Flashlights for 72 hour kits around $40 and under

[wildmanh]

Another option if these kits must be inexpensive, is the good old Fenix E01. Yes it's dim relative to something like an LD10, or even LD01... however, these lights are UNDER $20, and can use regular old AAA batteries (remember - the high output lights require Energizer lithium cells or NiMH rechargeables to get anywhere NEAR their runtime) to get ~10hours of undimming light.

gnius, thanks for the post. Someone else mentioned the LD10 earlier. Just added it to my list on my computer. Guess I should update my first post.

What kind of emergency are you preparing for? If there's a power failure I'd rather have a cheap Dorcy that gets 12 hours of light out of a single AAA, plenty bright enough to read by, than anything that's only going to last an hour no matter how bright it is.

On the other hand if you hear a noise off in the woods and you want to see if it's a bear or what, that's when you need a bright light.

Gouger, we are preparing for all kinds of things, Piower outtage, car breaks down, flood (thats the common one local church leaders use) that kind of thing. We are also going to be covering camping emergencies like being delayed on the trail and having to hike out after dark.

My day pack and 72 hour kits have multiple flashlights, small ones with good runtime for finding things in the dark to bright stuff to ID something on the trail or out side of camp. It's getting the others in my complex to see that good lights are a good thing to have that might be hard. Thats part of the reason for lights in the $50ish and lower price range. Thanks,

Heber

 

[Josh K]

Go a little bit more and grab the LED Surefire G2 or the 6P. 11hr run time on both of those on two batteries. :thumbup:

 

[wildmanh]

Go a little bit more and grab the LED Surefire G2 or the 6P. 11hr run time on both of those on two batteries. :thumbup:

Josh, the LED G2 looks nice but it's a little out of most college students budgets. But I'll keep it mind. Thanks,

Heber

 

[Josh K]

Josh, the LED G2 looks nice but it's a little out of most college students budgets. But I'll keep it mind. Thanks,

Heber

True. I would consider it a great investment. I picked up an E2DL and now I wonder how I lived without it.

On that kind of budget I would point to the Fenix lineup, though that appear to have gotten more expensive then I remember.

 

[gnius]

Go a little bit more and grab the LED Surefire G2 or the 6P. 11hr run time on both of those on two batteries. :thumbup:

It's not 11 hours. At least not 11 hours at the spec brightness. Again, it's physically impossible with the current technology.

Runtime graph courtesy of Chevrofreak from CPF:

As you can see, the G2L drops from 80 lumens to 60 lumens within the first 15 minutes, and then runs for about another 4 hours at 60 lumens, then rapidly dropping into "moon mode" at <10% brightness for some more hours.

Compare this runtime graph to something sharply regulated, like a Fenix LD10:

You can see that with an appropriate battery (see the difference not using alkaline AAs makes?) the regulation is dead flat, with a relatively short, but sufficient "moon mode".

 

[Josh K]

It's not 11 hours. At least not 11 hours at the spec brightness. Again, it's physically impossible with the current technology.

I don't think I said it runs for 11hrs @ 80 lumens.

Personally, I like the taper on Surefires more then the Fenix lights. I also like the quality, beam pattern, and reliability of their lights. It is personal preference, and I would like to see Surefire step up the game a bit on the LED side of things.

 

[gnius]

I don't think I said it runs for 11hrs @ 80 lumens.

Personally, I like the taper on Surefires more then the Fenix lights. I also like the quality, beam pattern, and reliability of their lights. It is personal preference, and I would like to see Surefire step up the game a bit on the LED side of things.

I didn't say that I disliked Surefire. I just wish they were honest with their runtime estimates. When they write that the runtime is 11 hours, I would guess that most people expect 11 hours at somewhere close to the spec. I did.

If they just wrote: 80lumens 4 hours + 5 lumens for 7 hours...

Personally, I think that they actually have a pretty good understanding of how long a light should run. 60 lumens is "bright enough" for virtually anything, and 4 hours is far more than you'd need to use a light for, unless you're night hiking with it, or doing SAR. In either case, you'd a) be using a headlamp for your own illumination, and have tons of spare batteries for the mini-spotlight.

Because of this, I actually think that the Fenix TK11 is a great light - 2 hours of eye-scorching 225lumens, or damn near 10 hours at around 50 lumens. Using its general purpose setting it's probably as much light as anyone would need... but it comes at a price that's higher than the G2L and comparable (if not also higher) to the P6L.

 

[Josh K]

I didn't say that I disliked Surefire. I just wish they were honest with their runtime estimates. When they write that the runtime is 11 hours, I would guess that most people expect 11 hours at somewhere close to the spec. I did.

I wasn't saying you didn't like Surefire. Each side has their fanboys who jump up to cut throats about runtime and light measurements. CPF...

If they just wrote: 80lumens 4 hours + 5 lumens for 7 hours...

I think they do too. Hey, it's better then some flashlight packages that boast "100,000 LED!!!" They do actually have a section on their website about how they measure usable light, and I think it's down to something like 5 lumens or something. 5 lumens is pretty good compared to some of the crap I've had to handle.

Personally, I think that they actually have a pretty good understanding of how long a light should run. 60 lumens is "bright enough" for virtually anything, and 4 hours is far more than you'd need to use a light for, unless you're night hiking with it, or doing SAR. In either case, you'd a) be using a headlamp for your own illumination, and have tons of spare batteries for the mini-spotlight.

If I was doing SAR it'd be a Beast rechargable. :thumbup:

Because of this, I actually think that the Fenix TK11 is a great light - 2 hours of eye-scorching 225lumens, or damn near 10 hours at around 50 lumens. Using its general purpose setting it's probably as much light as anyone would need... but it comes at a price that's higher than the G2L and comparable (if not also higher) to the P6L.

Prices prices. You get what you pay for, and sometimes you get a good deal.

 

[wildmanh]

Prices prices. You get what you pay for, and sometimes you get a good deal.

Surefire, Fenix, iTP, ext are all higher quality lights then most of the poeple I camp with have. And I'm greatfull to everyone that has helped me put together my list.

IF there are other flashlights in the $50ish price range feel free to post them.

Heber

 

[Josh K]

Surefire, Fenix, iTP, ext are all higher quality lights then most of the poeple I camp with have. And I'm greatfull to everyone that has helped me put together my list.

I've seen people try to change a tire with those 2 C cell Energizer flashlights. I light up with my E2DL and they practically jump out of their pants.

 

[wildmanh]

I've seen people try to change a tire with those 2 C cell Energizer flashlights. I light up with my E2DL and they practically jump out of their pants.

Your story cracked me up and BTW thats happened to me. I'll pull out my LED upgraded 2D cell Maglite or my Pelican M3 and they are blown away at how much brighter they are. The most common thing I hear is "I didn't ask for a spot light". LOL!!

Heber

 

[Hammer27]

Hammer thanks for the recommendation. How's the light hold up to banging around in a pack for long periods of time? I prefer LED lights because there is no bulb to replace. But if this light is strong enough (I think it is I'd just like to hear some experiences with it) I'll add it to my list.

Heber

Surefire makes some damn tough products. I've seen a lot of G2's among other Surefires mounted on weapons and I've never heard of one breaking (we're talking about M240G's on occasion too). I've given a few to some ladies (I'm the guy who gives actually useful stuff instead of crap like flowers) and they've dropped them just about everywhere without issue; I won't say I haven't dropped mine but I haven't broken mine either...

 

[wildmanh]

Surefire makes some damn tough products. I've seen a lot of G2's among other Surefires mounted on weapons and I've never heard of one breaking (we're talking about M240G's on occasion too). I've given a few to some ladies (I'm the guy who gives actually useful stuff instead of crap like flowers) and they've dropped them just about everywhere without issue; I won't say I haven't dropped mine but I haven't broken mine either...

Hammer, thanks for the information. I figured it would hold up, but hearing others talk about there experiences with it holding up is the best.

Heber

 

[JHerman]

This place has them too: http://www.pinnacleflashlights.com/nitecore-led-c-25.html

Found them then I was looking for beamshot comparisons and came across their "Light Tunnel"

 

[JHerman]

I've seen people try to change a tire with those 2 C cell Energizer flashlights. I light up with my E2DL and they practically jump out of their pants.

I know it's funny, they think the bigger the light, the brighter it must be. I usually get something like "Wow is that some new Maglite??"

 

[wildmanh]

I know it's funny, they think the bigger the light, the brighter it must be. I usually get something like "Wow is that some new Maglite??"

Gave a friend an Inova X5 and 2 sets of spare batteries. She was really impressed by the amount of light it put out VS it's size.

Heber

 

[ADD]

Another option if these kits must be inexpensive, is the good old Fenix E01. Yes it's dim relative to something like an LD10, or even LD01... however, these lights are UNDER $20, and can use regular old AAA batteries (remember - the high output lights require Energizer lithium cells or NiMH rechargeables to get anywhere NEAR their runtime) to get ~10hours of undimming light.

Yep, college kids (I have two )... hard on stuff and will misplace it.

I'd recommend getting the less expensive Fenix and a headlamp (hands free and extremely useful when cooking or working on something that requires both hands) that uses compatible batteries.

Best of luck. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

 

[wildmanh]

Yep, college kids (I have two )... hard on stuff and will misplace it.

I'd recommend getting the less expensive Fenix and a headlamp (hands free and extremely useful when cooking or working on something that requires both hands) that uses compatible batteries.

Best of luck. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

ADD, a headlamp is a great idea. Maybe I should start a thread about them. Hmm.... Spare batteries is something you can't go with out.

Heber

 

[storl]

Fenix makes a headband adapter for their lights that fits most manufacturer's small lights, if you want to have the best of both worlds.

 

[wildmanh]

Fenix makes a headband adapter for their lights that fits most manufacturer's small lights, if you want to have the best of both worlds.

Thanks for pointing that out to me, I've added it to my list. Will it work with the E01 or only the bigger lights?

Heber