Interesting some of the claims of lumens by some of these torch manufacturers...
I use torches for a living as part of my job (no not a security guard!) and the only torches that stand up to abuse and actually put out at least what they claim are Surefire torches and some of the more recent, decent brand knockoffs. Yes they are expensive, but as other posters here have said you get what you pay for.
I currently have an A2 Aviator, L2 Lumamax, 2 x M3 Combat lights, about 6-7 x G2 Nitrolons, 2 x E2 Executives and 1 x E2D Defender.
The new LED lights from Surefire absolutely blow anything else I have seen away. There is simply no comparison. Obviously for camping they might be a little over the top, but as I already have them then they are my choice. Batteries are expensive if you buy them in Australia (the 3V Lithium A123 camera battery type) but buying them in bulk makes them fairly cheap. Battery brand is also important as well as the cheap(er) Chinese version of the batteries last about 1/3 the time in the lights as other do.
I can use an M3 Combat light for spotlighting out to about 400m if need be and the new L2 Lumamax will clearly identify most "things" out to about 300m.
The L2 in my new favourite light, it comes with dual outputs and a run-time of over 15 hours on low setting and 2 hours on high setting. That might not sound like a lot but in the type of work I do you never have your torch on constantly. However for a good cheap torch I don't believe you can go past the G2L Nitrolon, they are extremely well made (I have had two of them for over eight years now on my kit and they have never let me down). Even got the two girls one each for camping, they love them as they can quite easily spot possums and koalas etc up trees at night playing spotto. I remember when I used to play we had a huuuuge spotlight type torch as we ran around the bush, but these lights now put out as much if not more light and fit in the palm of your hand!
Anyway each to his/her own. Just my 2cents on the subject!
Cheers
Dave J.
