Budget EDC light

[markn951]

Hey guys,

I'm looking for a budget (read $25ish and under) EDC light. I had the Leatherman Monarch 300 and liked it a lot but I gave that to my dad because he wouldn't stop asking me to borrow it so now its the family around-the-house light. After that I got a Deal Extreme Fauxton (and then, once my parents found out about those, so did everyone else in the house), and while it is a fantastic light for what it is, I want something a bit more... um... flash-light-y. I was considering getting the Fenix E01 but I don't know how I feel about the twist UI. Do you guys have any other suggestions for me to try out?

[Viix]

The ITPs A series lights are great now that the come in R5 versions.

[markn951]

I'm not sure I like how small the A3 is, and the A2 is 25 bucks, which is sort of pushing it. Unless that thing is really frakking good for the money I don't want to jump on it (twist UI, looks crappy, off-brand, etc.) I suppose that would also make the Fenix too small for my liking as well, huh? I think I would prefer either a 1xAA or a 2xAA, I want to try and stay away from 123s because they are less common and more expensive than AAs or AAAs

[Inzelique]

The LED mini maglight is a pretty great light.  I carry one at work and it is bullet proof.  MUCH brighter than the monarch 300.  It has 2 brightness levels, uses aa, and is simple to figure out.  it is a twisty type, and doesn't come with a pocket clip, if those are deal breakers.  but it is available just about every where (Walmart,academy,home depot) and I've never seen it more than $22.  In fact i just bought one at Academy for $18

[WH867]

A Victorinox 2 x AAA or 2 X AA  can be had for  less than your budget.  They are nice lights.

Felinevet has both.

[jekostas]

http://flashlight-wiki.com/Budget_light_reviews

Take a read - they're all budget lights.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

A Victorinox 2 x AAA or 2 X AA  can be had for  less than your budget.  They are nice lights.

Felinevet has both.

There good, solid light's alright

I'd get either a Gerber Infinity or Fenix E01, not great at distance work, but only Zebralight are better at close range

[ari6126]

I would not buy an E01 in the next week. 4-7s is coming out with a "E01 Killer" at SHOT. Whether or not it's any good, you don't want to kicking yourself next week.

[space cowboy]

E01 Killer is news to me. Thanks for the heads up! Let us know the model number when you find out more. Thanks!

[markn951]

OK, I'll probably be holding off buying this until after SHOT then

I was looking at the Vic but I wasn't sure if they are small enough to pocket-carry; I'm not sure I want to belt-carry...
jeko, ty for the link!
Mike, I need to check out the Infinity. I keep reading of people really loving it.

[space cowboy]

The Gerber Infinity is a twisty but, I would bet my life on it in a true survival situation..! Its around 8 lumen's & 25 hours run-time on one AA.. Hard to beat that.

[Gareth]

For the budget you are on you'll struggle to get a higher brand light, with a tail switch, unless you get something second hand.  iTP really do a good light for the money, certainly as good as your Monarch.  That said, if you liked your Monarch 300 why not look at the 400?

[NutSAK]

A Victorinox 2 x AAA or 2 X AA  can be had for  less than your budget.  They are nice lights.

Felinevet has both.

There good, solid light's alright

I'd get either a Gerber Infinity or Fenix E01, not great at distance work, but only Zebralight are better at close range

I've found the Peak Eiger to be better than all three of them at close to medium ranges.  The Zebralight and Peak Eiger aren't budget lights though.

If I were looking for a budget light, I would PM NutSAK (me) for a good deal on a Victorinox 2xAA or a Fenix L0P-SE.    They both have twist UI, which are not as convenient as clickies, but are much less prone to wear or break.

[diabolicturtle]

+1 to the mini mag,
i have one and stuck a nova tack clip on it from lighthound

[parnass]

Because low price is a major consideration, visit your local Target store.   They sell the 1AA Energizer light for about $16.  It is built like a tank and has a forward clicky pushbutton tail switch with momentary action.  Make sure you get one with a stippled ("orange peel") reflector.  It employs a Cree LED and throws further than the original 1AA Energizer.

[markn951]

So, I'm either about to get a Fenix L0D-SE and an E01 from NutSAK, or I'm going to get those two plus a non-working Vic 2AA from NutSAK.

I'm still interested in this E01-killer, though...
That Energizer might be of interest to my father parnass, thanks for sharing!

[jzmtl]

So, I'm either about to get a Fenix L0D-SE and an E01 from NutSAK, or I'm going to get those two plus a non-working Vic 2AA from NutSAK.

I'm still interested in this E01-killer, though...
That Energizer might be of interest to my father parnass, thanks for sharing!

Lol, the first time I read through your post I thought you meant parnass is your father.

I don't think the e01 killer is going to be that much better. All the 47 lights made a big stint before release, but frankly aren't that much different from offerings by other makers.

[markn951]

It's true, the Preon 1 is nearly = to the E01, and the ReVO is nearly = to the Preon 1... Meh, whatever. They *could* come out with something truly amazing...

[mtool78]

I just ordered Fenix E01 for my keyring - it's so difficult nowadays know what to buy, there is thousands of companies making their own models or copying others. I hope I have chosen right one, I was looking for inexpensive light that uses only one AAA. If Maglite just would have decent model matching this definition...but no.

[Santos]

just last week i was looking for a keyring AAA LED flashlight and found this on google
A look at AAA flashlights.


Its a pretty extensive review with a wide range of models including photos etc.

From it i decided to buy the Tank007, for under $15 'it will do'

[space cowboy]

I just ordered Fenix E01 for my keyring - it's so difficult nowadays know what to buy, there is thousands of companies making their own models or copying others. I hope I have chosen right one, I was looking for inexpensive light that uses only one AAA. If Maglite just would have decent model matching this definition...but no.

You really can't go wrong with an E01, Arc AAA, or Gerber Infinity. They are all good Bomb Proof lights with excellent track records.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I just ordered Fenix E01 for my keyring - it's so difficult nowadays know what to buy, there is thousands of companies making their own models or copying others. I hope I have chosen right one, I was looking for inexpensive light that uses only one AAA. If Maglite just would have decent model matching this definition...but no.

You won't regret it

[ari6126]

I just ordered Fenix E01 for my keyring - it's so difficult nowadays know what to buy, there is thousands of companies making their own models or copying others. I hope I have chosen right one, I was looking for inexpensive light that uses only one AAA. If Maglite just would have decent model matching this definition...but no.

You won't regret it

One of the greatest lights ever produced. A chapstick cap works as a great diffuser.

[markn951]

I really like the Photon/Fauxton for keychain-type application. You don't need a heavy-duty long-running light on your keychain or it wouldn't be on your keys. You need something small (REALLY small!) lightweight and fairly durable but not metal-durable. For lighting up the door or the ground at night or the inside of a purse or backpack/bag, etc. the Photon is a really good choice. I got a bag of 5 Fauxtons for 99 cents just the other day!!

[SlackOne]

just last week i was looking for a keyring AAA LED flashlight and found this on google
A look at AAA flashlights.


Its a pretty extensive review with a wide range of models including photos etc.

From it i decided to buy the Tank007, for under $15 'it will do'

There's an update to that article as well : Newer AAA.

Tank lights are OK, but I'm not entirely happy with the one I have...construction is inconsistent.  The iTp EOS A3 is probably still a better buy, especially the slightly older version if you can snag one while GoingGear has them on clearance for $17.