Looking for advice on good small LED flashlight

[Rich3077]

I want a very bright, small and durable LED flashlight.. and am willing to spend more than a few bucks for it (but under $100)

I am new to the world of high end flashlights so I thought I had better ask for advice before I take the plunge. So far I like this one

http://www.all-battery.com/TenergyT100PREMIUMTacticalLEDFlashlight.aspx

but the one review said it broke after being dropped once.

I want something small.. no bigger than a traditional 2 C cell flashlight.. smaller would be even better.

Suggestions anyone?

 

[Rubycon]

Fenix has what you need at a reasonable price.

http://www.lighthound.com/Fenix_c_76.html

 

[mizzou]

i was really happy with these. Very light and durable so far for the price. the light output is huge $EDIT$, the range of the light is what impressed me most, it's better then my 2D cell mag light by far.

http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=425248

 

[Rubycon]

i was really happy with these. Very light and durable so far for the price. the light output is huge $EDIT$, the range of the light is what impressed me most, it's better then my 2D cell mag light by far.

http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/nav...=5&item=425248

A 2D mag is about 30 lumens! Incandescents still have the edge for throw but compared to a more floody beam of a GOOD LED they are quite poor. One has to move the flashlight all around to see in a larger dark room, for example. A TINY flashlight can be realized that will outshine those billy club lights.

 

[ScoobMaster]

If you REALLY want to get some opinions, do TONS of research, and learn more about flashlights than you ever knew was possible, then go here:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com

Flashlight geek forum heaven!

 

[Red Squirrel]

I never realized flashlights could be so expensive lol. They are such a simple concept. I made one with a couple toilet paper rolls and foil paper when I was like 8. It was not, durable, mind you.

Actually where can I buy LEDs in bulk? I feel like a very fun project involving PVC piping and some kind of concave mirror.

 

[StinkyPinky]

Hell, I have a cheapass 5$ one that has lasted for freaking ages and has been dropped on solid concrete many times and it just laughs. So awesome.

I've been forever searching for more of these. I should have bought ten of them.

 

[Rubycon]

I never realized flashlights could be so expensive lol. They are such a simple concept. I made one with a couple toilet paper rolls and foil paper when I was like 8. It was not, durable, mind you.

Actually where can I buy LEDs in bulk? I feel like a very fun project involving PVC piping and some kind of concave mirror.

How about bulk lasers?

 

[Jeff7]

1) WANT
2) What is it?

 

[F1N3ST]

Fleshlight?

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Buy a keychain flashlight at walmart for $3 unless you are planning on going deep cave exploring.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

I am not a Flashlight guru, snob, or collector.

I just bought a Energizer Cree 60-lumens 1 AA all aluminum flashlight. Easy push button on and will dim if you hold the push button down. Flashlight is waterproof to 10-ft for 1hr and is drop/shock proof. It was my first flashligh that I paid more than $5 for and I'm now a believer!!!

Cabelas has one very close to what I bought for $19.99
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...cabelas/en/common/search/search-box.jsp.form1

 

[JDMnAR1]

Target carries a brand called River Rock that I have been quite pleased with. I have a 136 lumen 2C cell model, as well as a few others.

Edit: Think regular price on it was ~$30, I picked it up on sale for ~$20 or so.

 

[Red Squirrel]

How about bulk lasers?

I seen that somewhere... oh yeah, star wars, and the blew up a planet with it. :awe:

 

[HybridSquirrel]

idk what brand i have, but i got it out of a firemans catalogue. if you can find one, or know a fireman, ask them to buy from their catalogues. these things are bright as my car headlights almost.

 

[boomhower]

Surefire 6P LED would be my pick for less than $100.

 

[HybridSquirrel]

Surefire 6P LED would be my pick for less than $100.

I googled this and got a youtube video. Its the same I have.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUI9yS-AwYI

maglite v the surefire.

of course, you cant hit people with the surefire.

 

[HiTek21]

I highly recommend the Fenix LD10, I use mine at work everyday and it's almost perfect. It's bright, uses 1 AA battery, and it can take a beating. I can't tell you how many times i've dropped it and it still works perfectly.

https://www.fenix-store.com/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=466

 

[WHAMPOM]

I bought three in a pac, nine led flashlights from harbor freight. They are still working well. And a fifty+ LED, 3 D-cell that is still running on the original batteries after three years.

 

[iGas]

I must have gone through at the very least a dozen LED flash light in my job due to breakage.

IMHO, get one that can handle standard AA cells with long rate operational hours as possible, and most curent cheap LED flashlight should do the trick.

I have had serveral expensive usless highpower LED flash lights that kill a set of battery after 3 hours of use and lost most of it power by 1-1.5 hours. And, a few expensive ones that have decent power with staying power, but they still can't handle the abuse of droping. Cheap LED flash light is the way togo IMHO.

 

[CRXican]

Surefire 6P LED would be my pick for less than $100.

That's what I was going to say. I have one.
http://www.lapolicegear.com/surefire6pled.html

 

[iGas]

That's what I was going to say. I have one.
http://www.lapolicegear.com/surefire6pled.html

SureFire 6P reviews
Depends on the lamp module that you opt for it can be more than 1 hour output on a set of battery or as little as 20 minutes output. IMHO, it is a useless flashlight due to such short runtime.

Streamlight 68202 4-AA Battery 7-LED Flashlight is one of my favorite but I have manange to break the same model with black rubberized grip.

 

[Rubycon]

Runtime...

Jeez if you NEED a light that long you should be using a trouble light!

 

[iGas]

Runtime...

Jeez if you NEED a light that long you should be using a trouble light!

There are places in a machine/electronic module that a trouble light wouldn't fit. And my tool bags are heavy enought (around 80 lbs each) that doesn't have the space for cords, trouble lights, and then there are places that there is no power readily and a generator is a pain in the arse to haul around just for lights.

 

[Rubycon]

I guess it boils down to your work style and type. They do have rechargeable trouble lights using LEDs, HID ($$$ and fairly fragile), and incandescent. They work with a cord and when there's no power run on internal battery packs. Some have variators that let you adjust the light output so you have only as much light as you need while extending battery life.

Cordless tool makers like DeWalt, Milwaukee, Makita, and others have lights that run on the same packs their other tools (i.e. drills) run on too. This cuts down on extras you need to carry, etc.