LED Flashlights
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,220
Likes: 26
I am moving away from flashlights to LED headlamps. The pace of change is so fast that checking Amazon reviews is as good a method as any. I also use rechargeable batteries.
You can find Youtube videos with beam pics, or check out places like candlepowerforums.
Headlamps are outstanding for working on vehicles because they leave both hands free, and bright enough to wear outdoors for night tasks.
I have a couple of Streamlights which are outstanding but also around ninety bucks each. They've outlived many lesser flashlights.
Pelican make excellent, tough plastic flashlights which are nice for work since the bodies aren't conductive.
You can find Youtube videos with beam pics, or check out places like candlepowerforums.
Headlamps are outstanding for working on vehicles because they leave both hands free, and bright enough to wear outdoors for night tasks.
I have a couple of Streamlights which are outstanding but also around ninety bucks each. They've outlived many lesser flashlights.
Pelican make excellent, tough plastic flashlights which are nice for work since the bodies aren't conductive.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 15,014
Likes: 35
From: Semper Fi tell I die!
LED'S need 3.2V or so just to function.
So that means lots of cheap lights with 3 alkaline batteries, or they have a step up transformer (neither works too well)
This is why I recommend li-ion cell batteries (at a nominal 3.7V) and only Cree diodes.
LED flashlight technology has grown by leaps and bounds recently.
Prices have come WAY down.
Hell, I remember when Maglite mods were 'the next big thing'....
Then in the '90's there were Streamlight and Fenix rechargeables.
If all you need is a thousand lumen pocket flashlight to keep in your glove box, walk the dog or take out the trash, forget the pricey 'Tactikool' brands.
You can get 5 from Amazon for under $30. They will do all you want, and seem to hold up kicking around in my truck, Toolbox, etc..
2pcs UltraFire SK98 Adjustable Focus Zoom UltraFire CREE XML-T6 LED Waterproof Flashlight Torch 3-Modes 1200 lumens powered by 1pc 18650 3.7v recahargeable battery(not included) - - Amazon.com
So that means lots of cheap lights with 3 alkaline batteries, or they have a step up transformer (neither works too well)
This is why I recommend li-ion cell batteries (at a nominal 3.7V) and only Cree diodes.
LED flashlight technology has grown by leaps and bounds recently.
Prices have come WAY down.
Hell, I remember when Maglite mods were 'the next big thing'....
Then in the '90's there were Streamlight and Fenix rechargeables.
If all you need is a thousand lumen pocket flashlight to keep in your glove box, walk the dog or take out the trash, forget the pricey 'Tactikool' brands.
You can get 5 from Amazon for under $30. They will do all you want, and seem to hold up kicking around in my truck, Toolbox, etc..
2pcs UltraFire SK98 Adjustable Focus Zoom UltraFire CREE XML-T6 LED Waterproof Flashlight Torch 3-Modes 1200 lumens powered by 1pc 18650 3.7v recahargeable battery(not included) - - Amazon.com
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 39
From: EXTREME southwest CT
Recommendation based on the OP's request...
They are what they are, and that's fine with me.
Which ones did you get?
Originally Posted by AK FORD GUY
I am looking for a few LED flashlights for the house and would like to keep the price at or under $35 each. Something somewhat compact and the wife wants ones that have a strobe function.
Which ones did you get?
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,587
Likes: 47
From: Eagle River, AK
Thanks for all the recommendations and feedback. I have not ordered any yet, but hopefully will be in the next week or so.
One thing I did notice while browsing on Amazon is that if I pick any flashlight kits that have the rechargeable Lithium Ion batteries, they will not ship to AK.
One thing I did notice while browsing on Amazon is that if I pick any flashlight kits that have the rechargeable Lithium Ion batteries, they will not ship to AK.
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 39
From: EXTREME southwest CT
Li-ion batteries cannot ship because of the risk of fire and the damage lithium will do to aluminum (airframes)
Small cells or batteries may ship IF already installed in the device, AND not more that 20Wh per cell and/or 100Wh per battery.
(Postal regulation 135.6)
I didn't realize it was such an issue for you.
There is not a specific ban to AK or HI
Small cells or batteries may ship IF already installed in the device, AND not more that 20Wh per cell and/or 100Wh per battery.
(Postal regulation 135.6)
I didn't realize it was such an issue for you.
There is not a specific ban to AK or HI
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,024
Likes: 1,519
From: Maine, Virginia
I'm a bit of a flashlight freak since I carry mail and sometimes work in the dark.
So, for work, I have a Brinkman LED headlight that can switch from white light to red. Love it.
For the house and vehicles, I have a Stinger Streamlight. Very very spendy but it was a gift. It came with a car and house charger.
I have the Large D cell mag light and a couple small mag lights, love them too.
I just bought a pair of flashlights from BJ's (like Costco) and they are called, FEIT ELECTRIC. C cell batteries and it's the brightest fricken light that I've ever seen. Hold it up to your skin and you can feel the burn. The 2 pack was about $35.00. A true bargain.
Lastly, the light on my Galaxy S5 is no slouch either.
So, for work, I have a Brinkman LED headlight that can switch from white light to red. Love it.
For the house and vehicles, I have a Stinger Streamlight. Very very spendy but it was a gift. It came with a car and house charger.
I have the Large D cell mag light and a couple small mag lights, love them too.
I just bought a pair of flashlights from BJ's (like Costco) and they are called, FEIT ELECTRIC. C cell batteries and it's the brightest fricken light that I've ever seen. Hold it up to your skin and you can feel the burn. The 2 pack was about $35.00. A true bargain.
Lastly, the light on my Galaxy S5 is no slouch either.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 15,014
Likes: 35
From: Semper Fi tell I die!
Thanks for all the recommendations and feedback. I have not ordered any yet, but hopefully will be in the next week or so.
One thing I did notice while browsing on Amazon is that if I pick any flashlight kits that have the rechargeable Lithium Ion batteries, they will not ship to AK.
One thing I did notice while browsing on Amazon is that if I pick any flashlight kits that have the rechargeable Lithium Ion batteries, they will not ship to AK.
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New User
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Please...please think long and hard about using the Chinese batteries.
ROAR of the Pelican (CR123 Explosion during use, firsthand account)
CR123 primary batteries caught fire... | EDCForums
https://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.h...&f=20&t=670701
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 39
From: EXTREME southwest CT
I buy the flashlights with battery installed.
There's no problem shipping them.
Almost all these are Chinese.
Forget about those oddball 123 cells.
Go with 14500 (AA size) or 18650. (These are everywhere because of vaping)
Get "protected" batteries.
The best Li-ion cells are Japanese. Sanyo or Panasonic.
There's no problem shipping them.
Almost all these are Chinese.
Forget about those oddball 123 cells.
Go with 14500 (AA size) or 18650. (These are everywhere because of vaping)
Get "protected" batteries.
The best Li-ion cells are Japanese. Sanyo or Panasonic.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 15,014
Likes: 35
From: Semper Fi tell I die!
Please...please think long and hard about using the Chinese batteries.
ROAR of the Pelican (CR123 Explosion during use, firsthand account)
CR123 primary batteries caught fire... | EDCForums
https://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.h...&f=20&t=670701
ROAR of the Pelican (CR123 Explosion during use, firsthand account)
CR123 primary batteries caught fire... | EDCForums
https://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.h...&f=20&t=670701
New User
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
CR123A Batteries CR123 Batteries CR123A Battery CR123 Battery
https://www.batteriesandbutter.com/CR-123APA.html
Also, it is the construction of the lithium Chinese batteries that is a problem. (I'm sure over charging is also an issue in some cases) They use a thinner "separator" between the internal cells. That's why these things are going off people's pockets and while sitting on their desks.
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,587
Likes: 47
From: Eagle River, AK
Li-ion batteries cannot ship because of the risk of fire and the damage lithium will do to aluminum (airframes)
Small cells or batteries may ship IF already installed in the device, AND not more that 20Wh per cell and/or 100Wh per battery.
(Postal regulation 135.6)
I didn't realize it was such an issue for you.
There is not a specific ban to AK or HI
Small cells or batteries may ship IF already installed in the device, AND not more that 20Wh per cell and/or 100Wh per battery.
(Postal regulation 135.6)
I didn't realize it was such an issue for you.
There is not a specific ban to AK or HI
I buy the flashlights with battery installed.
There's no problem shipping the.
Almost all these are Chinese.
Forget about those oddball 123 cells.
Go with 14500 (AA size) or 18650. (These are everywhere because of vaping)
Get "protected" batteries.
The best Li-ion cells are Japanese. Sanyo or Panasonic.
There's no problem shipping the.
Almost all these are Chinese.
Forget about those oddball 123 cells.
Go with 14500 (AA size) or 18650. (These are everywhere because of vaping)
Get "protected" batteries.
The best Li-ion cells are Japanese. Sanyo or Panasonic.
With Amazon, there is no way to avoid it that I have found. I put it in my cart and hit the checkout button, a note pops up on the next screen stating that the item cannot be shipped. You have to remove the item to proceed. Not a show stopper, I think I'll get a pack of the SK98's to start with and find some batteries local.
I am working back to back long hitches with very little time off, so it could be a while before I have an actual usage report. But I will post one once I have something to report.
Thanks for all the feedback everyone.
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 39
From: EXTREME southwest CT
Good luck! 
Amazon has some oddball shipping policies.
They won't ship 'auto parts' to my post office box.
... this seems to include things like an led instrument bulb or a wiring pigtail.
Amazon has some oddball shipping policies.
They won't ship 'auto parts' to my post office box.
... this seems to include things like an led instrument bulb or a wiring pigtail.