I'm going to post a quick personal review of 3 flashlights that I bought quite a while ago b/c they were recommended on this site. I and my family have now used them all quite a bit.
1. Olight S20 Baton
- bought from Amazon, paid around $40
- takes 2 CR123a or 1 18650 battery
What I like: Short, fits in pocket easy, has a double tap to the brightest mode no matter what your last mode was, battery life is quite good
What I don't like: Doesn't have a tail cap switch. Switch is on side, a small button. Hasn't been a major issue.
Would I recommend? Yes, definitely a great light.
2. Olight ST25 Baton
- bought from Amazon, paid around $45
- takes two AAs
What I like: takes AAs, has tail cap switch, and 2nd switch to control brightness
What I don't like: Reliability issues (the killer for me) - I actually have 2 of these lights, neither have been reliable. No way I would use one for a tactical light or when I really had to depend on a light. The tail cap switch is nice, but has not been reliable. I've had many times where the light has just not turned on, but the batteries were good. I'd mess with it some, and it would finally turn on. This happens way more often than not, with both lights. The lights were bought at different times, but maybe from the same bad batch? I'm assuming that Olight wouldn't be selling them with a known defect.
Would I recommend? Not at this time - this light has great potential - especially I like the two switch idea, but the reliability is terrible for my 2 lights. I bought them when they were very new, maybe this has been worked out by now.
3. Jetbeam PA40
- bought from Amazon, paid around $40
- takes 4 AAs
What I like: Very solidly built, very bright on high, modes switch easy with tail cap, excellent battery life with AA Eneloops, not a pocket light but does fit in most of my large pockets, has low battery indicator, has been very reliable, I have 2 of these that are used alot, 3 more I have given to family
What I don't like: nothing here
Would I recommend? Yes, one of my favorite lights ever, definitely a good survival light