $24 comes out to one heck of a lot of light for the money. Another thing to consider is how much light you get in such a small package! I've spotlighted before using maglights with several cells, but that was just for observation-not hunting. When weight becomes a factor things start looking a little different! Having said that, I do have a handle on the top of my q-beam that allows me to hold the light while holding my rifle and still control the light well!
If you're not hunting with the light, the G2 is still a great option! The 65 lumen bulb is still way brighter than you'd probably ever need for walking to a stand, but it's just too cool to have that much light on demand in such a small package!
Still, for the money, a Surefire G2 at around $32 with the 120 lumen bulb at around $24 comes out to one heck of a lot of light for the money. Another thing to consider is how much light you get in such a small package! I've spotlighted before using maglights with several cells, but that was just for observation-not hunting. When weight becomes a factor things start looking a little different! Having said that, I do have a handle on the top of my q-beam that allows me to hold the light while holding my rifle and still control the light well!
If you're not hunting with the light, the G2 is still a great option! The 65 lumen bulb is still way brighter than you'd probably ever need for walking to a stand, but it's just too cool to have that much light on demand in such a small package!
ncfiretiger,
I apologize for the hijacking, not my intention. Just wanted to share with you that I found a better way to go.
The AA Mini Mag type lights are great for their purpose, but they won't meet your expectations for night hunting.
Last year I used a 2 D cell Mag Light which worked fine BUT, it was too bulky and heavy.
For this year I was actually considering a Lightforce 170 but decided to try this first. For where and how I hunt, the Surefire G2 works great and is less money. The light cost $35 and the mount was $13.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
JD338
I apologize for the hijacking, not my intention. Just wanted to share with you that I found a better way to go.
The AA Mini Mag type lights are great for their purpose, but they won't meet your expectations for night hunting.
Last year I used a 2 D cell Mag Light which worked fine BUT, it was too bulky and heavy.
For this year I was actually considering a Lightforce 170 but decided to try this first. For where and how I hunt, the Surefire G2 works great and is less money. The light cost $35 and the mount was $13.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
JD338
ncfiretiger
New member
Pruson - you know me; you can never have enough info.
JD338 - not to worry. i thought about the Lightforce also; but i really didn't want a light with a 6.6 inch bezel on top of the rifle or scope. didn't want to carry batteries on my belt either. the surefire M4 has a 2.5 in. bezel and looks like the most power/light, but is expensive ($300+). it also looks heavy at over 11 oz. the G2 is inexpensive, light, and will work if the red light beam can light up a set of eyes at 100 yards or more. i wonder how far out the M4 will reach?
i guess i'm trying to decide between the G2 and the M4.
JD338 - not to worry. i thought about the Lightforce also; but i really didn't want a light with a 6.6 inch bezel on top of the rifle or scope. didn't want to carry batteries on my belt either. the surefire M4 has a 2.5 in. bezel and looks like the most power/light, but is expensive ($300+). it also looks heavy at over 11 oz. the G2 is inexpensive, light, and will work if the red light beam can light up a set of eyes at 100 yards or more. i wonder how far out the M4 will reach?
i guess i'm trying to decide between the G2 and the M4.
i wonder how far out the M4 will reach?
mcfiretiger,
I just step out of my door with the Surefire M-4 and the M-6 and also the G-2 (no filters)
I have a series of ranges meassured by laser range finder, as an example the fire hidrant is 88 yards away a group of 3 trees is 122 yards away etc.
At 50 yards the G-2 is too weak for illuminating a coyote properly, The M-4 put enough light at 122 yards to shoot (thru a scope) the M-6 will do the same but brigther 350 lumens and 500 lumens.
The G-2 with 65 lumens is not in the race, if you put the 120 lumens lamp in the G-2 you get more brightness but no more range.
The kind of stippled reflector that they have preclude more distance, they were developed for clearing houses.
My own POLAR BEAR 426 lumens rechargeable flashlight (made in the host of the Maglite 3 C) will throw much farther with the special smooth reflector.(180 yards) but you need a scope to shoot at night at such range.
Of course I have the Black Bear 678 lumens in the 2 D host and the MAG 951 II with 951 lumens in the 3 D host that will throw forever, at least shooting at 250 yards at coyotes have been made.
I will not put a red filter in any light with small reflector, they are not made for throw, the big spotlight reflectors and the specialty lights over the scope throw a long distance because the bigger the reflector the more concentrate the beam.
Some of my lights can be used with the Pelican Lite-Saddle to hold it under the rifle.
My M-4 is hold with Velcro and stabilizing rubber bands,
that way is not need to marr fine wood with screws holes.
Here is the G-2 in an AK, it is a house gun, the only reason I will use a G-2 in a long gun.
The Glacier Bear under the Remington 742 with a Pelican Lite-Site mount is a shortened 2 D to 1 D size Custom made with special axial bulb that will trow a long long way. it is 300 lumens.
I am in the same position that many here in that I don't want to carry a battery on my belt (I have ample waist line already) and I dislike the big reflectors in top of my scope.
However they are in many cases THE BEST SOLUTION for shooting needs at predators.
best regards
black bear
mcfiretiger,
I just step out of my door with the Surefire M-4 and the M-6 and also the G-2 (no filters)
I have a series of ranges meassured by laser range finder, as an example the fire hidrant is 88 yards away a group of 3 trees is 122 yards away etc.
At 50 yards the G-2 is too weak for illuminating a coyote properly, The M-4 put enough light at 122 yards to shoot (thru a scope) the M-6 will do the same but brigther 350 lumens and 500 lumens.
The G-2 with 65 lumens is not in the race, if you put the 120 lumens lamp in the G-2 you get more brightness but no more range.
The kind of stippled reflector that they have preclude more distance, they were developed for clearing houses.
My own POLAR BEAR 426 lumens rechargeable flashlight (made in the host of the Maglite 3 C) will throw much farther with the special smooth reflector.(180 yards) but you need a scope to shoot at night at such range.
Of course I have the Black Bear 678 lumens in the 2 D host and the MAG 951 II with 951 lumens in the 3 D host that will throw forever, at least shooting at 250 yards at coyotes have been made.
I will not put a red filter in any light with small reflector, they are not made for throw, the big spotlight reflectors and the specialty lights over the scope throw a long distance because the bigger the reflector the more concentrate the beam.
Some of my lights can be used with the Pelican Lite-Saddle to hold it under the rifle.
My M-4 is hold with Velcro and stabilizing rubber bands,
that way is not need to marr fine wood with screws holes.
Here is the G-2 in an AK, it is a house gun, the only reason I will use a G-2 in a long gun.
The Glacier Bear under the Remington 742 with a Pelican Lite-Site mount is a shortened 2 D to 1 D size Custom made with special axial bulb that will trow a long long way. it is 300 lumens.
I am in the same position that many here in that I don't want to carry a battery on my belt (I have ample waist line already) and I dislike the big reflectors in top of my scope.
However they are in many cases THE BEST SOLUTION for shooting needs at predators.
best regards
black bear
ncfiretiger
New member
black bear,
"I dislike the big reflectors in top of my scope.
However they are in many cases THE BEST SOLUTION for shooting needs at predators." point well taken and that may be my case also.
thanks for all you excellent info and pictures. i'm curious about the MAG 951. how much do they cost and where can you get them? i take it from your commentary above that you do not use a red filter. NC law requires red lens for hunting.
"I dislike the big reflectors in top of my scope.
However they are in many cases THE BEST SOLUTION for shooting needs at predators." point well taken and that may be my case also.
thanks for all you excellent info and pictures. i'm curious about the MAG 951. how much do they cost and where can you get them? i take it from your commentary above that you do not use a red filter. NC law requires red lens for hunting.