Looking for a good flashlight

robmints · Dec 21, 2016

http://www.fenix-store.com/lights-by-type/

I like fenix.

You don't need to spend a bunch of money. You can if you want and you will get something more capable. But you can buy a very nice light without spending a lot of money.

Another choice you are going to need to make is batteries. Rechargeable or not?

Boondock Saint · Jan 15, 2019

I don't know much about flashlights. I've been a Maglite guy my whole life, but I'm tired of screwing with them after one or more batteries blow their wad in the tube and I waste time creatively removing them.

I'm looking to keep a light in a vehicle. I've thought to storing the batteries separate from the light so that if they leak, at least I'm not out a flashlight. Are these fancier lights better about not leaking?

Looking to stay under $50 unless there's compelling reason to move up a bit.

EliteContent · Jan 15, 2019

Boondock Saint said:
I don't know much about flashlights. I've been a Maglite guy my whole life, but I'm tired of screwing with them after one or more batteries blow their wad in the tube and I waste time creatively removing them.

I'm looking to keep a light in a vehicle. I've thought to storing the batteries separate from the light so that if they leak, at least I'm not out a flashlight. Are these fancier lights better about not leaking?

Looking to stay under $50 unless there's compelling reason to move up a bit.

I went with a surefire light.

I think after a rebate or something I got it for just under $70 on amazon.

Works great for my hunting trips.

ground chuck · Jan 15, 2019

Got this off a MDS member that sold flashlights 5 years ago. It is a beast, high and strobe. Extremely bright. All the other ones on amazon have 3 to 5 settings. Get a decent 18650 battery such as mxjo 3000MAh 3.7V as well

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

dontpanic · Jan 15, 2019

Fenix UC30 is a great light for right around $50. USB rechargeable so it will save you a lot of money in batteries. For about $30 more you can upgrade to a UC35.

For about $40 more you can get an Olight M2. Olight has a lot of nice lights in your price range, I just can't remember them all.

You really can't go wrong with the UC30 though

https://www.rakuten.com/shop/unbeat...sJ_GZLahLJ_Cvq9UzNrtc29-L0Ovnvq8aAuW0EALw_wcB

rseymorejr · Jan 15, 2019

https://www.amazon.com/Headlight-He...ocphy=9007820&hvtargid=pla-568779640242&psc=1

My son gave me a rechargeable headlamp (similar to the one above) a couple years ago. Perfect for wandering through the woods or setting out decoys in the dark. It frees up your hands and always shines where you are looking. I use it working around the house all the time too. They are great.

CypherPunk · Jan 15, 2019

dontpanic said:
Fenix UC30 is a great light for right around $50. USB rechargeable so it will save you a lot of money in batteries. For about $30 more you can upgrade to a UC35.

For about $40 more you can get an Olight M2. Olight has a lot of nice lights in your price range, I just can't remember them all.

You really can't go wrong with the UC30 though

https://www.rakuten.com/shop/unbeat...sJ_GZLahLJ_Cvq9UzNrtc29-L0Ovnvq8aAuW0EALw_wcB

Love my Fenix PD32. Got one for the car too.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

DontTreadOnMe · Jan 15, 2019

Boondock Saint said:
I don't know much about flashlights. I've been a Maglite guy my whole life, but I'm tired of screwing with them after one or more batteries blow their wad in the tube and I waste time creatively removing them.

I'm looking to keep a light in a vehicle. I've thought to storing the batteries separate from the light so that if they leak, at least I'm not out a flashlight. Are these fancier lights better about not leaking?

Looking to stay under $50 unless there's compelling reason to move up a bit.

Maglites are notorious for causing batteries to leak. Supposedly if you open the cap from time to time it release the gas the batteries produce. Every so often I switch the position of the batteries for that reason, and it seems to help.

But yeah, I’m like you, I’ve liked Maglites for many years but they’re just not as reliable as one would like.

Occam · Jan 15, 2019

Check out the Flateye units, in various flavors. The biggest one that takes standard AAs is, without getting into more exotic batteries, eye-injuringly bright. Like the flat form factor.

https://www.panthervision.com/flateye/

Shoyo · Jan 15, 2019

Coast makes a reliable, affordable flashlight. You can pick em up at Home Depot.

John from MD · Jan 15, 2019

My EDC has been a Fenix since I switched from Surefire back in the '90s. Currently I carry the PD35 with a 18650 battery and it has been beat to hell and is still going strong. It reminds me of the Energizer Bunny. :lol:

Bob A · Jan 16, 2019

I'm a surefire fan for EDC, have a few different models. If $65 is over the top for the OP, I'd suggest looking into Olight.

I have an Olight M2T "Warrior" which takes 2 CR123 batteries and will also run off a rechargeable lithium battery. (The rechargeable one is about 25% brighter at maximum output, but the higher output reduces battery life accordingly). It has a tailcap switch (momentary or lock-on) that will give you max illumination, which is 900 lumens for 3 minutes, then it reduces to 600. It has further settings of 400, 60, 25 and 1 lumen for the CR123; same flash with the rechargeable will put out 1200/600, 600, 250, 60, 15 and 1.

There's a switch on the side which allows you to select these various levels, if you don't need maximum output. It will also permit you to toggle a 13 cycle per second strobe.

I think I paid $40 for it, on one of Olight's regular sales. It's a good deal, though IMO it has too many options for my taste. But I'm old and grumpy, and I don't like a lot of bells and whistles. Your mileage may vary. I can't fault the price.

They make some nice weapon lights, too.

Dave MP · Jan 16, 2019

CypherPunk said:
Love my Fenix PD32. Got one for the car too.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I have the 2016 version of the PD32. Very impressed. Can use the 18650 rechargeable or lithium CR123 cells.

Sent from my tricorder

John from MD · Jan 16, 2019

Dave MP said:
I have the 2106 version of the PD32. Very impressed. Can use the 18650 rechargeable or lithium CR123 cells.

Sent from my tricorder

Er, maybe the 2016 model of the PD32. :innocent0

Unless of course you have a time machine in your man cave. :lol:

smdub · Jan 16, 2019

I have two Fenix tk20s. Both have partially failed (neither can select the turbo/bright mode). I have since bought a bunch of nitecores that are 100% reliable.

John from MD · Jan 16, 2019

smdub said:
I have two Fenix tk20s. Both have partially failed (neither can select the turbo/bright mode). I have since bought a bunch of nitecores that are 100% reliable.

You know, I have had the same problem once and traced it back to a battery going bad. All the other features worked except turbo mode. I replaced the battery with a brand named version and it cured the problem.

smdub · Jan 16, 2019

The problem is just the twisty part goes bad (don't know if its the board or the bare aluminum contact is the problem.) Mine uses AAs and new batteries don't fix them. Other than that, the lights have worked well. But I'll never get another 'twist' selector style from anyone again. Ones like my Nitecores w/ 2 buttons are more reliable. Though I do wish more companies would make yellow/orange colored body flashlights. The Fenix had the option of the rubber grip part being yellow (I naively got the grey versions.) I find if I lay down a black flashlight (or pocket knife!) they are much harder to find again. I don't need tacticool

Dave MP · Jan 16, 2019

John from MD said:
Er, maybe the 2016 model of the PD32.

Unless of course you have a time machine in your man cave.

Doh!
Yes 2016

Sent from my tricorder

Bountied · Jan 16, 2019

Not sure if it was mentioned but check out the Thrunite offerings on Amazon. I have a couple of these and they are compact and very bright. I have used them for tracking deer and they work well. They take 1 AA which are easy to find also.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GSS9XMZ/ref=twister_B01LAMK5K6?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

onedash · Jan 16, 2019

I have a couple surefires but for hunting I always have an energizer headlamp with. They are cheap ($15-$25) not uncomfortable even without a hat and are perfect for gutting a deer or as an additional source of light when following a blood trail.

Looking for a good flashlight

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