noob needs a recommendation : Small, bright, inexpensive torch!

[kyazh]

Hello all, I've been lurking around this message board for a while now, and I thought it was about time I got myself a decent torch. Currently I have a few cheapo ebay multi 5mm led crapo flashlights that are burning out. The closest thing I have to a real torch is my 6D Mag, which patiently sits in the back seat of my car in case I ever need to pound someones head in and shed some light to their eyes (pun intended). :devil: .

Anywho, I need something small, but not too small. Something that will fit in a belt holster. I don't want it to be so small that I feel like I'll lose it if I drop it loll... Something with a good throw, and some flood would be ok too. Long battery life would be a plus. Batteries, rechargeable would be nice, but regular cells would be ok too, option to use both would be incredible! Single mode ok, mutli mode, better! Price... something from $20-$50. I need something to take along while I'm camping and such. Water resistance would also be a plus. I know I'm asking for a bunch for a low price, but best bang for the buck with most of the features I described would be great.


Thanks!

 

[yaesumofo]

Welcome to the cpf...a little late I am guessing.
I suspect that if you look at the FENIX range of flashlights that you will find what you are looking for at your price point.
BTW I am of the opinion that you get what you pay for. It may serve you well to save up for a while and doubble your price and then say for $110 you can buy a Novatac 85P . At just over doubble your willing to pay price, you can buy one of the best flashlights available.
Save up!! Good luck.
yaesumofo

 

[Hodsta]

Fenix P2D CE would be what I'd get you for your birthday!

 

[yaesumofo]

Another option is one of the new SureFire LED 6P I think they are somthing like $85.00 Surefire makes great flashlight.
My first "real" flashlight was a sure fire 6P. I still have it and it lives on my work belt and has for well over 10 years.
I have no doubt the new versions of this same light with high output LED's will serve you quite well.
Yaesumofo

 

[Hodsta]

I put a CREE drop in in my 7 year old 6P and find it great for outdoor situations when I need a little more throw than my single cells permit, since doing this it has become my 3rd favourate light. Also carrying an SC1 means the P60 0r 61 need'nt be far away.

 

[vic2367]

i also recommend the Fenix P2D CE ,,,great light

 

[WadeF]

Fenix P2D or P3D. P3D will be longer, but still maybe what you'd consider small. The P3D will put out a tad more light, but give you double the run time. You can also use rechargable RCR123's.

 

[Gunner12]

How about the Dexlight, It's relatively small(maybe a bit to small) and pretty bright with the 14500 Lithium ion rechargeable 3.7v battery. It seems very water resistant with 2 O rings at each end. But the User Interface can be a bit confusing.

Something a bit bigger at a reasonable price might be the KU2 8-Mode 3W Cree, batteries and charger. Or the Fenix P3D-CE with 2 16340 or RCR123 batteries(the Rebel100 version should be brighter, 8% off coupon : CPF8).

 

[BlackDecker]

Unless you don't mind mail ordering CR123 batteries, I'd stick with a AA light. The Fenix L2D-CE is an excellent 2AA sized light that uses a CREE emitter. Then buy some decent NiMh rechargeable batteries like the Sanyo Eneloops and a good quality charger.

 

[Luminescent]

Unless you don't mind mail ordering CR123 batteries, I'd stick with a AA light. The Fenix L2D-CE is an excellent 2AA sized light that uses a CREE emitter. Then buy some decent NiMh rechargeable batteries like the Sanyo Eneloops and a good quality charger.

I agree with the above, stay with an AA light. Lithium batteries are alternately expensive and dangerous. Expensive if you buy name brand disposables, and dangerous if you buy bargain basement or rechargeable cells.

NiMH batteries have more than enough performance for modern high-efficiency LED lights.

The Fenix L2D is a great choice in a 2 AA light if it falls within your budget, though it is a multi-mode light and not everyone wants that level of complexity.

If you would prefer a less complicated user interface, the Lumapower LM301 would be a good choice. This is a nice bright very well made single AA light, with a nice simple clicky Off, Low, High switching interface.

In a single AA light I also love my Jetbeam C-LE. Only 20 bucks at Emilions (after the CPF discount) for a nice compact well made 5 mode light. Some don't like the twisty switch or the bare aluminum threads. Fact is, the outside anodized finish on the Jetbeam C-LE is the best I have seen on ANY light (yes, even better than the Fenix lights), and I am sure they would have extended that nice finish to anodizing the threads if they could have, but the threads have to be bare metal to conduct electricity because of the way that the very simple 'twisty' switching arrangement works in this light. Since I put a little teflon grease on the threads, my C-LE is now silky smooth and works great, and at least this simple switching arrangement has no complicated clicky switch to break down.

 

[Derek Dean]

I agree with the above, stay with an AA light. Lithium batteries are alternately expensive and dangerous. Expensive if you buy name brand disposables, and dangerous if you buy bargain basement or rechargeable cells.

NiMH batteries have more than enough performance for modern high-efficiency LED lights.

The Fenix L2D is a great choice in a 2 AA light if it falls within your budget, though it is a multi-mode light and not everyone wants that level of complexity.

If you would prefer a less complicated user interface, the Lumapower LM301 would be a good choice. This is a nice bright very well made single AA light, with a nice simple clicky Off, Low, High switching interface.

In a single AA light I also love my Jetbeam C-LE. Only 20 bucks at Emilions (after the CPF discount) for a nice compact well made 5 mode light. Some don't like the twisty switch or the bare aluminum threads. Fact is, the outside anodized finish on the Jetbeam C-LE is the best I have seen on ANY light (yes, even better than the Fenix lights), and I am sure they would have extended that nice finish to anodizing the threads if they could have, but the threads have to be bare metal to conduct electricity because of the way that the very simple 'twisty' switching arrangement works in this light. Since I put a little teflon grease on the threads, my C-LE is now silky smooth and works great, and at least this simple switching arrangement has no complicated clicky switch to break down.

+1... L2D CE for the longer time.... or the Jetbeam C-LE for about $25 delivered from Emilion's Workshop. I have both, and the Fenix L2D CE is just about the best value for an all purpose, bright, versatile, long running light... and the Jetbeam C-LE just can't be beat for an inexpensive, but quite excellent 1xAA pocket light.

 

[TXArsonCop]

Love my incandescent Surefire G2. If I was buying one today I'd buy the just released LED G2 for MORE light, MORE run time and not that much more cash. An incan. G2 can run fron $30 - $35 and the LED version around $65 with 6 free batteries. Three sets of batteries would get you 36 hours of runtime with the LED model. And there are CPF supporters here who give mighty good discounts on 123A batts.

See this thread for discounts: http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=56067

 

[lycanthought]

Yeah, I'd go with a Fenix, either the L1D or the L2D. If you can afford it, gor for the upgraded rebel versions (+$10 or so). I have a L2D and it's awesome, can't really get better value.

 

[tarpon6]

Fenix L2D CE. I completely agree with staying with AA batteries. Keep it simple.

I needed some quality NiMH rechargeables and and a charger- my search led me here. I was thinking about getting a charger that could charge C and D cells as well as AA. Then I saw how much good NiMH C and D cells were. I thought, "maybe I can simplify my life and go with AA or AAA cells, let's see if there are any decent flashlights using AA cells".

I did quite bit of research searching this site as well as flashlight reviews, and lightreviews- the L2D CE stood out right away. I kept looking to see if I could get more quality, run time, functionality, and brightness, for the money. In the end The L2D CE was the best combination of those qualities for me. I am very impressed with the output from this little light.

 

[barkingmad]

+1 Fenix L2D-CE - you can buy the single cell body later as an option if you wanted to make it smaller (i.e. a L1D-CE), takes standard AA batteries (and NiMH rechargeables), great output and multiple modes.

 

[selfbuilt]

Another +1 for the L2D-CE. Excellent all around light, and as others have pointed out you can always upgrade body/head at a later time.