[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Best $10 LED Flashlight? (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 2/16/2012 2:40:14 PM EDT
| Any recommendations for a compact LED flashlight with an approximate cost of $10? I want to buy 5 of them and stash them all over the house/garage to have a light handy for non-emergency use. |
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May I ask why you don't buy one good light and carry it with you? So they can be available to (multiple) other members of the household? ETA: That was pretty much the flashlight situation at home when I was growing up. One or two flashlights above the kitchen sink, some in the basement (darker down there), and a couple upstairs. They really only ever were put to use when the electricity went out. __________________________________________________________________ Cross-platform gun database/electronic bound book (v1.3.2) (and the original thread). «nolite confidere in principibus, in filiis hominum quibus non est salus» |
| Costco in south Austin has a 3 pack of LED flash lights for about $15. They made from thin aluminum, use 3 AAA batteries, and a CREE LED. low, high, and strobe modes. 200 lumens on high, for about 1 hour. Low power will last about 4 hours according to the manufacturer. I picked up 3 packs (9) lights last week. Damn nice for 5 bucks each. |
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These are the rage if you get a good one, which might be a 70-30 proposition...$8 delivered:
Sipik SK68 Cree led The listed output is a joke, but they're pretty bright, maybe close to 100-140LM. Still, you can afford to buy 5 for $40 and if you lose one, or give one away, you're not out a lot of cash. CandlePowerForum thread on the SK68 Chris |
Not exactly "compact", but Eveready is now selling a traditional 2 D cell flashlight that's factory-equipped with a LED conversion bulb - You can buy 'em in 2-packs for around 8 bucks at Home Depot.
They're not tremendously bright, but the battery life should be absolutely insane - and you could probably move the LED bulb to a higher-quality flashlight if desired. |
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http://www.dealextreme.com/p/rmsen-rv-115-cree-q3-wc-130-lumen-led-flashlight-1-aa-39413 I actually placed an order with that company about a month ago for five $9 flash lights and they charged my credit card that day and never shipped the flashlights. I cancelled the order and they never credited my CC. I just filed a dispute yesterday with my CC company. I am pretty sure that company is located in China. |
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Costco in south Austin has a 3 pack of LED flash lights for about $15. They made from thin aluminum, use 3 AAA batteries, and a CREE LED. low, high, and strobe modes. 200 lumens on high, for about 1 hour. Low power will last about 4 hours according to the manufacturer. I picked up 3 packs (9) lights last week. Damn nice for 5 bucks each. I bought a pack of those. Too bad the batteries die like clockwork every 2 months. It appears the led battery monitor places a drain on the batteries. I got sick of the batteries being dead every time I needed a light, so I threw the lights in the trash. |
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Quoted: Quoted: http://www.dealextreme.com/p/rmsen-rv-115-cree-q3-wc-130-lumen-led-flashlight-1-aa-39413 I actually placed an order with that company about a month ago for five $9 flash lights and they charged my credit card that day and never shipped the flashlights. I cancelled the order and they never credited my CC. I just filed a dispute yesterday with my CC company. I am pretty sure that company is located in China. Yours certainly could have gotten lost or not shipped, but I've ordered a few times from dealextreme and it does take a while for stuff to arrive especially if there's a hiccup in customs. They do warn of this a little on the website IIRC. They do now have a US based warehouse though. |
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Costco in south Austin has a 3 pack of LED flash lights for about $15. They made from thin aluminum, use 3 AAA batteries, and a CREE LED. low, high, and strobe modes. 200 lumens on high, for about 1 hour. Low power will last about 4 hours according to the manufacturer. I picked up 3 packs (9) lights last week. Damn nice for 5 bucks each. I bought a pack of those. Too bad the batteries die like clockwork every 2 months. It appears the led battery monitor places a drain on the batteries. I got sick of the batteries being dead every time I needed a light, so I threw the lights in the trash. I believe the newest ones don't have that problem as they got rid of the battery monitor. The button is now black instead of clear and they are slightly shorter. |
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A little bit more than $10, but I bought these and they are super bright:
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/2-pk-of-160-lumen-tactical-lights-black.aspx?a=743095 Good lights for the price. More of a focused, bright spot beam. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Costco in south Austin has a 3 pack of LED flash lights for about $15. They made from thin aluminum, use 3 AAA batteries, and a CREE LED. low, high, and strobe modes. 200 lumens on high, for about 1 hour. Low power will last about 4 hours according to the manufacturer. I picked up 3 packs (9) lights last week. Damn nice for 5 bucks each. I bought a pack of those. Too bad the batteries die like clockwork every 2 months. It appears the led battery monitor places a drain on the batteries. I got sick of the batteries being dead every time I needed a light, so I threw the lights in the trash. The newer version doesn't have the tail-cap sensor and is GTG. eta: oops got beat. But worth repeating. |
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Costco in south Austin has a 3 pack of LED flash lights for about $15. They made from thin aluminum, use 3 AAA batteries, and a CREE LED. low, high, and strobe modes. 200 lumens on high, for about 1 hour. Low power will last about 4 hours according to the manufacturer. I picked up 3 packs (9) lights last week. Damn nice for 5 bucks each. I bought a pack of those. Too bad the batteries die like clockwork every 2 months. It appears the led battery monitor places a drain on the batteries. I got sick of the batteries being dead every time I needed a light, so I threw the lights in the trash. I believe the newest ones don't have that problem as they got rid of the battery monitor. The button is now black instead of clear and they are slightly shorter. Mine have the black button. I'll keep an eye on the batteries though. Thanks for the heads up! |
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dx would have shipped them eventually. they are definitely NOT fast but i have never had an order not show. the one time i had an issue the package i received was ripped open an empty. they promptly replaced it, although i had some language issues to work around trying to explain what happened.
dx has been very good to me. |
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Harbor Freight usually has them on sale. Sometimes they are free. and sometimes they dont work, and sometimes they flicker, and sometimes the batteries explode. But when they do work, great little area light for working inside your computer, or reading at night. |
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Energizer 1w LED. I carry mine all the time as a tac light. I have had to take some sandpaper to the terminals a couple times but that's it. $7 at my local Advance Autoparts. Review on Candle Power Fourm claims with a fresh battery it's as bright as an 80 lumen Fenix and I believe it. it's in my hands right now if you want to see some other pictures of it. |
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http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS2zcHEpqqGzV0kxmj7ZpdkFB2nHSl0tKqYxlPMI7JHq9EORgEx3mQVG0ed Energizer 1w LED. I carry mine all the time as a tac light. I have had to take some sandpaper to the terminals a couple times but that's it. $7 at my local Advance Autoparts. Review on Candle Power Fourm claims with a fresh battery it's as bright as an 80 lumen Fenix and I believe it. it's in my hands right now if you want to see some other pictures of it. Those sell for around 18 bucks at Target. Was there some sort of sale, or are they 8 bucks all the time? |
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Quoted: Quoted: http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS2zcHEpqqGzV0kxmj7ZpdkFB2nHSl0tKqYxlPMI7JHq9EORgEx3mQVG0ed Energizer 1w LED. I carry mine all the time as a tac light. I have had to take some sandpaper to the terminals a couple times but that's it. $7 at my local Advance Autoparts. Review on Candle Power Fourm claims with a fresh battery it's as bright as an 80 lumen Fenix and I believe it. it's in my hands right now if you want to see some other pictures of it. Those sell for around 18 bucks at Target. Was there some sort of sale, or are they 8 bucks all the time? I think that was the regular price but im not sure. It was on a rack by the cash registers. ETA: towards the end of that thread one poster says they were $8 at target, but that was posted in 2009
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Any recommendations for a compact LED flashlight with an approximate cost of $10? I want to buy 5 of them and stash them all over the house/garage to have a light handy for non-emergency use. Lowes has a three watt 2 c cell flashlight for 25 buck 4 hour run time 3 watt LED 100 yard tight beam they are nice they use to be called task force now they are call utilitech same light just different name http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/taskforce_3w2c.htm |
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http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS2zcHEpqqGzV0kxmj7ZpdkFB2nHSl0tKqYxlPMI7JHq9EORgEx3mQVG0ed Energizer 1w LED. I carry mine all the time as a tac light. I have had to take some sandpaper to the terminals a couple times but that's it. $7 at my local Advance Autoparts. Review on Candle Power Fourm claims with a fresh battery it's as bright as an 80 lumen Fenix and I believe it. it's in my hands right now if you want to see some other pictures of it. I have one of those flashlights, very nice. That is until some little bastard chewed the rubber off the tailcap switch  Now the button does not work. You have to click it several times to get it to come on.
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http://www.harborfreight.com/27-led-portable-worklight-flashlight-67227.html
harbor freight has broader spotlight and side flash light. Has adjustable hook for handing and magnet for metal. Hold up good. $2.79 each. Ideal for under the hood of a car, in drawers, closets, toolboxes or during an emergency roadside repair. 24 LED's for powerful illumination, 3 front LED's for use as a flashlight Magnetic base Folding 360º swivel hook Easy on/off switch 48 hour runtime Includes 3 AAA batteries 
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I bought 3 packs of these at Home Depot. They burn brighter than the M3 on my Glock. http://shopper.cnet.com/2740-19226_9-14106.html Edit; RIF, you said best 10 dollar flashlight. These were 5 dollars (2 for 10) |
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http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS2zcHEpqqGzV0kxmj7ZpdkFB2nHSl0tKqYxlPMI7JHq9EORgEx3mQVG0ed Energizer 1w LED. I carry mine all the time as a tac light. I have had to take some sandpaper to the terminals a couple times but that's it. $7 at my local Advance Autoparts. Review on Candle Power Fourm claims with a fresh battery it's as bright as an 80 lumen Fenix and I believe it. it's in my hands right now if you want to see some other pictures of it. +1 I had one of those that I carried and used every day for close to a year until I lost it. I bought a Quark of similar specs to replace it for $40ish bucks that I carry now. It is no better than what I had.  Won't do that again.
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Check this one out.. http://www.amazon.com/Nebo-Tools-Lumen-Flashlight-Black/dp/B003M1D178 http://www.amazon.com/Nebo-CSI-Edge-Flashlight-Assorted/dp/B003NQHSOO THIS. 1AA and and is like 35 lumens. Kicks ass, super light and durable as all get out. The super light weight is nice if you like to clip it on your ball cap, when out in the field for camp use. |
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Don't mind me, just testing something...
test In case you were wondering, I was trying to make the hotlink a different color because red is just too hard to read, it doesn't work. |
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These are like $15 at walmart. They are outstanding. I have used one daily for over a year, it works so well I bought a few more for in the cars.
Coleman LED |
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Costco in south Austin has a 3 pack of LED flash lights for about $15. They made from thin aluminum, use 3 AAA batteries, and a CREE LED. low, high, and strobe modes. 200 lumens on high, for about 1 hour. Low power will last about 4 hours according to the manufacturer. I picked up 3 packs (9) lights last week. Damn nice for 5 bucks each. I bought a pack of those. Too bad the batteries die like clockwork every 2 months. It appears the led battery monitor places a drain on the batteries. I got sick of the batteries being dead every time I needed a light, so I threw the lights in the trash. I believe the newest ones don't have that problem as they got rid of the battery monitor. The button is now black instead of clear and they are slightly shorter. I was looking at those today. Clerk told me they were ~$20/3 flashlights rated at 200 lumens. Glad to hear that the power drain caused by the monitor has been eliminated. Also noticed that these use the newer XPG bulb instead of the XPC that was used in the older 160 lumens light. Those are supposed to be more efficient. I may go back and get these tomorrow. I didn't today because I was aware of the short battery life in last year's model. Of course, using AA or AAA batteries is not the best setup for long battery life. |
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Costco in south Austin has a 3 pack of LED flash lights for about $15. They made from thin aluminum, use 3 AAA batteries, and a CREE LED. low, high, and strobe modes. 200 lumens on high, for about 1 hour. Low power will last about 4 hours according to the manufacturer. I picked up 3 packs (9) lights last week. Damn nice for 5 bucks each. I bought a pack of those. Too bad the batteries die like clockwork every 2 months. It appears the led battery monitor places a drain on the batteries. I got sick of the batteries being dead every time I needed a light, so I threw the lights in the trash. I believe the newest ones don't have that problem as they got rid of the battery monitor. The button is now black instead of clear and they are slightly shorter. I was looking at those today. Clerk told me they were ~$20/3 flashlights rated at 200 lumens. Glad to hear that the power drain caused by the monitor has been eliminated. Also noticed that these use the newer XPG bulb instead of the XPC that was used in the older 160 lumens light. Those are supposed to be more efficient. I may go back and get these tomorrow. I didn't today because I was aware of the short battery life in last year's model. Of course, using AA or AAA batteries is not the best setup for long battery life. I was wondering if you can take out the 3 AAA carrier and put one of the large rechargeable batt's that often come with Cree lights? |
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Quoted: These are like $15 at walmart. They are outstanding. I have used one daily for over a year, it works so well I bought a few more for in the cars. Coleman LED Does that light have a back switch or do you twist the head for light? |
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Costco in south Austin has a 3 pack of LED flash lights for about $15. They made from thin aluminum, use 3 AAA batteries, and a CREE LED. low, high, and strobe modes. 200 lumens on high, for about 1 hour. Low power will last about 4 hours according to the manufacturer. I picked up 3 packs (9) lights last week. Damn nice for 5 bucks each. +1 seem to be quite nice. |
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http://www.harborfreight.com/27-led-portable-worklight-flashlight-67227.html harbor freight has broader spotlight and side flash light. Has adjustable hook for handing and magnet for metal. Hold up good. $2.79 each. Ideal for under the hood of a car, in drawers, closets, toolboxes or during an emergency roadside repair. 24 LED's for powerful illumination, 3 front LED's for use as a flashlight Magnetic base Folding 360º swivel hook Easy on/off switch 48 hour runtime Includes 3 AAA batteries
i use those in my gun safe. really neat little light for small work areas. |
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Check this one out.. http://www.amazon.com/Nebo-Tools-Lumen-Flashlight-Black/dp/B003M1D178 http://www.amazon.com/Nebo-CSI-Edge-Flashlight-Assorted/dp/B003NQHSOO THIS. 1AA and and is like 35 lumens. Kicks ass, super light and durable as all get out. The super light weight is nice if you like to clip it on your ball cap, when out in the field for camp use. +2...bought one at the local lumber yard bright tiny light make sure it has the clip on it. somebody makes a identical one with some rubber on the grip and no clip 2 of those 3 had switch problems and got a immediate return |
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These are like $15 at walmart. They are outstanding. I have used one daily for over a year, it works so well I bought a few more for in the cars. Coleman LED Does that light have a back switch or do you twist the head for light? Back switch. The only thing I don't like is there is no momentary on. It's on or off. But outside of that I would recommend them to anyone. |
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It's higher then your price range but the $17 AAA powered Coleman 70-80 Lumen LED flashlights at walmart are fantastic. That's what I linked to. If they where $100.00 evreybody would sware by them. Yep, more for me though since they arent tier 1 enough for everyone else . I use one as my EDC, bump in the night, hunting, and once I remember to order some 30mm rings I'm gonna try it as a weapon light, it should be able to handle the recoil they're built pretty solid. Mines going on about 6 months on the same batteries and I use it almost daily.
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Costco in south Austin has a 3 pack of LED flash lights for about $15. They made from thin aluminum, use 3 AAA batteries, and a CREE LED. low, high, and strobe modes. 200 lumens on high, for about 1 hour. Low power will last about 4 hours according to the manufacturer. I picked up 3 packs (9) lights last week. Damn nice for 5 bucks each. I bought a pack of those. Too bad the batteries die like clockwork every 2 months. It appears the led battery monitor places a drain on the batteries. I got sick of the batteries being dead every time I needed a light, so I threw the lights in the trash. I believe the newest ones don't have that problem as they got rid of the battery monitor. The button is now black instead of clear and they are slightly shorter. Mine have the black button. I'll keep an eye on the batteries though. Thanks for the heads up! Thanks guys. I just bought a 3-pack of these today at Costco. Looks like the fixed the problem by eliminating the battery monitor. |
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It's higher then your price range but the $17 AAA powered Coleman 70-80 Lumen LED flashlights at walmart are fantastic. That's what I linked to. If they where $100.00 evreybody would sware by them. Yep, more for me though since they arent tier 1 enough for everyone else . I use one as my EDC, bump in the night, hunting, and once I remember to order some 30mm rings I'm gonna try it as a weapon light, it should be able to handle the recoil they're built pretty solid. Mines going on about 6 months on the same batteries and I use it almost daily.I put a couple of these through hell when I first found them a couple years ago. They held up very well. Noticed the other day they have several new models. Including some with a lot less mass. The ones I used with the 3 AAA setup were bulky. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: These are like $15 at walmart. They are outstanding. I have used one daily for over a year, it works so well I bought a few more for in the cars. Coleman LED Does that light have a back switch or do you twist the head for light? Back switch. The only thing I don't like is there is no momentary on. It's on or off. But outside of that I would recommend them to anyone. Thank you sir for your reply, I appreciate it. |
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If you are decide to spend a little more, I picked up one of these for $20. http://www.inovalight.com/x/features_x1.php
Uses 1 AA battery, SUPER BRIGHT, compact. Just sayin |
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At a Home Depot near you. The lights in the third link are great lights for the price. http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202078887/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=flashlights&storeId=10051 Just put an order in for the 10-pack. i like to have a few of those real cheap lights on hand for my boys when the power goes out or when they want to play outside after dark. Don't have to worry about not getting them back! |