Recommendations for a first cheap light :)

[Piloto13]

Hello,
First post here! Iv'e been looking around for a flashlight for some time now. I was about to buy some cheap one from Big 5 sporting goods, but then I happened to come across this forum.

I'm looking for something small that I can use around my apartment. Lately my power has been randomly going out leaving me in the dark- and so I need a light!

I'm on a tight budget, so that's my main concern. I definetely can't spend more than 50$, and the lesser the better.

I've been researching and like some of the Fenix lights, but am also looking at alot of the lights from dealextreme after reading through bessiebenny's thread. Yeah, I know they're not the best, but the price seems unbeatable!

I'd prefer something that can run on standard batteries (ie, AA or AAA), unless I can find a good deal on some rechargeables.

Any recommendations?

Thanks!

 

[BlueBeam22]

Get the Cyclops Thor X Sirius rechargeable LED spotlight. It is just at the top of your price range, and is an extremely useful light. It has the option to toggle between low power LEDs (5MM Nichia I believe) for long runtime, and then its main mode which uses 3 high power CREE XR-E emitters (used to be Luxeon, now upgraded) to output over 400 lumens in a nice wide throwy beam that can really light up a room or something at a distance. The light is rechargeable from both standard AC and 12V DC, and has excellent runtime and regulation.

 

[Piloto13]

I was actually hoping for something a bit smaller...something I can keep next to my bed, nightstand, etc and carry around if I need to.

 

[duboost]

:welcome:

4sevens has their R2 Quarks on sale right now. That'd be my choice

 

[Piloto13]

Looking for something a little smaller than the cyclops...i'd like to keep this by my bed/nightshade and carry around if need be.

Anythin else?

 

[Piloto13]

That r2 quark looks nice, what i'm looking for.

A little pricey, even on sale though

 

[*Zander*]

Nitecore EZ123 on 4sevens.com , use NITECORE50 code during checkout for a 50% discount. Brings the light down to $26 with free shipping. 2 brightness modes, max 180lumen, works off CR123 batteries (10 year shelf life) or rechargeable 16340 batteries. Great and very compact light.

 

[Gunner12]

I'd get the Quark AA^2 with the coupon "CPF8" which will get it just under your price limit.

If you want even lower price though, look at the Romisen RC-N3 II from shiningbeam. 6% off coupon is "CPFuser".

:welcome:

 

[PCC]

If you're in the USA then stop by a Walmart and buy a Mini-MagLite, the incandescent one. I just bought one for my daughter and it was $6.58 or something like that. Next, get the Nite-Ize 3 LED drop-in for it. For about $20 you get a nice little light that will provide you with light for a long time. This combination is not very bright by the standards around these forums but it is bright enough to light your way around a dark house (apartment) so that you don't walk into the furniture. I'd guess that it's around 25 lumens on fresh batteries, slowly dimming as the voltage drops. How long will the batteries last? I don't know. I accidentally turned the light on when I was showing mine to a coworker around 1 today and didn't notice it was on until about 6:30, after I got home (it was buried in a jacket pocket). The batteries in that light were already down around 0.78 volts each the last time I checked and after leaving it on for 5.5 hours they're now down around 0.4 volts each and I still get usable light from it. you'll save money up front and you'll save money when you use it. I take the batteries that my kids are throwing away after using them up in their toys and put them into this light but they're piling up because I can't burn through the batteries fast enough. I use that light all the time as much as I can, even turning it on for no other reason than to turn it on and I still can't seem to use up these batteries.

 

[BlueBeam22]

I would recommend you consider the Dorcy 220 lumen rechargeable LED flashlight then. http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=207254

 

[sol-leks]

You're best bet is probably starting off with shiningbeam.com, they have a relaly good balance of cheapness and reliability. Romisen makes really soldi budget lights. The fenix E20 is also another great budget option. Also I think you might be able to still get a nitecore on sale for under 50 but im not sure.

 

[stallion2]

Romisen (as was suggested) and iTP are likely the best makes under 50.

www.flashlightsngear.com deals iTP

 

[Disco-Dave]

I recomend the okoray k 106 nice little light and a nice little price not bad runtime and bright enoguh for the apartment i use it all the time im a security gaurd also handy for camping. I got mine from deal extreme.