good led light to leave in car?

[gnef]

I was wondering what a decent, cheap led light would be to leave in the car for emergencies or when necessary? I wanted it to be a cr123a because of their shelf time. I was thinking maybe an inova x5? sorry if this has been asked before, i did a search and couldn't find anything. The price for the x5 would be my price range, anything cheaper that runs on hopefully 2xcr123a batteries that is decent?

-Gnef

 

[X33]

I think there must be a few lights around to fit your purpose. I really started to like the Inova 24/7. With the accessories pack you will get a head band, a magnetic swivel mount and other stuff to keep your hands free whilst working on your car. It runs of one 123CR lithium for 6 hours at the brightest setting IIRC. You could just keep spare cells around. It also features signal flashing modes galore, incl red and yellow strobe.
The X5 would also be a good choice. I just like all the additional features of the 24/7 for almost the same price.
Check out www.flashlightreviews.com for more lights and reviews.

 

[enLIGHTenment]

Inova T2 would be a better choice than the X5. 2xCR123A with much more light than an X5 and a five hour, fully regulated, runtime.

If that's out of your budget, look at the cheapie 8 LED 1xAA and 2xAA lights on Ebay. Runtime is 5-7 hours. They will tolerate lithium AAs but there's little reason to bother using them as good quality alkalines have a 10 year shelf life anyway. These lights are dimmer than the X5 but cost a lot less are good enough for close-range work and signalling.

I EDC the 1xAA version linked above.

 

[PhantomZ]

i agree the T2 is brighter but it has a shorter runtime. T2 is 5 hours and X5 is 20 hours. i keep the X5 in my car cause i prefer having more flood (X5) then spot (T2). plus the X5 is cheaper. i'll have to note though that i dont own a T2 but i do have a T1. the T2 has a handy clicky where as the X5 is a twist tailcap.

 

[KevinL]

*furiously backpedaling*

Missed one word in your requirements otherwise the standard 'Surefire G2' ($30) reply was coming.. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

But if you do decide to add an incandescent, it'll do the job at the price level you're looking at. Sometimes the extra power is nice.

 

[notrefined]

if you can pick up a used XM-2, well, that would be very nice. But the nightcutter 5-led model is another option in your price range that I've come to adore /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[hsjrev]

AA Minimag $9 from Walmart
MJLED $6 from Lamba or Sandwich shoppe
lithium AA's from Walmart have same shelf life as cr123's

That's what I have in the glove box of my Miata. I keep a 3C Mag with an everled in the truck but I use it pretty often so shelf life is not an issue.

 

[gnef]

The reason why i wanted led was for the durability and longevity. This will be a light that i most likely won't be using day to day, but i want to make sure it will work, even if i don't use it for a couple of years.

I was unaware that alkalines had a 10 year shelf life as well - i just remember the flashlight my dad kept in our minivan when i was a kid, and when i tried to use it one time, it was dead. I figure since i'm already going to buy a cr123a flashlight, i might as well get another one and buy more batteries that can fit both.

yea, i've been reading a lot of reviews at flaghlightreview.com as well as the led museum. it's just that they have so many that it's difficult for me to find all the flashlights that fit what i would like. That's why I apreciate this forum, so i can hear what others are using themselves and recommend to me.

thanks!

-Gnef

 

[sithjedi333]

how about a HEADLAMP? if you have to work on your car, chances are, you'll want both hands free.

 

[BatteryCharger]

I recently got one of the ebay 12 LED AA lights, I'm going to buy another to keep in my truck. For close up work it's hard to beat, and dirt cheap. With a lithium AA it will run roughly 10 hours at full brightness...probably for days at low levels. I took a dead battery out of a clock that was no longer keeping time in my light, it ran for 18 hours with enough light to read by! Also I think an AA light is best for emergencies, since AAs are so common. You can take a set out of just about anything...

 

[leukos]

I would highly recommend the Streamlight TwinTask 2L. There are sometimes when looking under the hood that you will need the power of an incandescent. There is the LED option for long life and it runs on 2 CR123a's. And it is only about $30. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[DimBeam]

[ QUOTE ]
leukos said:
I would highly recommend the Streamlight TwinTask 2L. There are sometimes when looking under the hood that you will need the power of an incandescent. There is the LED option for long life and it runs on 2 CR123a's. And it is only about $30. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I was going to say that or even cheaper the one cell 1L.

 

[AlanS]

Do lithium batteries do better than alkalines at surviving car interior temperatures throughout hot summers?

 

[ACMarina]

Yes, Lithium cells are much more temperature relaxed than Alkaline cells. .

 

[notrefined]

an alkaline battery may last ten years at room temperature, BUT....the lithium will work better in extreme cold (like leaving it in the trunk in the dead of winter), and is less likely to leak and destroy your flashlight in extreme heat (like leaving it inside a car during the summer).

 

[rgc]

I think your first choice of the X5 is a great one.

rgc

 

[chmsam]

One big thing to consider is that if the car breaks down by the side of the road at night on a dark road, you want a bright light so as to be seen, not just to see . Remember, it's your butt out there in the dark. As much as I love my LED's (mine run at up to a healthy 5 watts, BTW), if I want to be seen, I'll go to one of my back up G2's.

 

[greenLED]

I have an Inova 24/7 in my car. It has multiple modes, including strobes, which is the reason I have it in the car. I also have a couple of spares just in case. If I really had to work on my car out on the road, it'd be nice to have a headlamp, though, in addition to the 24/7.

 

[AlanS]

Even though I love the X5, if you were to buy just one light for your car, the Inova 24/7 with accessory kit gets my vote. I find its low power setting to be handy for map reading without disturbing the driver, high power to be sufficient for a casual hike, and there are the various pulse and strobe options in case of a breakdown.

As budget permits, I would then add an XO3 or T3 so that you've got a powerful spotlight with which to read street signs or flag down a patrol car.

My 2¢...

 

[SIG]

I suggest the Costco AA Luxeon flashlight with AA lithiums...

The LED headlamp suggestion is also a great idea if you need to change a flat tire, etc.