Cheapest 3w, NOT Mag Light

Well I've had about enough of the flicker with my son's 3AA 3w MM. I'm returning it. The output was impressive, very similar to my P1, but the flicker is unacceptable.

Any suggestions for another light in a similar price range? Batt type doesn't matter, in fact 123s or similar would be great as I already have a DSD multi-charger from Lighthound.

Ring Cyba Lite 3w, it is the little brother (3C) of the 5w Xtreme Lite 4C (http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/xtremelite_alx-654c.htm) I think it is actually of Nuwai origin. It costs a tiny bit less than the MagLED in the UK. It is a bit bigger though, using 3C rather than 3AA.

I think that everyone who has the flicker problem with the LED MiniMags solved it by putting in fresh batteries.

Whats the MM cost? $25-30?

I'd go with the Nuwai X3 or LED Lenser Hocus Focus

I have both and they are great lights. The Hocus Focus is expensive but if you get it on ebay it can be had for around $30. I believe I paid around $35 for each.

I paid $15.98 for my 3AA...the 2AA was $19-something at our local Target the other day.

For something in <$20, these are quite good:

http://www.qualitychinagoods.com/3w-3xaaa-p-364.html

I had this one, nice machining and build, great throw, runs perfectly off a single R123A, until I broke it trying to modify it:
http://www.qualitychinagoods.com/regulated-cr123a-suitable-lir123a-p-322.html

http://www.qualitychinagoods.com/regulated-cr123a-suitable-lir123a-p-334.html

The same site also has tons more lights in the $30 range. Dealextreme also sells many of the same for a bit less.

Lumapower D-Mini, oh wait... thats over budget... How about that good old Streamlight ProPoly 4AA Luxeon? Or maybe something like the Huntlight FT02 or Spiderfire lights? that way you can use both (R)CR123 and AA...

The Hokus Fokus (or Police Tech Focus) from LED Lenser only has a 1.25w Luxeon I LED, but the output is very good. Not sure it will match up to your 3 watt specification though.

MikeSalt said:

The Hokus Fokus (or Police Tech Focus) from LED Lenser only has a 1.25w Luxeon I LED, but the output is very good. Not sure it will match up to your 3 watt specification though.

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On the package of mine it says 3.44 watts....

it sure as hell is brighter than all of the lights listed in my sig! :rock: (Maybe not the maxfire...but I don't have any 123's to compare the two)

However, I'll throw another vote for the 4AA propolymer Luxeon. That light has served me well and seen the most use.

I'll second maycoopers suggestion for the 4AA propoly, You cant go wrong there, I actually just brought it in from the truck when i got back from the grocery store. I dont know why i brought it in, i just did,. Eventually i will get a second one.

2000xlt said:

I'll second maycoopers suggestion for the 4AA propoly, You cant go wrong there, I actually just brought it in from the truck when i got back from the grocery store. I dont know why i brought it in, i just did,. Eventually i will get a second one.

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It's such a great all-around light.

Its never let me down, I even swam across a river at night with it tied to my wrist submerged the whole time once when me and some buddies went camping last summer.

Get it here (and make sure you get the Luxeon model!) :
http://www.fox-intl.com/item.asp?id=338

For $15 with free shipping this MXDL is kind of hard to beat. I got one for my sister a few months back and she loves it. Downside is 3 AAA batteries in a carrier, but the price is definitly right. It really has a nice finish and lok for the price too.

http://www.ledshoppe.com/Product/ledp/LP1011.htm

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The Advanced Auto Parts 2C 3 watt pumps out some serious throw for just under $20. The 3AA MiniMag has better flood, but the AAP beats it for throw.

Geoff

The Advanced Auto Parts 2C (I have the TaskForce version from Lowes) is a nice light with medium build quality. For something that has a very nice quality light and is of high build quality that looks good and feels good in your hand, look at the HuntLight FT-01PJ for $30. I like my HuntLight tons better than my TaskForce, and they were the same price.

I am very impressed with the P1D-CE, but calling the LED MMs "dim and pointless" is as laughable as thinking that CREE LEDs won't be obsolete in a couple of years.

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This light is farly bright and dependable: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.725

Also the LILL is supposed to be good. I have not tried this one yet.

They both run on 3.6v rechargeable batteries for maximum brightness.

Get a Flaxton Photon Destroyer.

Try replacing the batteries in the MagLED first. I heard that the batteries they came with may be the cause of flickering (how? I have no idea). Or for just a little more money, you can pick up a Fenix L2S, or better, an L2T. You won't see a HUGE improvement in output between the L2S and L2T, but some would say the difference is worth the extra cost. If cost is an important factor, just get the L2S. It's a good light, and bright to boot.

My L2T is brighter than my MagLED 3AA, but I have not compared the 3AA to the L2S.

I skimmed this thread and if this has been mentioned I simply did not see it however one light I had almost forgot about....The Nuwai Q3

I carried one of these for years and it has seen several different luxeon stars as it is so very easy to mod and in stock form using a rechargeable cell it is a hard light to beat for the cost and value.

Very many threads here about this old favorite and I still very much enjoy mine.