The one thing that you wonder why you didn't buy sooner?

jjeff · Dec 1, 2023

Hay Dude said:
My wife bought me the DeWalt LED flashlight when they were expensive.
Somebody else liked it more than me and stole it with a 60V MAX battery
There’s $300 lost.

I need to replace it. I might get the knock off. Amazon?

So far I've purchased on scamazon the DeWalt 20 volt battery compatible cheap knock off work light and heat gun so far I'm pleased with both especially for the price I paid and occasional use.

RobertEH · Dec 1, 2023

two_bit_score said:
I'll throw in a plug for Fenix flashlights, a small one, but a plug nevetheless.

Over 10 years ago I bought a Fenix LD22 at REI. Main reason for getting it at REI was at that time they still had a lifetime guarrantee on everything they sold.

About a year or so ago I pulled that flashlight out of the door pocket of the truck and the batteries had corroded. My fault but no worries because REI would cover it. Right? Not so fast. They had to have proof of purchase and I could not find a reciept for the light. A year or two from now when I'm not looking for it I will come across it.

So I decided to send it to Fenix anyway to see what they would do. Wasn't holding out much hope of anything. But, Fenix actually determined the problem was in the end cap. Maybe, maybe not caused by the corrosion but they offered me a decent discount on a new light or they would replace the end cap and it would work - how long who knows.

I thought that was a decent trade off. I would have reather had a brand new updated model but my flashlight works fine and I can still use the discount if I decide I want to do so. So, Way To Go Fenix. They exceeded expectations.

Fenix lights are outstanding.

Buddy dropped a Fenix PD30 in a cave once (the PD 30 has been replaced with newer models since then). it fell thru some rocks and to the cave bottom in about 10 feet of water. He went back 6 months later when the water dropped and recovered it. New battery and it worked just fine.

Keep one in each car and by the back door.

scootr · Dec 1, 2023

jjeff said:
So far I've purchased on scamazon the DeWalt 20 volt battery compatible cheap knock off work light and heat gun so far I'm pleased with both especially for the price I paid and occasional use.

I have a few 6a knock off 18v batteries and some smaller 12v for the little Mikitas. Mikita 12v drills and drivers are great on the workbench. I mark them with the month and year when I buy them. Most of the knock offs I have now are marked 2018 and 2020. Hardest part was teaching the wife to put em on the charger

after she runs them down vacuuming the car and running dog fans at the shows...

ultrarunner · Dec 1, 2023

RobertEH said:
Fenix lights are outstanding.

Buddy dropped a Fenix PD30 in a cave once (the PD 30 has been replaced with newer models since then). it fell thru some rocks and to the cave bottom in about 10 feet of water. He went back 6 months later when the water dropped and recovered it. New battery and it worked just fine.

Keep one in each car and by the back door.

Anyone remember when Maglite flashlights were the pinnacle of flashlights and standard issue for public safety?

I have several with some decades old and no problem.

Holiday Gift Guide

Maglite Flashlights has compiled our favorite products in a Holiday gift guide.

maglite.com

jjeff · Dec 1, 2023

scootr said:
I have a few 6a knock off 18v batteries and some smaller 12v for the little Mikitas. Mikita 12v drills and drivers are great on the workbench. I mark them with the month and year when I buy them. Most of the knock offs I have now are marked 2018 and 2020. Hardest part was teaching the wife to put em on the charger after she runs them down vacuuming the car and running dog fans at the shows...

I genuine DeWalt tools have no parasitic drain if you leave a charged battery in them I'm apprehensive if cheaper knockoff DeWalt wannabes have a drain on battery if left in the tool. I have a few DeWalt brand 18-20 volt adapters if I left a 20 volt battery in the 18 volt tool it would drain battery.

WinterDeere · Dec 1, 2023

ultrarunner said:
Anyone remember when Maglite flashlights were the pinnacle of flashlights and standard issue for public safety?

I have several with some decades old and no problem.

Holiday Gift Guide

Maglite Flashlights has compiled our favorite products in a Holiday gift guide.

maglite.com

I still have a small fleet of them, all old-skool halogen bulb stuff from the 1990's. Good build quality, but terrible performance, from back in the day when I was too young to realize quality and performance were two totally separate and unrelated things.

I discovered just this fall, when doing my annual "set clocks back" battery changes on all thermostats, smoke alarms, and emergency vehicle flashlights, that the D-cells in my 3xD Maglight had leaked and ruined the thing. Now I'm down to just four 2xD's.

Fuddyduddy1952 · Dec 1, 2023

ultrarunner said:
Anyone remember when Maglite flashlights were the pinnacle of flashlights and standard issue for public safety?

I have several with some decades old and no problem.

Holiday Gift Guide

Maglite Flashlights has compiled our favorite products in a Holiday gift guide.

maglite.com

Funny you mentioned that. I have an old 5 cell Maglite like police used to carry I've never replaced D cells. I just now used it and still works fine. It must be 30++ years old, incandescent.
One day I should put all my flashlights together...I'm a flashlight *****

. Oldest is my grandfather's WWI Eveready. Lots of 40s-50s with the big 6v lantern battery. I bet they draw an amp of current and amazing how little light output.

ultrarunner · Dec 1, 2023

LED bulbs available for older Maglites

Batteries are another thing... for decades batteries were guaranteed not to leak and if they did the item would be replaced...

I did get a brand new high end flashlight from battery damage...