flashlights for mom and dad

[gianetics]

hey everyone im looking for a flashlight or two for the parents. my dad was using my mt26 and was pretty impressed with the output(not a flashlight guy) so i figured ill get my parents a flashlight or two. they are here on vacation and and will be returning to Sicily in a few months so i want to stick to multiple AA form factor either a 2xAA or 4XAA. my dad wont go for rechargeables either. i was thinking the D&M r20A from sunwayman, my only complaints is there are too many modes and i would prefer a higher high. im looking for:

lumens: higher the better
size : doesn't matter
price : $60 (or 2X30)
UI : simple as possible 2-3 modes (no moonlight needed but i good low for power outages ect and a wow you friends high)
other : tailstanding is a important


4XAA seem ideal but all of them have complicated UI like the nitecore, eagletac, swm ect. hows the ui on the fenix LD41? IM not opposed to a DX.com lights since my parents will prob only use them a few times a year.

 

[gravelmonkey]

hey everyone im looking for a flashlight or two for the parents. my dad was using my mt26 and was pretty impressed with the output(not a flashlight guy) so i figured ill get my parents a flashlight or two. they are here on vacation and and will be returning to Sicily in a few months so i want to stick to multiple AA form factor either a 2xAA or 4XAA. my dad wont go for rechargeables either. i was thinking the D&M r20A from sunwayman, my only complaints is there are too many modes and i would prefer a higher high. im looking for:

lumens: higher the better
size : doesn't matter
price : $60 (or 2X30)
UI : simple as possible 2-3 modes (no moonlight needed but i good low for power outages ect and a wow you friends high)
other : tailstanding is a important


4XAA seem ideal but all of them have complicated UI like the nitecore, eagletac, swm ect. hows the ui on the fenix LD41? IM not opposed to a DX.com lights since my parents will prob only use them a few times a year.

When I was looking for lights for my folks, I ended up deciding that if they can't figure out how to change modes, a 'useful' amount of light is better than a] None, b] too little or c] too much (short battery life). I ended up going with a Fenix E21 for their car (with lithium AA's). 'Only' 135lm on high but runs for ~2h, and 50lm on low for ~10h. It's head twist hi-lo style UI is about as simple as it gets, even if they can't/don't/won't remember, both settings should be acceptable for most situations.

If you're keeping the budget down, a Fenix E40 might be sufficient, the high is a little less than you probably want, but you retain good runtimes (~3h) even if it's run at full wack.

For complete simplicity, you could go with a 2AA minimag pro.

Happy flashlight hunting!

Edit to add: If they're not getting used much, splash out for some lithium AA's for whatever lights you get them- they don't leak and have a much better shelf life than alkalines.

 

[gianetics]

i was thinking the same at first but i already have some mini mags i could give them i was just looking for something that would be unique for them as well. something they have not heard of.

 

[Torpedo]

Maybe a Fenix e25....simple ui and around 35 bucks.

 

[mcnair55]

Fenix E11 is more than enough for a decent light,simple ui job is done.

 

[gianetics]

thanks guys im thinking of going with the klarus p2a two modes bright simple. now looking at the e25 and im a little torn. might have to get both:)

 

[JohnGribbin]

I think the e25 is a focus light. Do u like that type?

 

[mcnair55]

thanks guys im thinking of going with the klarus p2a two modes bright simple. now looking at the e25 and im a little torn. might have to get both:)

Tough decision,buy one of each and let your mum and dad decide which is best lol.

I think the e25 is a focus light. Do u like that type?

Not a focus light.

 

[ozzie_c_cobblepot]

The concept of "lendability" is very interesting to me - and it seems to be at the core of your post. If you gift a light, or if you are OK lending it, then it really needs to be so simple that people don't realize they're using something too different from a Duracell D light that everybody grew up with. The best light for this purpose is one that takes _zero_ instructions for someone to be able to use it. Thinking a side switch, with single click on and single click off. If people grew up also with Maglites, then maybe a twist on/twist off is OK to lend or gift. But the variety of UIs available make for some interesting non-lendable lights.

Curious as to what you eventually chose.

hey everyone im looking for a flashlight or two for the parents. my dad was using my mt26 and was pretty impressed with the output(not a flashlight guy) so i figured ill get my parents a flashlight or two. they are here on vacation and and will be returning to Sicily in a few months so i want to stick to multiple AA form factor either a 2xAA or 4XAA. my dad wont go for rechargeables either. i was thinking the D&M r20A from sunwayman, my only complaints is there are too many modes and i would prefer a higher high. im looking for:

lumens: higher the better
size : doesn't matter
price : $60 (or 2X30)
UI : simple as possible 2-3 modes (no moonlight needed but i good low for power outages ect and a wow you friends high)
other : tailstanding is a important


4XAA seem ideal but all of them have complicated UI like the nitecore, eagletac, swm ect. hows the ui on the fenix LD41? IM not opposed to a DX.com lights since my parents will prob only use them a few times a year.

 

[StarHalo]

I would advise against any modes at all; older folk just bought whatever was on the store shelf that had an on/off switch, anything more complicated is usually passed over in favor of something more familiar. And I wouldn't worry about the loss of low modes, older eyes need and appreciate more lumens. Go with the Maglite 2D PRO, 270+ lumens, 12+ hour runtime, same old on/off switch, ~$30.

 

[dml24]

The Fenix E21 and E25 are similar in price and have excellent low lument runtimes for power outages.
Fenix's LD22, cost a little more, has 4 simple to access modes, turbo is 215 lumens, low is 3 lumens and can run 150 hours with fresh batteries. Low is 50 lumens available for 14 hours. All these can run on 2 AA lithium batteries.

The E25 has a side switch that one must hold in for about a second before the light turns on. The same switch cycles through the modes and the E25 has memory so it will turn on in the last mode used.

Jetbeam's PA20 is an EDC-sized flashlight running the CREE XP-G R5 LED, Maximum output of 230 lumens, Maximum runtime on low of up to 252 hours. The Jetbeam is more expensive but the higher output and long low lumen runtime could appeal.
Most LED lights that meet the requirements you use will require you teaching your parents the interface of the light. Good reason to get both parents the type of light.

Emphasize to your non-rechargeable battery dad, not to use cheap alkaline batteries. They will leak eventually and ruin the light. Lithium's cost more, but have a long shelf life and never leak.