Budget flashlight recommendations

cchu518

cchu518

Joined
Mar 6, 2013
Messages
8,331
Hi Folks,
Trying to get a sense of the absolute best and cheapest small handheld flashlights on the markets that take either AAA or AA batteries. Looking ideally for small lightweight, can ideally throw a nice broad spread of light. Waterproof.

I'll be going on a trip to Panama mid-June and I've broken the budget on a lot of items including paying for this trip. http://www.canopytower.com/amphibians-and-reptiles-tour

I'm also in the middle of selling my house and getting a new one so I don't have a huge budget for two flashlights. Can you give me suggestions and prices on lights that might be a better alternative to the typical Coleman, Mag-Light LED that are available at your local Home-Depot or Target. So far they seem to be good enough options but I don't know enough about flashlights to figure out if there are better options. Mostly need the flashlights to shine into the jungle at night during midnight walks trying to find venomous fer de lance and other nightstalking critters via the shine of their eyes etc...
 
cchu518 said:
Hi Folks,
Trying to get a sense of the absolute best and cheapest small handheld flashlights on the markets that take either AAA or AA batteries. Looking ideally for small lightweight, can ideally throw a nice broad spread of light. Waterproof.

I'll be going on a trip to Panama mid-June and I've broken the budget on a lot of items including paying for this trip. http://www.canopytower.com/amphibians-and-reptiles-tour

I'm also in the middle of selling my house and getting a new one so I don't have a huge budget for two flashlights. Can you give me suggestions and prices on lights that might be a better alternative to the typical Coleman, Mag-Light LED that are available at your local Home-Depot or Target. So far they seem to be good enough options but I don't know enough about flashlights to figure out if there are better options. Mostly need the flashlights to shine into the jungle at night during midnight walks trying to find venomous fer de lance and other nightstalking critters via the shine of their eyes etc...
Click to expand...


What kind of budget are you working with? Are you looking for a clicky light or a twist on/off light? The line of lights that Maratac has to offer are nice, I have quite a few and they are more than sufficient for what you're looking to do. Look in the Gadgets/Gear section here for some great deals on lights. (From L-R Maratac 2 AA/Maratac sgl AA in Ti/Inova sgl AA/Thorfire TK05 sgl AA or 14500/Maratac Al sgl AAA/Maratac Ti sgl AAA/Maglite 3 AAA)

20180521_195823-1.jpg
 
Last edited:
For good value, the Fenix E-series lights are really quite good. If I was going on a trip where I thought I'd need both a quick pocket light, and a big "light the earth" light, I'd go for an E-12, and an E-20, you could get both for less than 80$, both run on AAs, a single and two respectively. Another option would be a fenix e05 and a black diamond spot, since they both run on AAAs and the spot is a pretty great headlamp. you should be able to find the 2017model spot for not too much, around 50$, (its the one that is cubic shaped, with the two little lights in a vertical line) And the E05 is one of the best little pocket lights ever, in my opinion. For most of my camping I'd be happy with those for 90% of what I'm doing, and I'd rather be able to spend money on a big box of batteries for the trip, rather than feel like I was carrying stuff that slowed me down. You won't be doing search and rescue with those two lights, but they should be good enough.

If I was going to carry both battery types, I'd then keep the Spot, and add either of the two bigger fenix lights as a hand-held. I'd walk at night here in australia with my spot and my E12. I only go bigger if it was a real honest SAR type thing (which I'm really just an armchair warrior at anyway)
 
I spent 15 bucks on my Lumintop Tool clicky AAA and it’s a nice light for that price. Small and lightweight.
 
I would not recommend the Ever Ready plastic LED flashlights that run about $15 or so at the home centers. They work great with two settings and are light, but perhaps a little large. The problem with them is when the batteries run down a bit, they don't want to turn on until they sit a bit. I would rather have a weak light than no light at all when I need a flashlight. I have something like three of them and use them. But you need to have spare batteries AA with you. If you can handle that, they might be an option for general use.

The twist type mag light that uses 2 C-sized batteries seem good and you can focus the beam like normal maglights. These are the stubby looking ones about 6" long. I like them for general use. You can get these at Walmart.

The small maglights that look cool heat up and they worry me when they get hot.

I generally don't go for "light" when it comes to flashlights and I don't buy the real expensive ones. I go for convenience and the slightly larger size keeps me from loosing or misplacing them. I seem to always be buying flashlights because I have quite a few and the batteries eventually leak. Ruined....
 
Last edited:
I have a Fenix e12 now I like it. An o light as well, but I need something that throws 200 plus lumen, broad spread but also super light. I'll be traving with a lot of camera gear like a 600m lens and don't need the extra weight.

Hoping to spend $80 max or so for both lights thanks!
 
I can say for the cost Fenix lights are about as good as I've had ... they match or beat Surefires for brightness and battery life ... I haven't abused one so I can't speak to if the are as tough as a Surefire ...

but you can get a Fenix in about any size and battery configuration you want ... they have brightness settings to save battery life if you just need a dim light but even the single AA models are plenty bright ...

if you step up to the 2 AA models they really are impressive for the cost and size ... and start to have some nice features like a strobe mode ...

they have a tailcap switch to click on or hold for momentary on off ... and a side button to adjust brightness ...

and you can go a step farther to a PD35 and get 900 to 1000 lumens for about $75.00 ...

I'd check them out at least
 
If you have an E-12, then get a headlamp. If you want a blaster of one, then get BD Icon, but to be honest, I'd rather wear a lighter headlamp and change the batteries more often. A BD Spot on full power should easily be enough for most walking around.
 
I carry a Fenix E01 on my keychain. Not 200 lumen though. Uses AAA battery and is waterproof. About $12 on Amazon.
 
BP_ said:
I spent 15 bucks on my Lumintop Tool clicky AAA and it’s a nice light for that price. Small and lightweight.
Click to expand...

was going to recommend the same. Bought 4, gifted 2, all the gifted and I have been happy with them so far

RsdtyE4.jpg


replaced my LED Lenser P3

C0rLAnQ.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: BP_
My favorite flashlight I have is the reylight pineapple in brass. I believe there is a titanium model as well. The brass one is around $40 I believe.

Edit to add: i should have read the first post better, the lumintop options are nice
 
Last edited:
Streamlight Protac 1l1aa
~ $35

(Sorry for linking, not use to posting around here :(, thanks for heads up)
 
Last edited:
Get a AAA mini Maglite, they're a great slim light with a decent spread of light, AMERICAN made, and only run $14-$20 depending on where you get it.
They're about $15 at Walmart, but mine was $17 at the locally owned hardware store a few months ago.
It's been a great light so far.
 
I don't know what your living conditions will be in Panama, but my backup light when I visit the Philippines is part of my solar kit. Although the cities have made huge progresses in the reliability of their electricity services, some areas or remote islands I've visited had either no power, intermittent power (e.g. generator during some parts of the day), or limited lighting (to cut down expenses). In the 90's, Metro Manila areas had around two power outtages per day, but the last few visits, I didn't notice any power outtages.

Considering weight, volume, and even battery restrictions on carry-ons and checked luggage (e.g. no rechargeable lithium batteries in checked luggage), I restricted myself to my phone flashlight, and the LED flashlight on my Goal Zero (GZ) Guide 10 plus battery pack (I also used the corresponding solar panel now and then). The GZ Guide 10 light was much brighter than my phone, and more than enough for me to navigate walkways on a remote island in Palawan. Additionally, since the batteries were NiMH, I didn't have to worry about the plane worrying about Li batteries, it fits either AA's or AAA's (with adapter), can be used to charge other NiMH AA or AAA batteries for devices that use them, and was used on occasion to top off my phone when an outlet wasn't available... and it can be charged via a USB port. Side note: I use Sanyo Eneloop MiMH AA's because of their reputation to hold a charge in storage for a long time. Also be aware, IIRC, NiMH AA's only supply 1.3 volts vs disposable AA's 1.5 volts.

However, if you will be navigating long stretches of rocky terrain at night, need it in the rain, on or in the water, or will be working in dark areas, I might suggest something else... I would even gravitate towards a headlamp. One other thing to consider, is that depending on the conditions and availability of parts, an inexpensive incandescent light isn't much more than a light bulb, some wire, and batteries. Some of the nicer LED lights have circuitry that might not be easily replaceable, might respond badely to climates around salt water, or might add to the complication of on-the-road repair.

Edit: Just a side note. When I needed to use my phone in downpours, I just put it in a ziplock bag... although not great for taking pictures. That should also work if you need the phone's flashlight in rainy conditions. There are also more expensive plastic bag options for phones in the water, such as those water tight clear phone/tablet bags available at REI.
 
Last edited:
While the Fenix E12 is a good flashlight, I never use the thing. That's because it has no pocket clip, and the colour temperature is cool white. Instead I'd recommend to you, the ThruNite Archer 1A V3 (NW).

For a AAA light with tail clicky, a Fenix LD02.
 
gadgetgeek said:
For good value, the Fenix E-series lights are really quite good. If I was going on a trip where I thought I'd need both a quick pocket bright taclight, and a big "light the earth" light, I'd go for an E-12, and an E-20, you could get both for less than 80$, both run on AAs, a single and two respectively. Another option would be a fenix e05 and a black diamond spot, since they both run on AAAs and the spot is a pretty great headlamp. you should be able to find the 2017model spot for not too much, around 50$, (its the one that is cubic shaped, with the two little lights in a vertical line) And the E05 is one of the best little pocket lights ever, in my opinion. For most of my camping I'd be happy with those for 90% of what I'm doing, and I'd rather be able to spend money on a big box of batteries for the trip, rather than feel like I was carrying stuff that slowed me down. You won't be doing search and rescue with those two lights, but they should be good enough.

If I was going to carry both battery types, I'd then keep the Spot, and add either of the two bigger fenix lights as a hand-held. I'd walk at night here in australia with my spot and my E12. I only go bigger if it was a real honest SAR type thing (which I'm really just an armchair warrior at anyway)
Click to expand...

Fenix + 1, it is a cost-effective product among similar tactical flashlights, and I have one. My friends and I use it when we travel outdoors, waterproof, and work even in extreme weather. I think the best thing is that it comes with a charging dock so you can recharge without having to remove the battery.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top