Need your suggestion

[edap617]

I’m just beginning to take interest in LED flashlights and I started reading flashlight threads. For a start I am planning to get my first flashlight and my budget is only 30 USD maximum. I prefer 1 AA or 1AAA types because lithium battery is expensive here in our place.
 
Based on overall performance what can you suggest with my meager 30USD budget?  Thank you very much.
Eddie

P.S.
By the way, my 80 lumens LED flashlight that is one of the prizes I won from the "Christmas Give-away" courtesy of Calvin is coming. I do not know yet its specs. I can't wait to see it. Just getting excited.

[Benner]

665ae has/had one for sale a while ago;
http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,2768.0.html

Looked like a good deal to me.

It is a 2xAA or CR123 though. 

[Grant Lamontagne]

I am really pleased with the Gerber Infinity Ultra which is available almost anywhere for under $20.  It isn't the brightest LED around, but it really isn't bad at all.  Victorinox also makes some nice ones (actually made by Emissive Energy Corp, famous for the Inova brand lights) and Fenix lights are also pretty impressive.  I don't know much about lights (in fact, the above pretty well exhausted all I'll ever know!) so that's opinions from a complete layman's point of view!

Def

[Leatherman123]

You should buy an Inova X1. They are $20 at Target or on many online retailers. Bright and only take 1 AA battery-and the LED bulb is two watts! Very nice flashlight!

[WhichDawg]

question edap, what will you be using it for mainly? indoor, outdoor, emergency, edc; etc.
then we could answer you better. Will it store long or will you use it often?

[edap617]

question edap, what will you be using it for mainly? indoor, outdoor, emergency, edc; etc.
then we could answer you better. Will it store long or will you use it often?

I intend to EDC it, short and frequent indoor use. I will also use it when I ride my motorcycle during nighttime (emergency use).
Thanks again and I will let you know later what I will decide to get.

Eddie

[yellowhammer]

In that case +1 for the Infinity Ultra. For outside use I prefer my Fenixes (Fenii?) but for indoor stuff they can be too bright, sometimes.

I've got a few of these coming tomorrow on passaround; http://www.nextorch.com/zen/index.asp specifically the T1, T2 & GT6A-S, so I'll be able to give you some feedback on them if they tickle your fancy. GT is cheap, but incan so may not be what you're after.

[NutSAK]

I will also use it when I ride my motorcycle during nighttime (emergency use).

Will the flashlight be just for emergency repairs to the motorcycle?

[Spoonrobot]

I recommend:

A Pentagonlight MOLLE light. Takes any kind of AA battery, is @30 USD and is @30-40 lumens of light.

Link

Let me know if you want some review links.

[WhichDawg]

I like the Gerber Infinity Ultra too, especially for the price and good durability;
or a Fenix LOD http://www.lighthound.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2501
which is even smaller and more modes (if you like it to do more things). Both are made good/tough
and are pretty reliable/well made and have some decent brightness for what you need it for.

[edap617]

I will also use it when I ride my motorcycle during nighttime (emergency use).

Will the flashlight be just for emergency repairs to the motorcycle?

Yes, for immediate remedial repairs of the motorcycle only in case of emergency aside from short but frequent indoor use.

I am now gradually learning more about flashlights.  Thank you again for your immediate assistance and I appreciate it very much. Any more suggestions?
 
Eddie

[Grant Lamontagne]

General suggestion- look for something that takes more regular type batteries like AA or AAA batteries, or even 9V.  I know that CR123 batteries are much more powerful and that's what all the cool kids are using, but to me an emergency light should be something that you can get batteries for anywhere.  I don't know about your neck of the woods, but around here you can get AA or AAA batteries in any convenience, grocery, drug or hardware store, at most gas stations, etc.  I only know of one place locally that sells CR123 batteries, and they are about $12 each while I can buy a pack of 48 AA's for about $10.

Def

[edap617]

General suggestion- look for something that takes more regular type batteries like AA or AAA batteries, or even 9V.  I know that CR123 batteries are much more powerful and that's what all the cool kids are using, but to me an emergency light should be something that you can get batteries for anywhere.  I don't know about your neck of the woods, but around here you can get AA or AAA batteries in any convenience, grocery, drug or hardware store, at most gas stations, etc.  I only know of one place locally that sells CR123 batteries, and they are about $12 each while I can buy a pack of 48 AA's for about $10.

Def

Thank you , Def. The type of battery will be my first priority in my assessment of selecting the right flashlight. I prefer any type with 1AA/2AA or 1AAA to 3AAA. Here in our place CR123 are being used for cameras only and is only available from stores selling cameras. It's not pratical for us to use CR123 batteries, too expensive here.

Eddie

[Leatherman123]

Edap, get the Inova X1 you will not be dissapointed I promise!

[edap617]

Edap, get the Inova X1 you will not be dissapointed I promise!

I have done further research and I have found out that there are 2 versions of the Inova X1. Do you have both versions and which version would you suggest? Thanks.

http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/inova_x1.htm

Eddie

[NutSAK]

The Gerber Infinity Ultra will be much dimmer than the new version of the Inova X1.  However, the Inova X1 has a rated runtime of 2 hours, whereas the Gerber IU has a runtime of well over 24 hours.

I consider the Gerber to be a more durable light, because it doesn't use a switch and doesn't have a lens like the Inova.

[Travis Autry]

I've been EDCing a Mini Maglite 2AA LED for several weeks now and have been very satisfied with it.  It's been used indoors and outdoors and gets used several times per day.  While not as exotic as some others, I've found it to be a good all-around light.

I recommend it highly.

[Leatherman123]

But I have got a lot more run-time than two hours on mine.. And the Inova is a really tough flashlight I have beat mine up real bad and it keeps coming back for more!

[NutSAK]

And the Inova is a really tough flashlight I have beat mine up real bad and it keeps coming back for more!

No doubt it's a tough light, there's just less to break on the Gerber.

I forgot to mention, the Gerber also has a clip you can use to clip the light onto the brim of a hat or cap for use as a headlamp.

[Splat]

I'd break the piggy band open and for $13 more (utilizing the CPF8 discount coupon code) get a Fenix LOD Q4 from www.fenixstore.com while they still have them.  I got one and absolutely love this thing. Amazingly bright for a AAA light of this size. Just get it. You'll love it, too.  https://www.fenix-store.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_52&products_id=370

[NutSAK]

Splat has a great point...