Top lights for non-flashoholics, and gifts.

Recommend good lights for non-flashoholics.


I've found it difficult picking the best lights for friends and family that are not into flashlights, especially when on a budget.

There are often threads that ask the same or similar question based on price, light output, battery type etc. However those usually have a specific needs to meet.

I would like to put together a quick list of lights and basic stats to help everyone out. The top picks for each price point will have a Bold font. I have not found a similar thread in my searches. I'll defiantly need some help with the lower priced lights in AA. This is what I have so far:

(12-10-2008)

Usually an AA or AAA flashlight is recommended for non-flashoholics because CR123A lithium are difficult to find at a brick and mortar store at a reasonable price. Also an AA or AAA energizer lithium can be used instead of alkali to gain some benefits. The benefit of Lithium batteries is better performance in cold weather, long shelf life, no risk of battery leakage, lighter weight. (Lithium CR123s offer more power for their size)

Unless there is a specific need for a CR123 powered light avoid them and stick with commonly available battery types AAA, AA, C, and D.

Top recommendations for each price range will be in bold.__________________

Under $25
______________| Cost| Battery | Lumen| #Modes| Runtime | Type
Romisen RC . .| $12 | 1. AA . | ~60? | . 1 . | -?----- | LED
Photon II . . | $15 | CR2016 .| 10 . | . 1 . | 11-21hr | LED (keychain)
Fenix E01 . . | $15 | 1.AAA . | 10 . | . 1 . | 11-21hr | LED (keychain)
Mini MagLite .| $10 | 2. AA . | ~12? | . 1 . | 2.-6hr .| Incan (twist)
Energizer 1xAA| $18 | 1. AA . | ~25? | . 1 . | ~1.8 ? .| LED (click) | https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/215451
Mini Mag LED .| $20 | 2. AA . | --stats to come --
River Rock . .| $22 | 1. AA . | ~25? | . 1 . | ~1.8 ? .| LED (click) | https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/161018&highlight=RIVER+ROCK+1xAA


$25 - $50
________________| Cost| Battery | Lumen .| #Modes| Runtime .| Type
Fenix E20 . . . | $38 | 2. AA . | 109 . .| . 1 . | 3.3 . . .| LED (twist)
Fenix LD01. . . | $44 | 1.AAA . |. 80-10 | . 3 . | 1.0-8.5 .| LED (twist)
Fenix L0D . . . | $46 | 1.AAA . |. 75-11 | . 5 . | 1.0-3.5 .| LED (twist)
Fenix L1T . . . | $48 | 1. AA . |. 98-16 | . 2 . | 1.5-16 . | LED (click)
Fenix L2T . . . | $49 | 2. AA . | 152-16 | . 2 . | 2.4-32 . | LED (click)
LumaPower LM33 .| --- | --stats to come --
JetBeam Element | --- | --stats to come --
MagLite 2C . . .| --- | 2. C . .| --stats to come --
MagLite 2D . . .| --- | 2. D . .| --stats to come --



$50 - $100 (starting to get into flashoholic territory)
_____________| Cost| Battery | Lumen .| #Modes| Runtime .| Type
Fenix L2D Q5 | $50 | 2. AA . | 180-9 .| . 6 . | 2.4-55 . | LED (click)
Fenix L1D Q5 | $55 | 1. AA . | 120-12 | . 6 . | 1.5-25 . | LED (click)
Fenix LD10 . | $58 | 1. AA . | 120-9 .| . 5 . | 1.5-34 . | LED (click)
Fenix P1D Q5 | $60 | 1.CR123 | 180-16 | . 5 . | 1.0-21 . | LED (twist)
Fenix P2D Q5 | $60 | 1.CR123 | 180-12 | . 5 . | 1.0-21 . | LED (click)
Photon PRO . | $62 | 1. AA . |.~50 ? .| . 4++ | 1.5-200 .| white/red LED (btn)
Fenix TK20 . | $64 | 2. AA . | 150-45 | . 2 . | 2.0-11 . | LED (click)
Fenix P3D Q5 | $69 | 2.CR123 | 215-12 | . 5 . | 1.8-65 . | LED (click)
Fenix TK11 . | $69 | 2.CR123 | 240-60 | . 2 . | 1.5-10 . | LED (click)
SureFire G2 .| $39 | 2.CR123 | 65/120 | . 1 . | 60/20 . .| Incan (tail press)
SureFire G2L | $69 | 2.CR123 | 80 . . | . 1 . | 11 . . . | LED (tail press)
SureFire 6P .| $62 | 2.CR123 | 65/120 | . 1 . | 60/20 . .| Incan (tail press)
SureFire 6PL | $89 | 2.CR123 | 80 . . | . 1 . | 11 . . . | LED (tail press)
Nitecore D10 | $59 | 1. AA . |--stats to come --
Nitecore D20 | $73 | 2. AA . |--stats to come --
Nitecore EX10| $59 | --stats to come --

$100 - $150
_____________| Cost| Battery | Lumen .| #Modes| Runtime .| Type
SureFire E1B |$149 | 1.CR123 | 80-5 . | . 2 . | 1.3-31 . | LED (click)
SureFire E2D |$149 | 2.CR123 | 120-5 .| . 2 . | 1.9-76 . | LED (click)
SureFire C2 .|$154 | 2 CR123 | 80 . . | . 2 . | 11 . . . | LED (tail press)
SureFire L1 .|$159 | 1 CR123 | 65-10 .| . 2 . | 1.3-31 . | LED (tail press)

$150 - $200
____________________| Cost| Battery | Lumen .| #Modes| Runtime .| Type
SureFire A2 Aviator |$199 | 2 CR123 | 50-3 . | . 2 . | 60-20 . .| Incan/LED



-I plan on keeping less than 30 lights in each price category. And will bold those that are highly recommended. The initial post is only those that I have experience because of this it starting out to be a little Surefire and Fenix heavy (not intended just happened that way).

-I'm also sure that there is a way to clean up the format by using a table. I'll figure this out later.

This is a work in progress, constructive criticisms welcome...

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If you do have a recommendation and know the price point and other info for the light please include it in your recommendation.
Also let me know it should one of the top picks in bold or just on the list. I think it will make putting this list together a little easier.


Thanks,

Add the LM31/LM33

Add the Nitecore D10, D20, EX10.

I think that, despite being a larger size, the regular C and D size Mags should be included.

Maybe also the Inova lines available at Targets?

For gift lights to non-flashaholics, I tend to favor lights with a very simple UI and no more than three light levels. Anything more would be too confusing. I agree that it should be ideally powered by a AA or AAA battery since they are quite easy to come by and most households have them.

My thoughts on gift lights for non-flashaholics:

Mini Mag LED - roughly $20, 2xAA and 3xAAA configuration are available, recognized brand even by non-flashaholics, durable, easy to obtain, different colors available (get one in the recipient's favorite color), candle mode
Fenix LD01 - less than $50 (bit more for the SS edition), runs on 1xAAA, easy UI, can tail stand, excellent keychain light
JetBeam Element (less than $50), Element E3P (less than $60) - runs on 1xAA, simple UI, easily carried in a pocket or purse, looks great (I think it can tailstand as well)

The Energizer and River Rock lights I've seen at Target are good for gifts as well (gave an Energizer 1xAA as a gift to my wife's aunt not too long ago) since they're in the $20 ~ $30 range and run off of AAs or AAAs.

_Shawn_ said:

$50 - $100 (starting to get into flashoholic territory)
. . . . . . .| Cost| Battery | Lumen .| #Modes| Runtime .| Type

.
.
.
SureFire E1B |$149 | 1.CR123 | 80-5 . | . 2 . | 1.3-31 . | LED (click)
SureFire E2D |$149 | 2.CR123 | 120-5 .| . 2 . | 1.9-76 . | LED (click)

Click to expand...

Shouldn't these be in the $100 - $150 category instead of the $50 - $100? :thinking:

Yes they should. I'll move them.

Where is the Fenix TK20, for many people it is a better gift light than TK11, because it uses AA batteries.

I do not like to give people lights with CR123 batteries, they are way to expensive in b&m shops.

HKJ said:

Where is the Fenix TK20, for many people it is a better gift light than TK11, because it uses AA batteries.

I do not like to give people lights with CR123 batteries, they are way to expensive in b&m shops.

Click to expand...

Thanks,

I have added the TK20. It looks like a good light and I may have to get one to try out. I have a feeling as I research the stats for each light I'm going to find more lights I need and less $$ left in my pocket.

I have also attempted to make it clear that standard batteries are preferable but feel that because there are so many different needs good idea to keep lights with CR123s on the list.

It's a great idea to do this list! Very helpful, especially at this time of the year where flashlights can also have more time for use making it a great holiday gift!

Searching for specs on some of the lower end lights takes more time than I expected. I've decided to add links to some of the reviews when I find them here at CPF.

For non-addicts, I try to stick to standard (AAA, AA, C or D batteries.)

At the low end, these rock ... I've been using them for years.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1137

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5715

20 and 48 packs on ebay go for $1.50-$2.50 each.

At the mid-range, these are on my list to test.

http://dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.18630

http://dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.18629

Andy

For giving lights as gifts I usually give Maglites but next year I think I'm going to start giving Photon Freedom micros as there small size, battery life, choice of colours and, features are impressive.

The Streamlight ProPolymer 4AA LUXEON is still a great LED Flashlight to give as a gift. It sells for $32 or so and is made in USA.

parnass said:

The Streamlight ProPolymer 4AA LUXEON is still a great LED Flashlight to give as a gift. It sells for $32 or so and is made in USA.

Click to expand...

+1 good light and don't forget the INOVAs

parnass said:

The Streamlight ProPolymer 4AA LUXEON is still a great LED Flashlight to give as a gift. It sells for $32 or so and is made in USA.

Click to expand...

Are they really made in the USA or or they assembled in the USA?

Hands down the Fenix E01!

I've given away 10+ fenix E01s now - I think they are THE perfect gift.

They are small enough to be kept on a keychain, bright enough for the majority of non-flashaholic tasks, simple battery type, KISS interface, durable and cheap!.

My father swears by his and uses it every time he goes to a restaurant to read the menu, my mother tells me she couldn't live without it when finding key-holes in the dark, and my girl uses hers daily to check our mailbox

AND ALL FOR $15!

I would recommend single mode Ultrafire C3 with 2xAA extension tube, runs off 1xAA or 2xAA. Available at DX, price point is (i think) $16 - $17

Don't know if this would make a difference at all, but the Fenix L2D Q5 most definitely goes up to 180 lumens, not 135.