Can anyone recommend a really GOOD flashlight (s). ????

[dixiegrrrrl]

(cross posted in the Frugal group)


We have several of the *battery dying when we need to use it* plastic handheld types,
and I am ready to put some money into a bright, long lasting torch or 2.
Have also been considering the head mounted LED lights in addition to a
*middle of the night in the rain look-see* real torch.

American made, of course, if possible.

Would you please share your good or bad experience with different types and brands, so I can make a wise decision???.

[damonm]

1. Maglite - hands down, the best I've ever had.

One in each car, and TWO (regular and mini) in my flight bag. (I'm a private pilot)

[DWilliamsamh]

2. If you want reliable and American made

Mag-Lite is the answer. At least last time I checked they were American made. And as far as reliable...there is nothing better. Water resistant in most conditions up to hurricane rains, and tough as nails when dropped from normal heights. Also they come in a variety of sizes from a single "AAA" size up to 5 "D" cell models that can be used for personal protection in a pinch.

[Robb]

3. Third rec for a Maglite

...I've got a five-C cell one, which is a little tough to find. One of the security guys at a place I used to work bought a few and passed them around, he said it was because the grips on the 5-C one were exactly in the same place (and size) as some martial arts club he used or something. :shrug:

Anyhow, it's been under the seat in my truck for going on 15 years now. I've replaced the bulb once, with the extra that came under the screw-on bottom. Used it so many times it's not funny... think I drove a few tent stakes with it, too. :D

Rugged, to say the least.

[dixiegrrrrl]

8. Re: Maglites, are the batteries long lasting?

LED or regular battery. which is best on them?
I have heard of them, and really appreciate your input.

[National Steel 27]

12. Batteries are important.

Heavy Duty or Alkaline are best. Do not screw around with rechargeable batteries. If you want to really be able to rely on your light, go the D-cell route (three batts or more).

Get the extra-duty (super-bright) bulb, as well.

[pkdu]

4. Favorite one in my house is a "no-battery" model ( hand-crank once in while)

like this one http://www.eternityflashlights.com/eternityflashlight3/index.html



Cant vouch for it being US-made but I'm sure there must be one similar if not.


On -edit it also has am/fm radio and alarm-siren

[uppityperson]

5. I have had a couple led head lamps and really like them

Batteries last a long time and they are quite bright. I have had a Coleman one for yrs, takes 2 AA batteries and is of a larger size, but comfortable and I don't lose it. It lives by my bed, and travels whenever I go somewhere.

I've had a couple smaller ones, taking AAA batteries, but they are easier to misplace. One had a nice red screen which could be flipped down to make red light at night to read by but not mess with your night vision.

Sometimes they have several modes (1 light, several lights, flashing). They range in price from $30-40 (starting) down to (on sale) $10-15, and then up of course. Most adjust to point further down or up, so you can look at your feet, a book, or up at the trees.

I got tired of holding a flashlight in my mouth when needing both hands, and really like the head lamps. They also have a cool feature in that the light is right above your eyes, so if an animal looks at you, at the light, you can see its eyes. Holding a flashlight down at your side it is more difficult to see their eyes.

[dixiegrrrrl]

11. The led lights were recommended by the guy who went thru Argentine collapse.

He said if he had to do it all over again, he would get 3 things:

more ammo
more LED headlamps
more books to read during the enforced in-home periods
( apparently streets NOT safe at night )

[liberal N proud]

6. Might I suggest on of these LED lights:

http://www.energizer.com/products/flashlights/Pages/lighting-products.aspx



I have several of these, one in each car and tool box:



I recommend you go with an LED what ever you do, the quality of light is phenomenal in flashlights.


Disclaimer, I do work for Energizer.

[leveymg]

7. Maglites with lots of D-batteries make effective clubs

They even come in a weaponized version:

[National Steel 27]

9. Despite the risks of redundancy.

MagLite.

Period.

Be sure and purchase the halogen bulb, as well.

[Warpy]

10. A headlamp is one of those things

you didn't realize how much you needed until you got it.

I got one last year for the frequent thunderstorm power outages here in the high desert. I use it for rummaging around in closets and finding stuff in the back of cabinets. It's great for working on the puter or anything else I want bright task lighting to do. Going out in the yard to break up loud cat arguments at 3 AM with a squirt gun is much easier. The batteries are AAA and last 80-120 hours.

Here's a review of some of the best: http://www.consumersearch.com/headlamps

My favorite hand held torch is a kiddie flashlight in primary colors from Wally's. It uses 4 AA batteries (which I keep around in abundance) and the bulbs are common ones. It has a plastic handle so it can be propped up and the beam directed.

Still, the one I use more often is the headlamp.

[dixiegrrrrl]

13. I am adding the headlamp to the list, then.

We are due for a hurricane this year, I feel it.
And the dog often goes off in the middle of the night, never for frivolous reasons.

[TreasonousBastard]

14. Batteries are going to run down no matter what light you have, but...

yeah, I have a dozen of those dollar store plastic ones and they all crap out too fast. If the batteries don't leak, the switches go bad and they just don't work.

For very occasional use, maybe a rechargable plugged into the wall would be best. For brightness, one of those huge rechargable floodlights lights can't be beat-- on sale I get them for 10 bucks or so.

I've had a Ray-O-Vac headlight for years. Got it at Big Lots and I see K-Mart has a similar one but it's not on Ray-O-Vac's site, so may be discontinued. Very bright regular bulb, reasonably bright LEDs and a superbright red LED for night vision. It swivels up and down and is so far indestructible. Very useful.

(Tough to beat a Mag-Lite for indestuctibility, though.)

[Yunomi]

15. We use a Streamlight rechargable.

It has lasted several years, been run over by a truck,and is just now getting a little testy about length of use. It's also heavy enough to use as a weapon. They are pricey, $150 I understand, but ours was a gift. I would buy another one if I had the money!

[happyslug]

16. Mag lites are the best, now you can get them with LED bulbs

And in Newer models you can get a LED replacement bulbs. The main advantage of the LED bulb is that is last forever AND uses less then 10% of the electrical power of a conventional bulb (This the light works longer with weaker batteries).

Now, with LED technology most LED flashlights are almost up to the level of the Mag-lite as to light duration (Not as strong, but a lot lighter then a Mag-lite). Thus more and more people are opting for AA flashlights instead of the D flashlights, mostly do to the fact LED bulbs do NOT need as many batteries as conventional bulbs. I still opt for D Mag Lite but pay the extra money for the LED bulb.

Mag-lite web site:
http://www.maglite.com/newproductline.asp

Mag-lite LED flash-lite:
http://www.maglite.com/AA_Cell_LED.asp

All are still made in the USA:
All Mag® flashlights are designed, patented and manufactured in the U.S.A. Some Mag® products contain imported components or subcomponents.

Now for headlamps I would go with Nite-Rider. I use to use to use Nite-rider head lamp. I abused it almost every day and finally the rechargeable battery had to be replaced. Now I used the older lamp system, today I would opt for the LED headlamp.

Nite Rider head lamp web site:
http://www.niterider.com/

600 Lumen lamp:
http://www.niterider.com/prod_pro600.shtml


It is NOT cheap, but it is bright and last a long time. My older lamp only lasted 2-3 hours as I biked, this lamp being LED should last more then six hours.

It is only $649.00
http://www.cambriabike.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?page=1&filter=yes

Now, a much cheaper, but still good light is from Peter White Wheels:
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/lightingsystems.htm

The actual Light:

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/dinotte.asp

[dixiegrrrrl]

17. the pics and links are so useful, I really appreciate the response.

[dixiegrrrrl]

18. Thank you all for your flashlight recs. Your advice was very helpful.

Will get at least the Mag-lite this weekend.

[happyslug]

19. Go with the "C" MAG if you can find it.

Men's hands are larger then women's hands and in many ways the D battery was designed to use in flashlights being used by men. Women tend to like the smaller size of the "C" Flashlights do to the fact "C" batteries are that much smaller. AA lights are even smaller, but more intended for pocket use (Especially in the MAG lineup). In the MAG line up the "C" flashlight use the same bulb as the "D" Flashlights ("AAA", "AA", "C" and "D" batteries all have the same voltage, the difference is how much electrical energy each can store, "D" holds more then "C" and "C" holds more the "AA" and "AA" holds more the "AAA").

In the MAG line up, the "C" and "D" flashlight will provide the same amount of light, they are using the same bulb, just that the "D" will stay on longer then the "C". MAG's "AA" and "AAA" flashlights use a much smaller bulb and except for emergency use I would NOT recommend it (Through all use of flashlights tend to be "Emergency"). The brighter light is the key to going with a "C" or "D" light. I would opt for the "D" if you think you can use it (More parts, easier to find) but for most women I would advise them to try to find a "C" light for themselves (Through it is often hard to find the "C" flashlight for most buyers are male and we tend to opt for the "D" flashlight for it is easy to hold in our hands).

Before I quit this thread, let me point out that with the advent of LED bulbs, most of the LED lights are good enough for most purposes. Understand that really bright LED have only come on line in the last few years (You could get LED tail lights for bikes 20 years ago, but the light being admitted was NOT bright enough for use in a Flashlight till the last few years, thus the huge flood of them onto the market in the last few years). With some exceptions most are well built and can take a lot of abuse. None of the Chinese imports are up to MAG level yet, but many are just below MAG level (The Nite-lite, also made in the US, is much brighter, but intended for long term usage not storage for later use).

Given how flashlights are use, I would tend to go with a Mag lite that is rechargeable and that you keep on the Recharger till it is needed. If you can not get that, then a Mag Lite with batteries stored in it in a known place everyone in you house know it to be (NOT down the cellar, remember you may need it when there in minimal light, most basements get minimal light from the outside, so the Kitchen is a better location, it might get some light from the outside when you are fumbling in the dark for the light).

Notice the key is storing the flashlight where you can find it with minimal lighting., that is the situation when the lights go out and you need a flashlight. Now, I am NOT commented to the MAG light, like I was 20 years ago (When it was by far the best light on the market), the advent of LED lights that can project a beam has brought in a whole new set of flashlights that have closed in the gap between the MAG light and Cheap flashlights. Look at them, some of them may be good enough for your use, just remember, volume of lights does NOT beat out a very bright bulb. Mag Lites, that use a LED Bulb, are using a 3 watt bulb, one of the brightest on the market. Other Flashlights are also using a 3 watt bulb (The Nite-rider is using even brighter bulbs, which is why I mention it) and these get nearer to MAG light capability better then any other flashlights. I have used multiple LED bulb flashlights, they are NOT as good as the single bulb to spotlight an area (They are better at being seen and projecting light, but less effective spotlighting an area).

One last comment, if you are NOT using a rechargeable flashlight, at least once a year change the batteries (This is assuming the battery is kept in a safe location and NOT used constantly, if the flashlight is used more then once in a while for a brief time period, replace the batteries more often). The Flashlight is only as good as the charge in the Batteries, no charge no light. I like the Ideal of changing the Batteries every time we switch from Daylight savings back to regular time, but some sort of schedule has to be implemented and followed. Another problem is old batteries leak, so it might be advisable to keep the batteries beside the flashlight and load it when needed. Please make sure you can do that in the darkness, just is case you have to (i.e. easy opening package of batteries instead of a sealed plastic package of batteries for example). Remember batteries wear out, even rechargeable ones. So replace them when they appear no longer to be working. In non-rechargeable batteries that is easy, when the batteries no longer light the Flashlight. In rechargeable batteries it is harder, I have had some that last for years and thousands of charging. If they stop holding a charge get rid of them. Rechargeable batteries are best used in a Flashlight that has "constant" use, at least once a month. Sooner or later you see that batteries are NOT holding a Charge and need replaced. In a flashlight used less then once a month, rechargeable batteries are a waste of money, the batteries will last for decades (And probably leak damaging the Flashlight) before you notice the batteries are no longer holding a Charge. Thus in such rarely used flashlights go with Alkaline and leave the light sit in your kitchen draw till it is needed.

Just comments on the LED lights on the market and what to look for.

[dixiegrrrrl]

20. Wow...much food for thought in your information.

I appreciate the time and consideration you took to share all this.
It adds much to what I need to think about.
Clearly we are going to need more than one type of light, depending on use.
Excellent point about C batterys and comfortable fit.

Thanks.
:hi:

[MrsMatt]

21. Late to the thread - but another vote for Maglite

I have two in my home (C batteries), and have given the double A battery ones as gifts (and have heard from more than one gift recipient about the quality of the flashlights)

Didn't know they came now in LED - I may have to invest in another flashlight!

[happyslug]

22. If you are careful, you can buy an LED replacement bulb

I bought my LED replacement bulbs at Lowe's a couple of years ago. Lowe's had both MAG-Lite own LED bulb and an off make, I would go with the MAG-LITE own, mostly because it appears to be a brighter LED bulb (Mag lite bulb was listed at 3 watts, the off make at 1, and remember Watt is the measurement of actual power being used, voltage is just resistance and as such must be kept constant within an electrical system, wattage can increase based on how much more power can come through the line).

This has an off make for $19.99 (This is only a ONE Watt Bulb, but as you go down the list you will see FIVE watt bulbs for both AA, C and D Flashlights, but those are $32.00 each).
http://www.theledlight.com/led_flashlightbulbs.html

This company is selling a MAG-Lite own THREE Watt Led replacement bulb:
http://flashlightsunlimited.com/magbulbs.htm

Please be careful, remember the two battery bulb is NOT the same as the three battery bulb, which itself is different form the Four Battery bulb. The reason for this is Voltage, the Mag-lite, like all flashlights, are in series, thus Two batteries produce 3 Volts, Three Batteries, 4.5 Volts, and Four Batteries, 6 volts.

The bulbs are COMPLETELY unchangeable between C and D Flashlights with the same number of Batteries per Flashlight, but not between 2, 3 and 4 battery units.

One last comment, LED lights are more forgiving in Voltage then conventional lights, if the light is set for 3.0 volts, and provided 4.5, the light will direct the excess voltage away. This came out of bicycle lights (Especially generator powered bicycle lights). Bicycle Generators have always had a problem with providing excess power and voltage if a bike rolled down a hill to fast and to long. To get around this problem makers of Generator lights installed safety devices in the lights to divert the excess power someplace else. This technology has been around for 75-100 years, it is NOT new. On the other hand LED lights are new, but as part of the build up in light power provided by LED since the 1960s, the technology was applied to them very early, and thus most LED can take excess power the Voltage if so marked. I go into this for the off make Five watt bulb is for 2 and 3 MAG_lite but NOT four. The reason for this appears to be that 6.0 volts of a Four cell MAG Light may be to high, but the 4.5 Volts of the 3 Cells bulb can handle the excess voltage (More probably the bulb is designed for the 4.5 volts of the 3 cell flashlights, so the 3.0 volts of the two cell is within usable limits and most people can not see the reduction in lighting do to the fact the 2 cell can NOT provide all the voltage the bulb can handle).

Last comment, while Mag-Lite is producing a D cell LED MAG Lite, it appears NOT to be selling a C cell LED Mag Lite. Thus your better option may be to buy a replacement bulb.

As to the 3 watt in my flashlight is it more then bright enough, 5 watts will provide only a marginally brighter light. This is a reflection of the differences between measurements of length, area (Square feet) and space (Cubic Feet). One foot in length, brings with it one square foot of area, and one cubic foot, if you go just another foot, the length is just doubled to two feet, but the area is four feet, as is the cubic measurement. Go another foot, length is only three feet, area is nine square feet, but the cubic measurement is even greater, 27 cubic feet. My point is 3 watts provides more then enough lighting, if you go with the five watt, you are almost doubling the light being emitted (Which can be a cubic measurement) but actual greater DEPTH (An line measurement) will be cubic root of whatever is the greater space being lighted by the 5 watt bulb.

Further reading
1 watt LED = 50 Lumens of light
3 watt LED =
5 Watt LED = 140 Lumens
Combination, three LED Three Watt bulbs as one unit = 600 Lumens

[mudplanet]

23. Depends on what you need

If you need "always works when I turn it on" get any good quality LED flashlight. If you can find one, get one with a lithium battery (it'll work even if you leave it in your drawer for three years).

Streamlight flashlights that many here talk about are exceptional, except that they are mostly designed for police work, that is, they project a strong, directional beam. But they don't last long. A streamlight will begin to get warm after about three minutes and the light will begin dimming. However, they're really well made and rechargeable, they come with car and home rechargers. I've had two of them for about nine years and they still work great.

But if the electricity fails for any period of time you're screwed. Where LED flashlights (some of them) will burn for something like 20 to 40 hours on a set of batteries. I've found that my LED lights are the ones I use all the time.

I've never been a fan of Maglites, but they are now producing LED Maglites, so they should be quality products.