Budget Light Brawl- Help me choose a flashlight!

Hi, I don't know why but I like good flashlights. However, I only use small flashlights and usually am on a tight budget. I have had 2 Xnova 8s before from Dae/QCG, and they have been very good. One actually got stolen and my second one hasn't felt as good as my first for some reason. I've seen Ghost IIs in action (I forced my cousin to buy them and he loved them) and they beat my Xnova v2 by a lot. Lately I've found the Xnova a little weak and have been using it as a lamp for my room when I'm up late at night by pointing it straight up. Anyway, I'd like to get a new light. Preferably AA type light since the batteries are so flexible, but if it's really bright, cheap, and small, I could consider getting a rechargeable. Maximum price SHOULD BE $20, but I prefer it to be less.

Here are the ones I've been considering:

Ghost II 1xAA - $7.50
http://www.qualitychinagoods.com/12-led-ghost-ii-p-210.html

Xnova 8 1xAA - $6.20
http://www.qualitychinagoods.com/8-led-xnova-p-373.html

MXDL v2 3xAAA - $13.00
http://www.qualitychinagoods.com/3w-mxdlreg-v2-p-315.html

MX Power .5W Nichia 1xAA - $10
http://contents.fifthunit.com/html/products.5th/sku.972.html

1W Ultrafire 1xAA - $18.25
http://contents.fifthunit.com/html/products.5th/sku.927.html
http://contents.fifthunit.com/html/products.5th/sku.934.html

6W Ultrafire 3xAAA - $16.00
http://contents.fifthunit.com/html/products.5th/sku.1003.html

Fenix Civictor v1 1xAA - $28 (thanks flame)
http://www.lighthound.com/sales/civictor_flashlight.htm

Fenix L1S 1xAA - $31
http://fenix-store.com/product_info.php?products_id=104

Can anyone recommend one of these, or another light? I've been leaning towards the MX Power but I am afraid it might not be bright enough- if it's brighter than my Xnova 8 and has a tight enough beam to throw some distance, I will be happy. Is it worth the more expensive ultrafires over the Nichia?

The Lux readings confuse me because they are different between reviews- On flashlightreviews it says the Xnova is 115 throw and 950 overall, but on Fifthunit the ultrafire 1xAA is only 24.70 throw and I know that can't be right. Can anyone tell me how to compare these lights?

Anyway this is a lot to read- thanks for looking and helping me out on my quest for a solid budget mini flashlight...

One more vote for the Civictor.

And have you ever tried to leave an 8 led X-nova 2 AA on for an extended period of time? I tried this and killed three of them in a row within 60 to 90 minutes. They are bright, but I now know why: overdriven Nichia's with lack of heatsinking.

BTW: Welcome to CPF! Full of nice & slightly odd people.
Hope you are financially sound; these should be warning signs for you: once you start posting these, you may be in trouble ...


Kees

Got the price wrong...$29.75 and then knock off 5% with your CPF discount at Fenixstore (code CPF5).

Comes in at around $28.50


CFU

Here
I have posted a pic of a 1 AA light that I found in Thailand. I'm happy with it thou I dont have any of the lights that you are considering. So I cant comment on them.
But 1 AA multi led lights in general would be good for you. I'm thinking about getting Ghost II!

Also I'm getting the 4 pack Garrity lights (3 AAA) from costco for cheap 12.99 for 4 with batteries.

Anything that is cheap to aquire, feed and its reasonable reliable is what I'm going for.

Goodluck and let us know what you get and how you like them.

Regards.
Newbie

The Civictor is good, but if you want something cheaper you could try the River Rock 2AAA for $10. It's pretty good quality for the output/throw/price.

Hehe I'm really thinking about the Civictor... but if it got stolen or lost I would really be sad. Wouldn't you? It surprised me how much I missed my Xnova! Anyway, a L1S with dual modes and R binned led... is nearly the same price as a Civictor. I'm assuming a Civictor beats it?

Anyone have an opinion on the Ultrafire AA vs the Civictor? I'm not sure if I should be spending so much on a flashlight...

P.S. thank you for the kind responses

P.S.S I have left my Xnova on overnight (fell asleep) and it was still going in the morning... It doesn't even get warm.

infection0 said:

...I'm really thinking about the Civictor... but if it got stolen or lost I would really be sad...

Click to expand...

Another vote for the Civictor. As for theft, you need to review the circumstances under which your last light was stolen and then make adjustments to prevent it happening again. Don't leave it behind, or use a lanyard or velcro'd holster or both to prevent pocket picking, or whatever would be required.

I've had a bunch of Xnova's and similar lights. The Civictor is in a different class entirely.

If you really think you can't prevent thieves from getting your light, then getting a cheap looking light is a good idea. In that case, I'd get one of the SMJLED PR bulbs and put it into an inexpensive 2AA light.

nerdgineer said:

As for theft, you need to review the circumstances under which your last light was stolen and then make adjustments to prevent it happening again.

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LOL it was being passed around a Greyhound bus...

Casual Flashlight User said:

Got the price wrong...$29.75 and then knock off 5% with your CPF discount at Fenixstore (code CPF5).

Comes in at around $28.50


CFU

Click to expand...

Got an even better offer for this Civictor V1 over at LightHound......it's $27.99!
And free shipping too.

Got an even better offer for this Civictor V1 over at LightHound......it's $27.99!
And free shipping too.

Click to expand...

*Darth Vader voice*

"It is your destiny"

CFU

So no one likes the Ultrafire eh? I guess I can't go cheap on this one! I'm moving to college on Saturday and will order from there when I set up a mailing address. Thanks!

If anyone has any other recommendations or opinions (mainly about the Civictor, Ultrafire 602A, and Fenix L1S) I'd like to hear them since I was considering the Ultrafire as a cheaper option and the L1S for its 2-mode. Else, thank you for your responses and helping me choose a light.

ooh just spotted Inova X1 at flashlightreviews... it has 5 stars... 20 bucks

infection0 said:

...ooh just spotted Inova X1 at flashlightreviews... it has 5 stars... 20 bucks

Click to expand...

Inova X1 is OK (sort of - mine developed flickering problems), but it is a 5mm LED vs the Civictor/Fenix L1x's Luxeons. Fenix/Civictors have about 10 times the central brightness and nearly 4 times the output of the Inova X1, for only another $8 or so cost in hand (if you can get the Inova at a local Fry's) or maybe for only $3 more if you have to pay shipping to get the Inova.

IMHO, it's no contest...

C4LED said:

The Civictor is good, but if you want something cheaper you could try the River Rock 2AAA for $10. It's pretty good quality for the output/throw/price.

Click to expand...

How quickly we seem to have forgotten, thanks to Fenix, one of the old favorites among us bargain hunters here at CPF. The beam is a little blue, but the RR does do a good job. This is one of my "winter" lights that I keep clipped to the inside pocket of my coat.

Geoff

with those numbers i agree- looks like the X1 is for runtime rather than output. And I've got a bunch of spare AAs and I'm looking for output!

Oh, I understand Nerdgineer has tested 602As before and still recommends the Civictor. I guess that decides it!

I read the review for Minimag LED 2xAA and was really impressed. Focusable beam, really high output. It's quite a bit bigger than what I would want my portable light to be, however. I wonder if this is available at target.

http://flashlightreviews.com/reviews/maglite_minimagled.htm

The MX you linked to looks pretty neat. It has the same Led the Fenix E1 uses. Probably has great run time. Anyone tried one of these? Only 10 bucks. I might order one.

I think I will end up with an Ultrafire 602A due to it being similar to the L1P for a lower price. I read the MX has much less output vs an ultrafire, which has less than a L1P.

Civictor V1, good value for money