help me navigate DX for some solid family lights

[tubed]

*(not sure if this belongs on the Rec Me a light Forum or this one)*
I've recently begun changing to high quality LED lights for myself and now want to get rid of the 20 or so old cheap incan junk i have filling my house. I need some solid but inexpensive lights for my wife and kids to have available, a light for the cars etc. Since these lights will rarely be used, and may get lost, I want some that are inexpensive but I don't want to throw my money away.
I was on Deal Extreme and all I can say is Wow. there must be 500 lights under $30.
Can anyone recomend a light from all that. Here are my general criteria
1. $15 or less
2. simple UI - one to three modes
3. side switch if possible
4. not too small - this group is used to the old 2 D size flashlights
5. some decent dependablility
6. maybe around 80 - 100 lumen max (happy to go higher)
Thanks

 

[ragweed]

I would stay clear of the DX site if I were you. Unless you want to throw money away. I have read too many horror stories about the DX site but, you can do what you want. JMO

 

[deadrx7conv]

Replace the bulbs in your ol' flashlights with LEDs.

 

[tubed]

Replace the bulbs in your ol' flashlights with LEDs.

good advice, I think, but i am not electronically inclined. the one that looks the easiest to modify is a 3 C maglite. How do I go about changing that?

 

[Tegan's Dad]

I've had pretty good luck with DX myself, but have only made 2 orders there so that doesn't say a whole lot. I don't typically see a lot of larger lights there though so I would expect everyone would have to get used to the smaller ones. If you were to shop there, I would recommend the Sipik SK68. That's typically regarded as a pretty good "cheap" light, and uses 1xAA. I keep one in every car with a lithium primary AA (Energizer advanced lithium) to better handle the temperature range.

I have also picked up a Trustfire Z1, and an Ultrafire C3 there. The Trustfire is a fun one, and has worked great. I had an issue on the C3 with a loose tailcap switch that worked fine after tightening. The Z1 uses CR123, and the C3 is a 1xAA.

Take a look at shining beam too and see what they have for cheaper lights. I got a Romissen from there and really like it. The service is going to be much better than DX as well.

As far as the Mag goes, there are some drop-ins from Terralux (TLE-6EXB) that will fit in the 3C mag the same as replacing a burned out incan bulb.

 

[tubed]

thanks,
Yeah, i feel like it's probably a bit of russian roulette with the ultra low price knock offs .....but they're so inexpensive and some are really quite powerful and look ok. I might roll the dice on some.

 

[tubed]

Take a look at shining beam too and see what they have for cheaper lights. I got a Romissen from there and really like it. The service is going to be much better than DX as well..

i just checked out Shiningbeam. Looks a little saner. saw this light.
[h=1]Romisen RC-G2 II NW Neutral White XP-G R4 Flashlight "Black" (1xAA) [/h]It's $18 - single mode maybe 140 lumens. Anyone know anything about it? Shiningbeam is very, very sparse on info on their lights.

 

[ragweed]

I have one & really like it a lot! Brian at S-B is a good guy to deal with. I have 3 lights (Romisen) from him & they all work great. Give Brian an email with your questions, he usually gets back to you within a few hours.

 

[deadrx7conv]

good advice, I think, but i am not electronically inclined. the one that looks the easiest to modify is a 3 C maglite. How do I go about changing that?

Any flashlight with a PR bulb can get a simple 'bulb' swap with a PR drop-in. You don't need to be electronically inclined to change a light bulb.

Malkoff makes a drop in for the 3c Maglite. I'm using the Malkoff in my 3D and am very happy with it.

For my 10-30 year old flashlights, I have a mishmash of various PR drop-ins, conversions..... swapped in over the years: Terralux, NiteIze, Dorcy, Tektite, SuperbrightLEDs, Fusion36.... are some to choose from.

 

[gcbryan]

If you are going to try a few lights from DX (not a bad idea given the low prices) you are going to have to forget about 2D, side switches, and modes without strobe. That's not what you get from DX.

You get 18650, 3 mode with strobe and tail switches (for the most part).

 

[bedazzLED]

+1 for shiningbeam for good, solid lights at a great price, and great customer service.

If you are intent on going down the DX path, be prepared for L...O...N...G waiting times (in some cases, try months!). If you still want to hit the DX path, can I suggest you try manafont instead. There is a good variety of lights, the customer service is good, and delivery times are much better than DX just from personal experience.

 

[Quest4fire]

I have one & really like it a lot! Brian at S-B is a good guy to deal with. I have 3 lights (Romisen) from him & they all work great. Give Brian an email with your questions, he usually gets back to you within a few hours.

Yep. Brian is a better route to go than DX. Especially if you are not electronically inclined. I buy from Dealextreme (Usually modding supplies) only when I intend to modify/improve the flashlight I'm buying. Sometimes a repair is needed as well. Not to mention waiting a month for your new toys, only to untape all that popped bubble wrap and discover your item is DOA. Talk about a buzzkill. Brian will give you real quality at an affordable price shipped quickly. Here is his website.

 

[tubed]

yes, at this point i think i'm done with Deal Extreme. Shining beam sounds like a better place and i think i can find what i'm looking for there.
If anyone else knows of a decent, general use flashlight for around $15 or less. chime in.