Anyone else give this light a try? 500 lumen 2- pack from warehouse club

Thrill

Thrill

Joined
Sep 9, 2010
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3,598
Just picked up this 2-pack from the local warehouse club yesterday for $24.99. Seemed like a good deal and if I don't like it it can always go back without a hassle. I'm afraid to dive into the world of flashlights for fear of it turning into the knife disease, so I dabble here and there. Anyway, this is the brightest and farthest beam that I have ever owned. Pretty impressive to me for the cost. The only thing that I don't like is the focused spot is shaped like a square when zoomed all the way in. Wondering if anyone else has any opinions with this one?

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I haven't purchased that exact model but have made the mistake of purchasing the two packs from a warehouse on three or four occasion. They all were very bright and APPEARED to be well made but all failed in short order. I wish I had just bought a couple Surefires to start. But then again, you might have better luck then I did.
 
I've had 3 Surefires and the thing I dislike is they require those CR123 batteries that cost an arm and a leg, are hard to find, and don't last much more than an hour. I've recently found Coast flashlights. They are bright, compact, water resistant and only require common, easy to find AA batteries. Only downside: made in China :(:thumbdn:
 
I actually just got these for my birthday (Feb. 9th) from my grandparents and was pleasantly surprised about their performance, I already have a couple nicer AA and AAx2 flashlights, I've only had them for a couple days but have been impressed, of course you can get the same lumens with more levels of output and a much smaller size flashlight that only takes one 18650 battery, at a higher price in the high end market, but for the price overall, :thumbup:.
 
I agree, for the price they are certainly meeting my expectations. Anyone else pick these up yet? Would love to hear other thoughts.
michaelm466 said:
I actually just got these for my birthday (Feb. 9th) from my grandparents and was pleasantly surprised about their performance, I already have a couple nicer AA and AAx2 flashlights, I've only had them for a couple days but have been impressed, of course you can get the same lumens with more levels of output and a much smaller size flashlight that only takes one 18650 battery, at a higher price in the high end market, but for the price overall, :thumbup:.
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I agree, for the price they are certainly meeting my expectations. Anyone else pick these up yet? Would love to hear other thoughts.
michaelm466 said:
I actually just got these for my birthday (Feb. 9th) from my grandparents and was pleasantly surprised about their performance, I already have a couple nicer AA and AAx2 flashlights, I've only had them for a couple days but have been impressed, of course you can get the same lumens with more levels of output and a much smaller size flashlight that only takes one 18650 battery, at a higher price in the high end market, but for the price overall, :thumbup:.
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Thrill said:
...The only thing that I don't like is the focused spot is shaped like a square when zoomed all the way in.
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Almost all zoom-to-focus lights have this. What you're seeing (the square) is the LED module itself, being magnified. I got one of those lights as a gift. As a flashoholic, it's okay. I mean, two for $25 isn't bad for 500 lumens. And they are 500 lumens. I just don't like the build quality; sometimes it comes on, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes when it's on, it will just die. Then I have to unscrew the tailcap, screw it back on, and the light will work again. The LED itself, as far as I can tell, is a Cree XP-G. Maybe an R4?
 
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I've been really impressed with mine so far. They even turned my wife into a flashlight fan!

Haven't had them that long, and no abuse so far, but no failure to function and the amount and quality of light is just ridiculous for the price. Really smooth flood and good throw with the spot, plus the convenience of having them both in the same light.

They also had a 3-pack of 3AAA lights (250 lumen) for $15 that are looking good so far. They may not be Surefires (which I don't have any of) but for $55 (for 6 small ones and 2 of the larger ones) I've got a flashlight anywhere I might need one. And they came with batteries, so that $55 included 18 AAAs and 6 C batteries!
 
Glad to hear I'm not the only one impressed for the price. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
MVF said:
I've been really impressed with mine so far. They even turned my wife into a flashlight fan!

Haven't had them that long, and no abuse so far, but no failure to function and the amount and quality of light is just ridiculous for the price. Really smooth flood and good throw with the spot, plus the convenience of having them both in the same light.

They also had a 3-pack of 3AAA lights (250 lumen) for $15 that are looking good so far. They may not be Surefires (which I don't have any of) but for $55 (for 6 small ones and 2 of the larger ones) I've got a flashlight anywhere I might need one. And they came with batteries, so that $55 included 18 AAAs and 6 C batteries!
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Terry Monk said:
I've had 3 Surefires and the thing I dislike is they require those CR123 batteries that cost an arm and a leg, are hard to find, and don't last much more than an hour. I've recently found Coast flashlights. They are bright, compact, water resistant and only require common, easy to find AA batteries. Only downside: made in China :(:thumbdn:
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Cost = Buy online from a reputable dealer, buy in bulk, buy Made in America cells. (Nothing to do with patriotism. The no-name CR123 cells from China are dangerous junk that can cause lights to literally "vent with flame." Thus releasing rather toxic chemicals which can cause major health issues.) My last case of 12 CR123 cells were Energizer brand, and cost me just a tick over $16 from Lighthound.com

Availability = Not hard to find at all. Head to any major Pharmacy chain in America. You'll find the American made ones there. Though at $9 each, it's a rip-off. Still, if you need them right away, you can find them. Your choice. Online $18 will buy you a case of 12 quality cells with money left over, or you can buy just two cells from a brick & Mortar shop for the same $18.

Runtime = I'm guessing your SureFire lights are older models. SureFire, and every other major flashlight brand, has updated to LED lights in a major way. LED technology actually advances at a much faster rate than computer technology. SureFire's latest LED offerings do MUCH better than just an hour at a time. Efficiency has improved at a break-neck pace, and is still going.

Regarding Coast / LED Lenser lights. They have a reputation for not being very water-resistant. As far as bright goes, that's a trick any company can pull off. Even the No-Name ones based in China. Best flashlight company based in China with a real reputation for good quality is Fenix. Not as good as SureFire, but still very good. Worth checking out.
 
Terry Monk said:
I've had 3 Surefires and the thing I dislike is they require those CR123 batteries that cost an arm and a leg, are hard to find, and don't last much more than an hour. I've recently found Coast flashlights. They are bright, compact, water resistant and only require common, easy to find AA batteries. Only downside: made in China :(:thumbdn:
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Lowe's stores in my area always has plenty of Surefire CR123 2 packs a little over $4.00 per pack. Lithium AA's cost me more. I believe pretty much the SF standard is 2.5 hours on the run times now.
 
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