Favorte generic light?

[kristiancyclist]

I just picked up a 3W no-namer from Harbor Freight for $20. The batteries rattle around a bit and the pattern is kind of splotchy, but it has a very wide beam pattern with a small hot spot in the center. Plenty bright, but not very refined.

I got a 3W no-namer from LED Wholesalers that is sold with a bike mounting kit. It seems to have a more even beam pattern and a bigger center spot. Price is about the same. Much much better.

So what's the top choice for a no-name brand generic light? It seems quality runs one extreme to another.

-- Boris

 

[kramer5150]

All the generic no names I own are on my least favorite list... hardly worth the $$ I have invested.

 

[Flying Turtle]

My favorite generic is one I've mentioned probably too many times already. It's not real bright (1 watt Lux with warm tint), but the optic gives a nice blend. For me the real beauty is its ability to drain a AA and fire up on almost nothing. The light is the Task Force 1AA found at Lowe's for $16. In spite of its outer ugliness I'd probably get another if mine dies.

Geoff

 

[Rusty Joe]

I just picked up a 3W no-namer from Harbor Freight for $20. The batteries rattle around a bit and the pattern is kind of splotchy, but it has a very wide beam pattern with a small hot spot in the center. Plenty bright, but not very refined.

I got a 3W no-namer from LED Wholesalers that is sold with a bike mounting kit. It seems to have a more even beam pattern and a bigger center spot. Price is about the same. Much much better.

So what's the top choice for a no-name brand generic light? It seems quality runs one extreme to another.

-- Boris

My Cabella 120 and 180 lumen lights. They were cheap and will kick the heck out of most big name lights.

 

[Crenshaw]

dorcy 1 AAA...i think its the older version..not sure...

unless you realllly want generic, i think the SL Microstream clone for Dx would be my fav..

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.10683

Crenshaw

 

[ypsifly]

A few weeks ago I bought one of those generic 9 led 3xAAA lights for a dollar at a local hardware store. Funky beam pattern but just enough light for me to go to bed late without waking my GF.

 

[Pima Pants]

Maybe not generic, but that beast of a Husky flashlight at Home Depot is a real monster thrower. I just keep it in my glovebox. It was around $25.00.

I used it one night while going for a walk, thinking that it might make a good impact weapon, but it was just too bright, if that's possible. I didn't need that much light to walk down the street at night. It is more like a powerful police spotlight.

 

[DM51]

The word "generic" in this case is a euphemistic way of saying "copy", or "knock-off", or sometimes even "counterfeit".

A proper use of the term "generic" implies that a patent, copyright or other legal protection has expired, and other manufacturers are free to produce "generic" versions. This happens in (for example) the pharmaceutical industry.

Please bear in mind that discussion of illegal counterfeit items is discouraged, and is unlikely to last very long here.

 

[kramer5150]

My interpretation of the term "generic" means theres no name on it... This is probably incorrect though. I hadn't thought of it implying some degree of cloning and counterfeiting. I don't own any lights that blatantly counterfeit or clone something else. Although my 501B comes close in name.

 

[WadeF]

Generic can mean "any product that can be sold without a brand name"

I have flashlights that have no brand name, they are just generic flashlights. Some examples of generic flashlights I have are fauxtons, multiple LED lights (shower head type LED lights), etc.

My favorite generic light maybe my multi UV LED.

 

[flashlife]

Perhaps it's not "generic" since it has a "Gordon" brand...but then, so does nearly everything at Harbor Freight.

Anyway, the 3.5", 9 LED, 3AAA, black Aluminum critter for $3.99- $7.99, depending on the sale of the day.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=65020

Much more reliable (and heavier) than the $2-$3 9LED lights that seem to be made of old beer can aluminum and never seem to work right out of the package. Great tackle-box light...runs about 2-3 hours before dimming noticeably.

Also, The "Husky" 12 LED, 3AAA light from Home Depot...$6.00.

 

[kristiancyclist]

The word "generic" in this case is a euphemistic way of saying "copy", or "knock-off", or sometimes even "counterfeit".

A proper use of the term "generic" implies that a patent, copyright or other legal protection has expired, and other manufacturers are free to produce "generic" versions. This happens in (for example) the pharmaceutical industry.

Please bear in mind that discussion of illegal counterfeit items is discouraged, and is unlikely to last very long here.

Sorry, I didn't mean to ruffle feathers here.

I did not mean to imply that I am referencing illegal knock offs of legitimate products that are protected by patents, trademarks, or copyrights.

Maybe I should have used the term "no name brands"... the stuff that is OEM'ed, made in China, available to anyone without having to break the law to buy one, and doesn't have any identifying brand markings on it.

-- Boris

 

[DM51]

Sorry, I didn't mean to ruffle feathers here.

I did not mean to imply that I am referencing illegal knock offs of legitimate products that are protected by patents, trademarks, or copyrights.

Maybe I should have used the term "no name brands"... the stuff that is OEM'ed, made in China, available to anyone without having to break the law to buy one, and doesn't have any identifying brand markings on it.

Thanks for that very good clarification, and in response I did not mean to accuse you in any way - I'm sorry if it sounded like that. My purpose was to draw attention to the potential difficulties of discussions of copies (and especially counterfeits). In the context of flashlights the word "generic" has unfortunately been used in the past where "counterfeit" would have been more accurate. Threads on this have turned sour before, and it would be preferable if this one remained within the rules. It is fine so far.

WadeF's definition of "generic" is a valid one and it is clear this is what you are talking about here.

 

[shakeylegs]

Generic or not, the Ultrafire C2 is one of my most favorite lights. Easy to mod and reasonably well made, it currently sports a direct drive P7. A very BIG pocket sized flood.

 

[kristiancyclist]

It seems that most have been satisfied (if not impressed) with their no-name brand lights. What is the cost/value ratio compared to a big name brand light? Is a no-name brand something like 20% of the cost but provides 80% of the value? And getting a branded light costs the extra 80% but only gives an additional 20% value?

-- Boris

 

[flashlife]

It seems that most have been satisfied (if not impressed) with their no-name brand lights. What is the cost/value ratio compared to a big name brand light? Is a no-name brand something like 20% of the cost but provides 80% of the value? And getting a branded light costs the extra 80% but only gives an additional 20% value?

-- Boris

That's a hard calculation to make. If you get a good 'no-name' then it can replace some big-name lights for some tasks...maybe many tasks, and then your 20%-cost-for-80%-value is correct.

That said, the real issue to my mind is RISK...will you get a good one? I've bought many no-names (read cheap, 'Made in China') that were dead out of the box.
These were usually local brick-and-mortar store buys, and for the ones who I got all the way home with before discovering their demise, sometimes a little fiddling with the contacts solved the problem. Sometimes not...these became "parts" for cannibalizing to do other mods.
Now I NEVER buy a no-name online, and NEVER leave the parking lot without trying it 1st.
If it's dead in the parking lot, it goes right back into the store...short walk.

I'd never spring for a high $$ no-name, especially online, from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, etc...the customer-service, return, warantee hassle isn't worth it.

Even with semi-name products, if your $$ is valuable to you, then do a lot of online research 1st, read reviews, etc before you decide to spring...

Also, realize that there are a lot of "collectors". There are lots of folks who insist on that multi mode, whizz-bang, titanium, 15 minute runtime, bright as a super-nova, $300 big-name flashlight...when a $25 River Rock from Target
might light-the-sidewalk just as well...but doesn't have the Gee-Whiz factor.

 

[rala]

Generic or not, the Ultrafire C2 is one of my most favorite lights.

+1. I carry a UF C2 along side a SF 6P and UF WF-602d for my light days at work. I always go to the C2 first and have never had any problems. I've beat that light to hell and it keeps going. Sometimes I have to holster it just so the other lights get some play.

 

[hyperloop]

+1. I carry a UF C2 along side a SF 6P and UF WF-602d for my light days at work. I always go to the C2 first and have never had any problems. I've beat that light to hell and it keeps going. Sometimes I have to holster it just so the other lights get some play.

+1 for my Ultrafire C3. I guess mine gets a beating cos it didnt cost as much as my Jet III Pro ST so I'm more free with it. Will toss it to a friend to use as compared to walking over and lighting up what he wants to see if its my Jet III at stake.

 

[bspofford]

HA-III Cree R2-WC 250-Lumen 5-Mode Memory LED Flashlight (2*CR123A/1*18650) @ DX for about $25. I like HAIII P60 lights, and this is a really nice compact generic light that is as nice as brand name lights costing two or three times as much.

 

[rala]

+1 for my Ultrafire C3.

That one too. I don't know how I forgot about the C3. I remember when I first got it. I was playing with it the night it arrived and fell asleep with it in hand. When I woke in the morning, I was still grasping it. Even after the misses told me I tossed and turned all night, I never let it go.