GophersGarage
Well-known member
which do you recommend? no budget just want top quality
Looking for the best flashlight thats compact for my tool bag
- Thread starter GophersGarage
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RPH
Well-known member
Depends on the purpose of the light. I had three different lights in my box. I had the middle one above when working inside control panels troubleshooting. Too bright of a light blinds you on the inside of a white box. Pocket led, pelican 2360. This was a general purpose light. Handy and the batteries lasted long time. Another super bright light that I used to trace pipe and conduits in the factory ceilings. That and a laser pointer can help identifying concerns on the the job site. So, it depends……..
RTM
Well-known member
As noted in other replies, it probably depends on what you use your tool bag for.
Around the house vs around the yard vs on the car vs retail repair vs cavernous factory with giant utility yards.
I have many flashlights as a DIY, and pick different ones for different jobs.
I like to have two lights, one a very floody COB like the first pictured, and 2nd light with an aim-able head. For the aim-able, I used to have a cordless tool brand's light but it was quite large. Now I more often grab my Nicron N9:
Smaller still and a pretty good value right now is their N7 model, on sale for $12 after coupon, but of course not as bright and/or shorter runtime due to the smaller Li-Ion cell. You must use a 14500 Li-Ion cell in it for good brightness (othewise only half as bright), but it's handy that it can also run from a AA alkaline or NiMH. Battery NOT included:
I'd much rather have lights like these that you can swap the battery out of and throw a charged one in to keep working, opposed to those that only offer USB charging so once it is drained, the work stops if you don't have a backup light.
Smaller still and a pretty good value right now is their N7 model, on sale for $12 after coupon, but of course not as bright and/or shorter runtime due to the smaller Li-Ion cell. You must use a 14500 Li-Ion cell in it for good brightness (othewise only half as bright), but it's handy that it can also run from a AA alkaline or NiMH. Battery NOT included:
I'd much rather have lights like these that you can swap the battery out of and throw a charged one in to keep working, opposed to those that only offer USB charging so once it is drained, the work stops if you don't have a backup light.
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seber
Well-known member
I have a bunch of these around the house. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GR8QV5G/?tag=atomicindus08-20 That is in addition to at least ten more expensive models. a few costing way more than I should have spent. Nonetheless, the Sipiks are the ones that both my wife and I pick up almost every time. they are simple to operate, give instantly adjustable beam and have been totally reliable for the last four years. Not one of them has given any trouble. It's just a big plus that they happen to be really cheap. You don't have to buy twenty, but considering how handy they are, I would get several.
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Yes they are a great value. However the ones I have, can't get more than half the charge out of a NiMH AA cell before they stop working... which isn't a deal breaker to me when running rechargeables, but it does make the runtime fairly short for the amount of light.
It's also nice that many of them have the screw off bezel so can be used in candle mode.
Jakemedic
Well-known member
I have been a Fenix guy for 14 or 15 years now. Make a nice product and their USA customer service team is awesome. My grand daughter when she was 2, decided to chew the rubber switch cover off the tail switch. On a whim I reached out to their customer service and told them of my issue. After both of us getting a good laugh over it, they sent me a new cover at no cost and a link to a video showing how to get it replaced. Don’t see that anymore.
428PI
Well-known member
I use whatever I got free. In the shop is my Milwaukee m18 which I got as a gift and in the house a snap on marked 2 double aer which was a freebie for Christmas from dealer.
BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Stream Light has great lights. I’d look at them. Mine are going strong still after two years of every day use.
FTWingRiders
Well-known member
I like my Klarus..
klaruslightstore.com
KLARUS XT2CR Pro 2100 Lumens Tactical Flashlight
XT2CR Pro 2100 Lumen Compact Tactical Flashlight This is a daily-usable strong light tactical flashlight. It is an upgraded version of XT2CR. It has a lighter design and is easy to carry. It has a more sophisticated manufacturing process, a stronger brightness, and a direct charging function. It...
klaruslightstore.com
smokey0810
Well-known member
I’ve got a small Coast I picked up at Lowe’s a few years back that I use to spotlight houses when delivering in the dark. For being tiny, it’s badass.
I have the HX5 that I carry in my pocket probably seven years at least.
The only time it doesn’t instantly turn back on is when . It thinks the battery is almost dead, which it is.
I think I paid about 15 bucks.
It sure if the op was interested in rechargeables which this one uses one AA
LeeG
Well-known member
I EDC a Fenix LD30. It takes a single 18650 battery. It has 5 levels of brightness and at the top end is almost too bright. Not cheap, but it’s been in my pocket daily for about 4 years now.
Lee
Lee
JABgj
Well-known member
I use heck out of my Olight i5T Plus. 2 AA batteries, low and high tail switch with NO strobe mode. Pocket clip that will fit up to the bill of my hat for third hand light. Started out with the AAA model but the switch kept failing which they warranteed.
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fletcher94
Active member
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2023
- Messages
- 29
Hard to go wrong with a streamlight stinger2020 or smaller protac for a regular flashlight.
Had a snap on folding stick style work light that held up well untill stolen. Recently got a millwakee version an it’s not as bright but still enough. Half the price but time will tell how it holds up. The Milwaukee m12 rover is a little larger but also impressvie.
Had a snap on folding stick style work light that held up well untill stolen. Recently got a millwakee version an it’s not as bright but still enough. Half the price but time will tell how it holds up. The Milwaukee m12 rover is a little larger but also impressvie.
Myself and all my guys went to this Klein unit a couple years ago. I’m pretty darn impressed with it. All though it uses three triple A’s, they last a long time. It handles abuse exceptionally well, provides overall decent illumination and has a magnet on the **** side so you can legitimately use the side LEDs for task lighting as long as you got ferrous metal to stick it on.
Lot of choices to be sure, I have a bunch of lights here including Dewalt 12v and 20v max as well as a few Milwaukee 12v and several AA lights. The choices for the light beam varies from a handheld flashlight with a spot light type beam or some kind of area light or something in-between. Anyway a while back someone here on this forum recommended some Energizer lights. I picked up a few. For a toolbag light an Energizer HC-550 work light. It is more of an area light. You certainly won't overpower the sun with it but as a general purpose light to keep in a bag it is a good choice. If you want or need a light with a strong beam look for something different.
sparky 1971
Well-known member
I'm a fan of inexpensive lights. I keep two lights in my bag. One is a Coast G26
coastportland.com
For actually working in the dark, I light a headlamp. That's where the Coast HL7 comes in handy.
coastportland.com
When I'm not at my job and just messing around the house and shop, I carry a Maglite XL200
maglite.com
And when I go somewhere, I carry the Maglite Magtac CR123 with the DNA collector bezel.
G26
Meet everyday lighting needs. The G26 flashlight is perfect for the truck, kitchen drawer, or nightstand. The BULLS-EYE™ Spot Beam shines bright with a piercing center and surrounding halo of softer light for an expanded viewing area.
coastportland.com
For actually working in the dark, I light a headlamp. That's where the Coast HL7 comes in handy.
HL7
Love our Pure Beam Focusing System? The HL7 Headlamp gives you the ability to shine an ultra wide flood beam and then quickly twist the bezel to a long reaching spot beam with transition halo so that you can be ready for anything. With our Variable Light Control Technology onboard you can adjust...
coastportland.com
When I'm not at my job and just messing around the house and shop, I carry a Maglite XL200
XL200 LED Tactical Pack
Delivers user-friendly, performance-oriented features in a sleek, tactical design and is driven by the next generation of MAG-LED technology. This member of our XL Series of compact LED flashlights, the XL200., offers a rich array of advanced functions. Using the tail cap switch, the user can...
maglite.com
And when I go somewhere, I carry the Maglite Magtac CR123 with the DNA collector bezel.
@GophersGarage
Darksucks.com
Here's your quality. I carry Jason's lights exclusively, and having a high CRI 18650 light, designed with full end user maintenance capability is a wonderful thing.
Darksucks.com
Here's your quality. I carry Jason's lights exclusively, and having a high CRI 18650 light, designed with full end user maintenance capability is a wonderful thing.
Technically for all practical intents and purposes? Yes.
Most of their models are "Assembled in the USA" due to the FTC cracking down on where the parts were coming from. Basically if one part comes from overseas they're being cautious and not marking it "Made in the USA".
saltwater4life
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2009
- Messages
- 95
I’m really happy with my Milwaukee that’s rechargeable via usb.
Tennessee Cattleman
Well-known member
Another vote for Surefire.
Just make sure you get one with a flood focus option. I made a mistake buying a high lumen light and it's unusable because it's too bright and can't flood. I choose flood over spot beam 99% of the time. I've always been happy with Coast and recently bought this HX5. (AA or 14500 rechargeable).
It's always nice to have the option to use common alkaline.
coastportland.com
It's always nice to have the option to use common alkaline.
HX5
Not sure what type of batteries you like to use most? Then go with our HX5 Flashlight, which is compatible with our standard alkaline AA batteries, NiMH, or rechargeable ZX battery as well. Using our Pure Beam Focusing System with Slide Focus, this light can easily transition from flood to spot...
coastportland.com
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decableguy2000
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2012
- Messages
- 652
In my pocket every day I have a Fenix, Streamlight, or a Skilhunt. Skilhunt most of the time due to size single AA or 14250 battery. A Fenix head lamp in the truck and another by the front door. For the tool bag Braun 500 luman folding work lights. I have up graded the batteries in Brauns. Best flashlight is a very personal choice.
I was never a big fan of Streamlight but they do have a huge following. Other than Zebralight my next most used light would probably be the Nitecore P12. Awesome light that is almost identical in output and function to the Fenix PD35. I think I like the P12 better than the PD35 and the are $20-30 cheaper.
Jeff
Well-known member
Get a decent headlamp and a small, handheld light.
Bubba Fett
Well-known member
I keep a Sure 6p clone (Solarforce L2P) on my hip in a pouch. I believe it currently has an XML-2 emitter. Runs on an 18650 cell, which along with many others, I retrieved from old laptop battery packs.
I also keep a Streamlight Microstream in my pocket as a backup light. Runs on a single AAA battery.
I have several very cheap lights in tool bags. I don't spend much on them in case I lose them in a wall or down a hole.
I also keep a Streamlight Microstream in my pocket as a backup light. Runs on a single AAA battery.
I have several very cheap lights in tool bags. I don't spend much on them in case I lose them in a wall or down a hole.