Armed Polite Society
Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: Perd Hapley on January 01, 2013, 11:43:52 AM
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I have been using one of these for a while. http://www.maglite.com/aa_Cell_LED.asp
I would like to replace it with something at about the same price, and with just one mode. Or, just a bright and dim mode. It will need to be OK for pocket carry, so no scary tactical bezels. I'd kind of like a push-button switch (on the tail, or on the side), as long as it will not come on in my pocket. Also, it should run on AAs, since my employer is already supplying those (it will be mainly a work flashlight).
The Fenix E21 looks pretty good, but I think I'd prefer a flashlight with just the one mode, that puts out maybe 75-100 lumens.
http://www.fenix-store.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_420&products_id=2421
The Maglite I have now is supposed to deliver 77 lumens for 10 hrs, 45 minutes, but I seem to be changing batteries pretty often. Can I expect a 2AA flashlight to throw that many lumens for longer than that, or am I asking to change the laws of physics?
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The Fenix E21 is a good flashlight, the mode selector is you twist the head, not press the button so it is very unobstrusive.
I would highly suggest using lithium AA batteries in it, I always had problems with AA batteries leaking in mine. It will last a very long time on AA batteries so the cost difference is not a killer at all.
The maglites are crap, period, from light, battery, and reliability standpoint. Just about anything is better than them, and the upgrades for them are pointless. The only maglites that are any good are the fullsize D cell maglites, and they are only good as a club with a secondary flashlight function.
The E21 is exactly what you are looking for, trust me on that. Waste no more money on Maglites.
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http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-73/HypeTac-P2A-SS-LED/Detail
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i have been very pleased with my ultrafire u-20. inexpensive, positive tailswitch, easily pocketable, decent battery life, and fairly bright for 1 aa.
http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/ultrafire-u20-cree-xpg-r5-200lumen-waterproof-led-flashlight-1aa114500-no-gift-box-package-p-4581
an alkaline battery lasts me about a month with daily use of short bursts.
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I like Ultrafires for larger lights (2x123 etc), but if you want something with good performance, but small, check out the Fenix E05 (http://www.fenix-store.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_420&products_id=2470). It's tiny, keychain size actually, but outperforms even 2xD incandescent lights. Well worth the price IMO. If you use an Energizer Lithium AAA, the weight is negligible. SWMBO liked mine so much, she got one for herself (in purple).
It's bright enough for camping and navigating the woods at night while getting to my treestand.
Edit to add: I thought that was the old Mag AA, not the newer one with an LED bulb. Also didn't notice the AA requirement due to supply chain at work.
Chris
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You might check out Inova. I've bought several at Target. Other than cracking a lens on one, they've been great moderately priced lights.
Or, you could go the really cheap option- Autozone has little pen lights for $2.50 that work pretty well.
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I thought that was the old Mag AA, not the newer one with an LED bulb.
The incandescent or LED maglites both suck equally...
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I'll put in a plug for the Maratac flashlights from County Comm (AA version ($33): http://countycomm.com/aaworldssmallest.html (http://countycomm.com/aaworldssmallest.html), AAA version ($25): http://countycomm.com/aaa.html (http://countycomm.com/aaa.html)). I've been extremely happy with the AAA version I got. The AA version has a longer runtime, slightly brighter high mode, and has a lower low mode (0.25 low/125 High vs 1.5 low/115 High in the AAA version). No buttons however, twist to turn on/off/change modes.
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Go to Lowes and look at their flashlight section. They sell a smaller Maglite that is more powerful. I suggest this because you already like Maglites. I have two or three of these. Their weak point is battery usage and they warm up when left continually on. They have two settings and no strobe. I am not fond of the strobe feature.
I have a number of a cheap LED lights that are about the same size as the small maglite you use. They run about $30 for two.
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fenix PD30- I have several, bought for exactly the purpose you describe.
Small diameter, fits in pocket..about 5" long.
non aggressive texture.
runs on 2- 123's, and frankly, after seeing the exceptional run time, I would not use anything else.
has a low, medium,high , twist the bezel and you get strobe and ultra high setting, (pre selectable). about 275 lumins on high.
I carry this every day . all day, all year. It is used once , twice, 10 times in a day, mostly to look into a machine or electrical box, sometimes to check out the yard for creatures, it is an amazingly useful and flexible tool.
When I am in the city I set it for strobe, just as a tool to disorient aggressive folks.
I change the batteries once a year or so, when they get low, the only the low setting works, with a very slight strobe to let you know.
durability is great, never had a problem-the anodizing is wearing off from bouncing around next to my keys, but overall, this is the best light I have ever used.
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That Fenix model would appeal to me. I also use my lights for looking into poorly lit areas (computers, HVAC, engine, machines, etc.) and it sounds like a great choice. Probably more expensive than my present lights.
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Fenix is where the price-performance curves meet.
I've carried a P1D-CE daily in my watch pocket for over seven years now. And an LD41 just went into my SHTF stash with lithium AA batteries.
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It amazes me how much brighter the average flashlight is these days. And yes, the old incandescent maglites were not good lights.
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I bought a flashlight at Menard's (kind of like Lowe's but a regional chain, not national) the week before Christmas on sale for $4. Went back yesterday to buy a few more because I was so impressed with it and they were gone and the peg was gone like they never even existed.
It's a 1W LED with about a 25mm reflector and it takes 3AAA batteries; it's about 4 inches long and fairly heavy bright stainless steel, has a click-on-click-off switch in the tail cap. Here's the cool part: a 18670 18650 lithium battery scrounged from a computer battery pack also fits if you roll up some paper and put in the barrel for a shim.
Let's see if I can find the package so I can give you a brand and model number...
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For ordinary use Fenix lights are nice. I have an L0D on my keychain, and an L2D in my backpack. Those models are several years old and I don't know if they're still current models in Fenix's lineup. I would expect they'd have better, cheaper LED models by now (I think both of them were ~$45 when I bought them).
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Check out Surefire. Huge product line of dual-output LED units, a fair number of which are thankfully free of the tackyticool crenellated bezel housing. A little pricey but the illumination quality is tremendous and they're darn near indestrucable.
Brad
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Just to be safe, you should probably buy one of every model listed on this page and a few more that you see while shopping for these. And back up batteries for all them them. And don't forget rails to mount a few on your guns.
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Walmart has the Coleman max for 25 bucks
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(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fecx.images-amazon.com%2Fimages%2FI%2F41m7IsCflWL._SL500_AA300_.jpg&hash=bef5c93aab7b3d13afff8147da337362efe1875d)
http://www.amazon.com/Cyclops-C18MIL-Colossus-Rechargable-Spotlight/dp/B0018F1CJ4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1357068287&sr=8-3&keywords=thor+cyclops (http://www.amazon.com/Cyclops-C18MIL-Colossus-Rechargable-Spotlight/dp/B0018F1CJ4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1357068287&sr=8-3&keywords=thor+cyclops)
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Walmart has the Coleman max for 25 bucks
They also sell their own brand for $18 that takes 4 AA batteries. From the size of it, probably 2 rows of 2 cells.
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It amazes me how much brighter the average flashlight is these days. And yes, the old incandescent maglites were not good lights.
The incandescent maglites were the best available at the time they were introduced to the marketplace. LED technology has changed our preception of what is needed in a flashlight. I suggest being reasonable about choices (cost versus need). There are a lot of flashlight junkies out there. I am one of them I guess in the sense that I own far more flashlights than I or my family will ever realistically need.
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Let's see if I can find the package so I can give you a brand and model number...
http://habindustries.com/product.php?productsID=4&categoryID=171
It looks like stainless steel but apparently it's polished and plated cast aluminum.
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The incandescent maglites were the best available at the time they were introduced to the marketplace. LED technology has changed our preception of what is needed in a flashlight. I suggest being reasonable about choices (cost versus need). There are a lot of flashlight junkies out there. I am one of them I guess in the sense that I own far more flashlights than I or my family will ever realistically need.
Yup, back when I was working on offshore oil rigs in the early 80's, the mini-mag was THE light to have. At the time, about the brightest small light out there. Almost everyone carried one in a holster that held the light and a Leatherman.
Now one of my favorite lights for everyday stuff (though it probably doesn't meet fistful's requirements), is the Streasmlight Protac 1L. They make a single cell AA version as well. Super compact and 110 lumens on high. I have several of them and they're super compact and handy. I use one at work in the server closet a lot.
http://www.amazon.com/Streamlight-88030-Tactical-Flashlight-Includes/dp/B003GXF9MW/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1357069019&sr=8-15&keywords=streamlight
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(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fecx.images-amazon.com%2Fimages%2FI%2F41m7IsCflWL._SL500_AA300_.jpg&hash=bef5c93aab7b3d13afff8147da337362efe1875d)
http://www.amazon.com/Cyclops-C18MIL-Colossus-Rechargable-Spotlight/dp/B0018F1CJ4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1357068287&sr=8-3&keywords=thor+cyclops (http://www.amazon.com/Cyclops-C18MIL-Colossus-Rechargable-Spotlight/dp/B0018F1CJ4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1357068287&sr=8-3&keywords=thor+cyclops)
If it isn't HID, I'm not interested. =D
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I got a few of these when they were free with a coupon or $.99 if you bought something. One is my EDC and there are a couple in the junk drawer (emergency stash)
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-12-9-led-mini-flashlight-69111.html
Robert got one of these for $1.99 with a coupon:
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-3-4-quarter-inch-32-led-flashlight-98504.html
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If it isn't HID, I'm not interested. =D
Here ya go. (http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?191645-400W-HID-Thor)
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I remember that build..
Nowhere near 400W, but there are several hand held HID's under $100 now.
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Here ya go. (http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?191645-400W-HID-Thor)
A 400 W metal halide flashlight. :rofl:
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(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fecx.images-amazon.com%2Fimages%2FI%2F41m7IsCflWL._SL500_AA300_.jpg&hash=bef5c93aab7b3d13afff8147da337362efe1875d)
I actually have the Harbor Freight version of this light.
I've been scheming how to "improve" over the blue halogen bulb that's already in there, but hadn't thought about going whole hawg like the other dude! :O
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Not encouraging. So many of these flashlights seem designed to give me burning shekina of God's glory-type light for 5 minutes, or dim, flickering candle for five years. It would be nice to find more lights that just put out about 75 or maybe 100 lumens for 10 hours or more. Even if it didn't take AAs, I think I'd be interested in one of those.
The incandescent or LED maglites both suck equally...
Not so. The LEDs are considerably brighter. I think, if the MiniMag LED had just one mode, I would keep using it. But, I'm tired of it dimming unexpectedly.
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Not encouraging. So many of these flashlights seem designed to give me burning shekina of God's glory-type light for 5 minutes, or dim, flickering candle for five years. It would be nice to find more lights that just put out about 75 or maybe 100 lumens for 10 hours or more. Even if it didn't take AAs, I think I'd be interested in one of those.
You're not going to get that runtime and brightness on anything close to an AA light. A pair of CR123 will give you that brightness for a couple hours. You might consider going to 18650 batteries:
http://dx.com/p/ultrafire-501b-cree-xp-g-r5-345lm-2-mode-white-flashlight-black-1-x-18650-171568 (http://dx.com/p/ultrafire-501b-cree-xp-g-r5-345lm-2-mode-white-flashlight-black-1-x-18650-171568)
http://dx.com/p/ultrafire-wf-501b-philips-luxeon-k2-white-led-flashlight-1-18650-2-cr123a-20334 (http://dx.com/p/ultrafire-wf-501b-philips-luxeon-k2-white-led-flashlight-1-18650-2-cr123a-20334) I have one of these, 3 hours on a 18650 is not unreasonable.
Here's the batteries and charger:
http://dx.com/p/gtl-18650-protected-3-7v-3000mah-batteries-pair-50681 (http://dx.com/p/gtl-18650-protected-3-7v-3000mah-batteries-pair-50681)
http://dx.com/p/trustfire-tr-001-multi-purpose-lithium-battery-charger-12594?rt=1&p=2&m=2&r=3&k=1&t=1&s=50681&u=12594 (http://dx.com/p/trustfire-tr-001-multi-purpose-lithium-battery-charger-12594?rt=1&p=2&m=2&r=3&k=1&t=1&s=50681&u=12594)
I've used an older model of the same battery and charger for about 4 years now, I just rotate the batteries through every couple days.
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You're not going to get that runtime and brightness on anything close to an AA light.
http://dx.com/p/trustfire-tr-001-multi-purpose-lithium-battery-charger-12594?rt=1&p=2&m=2&r=3&k=1&t=1&s=50681&u=12594 (http://dx.com/p/trustfire-tr-001-multi-purpose-lithium-battery-charger-12594?rt=1&p=2&m=2&r=3&k=1&t=1&s=50681&u=12594)
So, when MagLite claims they are getting 77 lumens for over 10 hours, what's going on there?
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Also, they have these now, which is weird.
http://www.target.com/p/life-gear-glow-cfl-flashlight/-/A-13541053#?lnk=sc_qi_detailbutton
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Also, they have these now, which is weird.
http://www.target.com/p/life-gear-glow-cfl-flashlight/-/A-13541053#?lnk=sc_qi_detailbutton
under specifications
Power Source : Batteries
???:lol:
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I've had this for 9 months now, and for $9 I'm happy as can be.
(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.meritline.com%2Fimages%2Fproduct%2F1%2F8%2F8%2F-%2F5%2Flarge%2F188-535.jpg&hash=c5eddbb860f6003b84226ad5a1651c50cd4414a4)
http://www.meritline.com/showproduct.aspx?ProductID=74270&SEName=cree-led-flash-light-xp-g-q5-convex-zoom
If it's not on sale ($9 and free shipping) when you look, wait a week and check back. Be aware that they'll often only offer one at the sale price, and charge regular price if you order more than one. This has been a good site for me to join their mailing list. I get at least daily ads with items from flash memory to flash lights, to lingerie and toy helicopters. I think this guy has interests/hobbies that he buys bulk for, then sells off the excess to support his habit. Kinda like a low level pot dealer, but with different stuff. :lol:
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Doggy Daddy, you can get that same light from Amazon, shipped from Hong Kong:
http://www.amazon.com/BBQbuy-300lm-Flashlight-Torch-Adjustable/dp/B006E0QAFY/ref=pd_bxgy_hi_text_y
A bunch of vendors sell the same light, anywhere from about $ 6.50 to $ 10 for the same make and model.
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Doggy Daddy, you can get that same light from Amazon, shipped from Hong Kong:
http://www.amazon.com/BBQbuy-300lm-Flashlight-Torch-Adjustable/dp/B006E0QAFY/ref=pd_bxgy_hi_text_y
A bunch of vendors sell the same light, anywhere from about $ 6.50 to $ 10 for the same make and model.
Cool, thanks. I was just sitting here thinking I should maybe order a couple more. They're cheap enough to not get upset if they get lost, but useful enough that I always have that one on me at work.
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I have one of those. Good little light, though the clip is rather tight.
Chris
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I have one of those. Good little light, though the clip is rather tight.
Chris
The clip being tight may be why you still have it. :lol:
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Doggy Daddy, you can get that same light from Amazon, shipped from Hong Kong:
http://www.amazon.com/BBQbuy-300lm-Flashlight-Torch-Adjustable/dp/B006E0QAFY/ref=pd_bxgy_hi_text_y
A bunch of vendors sell the same light, anywhere from about $ 6.50 to $ 10 for the same make and model.
But note the second review:
The reason for the variation in the reviews, is because they are shipping different product at different times, likely all Cree Quality Control rejects. I made orders of 3, 5 and 7 flashlights in sequence. The order of 3 was great and resulted in my decision to make the two subsequent orders. The order of 5 were labeled Sipik and mostly junk, the order of 7 was unlabeled but acceptable. Attempts to return the items resulted in a run around of e-mail, sending pictures, and unloading the cost to ship and risk of loss back to me.
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Not encouraging. So many of these flashlights seem designed to give me burning shekina of God's glory-type light for 5 minutes, or dim, flickering candle for five years. It would be nice to find more lights that just put out about 75 or maybe 100 lumens for 10 hours or more. Even if it didn't take AAs, I think I'd be interested in one of those.
We have flashlights that 20 years ago would have been science fiction and you are not encouraged? OK- 40 watt plasma rifle coming up........ =D
here are a couple of dozen reviews of the pd30-
http://www.amazon.com/Fenix-PD30-Level-Performance-Flashlight/dp/B001H4MWA4
and the specs and runtimes- it may surprise you.
http://www.fenixlight.com/viewproduct.asp?id=115
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Sure fire g3. Cheap. 60 lumen. Plastic
I've had a few
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But note the second review:
This is a situation where I'll gamble.
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Walmart has the Coleman max for 25 bucks
I wouldn't bother, especially if you already have the maglite mini.
I've had three or four of those, and they don't throw a beam anywhere near as far as a maglight mini will, despite having 10-20 more lumens, because they have a fixed focus. They also tend to stop working very well. A small fall will kill them dead, and I've got one that randomly drops its output down to about 20% or so, despite new batteries. Hitting it sometimes makes it work, sometimes not. The run time is about the same, as well.
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I wouldn't bother, especially if you already have the maglite mini.
I've had three or four of those, and they don't throw a beam anywhere near as far as a maglight mini will, despite having 10-20 more lumens, because they have a fixed focus. They also tend to stop working very well. A small fall will kill them dead, and I've got one that randomly drops its output down to about 20% or so, despite new batteries. Hitting it sometimes makes it work, sometimes not. The run time is about the same, as well.
The amount Ive spent on cheap flashlights easily exceeds the amount Ive spent on Surefires. Yeah the cheapies are cheaper at first and often use AA or AAA batteries but every one I have ever owned craps out sooner or later.
Surefires command what is perceived as a "premium" price due to the exceptional quality. In reality, you are getting an excellent light for the price...most of their more common models like the G2Xs arent outrageous. Their 500 lumen Fury is an outstanding value.
I use a light extensively in critical applications...few things are more frustrating than a cheap flashlight flickering on and off or flat out refusing to work. I once had 4 minimags in a row, all with fresh batteries, two brand new, fail on me.
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This is a situation where I'll gamble.
I ordered three from the Amazon link; all of them worked perfectly, so I ordered six more and all of them worked as well. They did take a month to get here from slow boat from Hong Kong. They are surprisingly well-built for the price. When you have the focus all the way down, the shape of the light beam is a perfect square consistent with the LED die shape. They come packed in a bubble wrap sleeve in a plain white box with no instructions or manufacturing/brand info.
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I recently got a Streamlight Protac 1L to replace the older Inova 5 as my pocket flashlight....
http://www.amazon.com/Streamlight-88030-Tactical-Flashlight-Includes/dp/B003GXF9MW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357138461&sr=8-1&keywords=streamlight+protac+1l
Amazing light....bright when you need it, but easy to dim for longer run time. And I prefer the CR123's for a light that I need to work all the time without having to check batteries every week. I use the bulk Surefire batteries, which are a great deal.
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A friend of mine turned me on recently to the Streamlight Stylus Pro.
It runs on 2 x AAA batteries and isn't shaped like a big "roll of quarters" in your pocket. About the same size as a quality pen. I've had mine for about 6 months now, and it's bumped my prior carry flashlight (Streamlight Polytac) due to actual ease of carry.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0019CR10A/ref=noref?ie=UTF8&psc=1&s=hi
(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fecx.images-amazon.com%2Fimages%2FI%2F318rhMRkuRL._SL500_AA300_.jpg&hash=8d1a89e8b0793a9d79120fbbbe9ebd371c121762)
It ain't the brightest flashlight in the world, but it's plenty bright enough for everything I've needed it for recently. I think it's around 50 lumens.
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I wouldn't bother, especially if you already have the maglite mini.
I've had three or four of those, and they don't throw a beam anywhere near as far as a maglight mini will, despite having 10-20 more lumens, because they have a fixed focus. They also tend to stop working very well. A small fall will kill them dead, and I've got one that randomly drops its output down to about 20% or so, despite new batteries. Hitting it sometimes makes it work, sometimes not. The run time is about the same, as well.
these?
(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.shoppingnexus.com%2Fproducts%2Fcoleman-max-bubba.jpg&hash=cf649265d5c29f8e5b8fd504a3a3969f31a6ded1)
6 AAs!
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-2000006534-Coleman-Max-Bubba-Weather-Resistant-LED-Flashlight/13848697
i have liked my first one enough to buy another
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I was going to recommend my favorite flashlight...it's a Brookstone "waterproof flashlight"...because it has all that you ask. A very bright LED which uses one standard AA battery, has a single operating mode, and a recessed tail button switch. I got it as a gift from my wife a couple of years ago, and expected nothing. It's about as bright as the Surefire lights the security guys carry around the courthouse, and cost her around $20. And I've changed batteries in it twice in two years, not because they were dead, but just in case. And, the case comes with a plastic cover that makes it work as a mini lantern. the cover is sized so that a second AA battery will fit inside for easy replacement.
http://www.brookstone.com/waterproof-flashlight-led-durable-tough
It shows as being out of stock. Hope this is just a temporary thing...
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^^^ Is this spam?
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^^^ Is this spam?
I though it was sam. Perhaps someone will illuminate the question.
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I though it was sam. Perhaps someone will illuminate the question.
I'm sure it's spam... perhaps one of the mods can shed some light on the situation.
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Spam in a can.
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Back on the topic, but with 'C' batteries instead, I recently purchased a couple of sets of these:
http://www.amazon.com/Electric-Lumens-Performance-Flashlights-2-Pack/dp/B00B7PMFLE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1364395816&sr=8-1&keywords=feit+flashlight+500+lumens
but at Costco, where they are currently on sale for $ 25. A 500 lumen flashlight for $ 12.50 is a heck of a deal. I know have them in the cars and in the garage. It is very useful for peering into the guts of the motorcycle as I am working on it.
I learned about these from Candlepower Forums.
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Check this flashlight http://www.armytek.com/products/flashlights/hunting-and-military/armytek-predator-pro-xp-g2-variable-bezel-colors.html