Are there any good coast lights?

[nbp]

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. ;)

 

[wakemare]

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.

 

[vickers214]

Re: Are Coast brand LED flashlights any good?

No!!!

 

[fivebyfive]

Re: Are Coast brand LED flashlights any good?

+1 on what nbp said. You're a flashaholic now, there are better lights to be had than the Coast lights. I played with the Coast lights on display some and wasn't impressed. Their "try me" packaging is very tempting, but I'm just not impressed with their design, function, and emiiter used. For about the same amount of money, I would invest in Fenix.

 

[firelord777]

Most aren't even regulated.

 

[jupello]

Re: Are Coast brand LED flashlights any good?

I hope people notice that nowadays Coast flashlight really just means Coast flashlight. They are no longer Led Lenser's that have been imported to USA by Coast. Led Lenser is with Leatherman now, and Coast is making "Led Lenser -lookalike" lights on it's own.
So don't mix them up.

 

[samd]

Re: Are Coast brand LED flashlights any good?

Hello,

I just joined CPF. I've been a little obsessed with flashlights after buying a JetBeam BA10 for my birthday last March.

I wanted to add to this thread because I was online late last night-or early this morning- (surfing the web for flashlights :shakehead) and I noticed that Coast has some new flashlights out that I can't find any information on other than on their website. Particularly the HP14, which they boast 300+ lumens with 4aa batteries.

Does anyone think these new Coast lights are worth a look?

 

[tre]

Re: Are Coast brand LED flashlights any good?

The HP14, like all coast lights, is not regulated. That means the 328 lumen measurement that was done at 3 minutes will never happen again. The output will be in decline all the time as the batteries wear down. A regulated light will give you the same output until the batteries are dead. For the cost, you could get a Jetbeam PA40 or Fenix LD40. You could spend more and get a Sunwayman M40A XML with 600 lumens OTF and about 30,000cd

 

[flatbows]

Re: Are Coast brand LED flashlights any good?

I would stay away from them.

 

[nbp]

I hope people notice that nowadays Coast flashlight really just means Coast flashlight. They are no longer Led Lenser's that have been imported to USA by Coast. Led Lenser is with Leatherman now, and Coast is making "Led Lenser -lookalike" lights on it's own.
So don't mix them up.

Either way, they all kinda suck. Coast's togetherness or separateness from Led Lenser really doesn't change my opinion of them. As long as they are making nearly identical lights, people will assume they are together, and quite frankly, who cares? :shrug:

 

[HighlanderNorth]

Re: Are Coast brand LED flashlights any good?

No!!!

In the future, you should just get to the point and be more direct. Dont beat around the bush so much! (LOL)

 

[energythoughts]

Re: Are Coast brand LED flashlights any good?

I own the original Coast/Led Lenser T7. From Lowes. The silverish looking one. ~200 lumen or so (4) AAA model. A few thoughts about this light. It was my first more expensive flashlight that got me out of the old Maglite era. At first I was very impressed with the flood beam.. a very large perfect circle of light.. and with the variable head it has the option to go to a spot which has some decent throw. The holster is of pretty good quality. The unit does feel pretty solid, and the focus-able head moves very smoothly, and it has momentary on. That is pretty much where the fun ends..

A few things I don't like... knurling is weak making the light very slippery to hold, Not waterproof.. just water resistant, Pinkish color of the beam, AAA batteries, not regulated... keeps getting dimmer over time, weird UI.. need to press twice to get past low to turn it off.

It's not a terrible light.. but after my first Fenix purchases (LD10 & PD31), the T7 moved up to my barn for it's permanent home.. it's perfect up there for when I need some light. Thinking about the times I spent outside in rain storms shoveling mud & rocks to redirect water from my driveway.... My LD10 was soaked & packed with mud.. dropped on the rocks.. brought it inside and washed it in the sink with soap and water to get the mud off.. still like new.

Could I have done this with the T7? maybe?

Definitely for the money there are better lights out there. The only real trick the T7 has is the ability to go from spot to flood and anywhere in between one handed. There doesn't seem to be any other high performance lights out there that can do this function. so if you really NEED this function.. get a T7.. otherwise look elsewhere.

 

[roadkill1109]

Re: Are Coast brand LED flashlights any good?

I was at Lowes yesterday, and I stopped at the end cabinets behind the cashier to look at the flashlights they had there. One brand they carry is called 'Coast'.

They had several models of their lights, from like 13 Lumens to 204 Lumens. I looked at the 204 Lumen model, which was $49.99. That is somewhat competitive with other brands like Fenix, who sell the PD30, with like 260 lumens for around $55-$65, depending upon the source.

But Coast doesnt list other important specs, like what grade of anodizing they use. I didnt see which LED they use listed at Lowes or at the website which sells them.

Anyone own one or know anything about them?

Cost lights are the Led Lensers of before. They have a nice flood-to-spot light which is a good basic no-fuss light.

However these lights are not regulated (well most anyway except for the M-series) and are only water-resistant, not water-proof.

Some love 'em, some hate 'em.

Try them out, but dont get the most expensive one in their product line. Save your cash for the next-generation lights. :)

Stick around here and be enlightened like us.

 

[jupello]

Re: Are Coast brand LED flashlights any good?

COAST is in no way affiliated with LED Lenser, Zweibrueder or Leatherman Tool Co.

Either way, they all kinda suck. Coast's togetherness or separateness from Led Lenser really doesn't change my opinion of them. As long as they are making nearly identical lights, people will assume they are together, and quite frankly, who cares? :shrug:

Great attitude you have there!
Who cares if you have Surefire or the "nearly identical $5 chinese version" from ebay? They all suck anyways, so why should I care who has made the light.. right?

 

[GimmeLumens]

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.

 

[frenchie]

Well said that man...

 

[rmteo]

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.

+10 :crackup: :crackup: :crackup:

 

[nbp]

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.

The OP asked for opinions on Coast lights. Are only fans of these lights allowed to comment or is it permissible for balanced discussion to take place? That is where value comes in IMO. "Rational debate" requires both sides of the story.

FYI, I have had Coast lights and I was not impressed. I found that for the $50 I paid for one, I was disappointed with the machining and the (lack of) electronics. Other similarly priced lights offer more, to me. I'm sorry that my opinion does not match yours, but I hardly feel that automatically makes me an "elitist, nagging old lady" as you so eloquently put it.

 

[energythoughts]

Re: Are Coast brand LED flashlights any good?

Ouch... Guess I'm sorry I provided feedback. I thought I was pretty fair. I Just gave an honest opinion on a light I actually own (T7 not HP7). 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. I didn't know we were talking about the HP7 or the other new Coast models.

 

[jupello]

Re: Are Coast brand LED flashlights any good?

The OP asked for opinions on Coast lights. Are only fans of these lights allowed to comment or is it permissible for balanced discussion to take place? That is where value comes in IMO. "Rational debate" requires both sides of the story.

Rational debate requires everyone to explain their point of view. Generalized opinions like "they suck" are hardly rational or useful.

FYI, I have had Coast lights and I was not impressed. I found that for the $50 I paid for one, I was disappointed with the machining and the (lack of) electronics. Other similarly priced lights offer more, to me. I'm sorry that my opinion does not match yours, but I hardly feel that automatically makes me an "elitist, nagging old lady" as you so eloquently put it.

Well, you're entitled to your opinions, but what brand & model was that light that you where disappointed to?
I'm just wondering if the light you mention was even the same brand that is being discussed here, since you did not seem to care about the brands as long as they look the same.