Please recommend a sub $125 flashlight for corporate Christmas gifts

[ntalbot]

Every year my company gives a Christmas gift in the $75 to $125 price range to all the senior staff. Usually it's some gadget like an ipod or bluetooth headset. This year I am going to use all my influence to make it a kick-butt flashlight. Here are the requirements:

1. $125 is the max price.
2. Batteries must be included in the price.
3. If the batteries are rechargeable, then a cheap charger must be included in the price.
4. UI must be simple enough, or have a simple mode, so that a non-technical person can use it.
5. It must look cool.
6. It must be bright enough to wow people.
7. I am not going to limit the size as I would like to hear suggestions of all sizes.
8. Reasonably nice box since presentation counts for something.

Let me give you all a little more background to aid in the discussion. There are 12 people who will be getting these flashlights in addition to me. 5 are women; the rest are men who are all very techically competant and love gadgets, but are not flashaholics (yet). I gave three of them Photon Freedoms for Christmas last year and they loved them. The women are very smart and pretty technically savy, but not particularly into gadgets. I am sure that charging a battery would not be a problem for them.
Ok, given the generally pretty high level of technical know how of the group, does that sway anyone's opinion about what flashlights to recommend? Would more people now recommend a RCR123 based light or even a 18650 based light?
Let's follow that train of thought for a minute: given a high quality protected 18650 (like from AW) and a good charger, is there any significant risk associated with a novice's use of an 18650?

Would it be sexist to give the men a big tactical flashlight and give the women a small, attractive looking flashlight?
Maybe I should give people a choice? It would ruin the surprise though.

I look forward to your responses,
Nick

 

[alphazeta]

In that price range. I would say an orb wee ns or raw ns...

Those are my two lights that always get a wow from non-flashaholics...
-AZ

 

[Oddjob]

The Fenix LD01 limited edition stainless would make a nice little gift. It looks really cool, has an easy 3 level interface and uses an easily available battery type. I think the high it would be impressive for non flashaholics and they would probably find it useful for keys or purse.

 

[HotPursuit]

I have received nothing but wows from everyone that has seen my Nitecore EX10. It has been in my pocket ever since I have owned it. Its so small, it would work work well for female staff that would carry it in a purse, as well as the guys for pocket carry. If you go the rechargeable route I believe its right at $100 for batteries and a charger. If you go the non-recharable route you could buy a bunch of batteries, or a pocket clip to get closer to your price range. The light alone is $59.

https://www.4sevens.com/index.php?cPath=93

The UI can be easy or more involved (still easy though), its up to the user.

 

[Toaster]

Jetbeam Jet-III M
Ultrafire WF-139 Charger
2x AW 18650

I would recommend the Fenix TK11 except that it comes in a cheapo looking box which probably won't make the best first impression as a gift.

 

[Watchguy]

Olight M20. Simple, bright, practical, small enough to carry in Jeans pocket or purse, large enough it wont get lost or misplaced. I like mine anyway.

 

[bluep3ace]

a surefire would definitely do. you could find some LED models for the price range, and the brand name will definitely make the flashlight a keeper for the uneducated/unenlightened.

 

[gswitter]

Stick to lights that can run on alkalines, otherwise it won't get used.

I'd opt for a AA or 2xAA light with an Eneloop/charger combo. Maybe a Fenix LD10 or LD20. Or maybe a LRI/Photon Proton Pro. The stainless steel Fenix LD01's not a bad idea either.

 

[ntalbot]

I would recommend the Fenix TK11 except that it comes in a cheapo looking box which probably won't make the best first impression as a gift.

Good call on the box, Toaster. I forgot about that. It needs to have a decent looking box. I added that to the list of requirements.

Thank you for the suggestions everyone. Keep them coming. I am not too familiar with the olight, so I am going to research that one.

If I go with a CR123 flashlight do you think I should supply an R123 and a charger? Or simply supply 3 or 4 primaries per flashlight?

Nick

 

[Chrontius]

I'd be inclined to contact Lummi about a CR2 Raw, as the option of primaries is a nice fallback, and their products just exude class. I'm gonna go out on a limb here and suggest the 20/200 model, with the new neutral white LED option (free for now).

If you want to use a CR123 light, I'd recommend a few primaries and a reference for a place to buy Surefire cells cheap. Lithium-ion cells are not something one uses casually.

 

[brighterisbetter]

What about the ARCMania Extreme Micro III? Runs on AAA (primary or rechargeable), very discreet, user defines how complicated they want the light to be (ie. a simple twist powers on/off with two light levels, or a triple-twist activates the strobe, quadruple-twist activates SOS, etc.), and comes in nice presentation box. That would be my vote if keeping the battery scenario simple is what you're after. Otherwise, I'd opt for a Lummi light.

 

[HunkaBurninLove]

I want to work for your company!

 

[Yapo]

+1 for stainless steel LD01...since its less than your budget you could probably chuck in a pack of eneloops+charger although i doubt anyone would be using them enough to need rechargeables so a pack of energizer E2 AAAs would do quite nicely.
I wouldnt recommend lights with complex UI(although some might like fiddling with gadgets) or ones that run on rechargable li-ions(especially unprotected ones)

 

[tebore]

Stick with AAs or AAAs. Don't want those top execs getting in to CR123 accidents or freaking over $10 batteries at Wal-mart.

Nitecore D10 or one of the Various Fenix lights. The Leatherman combo with rebadge fenix at Costco would be a really nice gift.

 

[Oddjob]

I agree with Chrontius. Li-on cells really require a little knowledge to use safely and if these gifts aren't going to people who would be motivated to learn about Li-ons then primaries would be a better choice. Even if you gave a few extra batteries someone may get turned off by the instore prices of CR123's or alternatley they may not want to buy them online. I don't know what your staff is like but AA's or AAA's might be the wiser choice for them.:shrug:

 

[Burgess]

The Fenix stainless steel LD01. :kiss:


You might even wanna' get 'em engraved by 4Sevens.


Oh, and include a 4-pack of Energizer L92 Lithium cells, also.


This would make a very impressive, very useful gift.

:twothumbs


Even NON-flashaholics would love 'em ! ! !
_

 

[datiLED]

The Fenix stainless steel LD01. :kiss:


You might even wanna' get 'em engraved by 4Sevens.


Oh, and include a 4-pack of Energizer L92 Lithium cells, also.


This would make a very impressive, very useful gift.

:twothumbs


Even NON-flashaholics would love 'em ! ! !
_

+1

This package would impress anyone. If it were engraved, it would make a lasting statement and be great advertising. It would come in under budget, too. :thumbsup:

 

[mudman cj]

Don't get me wrong, I love my Extreme III, but for the average person the UI would cause a level of confusion not seen since they last tried to program a VCR. I have to agree that it would wow them and it is a beautiful and exquisite light that meets all of the other requirements.

In my opinion, you want to stay away from CR123s for gift lights to mere commoners. Eneloops with bundled charger plus a Fenix LD10 or maybe a TK20 would make for very usable gifts IMO. I also agree that the limited edition stainless LD01 would make a nice gift, again with eneloops and a charger. The only thing about the TK20 is the rubber grip. Most people would probably agree that it feels good in the hand, but the appearance may not elicit oohs and aahs. Well, at least not until they turned it on and went outside exploring in the dark.

 

[Derek Dean]

We get this question every year, and trust me, for the average person, a simple light that uses a common battery (AA or AAA) is what you want.

The LD01 and a 4 pack of Energizer lithium AAA batteries. Perfect! Simple, elegant, and I'll bet they've never seen anything that small that is that bright. Wow!

 

[lumenal]

We get this question every year, and trust me, for the average person, a simple light that uses a common battery (AA or AAA) is what you want.

The LD01 and a 4 pack of Energizer lithium AAA batteries. Perfect! Simple, elegant, and I'll bet they've never seen anything that small that is that bright. Wow!

+1

The non-gadget, non-flashoholic, if they even used it, would meekly try to figure out a battery charger with trepidation. Maybe even half expecting to get shocked somehow. :green:

Stick with an AA or AAA sized light and the 4 pack of Energizer lithium batteries, and one that will work with alkalines also.

Like an LD01 or an LD10.

SureFires are great, and I own a few, but the average Joe doesn't know much about 123A batteries and will be taken aback when pricing them at the corner B&M.