what's a good light for 50 bucks and under?

[Pacu]

Yep im a cheap bast...
I've lost my led aa maglite somewhere between a rooftop and a comm rack
Anyone have any good recommendations of a light under 50 US dollars? Think the wife would kill me spending anymore

Mags work alright but if there is something better i'm game.

I see some Inova brand at target..maybe?

[Turnstone]

I am not an expert regarding flashlights, but a Fenix LD20 is quite similar in size to your Maglite, uses 2 AA batteries (or better eneloops) too, and should be within your price range. It's a great light!

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Anything from Fenix, Quark or Nitecore will serve you very well at that price range

[sappyg]

what are you going to use it for? EDC? car? do you want more than one mode? do you have a battery preference?

lately i've been very impressed with 4 sevens preon II. it's no bigger than a pen and has stuning output. 160 lumins OTF on high for $43 shipped. it's hard to believe that you can get that much light out of such a small package. add a one cell body for another $7 and it becomes small enough for your keychain. i tried that and found it to be too small for my liking.
i've EDC'd mine (warm tint) for the past two months and can't find a single fault with the quality or reliability. if i had it to do over again the only thing i would do differently would be to order the neutral tint instead of the warm.  

[Andreas]

I have a Romisen RC-N3 and for $25 I think it's excellent. It's available with either a Q5 or R4 LED and while I'm sure more experienced flashlight users would have something to point out that I can't with the light at least for me it has never failed me.

[jim guy]

Im no flashlight expert but I like my LM serac s3.

[markn951]

http://www.amazon.com/Streamlight-66118-Stylus-Flashlight-Holster/dp/B0015UC17E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1279673660&sr=8-1

It's got the NutnFancy seal of approval!

[ari6126]

Anything from Fenix, Quark or Nitecore will serve you very well at that price range

Or iTP/Maratac.

[2xTap]

For under $50 I highly recommend you look at Eagletac and iTP. Namely the Eagletac P100C2 and the iTP E50. I own both and they have been superb lights thus far.

Eagletac P100C2:


iTP E50:


2xTap

[NutSAK]

Anything from Fenix, Quark or Nitecore will serve you very well at that price range

Agreed!

To further narrow it down, I would ask you what type of battery you would like to power it with.

[Blackbeard]

I am not an expert regarding flashlights, but a Fenix LD20 is quite similar in size to your Maglite, uses 2 AA batteries (or better eneloops) too, and should be within your price range. It's a great light!

+1

[Pacu]

Anything from Fenix, Quark or Nitecore will serve you very well at that price range

Agreed!

To further narrow it down, I would ask you what type of battery you would like to power it with.

prob double a as they are plentyful around work

[lovenhim]

I was going to say get a Quark AA or AAX2 light but they are just over your $50 budget.  The Preon 2 is a fantastic light but it uses AAA batteries.  I would say take a look at lights made by ITP and Romisen.  I would also take a serious look into something used.  When you do that you can get a 4Sevens light in good shape and in your budget.  The 4Sevens Quark lights are right under $60 new and I own three of their lights and they are fantastic.  I own the Quark 123, Quark 123 X2, and Preon 2. 

[Outback in Idaho]

Im no flashlight expert but I like my LM serac s3. - ditto

Proud owner of a Serac S2 & S3.

Can get the S3's for around $30 if you search for them.


Then there's this Costco version of the Monarch 500 LTD (3 AAA) - Favorite House Light!



This site has THE BEST Serac line comparison and charts:
http://www.facewest.co.uk/Leatherman-Serac-LED-Torch.html

[Andreas]

While I haven't had my hands on too many flashlights, I will still recommend the one I use: http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-213/Romisen-RC-dsh-N3-II-CREE/Detail
The lumen count is the emitter not measured out the lens, but it's still a ridiculously bright light for anyone who's used to something like a maglite. I know that some of the brands like Fenix have similar brightness lights where the difference in price is due to build quality, modes etc (like digitally adjustable beam strength). I can't argue with the modes, but as far as the build quality goes I have ordered about 10 of these for various people at the place I used to work over the last year and each of them have seen more beatings than any light should have to see in a lifetime, and all of them are still going strong. I remember one time mine fell out of my pocket and hit my foot, which gave it a good kick with my protective shoes and sent it flying across the concrete floor like a missile. Not a scratch.

So, there are people here who can tell you a lot more about flashlights than I can, but I think this might be one of the cheapest options available for you if you really want to save money.  

[Sean]

I'm thinking of grabbing a Surefire G2L tomorrow, they are on for $50 and that's not too
bad for a good quality light?

[Millhouse]

Fenix's new E21 offers good value for money. A nice 2 level output light that is available with cool or neutral LED for $37.95. If you can stretch your budget to $52.95, the forthcoming Fenix LD25 looks very nice as well.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I'm quite keen on getting an E21 in a warm tint for use as a cycling light

[Sean]

There seems to be no shortage of good quality lights coming forth.

[Gareth]

Did you pick something up yet Pacu? 

[John]

Sunway M10A  looks good