Flashlights

[mr.stang]

Been going through my stuff in preparation for our U.P. Michigan trip and came to the realization we need 2 new flashlights. Looking on line it's hard to tell what is what, some claims of 1 million lumens and some of 3500 yard penetration. In the real world, what do you have and what do you recommend? I would like something rechargeable and semi light weight. Thanks, Stan

 

[LRCURTIS]

We like these from MagLite (ML25LT LED 2-Cell C Flashlight). We use rechargeable C-cells and get a lot of use per charge. The rechargeable battery kit from MagLite shows on sale now. Solid product made in the USA that will last long enough to end up in our estate sale.

 

[occer]

I have several Milwaukee battery tools and have the batteries. I use this flashlight more than any of the others. It’s a wide beam rather than a long beam.

Amazon.com

 

[Centex]

In my real world I can't remember ever needing to illuminate more than a few steps in front of me, and most any flashlight will do that.

I prefer having many flashlights so I can stash them where the need might arise and they are readily at-hand (bedside, near the door, truck door-pocket, storage compartments, tool boxes, near fuse / breaker panels, etc)

This inexpensive LED solution meets my needs, very robust, lightweight and easy to grip, the batteries last a long time in use and a very, very long time in storage.

When I need hands-free task lighting, I like these.

If I wanted rechargeable, I'd get a kit something like this.

My real world, yours may differ, no worries!

 

[HABBERDABBER]

My favorite photon generators are from an outfit called NITECORE. They have many models, all I believe rechargeable, LED & lithium powered. A small pocket one I use multiple times daily.
I worked for 10 years in the flashlight R&D Group a couple of decades ago for Rayovac, a consumer battery and flashlight manufacturer. I have a superabundance of flashlights, old and some new. My recommendation of Nitecore comes from some background and user experience in that field.
There are tons more of excellent lighting devices out there. Be wary of brightness claims.... Marketing Departments aren't known for accuracy, credibility and valid claims.
How and what do you want to use the flashlight for, is your most difficult question to answer.

 

[BravoDeltaRomeo]

I have many Fenix flashlights that I have been using for many years.

A couple Streamlight as well.

No issues with any of them. Many are rechargeable now but I prefer a flashlight with a removable battery, that can be recharged. One less port for dust and water to get in or the rubber stopper plug on it to break.

I trust a few of the big name flashlight makers with their lumen claims. I wouldn't trust a $16 AliExpress one that claims 16000 lumens.

 

[RambleOn]

I prefer a headlamp. Great for walking at night and for hands-free work in the dark corners of the camper. The rechargeable Nitecore NU 25 is my favorite.

 

[iamunique127]

Like Centex, I like to have a flashlite at hand when I need it and not have to look around for one, so I have several in common places like the truck, my toolbag, my workshop, the trailer, etc. I mostly prefer them to be small, light, simple and easy to carry so these from Home Depot suit me perfectly. They are inexpensive (I won’t be bothered if I lose one) and bright enough for most of my purposes. The switch is simple on/off so I don’t have to click through several modes to get what I want. I’ve never found a need for all the available modes.

I do carry a couple other larger and brighter LED flashlites for if the need arises. None of them are fancy brand names, they just work.

I prefer removable batteries so use rechargeable AA or AAAs in all of them. I carry a charger or two in the trailer at all times. We don’t have a built-in inverter so I plug the chargers into small 75W inverters that plug into the cigarette lighter sockets and charge off the 12V batteries. Works for me.

 

[fudge_brownie]

I have a Nebo Slyde+. Not sure how I found it, but it is a well-designed light, when it works. It took two exchanges to get a light that stayed on, even though on the current iteration not all features work. I post this as a model to avoid.

I like many of you I have settled on quantity over quality. I need it now.

 

[GinoandLinda]

We bought a pack of Duracell flashlights from Costco a couple of years ago which included one large light and a couple of smaller ones. They use AA batteries which are easy to find. I also have a Petzl headlamp from my days as as a 24hr endurance runner with an external battery pack that also uses AA batteries. I avoid lights that rely on charging. I also prefer headlamps over handhelds.

 

[Mike G]

Nitecore and Fenix have been mentioned, and they are good brands. My favorites are a Zebralight headlamp and a couple of small handheld lights from Sofirn and Emisar. The latter use an open-source interface programming that one can ramp up or down to various light levels by holding down the switch. Among those three brands, I think Sofirn is the only one that offers internal charging capability; the rest have removable cells that you'd charge in a separate charger.

Realistically, a thousand lumens out the front (OTF) is more than enough for almost all situations. Something with 3 or 4 lithium 18650 cells (and a "pop can" size for heat management) could sustain 5,000 or maybe 8,000 lumens for a decent period, but don't trust brands that promise much more than that; 50k lumens or a million lumens is just not honest. For reference, my 5k lumen Sofirn BLF Q8 is brighter than my vehicle's high beams, and they've recently upgraded the LEDs in the new Q8 model to more efficient ones which are 16k lumens max.

My little Sofirn SC-20 has a magnetic tailcap, and I stick it on the rear bumper if I have to back into a campsite at night. Works well.

 

[Selkirk]

I also prefer flashlights with removable batteries......

My go-to flashlight for use on-the-job is an older Suprabeam Q7. It's rated at 400 lumens (plenty for my purposes), runs on standard AAA batteries, and is built like a tank. I've owned it for the better part of 10 years and has seen plenty of abuse. It has never let me down.

I used to be fond of Coast flashlights. They are easy to find at the big box stores and seemed to be a good value whenever they went on sale. I have four different models in different sizes kicking around. Two of these have held up very well. However, the other two have failed in recent months. None have encountered anything near the amount of use as my trusty Suprabeam. I don't think I'd buy another.

Normally I steer clear of dirt-cheap chinesium flashlights. However, a while back, Princess Auto (Canadian version of Harbor Freight) had these 300 lumen "Volt King" flashlights on sale for $8 for a two-pack. I believe that the same model is commonly available elsewhere under different brands. I bought six ...and keep them stashed anywhere I might need one.

https://www.princessauto.com/en/tactical-flashlight-with-zoom/product/PA0009311861

I have been thoroughly impressed with these little flashlights. They are bright enough for most tasks and I find them surprisingly well made for what they are. All still work flawlessly despite fairly heavy use.

I also recently picked up an "Infinity X1" 5000 lumen flashlight when they were on sale at Costco for $40. I keep it in my truck, just in case a need a truly high-powered flashlight. However I really have not used it. The lower power 300-400 lumen lights are much more handy and bright enough most of the time.

Infinity X1 Main

Infinity X1 Main

infinityx1.com

 

[vermilye]

Like Centexd & IA, I prefer a flashlight that I always have with me. My original was a Nitecore TINI which has been replaced with the TINI 2 & 3. The newer models are larger, but still fit on a keychain. I keep at TINI 2 next ot the bed in my trailer. The original TINI finally gave up after 5 years. Loved the size, but the surface level buttons turned it on too often in my pocket.

I currently have a Solid Signal 900 Lumen Keychain Flashlight USB-C Rechargeable with UV (SS900) on my trailer keychain. Multi level & plenty of light on high. About as large as I'd want for a keychain flashlight, but it is inexpensive & works.

 

[Ron in BC]

Flashlights, I got flashlights, boxes of them. Never met a flashlight that I didn't like. My standby for many years was a 3 cell Maglite. But, time moves on. Never converted my 2 of them to led and they languish in a box of not much or ever used flashlights.

My best one was a large, handle large torch, rated for 10 million candlepower. The reflector diameter was about 6". Battery life was short. We had a big slide by my house and the emergency folks were using dinky flashlights. I lit up the hill side, they were impressed. The battery was very expensive to replace and I eventually junked it. It was fun while it lasted.

Now I have a selection of inexpensive flashlights spread around, always have one close by. My go-to now is a Phixton rechargable. Large enough to light up the campsite and small enough to put in my pocket.

So many choices now.

Ron

 

[DT6]

According to The NY Times "Wirecutter" which provides detailed product reviews, the following are recommended (personally I use the Braun from Harbor Freight and like it. 800 Lumen Tactical LED Flashlight):

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CTCDPXFY/?tag=thewire06-20&linkCode=xm2&ascsubtag=F0401HZT0TMGGCY11B0M9F0SVW4FK&th=1

and the

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BKLLM3FR/?tag=thewire06-20&linkCode=xm2&ascsubtag=F0401HZT1VDK1KD7F214Z0MX5W4QE&th=1

I have no experience with either of these, but I trust the source to provide honest reviews of products. Like any review, they can't and don't look at everything out there so probably a lot of good alternative they missed.

 

[caheaton]

I have a bunch of different lights, some from Nitecore, Olight, MAG and many others. You can spend as little or as much as you want it seems. Here are two that I always keep in our camper. One hangs by the door adjacent to the light switches and the other I keep on the shelf above the bed.
Amazon.com (door)

Maglite single AAA led (bed)

Nitecore Tube on the camper keychain

Nitecore TUBE v2 55 Lumen Rechargeable Keychain Flashlight

Improved Performance and Operation The popular NITECORE Tube keychain flashlight 2nd generation is here with 55 lumen brightness, faster charging, and an improved lockout function. Easily adjust the output of the NITECORE Tube V2.0 to your needs with its variable brightness. Just hold the power...

nitecorestore.com

Also keep packed an LED lantern that occasionally use, my favorite lantern is A Streamlight 44941. Lantern is handy in that it can put out different levels of white light as well as red to protect you night vision.

 

[HABBERDABBER]

Yup, I keep and use a Nitecore Tube in my pocket at all times and have a slew of them about the trailer and house. Super useful gadget. Small, 2 brightnes levels, rechargeable and my go-to aid as eyesight with aging heads South and I need more light to see details. So small, I often place it in my mouth to direct the light if my hands are occupied with implements. Head lights are swell, but a mouth light works too.
Their TIP model is impressive too, a bit bigger, brighter and a metal shell.

 

[Mike G]

I have been a flashaholic for more than 15 years. I haven't counted lately, but I probably have more than 75 flashlights, a handful of headlamps, and 3 or 4 lantern lights. Like some of you other folks, I carry a small light in my pocket pretty much all the time; it will be a 1-AAA twist-on, twist-off light such as the Lumintop EDC01 or Maratac AAA. These twist lights are super simple and reliable, usually with 2 or 3 light levels. I keep one in the Escape's drawer next to the bed and it wears a silicone diffuser, which turns it into a sort of 'candle' light at just 1 lumen for middle-of-the-night stuff.

I also keep in the trailer a Noctigon K1 "thrower" light in case I want to "reach out and touch" something much farther away, like critters.

The thing about rechargeable flashlights with a built-in battery is, when the battery dies the flashlight is junk. So if I buy a light that has a charging port, I almost always make sure it's one that also can unscrew for easy battery tradeout with a commonly available replacement.

 

[GinoandLinda]

I also carry an adequate flashlight in my pocket, an iPhone.

 

[CharlesinGA]

I had a couple of Nebo Big Larry flashlights. Then the batteries leaked. Switching to rechargable models I bought the Nebo Big Larry 600, which is rechargeable. It works great, strong magnet in the base so you can stick it to a fender for changing a tire at night, or stick it to a fender and set it to flashing red, great warning light, Has a regular beam in the end. My only issue and I noted that in the review I did, was that the USB C will NOT charge off a USB C PD port, however it does charge just fine off a USB A port with the provided cable or similar cable. I have been switching to USB C PD ports and discovered this, Its not a huge issue, but does limit where I can plug it in, be it the trailer or the truck chargers.

For camp lanterns, I scrapped the ones I had (again, battery leakage, an issue I have not experienced in years, now I have to pull the batteries out of everything when not in use, for fear of leakage) Anyhow, I have bought the Harbor Freight

Cheap, use 3 AA batteries, very bright, great for a picnic table or lantern hook. If the batteries leak I won't hesitate to toss it.. There are others on the market, that are very similar.

LUMINAR OUTDOOR 500 Lumen Compact Pop-Up Lantern

Charles