Which pocket flashlight?

[ljhhontx]

Another vote for the Cree/ I order them from China (sorry) for less than $6 each, use 1 AA battery and will blind anything within 100 ft.

 

[justme-]

Another vote for the Cree/ I order them from China (sorry) for less than $6 each, use 1 AA battery and will blind anything within 100 ft.

Same here - have one in each glovebox for just in case and one in the belt pouch at work - used almost daily for 6+ months and only on the 2nd battery.
Now, I will say it's not h20 proof, dust proof, or scratch resistant. Have to clean behind the lens and reflector regularly, and then lens is scratched pretty good now so it's not as bright as it once was. Brand new with good lith AA it was too bright to read a map at night, but great lighting up insides of an engine.
Cheap enough to loose them or have it last 6 months then break... but holding up great - way better than any HF light or the BP thing (coworker is on his 3rd of those I believe).

Thinking of replacing with a Stylus C4... good suggestions in here. I have several better ones at home, all of which have been part of my EDC at one point - "Police" thing, similar to the walmart carried one above (actually came from a local Autozone), just larger. Decent - good output and pattern, reasonable runtime but too big for EDC and I hate strobe function!

Walmart Ozark Trail 2AA 200lm - great for the cost - again good pattern, not too bright, good size. on/off - no gimmicky settings and no strobe!!
Maglight 101 is one of my faves - fatter 3 AAA size but very durable, simple switch (1 click high 2 clicks low) and defaults to on/off when batteries get below a certain point. wish they were still under $20.
These all came after my Smith and wesson tactical went missing. 2 AA 2 setting rear push button with twist on tailcap override. Came with holster that also holds a space set of batteries. was my EDC for months and went missing... the others were a years worth of trying to find a replacement for the discontinued S&W (terralux makes the closest replacement but had never heard of them) and the Mag was the best followed by the Ozark. S&W has turned up and been lost 2 more times since then and is still my EDC choice when I an not at work and think I may need a light.

 

[honcho]

If you're getting to a point in life, like me, where you need more light to see details, LED flashlights are a godsend. My 89 yo father's eyesight is failing and he needs enormous amounts of light to be able to read. I gave him several LED flashlights, the brightest being a Maglite Pro+. With a magnifying glass in one hand and the maglite he is able to read. At the grocery store he uses the light to look at the prices and labels to make sure he gets what he wants.

I have trouble with the color of LED light. I'm looking for a flashlight with better color rendering. Any ideas?

As for batteries, I'm too disorganized for rechargeable cells. When you have to remove the battery to charge it in a special charger , then i'm lost. Give me disposable AAs anyday. Biggest downside to alkaline is their tendency to leak. I'm partial to the expensive Energizer non-rechargeable lithiums, but they aren't cost effective for many uses.

 

[Davefr]

I have trouble with the color of LED light. I'm looking for a flashlight with better color rendering. Any ideas?

You might want to look at Zebralight. They offer Neutral White vs Cool White and they also have floodies which I really like. They're not cheap though.

http://www.zebralight.com/

 

[n8n]

I have trouble with the color of LED light. I'm looking for a flashlight with better color rendering. Any ideas?

look for a "high CRI" emitter like a Nichia 219 or Cree XM-L2 (only if specified as "high CRI" though, there are plenty of other bins of XM-L2 that have average CRIs.)

The Nichia is a higher color temperature than the Cree if you have a preference, about 4200-4500K as opposed to much warmer.

Actually since you claim not to like rechargeable cells, I have something you may be interested in... (a 219 based light that is a great little pocket light but loses its low modes when used on a RCR123A so I replaced it with something that fit my uses better)

 

[GCncsuHD]

I have trouble with the color of LED light. I'm looking for a flashlight with better color rendering. Any ideas?

Shop around a little, LEDs come in all different colors and color temperatures. Typical cheap LEDs have the cool/blue white that you probably dislike, but there are plenty of quality options out there with a warmer more natural light.

 

[TN_GARAGE]

I'm cheap so when I need more light than the i3s, I use a $7 SK68 clone with 5 modes running off a 14500 Lion..

Another vote for the Cree/ I order them from China (sorry) for less than $6 each, use 1 AA battery and will blind anything within 100 ft.

Yes.

Go get some of those <$5 Sipik sk68s and/or clones. They are a great lil light for a number of reasons...even when using AA batteries.

 

[Sal Bandini]

Alkaline AAs ****.

If you've spent Real Money on a flashlight that you actually like, the possibility of the alkaline leaking alone is enough to go to some sort of rechargeable solution. Neither NiMH nor Li-Ion are nearly as prone to leaking as alkalines.

Personally I prefer NiMH for general use, Eneloops are great. Fewer safety concerns for a non-savvy user than Li-Ion although lower performance. I'm using Eneloops in just about everything around the house; remote controls, general use flashlights, all my tools/meters/etc. The Li-Ions are for my own lights that I EDC and/or use for specific tasks and tend not to lend out.

The new Duracell Ion Core cells that are appearing in the grocery store are apparently relabeled Eneloop ** (AA format) or standard Eneloop (AAA format) and especially in AA format are a really good deal. Unfortunately I'm not aware of a good charger that is readily available in brick and mortar stores in the USA. Nitecore i4 v2 is a good budget charger however that will do both NiMH and Li-Ion although it doesn't have the **** features of the Maha C9000 (which is NiMH only.)

I've seen rumors over on CPF about a new charger coming out from SkyRC that has all the features of the C9000 and then some and will handle both NiMH and Li-Ion. Unfortunately it's not released yet, nor has anyone confirmed if it will run LiFePO4. (if it did, it would truly be One Charger to Rule Them All...)

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...kyRC-%97-IFA-2014-%97-MC3000-charger-analyzer

The one charger to rule them all would be a hobby charger, and it already exists.

 

[Canadian Charlie]

These are the ones I get here in Europe, but mine are not free

I have about 10 of these that I get for free at HF. I give loved ones 2 -- one for their cars and one for their purses.

 

[durallymax]

You might want to look at Zebralight. They offer Neutral White vs Cool White and they also have floodies which I really like. They're not cheap though.

http://www.zebralight.com/

X2. I have two neutral zebralights and they are awesome. Both are still cree XML emitters just with 4400cct. Good enough for me. There are higher CRI lights but at a big loss of output.

My favorite is my zebralight H602w. It's a pure flood so it's awesome for working on equipment /vehicles. 1000 lumens on the high setting. 18650 batteries last forever. Very lightweight light and the 4400cct is perfect. It is not a distance light though. For that zi use my H600w.

Zebralight service can be **** though. I recommend buying on eBay if you don't want to wait forever.

candlepowerforums.com but be careful if you get hooked like i did lots of money to be spent there lol

X2. People get pretty crazy over there just like they do here over tools.

Not sure about your last question, but to answer the previous, I'd look at 4Sevens for an AA format light that can take a 14500; also Sunwayman V11R will take 14500 with the optional extension tube but as it is really a CR123A format light it is larger in diameter than a strictly AA light.

Note: I don't actually own any 4Sevens lights so I can't give you a firsthand opinion, although they seem to be well regarded.

V11R does get fairly large with the extender on it. I prefer using cr123s. Cheap simple and long life although the output with a 16340 is impressive (500 lumens versus 210) it's short lived.

Some have machined them out to fit 18500s.

 

[n8n]

V11R does get fairly large with the extender on it. I prefer using cr123s. Cheap simple and long life although the output with a 16340 is impressive (500 lumens versus 210) it's short lived.

Some have machined them out to fit 18500s.

Two extenders and boring should let you run a 18650, but at that point you might as well buy a V20C.

 

[Davefr]

Yes.

Go get some of those <$5 Sipik sk68s and/or clones. They are a great lil light for a number of reasons...even when using AA batteries.

I agree. Those are pretty good little lights. I must have 20-30 of them scattered around the house/shop/vehicles/etc.

The switches can be a little flakey but for non critical applications they're excellent value.

 

[bowtiepro3]

I recently bought a stylus pro, uses 2 AAA batteries. They've really improved from the old one I have. Fits nicely in a short pocket not being much bigger than a sharpie. I've always liked the 4AAAA stylus except they don't seem to last, no prob getting warranty though.

 

[Skin]

If you buy really cheap flashlights just make sure to bin the Chinese batteries as soon as you get it. They rupture with some pretty good regularity after about 6-8 months.

 

[Danglerb]

So what's a good single AA or AAA light that can take LI-Ion cells? I'm in the market for exactly that a SINGLE AA or AAA keychain light.
Thanks

PS is there a rechargable AAAA yet? I love the slim pocket lights from Streamlights and Pelican, but hate the price of batteries

My EDC is an Olight i3s running Efest Lion 10440 battery. Sick bright on full power, still very bright on med, firefly enough to walk with and lasts 60 hrs, hidden strobe mode (run through med/hi/fire/med/hi/strobe quickly).

Thrunite Ti3 is similar with claimed better output on a NiMh Eneloop type battery. Both around $20 shipped. Both physically very small, so they do get hot in a minute on high.

Zebralight SC52 as good as it gets in AA or 14500, very small, very bright, around $65 shipped.

 

[Danglerb]

The Sipik SK68 clones at $6 (I pay more to get high/med, which is essential if using Lion 14500 instead of AA) is actually cheaper than free HF lights. HF lights come with junk 3xAAA batteries, replacing them with 3x AAA Eneloops is more expensive than buying the SK68 which only needs 1xAA Eneloop and has better output.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Maglite is the Craftsman of flashlights.

It's the default name brand that the mass market recognizes, and they aren't awful, but the knowledgeable consumer can do much much better.

A foursevens mini AA has been my EDC for over four years now and has been used and abused and over-volted (designed for 1.5v AA, I use 3.7v Li-Ion 14500) and the light is so reliable I would bet my life on it. I would not hesitate to recommend a foursevens product, if you want a pocket style pen light, the 2xAAA Preon is an excellent choice.

You can break padlocks with a maglite.

...the more you know!

 

[BD1]

I have a Pelican rechargeable. Had it for 8 years and used daily. Only replaced bulbs. http://www.pelicanproducts.us/p.Pelican.StealthLite.110V.2450ACF.HTML

 

[redmed]

If you want small and surprisingly useful get a Photon Freedom Micro
http://www.photonlight.com/led-flashlights/photon-freedom-micro-led-keychain-flashlight/

For bright get a Thrunite Neutron 2A V2
http://www.thrunite.com/thrunite-neutron-2a-v2/
Uses AA or 14500 800 lumens with 2 AA / 480 lumens with 1 AA. Multiple light levels from moonlight thru the bright 800 lumens. Lockout the switch with a slight twist of the head.

 

[Andy Griffith]

The Sipik SK68 clones at $6 (I pay more to get high/med, which is essential if using Lion 14500 instead of AA) is actually cheaper than free HF lights. HF lights come with junk 3xAAA batteries, replacing them with 3x AAA Eneloops is more expensive than buying the SK68 which only needs 1xAA Eneloop and has better output.

I've got a couple of those SK68 clones from Amazon (one 3 mode and one 1 mode IIRC). I'll have to try putting one of the Eneloops in there and see how it lasts. Do they make those clones in 2 mode? I need 2 modes but I hate the disco in the 3 mode.

 

[90zcar]

I came to like streamlights. My brother in law is a big city cop and he has tried a lot and swears by them


Sent from my iPhone 5s using Tapatalk

 

[gj67stang]

I carry a Fenix LD01 on my belt every day. Plenty bright, but be sure to have a supply of AAA's if you're going to use it with any regularity.

 

[panknuckshovel]

So what's a good single AA or AAA light that can take LI-Ion cells? I'm in the market for exactly that a SINGLE AA or AAA keychain light.
Thanks

PS is there a rechargable AAAA yet? I love the slim pocket lights from Streamlights and Pelican, but hate the price of batteries

If you need AAAA batteries at a good price just take apart a DuraCell 9V, there are six of them inside.

 

[GCncsuHD]

If you need AAAA batteries at a good price just take apart a DuraCell 9V, there are six of them inside.

Energizers work too for this. Avoid a lot of the cheap zinc-carbon batteries (eveready etc), though, they used flat stacked cells rather than the AAAA.

Also keep in mind that many times these AAAAs inside the 9Vs have the "******" on the negative side vs the positive side. You may need to solder a ****** on the positive side. Always check the polarity of the AAAA with a DMM to be sure.

 

[panknuckshovel]

Energizers work too for this. Avoid a lot of the cheap zinc-carbon batteries (eveready etc), though, they used flat stacked cells rather than the AAAA.

Also keep in mind that many times these AAAAs inside the 9Vs have the "******" on the negative side vs the positive side. You may need to solder a ****** on the positive side. Always check the polarity of the AAAA with a DMM to be sure.

Have not run into the ****** thing, thanks for the heads up.