Two different X-Mas gifts needed

[Chrome]

I would've sworn I had an account here, but either I did or the account was deleted (maybe inactivity?) Anyways, I'm in need of suggestions for two lights for Christmas gifts. I'm not a huge flashlight guy, but I do appreciate fine craftsmanship and design of flashlights, watches, firearms, etc.

First light I need is for my dad. Something small, pocketable, for an EDC. It needs to be bright enough to "blow" him away. He thinks those $5 led flashlights are the greatest thing ever, shouldn't be too hard a task.

Second is for my mom. She's a principal at an elementary school. She found out the hard way last week that when the power is out, it's dark going from emergency light to emergency light. Something she can keep in a desk with decent throw and excellent flood would be great.

Limit the lights to around $35 each.

What are your guys thoughts? I was thinking maybe a G2 or one of those Inova X5s for my dad. Not really sure for my mom. My biggest light is a Maglight 3D billy club that happens to have a light bulb on one end.

Later,
Chrome...

 

[LukeA]

For Dad: I'm feelin the L1T V2 (if you're a Costco member there's a kit offering a Leatherman rebrand of this light with a Blast for $50 total - an unbeatable deal). A G2L/6PL (which you can get at Lowe's) would also be great as long as he's willing to buy cells for it online which is much cheaper. But there's always the risk that he won't use the "funny expensive cells".

For Mom: Maybe the L2T V2. I think I would stay with AAs for this one. Go for a pack of Energizer Lithium AAs. They won't leak in storage in the light like alkalines will.

[EDIT] Forgot about the price limit...

 

[csshih]

or get some eneloops.. because your mom might use that light more often when she finds out how awesome it is. :thumbsup:

 

[ZMZ67]

$35 really limits what you can get. If you can increase your price range ten to twenty dollars each there are quite a few good chioces.
The EDC light that comes to mind is the Lumapower LM31.It only uses one AA and has two levels.This light is decent quality but not as nice as Fenix lights and it does not have reverse polarity protection.It also may be difficult to find but I think http://www.cfrlights.com/ still lists them,I would call before ordering to be sure they are in stock.
For your mom a 2C Maglite with the Magled LED replacent module.You should be able to get the 2C Maglite at Home Depot for about $16 and the 2-cell Magled replacement for about $18 at most of the big box stores.The 2C Mag combo will offer decent output,good throw and reasonably long runtime.A 2D Mag offers better runtime but the 2C is a more convenient size IMO.

Edit:CFR lists the Lumpower LM31 but they are not in stock.Sorry!

 

[toolpig1]

Lowe's "black Friday" sale will include both 2AA and 3AA Minimag-leds for $11 each. For dad, the 2AA size isn't bad for belt carry, they both come with a holster. Also, the 2D and 3D Magled's will both be $15. For mom, the runtime would be a nice feature. By the time you buy a 2C for $14.50 and add the module for another $18.99, the 2D-led looks like a bargain. Sure, I know that there are a zillion better, brighter, smaller lights available, but for those prices, good luck.

 

[LEDninja]

If the light is not pocketable or beltable or purse-able it won't be available when needed.
If you can afford it the Fenix L2T v2.0. (Remember the 8% off code if purchasing from 7777)
If not stick with the minimag 2AA LED. The 3AA is too long, Stay away from the billy clubs.

 

[Lighthouse one]

Get your mom the Fenix E01...they come in nice colors for a lady. Uses a AAA battery. Easy to keep with you . Heck- get her two!

https://www.4sevens.com/index.php

Get your dad an o-light, nitecore, or Fenix model using either a AA or 123 battery. There are a lot of models to choose from. Cost...a bit more though. THese are also available from the same site. Discount code cpf8 and free shipping.

 

[toolpig1]

Mom needs a light to keep in her school desk drawer in the event of a power outage, this was Chrome's request. Why recommend a tiny E01 keychain light good for only 10 lumens. Certainly not the light that I would think to grab to lead a classroom full of kids out of a dark building.
I recently picked up the new RiverRock 2C Cree "Nightfire" at Target for $27. The light is BRIGHT, has a beautiful beam, decent spot and plenty of flood. It's reported that it has nowhere near the claimed 21 hours of runtime, but is showing about 6 good hours on Ni-mh 5000mah cells. This would be a good choice if you didn't want another "billy club".

 

[american lockpicker]

Lowe's "black Friday" sale will include both 2AA and 3AA Minimag-leds for $11 each. For dad, the 2AA size isn't bad for belt carry, they both come with a holster. Also, the 2D and 3D Magled's will both be $15. For mom, the runtime would be a nice feature. By the time you buy a 2C for $14.50 and add the module for another $18.99, the 2D-led looks like a bargain. Sure, I know that there are a zillion better, brighter, smaller lights available, but for those prices, good luck.

Is that at all Lowes and when is the sale?

 

[toolpig1]

"Black Friday" refers to the day after Thanksgiving, which happens to be the biggest retail shopping day of the year. Most people take the day off to make it a 4 day weekend and Friday is the day that really starts the Christmas shopping season. The word "black" implies that big revenue on that day puts many stores into the "black". Many retailers have taken to offering fantastic "lost leader" items to get buyers into their stores first. Most of these deals are early morning, ending after a few hours. Here is the complete listing for Lowe's:
http://www.blackfridayonline.com/lowes-black-friday-deals.htm

Google search "black Friday" and you can get an early peek at all the stores' offerings. Use this link, scroll down and pick a store of interest:
http://www.blackfridayonline.com/

 

[Chrome]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, some good suggestions here. I know price is limited, but a main reason is my budget for them is around $75 and the two gifts need to be similar with the same price. My family makes a big deal out of these type of things.

Toolpig1, that's part of being on a forum 20% of people never read the OP message. Practically happens at every forum.

For those reading, it's important to remember that dad's light needs to be pocketable. He won't wear anything on his belt. I think he'd be open to using the "funny expensive cells" as he's adapting to shopping online well and this seems to be the best place to buy them. Like someone else stated, maybe staying away from billy clubs would be good for mom. I hadn't given it much thought, but I doubt she'd want something that big to deal with. A smaller 2C light would make more sense.

Keep the suggestions coming guys.

Later,
Chrome...

 

[Bruce B]

I know this might be a little more than you would want to spend, but what about getting each "his/hers" Surefire G2's in different colors...? Very easy U.I., easily pocket-able and affordable.

Just my .02

-Bruce

 

[Gunner12]

I think for your dad a Fenix L2T V2.0 should be good. Easy to use, forward, clickie, and 2 AA battery powered. Over you price range though. Maybe a Fenix E20 or Romsien RC-N3 Q5 could work.

A similar light should work for your mother too.

Coupon at Fenix Store is "CPF8" coupon at shiningbeam is "cpfuser"

 

[RocketTomato]

For your dad, get an older classic L0D for ~$25. He will be able to carry it on his keyring and will be amazed by its output.

For your Mom, you have a number of choices
In order of smallest to largest:
From Walmart- Coleman Max Cree 2AA or 3AAA lights. ~$25
From Lowes- Taskforce 2C light ~$30 (Make sure it says 60x on the package)
From Home Depot- Husky 2D light ~$25

You can go check them out and see which one appeals the most to you.

These all use commonly available battery sizes. I do not recommend giving CR123 based lights to non-flashaholics since the lights generally go unused once their initial supply of batteries is done.

 

[DucS2R]

I led a classroom full of students out of a dark classroom and building (power failure) last spring with my Fenix LOD which I wear on my keyring.

I got a lot of giggles and I responded with, "Once a Boy Scout always a Boy Scout."

I also sold a lot of flashlights for Fenix as other teachers struggled to find their way out and I had to rescue them.

Great easy light to carry.

T.

 

[Chrome]

Thanks again for all the suggestions guys. I got a quick peak at the Innova line at Target today. Wow, wonderful lights. I like the X5 for dad, so $30 settles him with $5 for some batteries.

As far as mom, options are still open. That TaskForce light does look promising though. For her, battery life is important, so yes CR123's for her might not be the best idea. Some of the AA's powered ones suggested for her don't look too bad either. Gonna do some more reading on these.

Later,
Chrome...

 

[kosPap]

Mom needs a light to keep in her school desk drawer in the event of a power outage, this was Chrome's request. Why recommend a tiny E01 keychain light good for only 10 lumens. Certainly not the light that I would think to grab to lead a classroom full of kids out of a dark building.".

Precisely! I found out that the reason my sister does not use the MTE SSc 1xAA whne she is checking after the baby is that it is too small to find on the bed and catch!!!!! So she used my Mini MagLED till it broke again!

Stay away from this hell and buy them anything else!

How about the Romisens Rc-G2 and Rc-N3? (9even better with the Q5 LEd that fellow member "shiningbeam" sells)

 

[kosPap]

ooops double post...damn slow connection! sorrrrrrrry