LED flashlight for under 30 bucks

[MrMatt]

I want an LED flashlight, it has to be bright, and I want to spend under 30...what should I get?

 

[minendo]

Maglite 2 D cell.

 

[h8red]

probably something from here
http://www.dealextreme.com/products.dx/category.901

 

[thebestMAX]

Under $30? Small size like on CSI?

I have this one and it outdoes my Surefires.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.22571

 

[mugs]

http://www.amazon.com/Dorcy-41-4275-...518503&sr=8-17

http://www.amazon.com/Dorcy-41-4276-...518550&sr=8-47


Only downside is they take AAA batteries.

 

[thebestMAX]

Dont knock single double As when it comes to an LED flashlight.

I have an Ultrafire AA also that is super bright and sooooo easy to carry. Batteries are cheap and easy to find also as opposed to Lithiums.
Pretty cheap at Dealextreme also. $11.00

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1993

 

[villageidiot111]

maglites are cheap and they're what the cops use, so they've gotta be decent quality.

http://www.amazon.com/Mag-Lite-ST3D0...1520298&sr=1-2

 

[mugs]

maglites are cheap and they're what the cops use, so they've gotta be decent quality.

http://www.amazon.com/Mag-Lite-ST3D0...1520298&sr=1-2

Are they? A cop I know uses a Streamlight. Maglites are good if you want to bludgeon someone, but they're unnecessarily large and heavy.

 

[shortylickens]

Are they? A cop I know uses a Streamlight. Maglites are good if you want to bludgeon someone, but they're unnecessarily large and heavy.

They are not unnecessarily large. They are exactly as large as they need to be to hold the batteries they use and still have a decent body that doesnt crumple whilst I am bludgeoning someone.

Although I agree most cops have since moved on to smaller lights with batteries designed especially for them, as opposed to 1-6 C or D cells.
I still have a 6D Maglight in my truck.

 

[Capt Caveman]

maglites are cheap and they're what the cops use, so they've gotta be decent quality.

http://www.amazon.com/Mag-Lite-ST3D0...1520298&sr=1-2

Maglites are garbage except as a weapon.

I picked-up at Costco a pair of Techlite Cree XPC LED flashlights a couple of weeks ago for $15 on sale, regularly $20.

They push out 160 lumens with three settings (hi, low, strobe) and have an adjustable beam in a hard aluminum body.

For the money, I don't think you can beat them.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I have a "police grade" garity that takes 2 D cells, just an incad though but probably easy to put a few leds in there. I should try it some time. That thing would seriously hurt if I mashed someone over the head with it after blinding them.

 

[thebestMAX]

You want a flashlight or you want a weapon?

This one is a pretty good combo of both. Sits next to my nightstand with my S&W.
http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/ledbeam_3c.htm

 

[Red Squirrel]

Oh surprised nobody posted this: http://www.fleshlight.com/

I'm sure they have LED ones.

 

[Rubycon]

Oh surprised nobody posted this: http://www.fleshlight.com/

I'm sure they have LED ones.

Get one made in China. Guaranteed to have plenty of lead. Think about that next time says you need to get the lead out!

 

[Muadib]

I came into this thread to see what was recommended. Now I feel dirty.

 

[edro]

Get one with a Cree MC-E.
It is a single LED with 4 led dies inside. It blows away most LEDs currently available.

 

[JasonSix78]

Maglites are garbage except as a weapon.

I picked-up at Costco a pair of Techlite Cree XPC LED flashlights a couple of weeks ago for $15 on sale, regularly $20.

They push out 160 lumens with three settings (hi, low, strobe) and have an adjustable beam in a hard aluminum body.

For the money, I don't think you can beat them.

Maglites are garbage? My 10+ year old 3 Dcell is still plenty bright with the original bulb. I've dropped it more times than I can count and it's still going strong. $15 for a flashlight that lasts 10+ years isn't garbage.

 

[Rubycon]

Get one with a Cree MC-E.
It is a single LED with 4 led dies inside. It blows away most LEDs currently available.

Haha yeah but it also blows away his $30 budget.

 

[edro]

If you do get a maglite, get an LED version. I agree that incandescent maglites are junk compared to the led versions. You can get led bulbs to drop in to 3 d mags. I have one and it kills the original incandescent.

 

[duragezic]

Maglites are garbage? My 10+ year old 3 Dcell is still plenty bright with the original bulb. I've dropped it more times than I can count and it's still going strong. $15 for a flashlight that lasts 10+ years isn't garbage.

Not garbage, since like you say it is very durable. However, compared to a decent quality LED light, the difference is night and day.

 

[rockyct]

Maglites are garbage except as a weapon.

I picked-up at Costco a pair of Techlite Cree XPC LED flashlights a couple of weeks ago for $15 on sale, regularly $20.

They push out 160 lumens with three settings (hi, low, strobe) and have an adjustable beam in a hard aluminum body.

For the money, I don't think you can beat them.

I couldn't resist that package either. Takes 3-AAAs each and it comes with all six batteries. It even has a low battery LED at the bottom.

 

[mugs]

They are not unnecessarily large. They are exactly as large as they need to be to hold the batteries they use and still have a decent body that doesnt crumple whilst I am bludgeoning someone.

Although I agree most cops have since moved on to smaller lights with batteries designed especially for them, as opposed to 1-6 C or D cells.
I still have a 6D Maglight in my truck.

Right, it's the D-cells that aren't necessary, and they are what make Maglites big. The longer runtime they give you isn't necessary for the way most people use their flashlights.

AAs, AAAs or CR123As will give you the same or greater brightness in a much smaller flashlight, they just won't last as long as a D-cell.

 

[0roo0roo]

Maglites are garbage? My 10+ year old 3 Dcell is still plenty bright with the original bulb. I've dropped it more times than I can count and it's still going strong. $15 for a flashlight that lasts 10+ years isn't garbage.

They are garbage for the price these days. They stagnated and didn't advance with the times, the new ones aren't very bright, use old led tech, aren't heatsinked properly, yet they charge a decent amount for em still. go to candlepowerforums ...maglite gets no respect there at all.

and i've had plenty of the aa mags turn to sh*t in less than a few years, never mind 10

 

[marvdmartian]

Here you go. Not sure how bright it really is, but you can walk around in the dark, secure in the knowledge that you have 109 LED's working their little hearts out for you! :awe:

 

[rockyct]

They are garbage for the price these days. They stagnated and didn't advance with the times, the new ones aren't very bright, use old led tech, aren't heatsinked properly, yet they charge a decent amount for em still. go to candlepowerforums ...maglite gets no respect there at all.

and i've had plenty of the aa mags turn to sh*t in less than a few years, never mind 10

Yeah, it seems like they resisted going to LED for so long that they really have no chance to keep up now. Even a flashlight company has to innovate.