Submitted by Eric Daniel
I need a new light. The one I am using currently, the Surefire G2 Nitrolon is brilliant, literally, but its insatiable battery habit has become an albatross around my neck. I've even gone so far as to name my light "Audrey" after the man-eating plant from Little Shop of Horrors because every time I turn around that light is saying "feed me!!"
Don't get me wrong, I love that light. I love the high output, the on-off push button on the back, as well as the durable design, it's the $12 batteries it eats on a regular basis that are killing me. While this wasn't a deal breaker in Iraq, where we has access to cases of lithium 123A batteries, back in the states, in a National Guard unit with not a lot of surplus cash lying about, those batteries are hard to come by.
I have used AA maglights in the past, and I like them as well, but the rapid on/off ability of the G2 makes it the preferred light in my opinion.
One option I've considered is going to an LED version of the same light. While I sacrifice some total lumen output, I will get longer battery life (and it's not like I'm trying to light up the entire city of Cleveland, just the 10-15 feet in front of me.) I've also considered going to a rechargeable battery version, with a spare battery so I can always keep one in the light and one in the charger. Unfortunately, those rechargeable units are expensive, and it'll take a lot of persuading to get me to drop $150+ on a light I've never seen.
Anyone have any luck using different lights?
