I Have TOO Many Flashlights
- Thread starter Orion
- Start date
Help Support Candle Power Flashlight Forum
We can offer two kinds of help: encouragement to buy even more, or buying some of them if you list them for sale here on CPF.
I already tried the "sell here" thing, and it didn't pan out very well. I didn't wanna just 'give them away'. But in all seriousness, one of the new lights is for my niece, because it is pink. Another was a copy of a light I already have, but it was really cheap. Another is to replace a pocket light with a flood style beam. One is because I liked the way the XHP70.2 looked in the stippled reflector. Another was due to the neat lime green body.
I know what you mean
I have had lights, over the years, that some here have been interested in
When I tried to get an idea of what the value might be (as I also am not just going to "give them away"), I was informed that wasn't allowed
What amazes me is that as a firearms owner and collector, you can discuss the value of firearms on any/all of the various sites involving firearms, at least the ones that I am involved on
What exactly makes flashlights so different, that we are unable to discuss what their value is here?
Totally ridiculous
I'm on a lot of message boards for guns, knives, tools, whatever that have strict rules about discussing value so it's not unique to CPF. I don't really agree with that, but I also see how it can either be too subjective to be useful or even go completely sideways with impromptu auctions that turn into a free for all/evade membership rules. Although I've talked about value on CPF and no one's told me to shut up.
As far as flashlights, inexpensive modern commodity brands don't hold resale value that well anywhere. If you're on an enthusiast forum chances are most people know where to get the deals already. If you want a baseline reference, eBay lets you track the last three years of successful sales. Then subtract ~15% for fees to know what sellers are actually taking home.
As far as flashlights, inexpensive modern commodity brands don't hold resale value that well anywhere. If you're on an enthusiast forum chances are most people know where to get the deals already. If you want a baseline reference, eBay lets you track the last three years of successful sales. Then subtract ~15% for fees to know what sellers are actually taking home.
Yeah. The sale aspect is just a small part of my "too many flashlights" comment. I recently picked up an Astrolux FT02S, from a business in China, and did not like it. The problem is trying to send something like that back can be problematic. But if I were to put it up for sale here, it wouldn't draw interest, most likely. So I'll just be stuck with it. It's why I have too many flashlights.
Toulouse42
Enlightened
Relax. You're not hurting anyone. Enjoy your hobby guilt free.
3_gun
Enlightened
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2021
- Messages
- 679
I'd guess anything over 4 is to many; headlight + L/R hand & weapon(s) light. Of course this from a guy with 26 Hank lights + lets not talk about those others ..LOL. That doesn't even touch lights older than 3years. Hel ..er heck I have more than 20 within arms reach as I type this, a mix of AA, 14500, 16340, 18350, 18650, 21700, 26650, 26800, 123a, D &C powering flood, throw, EDC, lantern & weapon+laser. How many screwdrivers do you have? I have at least triple the number of lights I own. Everyone of those have a use, some almost daily, others maybe once a year. To many? Not if you need/use them
thermal guy
Flashaholic
Honestly it's not hard to get a fair selling price for a flashlight. See how much it is new then go to eBay or another place that sells used lights and go under that by a bit. The biggest problem people have is they buy light for 200 keep it a month then say it's basically band new and try to get 190 for it. Ain't going to happen. Once you buy it it's now used. Just like cars.
There are far worse things to be obsessed with from a collectable standpoint. Flashlights are fairly innocuous and infinitely diverse. One of the reasons they intrigue me is the variety of depth a collector or enthusiast can subscribe to in their pursuit of the "hobby", and still relate to like minded folks without a lot of the judgemental prejudice found when trading ideas or experiences across the value spectrum. It's a pretty low key vice, and has added edification value beyond the base product. Wanna know more about power sources(?), get into flashlights. Wanna learn some basic electronics(?), flashlight design and component structures can broaden your understanding. Itching to reverse engineer, modify, or build your own equipment(?), there's a rabbit hole for you in the flashlight world. It's a healthy passion, and keeps the boogeyman at bay when world goes dark. Enjoy it.
Although I do have some lights I bought to use but do not like well enough to use and would like to get rid of, I'm lucky I don't have that fundamental 'collecting gene'. That said, I absolutely do understand the affliction.
At some point in my life, I became aware of the fact that there's a significant group of people who delight in collecting ceramic pigs.
At least flashlights are highly useful to everyone in general, and if no longer needed / wanted, worst case can also at least be given away to others who can appreciate having a decent light at all. If you give a friend / acquaintance a working flashlight, they'll probably appreciate it.
Try giving them a ceramic pig.
At some point in my life, I became aware of the fact that there's a significant group of people who delight in collecting ceramic pigs.
At least flashlights are highly useful to everyone in general, and if no longer needed / wanted, worst case can also at least be given away to others who can appreciate having a decent light at all. If you give a friend / acquaintance a working flashlight, they'll probably appreciate it.
Try giving them a ceramic pig.
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Chauncey Gardener
Flashaholic
When a friend became aware that I had started collecting flashlights he said -
Friend: "Do you know what they say about people that collect things?"
Me: "No. What do they say?"
Friend: "They are attempting to fill an unmet need with things."
Me: "So?" 😁
For longer than I can remember, I've only purchased two brands of flashlights - 4Sevens and Foursevens. That disciple keeps me out of the poorhouse.
So?
These belong to my Mother. They give me cause to smile when I look at them.
However many flashlights is too many I'm sure I crossed that line a long time ago. "The dark side of CPF is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural. "
Same.... Had I stopped at my first four, with an upgrade to a more powerful 18650 LED model a decade later.... I'd likely have saved enough money to purchase a car. Not a fancy or expensive one. But likely one of the two cheapest brand new car models available today. So a Mitsubishi Mirage or a Nissan Versa.
My problem was getting a historical interest. I still only have around six lights I actually use. Also completely stepped away from collecting 2010-2020 but then it came back with a vengeance. I guess I should have taken up bread baking like everyone else during the pandemic.
Ironically, I do have a recipe I found online for making bread without yeast, and a minimum of kitchen items needed. Found it during the pandemic.
That's a 'different animal', and that's wonderful!! I cherish the too-few things I have of my Mom's. It makes no difference what they are.
I hope an heir will also derive pleasure from your flashlight collection.
Unfortunately my cat doesn't really have need of flashlights, so I intend to dispose of my long-unused ones so they don't just end up in a landfill somewhere with everything else, which would seem a shame.
Again, flashlights are something that csn be usefully given to anyone. That was and remains my intended distinction.
Very well-said.
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