Budget flashlight recommendations

[bdmicarta]

Fenix lights are a good value but still aren't real low priced. I use Fenix lights for my EDC.

Mags aren't a bad deal anymore, they were late to catch on to the LED movement and finally started producing good products. You can buy other low priced AA and AAA brands at HomeDepot and Lowes. If that is your budget then you could try there, see if any of them have reasonable reviews.

 

[Worldwatcher]

Lumintop tool aa. Less then $20 and a great little light!

 

[knarfeng]

I found that AAA lights are so small they get lost easily. So I switched to carrying an AA sized light.
While I like the lumintop for its size and build quality, I did not like the memory switch. While I think memory is great on a large light, I found that for a pocket flashlight I wanted a light which would always start in low, then work up to high in steps. (Like my knives, I carry the light as a tool, not a weapon.) I also found that a small AA light worked better for me than a large one. I also found that a tail switch is preferable to a twist switch or side switch for a pocket light.

I found that the ultratac A1 is what works best for me. Current price on the popular shopping site is under $20..

 

[K.O.D.]

Fenix makes good lights.

Currently, my main light is a Nitecore MH10. It's rechargable with port on it for micro USB, or runs on two CR123. I really like it, four settings up to 1000 lumens I believe. It was $50 on the 'zon.

My backup is an Plight I3E EOS which is small, AAA, but I don't think it's more than 200 lumens.

In my experience, Olight, Fenix, Nitecore, and Streamlight have been good.

I feel Surefire are overpriced.

My smaller lights always seem to disappear into the vast nothingness that exists specifically to piss me off.

 

[bdmicarta]

I found that AAA lights are so small they get lost easily. So I switched to carrying an AA sized light.

I agree. I think if you are going to use it a good amount then a slightly larger light is justified. I ended up with a Fenix PD22 for EDC and then a few years ago upgraded to a PD25 which I think is great for my uses. I would like it if it was slightly smaller AA diameter but when I was buying there wasn't a good AA light with the brightness I needed. Now that smaller Lithium batteries are more common I might be able to find a suitable light but the difference in diameter isn't enough to put me back into search mode. The PD22 and PD25 each use a single CR123 battery, there is a slightly smaller Olight that I've looked at with interest, also a single CR123 size.

 

[leghog]

For $10 the OLite i3E EOS. In my pocket everyday. 90 lumens. Reaches out to 44 meters. Bulb supposedly has lifespan of 60,000 hours. 1 AAA.

For $1, I pick these up at Walmart (you can find them elsewhere and on line for $1 too). Less than 100 lumens. I can find no specs but not surprised considering it's a $1 flashlight. Have them stashed all over between home, work, cars, etc. I just pulled this one out of my desk drawer and snapped a few pics with my cellphone.

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