Best tactical flashlight under $40

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Armenate

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What is the best tactical flashlight to be had for $40. I want a flashlight that I can depend on and will put out a fair number of lumens. I don't want a huge flashlight, just a good hand sized one that will not break when dropped and will resist water, dirt and other things of nature. This is not an EDC light, this is just a light that I can take when I know its going to be dark and I need a flashlight that won't let me down.
 
Your best bet IMO for your budget would be to pick up a 2 X CR123a/18650 rechargeable Li-ion, P60 type light as such...

1) A Solarforce (P60 body: has everything but the light engine) host like a model L2, L2M, or L2N for around $15/16 and then get a ready made budget XM-L/XM-L2 drop-in for approx $20/$35 (sometimes you can find em' less than $20) and you'll have a very good/serviceable and upgradable tac light but probably $5 - 10 over your budget.

2) If you want something ready to go out of the box then Convoy makes superb budget tactical type lights in many different conifigs up to approx 1000+ real OTF lumens, many with your choice of neutral, and cool tints, and most use the 8xAMC7135 Driver - the same driver often used in custom high end flashlights...all for around $20 to $30. These lights are a real bargain and routinely show up as best buys on many of the flashlight review sites.

*The most valuable advice I can give you is what NOT to buy, and that is stay away from the cheap ****fire brand light (except Surefire which is excellent but out of your price range X 5) made in China lights typically found on eBay, Amazon, any the multitude of Chinese vendor sites! They contain crappy driver circuitry with slow flickering PWM to modulate modes, terrible anodization, and many are DOA or have intermittent issues, or just stop working altogether after a few months/weeks/days.

Good Luck!
 
Slightly outside your budget, but I've been carrying a Foursevens QP2L-X every day for 3 years and man are these things durable and reliable (and BRIGHT). I actually lost it in the snow at the end of last winter and bought a new one. Come spring the snow melted and I found it in my yard in perfect working condition.
 
Thrunite makes some very nice lights that fill odd niches. For example, I have a Ti3, which is a four mode twist-on aaa light which defaults to firefly mode.

If you look at their lights, make sure the one you think you want has the type of switch you want. They make twist, side switch, tailcap, and tailcap with a side mode switch.

Also, most(all of the ones I can think of off the top of my head) of their lights can be tailstanded on a flat surface to provide room lighting.
 
If you are really going to be using this as a "tactical" light- that is, as part of a weapon or home defence situation- I would really stretch your budget up just a little bit more and you will have a pretty good selection. Something like the Surefire G2X (or a used G2L or 6PL) would be a very dependable light.

If this is not part of a weapon system, so to speak, then maybe some of the multi-mode lights from FourSevens or Fenix would work for you. I have had a Fenix L0D-CE on my keychain for years and works great... So many good options, if this isn't a weapon light. I can't personally speak to it, but the Fenix E12 looks like a great bang for the buck.

We could give more recommdations with
-specific needs/use
-battery type desired
-output needed
- online or in-store
 
I personally cant think of a $40 dollar light I would trust in a true tactical situation such as weapon mounting or using with a handgun. However I can think of a good number of edc lights for $40. Just decide what features you want on the light and most importantly what power source you want to use. I will list some good brands that have lights in the $40 range what I would do if I was you is just look through the lights from each company until you find one that meets your criteria.

Fenix
4sevens
Thrunite

If you want a true tactical light these are the brands I would suggest looking at (keep in mind every single one of these is out of your price range):
Surefire
Armytek
Lenslight
Prometheus
Malkoff Devices
 
Actually, the Streamlight Polytac is a little more reasonable and should be plenty reliable enough to work as a tactical light.

Manufacture's website. Looks like it can be had online for $35-$40.
 
Fenix TK 9: About $60, aluminum body, can take a 18650 if you decide to go that route or CR123.

Surefire G2X Pro: About $55, nice little dual output light, only runs on CR123, best company/warranty around.

I know those are both over your budget but they are good lights. If you're set on a $40 limit then I would start with Streamlight, they make some good cheaper lights.
 
Thanks to Knolan, I took a shot at a Convoy X3 for $35 bucks delivered. I must say, the quality and strength of this light blows me away. I have not seen a flashlight of any size produce this much quality light. The color temp is a perfect white and it throws a wide flood with a deep spot in the center.

I am looking at some other models and have a question about some specs.
What is the difference between a driver circuit board 7135x6, 8 6-mode and 7135x8, 8 8-mode?
All the other specs seem to be identical including the switch mode.
 
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