Best BANG FOR THE BUCK 1-3 Watt LED Light

[BuddTX]

OK to make a long story short, I remember the first 6-10 months or so after joining CPF, I could not buy a Luxeon Star LED light AT ANY PRICE! And a Piercing BEAM? Forget it, all LS were low dome, so they had more of an intense glow, than a beam of light.

Jump forward 20-30 months or so, wow there are SOO many options it is JUST INCREDIBLE!!

I own a Mr. Bulk VIP with a BH and LH, and soon to own a LC, and whatever that ST is!

BUT, for 30 bucks or so, ANYONE can buy a Streamlight 4AA LUXEON LED ProPolymer Flashlight Streamlight.

I am amazed how closely the Streamlight 4aa ProPolymer Luxeon Star light output competes to my "beyond state of the art" custom made, VIP and LH with the BH.

So my question to yall, is this:

What do you think the best value in a LS LED flashlight?

NOT the cheapest, but the best price/performance.

For me, I think the above mentioned Streamlight is one such light.

Its about 30-35 bucks, regulated, runs on 4aa batteries, nice deep aluminum reflector, very nice white light, very nice beam shape, nice penetrating beam, 4 hours of full intensity light output, with 2 more hours of declining light, rear clickie, water resistant, and fits nicely in one hand.

I am sure that there are other lights that fit this catagory.

So what is your vote?

 

[scudinc]

The Costco Luxeons. The aforementioned SL is a very close second.

 

[The_virus]

Of the lights I own, I'd say my Streamlight JR Luxeon is the "best bang for the buck". It has a nice beam that's useable at most distances and runs for about 80 minutes on cheap alkalines before regulation drops off.

I don't own Costco Luxeons, but those look like good deals too. I don't own a MiniMag AA mod either, but as a rival for the SL JR Luxeon I'd say one of the Luxeon Mag mods is a contender.

 

[TrueBlue]

At work I've been asked, "Is that one of your exotic, mega-buck flashlight?"

"Nope, it is a Streamlight ProPolymer with 4AA batteries inside and it is only $30. Haw, haw!"

Now they want to play with my light. And the light is cheap and rugged enough to let them play with it.

The SL light is a "sleeper" light; it is quite a surprise. The Lux I emitter is very bright with a frost-white beam. It runs for a very good time too.

I almost wonder if SL got a batch of super Lux I emitters? The light has to be seen to be believed.

My best bang for the buck is the SL ProPolymer Lux I.

 

[ACMarina]

The QIII is a great light for the money, IMO. A smidgen more expensive, but it's a great light if you win the lotto. .

 

[MaxaBaker]

ANother vote for the QIII here. It's a beauty for the price!

 

[cheapo]

The BEST bang for the buck is the Inova T3, maybe Pelican M6 LED. But you must admit, T3 has some seriouse bang for the buck eh?

-David

 

[UnknownVT]

I vote for the Dorcy 1watt Luxeon 3x AAA that I just got at the low clearance price at Target of $12.48.

It has a deep reflector so the beam is more concentrated the side-spill is less - but not just a hotspot.

Subjectively because it's very white it seems brighter than any of my other LED lights - including the 3watt Luxeon copy MXDL from eBay (on fresh alkaline AAAs)

However my favorite Luxeon type LED is still the S1801 1w Luxeon 1xCR123 from GoldenGadgets.com
at $24.99 + $4 shipping, or save $1 buy from them on eBay.

 

[Ophiuchus]

This won't be popular,but:

UKE 4AA LED
Pelican M6 LED
Streamlight 4AA LED
Splashlite Lux

I know this may not count, but for those with existing MM ,
the Sandwich Shoppe offers true value with many drop-ins with excellent regulation.Also SF KL1 for pre purchase body. I really liked Q3 until battery tube leaked after rainstorm. This only my opinion, no flames please.

 

[enLIGHTenment]

The 4AA Luxeon has the best price/performance tradeoff of any LED light on the market right now.

The Q-III and the T3 aren't even close. The T3 is twice the price of the 4AA, has a higher operating cost, yet offers only slightly better overall output in a smaller form factor. The Q-III is just plain overrated, period.

 

[gorlank]

I love my Q III. Gave out several for Christmas and they were quite a hit.

 

[270winchester]

I don't know how the Q-III is overrated. You can get it for as low as 29 bucks around CPF dealers and it is certainly a jewel for its price, with a R-123 it gives any custom light costing 4-5 times a nice shootout to be in. THen The T3 has one of the best color in Luxeon LED lights I own, and I own quite a few of them. ITs throw is simply spetacular for an LED light of that size.

Now only if Elektrulumens XM3 was still available, I would take that over the Streamlight anyday, and i got it for 40 bucks.

 

[VidPro]

IMO
the best bang for the buck is when you can put 2000+nimhy or li-ion rechargables in it, and reuse the batteries for its lifetime.
like 3-4 Energyzer ni-mhys at 2300ma

 

[pedalinbob]

Another great "bang for the buck" light might be the Gerber LX 3.0.

I think you can get one for ~$40.
Uses 3xAA bats, and has a Luxeon III.
According to Quickbeam, it puts out a LOT of light.

I plan on gettng one soon.

Bob

 

[twentysixtwo]

The Dorcy on clearance from Target great IF you can find it, also it's only 1W. A decently driven 3W will beat it like a rented mule. (MY PT EOS gets spanked by my Q3 with a TWOJ, everything else stock)

I'd probably vote for the Gerber LX 3.0 or a Nuwai QIII

The Q3 is a hair cheaper but not as bright unless you throw a T**J star and a R123 in in it.

 

[sniper]

UK 4AAeLED and Mini Mag with MJLED+clickie.

 

[mccavazos]

I had a Q-III and gave 4 others for gifts, simply put, you just cant get a better deal. EVERY one that i have seen has had a great tint (has anyone recieved a bad tint? if so how bad?). IMO, the Q-III is the best bang you can get for $35 inc shipping.

 

[enLIGHTenment]

The big problem with the Q-III is it's lack of regulation. Cost per hour of useful light is much higher than a regulated light such as the T1. R123As change the scope slightly, of course, as the T1 can't use them.

 

[mccavazos]

yes, the lack of regulation is an annoyance, but no one is claiming it to be the perfect light, its simply just a great bang for the buck. Currently I am EDCing a micra with a twisty and an NG500 running a TW0K, but as soon as my replacement Q-III comes in, i will be edcing that instead. its just cheap enough that i dont stress if i cant find it, it gets the job done, an dits cheap.

 

[DimBeam]

Q-III. I have seen over a dozen of them and the beam and color are always right on.