Any Flashaholics out there? need advice on a new light.

[wetduck]

double

 

[eyeeatingfish]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys

I already had the chance to handle the E21, it seems well built and it is quite bright however, I couldn't spot anything beyond 50-60 yards clearly enough with the beam it puts out.

I have yet to try the Maglite XL100 cause on the reviews I found on Amazon, no one mentioned anything about throw or beam distance.

eyeatingfish, thanks for mentioning Princeton Tec, I had forgotten about'em. I'd like something on the $30-$40 price range, handheld and as reliable as a good ol' Mag. I don't care much of where it is made as long as it has a warranty and/or its spare parts are widely available. I carry either a Petzl or an Energizer LED Headlamp, so the new light will be used for spotting at longer distances. I have yet too look at the Pelican and Inova offerings.

wetduck, I'm actually considering one of the TerraLux replacement modules for my MagLite, have you tried'em first hand? How is the runtime? My Mag is a 3D so I'm guessing I should buy the one above right?

http://www.amazon.com/TerraLUX-TLE-6EXB-MiniStar5-Replacement-MagLites/dp/B001I9TI4Q/ref=pd_cp_hi_0

I have an upgrade for my D cell maglight from terralux. It is nice, easy to put in. Nothing super amazing but it does give a good flood and a good/decent spot. I am happy that I bought it.

Ok so a $40 handheld light with good throw. Well a lot of the good quality Chinese lights start at about $50. Peak LED has optics on their AA lights which make them go decently far for about $50 but the flood is not as great.
I am not sure which ones throw as good as you want. It is hard to get good throw from a real small light. The deeper or the wider the reflector generally the more the throw. However with certain optics like those in Peak LED or surefire you can get throw and small size.
Inova does make a 2xAA light I think called the X2 that is a good all around tool box light. I think the throw should be decent at least. I think it is about $40. About the size of a 2xAA maglight, but Inova lights are generally pretty good quality. Or they also make (or used to make) the bolt series and they have AA size lights.
Gerber is comming out with a light that will run off of a AA, an AAA, or a CR123. Not the brightest or smallest if I remember but an interesting design, multiple battery possibilities and I think it was within your pricerange.
Princeton Tec, underwater kinetics and maybe streamlight will make some solid waterproof plastic bodied flashlights but they are usually a little behind in terms of brightness. Haven't checked those offerings anytime recently.
I am not sure what else to suggest. There is always Dorcy lights which are inexpensive but not sure on their quality.

But check out the lumapower one I posted a link for. It is close to your budget, plus a few more dollars if you want rechargeables.
The Peak elcapitan is $50, or mroe if you want different metals for the body. You can also get a 2XAA body if you ask but it isnt pictured. You have no modes but you can order what type of power and what optic you want so you get a choice on brightness vs runtime and throw vs flood.
http://www.em-mgt.com/LED/El Capitan.html
Apparently that website offers another brand also with some in your pricerange. I have never seen tektite before but maybe what you would be interested in.