Need a flashlight recommendation

[Tempusfugit]

I need to buy a inexpensive general purpose flashlight for a woman. The qualities I am looking for are:

simple operation - prefer simple on off switch
for general use around the house (not for carry) - size/ color not important
uses common alkaline batteries
good output
decent run time
inexpensive - let's say under $40

What is the best flashlight that meets these requirements? Thanks!

 

[Gunner12]

When does it have to arrive?

If you can wait a month and want low price, then a MTE Seoul might work(Shipping will take about a month).

The Lumapower LM31 would be a great choice.

The Fenix L1D isn't that hard to use, most figure out the UI in less then a minute(including grandmothers). The L1T V2.0 is also a good choice.

:welcome:

 

[jugg2]

+1 on the L1T V2.0, or L2T

 

[guyg]

Buy a 2 C cell Maglight and an LED drop in. The batteries will last forever and if necessary she can club someone with it.

 

[Tempusfugit]

Can anyone provide links to the maglite drop in LED's? I found the TerraLux bulbs. Are there any others I should consider? Thanks.

 

[frankr]

I bet she would love the Fenix Q4 LOD CE. https://www.fenix-store.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_52&products_id=370
My second choice would be a Arc AAA - DS (not as bright, but extremely dependable) http://www.arcflashlight.com/arc-aaa.shtml

 

[guyg]

Maglite and Nitize dropins are at Wallyworld. The Nitize is about $9 and the Maglite is $18.

 

[SEMIJim]

Second the LM31. Simple, 2-stage reverse clicky. Takes a single AA. For more run-time, you can feed it a LIon AA. Beam is a bit floodier than a lot of lights, so more useful around the house, IMO. I just bought two of them from Battery Junction--one for a Christmas present for a friend, the other for around our own home. They're on sale at Battery Junction atm.

Jim

 

[nobita]

Romisen MXDL RC-G2 Cree
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3609

 

[pipspeak]

jetbeam CL-E v2... under $30. I just got one for my GF!

 

[toolpig1]

Buy a 2 C cell Maglight and an LED drop in. The batteries will last forever and if necessary she can club someone with it.

Great suggestion on a Mag 2C, just a little hard to find this size. Home Depot has these, it's about the only place I ever see the Mag 2C. You'll have $15 in the light and $18 in the 2 cell module. For general use, another favorite would be the Streamlight Propolymer 4AA Luxeon. Check out www.fox-intl.com for great prices. You can read in-depth reviews of both of these at www.flashlightreviews.com, a now retired site that is still home to the most thorough reviews.

 

[ZMZ67]

I also like the 2C Mag w/LED replacement.Even the Magled replacements are OK if you don't want to spend the extra money on the TLE-6EXB from TerraLUX.

My wife actually prefers the Pak-Lite Super w/GID cap for use around the house. She even likes the Pak-Lite Basic despite having other quality lights herself and access to my lights.A big plus with Pak-lites is that you can use the old smoke detector batteries after you replace them each year.The only problem is the original batteries never seem to wear out even with regular use.

 

[Gunner12]

Seoul/Cree Maglite drop-ins:

Terralux Minimag
Terralux 2-3 cell
Terralux 4-6 cell
Terralux 4-6 cell 3 LED(Unknown heatsinking, I would wait for reviews)
Malkoffdevices C drop-in 2-4 cell
Malkoffdevices D drop-in 2-4 cell

 

[FlashKat]

I have this one and I like it quite a bit. It's about 60 lumens. http://www.kaidomain.com/WEBUI/ProductDetail.aspx?TranID=2770
I did have to tighten the tailcap internal ring for better contact. but it was a minor issue.

 

[Lit Up]

Another vote for the 2C maglite with drop-in. I (and others borrowing it at work) have dropped mine on the concrete so much I've lost count. Looks a bit scratchy, but It's still ticking along.

Although if this is just going to be a light for around the house, you may want to go with the 2D instead. Batteries cost the same for C and D cells, but D's have a lot more capacity.