Posted: 10/11/2008 7:30:08 PM EDT
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what is the best or a great flashlight that doesnt cost 100s of dollars? I know you get what you pay for, but I want a new light and only want to spend 20-30 bucks on a light right now? any recomendations? edit: ok, now I think I want a rechargable light. |
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There's some good Fenix flashlights at DealExtreme. www.dealextreme.com/search.dx/search.fenix |
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This light got good reviews on CPF so I went ahead and bought it to use for work. I wound up losing it after a few months so I just ordered two more in case I lose one again. It can run on 2XAA's or 1XCR123A and gives out an impressive amount of lumens for a budget light. Romisen RC-N3 CREE Q5 You can use coupon code "CPFuser" for a 6% discount. |
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As a certified flashlight nut, I've seen 'em all - and owned most of 'em, too. However, the one flashlight that stands out - the one that consistently impresses folks - is the 3 Watt Cree P4 from DealExtreme. This thing is just insanely bright for its size - more flashlight than most people will ever need. If you order one, I can absolutely guarantee that you'll be ordering several more for your friends and family members. At less than 16 bucks (delivered!), it's a steal. 
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| I ordered two lights from Deal Extreme once and one of them came DOA. I was able to get it to work but the tail cap was shit and I now have to use it as a twisty. When I tried to to return it they wanted me to email them pics and all this other stupid shit. Not to mention it takes a shit long time for their stuff to come all the way from China which makes returns a pain in the ass. I personally will never buy from them again especially with a lot of others having the same problems. |
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If you really want a G2 you can get it here for pretty cheap G2 Nitrolon , you can use coupon code "GMTN08" for an extra 10 percent off. Just so you know you'll only get 65 lumens with an hours worth of runtime and it takes 2xCR123A batts. If you want to use it on high it's 120 lumens for only 20 minutes run time. |
There is the regular G2 (~$36) and the newer G2L (~$65) which has an LED and aluminum lamp thing. LEDs are great, and a lot of places will throw in free batteries or something which makes the $65 price tag more manageable. |
be careful of the G2, its almost too damn bright. Whenever I let someone else use it, they always shine it in their eyes and scream in pain, even after I've warned them. I laugh every time. . Sure, there are brighter lights out there, but for $35 its not too bad.
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I have one! My dad got 6 after he used mine. But 2 didn't work and he got annoyed at DE's return policy. Oh well. Mine works.  BTW, I should note that I put a batterystation.com new cr123 in this flashlight and turned it on. It worked for 1 hour, 15 minutes straight at 60 lumens before tapering off. |
yeah and its only a entry level model. "hey got a flashlight" "yeah carefull its really bright" "AHHHH JESUS CHRIST!" "fucking tried to warn you" |
+1 Fenix is probably the best for balance with quality and price with great output. Excellent warranty too from fenix-store.com |
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Gerber Firecracker 18 Lumens, AA battery, 7 hours run time, $16.22. I have one and like it. |
$35.99 at Cabela's: Surefire G2 |
 Yep, now they're just total shit.I have a couple around here, terrible beams, not bright at all. Once you get a LED light with 60-120 lumens, you'll never look back. |
I'll give another vote for Brinkmann. I bought one back in the day (2005) when they were all the rage for a cheap Surefire competitor. Bulb is great and the light works fine. Sure the CR123A batteries are not cheap but the light works great. LED options may be better nowadays. |
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coleman MAX at wallyworld. there's the 3xAAA cartridge version, then there's the smaller 2xCR2 version. IMHO, rated @ 115 lumens, it's the best bang for your flashlight-buying buck. ETA: or, just go to dealextreme and order components to build a good CR123 light |
Mini Mags have a LED version now. I picked one up at wal-mart. I am not a flashlight nut so may not know what I am talking about but its been a great flashlight for me so far. I am more likely to bring it with me than my surefire because of how long the battery lasts in it. |
I like Inova lights. Target had/has a decent selection of them. They are a little pricey, but I've had a 2AA model for a few years with no issues, and good runtime. Inovas are made well, good switch, durable housing, and pretty bright. I also have one of the Coleman lights from wally world. It has a shitty tailswitch, but built well otherwise, and it's hurt your eyes bright. I think it's the 120 lumen model, two AA, and I think it was $25. These are probably the best lights you're going to find in local box stores for $25. |
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My Maglight died a couple months ago due to leaky batteries, like an idiot I got attached to it and wanted a replacement. So went to Home Depot and paid $15 for a new one and on a whim picked up some shorty Husky LED flashlights for $6 each. Wow. The LED flashlights are smaller, brighter, cheaper! |
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Dorcy #41-4299 Rechargeable 220 Lumen LED came with 12v and 110v chargers. Has almost 2 hrs of run time that I have seen. Picked up at sears for $47.00. Dorcy 220 Lumen |
That conversation plays out at least once a night here
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what kind of runtime do those get? |
| Get a Rayovac 1 or 3 watt flashlight. They're very bright, and very white - not blue or green like many LED lights. They take regular AA batteries. You can take the front focuser off and use it as a 180 degree lamp. It lights uniformly over an entire hemisphere. I have two - one 1 watt and one 3 watt - and they are the best flashlight I've ever owned. They're only about $20-30. |
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The Surefire G2 with LED conversion and rechargeable batteries from DealExtreme.com. You could also get one of the Cree AA flashlights from DealExtreme to keep things simple. Get the one mentioned by Skibane. DX takes a while to deliver, but you will be pleased. |
Yeah, but which would you rather hit someone with? Get the MAG-branded LED upgrade; much brigher light, much longer runtime. I always have my 6 D-cell in the car. Oh, and one of those Cree P4s in my pocket. Thanks for the link, I've been meaning to pick up a few more :-) -WhyTanFox P.S. I have an aftermarket LED upgrade for my MiniMAG (inSite? NiteEyes? Something like that) that also came with a push-button tail cap. If you have a handfull of MiniMAGs just languishing in junk drawers, take a look at this upgrade. |
About an hour and a half of bright light, plus another hour of dimmer light from a standard CR123 cell. Using a rechargeable C123 cell instead, it'll run at full brightness for around 40 minutes. |
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I got this cheap ass one at Harbor Freight, works fine. www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93712 |