First flashlight - $60 limit

techboy10

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Aug 19, 2008
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12
I'm looking for a good first flashlight. I'm willing to spend up to $60 and am looking for a good all-purpose flashlight with good spill and throw. LED is also preferable, but not mandatory. I'm looking at the Fenix P3D Q5 but I was wondering if anyone here has some suggestions of other good flashlights around this price range.


Thanks a bunch.
 
Welcome to CPF my friend.

What you need is a Surefire 6P. This being your first light, and you having a decent budget for it -- do it right the first time and you will not be disappointed.

The Surefire 6P can be had for about $60 -- even less if you troll ebay for a better deal. The upgrade options are almost limitless when you have more money in the future and want a brighter light, and the reliability is top notch.

Also you'll have a lifetime warranty from a company that will replace most parts no questions asked.

LED drop-ins for the 6P can be had for $10 up to $55 for a Malkoff (the holy grail of all drop-ins!)

My 2 cents.
 
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From what little you told us of your needs and desires in your flashlights, if I were you I would instead get a L2D-CE (instead of P3D Q5). This light uses the standard AA battery, so also purchase 4 of the Duracell LSD batteries, and you will be good to go.
https://www.fenix-store.com/product_info.php?cPath=58&products_id=407
This excellent light (now discontinued-so you need to move fast) is currently on clearance at the Fenix Store for $41.46 , and with your "CPF8" 8% discount, that price I believe is now $38.14 shipped.


Take the money you save, and also get a Fenix E01 for your pocket.
https://www.fenix-store.com/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=444

If I did the math right, that is two great lights for $52
 
I'm looking for a good first flashlight. I'm willing to spend up to $60 and am looking for a good all-purpose flashlight with good spill and throw. LED is also preferable, but not mandatory. I'm looking at the Fenix P3D Q5 but I was wondering if anyone here has some suggestions of other good flashlights around this price range.


Thanks a bunch.
SureFire G2, 6P, Inova T1, T2 or any EagleTac.

Welcome to CPF!
 
To techboy10 --


Welcome to CandlePowerForums !


:welcome:




Gee . . . .


You've been a CPF member for 7 months now,

and you've STILL yet to buy yer' First Flashlight ? ? ?


:confused:



What are we doing Wrong !


:)

_
 
I just got a ITP C6R- OP reflector Q5, its 230 Lumens AND I love it, the adjustable output is from 6Lumens to 230Lumens, also feels great in your hand and comes with a holster, for just under 60 bucks, sweet!! I believe Shinning Beam and a few other places have them in stock, goodluck and enjoy/B]
 
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Nice choice. The P3D Q5 was the first light I bought after joining CPF. The brightness settings are just right for almost any task. Efficiency is about the best you can get. The only problem is that it doesn't take regular, cheap batteries. After I bought my P3D, I had to buy an L2D Q5. It is the best general purpose light made. It's very flexible. It takes alkalines, lithiums, or rechargeables. With L1D and P2D bodies and a P2D tailcap, you can use it as a 1AA, 2AA, or 1CR123A light. Take your pick, but eventually, you're going to want both.
 
Yes definetly consider the nitecore d10 or d20. they run on easy to find AA's and has infinite brightness settings. I have the d10 and use it everyday. the pocket comes in handy too, but you have to buy it seperately.
 
I think the Nitecore D10/20 and Fenix P3D (or P2D) are good suggestions. The D10 and P2D are both EDC sized, the D10 having the advantage of using AA cells, while the P2D uses a CR123 but has a brighter high (if that's important).

The 6P is great, but a bit big and heavy to carry in your pocket IMO, and doesn't come with a low setting, so maybe not such a good 'all rounder'.
 
Another vote for the Nitecore D10 + pocket clip. I picked mine up almost 2 months ago now and I love it. It goes everywhere with me, and best of all it uses standard AA batteries. (I use eneloops)
 
Photon Proton Pro could be an option worth looking at too. Not as bright as some of the options, but its got its own advantages to balance that out.
 
Welcome to CPF, techboy. I like the suggestions for such lights as the L2D, Proton Pro, and the Nitecore D10/20 for AA options. The P3D or P2D would be good CR123 battery lights if you really want to use this type. But, for this battery I've got to suggest the LiteFlux LF3XT for possibly the best use of $60. There's tons of info about it in the LED and Reviews sections if you're interested.

Geoff
 
+1 on the AA options.

Since you are working to a fairly tight budget, you'll find the running costs on AAs much more manageable than 123s.

ProtonPro and the D10 are both good picks.
 
I'd immediately go for the Fenix L2D - but living in Germany, having no Paypal-account and seeing this price (average prices here are nearly two times as high) I only get into rage :awman:.

If money isn't all for you, I'd recommend the Fenix TK20. I can tell you from my own experiences that it's a great light for beginners. Not complicated at all. Good throw and an absolutely beautiful tint :thumbsup:
 
I'd start with a Surefire 6P as well. You can get one off BST here or ebay in the $40-50 range, then buy a cheap drop-in from china for another $10.

Once you realize that you want a malkoff drop-in for another $55, you are already hooked and have a great light to use until you are ready to spend the extra dough.

I bought 6P's for a group of my friends and tried to get them to research and upgrade them on their own... I think one out of 3 actually bought a drop-in, and the others are all happy with them in the stock configuration. YMMV.
 
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