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Author Topic: Flashlight recommendations?  (Read 579 times)

Northwoods

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Flashlight recommendations?
« on: April 21, 2021, 10:54:57 AM »
SWMBO needs a high intensity flashlight for homeschool physics experiments.  Be great if it’s also something I can use to spot the elk when they’re by my fence line at night or similar uses being in the country.  Doesn’t have to be physically large, in fact more compact would have advantages.  Just needs a LOT of lumens, and be relatively inexpensive ($50ish).
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Brad Johnson

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Re: Flashlight recommendations?
« Reply #1 on: April 21, 2021, 11:07:24 AM »
How many lumens do you consider a lot?

Matt Smith does a ton of flashlight reviews and comparos, including breaking them down by general cost categories. Might be worth scanning through his Budget vids.

https://www.youtube.com/c/AdventureSportFlashlights/videos

My EDC work light is a Fenix PD35 v2. Plenty bright on high, though the complete setup with battery and charger is well in excess of your $50 budget.

https://www.fenixlighting.com/product/pd35-fenix-flashlight/

I bought a Streamlight PolyTac for SWMBO's car. I wanted something that was simple, robust, and used CR123 batteries for standby life and reduced chance of leaks. Instructions for on/off mode switching are a little confusing, but otherwise I'm very satisfied with both the build quality and light output. Unfortunately, it may not be bright enough for your needs.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0026RW530?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details

Brad
« Last Edit: April 21, 2021, 11:36:02 AM by Brad Johnson »
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Ron

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Re: Flashlight recommendations?
« Reply #2 on: April 21, 2021, 11:12:40 AM »
Fenix PD25 is worth a look.
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HankB

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Re: Flashlight recommendations?
« Reply #3 on: April 21, 2021, 11:17:59 AM »
I've got a couple of Surefire lights, but I also bought one of those "as seen on TV" Bell & Howell Tac Lights, which is very bright for its size, has focus capability, and uses standard AAA batteries. Usually available for under $10, I think it's a heck of a good flashlight for the price.

Despite the name, I don't consider it a "tactical" light because it has multiple modes of operation - brightness, strobe, etc. - which can only be accessed sequentially through repeated pushes of the button on the end cap. But for general purpose use, it's pretty good.
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cordex

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Re: Flashlight recommendations?
« Reply #4 on: April 21, 2021, 11:40:36 AM »
If you already have 18650 batteries I like the Streamlight ProTac 2L-X.
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RocketMan

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Re: Flashlight recommendations?
« Reply #5 on: April 21, 2021, 12:26:31 PM »
I ordered this two-pack from Amazon last year.  Single on-off mode, focus function, all aluminum, will use either AAA or 18650 batteries.  Plenty bright but the actual lumens are not listed.  $15 for the pair.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VNCWZBF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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zxcvbob

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Re: Flashlight recommendations?
« Reply #6 on: April 21, 2021, 12:55:45 PM »
I really like these; I bought one and was so impressed with it I bought another for my daughter https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BU9DSHW  But that doesn't help much since they are not available right now.

I also bought a cheap knockoff, an Ultrafire WF-501B, and I like it too.  In some ways it is better than the S&W, but it won't stand up on the endcap and the beam pattern is not quite as nice.  Both will take CR123A batteries or a 18650 lithium cell, and I really like that feature.  The Ultrafire works fine with flat-top 18650's; the S&W needs a button top or else you need to make or buy a little adapter.
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Kingcreek

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Re: Flashlight recommendations?
« Reply #7 on: April 21, 2021, 12:58:41 PM »
I think my rechargeable powertec was just a little above your $50 on sale at batteryjunction.
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RoadKingLarry

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Re: Flashlight recommendations?
« Reply #8 on: April 21, 2021, 02:18:27 PM »
Picked up a cheapo Energizer "tactical" light a couple of weeks ago on a whim. About $20 with tax. Claimed 300 lumen on high, aluminum construction, takes a single CR123 cell and has the silly 3-mode operation. I've been carrying it in my pocket since I got it.
Brighter than a LED Mini-Maglight, smaller and cheaper as well. I sort of see it as a possible replacement for the almost semi-disposable Mini-Maglights I've been fond of for utility usage.
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K Frame

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Re: Flashlight recommendations?
« Reply #9 on: April 21, 2021, 02:57:48 PM »
I got a very cheap one a few years ago to carry in my car. Might have been from New Egg or a similar site. One of the bottom of the line ones that doesn't have a reflector so it throws a square beam. But, it can be focused from a narrow beam to a wide spotlight, and it is BRIGHT. I don't like it as much as a general purpose light because the selector switch on the tail cap is VERY sensitive.

I have one that Mtnbkr and his family got me for my birthday some years ago... IIRC it's a Spider Fire. Also extremely bright and throws a very nice beam.

Both of those take rechargeable 18650s.

I also have the Surefire I got back in the mid 1990s. I bought two, one for me, one for my Dad, before LEDs were a thing. When Dad died I passed his on to Mtnbkr. We both later upgraded them to the LED emitters to replace the original bulbs. Unfortunately Mtnbkr lost his in a home burglary a few years later.

The thing that is truly amazing to me is just how little you have to spend these days to get a really powerful light.
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tokugawa

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Re: Flashlight recommendations?
« Reply #10 on: April 23, 2021, 01:03:42 AM »
The Fenix lights seem good quality, I have been carrying one for years and have several spares. Takes 2-123's.
And the strobe function is great for paralyzing annoying houseflies- makes them freeze for the swatter.... 
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Re: Flashlight recommendations?
« Reply #11 on: April 23, 2021, 04:29:05 PM »
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Bogie

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Re: Flashlight recommendations?
« Reply #12 on: April 23, 2021, 10:26:08 PM »
I've been using a Nebo rechargeable for the past year or so. It was about $40. The "X" model or somesuch.
 
It stays in the toolbox since it turns on if I pocket it with the lens up.
 
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