Looking to replace junk flashlights with maybe a few good ones...suggestions?

[Chako]

Well, I was a bit surprised at how many junky flashlights I have around the house. Here is a look into most of my craptacular flashlights.



From left to right:
-   Large no name flashlight that smelled of petrol for about 5 years. Come to think of it, still faintly smells of gasoline. Incandescent bulb that does throw a nice amount of light.
-   Lumilite that came as a freebie with a Gerber yellow MP600. Ok, but definitely low end.
-   Pelican MityLite 1900. Runs on 2 AAA batteries. Incandescent once again. My father had bought this for work to replace the Mini Mags for its lighter size, easy to spot nature (he lost a few mini Mags), and better lighting.
-   3 Mini Mags. All incandescent. I just bought a Nit Ize LED conversion kit to see what all the fuss is about.
-   Super cheap flashlight that came with an equally cheap multi-tool. Pure utter junk.
-   Garity piece of junk LED with electronics that are all messed up. I wonder why I still have this?
-   2 red and 1 orange LED flashlights. No name product that are descent for around home applications. I have 3 so that I can throw them into a drawer and forget about them until needed.
-   Small red aluminum flashlight in front. Probably my better light thrower other then the big spot on the right. Multiple LEDs, bought at a store for little change. No name, but gives off a nice even light. Problem is junk switch.  It comes on, but has difficulty going off.
-   Kershaw inspection flashlight. One of those that you need to hold the button down for it to function. Incadescent and low powered.
-   Blue and silver LED flashlight. You can slide the top up and it will give you a paltry lantern. Junky.
-   Energizer Hard Case Work Spotlight. Nice light, very comfortable ergonomics, but big. I use this for backyard spotting or going to and from the garage in the dark.

   
As previously mentioned, I did buy an LED conversion kit for one of the Mini Mags. The Pelican is nice and portable. The Hard Case is a keeper for what I use it for. All the rest though…junk.

So what do you guys think I should do? I am overall dissatisfied with my flashlight selection. I am also getting a bit tired of buying bargain basement junk portable lighting. I have been wondering lately about what am I missing in terms of flashlights.

[John]

Get yourself a dereelight DBS for awesome throw pills are easily swapped out too for future upgrades.

and a smaller light like ITP 4sevens or eagle tac light for around the house,there you can bin all the ones you have there as these will more than replace the lot  





[edit] here's what lights I find useful and you only need three,one for throw one for flood and one with a low level for around the house  that's what I have and use 

[Pacu]

I loved my mini mags when i was a scout. I still like their LED mini mags. They represent a good value for the price. Seems like the LED made ones are better than converting a regular into LED.

[nuphoria]

I sincerely hope your budget extends to being a flashaholic too 

It's like crack... you'll be waking up in a cold sweat dreaming of lumens 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I sincerely hope your budget extends to being a flashaholic too 

It's like crack... you'll be waking up in a cold sweat dreaming of lumens 

Oh it's a danger alright!

My short list of must haves include...

Gerber Infinity AA - Will run on anything including AAA, and just works, and works, and works. And wonderfully spilly too

Arc P AAA - Brutally reliable little torch that again has a good run time and spill, superb build too (need to get another one from somewhere )

Fenix E01 AAA- Same as the Arc, just a bit more punchy and with a bit more run time in my experience

Fenix Ld10 R4 AA - not much spill, but a VERY potent light, with great throw , Need's a more usable low setting though

4Seven's Mini Quark AA - Brilliant "real world" power setting's in such a compact chassis that you start to question the utility of multi level AAA light's. Will also run on AAA

Zebralight H50 AA - A frankly amazing light which is just about the most perfect task light I've ever seen Massively versatile in that it can be used as a headlamp, or be clipped to your clothing, it also benefits from a simply incredible 120 degree flood, with no hot spot, also has a great run time too

[Mr. Whippy]

Depends on what you're looking for.

Keychain: Maratac AAA (~$20-25 USD), Fenix LD01  I like them both.  Lots of light and runs a very long time on AAA.

A little more money, I have a Fenix PD10 which is 1XCR123  amazing amount of light.  I believe there are other 1XCR123 out there now that are better howeverr.

For big broad throw (ie not a  spot lght but more like a headlight), my Olight M21 is awesome.  I use it as a headlight on the bicycle.  When I have to go find horses out in the big pasture (20 acres, partially wooded), it allows me to find the horses a long ways off, so I can switch to low light as I approach them (so they don't spook).  Bigtime lumens (I don't know how many).  Either 1X18650 or 2XCR123's. 

That's about all I know.

[Chako]

I have been doing a bit of research…and for kicks typed in “worlds brightest flashlight” and got this. 

http://www.wickedlasers.com/lasers/The_Torch-74-41.html

Check out the videos if you haven’t already. Now that is funny stuff right there. 

[ryan1835]

fenix ld 10 is a must!

i love that light so much

[Millhouse]

For me, a quality light compliments my tools.

My basic level of carry is on my keyring, a PS4 and a ITP A3 EOS



Don't let the small size of the ITP fool you. It, along with the Fenix LD01, are popular keyring lights. Both put out a serious amount of light when required.

My main light EDC rotation now consists of lights from Jetbeam, 4Sevens and Nitecore. In addition, I also have lights from Fenix and Olight.



These companies offer a good balance between price, performance and quality. They have a wide range of lights running on a wide range of battery types, so you should hopefully find something that matches your needs.

If you are willing you pay a price premium, there is always Surefire. I have 2, though they are now for emergencies.

[DaveK]

This is a good thread: http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,17312.0.html

[Chako]

Thanks. Looks like I am in the same boat as Def...only it seems he has nicer gear.

I do have the Nano, but in pink for breast cancer. It does throw a lot of light. Just not fond of the type of batteries it takes. I have it attached to one of the Pink Gerber MTs. I also have a few Leatherman Serac models, but they are kept with the collection in the tins they came in.

Guess I am looking for something that takes AAA or AA and throws a lot of light. I don't want something that I may be forced to order online to keep running in hard to get batteries. I will admit, I am super curious at some of the high Lumen models. I wonder how they would be like to own. I can see lighting up a yard in a hurry could be a useful thing.

Thanks everyone for your input. I am going to do some research based upon your suggestions. My hope is to toss the majority of these junk lights for a few good ones.

[Millhouse]

As you have expressed an interest in AAA and AA lights, might I suggest getting 3 lights.

1 AAA light for keyring.

1 AA light for general EDC

1 2AA light for when you need a little more power

You will also need some good rechargeables, such as Sanyo's Eneloop. Modern high powered lights do not get on with alkalines.

As well as looking at all the features from various lights, you may also want to consider LED tint. Some lights are offered in both cool and neutral LED's.

[gunga]

I've got about 50 lights, and have tried at maybe a 100 more.

Just let me know if you want to know anything specific, I might be able to help.  Might even have a few to spare if you are looking for a Canadian source.

 

[Gareth]

As you have expressed an interest in AAA and AA lights, might I suggest getting 3 lights.

1 AAA light for keyring.

1 AA light for general EDC

1 2AA light for when you need a little more power

You will also need some good rechargeables, such as Sanyo's Eneloop. Modern high powered lights do not get on with alkalines.

As well as looking at all the features from various lights, you may also want to consider LED tint. Some lights are offered in both cool and neutral LED's.

I think that's excellent advice Millhouse.

[John]

One thing with ITP lights if you need to double the output stick a 3.7v lithium rechargeable in there  I ran my A3 like this with no problems 

[Chako]

What is an ITP light? 

Never mind...just figured out it is a brand.

[Mr. Whippy]

They're fairly equivalent to Maratac lights, from what I've seen.

[John]

They're fairly equivalent to Maratac lights, from what I've seen.

Yep and the AAA Maratac can tail stand where as the ITP A3 EOS can't,well not without a small mod that is  I have a ITP A2 EOS AA on the way so I'll let you know what I think 

[Chako]

Well I just bought a Surefire L1 from Sawman. So I guess that whole AA/AAA thing just went out the window.

Why do I have the curiosity of a cat? 

[John]

Well you can't go wrong with surefire,nice one 

[Vladimir]

+1
I have Surefire 6PLed and I'm more than happy with mine, I'm sure that you would also be satisfied with yours Chako.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Get a Ra, so I can hate you

[John]

Get a Ra, so I can hate you

Like this one Mike 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I hate you John

Are they as good as I think they are?

[John]

I hate you John

Are they as good as I think they are?

They're Mike but at around £140 a tad expensive IMO,I don't keep those kinda lights for long tho when a bill comes in they're the first to go,BTW a light I found very comparable was a LF3XT from liteflux for the price it's hard to beat 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

The spec's look a lot better than the equivalent Surefire on a Ra

I just can't get excited about SF's, as quality aside, they don't really bring anything to the table for me

[Millhouse]

Chako's discovered Surefire.  .     Could be on the slippery slope here.  

If you get to like Surefire, may I suggest you also get the following:

LX2
E2DL - great for 
M3LT

[jekostas]

Chako's discovered Surefire.  .     Could be on the slippery slope here.  

The other crippling addiction... flashlights *shudder*

Chako, if you want to try a bright, low-priced, reasonable quality flashlight, Canadian Tire has a couple of Cree XR-E emitter lights that can be had for a song, one at 60 lumens for $18 and one at 140 lumens for $25.  Okay, no, not the best quality, and they probably won't have the multimode capability of Surefire or Fenix or Ra lights, but still not bad.  They're branded Noma, and are actually rebadged Brinkmann lights, which are pretty good.  Candlepower members tend to think they're pretty good, and the lumens output is apparently more or less what's actually printed on the packaging (albeit with not great runtime).

Cheap way to try out some higher power lights, local, and you can always return 'em within a month if you find yourself wanting something more.

[Chako]

Thanks Jekostas. That is great info. I am going to wait for the Surefire to get here before I proceed into more flashlights. 

[Blackbeard]

Get the Fenix LD20, Q5 version, think I paid $45-50 on Amazon, best light for the money