LED Flashlights - Who Makes The Best One

[Corky]

I have a Narva... its a compact, rechargable led light and is BRILLIANT, nice clean but very bright light, very lightweight and comes with protective casing. They are pretty pricy thought.. probably looking around the 90 AU mark but all things considered is still alot cheaper than snap on.

 

[Vinko]

I like to invest in good quality tools and want to buy the best quality without going over the top on pricing eg. Snappy.

What do you guys have or would like to own.

I saw this Blue Point LED that was damn nice. It was about $45 or $50. The thing is, lately, my time is so damn limited that if I want to spend time with my kids, and get projects done around the house, I don't have time to shop, so the truck is a convenient way to go. That or, take the advice of the guys on GJ

I was tempted to get the BP, but I couldn't pay that price. Maybe I should've, because I've needed one about 20 times since. Probably would've paid for itself.

 

[Vinko]

What makes an LED flashlight so expensive, by the way? The bulb?

A friend of mine bought about 10,000 LED's from Taiwan a few years back really, really cheap for some metal sculpture/art project. Maybe they weren't flashlight spec.....

 

[nissan_crawler]

What makes an LED flashlight so expensive, by the way? The bulb?

A friend of mine bought about 10,000 LED's from Taiwan a few years back really, really cheap for some metal sculpture/art project. Maybe they weren't flashlight spec.....

Part that, part battery if it's a special one. My stinger has 3 different light level settings, plus strobe (god knows why), along with a rechargeable battery.

 

[HandyManny]

I do not buy that at all. It is the nature of marketing to position themselve to obtain maximum profit. Myabe ... MAYBE, Surefire went too far to the other extreme. We don't know. You only know that your pocket hurts. Maybe they are doing great with at marketing strategy and might even kill off Maglite. That's neither here nor there. I just find it very hard to believe they were thinking about the customer first, or second, or third ... The big question asked there most likely be "what is the highest price should we set for the product without ******* off the customers or loosing them to Surefire (or whoever their direct competitors are)?"

But you have to admit. Introducing a 3watt LED module that can be retro-fitted to any existing D or C cell Maglite really benefits both the customer a great deal. They get to sell you a module for $18 that will last most users quite a few lifetimes, and the consumer gets to keep their trusty maglite in service no matter how old it may be. Plus, as I've said before the battery life and run time with the new LED module is a vast improvement over most flashlights, even the newer ones on the market today. So I do believe that Mag has done their customers a favor. That $15 a cutomer paid for the flashlight itself a couple decades ago has likley paid for itself years ago anyway. Not a bad deal.

I would not say "MAYBE, Surefire went too far to the other extreme". They have gone to severe extreams as far as price is concerned. Those lights and the price they sell for were intended for users who have tax payers forking over the bill, such as cops and soldiers.

Surefire, Streamlight, and Pelican now own the police market,and those flashlights are much better suited for Police and tactical military use. But for gereral use, aviation use, outdoor use, and inspection/repair I just don't find them practical. Pretty foolish to have to spend more than $35 or $40 bucks on an everyday flashlight if it's not nessesary. It's like a few posters here have said - you have to ask yourself what application a particular flashlight will be use for. I do own a Streamlight Scorpion and a Surefire. Both are weapons lights and kept for that purpose alone. I don't use them for general use, because if I did eventually the cost to keep them in use would exceed the cost of both flashlights. Plus I think the run time and battery life on those tactical lights really *****. Just my opinion.

 

[-B-]

Part that, part battery if it's a special one. My stinger has 3 different light level settings, plus strobe (god knows why), along with a rechargeable battery.

strobe is for defense and rescue




BTW stay away form any multi LED light they do not throw any better light they are merely cheaper to produces. single LED usually use a sophisticated circuit board ( CREE)

 

[sharkytm]

I run nothing but Cheap Chinese lights. I've yet to have one fail on me. I currently havea Romisen ($10) RC-G2 that's awesome. Smaller than a 2xAA Maglite, uses a single AA battery, and brighter than a 4D Mag.

 

[Danglerb]

Three elements to cost;

Quality of the components, case, switches etc.
The higher wattage LED itself.
The power control circuit, smarter means long battery life and more versatility.

And of course cost of brand name marketing etc.

 

[Senorpablo]

Have you tired the new redesigned AA 3watt Mini-maglite? I'm not talking about the aftermarket LEDs for the original mini-maglite. The new one. It's reflector and head was redesigned. It's a better light than the original mini-mag.

I agree they could have produced a newly designed D cell LED light, but I think they did pretty good with what they have. Sure you can say that Maglite stubbled into the LED game half-assed. Not going to totally disagree. But before owning that statement think about this important factor- I think Mag knows that there are a whole lot of their older D cell flashlights still in use around the globe, many of them upto 30 years old, and wanted to provide an LED that can be retro-fitted instead of having their customers have to buy a whole new flashlight just to get an LED. Maybe Maglite is thinking a bit more about the wallets of their customers, instead of doing what Surefire does and charge you $70 to $200 bucks for a new flashlight everytime they introduce a new product, then have you fork over $100 buck a year just to keep them in operation.

I use my old 2 D cell maglite a whole lot and it's almost 20 years old. I retro-fitted it with the new 3 watt LED from Mag and think it's a real vast improvement over the older incandescent bulbs. True it's not prefect and a new designed would be better. But for what it is and the cost, it's a damn good flashlight that isn't forcing me into bankrupcy. With it's new LED module installed, it provides much more light than I've ever needed in the darkest situation and runs on 2 D cells for upto 22 hours. That's pretty darn good I think. I just can't justify buying a brand new Surefire everytime they come out with a new model. Some people do. I just can't justify it. To each his own I suppose.

I've got a bit of a flashlight fetish so I picked up a bundle at Costco with the new AA, as well as the D LED Maglites. Totally underwhelmed!

Take a leap and order one of these for $11.3O shipped. You'll be amazed.

 

[Senorpablo]

What makes an LED flashlight so expensive, by the way? The bulb?

A friend of mine bought about 10,000 LED's from Taiwan a few years back really, really cheap for some metal sculpture/art project. Maybe they weren't flashlight spec.....

These new LED's are nothing like the ones used in blinking lights for appliances and other electronics. These are very high output, extremely efficient, and require special driver circuitry.

 

[Senorpablo]

I run nothing but Cheap Chinese lights. I've yet to have one fail on me. I currently havea Romisen ($10) RC-G2 that's awesome. Smaller than a 2xAA Maglite, uses a single AA battery, and brighter than a 4D Mag.

Amen! I've given many RC-G2's as gifts and people are astonished at the brightness and battery life of these tiny lights.

 

[nissan_crawler]

I would not say "MAYBE, Surefire went too far to the other extreme". They have gone to severe extreams as far as price is concerned. Those lights and the price they sell for were intended for users who have tax payers forking over the bill, such as cops and soldiers.

Surefire, Streamlight, and Pelican now own the police market,and those flashlights are much better suited for Police and tactical military use. But for gereral use, aviation use, outdoor use, and inspection/repair I just don't find them practical. Pretty foolish to have to spend more than $35 or $40 bucks on an everyday flashlight if it's not nessesary. It's like a few posters here have said - you have to ask yourself what application a particular flashlight will be use for. I do own a Streamlight Scorpion and a Surefire. Both are weapons lights and kept for that purpose alone. I don't use them for general use, because if I did eventually the cost to keep them in use would exceed the cost of both flashlights. Plus I think the run time and battery life on those tactical lights really *****. Just my opinion.

I'll have to argue that. I bet at least 300 mechanics at work have streamlight stingers, 75% of which are the led ones now. This is in an aviation shop being used for maintenance/repair/inspection that "they aren't practical for" as you put it.

Put it this way, I've forgotten to take it, gone to work, realized it, and went back home to get it just so I didn't have to use my @%#(**% led maglite. Battery life *****? It goes for about 5-6 hours straight. Cost to keep them in use? It's warrantied, and has rechargeable batteries that go for years. I would pay for the streamlight just in batteries ran through the maglite.

I'm sorry, but if you think an led maglite puts out much light, you haven't seen a good flashlight. Hell, our inspectors aren't even ALLOWED to use maglites. If they work for you, fine, but there's a good reason people buy the others.

I had mine out offroading, two people that saw it promptly bought one the next day. I took it camping once, the next time my sister and bro-in-law had one. Then his brother saw his, and bought one, then their dad saw it and bought one for their motorhome.

When you want to know what that noise is across the yard...that maglite won't do much good. When you're trying to see through trees or something at night camping, that maglite won't do any good.

 

[russlaferrera]

Bass Pro Shops sells Streamlight $8-$80, or Surefire $70-$150, I am sure they will have one you will like.

 

[route246]

I realize this is an old thread but I have to put in a recommendation for the Coast Lenser P5 (#8405). Street price is a little over $50.

If your requirements are:

Small and light
Single AA battery (rechargeable NiMH works well)
Very bright
Durable metal casing
Zoom magnification

then consider this flashlight.

Output is 105 lumens from a SINGLE AA battery from a single element diode. Do some research on this. 105 lumens is enough to outshine the sun in the summer. If you focus a beam on the palm of your hand while standing in bright sunshine the beam will show up in your palm. A friend of mine said this is a good test as to how bright and focused a flashlight's beam is. If your light can outshine the sun then it can be considered bright.

The case is aluminum and built to take punishment. I carry this flashlight in my pocket all the time. It is not heavy and doesn't punch holes in my pocket the way that a pocket knife might.

 

[american lockpicker]

Wiseled

http://www.wiseled.com/wiseled_products_tactical_flashlight.htm

 

[route246]

This one is at the other extreme. 2 lbs and enough to blind someone at 100 yards.

Wiseled

http://www.wiseled.com/wiseled_products_tactical_flashlight.htm

 

[suresnoi]

Hi there,

I would recommend checking-out http://www.candlepowerforums.com/, it's the #1 flashlight community, there's everything from cheap mass produced lights to full machined titanium customs. You'll get tons of info there, not mentioning there's a mechanical/machining/materials section really worth checking out.

Be aware though that the flashlight bug can hit you badly, that's bad news for your wallet

cheers

 

[Sancho]

Decent thread bump.

I'll plug two:

Inova X5 - Cheaper at $30 and very bright with a fully ruggedized housing, no focus adjustment and uses a crazy battery. With that said I've had it for a few years and never replaced the battery using it off and on all day during the week.

Streamlight Stylus - Runs off a AAAA battery and is a really nice size, and inexpensive at $15-$20. I keep one in my pocket at all times.

 

[freeman4ever]

Hi there,

I would recommend checking-out http://www.candlepowerforums.com/, it's the #1 flashlight community, there's everything from cheap mass produced lights to full machined titanium customs. You'll get tons of info there, not mentioning there's a mechanical/machining/materials section really worth checking out.

Be aware though that the flashlight bug can hit you badly, that's bad news for your wallet

cheers

I'm almost ashamed to admit that I've spent countless hours (and $'s) on candlepowerforums (CPF)...they are a great bunch of people.

While I've purchased numerous custom lights on CPF trying to keep up with the Jones'...at this point in time, it's hard to beat the "Fenix" brand of LED flashlights. Yes, the COO is China, and yes, they are not as well built as Surefire, but with the rate that LED technology is progressing (the LED's themselves), you are better off buying from a manufacturer like Fenix, where you can get near cutting edge LED technology, for relatively low cost (not necessarily cheap). Every year, LED's increase in lumen output AND become much more efficient (longer battery life). I can remember when LED's from Seoul Semiconductor were the shiznit...now, CREE XLamps (MC-E, XR-E, XR-C, etc.) seem to rule the roost.

My $.02.

 

[shampoop]

streamlight and led lenser.

 

[Jayincali]

Used to be a Surefire flashlight fan boy, although really bright, battery life was trash. Checked into a few other models that a couple of my LEO buddies had from Streamlight, then came one of my buddies that had an LAPD Pelican 7060, compact, has 160 lumuns with 2 hour run time, fell in love with that light and now own one. They have a larger full size model I believe is a 8060 with 7 hour battery life and 180 lumuns. Both rechargable, both have dual switches, but the 8060 can also work off of 4 C cells for 190 lumuns and 11 hours run time.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

My favourite so far (Haven't got a Surefire yet) is the LED Lenser P6. 2x AA, extremely bright, especially for its size, and is focusable. It's a great light and not too expensive, i use mine all day and have no inclination to have anything else in its place.

 

[route246]

The P6 is nice for the long battery life but I like the P5 because it is 1xAA and fits in my front pocket very nicely.

My favourite so far (Haven't got a Surefire yet) is the LED Lenser P6. 2x AA, extremely bright, especially for its size, and is focusable. It's a great light and not too expensive, i use mine all day and have no inclination to have anything else in its place.

 

[Big Vic]

I ordered one of the Streamlight Stinger C4 LED flash lights for 160$ off the Matco truck or cheaper online. These lights are SUPER BRIGHT it comes packed with 180 lumens and can be seen for about a mile and maybe further then then that. You can order it dual switch or single switch. These flash lights wont disappoint.

P.S These are RECHARGEABLE

 

[Regnar]

Ok I have a feeling this might not be for everyone but..... For a great price for a bright (250 Lumen) Cree LED light I would recommend one of these for 14.39 with free shipping. Shipping is Slooooow but the light is well worth it. For the price I dont mind beating it up and it has taken a good beating.

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/ultraf...d-flashlight-with-clip-1-18650-2-cr123a-16179


Work bought all of us a Streamlight PT2L. This is not as bright as the Ultrafire and the switch between modes is a pain in the ***. No memory mode and cost 4 times as much. Just saying the above link is a great deal.

 

[shoot summ]

Another vote for Fenix. I have a PD20 on me at all times, uses CR123, I buy the rechargers and 4 batteries on ebay for $10 shipped direct from Hong Kong.

 

[ETravis]

I just got one of the new Surefire g2x-pros and I love it! I think it is very reasonably priced at $65 for a surefire and it has 200 lumens. Also has a low setting of 15 lumens. There are however a million different options and it really just comes down to personal preference.

 

[Avgas]

Fenix, best bang for the buck.

 

[carbon]

I like my Ra light. 1 cr123 battery and a clicky button, that's it. Hate the turn-to-light flashlight interface.

 

[84bimmer]

I have a Sunlite, made right here in Lawrence. I believe Snap On sells them, but they are damn stupid retarded expensive. Mine is an 8 watt, extremely durable, and OHHHH so freakin bright.

 

[Danglerb]

Its a great time to start thinking less about which is best or brightest, and focus on which are good, suit your use and have the most practical features in prices and batteries.

The LED makers are shifting into the "real" lighting business, so I expect very good flashlights to become more and more reasonable.

 

[Gareth68]

I went with a chinese light off deal extreme. It's a 900 lumen (yeah I know it ain't...but that's the number they advertise). I bought the light, a charger and 4 trustfire 18650 batteries for around $50.

I don't need 4 batteries at all.

This thing is plenty bright. It has three brightness settings an sos flash and strobe.

A charged battery lasts a long time.

I have gotten addicted to seeing IN DETAIL what I'm working on.

It's like any other tool.....you rapidly start wondering how you worked so many years without it.

 

[jammer1001]

I bought mine from a Mac Tools dealer, it is 30 lumen's and rechargeable and 1/2 the price of stinger, I believe the # was FL423..$100. I've had it for two years now and no issues.

 

[Tjc]

streamlite stinger

 

[briggsguy17]

After 18 years in Law Enforcement I can say that the best light I have ever used is the newest version of the Streamlight Stinger LED. Take it for what it's worth but when my life depends on it, I am going with the Streamlight.

 

[Kirbot]

I use a Fenix LD20
I honestly wouldn't trade it for a Surefire that costs 2-3x as much, mainly because it uses standard AA batteries.

It's small (I keep it in my pocket), lightweight, bright (205 lumen), and really well made.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003B2MMDW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Anthony k]

i have surefires, streamlights. stingers, led, you name it.

i didnt read through all 4 pages, but if you havent looked at blackbearflashlights. you need too. brighter than anything out there, rechargeable, and optioned properly its a HIGHLY effective weapon.

best part is it uses a $20 Mag light body. you just replace everything else. the price isnt for the faint of heart though.

 

[Sick Puppy]

i didnt read through all 4 pages, but if you havent looked at blackbearflashlights. you need too. brighter than anything out there, rechargeable, and optioned properly its a HIGHLY effective weapon.

best part is it uses a $20 Mag light body. you just replace everything else. the price isnt for the faint of heart though.

You had me at highly effective weapon. what options would you suggest, and are you talking illuminating, blinding or clubbing?

 

[HarveyM]

I guess it depends on what you need- Tactical lights I have no experience with, but for general use I’ve been very satisfied with my Zebralight H30 headlight as a work light. It’s flood light is perfect for lighting at hands reach. My leatherman Serac S3 is small enough to carry daily but still is a great general purpose light. I’ve even used it for animal dissections when the surgical lamp died. Both have been discontinued, but Zebralight has comparable models. Nothing in Leatherman line-up to replace the Serac, so I’d probably look at the 4Sevens Quark or Fenix line to find a replacement.

 

[Anthony k]

You had me at highly effective weapon. what options would you suggest, and are you talking illuminating, blinding or clubbing?

did you look at the website?

the replacement bezel is evil.

the light is so intense...... it will start paper on fire