Best compact flashlight for $50

aggiejason

aggiejason

Chillin' on Route 66
Joined
Jun 9, 2004
Messages
527
Need some advice- I'm looking for the best compact flashlight for $50 or less. I'm a truck driver so the light will be exposed to temps from -10F to 120F or so. I'm sure it will also be dropped by my clumsy self anywhere from 0 to around 15 feet.

Thanks for the help!
 
Since you "plan" on dropping this flashlight from time-to-time, how about a "ProPolymer" flashlight from Streamlight?
 
If you need maximum toughness you should go for an LED-only light like the Inova X5 or T1. It's almost impossible to break one by dropping it.

If you need maximum versatility I would recommend the Streamlight Twin-Task L2. It gives you two choices of brightness, with the high-beam being very bright. It has both an incandescent bulb and three LEDs, so at least the lower setting should continue to function even after serious abuse. Finally, the two levels give you run-time options, with the low mode capable of almost 30 hours of continuous use.

--Bob Q
 
Inova X5 or T1. Depends on whether you need a full flood vs. a tight spot. The T1 is the shortest and uses 1 CR123A battery. Advertised 35 lumens for a regulated 1.5 hours. I have a T1, and it's very impressive. The spot is tighter, brighter, and with more throw than my Surefire L2 which is rated at 65 lumens at 1 hour. The drawback is the lack of flood/spill. The T2 is brighter at 45 lumens, with significantly longer 5 hour runtime, but it's larger than the X5. The X5 lasts over 20 hours (although non-regulated) and falls in size between the T1 and T2 (and is thinner than both). Very good flood, but the throw is short.

Whatever you get, get lithium batteries. They store for a very long time and operate in very low temperatures, where an alkaline will work poorly.
 
I'm a full blown flashlight geek. I have lights of all shapes and sizes from a 6 D Mag down to an Arc AAA on my keyring with a bunch of Surefires in the mix as well. I have one of the above mentioned Streamlight Twintask TL2 and it's a great light, kind of a poor man's Surefire A2 Aviator. It's a useful enough light, but I'm not crazy about where the switch is located, the four step toggle sequence or th efact that it's a bit too fat for me to comfoprtably carrry in my pocket. It's a good around the house light though.

I carry a Surefire L4 in my pocket almost 24/7. I'm really sold on it's output, durability and reliability. Unfortunately, L4s are WAY beyond the stated budget.

Here's the next best thing that I've found:

http://store.advancedmart.com/nu3waluposil.html

This little Nuwai 3 watt Luzeon Star single CR123 powered light is amazing for the money. I bought a half a dozen of them for Christmas with the intent of giving a few to friends and co-workers and keeping one for myself. Somehow they're all gone! My Mom ended up snaking the one I had saved for myself. It's not quite as bright as my L4 even though it's rated brighter on paper, but puts out a tremendous amount of nice white light and is tiny enough to have with you at all times. I'm pretty sure I'll be buying more so I can get one to keep for myself. With a 3 wayy Luxeon star, it's almost as bright as the incan bulb on the TL2 but being all LED should never burn out.

Highly recommended.

John
 
Cool. I bought three of the Nuwais on sale somewhere and have given two of them away. I guess I better keep the last one.
 
I'm a Surefire fan when it comes to pocket lights, but I'm also a Purchasing Agent of an Industrial maintenance department.

I usually buy Pelican Pelilites for the guys. My good God, those things are tough. I do have to replace 'em, but not because they're broken. It's because they're stolen.

Various sized will run fro $12-50 from most industrial stores.

See grainger.com, MSCdirect.com, mcmastercarr.com
 
Well, the temp range normally indicates lithium, but I'm thinking that the cabin rarely gets that cold (or that hot) so it will only be outside for short periods of time. To me, that means alkaline will work just fine, especially if the batteries are 'insulated'. Needs to be durable against drops as well. Those two criteria add up to a 'plastic' or composite bodied flashlight. You won't fret over scratches and the light won't make horrible noises when it drops off the top of the trailer, hitting several things on the way down.

All that said, there are a few good options for you, IMHO. Streamlight 3C 10 LED would have awesome runtime and great flood beam. Throw won't be very good though but I don't know if you need that. Another one would be the UK 4AA's, both Xenon and eLED. The Xenon (incandescent) will have good throw, great brightness, decent runtime, but a bulb that has the ability to break (which LEDs really don't do). The eLED won't have the throw of the Xenon or quite as much flood as the SL 3C 10LED, but it will have FAR longer REGULATED runtime, can run on AA lithiums, and will be virtually indestructible. I don't know if the Xenon 4AA can handle lithiums or not, but it might. Both of these two are easily pocketible. You could even buy both for under 50 total!

Just some ideas. There are plenty of options out there. I really don't think a 123A light is necessary for what you are asking...

Mark
 
You can't do much better than an Inova T1 or T2.I have a couple T3's,and I'm very impressed to say the least,makes me wish I would have never even bothered with the Surefire lights.
 
What type of use/kind of output are you wanting from your light?
For instance-1hr bright light vs.12hrs dim light, throw for use at a distance or flood for up close, etc.
 
jmxcpter said:
This little Nuwai 3 watt Luzeon Star single CR123 powered light is amazing for the money. I bought a half a dozen of them for Christmas with the intent of giving a few to friends and co-workers and keeping one for myself. Somehow they're all gone! My Mom ended up snaking the one I had saved for myself. It's not quite as bright as my L4 even though it's rated brighter on paper, but puts out a tremendous amount of nice white light and is tiny enough to have with you at all times. I'm pretty sure I'll be buying more so I can get one to keep for myself. With a 3 wayy Luxeon star, it's almost as bright as the incan bulb on the TL2 but being all LED should never burn out.

Highly recommended.

John
Click to expand...


75 lumens and three hour burn time on one CR123A? If that's for real, I'm going to have to pick up a couple of those.
 
the 3 hr runtime is broken down to: 1.5 hr full bright and 1.5 hr dimmer light. i have one and like it a lot....its known as a nuwai Q III. CR123 batts are very expensive retail.....best bet is to buy on line at surefire, or battery station, or bright guy.....they're only about $1.25 a piece that way

also, over at candle power forum, Warren is selling it with a nice kydex belt sheath (plus the original sheath) that also holds an xtra batt for only $68 shipped!!....thats how i got mine in about 4 days

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/ub...=818615&page=2&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1
 
I found an Inova X5 for $26.99. Sounds like a good deal to me. What do you guys think?

thanks
J
 
Nathan, if my L4 is a true 60 lumens, then the Nuwai is probably around 40-45. They claim 75 but in all my comparisons, its not quite as bright as several 60 lumen rated Surefires. Still plenty of light in a small package.

John
 
I am casting my vote for the Nuwai QIII that can definitely be had for less than $50 shipped - especially if you check the Buy/Sell/Trade section of the CandlePowerForums. The QIII is my carry everywhere light.
 
The Nuwai QIII is a very nice little light, but the up to 75 Lumens claim is exaggerated. Nightcutter lights are also very good, and I like the 5PC model (output comparable to the Inova X5) but it's fit and finish isn't as nice as the Inovas. If you're looking for a reliable and rugged LED for under $50.00, I would definately go with an Inova. Nuwai's don't have a manufacturer's warranty; so if the light ever fails, you're stuck. The Inova X5 is a great floodlight, but lacks in throw. The XO and the T1 have better throw and whiter color, but lack a bit in sidespill. Either way, you can't go wrong with any of them. They're backed by a manufacturer's warranty and are built like tanks. All you have to do is choose which LED model is best for your needs. Now, if you're looking for an small and powerful incandescent, I'd consider the Streamlight Scorpion or the tried and true Surefire G2. I tend to lean towards the Surefire G2 since it's got a polymer body (Nitrolon) which doesn't feel cold to the touch (good for those frigid winter days) and has an impact-proof Lexan lens. The best part is that it's small (just under 5 inches)very bright and can be found for under $35 bucks.

g2black_full.jpg
 
the Nuwai Q-III is ideal for me as it is very small, good runtime, and excellent flood beam. I find it highly useful when I carry it. I don't think the Inovas are as ideal because of lack of sidespill. They have better throw, but throw isn't as useful in many instances as good flood qualities, and this is where the Nuwai excels.
 
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