The Best Flashlights for Hunters

Updated 03/05/2021

For every outdoor adventure you do, you should have a flashlight along with you. Even if you’re not planning on being out after dark, it can happen, and you never want to be left out in the dark. Modern flashlights are more compact and powerful than ever before, but how do you know you got the best flashlight for the money?We took a look at some of the best flashlights for hunters and all of your outdoor adventures.

There are flashlights from companies you know well, and some truly excellent ones from companies you may now know about, or didn’t know made top-end flashlights. Pick the best one for you and you can’t go wrong.

1. Streamlight Pro Tac HL-X – Editor’s Pick

One of our favorites due to the long battery light, durability and brightness.

We’ve been big fans of Streamlight’s compact flashlights. The Pro Tac HL-X is a dual fuel flashlight, meaning it can run on Streamlight’s rechargeable battery, or two CR123 batteries. The Streamlight Pro Tac HL-X flashlight produces 1000 lumens of brightness with a strobe feature and military-grade aluminum construction. The rear switch is programmable with three different factory settings for different uses. We have used Streamlight flashlights in the past and have been thoroughly impressed. The brightness and battery life is simply amazing. The compact size of this flashlight makes it perfect for fishing, hunting, camping and everyday use.

This is one we have used for a while now and are seriously impressed with. Battery life is outstanding, that is, unless your daughter plays with it and leaves it on for several days. Don’t get me started there. The compact size and extreme brightness make this one that goes just about everywhere with us.

Pros/Very bright and compact – Can run on more than one power source

Cons/Small size means it can get lost easier

Bottom Line/One of our favorite compact LED flashlights

2. Pelican 7620 – Under The Radar Pick

If you didn’t know that Pelican makes amazing flashlights, you need to look into them!

The Pelican 7620 light is compatible with 2 AA, 2 CR123, 3 CR123, or the Pelican 18650 lithium ion rechargeable battery. This gives you choices to power up this light with whatever battery you can get your hands on. The 7620 has high, strobe, medium and low mode options that can be programmed in five different combinations. The flashlight has a full-time battery level indicator, too. The Pelican 7620 light produces 1124 lumens and has an aluminum body that has the legendary toughness Pelican is known for.

We’ve known about and used Pelican products for years, so when we got our hands on a Pelican flashlight, we weren’t too surprised to find it extremely tough, bright and useful – Everything we’ve come to expect from Pelican.

Pros/Bright and tough. Uses multiple battery options

Cons/Marketed as tactical, even though it’s great for outdoorsmen

Bottom Line/Amazing light that you need to check out

3. SureFire G2X

Extremely tough and bright

SureFire’s G2X LED flashlight has virtually indestructible, high-efficiency LED emitters with 600 lumens of maximum output helped by precision reflectors. The Nitrolon polymer construction is extremely durable and stays in your hand thanks to the soft feel that holds up in both hot and cold weather. This is a very affordable flashlight and it’s small size makes it a great option for your glove compartment, boat or backpack.

Surefire was one of the companies on the forefront of ultra-compact LED flashlight design, and this light is as good as we expected it to be. The size makes it perfect to stash in smaller spaces for when you need it most. We keep one in the truck in a little cubby on the dash.

Pros/Light weight and compact

Cons/Only non-aluminum bodied flashlight on this list

Bottom Line/Light, bright and affordable SureFire light

4. iProtec Outdoorsmen 2400 – Best Buy

Bright, durable and an amazing buy

Extremely powerful and amazingly affordable, the iProtec Outdoorsman 2400 is a flashlight you simply should own. It is powered by nine AA batteries and produces a whopping 2,400 lumens of bright, white light. It has a 16X zoom that lets it be useful out to 400 meters, making it a great light to have on hand for just about any outdoor activity. It has a strong aluminum body that is waterproof and durable. And for under $50, there’s no reason not to buy one.

My son jokes that this flashlight has “the power of a thousand Suns.” We have used it as a spotlight to look for lost dogs in the night. It is bright, and the cost makes you think you spent way more.

Pros/Super Bright and powerful.

Cons/Only light that doesn’t use Lithium-Ion battery power

Bottom Line/You should buy one. Maybe two.

5. Maglite ML300LX LED – Modern Classic

A modern take on the classic

Before LED technology exploded, Maglite was “The” flashlight to have. The latest Maglite flashlights have LED bulbs. The ML300LX has Momentary, Full Power, Low Power, ECO and Strobe functionality. At full-power, it will produce 625 lumens. The three D-cell battery model will run for hours of constant use. The best part is, the new Maglite flashlights still have that classic feel, however updated. It can be used as a club if need be, in case you need to thump a salmon on the head once you get it into the boat.

We had a bunch of the older D-cell Maglites that doubled as clubs and were happy to see that the company has kept up with the times and delivered a modern version of the classic light. It may not be the brightest, but the batteries last forever, and it just feels right.

Pros/Heavy-duty. Can double as a club.

Cons/Not as bright as other flashlights.

Bottom Line/If you liked the original Maglite, you’ll love this one.

Picking the right flashlight for you

There are so many different flashlights out on the market, it can be difficult to determine the best one for you and your needs. There are a few factors to consider before you make your purchase:

Size – Modern flashlights have been designed to make brighter, longer lasting light with smaller components and now flashlight can be extremely bright, yet fit in the palm of your hand. That works well for some, yet other prefer to have a bigger flashlight to grip. Ask yourself what you really want size-wise
Battery – There are a lot of battery types, and not all cost the same or have the same availability. Lithium-ion batteries tend to provide more, longer-lasting power in a compact design, but the trade off is cost and availability. This is why flashlights that can be powered by both standard batteries, or LI batteries are gaining in popularity
Use – Some flashlights have multiple use options, with ways to mount to firearms, helmets and more. These versatile lights are perfect for those that want options when it comes to what they do with their lights

What types of flashlight bulbs are there?

Basically speaking, there are three types of flashlight bulbs – Incandescent, florescent and LED. Modern LED lights tend to be the brightest.

About the Author

Derrek Sigler

Derrek Sigler has been a professional outdoor writer for more than two decades since earning his Master’s Degree in creative writing with a thesis about fishing humor. But if you ask anyone that knows him, he’s been telling fishin’ stories since he was old enough to hold a pole. He has written for Cabela’s and served as editorial director for Gun Digest books. Over the years, he has also written for Petersen’s Hunting, North American Whitetail Magazine, Wildfowl, Grand View Media, and has worked with Bass Pro Shops, Hard Core Brands and Bone Collector. Successful Farming had him write for their magazine and he has appeared on their TV show to discuss hunting and ATVs on multiple occasions. He writes about the things he loves – hunting, fishing, camping, trucks, ATVs, boating, snowmobiles and the outdoor lifestyle he enjoys with his family in their home state of Michigan and more as they adventure around North America.

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This article was originally published by Outdoorhub.com. Read the original article here.