Best flashlight

T

txhc

Joined
Feb 16, 2011
Messages
174
Ok guys i have never been one to spend a but load of money and for that i always have to buy more. So what i am asking yall for is what is the best light that i could get UNDER $50. I want it to be small but to small any advice would be greatly appreciated. Like i said i dont have to much experince in this feild so Thanx in advance
 
If you want the best flashlight you're going to have to spend more than that. And even then, once you get into the custom market you're going to be spending even more.

Look into Surefire, mainly the E1B, or HDS Systems, both are in the same price range at $140-$170, respectively. In the price range you're mentioning, I would go with 4Sevens/Quark, Fenix, or Streamlight - and mainly the Streamlight PT 1L, it is really a great flashlight. The tailcap and the threading leave a little more to be desired, but it is a great light.
 
If you are looking for EDC, want reliable usage is a small versatile package, variable brightness, and uses either a AA or CR123 batter (AA via extender which is included), I would say spend 100 and grab a jetbeam RRT-0 or JET III-M for 80. I have the RRT-0 and it is equal in my opinion to much more expensive surefires. Plus I like the sleek gray over the black surefires seem to have.
 
Surefires are certainly great lights, but for that price range you mentioned, I'd look into some of the midrange Fenix and Streamlights. I recently bought a SL protac 2l for around $60 at a B&M store, I'm sure you can find one for 40 or so if you snoop around online... It's definitely not high end but it's got a few settings, superbright-low-strobe, has an awesome tight throw, and runs on cr123s.

JW
 
I picked up a pair of Fenix LD20's last week on eBay for $96 shipped (for 2). I bought them after being quite happy with my first LD20 and wanting a few more to stash in various cars and such.

I've gone all Fenix after ditching Surefire - I like AA batteries and not every gas station in the middle of Wyoming on a fishing trip as 123's.
 
In the $50 range I'd look at the Fenix line up. They make great bang for your buck lights. Check out Nitecore as well.
 
I paid about $150 for a LED Surefire about 7 years ago. All of a sudden the light stopped working so I called Surefire to buy a new bezel unit. The guy said to send it in and less than a week later a brand new one showed up at my door.

No questions asked, he didn't even want to know how long I'd had it.

Tough light, it had been through countless attics and crawlspaces, been covered in sand, dirt and mud, submersed in water and dropped by my clumsy meat mitts probably a few dozen times over the years.

But what really sold me was the customer service. Its not often someone from the company talks you out of spending money :)

I know that's 3 times your price range, but I guess it just depends on how often you'll use it. I use mine everyday at work and beat the crap out of it. It goes through the special (expensive) 123A batteries pretty fast, but I do love me the 80 lumen setting, especially in a pitch black crawlspace.

I paid about $40 for a single AAA Fenix for my keychain a couple years ago and its already showing signs that the electronics are failing. Other than that it has served me well. Three light settings from cat burglar dim to regular light to "how the hell does a single triple AAA put out that much light?".

So, depending on use, you might save money in the long run buying a higher quality light or one with a great warranty.

For minimal use though, Fenix seems pretty decent, especially considering the price.
 
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txhc said:
So what i am asking yall for is what is the best light that i could get UNDER $50.
Click to expand...

Some of you guys seem to have missed this. The OP isn't asking for the best flashing. He's asking for the best for under $50. There's a lot of good lights for under $50. I would ask: AAA or AA?
 
Look at the MagLite XL50. There not avalable at all retailers, but are at some, you can order on line as well. I have two and love them and they are well with in your price range!
 
The Thrunite Neutron line has just climbed into the 4Sevens and Fenix market and they're blowing hats off

I'm a 4Sevens lover and I'm really impressed with the Thrunite

Here's a very good review at CPF, written by selfbuilt:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...C-2C-1A-2A-Review-RUNTIMES-BEAMSHOTS-and-more!

In short, both the 1A and 1C on Lithium-Ion batteries will do 450Lumens for 35-45 minutes; The 2A and 2C will have longer runtime but less output due to the more regulated nature of the double celled Neutrons

1C001.jpg

Mini123001.jpg


The Thrunite Neutron line completely trumps anything Fenix makes in the EDC category and the Quarks are behind in terms on output.
 
The 1A neutron has an ANSI rating of 145 lumens, way below selfbuilt's 450 lumen rating. Am I missing something here? At any rate, they look like very powerful little lights. Think I might have to try one out...

I currently carry a 4 sevens AA quark tactical. Small, tough, and plenty bright at ~90 lumens for my usual needs.
 
Lithium-Ion batteries are demons!

the 1A on a 14500 Li-Ion and the 1C on a RCR123 Li-Ion both are 450Lumens or 500 at start
 
ThundarStick said:
Look at the MagLite XL50. There not avalable at all retailers, but are at some, you can order on line as well. I have two and love them and they are well with in your price range!
Click to expand...

I agree. I have a few Fenix's LD20 and PD20 and few Surefires. I picked up the Maglite XL50 and really like the little sucker. I also have a XL100 and use the dimming mode all the time and the batteries seem to last forever. I think I paid under $25 for mine on sale.
 
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I bought a 4 Sevens Quark Mini 123.
Takes 1 123 battery.
It's tiny, tough as nails, really looks nice and well finished, and throws out a butt load of light.
It really is amazing how bright it is for its size.
I think that Fenix recently brought out a single 123 light about the
same size but with more output.
For my money, you can't beat a single 123 cell LED light.
Both these manufacturers push the envelope with regards to size vs output vs cost for all battery size lights.
Lenny
 
Look at the HDS 170 clicky @ $170 approx. Well worth it.
 
I'm not a flashlight expert, but have been getting into them over the last few years.
I've have pretty good luck with Fenix lights. However, I did have one (an L0D) that developed a brown led, and subsequently became much dimmer. It was purchased at 4sevens and quickly replaced though.
For what seems to be a great small (aaa) light, the Preon ReVo looks very nice, but I've yet to actually try one. The Fenix e01 in aaa is near unbeatable for the price.
I like to buy American, but it's somewhat tough when it comes to flashlights on a budget. I do have a couple Surefires and they are great lights. I'd recommend looking into a G2X pro or 6PX pro, as they seem to be very nice lights with good runtimes (dual modes) for the money. Also, for a bit more, the slightly older 6PL is a nice light with decent runtime, and is very upgradable if you so choose in the future.
The downfall of Surefire, IMO, is the battery avalibility. But it seems more stores are now stocking 123s. But they're usually not cheap.
Another well priced American light is the Maglite leds. I have a few AAx2 in multi-mode and they're pretty nice. I also have a 3xD Maglite led and it's great too. Also a AAx3, but it's single mode.
But, in the end, if I was to have just one light at a resonable price, I'd probably look into a AA or AAx2 from 4sevens (Quark) or Fenix.
 
txhc said:
Ok guys i have never been one to spend a but load of money and for that i always have to buy more. So what i am asking yall for is what is the best light that i could get UNDER $50. I want it to be small but to small any advice would be greatly appreciated. Like i said i dont have to much experince in this feild so Thanx in advance
Click to expand...

The guy asked for under $50 , a fellow poster even reminded us that he wants to keep it under $50. Most of what was recommended is well over the $100 mark.

txhc , check out Countycomm , the have the Maratac lights for a good price. I EDC a Maratac AAA in my watch pocket for near two years now , three settings ( medium , low and bright ) and I think it was under $25 shipped.
Another option is the older Fenix L1S , a local store was blowing them out for $12 !! - AA battery , decent throw and very dependable.

If you want to get into Surefire in your price range I recommend the G2 , I have had one for years and it still works like a champ although I did upgrade the LED to a much brighter unit that cost about $12 shipped.

There are a ton of choices for under $50 without resorting to something costing an arm and a leg.

Tostig


edit - By the way , "Best" is a pretty vague term , by best we can only assume you mean brightest - biggest bang for your buck. If I were in your shoes I would consider brightness and durability and ease of replacing batteries. CR123 has become very popular but they also do not last very long depending on how much you use your light and can be pretty expensive. Wallymart sells them in a four pack for a very reasonable price.
 
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