Suggestions for a small inexpensive light?

Capt. Carl

Capt. Carl

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Jun 16, 2006
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I am only getting one flashlight and I want it to be a good one that I can depend on for a while and carry everywhere I go unobtrusively.
How about a Fenix LOD, LOP, E0, P1?
 
I picked one up for $20 at Target. The single 5mm LED isn't going to light up a hillside but according to Flashlightreviews the single AA will go for 8 hrs before dropping to 50%. At 4" x 3/4" you could drop it in your pocket without looking like you're packing something.

The Dorcy Super 1 Watt is the same length but chunkier. $20 at Target. It'll be brighter but the single 123 won't last but 2.5 hrs before it drops to 50%. The 123s are expensive if you buy them in store. You can get them way cheaper online.

The Dorcy Metal Gear was just under $20 at Wal-Mart. 1 Watt, 3AAA. It's a real hand filling light, though. Not too heavy but pretty bulky. You'll know it's there. I gave it to a buddy last camping trip, all he had was an old Mini-Mag and I liked the River Rock better. He's gotten a lot of use from it around the house.

I've got a River Rock that only cost $20. It's a bit longer than a Mini-Mag and isn't really pocket friendly. But the 2AA have so far lasted a while powering the 1.5 Watt LED. It's more a spot than a flood but made a good showing last camping trip.

Will it be for trail or office?

Frank
 
I just bought a Fenix PID-CE a little while ago for EDC and I've found it to be a great light so far. 3 levels of light and really bright on high, about the same as a Surefire 9P and only about the size of my thumb.
 
How about a surefire G2 Nitrolon there only 36 dollars and a box of 12 batterys from surefire is only 21.00 and they have a shelf life of 10 years. They also have an upgrade kit for around 100 bucks to make it rechargeable. I have 3 i keep one in each of my cars and 1 in my hiking pack. There small, bright and dependable. I keep and streamlight stinger for work and this little flashtlight is just as bright, but i dont keep it for work because i dont have the recharge kit. http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_disp/displ/prrfnbr/878/sesent/00
 
I have the surefire G2 but battery life is 1 hour ! Though it is incredibly bright and you can see 100 yds away !! My new Pelican 3330 will see more use. It's the same size as the G2, reasonably priced but has a Luxeon LED bulb putting out about half the light of the G2 but 4 hour full brightnes + many hours more of partial light.
 
Capt. Carl said:
Good suggestions guys, keep them coming. I am now thinking about getting the L0PSE or L0D from Fenix.
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Soon, I think by the end of this month, Fenix-Store will have a L0D with a Cree LED. This new generation LED will increase the brightness of the L0D and may also increase its runtime.

If you are not in a rush, you may want to wait a couple of weeks if an L0D is the light you want.
 
Charlie Moore said:
Soon, I think by the end of this month, Fenix-Store will have a L0D with a Cree LED. This new generation LED will increase the brightness of the L0D and may also increase its runtime.

If you are not in a rush, you may want to wait a couple of weeks if an L0D is the light you want.
Click to expand...
Thanks a ton Charlie, I think I'll just wait then.
 
ToFarToTurnBack said:
How about a surefire G2 Nitrolon there only 36 dollars and a box of 12 batterys from surefire is only 21.00 and they have a shelf life of 10 years. They also have an upgrade kit for around 100 bucks to make it rechargeable. I have 3 i keep one in each of my cars and 1 in my hiking pack. There small, bright and dependable. I keep and streamlight stinger for work and this little flashtlight is just as bright, but i dont keep it for work because i dont have the recharge kit. http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_disp/displ/prrfnbr/878/sesent/00
Click to expand...

Another thumbs up for the G2 nirtolon , I love mine , great investment.
Lightwieght , cost effective , quality product , pocket friendly unless you're a suit.
:thumbup:
 
My decision for key chain carry was the Fenix E0, it is about all I need for a carry flashlight.




P.S. Unfortunately it is one of those damned LEDs that we all hate. (sarcasm)
 
If you can go just a bit larger than the Fenix LP series, but smaller and less bulky than the SF G2, then take a good look at the Inova T1. It uses a single CR123 for a fairly long run time; very bright beam, has greater throw capability than all above mentioned, has momentary press or constant clickie switch, and has a well checkered body milled out of aluminum bar stock finished with type II hard anodized finish. It' s a lot of light for the money- about $40. The T1 is my primary choice for coat/ jacket/ vest pocket carry.

N.
 
ToFarToTurnBack said:
yes ! and its not an LED i hate those damn things
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why ya hate LEDs?

a few yrs ago they werent very bright but some of the new ones, the fenix P1D w/the cree LED for example, or the L2 or L4 surefire, are plenty bright (+100 lumens) and have better batt life than incandescents, also much more rugged, whats to not like??
 
I just got a Swiss Army AA Led flashlight. Made by the same company that makes Inova. Excellent light, very bright, and made well. For $28.00 it is hard to beat IMHO.

-Yooperman
 
I have bought an endless array of flashlights in the last couple of years. Last August I bought my brother a Fenix L1T and an L2T, while I was at it, I bought myself the same combo. I find them to be great. The L1T seems to get more use as I keep it in my shirt pocket and use it at work constantly.
One of the things that is great with these is they have a high and low beam. I use the low at work most of the time and high if looking for more distance, such as outside. I like the use of the AA batteries more than AAA, and Nickle Metal Hydride rechargeables perform the best in them. Thus saving you money in the long run.
The River Rocks that have been mentioned are not bad if on a budget but the Fenix is a much better light, IMHO.

Good Luck in your search!:D
 
Get the Fenix L1T, two light levels, one AA battery available everywhere.

37 Lumens @ 3.3 hrs

10 Lumens @ 10 hrs

You can't go wrong, I highly recommend it!!!
 
the P1D-CE is easily 2X the lite the L1's are (& i have them both) and are smaller to boot, not that the L1s are bad but the P1D-CE is a big improvement imho.

probably 2X as expensive ($35 vs $70) but well worth it imho as it will do the job the L1 does and its also a lite which is 3X as bright, tell ya what i got a surefire L2 ($175) and the P1D-CE monday and i am probably more impressed with the fenix and for me thats something.
 
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