flashlight recommendation

[olebama]

because of hurricane IDA, (I had no problem, but family having some issues) I want to get a big flashlight suitable to going outside at night to look for damage on the house, area, etc.

Any recommendations? I looked at some old posts, but when I go to the links, they are not working or the store no longer carries them.

[crashdive123]

You want something bright (1000 lumens or more) and that throws a fairly wide beam. Another good option is to use battery operated work lights (again 1000 lumens or more). Lots to choose from. Some of the rechargable ones are nice, but then without power you have an issue to charge them. Mine (used them to illuminate crawlspaces when I was working) are relatively cheap but work well.

[olebama]

yes, crash; I would prefer NOT to use rechargeable. I did want something portable (thus flashlight). Next time I get out I will look at see what is available in the local stores.

[crashdive123]

Lowes, Home Depot and Harbor Freight have some good choices.

[sirderrin]

Have you considered using a headlamp? There are some really good ones out there for around 20-30 bucks in LED and they leave your hands free.

I keep both headlamps and good flashlights around... I prefer headlamps that will also do green or red for hunting purposes. They also do not show up as far for observer to notice...

[woodyz]

I have a number of "blindingly bright" flashlights, bought available in every place I go, one thing I learned early was "I can not see in the dark", I also have a good head lamp, bought at Sportsmans Warehouse, the white beam has two levels of "just bump it" brightness but it can be switched to red or green easily. I found red or green will still "find" an animal without just running it off, plus I like being able to have my hands free for "other things" I might want to carry.

Another thing I would mention is the head lamp I have does not "burn" batteries, like some I have owned, I think that is because of the two levels of white light, one is for you to "see with", the other prevents anything in its beam from seeing anything.

[olebama]

Thanks Woodyz. don't you use green to track blood?

[woodyz]

red shows blood black which may help in some cases, but a good bright white light is best, I never tracked or followed many blood trails, I shot most of my deer in the neck and they dropped right there.

I meant Academy Sports, for a good selection, I just got a new headlamp at Academy Sports 3000 lumens, the light position can be adjusted and it is magnetic on one end. It's USB rechargeable, 3 different levels of brightness 1000/2000/3000 and a 2000 lumen strobe, its a cyclops, my main go bag flashlight now is an ULTRA 3000 lumens 6", www.bing.com/search?q=ultra+flashlight+3000+lumens&qs=AS&pq=ultra+flashlight&sk=AS1&sc=8-16&cvid=566B0CB2623A4441A91AFBE7B35BECC6&FORM=QBRE&sp=2&ghc=1

I use a country trails 5" and a 7" 1000 lums as bedside lights, because it's usually my Son or our cat making a noise and I don't want to blind them, but I'll grab the ULTRA 3000 if I need to lightup the night.

I still have a headlamp with 3 lights to the front that are 2000 lums with all 3 white but you can change one to red or one to blue and the white off with a slide switch in my go bag.

CREE has a 5000 lum flashlight you may want to check out.

[olebama]

Thanks woodyz. The headlight sounds interesting. 5000 lum sounds a little much. But it seems like most of the brighter lights are all rechargables. I really just want one that uses regular batteries. Anyway, I have not had a chance to go look at lights yet.