Nifty little flashlights

M

midnight flyer

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Jan 12, 2009
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Went to the local big blue S club warehouse store yesterday to get some stuff for the weekend. While walking through the store, I saw a package of two CREE flashlights, with batteries for both for under $15. Knowing their return policies, I decided to take a chance.

The flashlights are great. Loaded up the batteries, and clicked the switch and I was in business. They claim 150 lumens, but I have no way to check that. I will say though, that they are really bright and will throw light a LONG way. a usable (although wide as is with all CREE emitters) spot at 250' is no problem. You can adjust the focus from a spot to a flood, but no more than any other flashlight of this type.

Milled/rolled aluminium body, polycarb lens, "O" rings on the joints, lanyard included, batteries included, and a high/low water resistant switch in the butt cap. They also have a one year warranty on the whole flashlight.

The outdoor goods manager told me they were one time purchases and when they are gone, that's it. He told me that and not all store have the same exact brand, but should have a similar flashlight.

At $7.50 each, I thought I would post something up here before they all go away. Great buy on a utility flashlight.

Robert
 
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I bought a two pack of flashlights(Serengeti) from there. They are extremely bright with a low, high, and strobe function. Very cost effective. :thumbup:
 
banana-clip said:
Sounds like some really good flashlights for the money.
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Yeah, and who can have too many working flashlights?

Talk about a hint of survivalism, (OK, just a hint...:D) a massive storm came through here last night and knocked power out off and on for several hours. With a possibility of flooding, large hail, wind damage and tornadoes during that time, I was glad I had a good flashlight to check on things until the storm blew out. I was even happier to make sure we had a couple of extras so everyone had a light during the blackouts. Sure seems to calm the nerves.

Robert
 
I bought a set of these a few weeks ago. I was so impressed with them for the price I went back and got another set. Problem is, I've already sold two of them to friends, so I might go back for a third set.
 
midnight flyer said:
I saw a package of two CREE flashlights, with batteries for both for under $15.
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Sounds too cheap for me (I have more lights than knives, have spent more on lights and my dearest light cost several times as much as my dearest knife) but that isn't a bad deal and sometimes you want a couple of cheap lights to use as loaners so that some idiot doesn't wreck or lose your Nitecore, Jetbeam, Olight or Surefire.

One thing you guys may want to think about is the colour & CRI of LED light - it isn't the best for the greens & browns of the woods. I like to take an incandescent light camping (and LEDs as backups) and for LED lights I prefer the warm tint models (like my Zebralight H60w). Non flashlight people often don't even think of things like this and just think that light is light, but often the cheap LEDs are worse than average on their colour and the bluish light is pretty crappy in the bush.

For a small light with a lot of throw using an incandescant bulb - my Surefire A2 Aviator is hard to beat. But for sheer output my modded Maglites are the best lights around.
 
Gadgetaholic said:
Sounds too cheap for me (I have more lights than knives, have spent more on lights and my dearest light cost several times as much as my dearest knife) but that isn't a bad deal and sometimes you want a couple of cheap lights to use as loaners so that some idiot doesn't wreck or lose your Nitecore, Jetbeam, Olight or Surefire.
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Exactly. And they make great lights to keep in the truck for road emergencies, etc. where they could suffer a leaky battery due to extreme heat or cold, or scattered around the house in strategic places to be used in case of blackouts. Toss 'em in the glove box or your emergency bag and forget about them.

I don't think that anyone that bought one of these packages would confuse them with a Nitecore or Surefire.


Gadgetaholic said:
One thing you guys may want to think about is the colour & CRI of LED light - it isn't the best for the greens & browns of the woods. I like to take an incandescent light camping (and LEDs as backups) and for LED lights I prefer the warm tint models (like my Zebralight H60w). Non flashlight people often don't even think of things like this and just think that light is light, but often the cheap LEDs are worse than average on their colour and the bluish light is pretty crappy in the bush.

For a small light with a lot of throw using an incandescant bulb - my Surefire A2 Aviator is hard to beat. But for sheer output my modded Maglites are the best lights around.
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I have my old AA Mags that I have had for literally 20+ years that work. They have been everywhere with me, camping, fishing, hiking, road trips, you name it.

As far as the incandescent light, I couldn't agree more. The above referenced light casts a pretty hard white light. Lots of it, but nothing warm about it. With that light or 99% of its LED cousins it is almost impossible to read for any length of time. I like to read after hitting the bag while hiking, mostly to look over maps, read my book on edible plants or about the wildlife and fauna in general. Those LED lights make it MOST unenjoyable and downright difficult for any length of time due to the harsh light they put out.

I remember being in my tent at night on many different trips with my Mags (both incandescent) and could easily read my books. I won't make them mistake of leaving them behind again.

Robert
 
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