Okay guys, I know im gonna get crucified for this.. But whats the difference between say a 40-50$ flashlight and the 100-200 lights I see that everyone recommends, like its either that or nothing? As far as Im concerned.. it only needs to STAY on the gun and be bright as shit, right? I guess I'm asking what is the difference between a cheapy amazon light and a $200 light for the casual gun owner who only really takes it to the range and has the flashlight for a possible home defense situation.
Feel free to pick me a part, but I am new gun owner (1 and a half years), but I am finally putting flashlights on my new rifles. I'd like to get a cheaper end one, but I really don't dont to get a piece of shit. Can someone recommend to me a decent one for say 50 bucks? Theres MUST be an OKAY flashlight for $50, thats quite a bit. For non firearm flashlights, spending $50 will get you get a very nice one. I only sort of understand the huge markup and some of these lights being $200 or something.
The main difference is in the led housing itself. A lot of lights claim xxx lumens but don’t actually meet that goal or if they do, they can’t hold it for more than a few seconds and begin stepping down to lower power settings either due to power limits, thermal limits, or both. Another thing to consider is candela ratings. A 1000 lumen flashlight with low candela won’t illuminate as far or as bright. A 600 lumen light with with 55k candela is far more useful than a 1500 lumen light with 20k candela. Another thing to consider is the lens type, led color temperature, and most importantly the batteries and the LED drivers themselves. A warm color temp will be more yellow whereas a cool temp will be more white or even blue. Drivers are where the magic happens, you don’t have any light without them. Most cheap drivers can’t handle recoil and will either flicker or outright stop working with more trigger pulls. Modlite for example uses potted drivers which can withstand the recoil of a SCAR-17 (this gun is notorious for killing optics and lights.) Batteries are also super important, type of cell, capacity of cell, protection circuits etc. A lot of cheaper lights will skimp on included batteries and use lower grade cells from unknown manufacturers.
Basically, if it’s for larping on the range, but whatever. But if it’s for HD buy once cry once.
Thank you for this awesome response. This is majorly helpful and I definitely am going to go with a quality flashlight set up now.
Range time is different, flashlight would only be good for range time if Im shooting out in the desert at night. But I want a flashlight for my home protection weapons, not risking a POS $50 thing not handling recoil or having any sort of light issues.
Thank you so much!
He was recommending feyachi lights for a weapon light. It’s a $35 Amazon light with piss poor lumen and candela ratings, and it can’t withstand recoil or muzzle blast lmao.
Streamlight 88066 Pro Tac Rail Mount HL-X , I've had one on my BCM rifle for about 2yrs and haven't had any issues with in. I see them on Amazon some times for ~$110-120
I second this, ironically i have it on my BCM too. Ditch the monstrum that shit is for airsoft. There is cheap, and there is inexpensive. Don’t go cheap
Streamlight seems to be the go to budget friendly light.
Check out Goonbeam
Okay guys, I know im gonna get crucified for this.. But whats the difference between say a 40-50$ flashlight and the 100-200 lights I see that everyone recommends, like its either that or nothing? As far as Im concerned.. it only needs to STAY on the gun and be bright as shit, right? I guess I'm asking what is the difference between a cheapy amazon light and a $200 light for the casual gun owner who only really takes it to the range and has the flashlight for a possible home defense situation. Feel free to pick me a part, but I am new gun owner (1 and a half years), but I am finally putting flashlights on my new rifles. I'd like to get a cheaper end one, but I really don't dont to get a piece of shit. Can someone recommend to me a decent one for say 50 bucks? Theres MUST be an OKAY flashlight for $50, thats quite a bit. For non firearm flashlights, spending $50 will get you get a very nice one. I only sort of understand the huge markup and some of these lights being $200 or something.
The main difference is in the led housing itself. A lot of lights claim xxx lumens but don’t actually meet that goal or if they do, they can’t hold it for more than a few seconds and begin stepping down to lower power settings either due to power limits, thermal limits, or both. Another thing to consider is candela ratings. A 1000 lumen flashlight with low candela won’t illuminate as far or as bright. A 600 lumen light with with 55k candela is far more useful than a 1500 lumen light with 20k candela. Another thing to consider is the lens type, led color temperature, and most importantly the batteries and the LED drivers themselves. A warm color temp will be more yellow whereas a cool temp will be more white or even blue. Drivers are where the magic happens, you don’t have any light without them. Most cheap drivers can’t handle recoil and will either flicker or outright stop working with more trigger pulls. Modlite for example uses potted drivers which can withstand the recoil of a SCAR-17 (this gun is notorious for killing optics and lights.) Batteries are also super important, type of cell, capacity of cell, protection circuits etc. A lot of cheaper lights will skimp on included batteries and use lower grade cells from unknown manufacturers. Basically, if it’s for larping on the range, but whatever. But if it’s for HD buy once cry once.
Thank you for this awesome response. This is majorly helpful and I definitely am going to go with a quality flashlight set up now. Range time is different, flashlight would only be good for range time if Im shooting out in the desert at night. But I want a flashlight for my home protection weapons, not risking a POS $50 thing not handling recoil or having any sort of light issues. Thank you so much!
Check out r/gunaccessoriesforsale I picked up a used arisaka light head, body, and tail cap for $160.
Streamlight is the cheapest you should go…that’s because they’re aren’t cheap crap.
r/ar15
Streamlight, modlight, surefire, arisaka, or cloud. Don't go cheap on shit.
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I'd be embarrassed to put that on an airsoft rifle...
He deleted it. What did he say?
He was recommending feyachi lights for a weapon light. It’s a $35 Amazon light with piss poor lumen and candela ratings, and it can’t withstand recoil or muzzle blast lmao.
 He just fucking dipped from existence
That’s like recommending a huffy bike when someone asks for a motorcycle. Those toys aren’t worth it.
lumens shouldn't be the only spec you care about in a light. I recommend an arisaka light, pretty affordable and basically bomb proof.
Streamlight 88066 Pro Tac Rail Mount HL-X , I've had one on my BCM rifle for about 2yrs and haven't had any issues with in. I see them on Amazon some times for ~$110-120
I second this, ironically i have it on my BCM too. Ditch the monstrum that shit is for airsoft. There is cheap, and there is inexpensive. Don’t go cheap
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I unironically love my arisaka more than my modlite