So many LED Flashlights which one to choose?

[NC-Shaun]

I am in need of some new flash lights, and have been wanting a rechargeable Cree LED style light. One to keep in my bike and one to keep in my backpack. The problem I am having is that I look on ebay and find so many choices. They range from $10 bux shipped to $40 and I cant tell the difference.

Have any of you all bought a Cree LED flashlight with charging station from ebay? If so would you post a link to the one you bought? Reviews and feedback appreciated.

 

[one9gt]

check out candlepowerforums ... theyve got this sheet to fill out with what youre looking for and can suggest some great flashlights

 

[theoldwizard1]

My current favorite is the 4AA Streamlight ProPolymer. Waterproof, drop resistant. Not cheap, but not expensive (check eBay).

 

[Badger 13]

I agree with the previous post about the 4AA Streamlight ProPolymer as a great light. There are so many LED flashlights out there today it is hard to decide which one is best for you. For me, I stay with Surefire, Streamlight, and Pelican products. In my opinion these are among the best, and have excellent customer service. You may pay a little more, but as they say, "you get what you pay for".

Good luck with your decision.

Jim

 

[Air21]

I use my Underwater Kinetics eLED every day at work. My only complaint is that the brightness drop is so gradual as the batteries taper off that I don't always notice right away.

 

[PCMusicGuy]

I use a Fenix light. Haven't had much issues with them and they are relatively cheap.

 

[Negen]

Budget light forum is another source for led light reviews but with a focus on budgets. Candle power forums focus on higher end lights. Reading the two you should be able to find something that fits your budget.

 

[IndyGarage]

When they went to LED's, you no longer need the expensive 123 type batteries. AA's are fine and will last a long time - and much cheaper.

I like the Pelican 2360 - aluminum body - very bright - 2 AA's great flashlight

 

[chris_1001]

I used to sell tactical gear (and was a surefire dealer). Most of my personal lights now are Fenix.

Great light for the price

 

[shockwave]

Go with stream light or sure fire best out there

The protac series are nice and can use rechargeable batteries

Or a strion for compactness

I personally use the stinger everyday at work

 

[fuddinator]

I personally like LED Lenser. I have a T7 that has been abused at work going on 5 years. It uses 4 AAA which I get free from work. It isn't the brightest or best on battery life but I can't kill it. Even been dropped from the top of airplane 20plus feet and still kicking. Only thing is the lens cracked but not busted and functions like day 1. Plus it has an easy focus beam.

 

[OctoMan]

Snap On makes a great LED light. We use them at work and they are almost soldier proof. They run $100+ but the charge lasts a long time and they're tough as can be. Also they're immune to most automotive fluids. If you are in the government the price break is pretty good.

 

[hautpot]

Snap On makes a great LED light. We use them at work and they are almost soldier proof. They run $100+ but the charge lasts a long time and they're tough as can be. Also they're immune to most automotive fluids. If you are in the government the price break is pretty good.

I would still pick a Surefire for serious use.

 

[90zcar]

I use a streamlight strion. I'll take pics tomorrow. I'm sure some will like it....its green!


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[DBoger]

I use the Streamlight stinger

 

[Muffduster]

Streamlight and Surefire are mainstream brands, but all offer overpriced outdated flashlights. I laugh when I see people recommending these dinosaurs. Get a ThruNite TN4A in neutral white. Super high quality, amazing ease of use, great light modes, compact size, and will work on common AA rechargeables such as Eneloops, Duraloops, etc.

ThruNite TN4A Neutral White Economical Power Source AA Batteries 1050 Lumens 6 Mode with Memory Flashlight https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QFBS4EW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[90zcar]

Well when that thrunite brand gets a reputation like the others well then a lot might consider it.
I bought a streamlight strion because it's the same flashlight my brother in law uses that he's had the past 3 years and he is a big city cop. So that thing is getting constantly beat around and turned on and off dozens of times a day. Not to mention the vigorous cycles it goes through. Also the company is based in Pennsylvania


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[90zcar]

Like others said there is no "one size fits all" when it comes to flashlights but I found the strion to fit my needs. Plus it's easy to find when dropped in a dark engine bay. Being that it's green not black

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[Finky198]

Streamlight and Surefire are mainstream brands, but all offer overpriced outdated flashlights. I laugh when I see people recommending these dinosaurs. Get a ThruNite TN4A in neutral white. Super high quality, amazing ease of use, great light modes, compact size, and will work on common AA rechargeables such as Eneloops, Duraloops, etc.

ThruNite TN4A Neutral White Economical Power Source AA Batteries 1050 Lumens 6 Mode with Memory Flashlight https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QFBS4EW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I do agree the surefire is a little behind the 8 ball as far as there technology even though they just updated all there products but i believe there quality control and Life span are much better and long then others. i have about 5 i think 2x 6px pros, p2x Fury, E1B backup, and E2l outdoors man. they are All over 5 years old... i can say they are definitely no frills but when in need they never have failed me and there tough as nails and that is what your really paying for Something that will hold up to a rough work environment...

 

[Tinner]

I have 4 Fenix lights and they've all been great. Streamlight and Pelican are also popular where I work, they give excellent service as well.

 

[accokeekwoods]

A couple of thoughts - take a look at <www.batteryjunction.com> they have quite a wide selection, decent prices and good prices on CR123 batteries. You might also look at the Jetbeam family of flashlights <www.jetbeamlight.com> very durable, middle of the road pricing - I have deployed with them and have been quite satisfied - own 3 or 4 of them now.

 

[accokeekwoods]

A couple of thoughts - take a look at <www.batteryjunction.com> they have quite a wide selection, decent prices and good prices on CR123 batteries. You might also look at the Jetbeam family of flashlights <www.jetbeamlight.com> very durable, middle of the road pricing - I have deployed with them and have been quite satisfied - own 3 or 4 of them now.

Hmmm, somehow the two links I included in my message got dropped, the first was to Battery Junction AKA www.batteryjunction.com and www.jetbeamlight.com - not sure why they didn't show up in the posting

 

[gooseadrian]

I have the stream light stinger HL and love it. I have the strion as well. The strion I dropped from about 13 feet high for over a year before it died. Took it apart and found a broken solder joint, repaired it and BAM light works just as it did. Although I admit my stinger is better in my opinion because you can stand it straight up on its tail cap. I do that a lot under trucks.

 

[Rogue1987]

I'm another happy user of Fenix lights. I've got streamlight, surefires, Snap on, underwater kenetics, coasts, and probably 30 more diffrent brands of lights and I've wound up very happy with my fenix for daily carry. Thrunite makes nice little lamps as well.

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[thebigbadyeti]

Fenix lights... If only for the fact they use glass for the lenses so chemicals don't discolor them.

 

[lmwilco1]

I like the foursevens brand.

http://www.foursevens.com/

Louis

 

[BDT/NWMN]

There might be brighter flashlights, but would they be better than a Maglite?? I have been using them and giving them for gifts for decades, and never had a dud. Gave away LED Mini-Mag two years ago.. Good little light for the money.

 

[Leoruiz]

Inova guy here. Had bad luck with all rechargeables. I like CR123A

 

[DE_Medlock]

I use a streamlight stylus pro everyday. Awesome lights

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[Automag88]

I'll put another recommendation in for the Streamlight 4AA pro polymer

 

[krc328ic]

I use a streamlight stylus pro everyday. Awesome lights

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I'll second this! I use mine everyday as well. Great light and Streamlight stands behind their products too!

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

Add this to your consideration:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EOJKHH4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I started using them about 2 years ago -- I'm a pro mechanic on equipment, I'm getting old and my eyes ain't what they used to be. I used to do great work in the dark, now I can't see in anything less than good ambient light. I keep 2 of these Ultrafire lights handy (4 if you count home / cars). Good amount of light and cheap enough that I will not care if it gets ruined somehow. I can honestly say that it is the first and only light I have kept around, AND it has kept WORKING for any length of time. I do think the power from the 18650 batteries helps. I wasn't expecting much for the price, but it has preformed very well being dropped and banged around the shop everyday for so long.

To sum it up: it's the best all around cheap LED flashlight. Can't beat it for the price and it's on sale now for even less than the 15 bucks I paid.

 

[valentine]

Lots,of good choices out there. I like the tiny Fenix key chain lights. Single AAA battery. Small enough that it's always with me. Not super bright, but it's always with me, on my key ring so that makes it worth more than an expensive Tactical light which sits in a drawer and isn't within reach when I really need it. After the terrorist attacks on 9/11, my employer assembled "Go Bags" for everyone to keep at their workstation. It was a good idea, but the execution of it was a bit off. One of the things they purchased to go in the bag was a very expensive Tactical Light. The kind that SWAT teams use. Very high Cool factor but they were rechargeable and no one ever had theirs charged and ready for use. When it was revealed how expensive those lights were, they started getting stolen out of people's bags. The following year I convinced the bosses to purchase the little Fenix key chain lights for everyone. There was some resistance from the big boss because the other flashlight purchase was such a bomb. After a few weks of having the new little lights, the Boss stood up at a meeting and thanked me for suggesting the purchase and said that it was the most useful flashlight he had ever had. The point that I'm trying to make is that the best light isn't always the brightest, most expensive or most technologically advanced one. It's the one that's there when you need it. For me, that's the little Fenix keychain light. It's always there. I have gone through a couple of them, but they are cheap enough that I don't sweat it if it breaks.

-Valentine

 

[aaronrkelly]

Another Fenix lover here......I got all the others but for price vs performance you cant go wrong with the Fenix. I almost never use my CR123 powered lights anymore.....you can get so much light out of AAs.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

CR123 lights will be brightest, but short run time and expensive battery. I use them for weapon lights or emergency/home defense use.

for automotive field, I would stick with AA or AAA lights.

 

[BikerDad]

Fenix, Nitecore, Streamlight, LED Lenser, Surefire are all good. The lights I've purchased most recently are Nitecore and Fenix.

 

[NC-Shaun]

I ended up with 3 new flashlights. I needed a home use light, one for my handlebar bag on my Harley, and one for the lady of the house.

I wanted AA batteries to power them all, as these are very commonly used in my household, and are easy to find in any situation.

I chose a 1 AA Bushnell TRKR 140L for my handlebar bag, as it will most likely be in use in urban environments where a long throw was not needed. Light weight,compact was the main points of interest for this one.

I chose a 2 AA Bushnell TRKR 250L for the lady of the house. Same light, more output than the TRKR 140L, still fits in her carry bag.

The last and so far my favorite is the Truck/Home use light I chose. The Coleman CT70F 700 Lumens powered by 6AA batteries. The fit and finish on the case is really nice, the beam is able to be adjusted from flood to spot. I am very happy with the spot beam, and its ability to reach plenty of distance.

I am no flash light expert, but I feel like I got alot for my money with these 3 choices. I cant afford to spend much on these, and for $90 bux for all 3 I feel I did well enough. I could have saved maybe $20-$25 bux if I mail ordered these, but wanted the ability to return them in store if I was not happy.

/\ The current generation is a TRKR 140L Lumens not 125 Lumens /\

Thanks for the help, I did signup for the Budget Lights forum. Thank You for the recommendation.