I've been collecting flashlights since the mid 70's. I've spent thousands of dollars on lights, batteries, chargers and related items. But this is over many years. Did I start out with a $100 flashlight. No. (There was no such thing at the time that I can remember seeing) I started out small and worked my way up to the better lights a little at a time. For everyone under the age of 40, yes, those silver things are actually real flashlights.
They now have LEDs in them. :thumbsup:
There is room in this hobby for everyone. I started with incans and after buying my first red led keychain flashlight I was hooked. There is still a lot I don't know about flashlights. The folks here who make all these charts still amaze me. But I come here and study these things and am trying to learn how all this works. When there's always something new to learn it makes the hobby more interesting.
I know a lot of people here buy $500 titanium flashlights but this may be out of reach for a lot of folks, especially with the economic slump we're in right now. Even a Fenix for $45 may be too expensive right now. There's always time to save up for a better light. Saving is a slow process and may take over a year to get a real good flashlight. The bad economy has hit me and my family pretty hard. I have a wife, three kids and my grandson living with me. We have a house to live in and we pay our bills, but I haven't bought a Sure-Fire in quite a while. But I can still enjoy my hobby by picking up a $20 flashlight now and then.
I think it's better to start off with a light that is affordable. One you can own right now. Today would be a great day to buy a LED flashlight.
I'm not saying to buy junk. Believe it or not there are decent flashlights that are available for around $25 dollars. Are they as good as Sure-fire or Fenix? No. While you might not win any white wall contests here for perfect beam patterns you can still turn it on and see in the dark with it.
I once bought a rebranded 2AA Rayovac 3 watt LED light at Walmart. I think I paid around $25 dollars for it. What a nice beam and tint it had. Solid and will built too. My dad liked it so much that I gave it to him. Would I buy it again? Sure. Why not.
My local ACE hardware carries the Sportsman Extreme C cell flashlight. Nice throw and pretty solid. 30 Bucks.
You can go to Target and get yourself a River Rock for 24 dollars. These are decent lights IMO. Or pick up an Energizer 2aa or 1aa for $17. The new 1aa has a cree in it.
It's a hobby (for some). You have to start somewhere. You can get started today and have a decent but inexpensive flashlight to use and enjoy right now while you're saving up for your first expensive flashlight.
Some here use flashlights as tools only. Others, like myself see it as a hobby and like to collect them (I do use all of my lights too). As soon as you buy your first light, put in the batteries and turn it on, you'll know how much fun this hobby can be.
P.S. Earlier, I recommended two flashlights that were out of your stated budget. I'm sorry. That was careless of me. I was in the wrong.
Brad