My dobermans are as good as any flashlights. j/k... this is a good post. My Mom is the flashlight queen and seems to always drop a flashlight off whenever the opportunity presents itself. A maglite always works well for me.

if "life saving" is the name of the game

... try a properly mounted "Night-OPS® Xiphos™"

Gee, I never knew that there is an entire forum dedicated to flashlights. Wow, those are some fancy lights that they talk about. I guess I have been living in the dark and didn't know it. I use a little LED flashlight that fits nicely in my camera bag along with my camera, a few fresh batteries a screwdriver and my lock picks. Although I could have used a little more candlepower on occasion, its okay for the most part. I do have a big mag-lite in the trunk but it seems every time I get it out, which isn't often, the batteries are dead.

Lock picks? Now THAT is a good reason for a new forum....lol.

Great post. I too, am a member of CPF. I was doing BPOs for about 2 years before I started getting into flashlights. I found a Fenix P3D that I had to have. Many at CPF would consider it large for an EDC, but it fits in my pocket fine and I always have it in my car. I never knew how handy a light could be until I had this thing - and I never knew what a difference a good light will make. Whenever I do a BPO or check on a foreclosure, there is no hiding from me.

I also have a Mag 3D with a Malkoff drop in. If anyone thinks a Mag is a good light - even the LED version - they are mistaken. With modifications, it can be a good light. They make good bodies, but the lights suck. If you have one, spend the $50-60 on a Malkoff and you will be more than happy.

I also got a Jetbeam III-M with a crenulated bezel for christmas. That thing is impressive.

I often have all 3 with me - but the Jet and Fenix get the most use. The mag is good when you're going into a house that may have someone there (foreclosure) and you may have to whack something with it (or someone). It also adds an air of authority.

Also, when I started collecting these things I thought $60 was so much to spend on a flashlight and that I was insane for buying it. Now, I would think nothing of spending $100 on a good light because I have come to see the "light".

Check out the videos of people trying to kill some of these flashlights too - I've seen an Olight that was frozen, drowned, dragged on the back of a car, run over by a car, dropped, set on fire and shot with a shot gun that still turned on and worked.

On the other hand, when your life is on the line (and it could be in this business, even if it would be a rare situation) - will your $20 light work?

With my Jet IIIM, I can blind someone to the point they won't be able to look at me (seriously - you instinctively turn your body, not just shut your eyes) and then I have a sharp object I can use at the end of it for defense if necessary. Not as good as the Colt, I agree, but still helpful.

Personally, I like my British designed, South African "Freeplay" AM/FM Photo voltaic Solar Powered LED Flashlight with a manual Crank for charging it up using the internal charger/generator which, by the way, can also be used to power or re-charge a Cell Phone Battery.

But I don't rightly think it would help me much in fending off muggers, seeing as it takes two hands to crank the thing. I bought it for the Radio; the supplemental power aspects and flashlight were just an unexpected extra. It has no replaceable batteries of its own, nothing to corrode . . . . just the Sun and that Crank.

Some useful Links:

http://www.lighthound.com/

http://oveready.com/

http://www.malkoffdevices.com/shop/index.php

http://flashlightsngear.com/

https://www.4sevens.com/