Need a nice general use LED flashlight

Gather App
Candle Power Forums

Help Support Candle Power:

C

christian_piper

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Dec 12, 2006
Messages
3
Yeaa.. I need a new general purpose flashlight, going to the Dominican, and I do backstage theater tech at my school. Tired of borrowing lights, and my solitaire really doesn't cut it..

So I am looking for a nice general purpose LED light. It doesn't need to be SUPER bright, though the brighter the better if there is a low mode.. Remember, I do theatre tech- Tooo bright=bad.. And red would obviously be useful.. Other colors could be too, especially blue, as that is the backstage lighting color..

Basically, I need a durable bright general LED light that is at least kinda waterproof, is good for daily use and carrying, lasts a semi-long time, and has easily replaceable batteries. No rechargeables please! And it needs a way to attach a lanyard... THAT is a requirment....

THANKS!!!!
thumb.gif
This forum looks GREAT! Hi!

And.. Keychain LED suggestions are welcome too.. I wanna replace my solitaire..
 
The Streamlight ProPoly 4AA and 3C Luxeons will always be recommended. You can attach a lanyard to either (comes with them) and they will take both NiMH rechargeables or alkaline primaries.
 
First off, I would recommend looking at the Fenix L1S/L2S and L1T/L2T. Runtime on low is excellent and on high you have a good amount of light output. They also have a clickie switch for one-handed operation and run on alkalines. They are a pretty good deal, all things considered. They can be purchased from Fenix-Store.com with a 5% discount (coupon code CPF5).

Another popular light is the Streamlight Propolymer Luxeon 4AA. It's only got one level of output but it is bright and will run for a long time. I believe the best place to buy this is still Fox-intl.com

I would also recommend considering the Underwater Kinetics 4AA eLED Zoom. The build quality of the UK lights is excellent and the UK Fire offers two levels of output, as well as an adjustable beam. Brightguy.com stocks them.

You can read more about these and other lights here: http://flashlightreviews.com/reviews_index/reviews_by_mfgrs.htm
 
Oo.. Not bad! But I wouldnt mind paying a bit more for metal.. I like metal.. lol. I am sure some flashoholics here would agree with that.. And the light will be heavily used.. Budget? I dunno, Between $10 and $100...

EDIT: WOW you guys are fast! :goodjob: Be back in a bit: Reading links :grin2:
 
Hey there christian_piper, welcome to CPF. :wave:

Be forewarned, your wallet is going to hate you once you get all the recommendations here. I know mine has hated me ever since I found this place... :crackup:

What is your budget for this light?

Flashlightreviews.com is always a good place to start your journey into the light...

The Surefire K2 KROMA offers both red and blue light in high and low levels as well as a primary white LED. It is a wee bit on the expensive side, though. :broke: Also, it uses CR123 batteries which are harder to come by than AA or AAA batteries. You can read the review from flashlightreviews.com here: Flashlightreviews.com: Surefire Kroma
 
Fenix L1T is a good call IMO - Cracking little light with easily available batteries and great runtime on low (good runtime on high as well).

And for your keychain it has to be an Arc AAA-P.
buttrock.gif
(Fenix E1 would be acceptable though
smile.gif
)


CFU
 
If your just looking for something to replace a Mag Solitaire, then you might want to try a Inova X1. $20 at Target or Amazon.com . I'd also second a Fenix L1T for twice the price.
 
Looking back at your post again, the suggestion of the Streamlight products may be too bright. You might want to look at the lights that Carrot suggested. Another one that comes to mind is a small 1W light from Dorcy that is available from Target for about $20, but it uses a CR123 battery and that could get a little expensive in the long run. Rather than a red filter, you might want to consider a keychain led in Red. Inova makes some that are really great and quite bright (also available at Target)

christian_piper said:
Oo.. Not bad! But I wouldnt mind paying a bit more for metal.. I like metal.. lol. I am sure some flashoholics here would agree with that.. And the light will be heavily used.. Budget? I dunno, Between $10 and $100...

EDIT: WOW you guys are fast! :goodjob: Be back in a bit: Reading links :grin2:
Click to expand...
 
THANK YOU ALL!! This was SO much easier than the 4 hours I spent looking at reviews.. You ROCK! ALL OF YOU! :rock:

Yea.. Red leds seem to be out of my budget.. lol. Ill live!

I beleive I am going to go with the Fenix L2T! And later an Arc-AAA.. And maybe the red keychain light.. LOL. This is worse than WOAD! (Whistle obsessive aquissition disorder) :whistle:

And my wallet ALREADY hates :scowl: me.. I am into computers.. LOL

Again, THANKS! And see ya around! :touche:

And it shouldnt be too bright- Bright is good! Just none of the fill a house with one dinky flashlight kinda stuff... LOL

PS: LOVIN tha smileys!
 
Last edited:
How about the 2 or 3 AA Mini Mag Led light for about 20 bucks and 3 Watts rated with semi regulation and available at local stores like Walmart, Target, Home Depot and Lowes and uses standard alkalines that are easy to find.
 
For real work I recomend a headlamp cause it leaves both your hands free to work. Riverrock 2AAA headlamp for $10-$15 at target has two light levels. Also known as Streamlight Enduro headlamp has a very blue output that some dont like.
blue(ish) light
light weight
standard batteries AAA
two light levels
waterproof (mine passed my submerge test for one hour)
CONS:
not metal
a headlamp (you're not cool anymore)
loud(ish) reverse clicky (usually not good to make noise in theater)
very defined hot spot needs diffusing

For a standard alkaline battery light on a lanyard that's metal I recomend the fenix line of lights.
 
Go to Target and get a River Rock 2-AAA LED light. It's about 2/3 the size of the MiniMag LED.

Metal body, one bluish-white led, price $10 and light output would probably be just about right for your needs.

Save your money up and then buy something kick butt!

oh yea attach a lanyard to the metal pocket clip
 
Last edited:
1) UK 4AA eLED Zoom: 2-output modes, water-resistance, shock-resistance, good runtime, uses 4AA batteries, and made in U.S.A.

2) Streamlight ProPolymer 4AA 7-LED: can light up a pretty big area, water-resistance, shock-resistance, very good runtime, uses 4AA batteries, and made in U.S.A.

-lightUup
 
lightUup said:
1) UK 4AA eLED Zoom: 2-output modes, water-resistance, shock-resistance, good runtime, uses 4AA batteries, and made in U.S.A.

2) Streamlight ProPolymer 4AA 7-LED: can light up a pretty big area, water-resistance, shock-resistance, very good runtime, uses 4AA batteries, and made in U.S.A.

-lightUup
Click to expand...


Yup, those two are great. Add an Innova X1 also.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top