Flashlight recommendations?

[gsganzer]

I need a new flashlight for around the homestead. My trusty streamlight has finally seen better days and is ready for retirement (plus I want a new badass flashlight:thumbsup: anyway)

I think I'd prefer one that's not rechargeable, unless someone says otherwise. I've been looking at Zebra Lights, a bunch of hunting buddies have had great luck with them.

Does anyone have any recommendations? Like to keep it under $100, preferably under $75

 

[Industrial Toys]

I bought a few LED flashlights on clearance at TSC. Gave two away and kept one. I like them because the end unscrews and you plug it into your lighter socket. No cord to get lost or tangled up in your cubby hole.

Beyond that, I like flashlights that use "D" batteries. You pay the same, so why not get more power? I hate all these "AAA" powered devices for that reason!

 

[Blade Breaker]

I always buy Maglite brand. All USA made. Been happy so far. I'd say as long as it's not imported you will be fine.

 

[tman1020]

Mag light led XL 50. By far the best flashlight for the money. Also one of the only ones I could find made in USA. If you have one of these the only reason you will still be shopping again is for a second one.

 

[4570Man]

I have a led stream light that is awesome. It is about 4 times as bright as a maglight. I actually like a rechargeable light. With batteries I use it until I have to strike a match to see if it is lit, but with a rechargeable I can keep it bright without costing $$.

 

[boggen]

subscribing to thread more than anything.

myself just get cheap LED lights with most like a watch battery or 1 to 3 triple A batteries. generally the head light flash lights (straps to your head) are highest on the list more than anything else. generally look for cheapest thing come Christmas season. eventually some cheap stuff comes up... they last 1 to 3 years pending.

tend to get a couple little handle held flash lights with the head ones above. and toss onto the key area in the house that holds keys for everything. so i know were they are when power goes out. and another tossed into a phone book for the old phone to call to let them know power is out.

never been a fan of large bright spot lights, from frogging to night fishing. maybe a lantern style for camping. but still the batteries get eaten up quickly. and on comes the generator.

never had luck with rechargeable batteries. batteries never get used enough to need to be recharged, and by the time they need recharged. i done lost the re-charger some place. only time rechargeable batteries get used any more is in cameras / laptops were they get used more often, but both in those cases they are specialized batteries.

 

[4570Man]

I have the same problem with loosing the charger. Having a stream light in a truck mounted changer cures loosing the flashlight, loosening the charger, and having a dead flashlight

 

[bigtiller]

I have an old one from ProTac that I like to have in my pocket when I leave home but it uses a CR123A battery which isn't cheap. If I was to replace it it would be one of these from Brownells.

Access Denied

Access Denied


Most important, get the C4 LCD bulb. It is a blinding white light.

The links work, I just tried them. Its odd that it says access denied.

 

[dusty3030]

Mag light led XL 50. By far the best flashlight for the money. Also one of the only ones I could find made in USA. If you have one of these the only reason you will still be shopping again is for a second one.

That is an awesome light I use it in my hunting pack.

I also have 3 of the 2D full size LED ones. I keep one by my bed, one in my truck and one in my boat. They are AWESOME.

Maglite 2-Cell D LED Flashlight - Full Size - Flashlights

 

[davesl708]

I converted my old Mag lights to the LED bulb. Works great and get about 30 hours use out of three D cell batteries.
I have some cheap C cell lights from Lowes. They work great in the house and car. Brighter than the sun when batteries are fresh. Get about 20 hours of use out of two C cells.

 

[jymbee]

... myself just get cheap LED lights with most like a watch battery or 1 to 3 triple A batteries.

Same here. I have a couple of more powerful rechargeable Stanley LED lights, but I've got a dozen or so of these little guys. I keep one in the glove compartment, next to the bed, shelf by the door, basement utility room etc. etc.

Great light and always within reach when you need it. Light lasts a long time on AAA batteries, right angle so you an stand it up is very handy, belt clip (which you can use to hold in your teeth in a pinch!), and small enough to fit just about anywhere. Not a really bright light compared to the big guys of course but they get used just about every day for one thing or the other.

EDIT: Meant to say that this 41-4235 model can typically be had for around five bucks in stores like Sears or online. Makes buying in quantity practical.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have traditionally preffered maglite. What is involved in switching them to LED?

A friend has a OEM Maglite LED and it is a POS. Like a dollar store flashlight, you have to keep hitting the thing or angling it downward! Sad!

 

[4570Man]

You just have to buy a led bulb. I have a converted led and a factory led mag light. The factory led is considerably brighter.

 

[MossRoad]

I've got half a dozen mini-mags between home and work. I like them but they eat batteries. I found a little LED conversion kit at home depot about a year ago and gave it a try. I do inspections, preventative maintenance and repairs on machinery, so it gets lots of use. Two AA's lasted almost 6 months after the LED conversion! It won't throw the beam anywhere near as far as the incandescent bulb, but for close up inspection, its white light is far superior. It makes me want to buy a mag light LED flashlight and test it out. Maybe Santa will bring me one this year...

 

[Wagtail]

I've had an interesting observation regarding LED torches (what we call a flashlight = torch); while the LED light intensity is great, it upsets my horses if I need to check on them whilst dark.

As soon as I use a regular incandescent torch, they're fine... nothing is out of the ordinary. :confused3:

 

[oosik]

I guess it kind of depends upon how often you will use it and what you expect out of the light. I've always used Makita rechargeable - my current one is - Lxt, 18V, lithium ion.

Out here where the only light, at night, is the stars & moon - I need a light that reaches out, scares all the evil critters and will easily cover the entire yard.

I use the light, at least, every single night when the dog & I venture out before we hit the sack. It will illuminate clear across the little lake - 900 feet - and can stop the coyotes in "mid-song". The coyotes like to sit on the cliffs across the lake and howl - their "song" echoes off the cliffs and can create quite a racket.

 

[bigtiller]

I guess it kind of depends upon how often you will use it and what you expect out of the light. I've always used Makita rechargeable - my current one is - Lxt, 18V, lithium ion.

Out here where the only light, at night, is the stars & moon - I need a light that reaches out, scares all the evil critters and will easily cover the entire yard.

I use the light, at least, every single night when the dog & I venture out before we hit the sack. It will illuminate clear across the little lake - 900 feet - and can stop the coyotes in "mid-song". The coyotes like to sit on the cliffs across the lake and howl - their "song" echoes off the cliffs and can create quite a racket.

Makita sells a few different models which one do you have? I have a lot of Makita stuff and a light like you describe would be useful.

 

[oosik]

bigtiller -
I thought my description was fairly unique - until I just went on the Makita web site - they DO make quite a few that fit into my description.

Anyhow - the model is----- MKTBML185. I also see that they have reduced the price on the light. When I bought it I think the light, battery & charger were around $185. I would guess the three would be less now.

Other than the fact that the light is pretty far reaching - I appreciate rechargeable lights - I don't have to keep a supply of batteries and recharging is a simple one hour situation.

 

[dodge man]

Look at Surefire. They make some very good flashlights, although expensive. The last one I bought I got off of Amazon at a very good price, maybe $50. It has two light settings super bright and dimmer. Its LED and the battery life on the brightest setting in something like 10 hours and on the dimmer setting something like 40 hours. On the brightest setting, its almost as bright as what you would get out of a single headlight from a car. It almost boggles the mind on how much light it puts out. LED's were a big boon to the small flash lights. The earlier Surefire I had wasn't quite as bright and the batteries only lasted an hour. The LED's are brighter and use less power. The only drawback is the battery cost, it uses CR123 batteries. If you shop on line you can get these batteries for about $1 each.

 

[Scrambler82]

Mag Lites are great and I too converted an older 4D to LED, 1000 Lumens, great lite but heavy; it is in a mount under my truck seat now, waiting to be used.

In the mean time I purchased an Everyready two AA cell unit, small lightweight and BRIGHT.
It is suppose to be 380 Lumens but the effective lighting is as good as my 1000 Lumen Mag.
Rugged aluminum case, very heavy duty.

Purchased my Everyready from ACE Hardware and very happy with it and carry it in my back pocket, quick retrieve.

Check it out, you might find it ok for your use.

Forgot around $30.