Best CHEAP flashlight, <$20

[Danglerb]

Stopping by HF today to pick up another free LED flashlight, but I have the itch for something really nice, maybe $10 even $15 (including shipping and tax).

Any suggestions?

This one is high on my list, but I would kind of like a multimode with high, low, and strobe.
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13442

 

[billymade]

I've been pretty happy with my mini Maglite LED version; battery life leaves something to be desired however.... I got mine @ Walmart or Sears...

http://www.google.com/products/cata...-8&hl=en&cid=16536347569906582018&scoring=p#p

 

[rallenc]

Maglite LED is the cat's pajamas!!

Wait 'til the Black Friday sale at Lowes and you can pick up, I believe a 3 D Cell Maglite LED for $15. Get there early enough and you'll probably get a choice of colors!!

 

[wreckercologist]

My employer is a dealer for Maxxima products. They work well, are pretty cheap, and so far have been very durable. Here are the ones I have:

http://www.maxxima.com/products/pro...Heavy Duty 24 White LED Flashlight/view/.html

http://www.maxxima.com/products/pro...MF-26 Superbright 5 LED Flashlight/view/.html

By the way, I got mine at dealer cost. That was $3.99 for the small one and $6.99 for the big one.

I don't think they are up to Maglite quality standards IMO, just offering you guys another option.

 

[06wt]

Streamlight Twin-Task 3C i use it every day the guys i work eith have streamlight stingers wich are nice too, but mine is $30, the stingers are $100. my example is $10 over your suggested price but its nice to have the laser built in.

 

[Stuey]

Are there even any multi-mode LEDs? Cheaper LEDs require certain voltages and current draws to operate. I don't think you'll get multi-mode unless you get a light with several LEDs.

Under $20 I'd get a Streamlight Stylus Pro or AAx3 LED Maglite.

 

[arkangel06]

Maglites fit the bill.

 

[Da Bull]

Streamlight Stylus Pro. I just got it today, this is one amazing light for the money.

 

[the spyder]

I have been very very happy with my 3watt Husky 2d I bought at Home Depot last year. My 3 D Maglite LED pointed at a building 250 away is barley noticable, while the Husky lights up the side of the building clearly. The key is to check the light before you buy it, some have the LED off center, giving a strange lobed light.
These are just over $20 at Home Depot .

 

[Cameronl]

Are there even any multi-mode LEDs? Cheaper LEDs require certain voltages and current draws to operate. I don't think you'll get multi-mode unless you get a light with several LEDs.

I have a Husky with a single LED that has three intensity settings. Heavy aluminum 2D light. I've been very happy with it. I think I paid about $22 for it.

 

[nissan_crawler]

Are there even any multi-mode LEDs? Cheaper LEDs require certain voltages and current draws to operate. I don't think you'll get multi-mode unless you get a light with several LEDs.

Under $20 I'd get a Streamlight Stylus Pro or AAx3 LED Maglite.

streamlight stinger led is, but that's way over his price range.

 

[Stuey]

streamlight stinger led is, but that's way over his price range.

Yes, but what I mean is, is there a single semiconductor in the single LED package, or several? I know costlier LED lights can have 3-5 modes, but the LEDS are also quite sophisticated.

 

[rockwithjason]

I have had nothing but trouble with the maglite led versions. the switches go bad. now mind you that i work in the worst possible environment and dirt gets in everything. the home guy who only uses it in better conditions will probably have better luck. i went to the husky unit from home depot. they have a sealed switch on the tail and they are good and bright.

 

[Danglerb]

Maglite screwed me on some flashlights a few decades ago, so not a dime of mine are they getting, plus they don't hold a candle to a typical Cree based light.

Hard to believe, but even the $9 shipped LED flashlight uses a power chip to control current to the LED. They accept a wide range of voltages, like .9 to 5v, and convert to just the right amount to drive the LED at various power levels. The button switch on the end is still a simple on/off, but the controller senses you holding it down and goes into a mode switching mode, and you click the button so many times or something and it changes the mode.

I like the idea of a very bright light, but other times a med or even super low with corresponding battery life would be better, and strobe could be a life saver.

If I were to go branded, most likely I would buy a Fenix, but many of these el cheapos have very good reviews, and past experience tells me buying maybe 3 of the same suits my usage, so price matters.

 

[mrjsl]

I have had a zillion flashlights, and have used them a lot, and this one: http://www.princetontec.com/?q=node/79 is the most useful one I have ever owned by a long, long ways.

It is not one of the super bright ones, but the batteries last forever and it is plenty bright unless you are spotlighting deer or something. It's the flashlight I use to find batteries for all the other ones when the elec. goes out.

I paid about $20 for mine, and I will never buy another type of hand held light for general use unless they quit making this one.

I **** hunt too, have spent all night in the woods several times. I use a $200+ miner's type headlamp + battery pack for that, but this little princeton tec light goes with me in my pocket every time. I carry this little light more often than I carry a gun, and I will not go out into big woods without it and my compass.

 

[RLRRLRLL]

i have a cheapo greatneck from autozone. Its like 4 bucks, regular lighting. Works pretty good and is fairly small.

 

[Danglerb]

I'll report back once I decide and have the new one in hand to test.

One thing that keeps holding me back is that flashlights are on a fast track of improvements, so the longer I wait, the better and cheaper they get.

 

[Git]

These are right around $20. It uses 4 rechargeable AA batteries and works great

 

[krehmkej]

3-D cell
Overall length: 13"
Head diameter: 2.40"
Incandescent bulb
Flashlight, head, body and end caps are made of red anodized aluminum with black rubber over molded grip surfaces
Flashlight head has a threaded focus adjustment
Head has a water resistant o- ring
Water resistant push button switch with rubber over mold
End cap holds spare bulb and has large thru hole for lanyard, carabineer or hanging hook
Lens is made of Lexan polycarbonate



This has to be it. Under 20 bucks. Snap-On is the best. Read it many times.

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2639668&CAWELAID=109391172

 

[rhastings80]

You can get 3 at Costco for 14.99.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46835

 

[Danglerb]

Those "snapon" flashlights are licensed junk.

Streamlight 4aa is only 34 lumens.

 

[Kurt4440]

I have the older version of these. For a cheaper flashlight they hold up quite well.
http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=425248

 

[MAD]

My local Big Lots store had these for $11.00 last week.
http://www.amazon.com/Dorcy-41-4216-2AA-Battery-80-Lumen-Flashlight/dp/B001PII7VU

I really like it so far.

 

[KustomZ]

We have used alot of 4 AA lights made by Underwater Kinetics for fire department and public safety use. They seem pretty decent for a small light and not bad on price.
http://www.opticsplanet.net/underwa...ght-twist-bezel-ul-safety-yellow-blister.html

 

[GSteg]

No matter what light I go with, I eventually go back to maglite. I love how they're mod-friendly.

 

[IDASHO]

For another $5 you can have a very nice entry level flashlight.

I picked up a Duracell 3W 80 Lumen LED flashlight a few weeks ago, and it is VERY nice. Adjustable beam, and brighter than even my big D-cell mag with fresh batteries.

http://www.zbattery.com/Duracell-3AAA-80-Lumen-LED-Daylite-Flashlight

 

[rhastings80]

Hi,

I saw that Woot; http://www.woot.com/ is selling an LCD flashlight for 9.99 + 5 for shipping. For those that don't know woot they only sell one item a day and once its sold out its over. So this deal is only good today, Monday.

 

[Danglerb]

Hi,

I saw that Woot; http://www.woot.com/ is selling an LCD flashlight for 9.99 + 5 for shipping. For those that don't know woot they only sell one item a day and once its sold out its over. So this deal is only good today, Monday.

Operates on 2 D cell batteries, I'm strictly rechargeable AA or AAA, but keep them coming I am sure I am not the only one looking.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Streamlight Stylus Pro. I just got it today, this is one amazing light for the money.

Yeah, they kick ***.

 

[Scotto]

My $10 Ryobi 18V light works fantastic for me. Just uses my 18V battery from my other Ryobi tool. You can get them for other cordless manufacturers like Rigid, Dewalt, etc.

 

[Mattlt]

OK, this story gets a little graphic, so if you're the least bit squeamish, stop reading now.

Last winter, I hit a deer with my vehicle. Unfortunately, I didn't have so much as a knife with me. The deer was in obvious distress on the side of the road. Not wanting to see it suffer any more, I found the only logical choice was my 3-cell Maglite. A couple whacks and the deer was out of it's misery.

The light still works fine.

 

[BeansBaxter]

These are right around $20. It uses 4 rechargeable AA batteries and works great

Agreed and Streamlight is a great company with tremendous customer service. I've also found that this flashlight washes up nice with some Fast Orange.

 

[Danglerb]

Thats terrible, can't imagine not having a knife with me.

 

[dakota_522]

does anybody have a picture of that husky light i wanna get one

 

[t100]

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=209624

 

[Danglerb]

Followed your link to this one.
http://www.jayki.com/flashlight_review_board/1045

 

[stricht8]

I have a friend who has one of those ryobis and I use it a lot when I visit. It actually is very nice and feel right in the hand.

My $10 Ryobi 18V light works fantastic for me. Just uses my 18V battery from my other Ryobi tool. You can get them for other cordless manufacturers like Rigid, Dewalt, etc.

 

[garfunkle24]

I've also been through a ton of flashlights in my time. I have been sorely tempted to buy a premium unit, but due to the kind of use they get with me, I haven't bit the bullet.

My recommendation is for the Streamlight Tasklight 2AA:
http://www.botachtactical.com/stta2aaledfl.html

It has low/high/flash settings and has held up great for me whilst rolling around in my truck and toolbox (on the road) for the last 2 years. For my main work flashlights, I will only buy models that take AA's as they're so readily available.

 

[Art From De Leon]

Agreed and Streamlight is a great company with tremendous customer service. I've also found that this flashlight washes up nice with some Fast Orange.

That is a great flashlight, I bought 6 at TSC when they were on closeout, (replaced by some Chicrap POS).

One in the glovebox of each vehicle, one on the doorknob of the safe room, one of the door knob of each bedroom and one in the tool drawer in the kitchen.

 

[Danglerb]

Prices looked good at that Botach place, but I haven't checked shipping, which can be a deal killer for cheap sites.

Light Source: .5 Watt Rigel 100,000 hrs LED
Light Output: Up to 25 Lumens

Thats only about 20% as bright as most of the lights I am looking at under $20.