Are there inexpensive, quality lights out there?

I picked up a set of these last year... You won't believe how bright these little suckers are. Battery life seems to be fairly decent, I like that they don't get hot if you have them on for more than a few minutes.

They are about $20 for the 3 pack and can be found at your nearby warehouse / membership store.

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I have no reason to doubt they are anything less than 200 lumens with new alkaline batteries... My friends Surefire E2D LED is just a tiny bit brighter, his does have a longer throw. Then again he's running 2 CR123 lithium ion batteries.
 
I am a flashlight nut and very happy with my Maglight XL200. It throws 172 lumens (!) for 2.5 hours on 3 AAA batteries, has a dimmer if that is too much power, as well as other features through the tailcap. I just looked one up on Ebay for $28. You should never pay more than $35 with free shipping, such as on Amazon. This is a serious flashlight at a very reasonable price. http://www.maglite.com/maglite_xl200_led.asp
 
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I would recommend taking a look at Romisen's line of flashlights. I have gotten a few from shiningbeam. Great value and very bright.
 
Striderco said:
I know you dont wanna spend alot but it would be the last light you ll ever have to buy! Get yourself a basic Surefire! I ve used many lights on and off duty and I always go back to Surefire. IMO they are the best made most reliable lights out there! You can get a basic G2 for like 60 bucks! Stop dropping ten here and there and just put and end to it with a Surefire!! Stay away from Made in China!!
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Heh, I have spent money on lights :)

I may end up having to do the same for the old man in a few weeks when christmas rolls around again...
 
Another vote for the Streamlight Microstream, I work in a harsh industrial environment and have been carrying one for many years. The only time I had to replace it was when I dropped one that I couldn't get to.
 
BBQbuy 300 lumen Cree flashlight from amazon.com

Put in a 14500 single AA rechargeable on that puppy and it is bright as hell.

Oh ya, it's only 5 bucks.
 
I use mainly Surefires but I have one cheapo I can recommend it's a Brinks sold at WM. It uses the expensive batteries like those in a SF but uses the same bulb as a C-cell ML. It is roughly the same size as my old G2Z but has a rubber housing frame and bell. I've had this one long enough and put it through enough to recommend it.
 
I like Inova and Fenix with the nod probably going to Fenix. I have two Inova XS lights. My wife and I both keep one on our keychains. I also have a Fenix EO5 I keep on a keychain for taking out exercising. The EO5 has a really usable wide angle beam. It's growing on me quickly and I'd like to see more lights done this way. I also have a Fenix E11 which is an outstanding single AA light and a Fenix E21 which is a very bright and very well-made 2xAA light. Just stick with the better brands and you'll probably be fine. All of my lights are affordable, some cheaper than the off-brands and store popular brands like Rayovac and even Mag-Lite. You could always get a 1 Watt LED replacement bulb for your Mini Mags laying around. It makes them very usable IMO.
 
I am not a flashlight guy, but a friend who is gifted me a Fenix LD01 and I love it. Everybody who sees it wants it, think they go for around $30.
 
crom said:
I am not a flashlight guy, but a friend who is gifted me a Fenix LD01 and I love it. Everybody who sees it wants it, think they go for around $30.
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Usually around $40 unless you get lucky.

I have an LD01 that I EDC and I really like it.

The E05 is a pretty good light too and goes for around $20.
 
I'm a Surefire guy, but Maglite has a new "mini mag Pro" model becoming available and rated at 245 lumens on high for around $27.00. I'm going to pick one up for work.
 
I bought a leatherman monarch 400 for $9.99 at Ross. In fact I bought 3! Last time I went there was one on sale.
45 lumens, Cree LED, IPX4 water resistant.

Uses 1 AA battery, unfortunately it only lasts about 50 minutes. Pretty darn good light though, well made.
 
eg1977 said:
Go to shiningbeam.com, and look at the Romisen RC-G2 III. For $16.75 + shipping, this is a great value. There are coupon codes available. This light comes with a Cree XP-G R5 emitter, powered by one AA battery, orange peel reflector to smooth out beam. To operate: press button lightly for momentary-on, press further for constant-on.
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Yes - Shiningbeam. Excellent customer service and great lights. The RC-G2 is a quality light. Shipping is pretty inexpensive and fast.
 
After buying a lot of lights through the last several years, and trying quite a few combinations, I've found an absolutely wonderful light: the Fenix LD01. I bought a smart charger and several 10440 rechargeable batteries from Batteryjunction.com, and this light puts out close to 180 lumens, from reviews I've read. It's tiny, fits in my back pocket and carries almost unnoticeably, has three modes of output, and puts out an absolute wall of light.

If you want to dim things down, use an alkaline AAA cell and the light still puts out a good amount of light, including a nice low level for night adjusted eyes.

The downside is that the light cost me $40, the charger cost $20, and the batteries are about $3.50 each (get the protected ones for peace of mind). The upside is I always have an excellent light with me, and barely even notice I'm carrying it.

One additional feature I now require any new light to have is the ability to tail stand. I use this feature all the time, and now can barely stand to use my old lights that don't allow this.

A few lights for comparison: L-R are the Fenix LD01, the E05, a rechargeable and an alkaline AAA battery; a Jetbeam Jet II IBS and CR123 cell; and my new Xeno E03 Neutral Tint light with 14500 and alkaline AA cells.
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I agree. These are great lights that work out to less than $7 each.
dcmartin said:
I picked up a set of these last year... You won't believe how bright these little suckers are. Battery life seems to be fairly decent, I like that they don't get hot if you have them on for more than a few minutes.

They are about $20 for the 3 pack and can be found at your nearby warehouse / membership store.

photo-20.jpg


I have no reason to doubt they are anything less than 200 lumens with new alkaline batteries... My friends Surefire E2D LED is just a tiny bit brighter, his does have a longer throw. Then again he's running 2 CR123 lithium ion batteries.
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RogueBowie said:
Go for Streamlight for value. I have the Nano by them on my keychain and I frequently carry the Streamlight Microlight in my pocket it is an AWESOME value light. A bit over 10 dollars but so worth it; 1 AAA battery, clicky tail switch, good pocket clip, very bright for running on 1 AAA, nice and simple at one mode. All most people really need:

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#1 On this one best $14.00 i ever spent on a flashlight . Thanks
 
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