Most you would spend on a flashlight?

[Stuey]

Over the years my flashlight budget has increased steadily as I demand brighter output and better build quality. The most I've spent is about $65, but I'd say my current budget is at about $75-80 for a primary light.

I know a lot of people that are shocked to see flashlights that cost more than $15-20. Even standard Maglites make their eyes widen.

So what's the most you would spend on a flashlight?

 

[RobertMo1988]

i spent about 50 on my streamlight propolymer 4aa luxeon light, its not bad but it takes 4 batteries, i think that is the most ill spend on one.

 

[Paco Pena]

Anything more than a Maglite gets a pass from me. I find a number of decent ones more useful than a single high end light.

Paco

 

[jim2664258]

I know a lot of people that are shocked to see flashlights that cost more than $15-20.

Count me as one of these. It's a fricking flashlight. I like good tools, but holy cow.

 

[5lima30]

In the mid-80's I bought a rechargeable MagLite w/ AC & DC charger and paid $119.00. That was alot of coin for a rookie cop! Now they issue Streamlight Stinger LED! BTW I still have the MagLite which is on it's third battery stick. It now resides on my workbench. An LED Surefire is on my nightstand for when things go bump in the night. (I got it thrown in on a gun trade.) For years while I was on Patrol I carried a Pelican on my duty belt and it is a great light.

 

[slob]

If my job depended on it? Not sure there's an upper limit, within reason. I work the midnight shift at a railroad. The guys whose job it is to inspect equipment all buy those expensive 200+ lumen LED flashlights. If they miss something during an inspection, and that train winds up killing someone because of it, it's probably their job. That's definitely worth $150.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I've spent $80+ (adjusted, from £.) on a LED Lenser. It was well worth it, and i'll buy another one soon.

I was a little tempted to spend $15-200-ish on a Surefire, and will eventually.

 

[jim_rush51]

Stinger led is worth everybit of the 180.00 as a mechanic.

 

[greasemonkey44]

ive spent 40-50$ easy, when you need a good light to work by there really isnt a limit
im looking at a streamlight knucklehead now for work
they go for a good bit of change too

 

[canuckian]

I'd say $150 - $200. I use a rechargeable stream light I got for free last year but it's not their really bright one. I'd also like a nice head light. I hear they can get pricey!!

 

[Stuey]

I've spent $80+ (adjusted, from £.) on a LED Lenser. It was well worth it, and i'll buy another one soon.

I was a little tempted to spend $15-200-ish on a Surefire, and will eventually.

I just got a taste for LED Lenser, and I'm liking it more than comparably priced Surefires. I'm not too happy with my semi-recent G2X - the G2LED versions it replaced are better.

 

[speed bump]

Really depends on how bad I need a flashlight.

 

[cundifc]

Stinger led for $150 give or take a little. Hands down best I have ever used let alone owned.

 

[ibedayank]

4D maglite any more light needed i pull out the stand worklights

 

[blue dog]

I bought a pentagon flashlight that was $90, it was a beautiful piece, the anodizing, millwork on the aluminum, interior parts were gold, very bright for the time 5 years ago { not today } if found please return it, boo hoo.
I as well have a small surefire that was in the $100.00 range that is friggin bright and tuff little light. aviator.
My daily carry light is the streamlight microstream, $16.00 on amazon, best little tail click AAA battery light, as big as a chapstick, pocket clip and 20 lumens, what else do you need for a daily carry if you are not an LEO. Highly recommend this light to anyone.

 

[bmxr4life87]

Flashlight is a basic essential as far as I'm concerned. I spent $60 on a streamlight protac 2aa it uses 2aa batteries has 120 lumens on high and 12 lumens on low(lasts 14 hrs on low) and clips in my pocket like a knife. I always have it on me you never know when you may need some light... you would be suprised how lifesaving a flashlight and knife could be during an emergency situation

 

[jtfc]

$110 on a streamlight for my fire helmet incredibly bright,super tough has yet to be damaged by fire or drops from various distances. Well worth it. For a regular flashlight a streamlight g2 led for $70 is worth it imo

 

[theoldwizard1]

Too much of a tight wad to spend more than about $30. But there are some great lights of there for that budget. I love my Streamlight ProPolymer 4AA LED. Small (but not too small), bright (okay. there a lot of bright lights), runs on alkaline that last forever !

I need to start shopping again for one of those tiny little, palm of your hand, lights that burns your eyeballs !

 

[Sterff]

No more than $25. You can get a good MagLite for that much.

 

[930dreamer]

I have a Surefire C2 Tactical Centurion, great light $80. I had a forward grip light on my office M4 it retailed for over $500.

 

[Steevo]

No more than $20
I have done the "big-***-mag-lite" thing, and ended up with a flashlight you can no longer buy bulbs for, because it's a five-cell.
I have at least a dozen that are just as good, and all cost less than $20.
The ones I use most often are the free ones I get from HF.

 

[mkdive]

I would spend up to $300. I have a few $150-$250 lights. I have a peakbeam (but that was a gift). At the time they were selling for $2500-$3000. I have enough lights to last me a while.

 

[diesel research]

The streamlight stinger DS LED is pretty much "the standard" in the shop. Lot of us work the overnight shift, maintaining/inspecting trucks/trailers.

Those guys are paying about $175 for the AC/DC piggyback combo with extra battery. Still marked up quite a bit.

I use a $25 bayco 26w florescent drop light if at all possible. Have some $20 LED flashlights but have decided to upgrade.

Realized a stinger is NOT the optimal light no matter what guys will tell you. It's main benefit is the fact it withstands a drop pretty well. My outlook is "if I am not constantly holding it with my hand, I can't drop it". Hence a new outlook on higher end headlamps.

Others will insist "ya but the ____ is way brighter and throws way further". My response is "I am not on a search and rescue mission, I am inspecting components from a distance of 4ft or less"

So, I have decided to get a decent headlamp in the near future

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$60

 

[american lockpicker]

I was going to spend $700 on a Wiseled this year but they changed the style.

 

[american lockpicker]

No more than $20
I have done the "big-***-mag-lite" thing, and ended up with a flashlight you can no longer buy bulbs for, because it's a five-cell.
I have at least a dozen that are just as good, and all cost less than $20.
The ones I use most often are the free ones I get from HF.

I have a 5D maglite and you can find bulbs at places like True Value or Home Depot.

 

[greybeard]

It kind of depends on what I'm gonna have to use it for. If I was like a night watchman and had to use one as part of my job 8 hrs a day, 5 days a week, $100+ wouldn't be out of line.

 

[Toolhorder]

Whatever Streamlight is charging is what I'm paying, lol

 

[vssykes]

led stinger was the best $180 i ever spent!

 

[diesel research]

A LOT of guys I work with do not know their stinger has multiple brightnesses. They think it is only bright and strobe. So I will borrow one (especially if it is a new guy who just upgraded) cycle it down to low "moonlight" mode and return it asking what is wrong with the flashlight?! I see a bit of worry come over their face, and then I hold the button down and it starts toggling through the modes and they are shocked.

 

[Steevo]

I have a 5D maglite and you can find bulbs at places like True Value or Home Depot.

Not at my HD or TV.

 

[fvfvsix]

I have a couple of Surefire weaponlights, so about $300.

 

[jdbishop]

can't beat my surefire HellFighter light it uses a hid bulb, with around 3000 lumen and retails for over 5k. Got to love the military. but the most I have personally spent on a flash light is around 250 bucks.

 

[greasemonkey44]

Not at my HD or TV.

maglite bulb

 

[PowerGenGuy]

I carry a 2 AA on my belt and a 3 D cell in my toolbox, both Maglites. They are pricey but are durable and have lasted me for years. Many years ago I wouldn't spend the money for the mag's and bought cheap, I then learned my lesson. Buy a good flashlight at reasonable price, can't go wrong with Maglite.

 

[lafd04]

Whatever it costs for a replacement streamlight LED. The mac man had a strion think it was 120 or so but I love it. Leave it in the truck next to my turnout gear.

 

[diesel research]

http://www.tooltopia.com/streamlight-75613.aspx

$120

Think I should buy up a bunch and resell them for $160.

 

[3 at 8]

Fenix TK-10 ran about 80-100 several years ago. I got one for the wife too. Its got high and low; not all the srtrobe/flash /disco /sos modes which I didint want

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Everyone at work is using a variation of the FourSevens. I have the mini you have to twist the end to turn it on and off. Most everyone else is using a similar but very slightly larger one with a push button switch in the back, They are not cheap, but it is much better size and weight wise from my Ultra Stinger and way better than the rechargable mag light before that.

I much prefer the AA batteries (company provides them free) and you don't have to replace rechargeable batteries every couple of years. The weight of those heavy lights on your belt will make your back hurt. I keep my mini FourSevens in my shirt pocket or pants pocket. Love it.

Charles

 

[robo7de]

Get the Inova T4......four light modes, lithium ion battery with no memory effect, AC/DC charger & two hour charger from empty to full....~$110.00 Kick A** heavy duty investment stick!

 

[rickairmedic]

Well I use my flashlight every dqay . I used to carry the stupid huge maglights and honestly will never buy another one . I carry a Coleman 150 Lumen light every day that fits in my phone holster and I paid $25.00 for it . Heres a link to one on overstock.com that is over priced in my opinion .

http://www.overstock.com/Sports-Toys/Coleman-150-Lumen-Flashlight/4865692/product.html



Now if we are talking about how much time I would spend on a flashlight . The longest I have spent making one so far was a couple hours for the Coke bottle shaped one . The others I can whip up in under an hour from a fresh piece of brass and yes all of the pictures are of single LED 6 volt brass flashlights handmade by me .


Rick