best flashlight, best lighter, best hiking bag

ZippyDan

Platinum Member
Sep 28, 2001
2,141
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post me some links to the best flashlight, handheld, both pocket size and full size. best led and best halogen.

best lighter?

best hiking bags

thanks
 

RagingBITCH

Lifer
Sep 27, 2003
17,618
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Um, it's all subjective. There is no "best" anything. Best is *usually* what costs the most, but seeing as how we don't know what you currently have, your budget for each item, and the purpose (like week long treks, for mountain biking too), it's hard making recommendations.
 

Rubycon

Madame President
Aug 10, 2005
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Pocket size light first choice is HDS EDC Ultimate 85 with guarantee tint. Second runner up is Peak Caribbean.

Small pocket size would be Inova X1. Great to read maps without killing night vision or giving away location to gorillas planting mines.

Full size light first choice is Surefire 10X. Runner up is Tigerlight.
 

ZippyDan

Platinum Member
Sep 28, 2001
2,141
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c6ft7 has the right idea. replace best with favorite if thats what you need to do :) i just need some recommendations. thanks

and yes, bag = backpack
 

FeuerFrei

Diamond Member
Mar 30, 2005
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Originally posted by: C6FT7
Pocket size light first choice is HDS EDC Ultimate 85 with guarantee tint. Second runner up is Peak Caribbean.

Small pocket size would be Inova X1. Great to read maps without killing night vision or giving away location to gorillas planting mines.

Full size light first choice is Surefire 10X. Runner up is Tigerlight.

I'd like to see that.

(unlikely scenario bolded)
 

desk

Golden Member
Nov 6, 2004
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i just finished a two-week appalachian trail hike with this pack:

aether 75

i thought it was pretty good, but it weighs close to 5lbs. so you need to decide if you are trying to go ultra-lite or not.
 

Rubycon

Madame President
Aug 10, 2005
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And for the love of [religious leader] please do NOT buy a Mag light!
 

JinLien

Golden Member
Aug 24, 2005
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My Arc'Teryx Bora 65 served me well in Alaska, BC Rockies Mt., and Mexico.

Brunton Firelight Windproof Lighter and LED Light -- Nice light/lighter combo.

I prefer the cheap Streamlight JR. Luxeon flash light that is more than adequate that can be had for around $29-30.

Best is the EDC Ultimate 85 GT at a cool $345 that produce 85 lumens and weight 3oz.

Each person has different needs and desire, therefore it is best to go to a local outdoor store and find out what fit your needs.
 

cerebusPu

Diamond Member
May 27, 2000
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i would suggest a LED headlamp for teh light. seting up a tent in dark rainy weather without a headlamp is like trying to pee in the dark without hands. if you want something bright you'd have to get one with a luxeon LED. A good one is the Princeton Tec EOS. If you need more light you can pick up a good rechargeable flashlight. my personal favorite is the Streamlight Stinger/Ultra Stinger. The ones that use lithium cr123 cells are nice and bright, but i dont like using up $2~$3 of batteries for each hour of usage. however, if you plan on doing alot of nighttime hiking, you would need to look at the long duration LED lights. thers a few good ones that will last for days. (flashlightreviews.com)

not sure about lighter. possibly something windproof.

billions of packs to choose from. I use to have a kelty cloud but Ive switched over to lightweights. the new favorite amongst thru hikers is the Granite Gear Vapor Trail 3600 ($150). its super light and is one of the most comfortable bags Ive felt. Its not made from cordura so you'll have to be careful about rubbing it against rocks. (campmor.com)

i love reading and shopping for gear!
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
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I'd be interested to know what the best lighter is....

I'm not sure I'd trust ANY lighter in a must-work situation.......

I suppose a brand new, full Bic would be amongst the best disposables... just buy a new one each time... there's gotta be a better option than that.

Or maybe waterproof matches are the best option?
 

Rubycon

Madame President
Aug 10, 2005
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Flint lighters are totally useless once the wheel gets wet. No spark = no ignity!

Piezoelectric ones same way. Best to use reliable lighter in chamber so it's always RFS. If using flintwheel ALWAYS make sure that thumb is dry - that includes hair gel stuff that comes out of you wanky.
 

LS20

Banned
Jan 22, 2002
5,858
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inova stuff are durable as all hell, are CHEAP, and beautiful... the x1 is great as a mini light source...uses 1 aa, waterproof, almost indestructible, lasts longggg, and projects a clean beam
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Originally posted by: C6FT7
Flint lighters are totally useless once the wheel gets wet. No spark = no ignity!

Piezoelectric ones same way. Best to use reliable lighter in chamber so it's always RFS. If using flintwheel ALWAYS make sure that thumb is dry - that includes hair gel stuff that comes out of you wanky.
Yeah.. but it's not THAT big of a deal, is it? I suppose it would be if you were in a torential downpour and everything was soaked or something...

Even if the flintwheel is wet, a minute or two of striking will dry things out.. assuming it's not continuing to get wet...

So whats the best option then?
 

Rubycon

Madame President
Aug 10, 2005
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Ha!

They used to make these lighters that had glow plugs on the end. A pair of D batts would provide the potential. Engaging a momentary switch would cause EMF from a pair of cells to flow through a nickel-chromium (or nichrome) wire which heats up orange hot. This will light just about anything. You can also carry a small block of magnesium. This can be shaved with a decent knife and the shavings will burn with great heat (and light!) that will make even the wettest woods ignite.
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
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Originally posted by: C6FT7
Ha!

They used to make these lighters that had glow plugs on the end. A pair of D batts would provide the potential. Engaging a momentary switch would cause EMF from a pair of cells to flow through a nickel-chromium (or nichrome) wire which heats up orange hot. This will light just about anything. You can also carry a small block of magnesium. This can be shaved with a decent knife and the shavings will burn with great heat (and light!) that will make even the wettest woods ignite.
LOL.. Duh!

I can't believe I didn't think about a flint and magnesium bar.

What does the military use?
 

Rubycon

Madame President
Aug 10, 2005
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Originally posted by: Eli

What does the military use?

Something with a book that weighs two pounds (waterproof paper is heavy) and costs $800.