Addicted to bargains...

Keithhr's thread about flashlight elitism (and borderline 12 step dependency) points out that different people are here for different reasons. For me, it's partly an extension of a more or less lifelong search for bargains which is now applied to this new class of toys. Of course I like flashlights per se, but I now have more than needed for any practical purpose (don't we all). The rest are for fun or - better yet - scratching the BARGAIN itch.

Flashlights provide a near perfect field for bargain hunting: diverse, distributed, complex, supported by internet searches and poking around stores; and it's more (but not completely) socially acceptable than gun and knife bargain hunting. And when I find flashlight bargains, I usually buy a bunch because I can't stand not to when it's such a good deal.

Whenever I use a light that I got a good deal on, it gives me a little tickle that transcends any measure of lumens or lux. I don't include run time, because it's not a bargain if it doesn't have good run time.

So I don't have many high end lights (haven't evolved that far yet), but I have more than enough Countycom $1 lights, Dorcy 1xAA(A)s, Xnovas, hybrid Arc AAAs (on sale bulk ebay Arc heads with Peak LED bodies), and other low/medium end lights to buy a micra or two. But this is more fun.

So, what's everyone else's favorite bargain light out there? (deals from friends don't count)

Normally I'm too attracted to flashlights that I don't bother finding a bargain. I just buy the newest Surefire that comes out straight away!

Mine would probably be the Invova 24/7 I got for around $9 new or the new ARC LSH-S for $65. I also love bargins.

One day I hope to have the luxury of not having to look at the price of anything!! Until then, I'll look for the sales...

One of my criteria for a bargain flashlight is that it run on rechargeable batteries, preferable AA or AAA. My Favorites:

- Dorcy AAA
- Princeton Tec Blast

Both under $10 and run on NiMH AAA batts. The Blast keeps me from spending all my money on 1W Luxeon lights.

Also the PT Tec-40 at $16 rounds out the bargain-hunter's collection with a really bright light and it also runs on NiMH, especially if you change the bulb.

And finally, the bargain hunter will want a $10 smart charger with 4 independent charging channels: the Rayovac PS-1.

Not a lot of LED lights listed here, but the new Streamlight Jr. Luxeon at $30 is looking like it could be a bargain in the world of Luxeon lights. I still don't see a good reason to trade in my Blast for it. Maybe someday.

Thanks for the tip about the Rayovac charger, Lurker. I just got one and it truly is a bargain at $10. Beats my old unsmart charger by a mile.

Oh yeah, I'm a bargain price junkee. I do however, keep it in perspective. If it's something I'm gonna need or really want I'll pay a fair price. Other items I will only pick up if I can find a bargain price.

BTW lurker, I also found the Tec Blast for $5 + $5 shipping (for any number ordered) at here

Had to buy 3 to make the shipping worth while. Shouldn't have, but did...

I bought a bunch of Blasts from TTS when they closed them out at $3 each. I've been slowly giving them away, an even better "bargain" for the recipient.

My main problem with them has been premature lamp failure. I wonder if the NiMH batteries may be causing that. Princeton Tec sent me a free replacement lamp, but who wants a light that burns out with no notice and whose replacement lamps are sort of cumbersome? It actually makes me appreciate the somewhat-despised 2aaa minimag a little bit more (spare bulb in tail).

The $1 Countycomm light is of course the bargain of the century. I've given away dozens of them and they're always appreciated.

The other big bargain I "acquired" recently is a simple mod. I took an old $3 plastic 2C flashlight I had laying around, taped together 3xCR123 cells and wrapped them in a cardboard sleeve made from a TP roll and a cardboard coffee cup insulator to replace the two C cells, and changed the bulb to a KPR118 which was $1.29 from Radio Shack. Result is a light with output throw comparable to a 2-cell SF Turbohead and with less weight (though more bulk), for under $5 plus batteries. The beam is kind of ugly, but the light is effective enough that I think I might sell my Streamlight TL3.