Flashlights and Filters

Hello,
I'm looking into buying a nice flashlight. This one peaked my interest:
SureFire 6P

I won't be getting it from REI though because I found it on-sale for $62 on SureFire's website. Anyway, this flashlight looks really great. In the reviews the people recommended getting one of the filters that SureFire offers because the beam will kill close-range night vision.

Here are two filters I'm debating between:
Red Filter

White

Does anyone have experience with filters? In the description of the filters the red is used to improve night vision and animals can't see it very well because of the red. I'm wondering if the white does the same thing only, the light comes out white. If that is the only difference between them I will get the white, but if the red improves night vision significantly over the white I will get that one. If anyone could shed some light, that would be great!

If you're into flashlights as a collector, this is a nice little number. If you just need to see to set up camp, cook or go down a Michigan trail, it's waaay overkill.

Yeah I kind of thought that but lately there have been a few times where if I had a flashlight it would have been invaluable. My friends and I are making a Geo-Caching type project in a local forest. We were out there last night with these crappy little flashlights and it made it difficult. When I got home I immediately looked around REI and thats what I came across. I also play a lot of disc golf and there have been numerous occasions where we lost a disc because we couldn't find it and it was right at dusk so not totally dark yet, just dark enough to not see a disc when it is in the woods a couple feet. Just seems like a good idea to have a nice flashlight and at $62 doesn't seem like a bad investment.

Thats what I'm thinking the filter will be good for, around camp when I don't need a direct beam.

Yup. You have a specialized use and a specialized flashlight will definitely help you out. I wonder though, if you still might be better served by a bright headlight.. . .

Red is designed to protect your eyes from your natural night vision. With regular white lights or even green lights your pupils will shrink and make seeing in the dark harder. A red light will not have this effect on your eyes. It's not meant for concealment from the enemy.

Some lights have both, I have a rayovac light that i bought one year on the way to the duck pond and it has 4 White LEDS, 2 red LED's and then one single in the middle. All selected in order by the power button so if you want to try it, you can use that option

Thats the most expensive flash light I've ever seen!!

I've used red filters for many years in astronomy as it preserves night vision. I now use red led coin cell lights ($8) as they are a truer red and plenty bright for what I do. I wear a lanyard around my neck when camping that has a whistle compass, white coin cell light, and red coin cell light. Inova lights are my personal favorites. Anything more that those are overkill for my use.

Subie, have a look at this site:
http://www.countycomm.com/lightindex.htm

I saw one of the Maratech's the other day...impossibly bright on one AAA battery. Keith has a point, a headlight might fit your needs. I use mine in my kayaks and it brightens up the entire shoreline.

Have you looked at Fenix lights?

So would you suggest I get the red filter? I'm kind of leaning towards it already.

Tonight we finished our geo-caching. My friends brother came along who is a cop. He had a $140 flashlight (can't remember the brand)and it lit up the woods perfect! I did not think it was over kill at all. You could see easily everything that was ahead of you with ease. It had perfect white light! Thats exactly what I'm looking for. My friends and I had the same crappy flashlights we had the night before and we turned them off because they were pointless. We just used my friends brothers light. It's expensive, yes, but it will last a lifetime and will come in very handy when you need it! Anyone else have any experience with these flashlights? Thanks for the comments!!

dryer: Those lights look great! Very bright for being so small! I looked at headlamps as well. I can see how they would be useful but I don't see myself using them as often as a regular flashlight. I want something that I can put in my disc golf bag and use often. I think I would find myself using a regular flashlight much more often rather than something I would have to put on my head! In the future I definitely see myself owning one though! I can see how they would come in handy!

Larry: Those lights look great as well. Honestly though, looking at the reviews of SureFire, I can't really pass them up. Tough as nails and they have a lifetime warrany!!! I'm sorry if I seem inconsiderate of other options but SureFire has me sold! The 6P just seems like the perfect fit for what I'm looking for.

Thanks again for everyone's comments. They are much appreciated!

I recommend a headlamp instead of a flashlight, so you can have both hands free. PrincetonTec makes a regulated headlamp with filters called the "Eos Tactical". It has 3 replaceable filters, red, green and yellow.

A "regulated" headlamp means that, with lithium batteries, the light won't gradually dim as the batteries weaken but will burn at almost the same brightness until the very end of the battery life, where the light drops off very quickly. therefore you get more useable light from your batteries with regulated headlamps.

Eric

Not any more. It gets much worse.

Subie, the 6P in its incandescent form has been around for a long time. Over 20 years. IMO it's old school even with an LED. Surefire is not known for using cutting edge LED'S in spite of the price. It's a good light but there are better bargains out there. Fenix has already been mentioned and accessories/filters are available.

winmag you make a great point! Having both hands free would be really nice! Haha I can see how people spend so much money with this hobby, there is so much cool stuff to buy!!!!

Has anyone ever used a blue filter? This seems really useful if it works as well as it's advertised. My step-dad is an avid hunter and this seems like something that would be great to have. I killed a 4 point with a bow when I was 14 (now 21) and this would be awesome to have! I wouldn't spend the money on it right now but I've really wanted to harvest another deer once rifle season is over with. Maybe this would be a good Christmas gift for the old man!

A lot of good advice above. I would also recommend a headlamp, which you can hold in your hand if it suits you. Trust me, there will be times when you will want it on your head.

Check out candlepower forums. They have a lot of good info and they are complete flashlight geeks.

If you're dead set on the 6P or something similar it can be a headlamp too.

Fenix headband.

Most powerful flashlight ever made!!!!

hmmm... maybe I should slow down a little bit and think about my options! I mean I've only spent about 24 hours looking! There are many good brands out there. I'll give Fenix a look and see what they have to offer! I'll report back later tomorrow.

You guys always have great advice very knowledgeable, thanks!

Subie

Given how you are describing your requirements, think about looking at the lights made for weapons (google "tactical lights"). They tend to be very bright, and some will have filters for different applications. Surefire is one of the major manufacturers serving the tactical (police and military) market, but there are others.

I have SIG SAUER's STL-100C, (http://www.sigsauer.com/SigStore/ShowProduct.aspx?categoryid=26) and it is bright enough to sear your retinas. That one didn't come with any filters.

I've also seen some cool lights made by Gerber that had little LEDs, with a rotary filter on the front.

Alternately, you can go down to WalMart and pick up anything that MagLite makes for anywhere from 7-50 bucks. The smaller lights will have filters that you can take on and off, but they are not as convenient as a light with different color LED bulbs. They are, however, cheap, and can put out a lot of light.

Just be warned: just as with any other peice of gear, if you want small, light, and good (in this case, bright) you will pay a premium for it.

Sincerely

Steadman

that flashlight is AMAZING my friend has one. its so bright if you shine it in your eyes for a second youll be seeing stars. a little bit overkill when you can strap one to your head and keep both hands free at camp though...

Subie, I think you are confusing what you want. Do you want a bright light, or night vision? You can't have both at the same time. When you put a red filter on the light, it makes it less bright. The brighter the light (red or white or blue..whatever) the more you loose your night vision. In the military, when we were maintaining light discipline we only turned on the flashlight when we were under a poncho or something and then only to look at a map.

finnalyME have you ever been to albion basin?

“Fenix has already been mentioned and accessories/filters are available.”

I strongly 2nd it.
I used to own a Surefire E1L. But I sold it after realizing I’m spending less money on batteries with the brighter Fenix.
Fenix is just brighter, longer battery life, uses cheaper common batteries, lower cost, less weight, and similar quality. It’s a one-hand operation to turn it on vs. a two-hand for the surefire. Or you can spend $41 for the surefire click-on switch. It comes naturally on the fenix.

I own the LD10 http://www.fenixtactical.com/fenix-ld10.html . It’s great for spotting far distances. I also use it on my bike in flash mode during the day. And I put it on my cap bill during backpacking.

And the screaming bright one (for 2AA’s) is the LD20. http://www.fenixtactical.com/fenix-ld20.html

These lights work best with Lithium AA ($1.67/ea at Sam’s Club) or 2500mA AA rechargeables. They don’t work very long with Alkalines.

For the LD10, the clip comes backwards for ball cap mounting. So I just turned my clip around . Now it can be a flashlight or headlamp.

My personal pref for red is--- don’t. I miss too much night details (including map reading) if not just using white.
Generally, I don’t like filters. They just introduce inefficiency.
The white filter will just diffuse it and give you a broad beam. For that purpose I use a zebralight http://www.zebralight.com/index.php?main...0jn8sashr43gdh2 It has an 80° flood.

Good luck in your light choice.

-Barry

The SureFire is 5.2 ounces, probably empty. I'm not sure I can help you because for what I do that flashlight would be too expensive and too heavy. Also, I have always preferred a head light. You can hold a head lamp in your hand, but can't put a flashlight on your head for cooking, setting up tents, reading etc. Even some of the inexpensive LED head lights have excellent lighting quality and enormous battery life compared to the old incandescent types. Perhaps you should try a couple of models and after comparing them send one back and get a refund. My wife purchased three LED flash lights Raovac brand for $10 or so (4 ounces each loaded). They have a sophisticated lens that makes a very bright, yet fairly wide beam. I am totally pleased with them, and have one in each car. They are plastic and may not last more than 5 or 6 years, but at $3.33 we can replace them. Besides, there will be better flash light newer technology next year! P.S. I just remembered, some head lamps I have seen come with a red light setting built in. That flashlight filter adapter looks pretty heavy too.

Yes I have, if we are thinking of the same place. A few years ago I took my then 4 yr old son on his first backpacking trip. We parked at a campground at the end of Little Cottonwood Canyon and hiked to Lake Catherine. It was short, sweet, and the first time I have seen a mature male moose (swamp donkey for phat).


Here is a picture of us at Lake Catherine. This used to be my avatar.

hmmm.... this video by nutnfancy on the LD20 has really got me thinking. He always reports on great products and this looks like a really awesome light!

Alright, so here's what I'm thinking. The LD20 and the Fenix headband that the LD20 can go into. When I want just the flashlight I can use that. If I need both hands throw the light in the headband and I'm good to go. Since the LD20 has 3 different brightness settings, I can put it on the lower, 9 lumen, setting when I don't want to be searing peoples eyeballs! The headband will be another $25 but thats probably cheaper than buying the LD20 and a separate headlamp.

I'm really glad you guys recommended Fenix to me! They are brighter and the fact that they run on common batteries is awesome!

i was there this summer and i saw the moose too! my and my brother went up to the pass between little/big cottonwood canyon and also cecret lake.

Like said before red is ultimate for not impairing your nighttime vision.
I have a buddy that goes to a maritime academy and they are required to have a flashlight that either has a red filter or red led's. They require it because of the effect that red lights will have on your eyes (not making your pupils get smaller) so that they don't have to adjust while on ship at night.
Ever since he told me that I've been buying headlamps that only have red led's in them.

There is some debate on the red for night vision thing. Everybody jumped on red light because it can be used while processing camera film, but there is evidence supporting blueish-green (505nm to 510nm) as a superior night-vision color because you can see as well with a only a tiny amount of bluegreen light than you can with a whole bunch more red light.

Some also say that it's not necessarily the color that preserves night vision but the overall brightness. So, if you use an extremely dim white light, supposedly your night vision won't be any more compromised than it would be with a brighter red or bluegreen one.

Now, for flashlights. My take is headlamps tend to be too big and heavy so instead I have a 1xAAA LED flashlight. It has three modes: 4 lumens low, 20 lumens medium, and 70 lumens high. The low is actually too bright to preserve night vision for close work, but works ok for shining on the ground and walking around when (mostly) dark adapted. It has a clip that can be used 'reversed' and clipped to the bill of a baseball cap and thus become a headlamp without a lot of weight and bulk (assuming you're wearing a cap anyway). It'll also shine continuously for over 24 hours on low using a featherweight lithium AAA battery, which to me is amazing.

As someone already mentioned, candlepowerforums.com has a mind-boggling amount of info on tiny and bright LED flashlights. There are literally dozens if not hundreds of lights out there to choose from.

I don't have much to add other than to get a red led flashlight. You should save a considerable amount of power versus using white led's and filtering out all the other colors.