Supermarket Brands

onlinewarlord · Dec 23, 2005

I think it's clear who the popular highend manufacturer is.

It's also clear that the lesser brands have been increasing their quality of build and beam.

My question is of the "supermarket brands" like Dorcy, Garrity, Brinkman, Coast, etc, which do you think is the best quality in general?

<Leave MAG out please>

mossyoak · Dec 23, 2005

of the supermarket brands i would have to go with maglite and dorcy

bruner · Dec 23, 2005

In my limited experience, I like Coast (led lensers). Leave it to the Germans for miniaturized quality, inexpensive lights.

Remember, this is just my "limited experience" two cents worth. I only have one Garrity and no dorcy, no brinkman. Although, I nearly bought a one AAA brinkman today, but who can justify $10 for that?

Dan

STEVENT6 · Dec 25, 2005

I have some Dorcy, Garrity, and Brinkman's, and a few Ray O Vac's. Their good for what they are. Most of them I bought because they were on sale for $4 to $8. They are ok quality lights for leaveing in a vehicle or loaning to people.

cratz2 · Dec 26, 2005

I've owned several lights from most of the 'pretty cheap' brands... overall, my favorite line is probably Dorcy.

Omega Man · Dec 26, 2005

I like the DorcyAAA, and if I get off my dead a$$ this week, I'll do the Nichia swap with them using my new xmas gift, a coldheat solderer.
Also just got a Brinkmann Maxfire LX, and really like it. Throws pretty far, and based on Quickbeam's reviews, it has more throw and output than a Surefire G2. For $17-20, ya can't beat that. Used it while walking in the fog last night, and it really looked cool on a pea-soup night.
http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/surefire_g2.htm
http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/brinkmann_maxfirelx.htm

TORCH_BOY · Dec 26, 2005

I don't mind the Dorcy or even the Energizer range.
The good thing about Supermarket Brand lights is that
they are always there in front of you if you need one in a hurry.

onlinewarlord · Dec 26, 2005

Thanks for the feedback guys.

The reason I ask is because I constantly find myself staring at these cheapo lights while stuck in line at Lowes or WalMart, and I know I'll eventually crack and buy 2-10 of them.

Seems like Dorcy gets the best budget brand vote so far.

Reptilezs · Dec 27, 2005

i like the brinkmann legend 2aa and the dorcy 1aaa led

Phaserburn · Dec 27, 2005

I think that for build quality and consistency, Maglite is the number one "supermarket" brand. All their lights display similar quality, as opposed to, say, Dorcy, where some are good, some not...

Having said that, I am often tempted by these other brands, and I think my favorite is Energizer. I have several that are still good lights, albeit inexpensive, like the 2 led folding light, the folding fluorescent lantern, Trailblazer, etc.

AlexSchira · Dec 27, 2005

The yellow Dorcys are probably the best 'junk drawer' lights you'll find. Buying a metal flashlight, one you wouldn't throw away, is the first step towards flashaholicism. I would never put any plastic light regardless of brand into an emergency kit, but for around the house it never hurts to have a few cheapies lying around.

TKC · Dec 27, 2005

I am really liking the Dorcy & River Rock.

BlackDecker · Dec 27, 2005

Most of the River Rock lights appear to be made by Nuwai. Other than the 'moonbeam' 2AA light, I've been happy with that entire brand line. I own the entire brand line of RR lights for less than the cost of a single SF.

cheapo · Dec 27, 2005

brinkman.

-David

Sharpdogs · Dec 27, 2005

Go with the Dorcy brand.

DigMe · Dec 28, 2005

Dorcy and River Rock. In the past I possibly would have said Brinkmann but they appear to have taken some negative cost cutting measures (Legend LX is no longer focusable, Maxfire LX bulb assembly) that don't inspire confidedence or exude quality. Also, they have some lights like the Rebel LED that are just cheap plastic crap.

brad cook

Supermarket Brands

onlinewarlord

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mossyoak

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