Are there any good coast lights?

[JacobJones]

Re: Are Coast brand LED flashlights any good?

I think people are too harsh on coast, when you get used to fenix's and surefires you tend to look down on everything else as inferior. Coast make good lights, quality is pretty good and they have good output. But they are a bit overpriced, for their price range they don't compare with offerings from other manufacturers. But if you can find one cheap (on sale or whatever) go for it

 

[jupello]

Re: Are Coast brand LED flashlights any good?

The OP spoke about the Coast lights at Lowes.. as far as I know they are still the old Led Lenser lights.. at least the Lowes around here doesn't carry the new Coast models.

Nope. As I've already mentioned few times here, Coast flashlight does not mean Led Lenser flashlight.
Coast used to be the distributor of Led Lenser lights in USA, but that is no longer the case. Coast is now selling "Coast lights" that only look like Led Lenser lights.

http://www.coastportland.com/led-flashlights/ <-- Read under the "Led Lenser flashlights" there.

 

[vickers214]

Re: Are Coast brand LED flashlights any good?

I was a bit direct but I was pressed for time!haha
I have owned Lensers so can speak from experience, and having contributed to other discussions I can see this post going the same way as those. Instead of people saying I like them for X-Y or I dislike them for X-Y, people seem to want to shout at people who don't like them like they are idiots who know nothing about the subject of Flashlights.
I have pointed out positives in the past (optics) but for me every other quality brand is a much better option

 

[stallion2]

Re: Are Coast brand LED flashlights any good?

i'll do my best to be rational. they do make decent lights but they are grossly overpriced. the most unfortunate part is that they hold the rights to patents that i believe other manufacturers could execute much more effectively. i would stay away from them unless the focus feature is something that is truly important to you.

 

[jupello]

Re: Are Coast brand LED flashlights any good?

Newsflash!
Coast flashlight is NOT Led Lenser flashlight!

There! Maybe that makes them realize that they are talking about the wrong brand.. this thread was about Coast brand flashlights, remember?

 

[tre]

Re: Are Coast brand LED flashlights any good?

I'm confused. I thought this website was supposed to be a forum for rational debate. This is yet another long string full of harsh opinions about a product (the new Coast HP7) that apparently no one even owns! I bought one and it has the most amazing flood to spot focus system of any portable lighting instrument I've ever seen. Plus it's styling is refreshingly original and not another chinese surefire knock-off that are so beloved by this group.

I've been watching this forum for years and can't help but think that this group has completely lost touch with reality. If Coast lights (and other brands) are so bad, then why are they for sale all over the darned place? Why do people who actually use them every day really like them? (my mechanic constantly raves about his stainless steel Coast light and my bro-in-law is a cop who's used the same Coast light for years).

I'm starting to question the credibility of this group. It's like an elitist bridge club full of rich, old nagging ladies who sit behind closed doors playing with each other while the rest of the world speeds by outside.

This is a wake up call CPF's. We are becoming (or may have already become) a bunch of irrevelevent geeks.

Talk amongst yourselves.

You could not be more wrong.

Does Coast make an ok light, sure. The flood to throw optic is unique. For the price, there is much better. Lets take the 4xAA HP7 as an example. Why would I buy a $50 HP7 with no regulation and 200 lumen output when I can get a regulated Fenix LD40 with more output and a neutral tint for less money? I can get many regulated 2AA lights with more output for the same money. Heck, I can even get a Zebralight SC51 with the same output for a few dollars more. My last SC51, which is regulated and puts out 200 lumens using a single AA cell, was $58.

I've never looked at Lowes but I suspect the Coast low end cheap models with 5mm emitters and horrible purple beams are what fill the shelf. Most of the manufacturers you find us talking about here don't sell sub $25 flashlights so you are right, they can't compare there. Most manufacturers we talk about also don't sell lights with 5mm emitters and purple tints (ok, some don't have the best tint). Just because something is for sale "all over the place" does not make it a good product.

The OP was comparing a cost HP7 to Fenix and a few other brands. Many here gave facts stating why other lights are better choices. If you are going to come here and attack an antire community, you better have some facts to back it up.

If you think I'm wrong and I have no credibility, please give me some constructive reasoning as to why. You asked for "rational debate" and I'm still waiting for yours.



Edit: I just looked at your 5 posts on this forum and they are all evangelizing Coast and Led Lenser products. I suspect you are a fan boy or dealer for them and therefore your credibility about this subject is called into question.

 

[jupello]

Re: Are Coast brand LED flashlights any good?

You could not be more wrong.

Does Coast make an ok light, sure. The flood to throw optic is unique. For the price there is much better. Lets take the 4xAA HP7 as an example. Why would I buy a $50 HP7 with no regulation and 200 lumen output when I can get a regulated Fenix LD40 with more output for less money? I can get many regulated 2AA lights with more output for the same money. Heck, I can even get a Zenralight SC51 with the same output for a few dollars more. My last SC51, which is regulated and puts out 200 lumens on 1AA cell, was $58.

I've never looked at Lowes but I suspect the Coast low end cheap models with 5mm emitters and horrible purple beams are what fill the shelf. Most of the manufacturers you find us talking about here don't sell sub $25 flashlights so you are right, they can't compare there. Most manufacturers we talk about also don't sell lights with 5mm emitters and purple tints (ok, some don't have the best tint). Just because something is for sale "all over the place" does not make it a good product.

If you think I'm wrong and I have no credibility, please give me some constructive reasoning as to why. You asked for "rational debate" and I'm still waiting for yours.



Edit: I just looked at your 5 posts on this forum and they are all evangelizing Coast and Led Lenser products. I suspect you are a fan boy or dealer for them and therefore your credibility about this subject is called into question.

I think he does have a point there.
The quality & helpfulness of posts really have declined over time here.

I don't know anything about Coast lights, but IF Coast HP7 has even nearly as good optics as Led Lenser M14 or P14, one of the reasons to get it over Fenix LD40 could be better throw & adjustable beam. Also, some people do prefer unregulated lights. Generally less electronics mean better reliability.
And getting brighter lights with less batteries also means that you're getting less runtime out of them.
It's all about meeting your personal requirements.

And I don't think that guessing what kind of tints some cheap lights you know nothing about might have is helpful to anyone.
Edit: And many manufacturers that we talk about here do sell cheap lights with 5mm leds and purple tints, just look at Fenix E01.. and try to guess what the tint of Nitecore T0 will be ..efficiency has it's cost.

 

[nbp]

Re: Are Coast brand LED flashlights any good?

The thing is this: Coast, and also the separate but similar Led Lenser lights seem to be kind of of a continental divide of sorts. For many, they are the first high power LED lights they experience, because as noted, they are rather ubiquitous. So, when moving from a MiniMag to one of these lights, people will find them to be amazing. They really open their eyes to what a high output LED light can do, and they retain the familar warm and fuzzy spot to flood action everyone thinks is the bomb because they are used to it on their Maglites. It's a fairly seamless transition, and they are happy. And I did note before that they are OK lights for most people.

But many members here have bought lots of lights after making that switch. They have experienced 4Sevens, Nitecore, Fenix, Jetbeam et al, and they see what they can have that their Coast light didn't have at basically the same price point. So it is no longer satisfactory and we then tend to tell people to skip the Coast or other similar light and go right for one of these others. For me, being that I routinely carry lights from McGizmo, Muyshondt, HDS etc, the Coast lights do "suck". Should I have been more tactful in my saying that? Probably so. But for others, who are used to a Rayovac, the Coast lights are awesome and a vast improvement! And that is ok too if it fills their need better than what they had. I do appreciate that Coast seems to be a gateway drug to cooler lights, so in that regard, they help others find us here. :devil:

Anyway, I guess none of us can truly answer the question perfectly. "Is Coast any good?" is such a subjective question. We all put in our opinions and some feelings were hurt. That is regrettable, and hopefully it can be avoided in the future.

I suppose the best answer is for the OP to examine the features of all the available lights and choose the one that best suits them. If it is the Coast, well, then they have achieved their goal of finding the right tool for the job, and that is the whole point of CPF.


lovecpf

 

[bodhran]

Re: Are Coast brand LED flashlights any good?

Very well said, nbp.

 

[JacobJones]

Re: Are Coast brand LED flashlights any good?

Excellent comment nbp, if that doesn't diffuse the tense situation nothing will (except DM51 who's waiting for the right moment to close the thread).

 

[DM51]

Re: Are Coast brand LED flashlights any good?

Generalized opinions like "they suck" are hardly rational or useful.

The quality & helpfulness of posts really have declined over time here.

I agree with jupello. Some of the comments made here have not really been very helpful at all.

… if that doesn't diffuse the tense situation nothing will (except DM51 who's waiting for the right moment to close the thread).

Contrary to what people might think, CPF staff do not hover around just waiting for an opportunity to close threads like this. It is much better if members can exert their own influence to steer a thread back on course, because if that happens there is a good chance it will be able to continue without intervention from staff being required.

There have been some very poor posts, with members taking badly-aimed jabs at one another; and that is going to have to stop. After a bad start, good sense has already shown signs of reasserting itself; let's keep it that way, with no more bashing or rude comments.

 

[TyJo]

Re: Are Coast brand LED flashlights any good?

I have found my favorite brands at this price point to be Fenix and 4sevens.

 

[Lou Minescence]

Re: Are Coast brand LED flashlights any good?

The thing is this: Coast, and also the separate but similar Led Lenser lights seem to be kind of of a continental divide of sorts. For many, they are the first high power LED lights they experience, because as noted, they are rather ubiquitous. So, when moving from a MiniMag to one of these lights, people will find them to be amazing. They really open their eyes to what a high output LED light can do, and they retain the familar warm and fuzzy spot to flood action everyone thinks is the bomb because they are used to it on their Maglites. It's a fairly seamless transition, and they are happy. And I did note before that they are OK lights for most people.

But many members here have bought lots of lights after making that switch. They have experienced 4Sevens, Nitecore, Fenix, Jetbeam et al, and they see what they can have that their Coast light didn't have at basically the same price point. So it is no longer satisfactory and we then tend to tell people to skip the Coast or other similar light and go right for one of these others. For me, being that I routinely carry lights from McGizmo, Muyshondt, HDS etc, the Coast lights do "suck". Should I have been more tactful in my saying that? Probably so. But for others, who are used to a Rayovac, the Coast lights are awesome and a vast improvement! And that is ok too if it fills their need better than what they had. I do appreciate that Coast seems to be a gateway drug to cooler lights, so in that regard, they help others find us here. :devil:

Anyway, I guess none of us can truly answer the question perfectly. "Is Coast any good?" is such a subjective question. We all put in our opinions and some feelings were hurt. That is regrettable, and hopefully it can be avoided in the future.

I suppose the best answer is for the OP to examine the features of all the available lights and choose the one that best suits them. If it is the Coast, well, then they have achieved their goal of finding the right tool for the job, and that is the whole point of CPF.


lovecpf

I could not have said it better.

I have a Coast light that I have used 5 days a week for years. The best part about buying a light from Lowes is you can probably return it without hassles if you do not like it.

 

[device manager]

Re: Are Coast brand LED flashlights any good?

nbp's response is spot on. The OP could should buy the $50 Coast as well as a PD30, compare them, then return the one that doesn't pass muster.

 

[duro]

Re: Are Coast brand LED flashlights any good?

I just bought a coast led lenser p6 aa light for 15 bucks at marshals. I'm going to use it as a beater light for work. It's not bad, but it's not great. For 15 bucks it was certainly a steal.

 

[roadkill1109]

Re: Are Coast brand LED flashlights any good?

I'm confused. I thought this website was supposed to be a forum for rational debate. This is yet another long string full of harsh opinions about a product (the new Coast HP7) that apparently no one even owns! I bought one and it has the most amazing flood to spot focus system of any portable lighting instrument I've ever seen. Plus it's styling is refreshingly original and not another chinese surefire knock-off that are so beloved by this group.

I've been watching this forum for years and can't help but think that this group has completely lost touch with reality. If Coast lights (and other brands) are so bad, then why are they for sale all over the darned place? Why do people who actually use them every day really like them? (my mechanic constantly raves about his stainless steel Coast light and my bro-in-law is a cop who's used the same Coast light for years).

I'm starting to question the credibility of this group. It's like an elitist bridge club full of rich, old nagging ladies who sit behind closed doors playing with each other while the rest of the world speeds by outside.

This is a wake up call CPF's. We are becoming (or may have already become) a bunch of irrevelevent geeks.

Talk amongst yourselves.

There may be some biases for Led Lenser lights but let me rebuttle some of your comments.

1. Those who do post anti-Led Lenser comments are entitled to their opinions.
2. There are lots of CPF people who actually do like Led Lenser lights. Outdoorsman is one, me too. I own the K3, P3, and P14 and love them to this day as to not get rid of them.
3. The reason why they still sell well is because of all the people who are in this forum, there is still the greater masses who are clueless to the lights we flashaholics know of.
4. The surefire knockoffs (which incidentally are made in china) some of which are more technically advanced that surefires and cost much much less. Heck if you made flashlights there in the US of A and charge us the same price as these quality lights, by all means, will by 'em from Uncle Sam!
5. In the end it all boils down to a matter of preference, heck you can even be using maglites up to now and if it works for you, why reinvent the wheel, right?
6. If the group affects you too much, by all means the door is very wide open. Heck if you make a big deal out of this thread, maybe Mr. Moderator can be kind enough to disable your account?
7. Forums is the place for sharing opinions and views. If that gets too hard for you, maybe you shouldn't even bother lurking this forum. I've heard bad comments about the lights i own, heck, doesn't affect me one bit coz i know i love the lights i purchase!

Peace out, y'all!

 

[roadkill1109]

Re: Are Coast brand LED flashlights any good?

For the money there are better options, as mentioned. Look at 4Sevens, Fenix, Nitecore, Jetbeam and similar lights for much better lights at those price points. Coast is OK for the average consumer, but you are not the average consumer, you are a CPFer.

Amen bro! We ain't flashaholics for nothin'!

 

[roadkill1109]

Re: Are Coast brand LED flashlights any good?

Coast lights r basically LED Lenser from memory and I gotta say. Led lenser Tactical Focus or Jovial Focus was the first good light I ever owned aside from crappy maglites. If I'm honest, they r good lights. But just good lights. Not amazing. They are pretty boring really. Nothing excites me about how they look or theory functionality. Personally I would suggest jetbeam rrt2 or Olight m21. Both extremely bright for their size and pretty cheap really.

You know, if there's one thing about Led Lensers that i love is their durability in extreme situations, Imagine, i've had water seep into the head portion of the light and it still kept on going, If this was regulated and water seeped in, that's the end of that light! I know that regulated, next generation lights are water tight, but years down the road and if you dont replace the o-rings the water tightness could be compromised.

As i said, some love 'em, some hate 'em!

 

[duro]

Re: Are Coast brand LED flashlights any good?

Do you think for 15 bucks it was worth it to get the p6 aa light? I wanted a beater aa light. All of my lights or either cr123, 18650, 17650, etc...

 

[roadkill1109]

Just to add to the M5...
The knurling is really slippery, and the focus system probably won't hold water if its used during rain.
But the flood is really wide, and the throw is quite impressive for the 16mm hole it has on the front.

The M-series of Coast are regulated. But with their focusing mechanism, it is not water proof.

The P-series are a throwback to original jurassic flashlights, the only thing i can vouch for is that even with water inside the focusing head of the light, it still functions. I know, coz it has happened to my P-series led lenser/coast.