What flashight do you recommend?

[sixdogs]

Do you have a particular flashlight you like? I need to buy some new flashlights to replace my old bulb style Maglights and the sheer number of them is confusing.

What I would like is an LED that's bright enough to see in the barn at night and takes AA, C or D batteries. I'd like it to be a major brand so I can get parts if I ever need them and I don't want to spend $75 on it because I would like to buy several. Less is better but I'm not a cheapskate.

A couple months back I picked up some flashlights at Costco that take three AAA batteries and have three clicks on the switch. Dim, bright and flashing. It's sort of a hassle to go through the clicking cycle every time you use it. I bought three of these flashlights and so far one is broken, one doesn't work all the time and one rarely gets used. So I'm not happy with those. My Harbor Freight freebies have worked better.

What do you have and do you like it? Any ideas appreciated.

 

[MrWhippy]

Depends on what batteries you want to use. With AAs, there a lot of choices. Maglite makes an LED light. The minimag pro or pro+ tha are solid performers. There's an online site called Countycomm.com that stocks a very good 1xAA light too. Maratac

 

[newbury]

I go for the HF freebies and if I need recommendations (for example when I was buying green laser pointers) go to candlepower forums. But it can suck valuable time away from TBN.

 

[oosik]

I used to go thru flashlights here like a kid goes thru candy. Then I found Makita rechargeable - but when you get the flashlight, rechargeable battery & charger, you're into it right at $200.

Recently, I've got a rechargeable LED flashlight. It comes with rechargeable battery & charger for $55. You should check it on their web site - - I got the Nebo, Redline, RC. I had this Nebo for about 6 months now and so far its great. On high, it will shine from my front porch and illuminate the ground across my little lake - 900 feet away. I use a flashlight every night when the dog & I go out for his final business.

 

[jimmyj]

I have a thing for flashlights. Get an LED, aluminum and get the max # of lumens you can. The Maglite LED is a very good flashlight, the batteries last forever and it's reasonably bright. I recently got a "store brand" light that is almost 800 lumens, takes 3 C cell batteries and you can adjust the beam from narrow to wide for about $30 bucks. It is smaller than the Maglite and eats the batteries a bit faster. Lee Valley Tools has about the nicest LED super bright flashlights I've ever seen - you can look them up online.

Note: Most of the new (if not all of the new) flashlights have those silly 3 step switches for low, high and strobe. Happy hunting.

 

[General Lee]

Dang six dogs, I was gonna recommend the little ones at Costco but it seems they're not working for you. I have about 9 of them and everyone has been flawless. I find them very bright for the money and keep one just about everywhere.

For my serious duty and work lights, I use streamlight but those are out of the price range you want to spend.

 

[downsizingnow48]

I've got some 2 and 3 D cell Maglites, some 2 AA cell Maglites, and a couple Surefire lithium LEDs. In different places for different uses. All do the job reliably. Flashlights have come a long way since the old tin jobs.

 

[Parkanzky]

I know you said AA, C, or D, but I would recommend the Maglite XL200:

Maglite XL200 LED 3-Cell AAA Flashlight - Compact - Flashlights

I was given one as a Christmas gift a few years ago and have since purchased another for myself and a couple as gifts for my friends. It has motion controlled brightness and strobe rate, which means that you can set the light level to whatever you actually need. That means that you can crank it up when you're outside but dim it if you're using it indoors or for up-close work. The motion-sensor is also used to lock the light. It's a nice feature that keeps it from getting turned on accidentally when you toss it in your coat pocket. And that gets to another reason I recommend the AAA light instead of something that takes bigger batteries. These lights fit nicely in a jacket pocket. I'm a lot more likely to have one with me when I want one.

 

[Parkanzky]

I know you said AA, C, or D, but I would recommend the Maglite XL200:

Maglite XL200 LED 3-Cell AAA Flashlight - Compact - Flashlights

I was given one as a Christmas gift a few years ago and have since purchased another for myself and a couple as gifts for my friends. It has motion controlled brightness and strobe rate, which means that you can set the light level to whatever you actually need. That means that you can crank it up when you're outside but dim it if you're using it indoors or for up-close work. The motion-sensor is also used to lock the light. It's a nice feature that keeps it from getting turned on accidentally when you toss it in your coat pocket. And that gets to another reason I recommend the AAA light instead of something that takes bigger batteries. These lights fit nicely in a jacket pocket. I'm a lot more likely to have one with me when I want one.

I know it says they're $65 on Maglite's site, but they're $40 shipped on Amazon.com:

Maglite XL200 LED Flashlight, Black - Basic Handheld Flashlights - Amazon.com

 

[tman1020]

I have had tons of flashlights was a junkie for the rechargeable LED'smost of them are made in China. Came across a mag light XL 50. They cost around $25 it is definitely one of the best ones I've ever used. I have tried many different LED mag lights and I am happy with everyone. They are also one of only flashlights still made in USA.

 

[Winmac]

My Current goto flashlight is a stream 4aa led, good light, good battery life, doesn't seem to mind the cold( leave one in the car) and haven't managed to break one yet.

 

[sixdogs]

....

... Flashlights have come a long way since the old tin jobs.

They sure have.I found some old military angled head flashlights recently. I remember them being bright decades ago but I could barely see in the closet with one.

 

[DFB]

Why would you not want to invest a rechargeable flashlight? Especially if you already own virtually any brand cordless tool. Most everyone makes one. The Milwaukee 12v LED flashlight sans battery and charger for me was only $39, Just bought my gf the new Milwaukee 12v lantern light $59 at Christmas for an emergency home light when the power goes out (she is happy as all heck with it) plus I gave her a battery and a xtra charger. I have more chargers than I know what to do with :laughing:

The big feature of Milwaukee lights is the type of light they emit. I use them in the dimly lit storage coolers at work the light lets us tell different apples apart by allowing us to see the color almost like you were outdoors

I did see some cheapo rechargeable lights at a TSC store last time I was there somewhat similar to my Milwaukee 12v stick light They caught my eye of course because of the cheap price and that they also looked like a craftsman style light the plumber I work with has. He liked what he had. The Milwaukee 2351 sticklight was $54 new for me back in Nov. (Amazon)

But I really wasn't impressed at all...in fact first one I picked up didn't even work when I switched it on
TSC $29


I have a 5 pack of rubber coated pocket sized LED flashlights use 3 AAA batteries. I also bought at TSC for $10 a while ago. I like them. I have them in the garage for looking in my roll away toolbox when I cant seem to find what I'm looking for!

I have 3 aluminum body Maglights from years past that I don't even bother using anymore...2 double C's and a triple D. Are there led bulb upgrades available for them these days?

 

[k0ua]

I have 3 aluminum body Maglights from years past that I don't even bother using anymore...2 double C's and a triple D. Are there led bulb upgrades available for them these days?

There are, and I thought about ordering some of the upgrade kits from Amazon, but the prices for the kits were almost what you could buy a new LED Maglight for, and all the reviewers said the new LED Maglights were better than retrofitting the kits in the old ones.

I have a couple of cheapie Chinese 1 watt 3 AAA lights that I like so far. They are brighter than even my 4 D cell Maglight with new batteries in it, and are 1/10 the size and weight.. I am about done with the big Maglights, I still have several of them, but I like these little LED things better. I guess except when I need one to knock some bad guy in the head that is.. I got these little lights at Home Depot I think they were under 10 bucks, and they have a single 1 watt LED in them. Much Much brighter than the multi LED types.

 

[3930dave]

I have some old Maglites that I still like, and just bought a new AA LED maglite for $20 Canadian from Lowes.

That lastest 2x AA Mag LED has better battery life than their first gen LED version. The first gen one was somewhat higher light output, but I prefer longer battery life, so bought the later version.

OP - Costco usually has a good return policy, you probably could take those back. If mine are the same, I've had better luck with the SnapOn flashlights I bought at Costco.

The first one I bought runs on AAs, has one surface mount LED in the end (most efficient) and a pile of through hole (old style) LED for an area light on the side, magnet on the base - used that one a lot, not abused, but dropped a half a dozen times or so. That SnapOn model now has 3 or so surface mount LEDs for the area light (should be even more efficient than mine), on the new ones I see on the shelf at Costco. Good deal for $20, IMO.

On that AA model, I mostly use the single LED on the end (easiest on battery). However, once in while (camping, doing repair work outside at night....) I find that area light really useful - takes out some shadows you get from a single point beam when doing detailed work.

So.... I later bought the 3 pack of SnapOn AAA flashlights, $20 (Costco). Has the flash setting to click through, but that might be useful for roadside emergencies. One sits in a vehicle, occasional use. One gets used around the house, and I find it a good size to stick into nooks when I'm working under a vehicle hood. 3'rd one travels with my wife.

All 4 of those SnapOns still (knock wood) work fine, and are easy on batteries. I also like that they are aluminum bodied.

Rgds, D.

 

[TomSeller]

The good thing about the big Maglights is you can use them to protect yourself if need be. I learned from a LA Beat Cop many years ago to hold the light like you were throwing a spear. You can then thump someone or something a little easier. I do need to replace my batteries but should look into the LED styles. I have no use for the little ones, I can never find them.

 

[Tollster]

I have a few and my work requires I have one with me. I prefer the stream light AA(2) and the streamlight single AA, just because they are bright, tough, and fit in my pocket.
I am also a big fan of the headlamps, leaving my hand free, LED of course, and I look for the AA battery's there as well, mostly because of the price..the 123 batts are ridiculous, and when the die, its lights out..

I have one rechargeable from Cabelas, 1200 lumen, you could spot deer with it, and its fits in your levi pocket, its good on the go, but not my first choice simply because if the power goes out and its not fully charged.... sure we all have generators, but I don't dig mine out until the first 5 hours has passed..

 

[RedNeckGeek]

Here's another vote for the new D cell LED Maglites. They were on sale a couple Christmases ago, so I picked one up for the tool box, the kitchen, and the headboard of my bed. Spent a fair amount of time under the kitchen sink today trying to find a leak (darn InSinkErator) and I really liked being able to park it on the lens and not have it go rolling off. The two position switch is simple to use and has a very satisfying action. I see them selling now for about $23, putting out 125 lumens or so. There's a new 3rd gen version that's supposed to make over 500 lumens, but that would've been way too bright for my little under sink adventure, and the darn thing costs three times as much. Still have a couple of incandescent Maglites around, and didn't know about the LED conversion kits. I'm the type that hates to throw anything away, so I'll try chasing some down.

I also like my Petzel LED headlamp with the built in retractable head band, but the multi push switch is a bit of a PITA.

Just picked up a Streamlight hand held spot for working outside and looking for "thumps in the night". Only one LED bulb, but I can see all the way across the canyon, about a quarter mile.
Streamlight 44904 Waypoint High Performance Pistol-Grip Spotlight, Yellow - Basic Handheld Flashlights - Amazon.com

I'm not real big on rechargeable flashlights that use proprietary batteries. Many years ago I bought a SureFire tactical light, bright as heck, had a dim setting, too. It was more of an emergency light, so it didn't see much use, and the battery got to the point where it wouldn't hold a charge. SureFire doesn't sell replacement batteries for it because they've moved away from NiCd to better technologies. So now it sits in a drawer, another piece of junk too expensive to throw away.

 

[Al Mac]

Do you have a particular flashlight you like? I need to buy some new flashlights to replace my old bulb style Maglights and the sheer number of them is confusing.

What I would like is an LED that's bright enough to see in the barn at night and takes AA, C or D batteries. I'd like it to be a major brand so I can get parts if I ever need them and I don't want to spend $75 on it because I would like to buy several. Less is better but I'm not a cheapskate.

A couple months back I picked up some flashlights at Costco that take three AAA batteries and have three clicks on the switch. Dim, bright and flashing. It's sort of a hassle to go through the clicking cycle every time you use it. I bought three of these flashlights and so far one is broken, one doesn't work all the time and one rarely gets used. So I'm not happy with those. My Harbor Freight freebies have worked better.

What do you have and do you like it? Any ideas appreciated.

I have had several lights over the years. I use a flashlight several times a day for close work and distance seeing. Big lights were just extra bulk to drag around as my tools are enough in places that no man would want to travel. I tried the head lamp but it was like the bigger lights, in the truck when I needed it.
I ended up with a small pocket unit that I always have on me. It is now like I am not dressed without it.

4AA eLED® Zoom Front Switch LED Flashlight » Underwater Kinetics

It works for me and I have had it for 4 years now. I am not easy on it and over the years it has passed my personal drop test and water test that was well beyond what was recommended.
I tested it at night with a co worker 6 or 8 D cell maglite. fresh batteries in both outside and the little 4 aa battery led had more distance.
Good luck as this is a very large market to pick from.

Al