LED Flashlight for home advice

E

Epicurian

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Sep 12, 2010
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New to the flashlight world, and realized after 15 minutes of googling I'm in way over my head! So this is an SOS. Any wisdom appreciated.

Like to keep the price under a $100 for the flashlight itself, good/very good output and lumens - don't need über output. Would actually prefer a larger size body, LED, rugged and nicely thought out ergs etc. a great value.

Thanks!
 
Might I suggest choose your cell type first and proceed from there. my home unit is currently a Malkoff drop in - goes

into your regular Mag-Lite, no fuss no muss.

http://www.malkoffdevices.com/drop-...t-mag-lite/3-6-d-cell-drop-in-to-fit-mag-lite

Smaller lights are nice for the pocket though. I've been pocket carrying an Olight brand for 2+ years now, zero complaints and damn bright when needed.

http://olightworld.com/product_category/flashlight/

I'm sure more knowledgeable folks will be along shortly. Good luck!

J
 
Surefire Fury, they retail a bit over $100, but can be found for less and go on sale for less frequently.

I don't know what your intended use is, but if this is something you need to work all the time, Surefire would be my only choice right now.
 
2D maglights with an LED make a good "door answer" flashlight. otherwise for AA, can't go too far past the Fenix E21, good little light, 2xAA and a good balance between power and run-time.
 
Streamlight tlr 3, you can attach a gun to it. I prefer my flashlights have guns attached to them when ever possible.
 
Look at Fenix, Surefire, Zebralight, Olight or Maglite for American made.
I like the Klarus Chinese) range of lights for excellent value. I EDC the XT 1A and it is more than adequate with 1 AA cell.
LiteXpress (German) have a great range of lights at excellent prices.

Decide on cell type- AA and AAA give you less lumens, but are less expensive to replace and easier to find. They still provide plenty of light for normal applications. One benefit over other cell types I have found is they give you a warning of reduced output.

Li-ion batteries give you better output, but are more costly and not always available. No warning when run down, your light just won't run.

Single and multi-cell lights both have their advantages, so I recommend handling some if you can.
 
Got a 3 D cell LED maglite that lives next to my bed . More then enough lumens for the house and surrounds , and capable of contributing to home defence :) Always good to have it , and also candles stashed around the place , next to a good book and bottle of alcohol (if you drink) for power outages.
 
If you want to delve into the "technoweenie" side of it, candlepowerforums.com is a good place to start. Warning, the site is kind of like the old joke about how volunteer fireman make the cut....they put them all in a room and turn on a siren. The first one that gets a stiffie is in. I'm sure that volunteer firemen say the same about knife sites!
 
My dresser light is a Fenix TK41 For me its about perfect size and features shaped so as not to be hunting for the switch in the dark,big enough you can find it if you bump if off the dresser in the dark.Lots of good brands other than Fenix.For a house light I see no advantage in a small light.
 
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Nothin fancy, but I've been really happy with the Fenix E12. Just takes one AA and fits in the pocket
 
I keep three solar charge flashlights on the windowsill plus two solar lamps to keep the sill area lit at night. I use the energizer the most and keep it on the nightstand at night and return it to the window sill for the day. Good light and never have to change out batteries for recharging like standard flashlights.
 
With how good headlamps have become I have no idea why anyone uses anything but them. Can be used like a normal flashlight still, but used properly you have both hands free to work.

Princeton Tec are fairly cheap and reliable for years.
 
I'm not a flashlight "enthusiast" and don't concern myself much with the latest technology or which brands have the most innovative lights, but yet I have quite a few of them around the house. My main criteria are low and high brightness modes with the longest (advertised) battery life out of AA or AAA batteries . . . for as cheap as possible. I've been extremely happy with Coast lights, for both indoor and outdoor. There is a military/LE-oriented online retailer (won't link to them due to not being a forum sponsor) that runs frequent specials on Coast products and have bought various flashlights from them with good results.
 
For inexpensive ones and I am all about inexpensive flash lights, I like the Energizer flashlights that use two AA batteries. They are light for the size, rubberized plastic and 30 and 250 lumens settings. Been very pleased with them for about $15. I use them a lot on my jobs and own two. Sold at Home Depot.... only place I have seen them. Great for home use and I use a flashlight every single day at home gathering pets after dark. They (cats) have become accustomed to seeing the flashlight beam and know it is time to come in.

Edited the lumens levels as I checked the packaging. Just bought two more. As you can see, I like them. Cheap enough if I loose or misplace one to not get too excited. Seems like the low setting stops working after the batteries get weaker and you only have "high" which I know is at a lower power at that point than 250 lumens. Always seem to have AA batteries around, so no big deal to replace.
 
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^^^^^^^^ What Angus said fits your description perfectly: value, large size, rugged, LED. There is a reason why Mag Lights are carried by the law enforcement community, they work very well and can be used as a weapon when needed.
 
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