Flashlight Recommendations needed

[APEowner]

I couldn't decide if this goes in general garage, lighting or free parking so I won't be offended if a Mod. moves it.

I'm looking for a flashlight to keep in my enclosed car trailer. I'd like a wall mount that will hold up to the bouncing and vibrations that a trailer experiences. I'd like it to either be squareish or have flats on it so it doesn't roll away when I set it on the ground while I strap a car down and I'd like it to be too large to comfortably fit in a pocket so I don't wander off with it and put it through the laundry.

Any recommendations?

 

[DOC-BA]

Well, it WILL roll away, but the only flashlight I've really been impressed with is my MagCharger. It's not an LED, it doesn't do any one thing particularly well, but the cradles are stout and it comes with 12v and 110v adapters. I bought mine in 2007, gonna need a battery put in it this year, but it's been a good light, and it doubles as self defence!

 

[Banjorear]

My dad got me a Streamlight Stinger (I think that's the model) LED rechargeable. This thing is a beast and throws an incredibly bright beam for a relatively small size. Has flats built in so it doesn't roll too easily. Pricey, but worth it. A charged battery last a very long time.

 

[beardog]

Flashlight technology has advanced a lot in the last few years. The definitive answer to your question will be found at candlepowerforums.com. There are some amazing flashlights available cheap these days.

Check out cree LED lights powered by 18650 rechargeable batteries on ebay. $10 will get a light,charger and a few batteries shipped. I have some and they easily light up a house 100 yards away. Most have multiple brightness modes as well as strobe and SOS flash.

I've also bought a bunch of Ultrafire cree LED lights that run on a single AA battery. They have a focusable beam and put out the same light as a traditional 2 D cell maglight. They are amazing for their size and sell for about $2 shipped. Buy 5-10 at a time.

For $50-75 you can have a top brand light that is like a hand held piece of sun. Think Surefire and competitors.

With the advances in rechargeable batteries these days I suggest using them and staying away from CR123 batteries. CR123 batteries are great but modern lights have fast burn rates and a few rechargeables are the cheaper option unless you are military and Uncle Sam is supplying them in unlimited quantities.

 

[matt_i]

I've carried a Streamlight Jr for about 15 years now. Its not going to be a combat weapon nor project a spot on the moon but it has always gotten the job done for me. Uses 2x AA batteries. Used to come with a woven belt pouch that could be easily attached to the trailer.

 

[APEowner]

Thanks for the suggestions so far guys.

beardog I don't know if I should thank you or curse you. On the one hand the candlepower forums look like a great place to spend one's time and learn a ton. On the other, I don't need a place to spend more time and I just want a flashlight...

DOC-BA I don't think the holder will work without some additional clamp but I really like the light. No surprise there since I'm currently using the 5 cell MagLight that lives in the truck.

matt_iI hadn't thought of just attaching a pouch to the trailer. That may lead to something.

I'm still hoping someone has a recommendation that hits all three of my wish list items.

 

[BikerDad]

Go to Battery Junction.

 

[cdestuck]

I to have the Streamlight Stinger led with charger mounted in the cap of my truck. Love this tough light and used it heavily before I retired as being a police officer working third shift. I bought the poly stinger, It's made from some kind of thick plastic. Great tough light.

 

[Davi]

I'm a big fan of building your own using solarforce hosts and which ever drop in you feel suits your needs.

 

[bennymic]

User firworks reviewed and compared several ligths:

I've been very satisfied with the CAT light:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B012BR6D1E/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[MarkWilliams60]

This changes almost daily. Go to candlelight forums and study.

 

[MarkWilliams60]

Sorry. www.candlepowerforums.com

 

[A**holes Garage]

I probably have 15 LED flashlights, Streamlight, Fenix, Surefire, Jetbeam, Olight, etc. Each one was purchased for a specific purpose. Some rechargeable, some not, different lumen output, etc.

For a basic, simple, inexpensive light for garage and car repair use, I use the Slyde and keep a Surefire as back up. No great loss if it it gets lost, crushed, etc.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XLUX6O8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[APEowner]

As slick as some of the modern high end flashlights are you guys have me thinking that a work light is what I really want as opposed to a flashlight.

The CAT light and the Slyde both look like good options. Does anyone have any experience with the NEBRO WORKBRITE ?

 

[txvwnut]

I've got several of the Nebro slyde lights. Super bright led's have a magnet in the bottom so you can stick it to your trailer floor unless it's a wood floor. They run on four triple a batteries and you'll get about ten or so really bright hours and then ten or so decent but not as bright. I actually left one of mine on under the lift for about 12 hours and it was still on, albeit not as bright as with fresh batteries but still on. It's big enough you can put it in your pocket and not forget about it.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

Nebo makes some nice work lights. If your into headlamps it is hard to beat a Zebra light.

 

[NUTTSGT]

A freind of mine, he's also the city mechanic brought a LED light he bought at NAPA. I liked it so much, I bought one myself. I was thinking of buying another to use when I pick up an enclosed trailer.

http://www.napaonline.com/napa/en/p/NBC85911/

It has two hooks and magnets on the back. Click it on once for the flashlight on the end. 2nd click turns the LED strip on bright and click 3 goes to dim.

It has a micro USB charging post, a cord for it with a regular USB end to charge from a computer or whatever. It also have a AC plug and 12V DC charging adapters.

 

[Git]

Knucklehead!

Not you - the flashlight

Since you mentioned you want to be able to set it down take a look at the Streamlight Knucklehead (or survivor)

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0089UZAW6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LJTANI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[klassenl]

Depending on your status in life the lighting options from Makita/Milwaukee etc are very good. I have a Klarus that takes 2 aa's for general use (battery hog but very bright) but when I need light for a long time (attic, crawlspace) I have a Makita light that takes an 18v rechargeable battery.

 

[engineer2]

I've got a Nitecore P12 and pretty much hate it. All the Chinese flashlights use a button on the *** end that is hard to push. This model also has a mode button on the side that is poorly located. When you turn it on it is easy to accidentally hold the mode button because the on/off button is so hard to push. You never know what mode you'll get when you turn it on. Don't they ever test these in the real world??
May have to get a Streamlight.

 

[southalabama]

My current favorites are fenix.

But I just got in some led aaa lights from china off ebay. Three bucks and I ordered ten. Great lights. Gonna order more and put them in glove boxes of all the cars. Junk drawer in kitchen and office drawers.

 

[SMKS]

Can you guys link to some of these eBay examples?

I've bought a few off eBay with varied results.

 

[techenthusiast]

My sunlite Eagle Turbo is the best light I've ever had because it can handle so much abuse (immersed in fluids like coolant or oil, dropped from up high etc) for 3 years and counting.

I throw it on the charger every night and I use it a lot every day at work. I have bought 3 streamlights and each one has lasted a month at most for me.

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

 

[Falcon67]

 

[great white tj]

Check out BrightGuy.com ..

 

[APEowner]

Thanks for all the recommendations guys. I'm leaning towards one of the NEBO products. They seem to be cleverly designed and reasonably priced.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'm not sure when they will do it again, but NAPA does have their bucket sale, buy the bucket and get 20% off anything that fits into the bucket. That would be the time to get the light I mentioned.

 

[Citation]

One way to get a good area light is just get a regular light and aim it at the ceiling.
Anyway, Maglite has stepped up there game. Take a look at the 3D or 3C ML300L or ML50L. They are $40 and $34 at Walmart. I have an ML50L. Rather than messing with C batteries I just used a 1" OD, .6" ID plastic tube to make a spacer so I can use 3 AA NiMH batteries. Sure, I'm not going to get the run time but I have lots of spare AA rechargeables. 600 Lumens on high isn't bad. You can also get one of these for $50 (amazon or Walmart)
http://www.modsynergy.com/review262.htm

 

[southalabama]

Check ebay seller welcome_huang

Five pieces mini torch cree. $15

Great little lights for the money

 

[Gotcha640]

Check ebay seller welcome_huang

Five pieces mini torch cree. $15

Great little lights for the money

I have a dozen of those around, some as much as 6 years old. I like that they are single AA, and that they slide from wide to narrow beam. I took a bunch when we moved to Morocco, where they had regular power outages, and I keep a few in my desk and briefcase to hand out when we're building a new building or structure and I have to lead a walk through or do a status check.

Romisen is a step up for ~$15, you can find them that take 18650 or 2xAA, Fenix is another small or big step up.

I can never find one when I need it, so I have to keep a bunch around, so they have to be cheap.

 

[pcmeiners]

Have two, a Streamlite Stinger and a Nitecore TM15. The Streamlite is more of what you need. The Nitecore is more useful if you have just robbed a bank, your on the run in a forest, no stove, and you need a flashlight which will also fry bacon and eggs, or if your on night patrol in a war zone and you need to light up the sky to shoot down aircraft and or blind the pilot. The Nitecore could also be used to communicate with the Space station via Morse code.

 

[GregN]

I don't really know what your budget is, but the Streamlight LiteBox would be another option: http://www.streamlight.com/en-us/product/class.html?cid=6

We have a few of the FireBox lights in each one of our Fire Trucks. They aren't the brightest, and can be a little heavy; but the mounting base/charger is solid and the housing is durable. I plan on mounting one of these in my truck in the near future. You can choose from quite a few different options (you would probably want a Flood pattern). Here is one that is a Vehicle Mount: http://www.streamlight.com/en-us/product/product.html?pid=286

 

[Slednut]

Any good headlamp, where ever you look, it's lit.

This one is 575 lumens.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LMCATH4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Stevie-Ray]

Finest flashlight I've ever bought, for the price, was a Rayovac Sportsman Extreme. Yes Rayovac. 24 bucks for an LED 3 C cell, 180 lumen, aluminum bodied job, when everybody was paying 100 bucks and more for those "tactical" wonders that I still shake my head about. This one still sits next to me and is the first thing I grab when we lose power, and when I have to go outside at night, as we live in the National Forest. You can't see your hand in front of your face without some kind of artificial light up here. I also have one of their lanterns, as they're positively stingy on batteries. Both flashlight and lantern are still on original batteries, though I've had them for years.

 

[Falcon67]

I took all our old 2 and 3 D cell Maglights and put LED bulbs in them. Huge change, really bright, batteries last forever.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001I9TI4Q/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[TAMPAGT07]

HF (free) LED 4 AAA... (The official flashlight of my two year old.)

 

[Banjorear]

Streamlight makes a nice wall mounted rechargeable lantern. It a quality build, fairly priced and can be set up to sense power failures.

I agree. Plus, they are sold by Snappy dealers if you ever need to warranty it.

 

[APEowner]

Thanks for all the recommendations guys. I ended up purchasing the Nebo Slyde. So far I'm pleased. It's solidly built, it's a good size, it's really bright and it was reasonably priced. The only item on my wish list that it doesn't have is a wall mount.

 

[nehog]

If you have an ALDI store nearby, they have some nice flashlights right now. Use two AA batteries, and say they are 5W CREE, but that may not be accurate. However, they are very well made.

 

[unslow1]

APEowner I have a different suggestion. I have used flashlights and work lights for years. Generally I ended up with Maglites. When I ordered my current trailer a couple of guys from another forum made some suggestions. One of the ones I'm really glad I went with is to add low 12V loading lights. I'll try to add a pic. The dealer added the rear ramp light. I liked to so much I added one to the front to light the hitch, toolbox and bed of truck. One guy said he put in a second ramp light and hooked them up to a relay so they come on when he put the truck in reverse. Now he can see behind the trailer when backing at night.