Which Flashlight?

**FairchildFire** · 02-28-2003, 02:18 PM

First post, so apologies if this is in the wrong section - please feel free to move it to the correct one.

I am in the market for a new flashlight and wanted to get people's ideas as to which one I should get. My preference now is the Streamlight Survivor, but I'd appreciate the benefit of other people's experience of it, or alternatives, before I shell out the money. Thanks.

SFDny15 · 02-28-2003, 02:41 PM

I would recommend either the survivor for a small light or the Streamlight Vulcan.

BTW, there are tons of topics on flashlights on this forum, try using the search feature.

**Dickey** · 02-28-2003, 06:43 PM

I would say anything from Streamlight works great. They are very durable, bright as heck, and most are waterproof.

Here is a great site for all kinds of flashlights and stuff for cheap:

www.brightguy.com

____________________
Lt.Jason Knecht
Altoona Fire Rescue
Altoona, WI

**bc3batt** · 02-28-2003, 06:55 PM

We have survivor rechargeables on all our apparatus. They are very durable and are very bright. They work better than any other light I have used in a smoky atmosphere. Replacement batteries are fairly expensive. Bulbs run around $7.50 ea. I just ordered some today. By far the best handlight we have used at our Dept.

**e3med53** · 02-28-2003, 07:53 PM

The Streamlight Stingers are good, very bright. But they are kinda spendy and small so they could get lost easier.

**codeblue81** · 02-28-2003, 08:19 PM

My vollie dept just bought 35 mini flashlight holders for all of the helmets. So far everyone is using mini-maglights. Would any of you prefer a different light or just stick with the min-mags??

code_blue81

**pyroknight** · 02-28-2003, 10:09 PM

I personally prefer Pelican lights. They work on good old "C" batteries and are damn near indestructible. If anything does happen, Pelican warranties their lights for life. I've had a couple fixed no questions asked. Their beam seems to pierce smoke pretty well.

**pumper41** · 03-01-2003, 05:42 AM

I'll go with pyroknight on this one, both my career and vollie depts use Pelican Super Sabrelights, I've found them as good as any other light and the durability is a big plus.

**DaSharkie** · 03-01-2003, 09:35 AM

I personally use a Koehler Responder. I have had it for 3 years now and absolutely love it. I chose it over the streamlight for several reasons.

For a few bucks more, I have a light that feels lighter, has a larger beam of light, a brighter beam of light (2 to 3 times), interchangeable battery wirth a pack of C-cells if you can't recharge, you get about 2 1/2 hours from the battery and up to 5 with the C-cells.

I have heard aome good things about the Pelican Big Ed but I still went with the responder simply becasue it is easier for me to get service for it from the place I bought it, should I need it.

**mark440** · 03-01-2003, 01:09 PM

I have an "Underwater Kinetics" flashlight mounted on my fire helmet. It is very bright, relatively light and runs of 4 AA Batteries. Only about $20 for the light and $10 for the holder.

*Mark

**WestvilleJr73** · 03-01-2003, 03:56 PM

i like the Survivor. On all the trucks we have to Streamlight Litebox

**bfd5229** · 03-01-2003, 05:09 PM

the Survivor is a very nice light...i'd go with that

**SCOOBY14B** · 03-02-2003, 07:02 PM

Some of the other guys may chime on about this as well.

I dont and wont have crap on my helmet. If someone is a yard fireman, then it will be fine. BUT, in the real world when those dryer and HVAC ducts burns and fall, or the miles and miles of electrical wire is hanging down...you will REALLY regret having something like that on your helmet.

Those flashlights and holders are like a arrestor hook on a navy jet when it lands on a carrier...it's gonna get something.

Sounds comical, but when you are hung and panic and tear your helmet and possibly your mask off...funny is over.

If you've gotta do it, keep wire cutters readily accessible (you ALREADY should).

Just my 2 cents.

I just have a $20 yellow streamlight. It doesnt matter what you have, you cant see crap anyway.

**CALFFBOU** · 03-02-2003, 07:35 PM

I have a 20XL at home and a department issued
Survivor on my coat. Love them both. Definatly
go with something rechargable.

-Bou

**gregblewett** · 03-02-2003, 07:51 PM

I have just started using a 5 LED Black Diamond flashlight/headlamp. I have this light for everything but fire attack, plenty bright for using inside a car during extrication or using a chainsaw to tunnel through brush to a car. It is not bright enough to cut smoke but will prevent falling over the hoses. About $25 at www.rei.com .

P.S. I didn't rigid mount this to my helmet it will pullfree if entangled

**4firemoose** · 03-02-2003, 09:08 PM

I also liked the U.K. light I had on my old helmet. It was small, light , and very bright. I do agree that in a smoke filled home you won't see anything no matter what you have. I don't agree with rechargables. Unless you use them every day they will loose there charge or discharge time. Alkaline cells have a much longer shelf life without the cost.

**FairchildFire** · 03-03-2003, 08:37 AM

Thanks for all your ideas - much appreciated!

**EdpEmtD** · 03-06-2003, 11:42 PM

Dude go with the Kohler RESPONDER,

Ni-cad 2 hrs light@ 45,000 CP
4 C-cell 5hrs light@60,000 CP

survivor 35,000 cp
big ed not sure 60,000 i think

RESPONDER WINS hands down

http://flashlight.com/responder.htm

By the let us know what u went with.

**Resq14** · 03-07-2003, 01:43 AM

I have to throw my weight behind the Kohler Responder also, as Da Sharkie and EdpEmtd have.

Spare bulb storage, bright, tough, works on alkaline as well as rechargeable, easy to use with a gloved hand.

I have not had a problem with it losing its charge. I probably charge it 4 times a year if that, aside from recharging it after being used all night.

Big Ed: not a fan. Survivor: not a fan.

I've messed around with the Streamlight LED's, some helmet LED's... I even bought a few different ones. They're getting there, but still not bright enough for my liking. They're great for hiking or running at night, but I like it a little brighter and focused on what I'm doing. I've been thinking about tossing a backup LED light in my one of my pockets. We'll see.

For a helmet light, I strongly support the UK (I think it's the Q4). I went through 1 lamp module in the past couple years, but it is so much brighter than the other minis out there that I think it is worth it. As for an entanglement hazard, I simply didn't screw the mount onto the helmet. It is held in place by friction alone. If it gets tangled, the light is coming off. No big deal. Got the wire cutters and a mighty sharp knife within reach at all times anyhow.

**wayneman3** · 03-07-2003, 10:32 AM

There is a yellowish green one in galls it is made by Star Inc I believe. It is 40,000 Candel power, nice and bright... but the current thing is the Survier.yes they are small, and have a special bulb that "pearces" threw. And it isn't that all big, but it is only 15,000 not that so bright.I am a dealer for Fire equipment if you want to by anything at a good price.
Backdraft_Firefighter2001@yaho o.com is my E-Mail address
Hope to hear from you soon.

Most Popular

Thread: Which Flashlight?

LinkBack

Thread Tools

Display

Which Flashlight?

For a different spin on this topic....What about flashlights for helmets??

codeblue

Streamlight...

The Green one

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

Posting Permissions