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Need a small flashlight

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engineer2

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Dec 13, 2009
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Chicago burbs
We need a small flashlight that can clip to a dog leash. Main purpose is to illuminate dog **** so we can see to pick it up at night :rolleyes:
Tired of feeding batteries into the free HF ones. Ideally it should be rechargeable and small in size.
2 from Menards (Guidesman and Kodiak Litzall) were defective. Avoid these POS brands.
Looked at Amazon and I don't want to pay $30 for no-name chinese. Under $20 would be great. Doesn't need to be over 500 lumens.
Any thoughts?
 
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oldschoolcraft

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Bay Area, California
O Light is a brand people seem to enjoy in that lower price range. The purple colored one right now is $27. I personally wouldn't buy any lights or any electronics today that were not USB-C. There's still some places straggling with USB-micro. One known downside with USB-C is that if you're using a USB-C to USB-C cable, then the device must be smart enough to tell the charger how many amps to pull. Many cheap devices, sub $100, lack this circuitry, and thus you need to use a USB-C to USB-A cable, in a USB-A charger.


I personally carry a $150+ flashlight but I too enjoy good flashlights.
 
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swsman

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Earthbound
Get a decent rechargeable headlamp.
Your hands are free, plenty of light.

coastportland.com

XPH30R

<p> </p> <p data-mce-fragment="1">Shine bright and stay hands-free with the mid-size workhorse in our XPH professional headlamp series. Engineered for...
coastportland.com coastportland.com
 
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darkzero

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Oct 20, 2011
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SoCal
I've got many flashlights & I haven't bought any in a while but I got this one recently. Not sure if it would suit your needs but I've been happy using it lately.

It's got a clip but not sure how secure it would be clipped to a dog leash. Base/tailcap is a magnet. Runs on a 18350, USB-C rechargable on the light. 6500K version is $24. I paid a few dollars more for the 5000K version that was on sale at the time.

Has all the features that I prefer. Simple user interface with memory (remembers last mode/brightness level used). No cycling through a bunch of different modes to get to what I want or to finally turn off. Three levels of brightness plus turbo. Double click for turbo mode (max brightness at anytime whether on or off). I hate flashlights with SOS & strobe. I don't mind strobe as long as it's not cycled along with the brightness levels & this one does not. Click 3 times for strobe. Click 4 times to put it in lockout mode so it can't be turned on accidentally.

6500K version:
20240406_182359.jpg20240406_182259.jpg

I also got the extended 18650 battery tube for it. I don't plan on using it, just got it cause it didn't cost much.
20240406_182201.jpg

I'm personally not a fan of headlamps but there's a headband that you can clip the light to & rotates up down. There's also a sensor switch that plugs into the light & clips to the headband to allow you to turn it on/off just by waving your hand over it. Again I don't plan on using them but got them "just in case" cause they didn't cost much. The sensor thing is kinda cool & I had to have it.
20240407_152705.jpg
 
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turbodave

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Apr 30, 2012
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IL/WI
I have a small Olight ir2 on the keys to one car, and a streamlight 73302 on the keys to another. Both work great, I prefer the feel and form factor of the Olight better even if it may not be as bright. They aren't something I use for extended periods, but both work fine for those times I need run out to the backyard shed at night and want to avoid stepping in dog ****.


 
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dscheidt

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Apr 26, 2017
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I have one of these https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BLTP9ZD?tag=atomicindus08-20 in my trouser pocket for all those things you need a flashlight for. I have a pile of AA NiMH cells, so I want a light that uses them (and I've twice bought throwaways in a pinch). I have the previous version, which doesn't have the stupidly bright mode, the other output claims are the same. (few small flashlights, and probably none at your price point have the optics to do anything useful with that much light). I've had a few, but I've had the current one for two years. held up fine.
 
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FigN⋅m

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Feb 28, 2024
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I second the Fenix lights! Simple & durable with easy to find batteries (I haven't gotten into rechargeables yet)
I've had these E05s for what - 15 years? I assume the newest iteration is as decent and should last as long.
e05.jpg
 
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no704

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Apr 27, 2016
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Crest has good ones on Amazon. The two aaa ones usually get lost before the battery’s need replacement.
 
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908Jim

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Olight i3T Eos with eneloop rechargable batteries is my go to recommendation for this application. Tail cap switch, light weight, two ouput modes and $18 on amazon

I also have an olight ieE EOS single AAA with an eneloop rechargable that's about as small as it gets. Twist operation like a Maglite solitaire but even smaller. I prefer single handed operation for dog walking though.
 
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sparky 1971

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Central Iowa
I'm a cheapskate when it comes to flashlights, not because I'm afraid to spend the money but because I constantly lose them. I have become a big fan of Coast lights. For the money, I don't know if there is anything better. I've also had good luck with the AAA Maglites, I keep a old school styled AAA led in my shirt pocket. The AA's are junk.

coastportland.com

LED Flashlights

Take light into any environment and rely on world-class LED optical technology to cut clean through the dark. There’s a COAST LED flashlight suited to every user, ranging from the high-lumens workhorse loved by law enforcement or the pocket flashlight needed for home DIY projects. Top-notch...
coastportland.com coastportland.com

Search: 93 results found for "AAA*"

Maglite® - 45+ years of designing and manufacturing America’s best flashlights and accessories. Innovation includes: patented Heat-Sink LED technology, fast-charging rechargeable flashlights, Quick-click tail-cap mode selection, programmable, multiple-functions and long run-times. Durable...
maglite.com maglite.com
 
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mrb1

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Aug 20, 2021
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Location
Miami County, Ohio
Such a thing exists. Looked at them a while back when getting a leash. Retractable type also. Have never tried one. I can wait til daylight(and rarely use a leash) :ROFLMAO:
Looks like ya could attach your own leash to just the handle/light part if you wanted. CHEWY sells this same one for a couple dollars more.
11.jpg
 
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lolaetype

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Dec 11, 2019
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North Western Arkansas
engineer2 said:
We need a small flashlight that can clip to a dog leash. Main purpose is to illuminate dog **** so we can see to pick it up at night
Click to expand...

I can't offer any advice regarding the best flashlight. I just wanted to say thank you for being responsible enough to collect your dog's poop instead of leaving it for someone else to either pick up or step in. :thumbup:
 
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cosmokenney

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Oct 18, 2017
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Loyalton, CA
This headlamp is usb rechargeable. I know you said flashlight, but this could be modified by shortening the straps or replacing them with velcro or something like that - to attach to the leash. I mention this one because you said you wanted a quality product for cheap. And this brand's headlamps are ubiquitous in the backpacking scene. Everyone I know uses them. I have two of the ones below. And one of the older gen smaller ones (NU20). All three have far exceeded my expectations on longevity and durability.

 
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NUTTSGT

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Not rechargeable but we have a Coast flashlight that uses 2 AA batteries. It lives by the back door and I bought it specifically for taking the dog out. It's probably 4-5 years old and I bought it at Menards.

Screenshot_20240504-115901.png
 
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troy520

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Apr 21, 2013
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Southern Illinois
I bought a Braun rechargeable penlight (SKU 59350) from HF as a replacement light for an optical micrometer. Very impressed and holds a charge for very long time. Almost too bright for my application. At $19.99, might be worth a look.
 
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AffableCurmudgeon

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Jan 26, 2009
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Triad Area NC
I know you want a rechargeable, but I tend to favor replaceable batteries. My recommendation therefore is likely not that useful to you.
In any event, I bought this five-dollar, 500 lumen aluminum flashlight last year to make sure that I stay clear of copperheads when I go for a walk in the late evening. This thing is bright and has an adjustable beam that goes from narrow to wide.

It takes 4 AAA batteries. I am still on the batteries that came with it. I absolutely love it.


1714859122966.png
 
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plinker

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Feb 28, 2007
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Northern Wi
I have a couple of these Streamlights, No issues, USB charging is a plus, battery is replaceable and so is the pocket clip (broke one once). Quite bright for the size. Usually around 33$ so maybe a bit more then you want to spend. Great EDC light though.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DLZXZV1/?tag=atomicindus08-20

My only gripe is the blue one is low first then high, the brown one is high first then low. Somewhat annoying when switching between them.
 
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Numerator2142

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Sep 16, 2023
Messages
59
I picked one of these up recently and it seems pretty good.
www.harborfreight.com

85 Lumen LED Pocket Penlight

Amazing deals on this 85 Lumen Led Penlight at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com www.harborfreight.com
It seems it's been replaced with a 200 lumen version.
I can't imagine an led light killing decent batteries in any kind of short timeframe, so I'd assume and cheap led is adequate for your poop light.
 
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seber

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May 31, 2016
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Deep East Tx.
I am totally disgusted with rechargeable flashlights. Likewise AA and AAA. My lights use 18650 lithium. I can carry a spare but those batteries last just about forever. Put the money into a high quality charger that will charge everything. There are a lot of good lights that will handle these and they cost a lot less than those with built in circuitry.
 
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mixerfixer

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Aug 3, 2013
Messages
95
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MD
Nebo RC Inspector is a great pocket pen style light. I don’t recall the price but I believe it wasn’t much over $20. I have carried it every day for the last 4 years as a heavy equipment mechanic. Rechargeable. I will purchase another if this one ever dies.
 
OP
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engineer2

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Dec 13, 2009
Messages
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Location
Chicago burbs
Thanks for the replies so far. To clarify: I need it to be simple, compact, rugged and wife-proof. Press the button to turn it on/off. So many flashlights require gyrations to turn on and have too many operating modes. It is permanently attached to the dog leash and needs to stay together too. Twice I've found the dog leash flashlight either missing or missing parts. This is why I want something in the disposable price class.

Funny aside: Kids got me an 8000 lumen Guidesman flashlight. For safety it requires 3 button presses with the exact timing to turn on. You end up repeating this several time before you get it right, usually when you are staring into the LED array to see if it is going to work.

Guidesman: Quit working after a few days. Would work if you bang it on something hard. The light level memory was nice. Returned it.

Kodiak Litezall: On-off button worked intermittently. Stupid design: Press power button twice with the correct timing to maybe turn it on. Defaults to 1000 lumen turbo mode which drains the battery in 30 seconds. Returning it.

I have an Olight for my toolbag that I really like, but it has more modes than anyone would need. 3 levels, strobe, and SOS modes, plus count the button flashes to get battery voltage.

Float-a-Poo was posted on the local NextDoor. A dozen people flew into a rage and one person threatened to call the police. I think moderators had to pull the post because of threats of violence against the OP.
 
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Rusted Nut

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PNW
For more value oriented, Coast flashlights are great. I have a couple that hang out in glove boxes, tool bags, etc…; good value. For higher end - Felix, they really good. The rechargeable ones last a long time, are bright, and just keep on going.
 
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NUTTSGT

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Northern Central Ohio
engineer2 said:
Thanks for the replies so far. To clarify: I need it to be simple, compact, rugged and wife-proof. Press the button to turn it on/off. So many flashlights require gyrations to turn on and have too many operating modes. It is permanently attached to the dog leash and needs to stay together too. Twice I've found the dog leash flashlight either missing or missing parts. This is why I want something in the disposable price class.
Click to expand...

The Coast I posted is wife proof. Using batteries is better because you just need to have a pack of batteries on hand in your garage.

No charge cord to disappear or jack to get a cord shoved in upside down ruining it.

First click on bright, click off. Click on again and it's dim, click off.

It's slightly bigger than a Mini Mag Light.

Rusted Nut said:
For more value oriented, Coast flashlights are great. I have a couple that hang out in glove boxes, tool bags, etc…; good value. For higher end - Felix, they really good. The rechargeable ones last a long time, are bright, and just keep on going.
Click to expand...
Another fan of Coast flashlights.
 
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