What stores carry a good selection?

KingGlamis · Jun 11, 2007

Sorry if this has been answered before, I searched a little and didn't see anything. What stores are the best to go to for good flashlights? I'm cool with looking at stuff on the net, but would rather purchase at a real store. I'm in Phoenix, AZ (actually Mesa, but very close to Phx). We just got a brand new Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World that opened last week. I haven't been there yet, but I would assume they should have a good selection of flashlights. Any other stores I should be going to in the Phoenix area?

Thanks for any help you can give.

Doug

jayhackett03 · Jun 11, 2007

that bass pro shop may have some Surefires and some Streamlights, but they'll be expensive.

www.lighthound.com is cheaper.

Flying Turtle · Jun 11, 2007

The ones in this area are Target, WalMart, REI, ****'s Sporting Goods, Sears, and even KMart.

Geoff

scottaw · Jun 11, 2007

Just do what most people here do, read the reviews, figure out what you want and order online. A lot of online merchants offer CPF members a discount, and many offer free shipping. Check around this site, you'll find plenty of opinions on all of them. Also, the B/S/T forums are a great place to find a light you want that someone else is done with.

carrot · Jun 11, 2007

Something not yet mentioned (I think)... Cabelas. Also, some army-navy stores have good selections.

defloyd77 · Jun 11, 2007

Gander Mountain and Batteries Plus.

cave dave · Jun 11, 2007

Pretty much every flashlight at every store mentioned would be blown out of the water by a Fenix L2D CE. That's just the way it is in the current market. The brick and morter stores are a year or two behind on the Flashlight technology and some are vastly overpriced.

Get a Cree XR-E edition Fenix, you won't be disappointed.
Fenix-Store

If you want a headlamp however, the Princeton Tec EOS and Apex are the best on the market and are commonly available wherever backpacking equipment is sold. None of the (sub $100) headlamp makers are using the latest LED's but you can swap em yourself pretty easily.

jumpstat · Jun 11, 2007

Hi King,

I am actually on the other side of the world from you. So far since I joined CPF and from reading the revies and comments form others almost all my lights are bought here or on-line stores. So far the journey has been wonderful and I have yet any issues pertaining to buying on-line for that matter. And of course, buying it on-line is more cost effective IMHO.

Art Vandelay · Jun 11, 2007

defloyd77 said:
Gander Mountain and Batteries Plus.

+1

Dung Beetle · Jun 11, 2007

Find a gun shop, they usually have a wide selection.

KingGlamis · Jun 11, 2007

cave dave said:
Pretty much every flashlight at every store mentioned would be blown out of the water by a Fenix L2D CE. That's just the way it is in the current market. The brick and morter stores are a year or two behind on the Flashlight technology and some are vastly overpriced.

Get a Cree XR-E edition Fenix, you won't be disappointed.
Fenix-Store

If you want a headlamp however, the Princeton Tec EOS and Apex are the best on the market and are commonly available wherever backpacking equipment is sold. None of the (sub $100) headlamp makers are using the latest LED's but you can swap em yourself pretty easily.

So why not a P3D? Seems to be a better light for not much more money.

And thanks for all the help everyone.

carrot · Jun 12, 2007

The P3D uses lithium (CR123) batteries. The main draw to Fenix for a lot of us is that they use alkaline (AA) batteries -- this is where they got their start, by making the first good quality Luxeon 1xAA light. Also, when you can get as much output as you get from the L2D-CE, using lithiums for just a little bit more doesn't seem so great. But if you want to use lithium CR123 batteries in your Fenix, you will be quite pleased with the P3D.

NelsonFlashlites · Jun 12, 2007

I dont' know if they are in the Mesa area, but Sportsman's Warehouse is great for flashlights and knives (IMO).

What stores carry a good selection?

KingGlamis

Banned

jayhackett03

Enlightened

Flying Turtle

Flashaholic

scottaw

Enlightened

carrot

Flashaholic

defloyd77

Flashlight Enthusiast

cave dave

Flashlight Enthusiast

jumpstat

Flashlight Enthusiast

Art Vandelay

Flashlight Enthusiast

Dung Beetle

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KingGlamis

Banned

carrot

Flashaholic

NelsonFlashlites

Enlightened

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