Best Flashlight under $15O

[Vortus]

Great forums, and an incredible amount of information. Heh, didn't even realize an entire hobby was dedicated to building a better flashlight till I started to see what else was out there after a security guard buddy of mine talked about his pelican light. So I started looking online, read about the ROP, which lead me here. Not sure I am ready to mod one yet, so prefer to just buy here a nice reliable one. I have alot more reading to do before I mess with that.

We are looking for my wife. She has been using assorted models of spot lights (1-2 million CP $30-$40 lights) and lanterns (the cheap floating kind with the big square battery) for the throw (as I have learned from here). We also have a few mag lights, older 2D and a a couple bigger ones. The main problem with all of them is durability. The spots/lanterns last about a month or two, mag lights don't reach where she wants them to, and they tend to go out easy. I have seen some very nice ones here, but generally what we like is either too much, or they seem to small. She like's the size of the mag light 2D, and the beam of the spots/lanterns. It gives her a small club for a bit of extra protection. The beam needs to be strong at 87 feet, where our shed is, and to be able to see into the brush along the the back of our property (about 50 feet) to make sure there are no critters out before she walks the dogs in the evening. Not much fun when they catch something. Heh, or to stop a few of them from digging when they think she cannot see them.

Thanks for your time
Marc

 

[TooManyGizmos]

Sorry .................. there is no "best" light .

You have to make a decision based on your personal needs.

There are too many for us to list .
.

 

[Niconical]

$150 ?

This.

And this.

And this.

The Mrs now has a flashlight that will beat anything you've had before, and will last many years.

:)

 

[Justin13]

Re: Best Flashlight under $150

My "stable" of under $150...

4Sevens Mini123
Surefire G2
Surefire E2D
Surefire E2D-L
Surefire E1B
Fenix TK11 R2
EagleTac T20C2 Mark II OP reflector


I love the E2D-L and the EagleTac T20C2 Mark II.

TK11 is nice, but not my top chioce.

4Sevens Mini123 is the most fun. People love it when they see it.


FYI - I was in the same boat as you. My yard in Westchester is 100' X 125' and wasn't lit. My 2 dogs and I got sprayed by a skunk one evening...

3 days later, I had the place lit like Yankee Stadium by an electrician. It wasnt much more than these lights cost, super bright (6 @ 90 watt floods), its permanent, and never runs out of power. Something to think about.

 

[carrot]

Re: Best Flashlight under $150

Try a Tigerlight.

 

[John_Galt]

For a thrower type light, I would suggest you look at the TK30 or TK40 from Fenix. Both are pretty good throwers, and should easily out-thrpw any maglite.

I would personally take a look at the TK40, as rechargeable Ni-MH AA's are a lot easier, cheaper and safer to use than Li-ion (rechargeable Lithium cells).

Though the TK30 may be easier to use, with a simpler UI (three modes, quickly choose-able, and fewer outputs).

If you are interested in using Li-ion batteries, make sure you take a gander through the batteries sub forum.

 

[was.lost.but.now.found]

+1 on the TK40.

It meets all the requirements; 87 feet is an EASY task for the light; even in an urban area with lots of ambient night time light it will still be very concentrated and bright at 100 yards. Plus if you don't like the UI then just leave it on high (it remembers the last mode). One press on. One press off. One press on. One press off. Very easy if you want it to be.

Quite simply, it will amaze you the first turn it on high outside at night. Like others said just make sure to get quality low self discharge AAs for it. I have Rayovac Hybrids in mine and they do fine. Many here favor the Sanyo Eneloops whish are considered the best.

:welcome:

 

[anonymoususer]

I like the TK40 recommendation... But also consider the TK30.

My suggestion is a quite a bit smaller than your preferred size of a 2D Mag but bigger is not always better especially in your situation which isn't very demanding.

Surefire 6P
Bored to fit a 18650 cell
CustomLites/Nailbender SST-50 drop-in 3 mode regulated
McClicky switch
XenoLED/TacticalHID stainless strike bezel since you mention protection

Just a tad more than your limit of $150. On high this would easily light up your shed 87 ft away. Then you can switch it to medium/low for walking the dog and extended use. And the smaller form factor would allow you to carry it more often.

 

[Saint_Dogbert]

Simple is better. Buy a Quark AA^2 Turbo, some nice eneloops and a charger. This light set-up will reach 90 feet no problem. I recommend the Maha C9000 charger - a good investment.

I think lights like the TK30/40 are overkill x1000 for the OPs stated requirements - not to mention the complexity of that many AAs and the remote but existing risks posed by li-ions or lithium primaries. Similarly, this stuff about bored-out 6Ps and 18650 batts might be a little bit too much too soon.

As far as defense goes, a bright flashlight and some well-soled shoes may be the smartest option. Also, a light the size of the Quark Turbo could easily serve as an impact weapon with the right training - I'd say a even a 2D maglite would not be any more effective if the person wielding it doesn't know what they are doing.

 

[Vortus]

Thanks for pointing us in the right direction. Time for some more research now. I know from the pictures I have seen here that often a light no bigger than a few C or D batteries puts out more than most lights I have ever seen. I have a feeling yall will be getting me in trouble with the wife as another collection starts to grow.


Skunks, Rabbits and Possum are the most common. Though once we had a couple of coyote's. Thankfully they ran instead of standing their ground. That would have been an expensive vet bill.

 

[was.lost.but.now.found]

I like the TK40 recommendation... But also consider the TK30.

My suggestion is a quite a bit smaller than your preferred size of a 2D Mag but bigger is not always better especially in your situation which isn't very demanding.

Surefire 6P
Bored to fit a 18650 cell
CustomLites/Nailbender SST-50 drop-in 3 mode regulated
McClicky switch
XenoLED/TacticalHID stainless strike bezel since you mention protection

Just a tad more than your limit of $150. On high this would easily light up your shed 87 ft away. Then you can switch it to medium/low for walking the dog and extended use. And the smaller form factor would allow you to carry it more often.

I can't speak for others, but had you responded to my first post with that when I came here 1.5 years ago I probably would have said "What???"

 

[Vortus]

Well, after looking through all of the one's listed and a few others, she decided on the EagleTac P20C2. Liked it a bit more that the T20 though its a little smaller. Thank you all for the assist, looking forward to seeing this in action for ourselves.

 

[anonymoususer]

Simple is better. Buy a Quark AA^2 Turbo, some nice eneloops and a charger. This light set-up will reach 90 feet no problem. I recommend the Maha C9000 charger - a good investment.

I think lights like the TK30/40 are overkill x1000 for the OPs stated requirements - not to mention the complexity of that many AAs and the remote but existing risks posed by li-ions or lithium primaries. Similarly, this stuff about bored-out 6Ps and 18650 batts might be a little bit too much too soon.

As far as defense goes, a bright flashlight and some well-soled shoes may be the smartest option. Also, a light the size of the Quark Turbo could easily serve as an impact weapon with the right training - I'd say a even a 2D maglite would not be any more effective if the person wielding it doesn't know what they are doing.

The TK30/40's were mentioned because the OP stated he prefers a Mag 2D size.

 

[Saint_Dogbert]

The TK30/40's were mentioned because the OP stated he prefers a Mag 2D size.

I know - that's is why I explained why a larger light might not be necessary.

Of course, one thing that hasn't been mentioned is a Malkoff dropin for maglite! I'd completely forgotten about those. :ohgeez:That would be using exactly the form factor desired, and it would be stinkin' bright and throw far to boot.

Link to Malkoff drop-in

Link deleted as per the banner at the top of the page - Norm

 

[carrot]

Re: Best Flashlight under $150

Try a Tigerlight.

I fear my recommendation for the OP's perfect light may get lost under a sea of TK40's so here is my recommendation again.

Try a Tigerlight for the wife. And for yourself.

It will provide the tight hotspot you require. It will also be bright, rechargeable, durable, reliable and most of all for the wife you can get a model that includes pepper spray. One of our very own moderators here has done significant work in developing them.

 

[Vortus]

At first we we decided on the EagleTac P20C2, but changed to the T20C2 MKII when we noticed it was a bit bigger. Along with an 18650 and a charger from iluminationGear who's ad I saw on CPF. Plus he responded fast to a message I sent late fri evening. Figured I would here from them Sat or Mon, but responded late that evening so I am impressed so far.

tbh, they were all very nice, we will likely be replacing our other lights over time with ones from the list and giving our others as "gifts" to friends and family. Heh, or maybe here there is some sort of motto where friends don't let friends light junk. We will likely get an Tigerlight next, and that Malkoff drop in looks like a good first, simple project.


Thanks Ill add my .two cents worth when it gets here.

 

[jhc37013]

Good choice they are nicely made lights, very bright with good accessories. Did you order a smooth reflector or a textured reflector?

 

[Vortus]

We went with the the orange peel version. Not quite the option list as with the older model, but do not think we need most, if any of that stuff. Heh, at least not yet anyway.

 

[TKC]

For lights under $150, I am personally partial to Sure Fire.

 

[mbw_151]

I second the suggestion of a Malkoff drop in. You've got some 2D and larger Mags already and she likes the size. A Malkoff LED replacement module improves the output and the durability over the weak and fragile bulb that is in there now. The difference can only be described as stunning. You can upgrade a couple of lights for the budget you propose.