Wamsutta
Well-known member
If your budget ever goes over $50, the Streamlight Stinger is excellent.
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looking for a flashlight
- Thread starter joshmodelskidoo
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steed andersen
Well-known member
Just bought 4 Rayz 300 lumen LED flashlights from True Value hardware. Two for $9.99! They have two settings 60 lumens (same as my Streamlight Stylus) & 300 lumens. They are a lot of flash light for the money.
You can't really compare flashlights by comparing lumen ratings because every manufacturer uses a different test. There is no industry standard.
Also, different lights have different color outputs, and everyone's eyes have a different sensitivity to different colors. My dad sees his maglite brighter than my LED Surefire. But to me the SF is much brighter. Older people tend to see yellow/red spectrum better and blue spectrum less than younger people.
And of course there's the beam pattern. You want one with no rings. And brightness depends a lot on the reflector and beam pattern. It could be a flood for short distance fill, all the way to a pinpoint beam for far away.
So lumens really doesn't mean much.
Also, different lights have different color outputs, and everyone's eyes have a different sensitivity to different colors. My dad sees his maglite brighter than my LED Surefire. But to me the SF is much brighter. Older people tend to see yellow/red spectrum better and blue spectrum less than younger people.
And of course there's the beam pattern. You want one with no rings. And brightness depends a lot on the reflector and beam pattern. It could be a flood for short distance fill, all the way to a pinpoint beam for far away.
So lumens really doesn't mean much.
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You're right on Maglite. I have the 2d LED Pro and love it. 274 Lumens and great trow with nice battery life, and it's a durable light. If you want the best possible, look at the ML300l, it sells for $50 but msrps for $70, so you have to shop around a bit but it's fantastic.
nationalminer84
Well-known member
I use a stream light stinger led that was issued to me in the mine I work at 8 years ago. It's held up used as a hammer and dropped, ran over, left out in the winter just awesome. I bought one for home use it was $110 worth it imo
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I agree with @Fugio above. I've bought SureFires back when they were $250, and a bunch of other. I've read CandlePower website for hours and hours. Love the technology. I've owned the ones with the long rechargeable cells (hate those).
The brand I've come to really love is Fenix. I have two generations of their TK41 lights. The newest one has 4 brightness settings from gentle to light up my entire 9 acre yard. It uses AA batteries (8 of em!). I use the Eneloop AA rechargeable batteries (recharge 2100 times, no memory latency). Keep 8 charged, and 8 in the lights.
The 41 is a little above your price range but there are about a dozen more models to look at. I'd check the out. Amazon has great deals with rechargeable AA batteries bundled, but again, I'd spend the coin on some Eneloop.
I don't like maglight. Very slow to innovate. They got and are still behind. Lots of cheap light available that are good. Fenix is a great one. StreamLight is too.
Perhaps a $30 light, and some Eneloop batteries and a charger would be the holiday bundle.
The brand I've come to really love is Fenix. I have two generations of their TK41 lights. The newest one has 4 brightness settings from gentle to light up my entire 9 acre yard. It uses AA batteries (8 of em!). I use the Eneloop AA rechargeable batteries (recharge 2100 times, no memory latency). Keep 8 charged, and 8 in the lights.
The 41 is a little above your price range but there are about a dozen more models to look at. I'd check the out. Amazon has great deals with rechargeable AA batteries bundled, but again, I'd spend the coin on some Eneloop.
I don't like maglight. Very slow to innovate. They got and are still behind. Lots of cheap light available that are good. Fenix is a great one. StreamLight is too.
Perhaps a $30 light, and some Eneloop batteries and a charger would be the holiday bundle.
I don't like maglight. Very slow to innovate. They got and are still behind.
I agree that Mag Lite has nearly been left in the dust by other LED manufacturers but they have caught up.
Their Pro + has the most innovative UI out there. (far superior to some of these other manufacturers with confusing modes you need to cycle thru).
I also like that their light has a real switch. Other manufacturers use a momentary switch and a circuit that's always on and consuming battery power while monitoring the switch. After a few months you go to use the light and the batteries are dead from the quiescent draw vs. usage.
Mag Lites new LED lineup is very impressive. It just took them way too long to get to this point.
I am amazed at how powerful and useful the little 1x AAA LED lights are these days. I pretty much just EDC one of these http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006K5C2EG/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I EDC an Olight i3s using a 10440 instead of a AAA, $20 and its never left my pocket since the day it arrived. Very bright, but gets hot within a minute on high, medium still a lot of light with less heat, and twilight lasts 60 hrs, perfect for walking at night. Strobe is hidden, two fast cycles of modes to activate. Its a twisty, so very easy one hand use, and its tiny, practical to keychain or loose in the pocket.
Natural stepup would be the Zebralight SC52, but so far I like the small size and don't need more output or run time.
I bought this 500 lumen torch. Came in a beautiful hard case and is rechargeable. Awesome for $20!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JE329YO/?tag=atomicindus08-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JE329YO/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Is battery type important? I have gone to AA cells for all my flashlights, currently I use zebralights, Have one in each car and one in the garage. I gave up on Maglights a few years ago after too many failures. Maybe they're better now? I also own surefire, Olight, Fenix. My go-to "House flashlight" is an old style surefire G3 that I modified to use AA batteries with a Malkoff drop in. Anyway, the Zebralights are good quality and can be used as a headlamp as well and ordered in many different variations depending on your needs. I use Eneloop recharchable AA's in all my lights. HTH
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For anyone that works in automotive....do u really find the more expensive 100+ dollar flashlights to be better? When your working on a car it's right in front of you so u only need so much brightness. I have the streamlight scorpion and a little AAA microstream and I use the microstream 90% of the time. Up close automotive use I just don't see the need. Is it a rechargeable issue?
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'71 VW 1302
Well-known member
Not cheap, but I like this for a light:
http://r-pal.rtg.com/
Made in USA, very bright, well made and thought out.
I've bought 3 of them, one for the tool box, one for the glove box, and one for a gift.
http://r-pal.rtg.com/
Made in USA, very bright, well made and thought out.
I've bought 3 of them, one for the tool box, one for the glove box, and one for a gift.
articsilber323
Well-known member
stream light will be his last night he will ever need, i own the stirion hl and the stinger hl and they are bright!
stream light will be his last night he will ever need, i own the stirion hl and the stinger hl and they are bright!
Do u use your strion for automotive use mostly? What intensity do u use it on?
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OP
joshmodelskidoo
Well-known member
Sweet. Thank you all
Sal Bandini
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 30, 2012
- Messages
- 989
For anyone that works in automotive....do u really find the more expensive 100+ dollar flashlights to be better? When your working on a car it's right in front of you so u only need so much brightness. I have the streamlight scorpion and a little AAA microstream and I use the microstream 90% of the time. Up close automotive use I just don't see the need. Is it a rechargeable issue?
I have recently gone to headlamp for all my close up work. Why tie up a hand with a flashlight? For close up work I found the pure flood pattern to be the best. No hot spot in front of you and it lights up the area more evenly.
The pure flood versions from Zebralight are perfect in this situation. They have high output but spread it across a wider pattern, plus they are available in neutral tint.
I use this one
http://www.zebralight.com/H602w-18650-XM-L2-Flood-Headlamp-Neutral-White_p_115.html
but it is 18650 rechargeable Li-ion. If you want AA I would recommend this one:
http://www.zebralight.com/H502w-L2-AA-Flood-Headlamp-Neutral-White_p_141.html
Both of them are pure floods, about 120 degree, so they are really only suited for close work.
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articsilber323
Well-known member
Do u use your strion for automotive use mostly? What intensity do u use it on?
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i started with the stirion with automotive work and the battery would die half way threw the day, so i upgraded to the stinger that has 2 battery's and i change them out half way threw the day and i took the stirion home
if you want longer battery life get the non "hl" version it is the same as a hl turned down one brightness
i use full brightness because i always forget to turn it down, if i find it blinding me i will turn it down
I'll second Sal's comments on head lamps. I have had zebralights on my work bump cap for years and everyone asks me where to buy them. The AA are good for a while, but do use batteries fast. The 602fw (flood neutral) is what I have now and is great, but the 18650 battery does require a special charger.
OP
joshmodelskidoo
Well-known member
I got a head lamp from ace and i like it alot but not sure if thats for him or not. All he said is that he wants a good quality flashlight. I don't think it will be something used every day. Hes retired and just something he can use around the house. He doesn't really work on anything that im aware of.
WhiffySpark
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2009
- Messages
- 6,252
For anyone that works in automotive....do u really find the more expensive 100+ dollar flashlights to be better? When your working on a car it's right in front of you so u only need so much brightness. I have the streamlight scorpion and a little AAA microstream and I use the microstream 90% of the time. Up close automotive use I just don't see the need. Is it a rechargeable issue?
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I use led lensers. Currently have an a15. Usually have an a20. Also have a stream light ds
And yeah working on cars, we need the light. Doesn't matter how close you are
Heavy Metal Doctor
Well-known member
For 50 bucks I'd get 2 Ultrafire lights, a charger and half a dozen 18650 batteries.......I know they are not a big name so well loved by many GJ-er's but I've been using mine in the shop at work all the time (I'm getting old and can't see in low light) for about a year. For a sub-20 dollar cheap LED light (Amazon has a 2 for 16 bucks deal right now) they are great and actually put out a lot of light (1000 lumen, IIRC). I carry one with me in the car and was concerned the charge would go down on the battery with it only being used once every now and then, but so far it has stayed charged and ready for months at a time and worked when I needed it for an emergency.
Edit: and since so much is being discussed about lights at work in the shop -- I use a Nitecore HC50 nearly every day. Like I said - getting old and going blind, I need the extra light. Anytime I'm looking under a truck, under a dash, down in confined spaces where the shop lights don't illuminate well, the headlight goes on The HC50 is pretty bright, too - I often blind people who come up and disturb me when I turn around to talk to them. I use it for hours on end and swap out the 18650 rechargeables every 2 hours or so since I run it on a high brightness setting. So, yeah, I'd say a headlight is very useful to have around for mechanic work. If you need the extra light often, then rechargeable is the way to go, IMO, and well worth the cost over AA or AAA powered stuff.
Edit: and since so much is being discussed about lights at work in the shop -- I use a Nitecore HC50 nearly every day. Like I said - getting old and going blind, I need the extra light. Anytime I'm looking under a truck, under a dash, down in confined spaces where the shop lights don't illuminate well, the headlight goes on The HC50 is pretty bright, too - I often blind people who come up and disturb me when I turn around to talk to them. I use it for hours on end and swap out the 18650 rechargeables every 2 hours or so since I run it on a high brightness setting. So, yeah, I'd say a headlight is very useful to have around for mechanic work. If you need the extra light often, then rechargeable is the way to go, IMO, and well worth the cost over AA or AAA powered stuff.
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RedneckWelder
Well-known member
Fenix or Streamlight.
I wouldn't give a Maglite to somebody unless I hated them.
I wouldn't give a Maglite to somebody unless I hated them.
Wakefield
Well-known member
I agree that Mag Lite has nearly been left in the dust by other LED manufacturers but they have caught up.
Their Pro + has the most innovative UI out there. (far superior to some of these other manufacturers with confusing modes you need to cycle thru).
I also like that their light has a real switch. Other manufacturers use a momentary switch and a circuit that's always on and consuming battery power while monitoring the switch. After a few months you go to use the light and the batteries are dead from the quiescent draw vs. usage.
Mag Lites new LED lineup is very impressive. It just took them way too long to get to this point.
I wish Maglite would put a plastic or other battery leakage resistant liner inside their aluminum tube flashlights or include a battery tubular cover to try to control the plague of leaking alkaline batteries. I am tempted to try the new lithium AA batteries but Maglite paper says not recommended.
Here's some blasphemy.
Most of the usa branded lights are extremely over priced.... maglite & streamlite especially.
The Chinese stuff and others from dxextreme website are much much cheaper and just as good ... if not better..... such as the Ultrafire brand.
Most of the usa branded lights are extremely over priced.... maglite & streamlite especially.
The Chinese stuff and others from dxextreme website are much much cheaper and just as good ... if not better..... such as the Ultrafire brand.
bareass172
Well-known member
As has been mentioned, the type of use has so much to do with the light you choose. Since you're buying for someone else you really need to try and think about what they'll do with it. I still have Mag-Lites that I've had for decades, but I wouldn't buy another or gift one to someone since I think they're a waste of money now. I have a Streamlight ProTac 2L that is smaller than a mini Mag but outdoes my 4D Mag all day long. I have a Black Diamond headlight that I use incessantly when wrenching in dark spots, working at night, camping, and even when grilling out in the dark. I also bought a couple of these last year and they are invaluable:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018S4XIS/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Lifetime warranty, cheap, and you can do a lot with them. Anytime the power goes out, it's what I reach for.
I also bought a 12 pack of these a couple years ago:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0011UIPIW/?tag=atomicindus08-20
And gave them as Christmas stocking stuffers. People thought I was silly at the time. Now, 2 years later, they're all asking me if I'm doing it again because the batteries are finally going out on them. They LOVED them. I don't know that you can get a brighter light in a smaller package for EDC.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018S4XIS/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Lifetime warranty, cheap, and you can do a lot with them. Anytime the power goes out, it's what I reach for.
I also bought a 12 pack of these a couple years ago:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0011UIPIW/?tag=atomicindus08-20
And gave them as Christmas stocking stuffers. People thought I was silly at the time. Now, 2 years later, they're all asking me if I'm doing it again because the batteries are finally going out on them. They LOVED them. I don't know that you can get a brighter light in a smaller package for EDC.
I have not been able to kill a Streamlight. It's all I use every day at work, it stays in my pocket. I have 4 or 5 Maglites in the garage that no longer work, all of which I bought new. I'll never spend another dollar on one. Son got me a Fenix for Xmas, it takes two AA's and is very bright, and waterproof they claim as well.
I have not been able to kill a Streamlight. It's all I use every day at work, it stays in my pocket. I have 4 or 5 Maglites in the garage that no longer work, all of which I bought new. I'll never spend another dollar on one. Son got me a Fenix for Xmas, it takes two AA's and is very bright, and waterproof they claim as well.
Which one do you use everyday at work?
I'm really debating on going on amazon and buying the streamlight strion.
I already own a little streamlight microstream but I want something with a little more kick to it for larger jobs
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Which one do you use everyday at work?
I'm really debating on going on amazon and buying the streamlight strion.
I already own a little streamlight microstream but I want something with a little more kick to it for larger jobs
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I use the Streamlight, don't know the model. Uses one AAA battery,clips in my pocket. Best I've found for my application so far.
ThruNite Neutron 2A V2
http://www.thrunite.com/thrunite-neutron-2a-v2/
Brightest AA flashlight you can buy. Comes with adapter to allow using 1 or 2 AA batteries.
http://www.thrunite.com/thrunite-neutron-2a-v2/
Brightest AA flashlight you can buy. Comes with adapter to allow using 1 or 2 AA batteries.
jimmybread
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2014
- Messages
- 133
The ones in the baseball caps are cool
I wish the rechargeable streamlight strion wasn't so much damn money. I want one in the worst way. Just don't know if I can swallow the $110 price tag. I will def get the green one if I do get one as the black lights are hard to find if dropped and the light is off
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mrjaw14
Well-known member
foursevens makes some killer lights, as does fenix, and streamlight. those are the current best brands
RedneckWelder
Well-known member
I wish the rechargeable streamlight strion wasn't so much damn money. I want one in the worst way. Just don't know if I can swallow the $110 price tag. I will def get the green one if I do get one as the black lights are hard to find if dropped and the light is off
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If you will use it every day or nearly so then yes, the price tag is very much worth it for a quality rechargeable light.
I wish the rechargeable streamlight strion wasn't so much damn money. I want one in the worst way. Just don't know if I can swallow the $110 price tag. I will def get the green one if I do get one as the black lights are hard to find if dropped and the light is off
I have a Strion & never use it along with several other of the Streamlight models. I've bought dozens of the 501B cree lights from the website below. Can't be beat for the money. They come in single mode & also 5 mode.
I buy the CR123 batteries for $1.00 each at Batteryjunction.com.
http://www.dx.com/p/ultrafire-wf-50...light-black- 1-18650-2-cr123a-16240#.VJ9LCfDA
They're also available at Amazon.com for about the same $ .... search 501b & 502b
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And if you want an extremely handy small light check out the Sipik SK-68 lights. They're on Amazon for less than $4. ea .... work on a single AA battery with a focusing LED head. I have them all over the place and they are one of the best buys out there.
I wish the rechargeable streamlight strion wasn't so much damn money. I want one in the worst way. Just don't know if I can swallow the $110 price tag. I will def get the green one if I do get one as the black lights are hard to find if dropped and the light is off
I have a Strion & never use it along with several other of the Streamlight models. I've bought dozens of the 501B cree lights from the website below. Can't be beat for the money. They come in single mode & also 5 mode.
I buy the CR123 batteries for $1.00 each at Batteryjunction.com.
http://www.dx.com/p/ultrafire-wf-50...light-black- 1-18650-2-cr123a-16240#.VJ9LCfDA
They're also available at Amazon.com for about the same $ .... search 501b & 502b
Then sell me your old strion!
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