Boglehead Flashlight?

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fishmonger
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Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by fishmonger »

Looking to purchase a good quality flashlight just to have around the house/for walks with our dog. I have a ton of headlamps and lanterns that I use for camping, fishing, etc. but have not purchased a standard flashlight in probably 20 years (MagLite).

What's a high quality, bright flashlight that gets the most bang for your buck?
lightheir
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by lightheir »

If you haven't bought a flashlight in 29 years, you'll be shocked at how much brighter and every efficient they are now. Like 10x better in some cases.

Look for a cree led bulb light, can't go wrong and is very reasonably priced. The bulbs last basically forever to you will never need to upgrade.
hicabob
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by hicabob »

You could always upgrade the old maglite to led (3 cell or bigger) ...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XV8CFJ4/re ... 9710802294

It would still be big and heavy but the battery would last forever.
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Sandtrap
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by Sandtrap »

LED Maglight. "D" cells. We have one near every entry/exit door of our home as well as in the bedrooms and cars.

I recently bought this heavy "beast" at Home Depot for $30 and it is very bright and solid. Uses "D" cells which is great.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-1000- ... /205937853

New headlamp we just got. DW loves any kind of flashlight.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0106 ... UTF8&psc=1
I don't care for the AAA battery restrictions in these small units but I guess it's because they are small and light.

Be sure to get the LED bulb style lights.
IMHO batteries are better and cheaper than rechargeable units.
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bloom2708
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by bloom2708 »

If you are a Costco member, they usually have a Duracell LED 2 pack or 3 pack in the store.

https://www.costco.com/Duracell-380-Lum ... 75441.html

We have the medium size and several smaller size. Very bright. Batteries last a long time. Reasonable price.

The also have a Feit brand 3 pack.
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JoMoney
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by JoMoney »

I got a small "rugged" LED flashlight at the .99cent store.
Very convenient, fits in pocket, maybe not the brightest LED out there, but hard to beat in the bang-for-buck category, and the size is perfect for my purposes.
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fishmonger
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by fishmonger »

Sandtrap wrote: Thu Feb 22, 2018 10:09 am LED Maglight. "D" cells. We have one near every entry/exit door of our home as well as in the bedrooms and cars.

I recently bought this heavy "beast" at Home Depot for $30 and it is very bright and solid. Uses "D" cells which is great.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-1000- ... /205937853

New headlamp we just got. DW loves any kind of flashlight.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0106 ... UTF8&psc=1
I don't care for the AAA battery restrictions in these small units but I guess it's because they are small and light.

Be sure to get the LED bulb style lights.
IMHO batteries are better and cheaper than rechargeable units.
j :D
I love headlamps as well, particularly for surfcasting. However I need them to be able to swivel vertically. Makes a big difference in what I want to focus my light on when fishing/hiking - sometimes down on my hands when changing lures, or out in front when scanning the water.
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by livesoft »

Headlamps are probably the best for night time walking/hiking.

But nowadays bike lights are essentially small hand-carry flashlights with a handlebar mount. If you want BRIGHT then a 200 lumen TeamObsidian is a great flashlight that is small and adjustable narrow/wide focus. https://www.teamobsidian.com/collection ... 6258864135 About $17 a set.

Get 3 AAA batteries for the flashlight that are rechargeable (Eneloop) because the flashlight will use 3 x 800 mAh in about 3 hours. Get a nice LaCrosse charger, too, say a BC700. This flashlight is cheap, small, and more powerful than many car headlights. "It will burn your eyes out."
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Sandtrap
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by Sandtrap »

fishmonger wrote: Thu Feb 22, 2018 10:34 am
Sandtrap wrote: Thu Feb 22, 2018 10:09 am LED Maglight. "D" cells. We have one near every entry/exit door of our home as well as in the bedrooms and cars.

I recently bought this heavy "beast" at Home Depot for $30 and it is very bright and solid. Uses "D" cells which is great.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-1000- ... /205937853

New headlamp we just got. DW loves any kind of flashlight.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0106 ... UTF8&psc=1
I don't care for the AAA battery restrictions in these small units but I guess it's because they are small and light.

Be sure to get the LED bulb style lights.
IMHO batteries are better and cheaper than rechargeable units.
j :D
I love headlamps as well, particularly for surfcasting. However I need them to be able to swivel vertically. Makes a big difference in what I want to focus my light on when fishing/hiking - sometimes down on my hands when changing lures, or out in front when scanning the water.
The one in the link had good reviews and swivels vertically.
In Hawaii, works well for night harvesting "opai" tiny orange shrimp for live bait.
Still trying to find an ultra bright headlamp for mine tunnel exploring.
j :D
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cfs
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by cfs »

I have two of these handy--one sitting next to my laptop.

https://www.amazon.com/Eveready-Outdoor ... B01N2BFURQ

Good luck, y gracias por leer ~cfs~

p.s. Total cost about $6 at the military exchange.
Last edited by cfs on Thu Feb 22, 2018 11:14 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Toons
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by Toons »

Picked these up from Amazon a few weeks ago.
Superb so far,,one is going traveling with us :mrgreen:


Image


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0744 ... UTF8&psc=1
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jadedfalcons
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by jadedfalcons »

I keep one of these in my backpack. They're cheaper in stores than what their website shows. I use 2 lithium batteries in it and it is VERY bright. I used it to inspect my gutters in the dark this morning because of all the ice we've had. Very nice to be able to stand at one corner of the house and check an entire side because it's plenty bright. It's also got some heft to it, feels nice and solid in your hand.

http://maglite.com/shop/flashlights/com ... o8BVqjwaUk
livesoft
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by livesoft »

Those lights linked by Toons look great. I may get me some. Thx!
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whatusername?
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by whatusername? »

livesoft wrote: Thu Feb 22, 2018 12:24 pm Those lights linked by Toons look great. I may get me some. Thx!
I've had the same ones for about 2 years. They've been reliable, easily portable, super-bright, and I'm a fan.
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by jrbdmb »

IMHO you don't have to buy a "beast" of a flashlight powered by 4 D batteries anymore. I have several LED flashlights that use 3 to 4 AA batteries that put out all the light that I need and are very solid but moderate weight.

I don't have a specific brand to recommend, just look for a Cree LED, preferably of recent design (LEDs continue to improve at a surprisingly fast rate). The ones linked by Toons seems OK, though I always thought that the "zoom" feature is somewhat gimmicky (I have a zoom flashlight and almost never use it). I prefer AA batteries for home use due to much longer life, but a AAA flashlight is great to put in your glove compartment.
Last edited by jrbdmb on Thu Feb 22, 2018 12:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by nisiprius »

I have quit buying hand-held "flashlights" years ago, and I buy only LED "headlamps." I'm not sure what flashlights are good for unless you seriously need a small spot of bright light at a great distance.

As for what kind, the days when my wife and I gave each other $45 name-brand specialty-camping-store headlamps (Princeton, etc.) is long gone. Really, if you want "a good quality flashlight for walks with the dog," just buy something for $10-$20 in a hardware store or Walmart. One that takes three AAA batteries is about right. Don't fuss too much about lumens and such. If you haven't bought a "flashlight" in a while I think you'll be pleased by whatever you get. If you do want a brand name, Energizer (distributed by the battery company). I like them, they seem to be decent quality... I worry a bit about the motives of a battery company, but of course it's in their interest to sell bright LED headlamps.

One caution: as the batteries reach the end, LED headlamps and flashlights dim very gradually and subtly and it's easy to let them get dim without quite realizing what's happening! It's not hazardous in the sense of suddenly going out without warning. Just be aware that if you are wondering if your headlamp might be a little dim, yes, it's time to replace the batteries.

The thing that is amazing about headlamps is that they almost feel as if the whole world is lit up (because they light up wherever you are looking).

The things I dither over nowadays is that for some purposes I like what I will call "traditional" headlamps, which do have a somewhat concentrated beam, versus "COB headlamps" which light a broad area every evenly (and are also visible to cars, etc. over a very wide angle). COB headlamps are much better for reading print-on-paper material while lying on one's back in a tent. They do have some combination units but I haven't bought one yet. The other issue is that I want a red light, for when I am using my telescope to look at the night sky, and my favor headlamp has one button that turns the red LED on and off and a second that cycles the white LED through bright, dim, flashing. Unfortunately most headlamps try to control too many functions with too few buttons.
Last edited by nisiprius on Thu Feb 22, 2018 12:59 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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lthenderson
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by lthenderson »

fishmonger wrote: Thu Feb 22, 2018 10:34 am I love headlamps as well, particularly for surfcasting. However I need them to be able to swivel vertically. Makes a big difference in what I want to focus my light on when fishing/hiking - sometimes down on my hands when changing lures, or out in front when scanning the water.
Perhaps it is time to upgrade your headlamp. All of mine allow you to swivel the light vertically for different situations. Mine also has three different lighting scenarios too.
raisinsaregrapes
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by raisinsaregrapes »

I love my LED Maglites. MiniMag LEDs take AAs so I always have cheap batteries around. I have some D-Cells too, but more often use the MiniMags.
autolycus
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by autolycus »

I really like the two I have from Zebra Light. I have a AA model of a headlamp with flood lens and a regular flashlight with spot lens. They frequently update the LEDs and electronics so the specific model isn't available anymore. They make both AA and 18650 cell models, headlamp or flashlight (the difference is the orientation of the light itself and the power button), spot or flood beam, and a variety of LED classes (some for higher quality light, others for specific light temperatures, etc.). They're super durable, lightweight, and have a reasonably intuitive single-button operation. Not cheap, but nothing like the true high-end lights.

EDIT: I should note that the "headlamp" versions can work really well as handheld lights too. The headband is fully removable, and easily, and they have a clip as well.
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by DanMahowny »

Funding secured
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sunny_socal
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by sunny_socal »

I look for these features:
- LED light bulb
- Commonly used battery
- Long battery life
- No 'strobe'!

Costco used to sell 2-packs like this, $20 total:
https://www.amazon.com/Duracell-Durabea ... B01MDMCD5H

They are perfect! No longer at costco but ebay seems to have decent deals. I have four of them and will buy more at some point.

The most common flashlight I buy is the Coast HP1, they are available on amazon and priced anywhere from $8-14 depending on current promotion:
(I only buy at $10 or less)
https://www.amazon.com/Coast-HP1-Focusi ... =coast+hp1

I have probably 10 of them, for every vehicle, every room. Good brightness, adjustable beam, long life, good construction, single AA. Excellent little light!
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by DSInvestor »

I use headlamps for walking the dog. Its much easier to tie off a poo bag with two hands. Much easier to work on stuff around the house with a headlamp rather than a flashlight.
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by CppCoder »

I found that my biggest uses for a flashlight are at times I wasn't necessarily expecting to need a flashlight. Therefore, for me, the best flashlight is one that I always have on me. So, my requirements for a flashlight are that it fits in my pocket, on my key chain, and uses a non-proprietary, replaceable battery. After some research, I settled on the Maratac AAA (they make other models and variants of this one):

https://countycomm.com/collections/aaa- ... atac-rev-3

OK, it's somewhat obscenely expensive for what it is, so maybe not the most Boglehead-ish of flashlights, but I love this thing. It is small, lightweight, durable, and amazingly bright. It only takes one AAA battery, which I have not needed to change in over six months of use. One tip...if you buy an expensive battery operated device, opt for a lithium battery. They don't leak after the battery drains. I can't count the number of cheapo glove box flashlights I've thrown away due to dead battery corrosion.
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by fourwheelcycle »

Does a Boglehead flashlight mean inexpensive, or perhaps expensive but lasts a long time and does its job very well?

nisiprius makes a good point about headlamps, which are great for many uses, but I note you already have headlamps.

My favorite flashlight for dog walking, or walking safely at night anytime, is this one, in yellow http://www.brightguy.com/Streamlight/St ... le+Lantern. It is also a great light to stand on its own and aim at any homeowner maintenance tasks, although headlamps are also great for that use.

My favorite flashlights for around the house are these:

http://www.brightguy.com/Streamlight/St ... Flashlight

http://www.brightguy.com/Streamlight/St ... ight+Div+2

http://www.brightguy.com/Streamlight/St ... Flashlight
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Dendritic Tree
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by Dendritic Tree »

Toons wrote: Thu Feb 22, 2018 11:13 am Picked these up from Amazon a few weeks ago.
Superb so far,,one is going traveling with us :mrgreen:


Image


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0744 ... UTF8&psc=1
We’ve got these. Super bright, small but not too small. They’re great.
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N1CKV
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by N1CKV »

There is a lot of cheap bright lights such as the one mentioned above.

I have found that those cheaper lights do not seem to last / have the durability I need.

I deer hunt and absolutely must have a working light when deep in the woods. I personally use a Surefire G2X Pro. It is extremely durable, used by a lot of law enforcement, has dual brightness control, uses CR123 batteries (10 year shelf life). I trust them enough to keep a spare in my vehicle, my wife's glovebox and by my nightstand - on top of the one that stays in my hunting bag. They aren't cheap, but if you want top quality it is an option.
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by capsaicinguy »

Ive been really happy with all of my Streamlight's, you can find them for reasonable prices on Amazon. They are more along the lines of a penlight. Get one that takes AAA or AA, the batteries last a long time. I carry a single AAA one with me every day and you would be surprised how often it comes in handy. Just a good solid flashlight. The name brand Duracell ones and the like are all good too. Maglite LED ones are also great. I have some surefires and unless you need the whole neighborhood to know your walking the dog it's probably overkill. :mrgreen: They are awesome lights though.
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Toons
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by Toons »

Dendritic Tree wrote: Thu Feb 22, 2018 2:33 pm
Toons wrote: Thu Feb 22, 2018 11:13 am Picked these up from Amazon a few weeks ago.
Superb so far,,one is going traveling with us :mrgreen:


Image


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0744 ... UTF8&psc=1
We’ve got these. Super bright, small but not too small. They’re great.

:thumbsup
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by Toons »

Dendritic Tree wrote: Thu Feb 22, 2018 2:33 pm
Toons wrote: Thu Feb 22, 2018 11:13 am Picked these up from Amazon a few weeks ago.
Superb so far,,one is going traveling with us :mrgreen:


Image


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0744 ... UTF8&psc=1
We’ve got these. Super bright, small but not too small. They’re great.

:thumbsup
"One does not accumulate but eliminate. It is not daily increase but daily decrease. The height of cultivation always runs to simplicity" –Bruce Lee
mouses
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by mouses »

I love Maglites. I have them scattered around the house in case of power failures. Hint, have one in the bathroom. I also have a small one in my pocketbook. If you stand one of the big ones on end, it illuminates quite an area.

By the way, I am amazed at how much light my Nook HD+ produces. I found that out during a recent power failure.
StarsandStripes
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by StarsandStripes »

Not cheap but I splurged for three Nitecor EA41 flashlights. They use 4 AA batteries, can blind, or last for hours. I keep them on the boat, wife’s car, and use one every day. I did find out they do not float😀
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by pennstater2005 »

I got this one for a birthday present about 6 or 7 years ago. It just works. Same batteries of course I only use it occasionally.

Image

It is the Lux-Pro 320 Lumen LED. I think it came from Lowes.
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just frank
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by just frank »

I recently saw cheap 1000 lumen flashlights that run for a while on regular batteries...3 D cells.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RV ... UTF8&psc=1

and I got a couple.

Might be a little big for dog walking, but handy for signaling aircraft, or low orbiting satellites.
DavidW
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by DavidW »

I agree with many posters that LED light is the way to go and things have changed a lot over the last several years.

The lights range from a few bucks to over $100+. The higher end ones have better build quality and some are rechargeable. These are frequently used by Law Enforcement and military. Some even have low beam to light up documents in front of you to regular beam that can light up a house 1/2 block away.

I walk my dog in a dark area at night and I need something that works. I use a Pelican 7060 for many years. These are indestructible and powerful light for its size. Mag lights are nice but the D cells weights it down....
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by spoonfork »

I also recommend any Surefire. They are built in the USA and have a lifetime warranty.

I have the EB1 Backup model but the only negative thing is that it uses CR123A batteries which are uncommon compared to regular AA/AAA.
sco
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by sco »

Some good suggestions in this thread. Here is what I picked.

$26 on Amazon, and recharging is easy. It goes a long time on a charge, and is bright enough to do eye damage for a while if that is desirable.

Anker Super Bright Tactical Flashlight, Rechargeable (18650 Battery Included), Zoomable, IP65 Water-Resistant, 900 Lumens CREE LED,


https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com ... L1500_.jpg
chedv
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by chedv »

Anker LC40. $12.99 on Amazon. I have around 10. Better and cheaper than my led mag lites. Uses aaa batteries.

https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Flashlight ... B01G8E3T4K
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Dendritic Tree
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by Dendritic Tree »

capsaicinguy wrote: Thu Feb 22, 2018 4:27 pm Ive been really happy with all of my Streamlight's, you can find them for reasonable prices on Amazon. They are more along the lines of a penlight. Get one that takes AAA or AA, the batteries last a long time. I carry a single AAA one with me every day and you would be surprised how often it comes in handy. Just a good solid flashlight. The name brand Duracell ones and the like are all good too. Maglite LED ones are also great. I have some surefires and unless you need the whole neighborhood to know your walking the dog it's probably overkill. :mrgreen: They are awesome lights though.
I use a Streamlight penlight every day at work. Great light in a tiny package.

By the way, this thread epitomizes why I love Bogleheads. You can get a wealth of opinion and experience on something as esoteric as flashlights.
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by sco »

chedv wrote: Thu Feb 22, 2018 9:52 pm Anker LC40. $12.99 on Amazon. I have around 10. Better and cheaper than my led mag lites. Uses aaa batteries.

https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Flashlight ... B01G8E3T4K
Man I like those for something a little less bright.
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by iamlucky13 »

If you just want a cheap light that usually works and aren't worried about reliability, just about any LED light you can buy these days is brighter than the popular 2-D incandescent Maglites of old (although I still have and sometimes use mine). However, most of them (sadly, including the zoomies that Toons linked) are worth at most $5, a great many of them lie about their output, and almost all of them exaggerate their useful runtimes.

For nicer lights, Maglites are still decent, although not top-of-line, and sold just about everywhere, and Coast lights are a similar value to Maglites. Maglites are also still made in America, something their founder is absolutely committed to. Nice story about that here:
https://www.npr.org/templates/story/sto ... =130197557

The nicer lights don't get much traction in stores because they cost just enough the average consumer isn't willing to give them a try, but I think they're very, very worth it. Heavier build, better switches, more consistent output even as the batteries drain, and better modes are common features.

My favorite AA-powered general task light is the Thrunite Archer, which you can find online for around $30 - so same price as a lot of the Maglites, but nicer in several small ways that add up. A clicky switch in the rear turns it on, and side-button scrolls through four brightness levels (the strobe mode only comes on with a long press of the button so you don't have to cycle through "annoy everybody around you mode" constantly). It has mode memory so it comes on in the last level you used it. The modes are widely spaced for maximum utility, ranging from a "moonlight" mode that won't spoil your night vision to a high mode that actually stays at or close to its rated output for most of the battery life. I recommend the version that runs on 2x AA batteries. You also have your choice of cool white or neutral white beam tints. The neutral white is for people who hate the cold, bluish hue most cheap LED flashlights have.

If you want a simple, small, 2-mode light, consider models from Streamlight, Pelican, or Inova.

If you want a really bright, versatile AA-powered light, consider the Thrunite TN4A. It's a bit too big for a jeans pocket, but should be fine in most jacket pockets, and it's much smaller than the D-cell powered lights Home Depot or Costco sell that claim similar maximum output.

Lastly, I don't recommend alkaline batteries in good flashlights. Alkalines perform poorly under high loads, dimming significantly long before the battery is exhausted. Worse, they are leak prone, especially when used in high drain devices and then stored. A good set of NiMH rechargeable batteries and a reliable charger is worthwhile investment. Sanyo Eneloops are the gold standard (and Costco has a really good deal on a set of 6xAA's and 4xAAA's plus a charger right now), but the Amazon Basics, Ikea, and Energizer rechargeables are all fine, too.

I could suggest other brands even nicer than the Thrunite, but I think Thrunite is a good mix of features at a reasonable price.
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by whomever »

One caution: as the batteries reach the end, LED headlamps and flashlights dim very gradually and subtly and it's easy to let them get dim without quite realizing what's happening!
Quibble: flashights, LED or incandescent, dim gradually if they just connect the batteries directly to the bulb or LED. That's simply because the battery voltage declines relatively linearly over time, and the lower voltage means less current flows through the bulb/LED.

Some flashlights interpose a regulated power supply between the battery(s) and the emitter. Those can be designed to have any desired voltage curve. Most commonly they have flat voltage (and thus constant light) for maybe 90% of the battery's capacity, and then a gradual decline. The idea is to produce constant light, but give you a little warning at the end so you can change batteries.

I personally much prefer the regulated lights.

It's not always easy to know which type you have for cheaper lights. Lights that will run on one AA have to have some kind of voltage boosting electronics, because LEDs won't work at all at 1.5 volts, and IMHE they generally have those power supplies provide a fairly flat curve. Cheaper lights that run on 3 AAAs are usually unregulated; having 3 batteries gives you enough voltage to run the LED, but 3 AAAs are otherwise inferior in capacity to say 2 AAs, so running on 3 AAAs is correlated with not spending the money for regulated voltage.

(There are a lot of good lights out there. I tend to recommend a 'Streamlight ProPolyMax 4AA'. They run about $40 but I think qualify as a 'boglehead light' for the same reasons I think Milwaukee or Porter Cable power tools qualify - not the cheapest, but a good value. Streamlight is not the Harbor Freight of flashlights - a lot of their market is firefighters etc - and the build quality is high. It's a nice size - big enough to handle easily, not too big to put in a pocket, plastic so not cold in the hand. But there are surely many good lights out there these days.)
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fishmonger
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by fishmonger »

lthenderson wrote: Thu Feb 22, 2018 12:52 pm
fishmonger wrote: Thu Feb 22, 2018 10:34 am I love headlamps as well, particularly for surfcasting. However I need them to be able to swivel vertically. Makes a big difference in what I want to focus my light on when fishing/hiking - sometimes down on my hands when changing lures, or out in front when scanning the water.
Perhaps it is time to upgrade your headlamp. All of mine allow you to swivel the light vertically for different situations. Mine also has three different lighting scenarios too.
Mine do as well, trust me I don't skimp on headlamps. I was replying to a previous poster who added a link that didn't specify
wrongfunds
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by wrongfunds »

Once you get your hands on a 18650 based light, you will wonder why you put up with those stupid 3xAAA lights in the past. But be aware, once you go there, you will get addicted to flashlights and will be getting yellow packets from far east periodically :-)
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sunny_socal
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by sunny_socal »

whomever wrote: Fri Feb 23, 2018 5:56 am
One caution: as the batteries reach the end, LED headlamps and flashlights dim very gradually and subtly and it's easy to let them get dim without quite realizing what's happening!
Quibble: flashights, LED or incandescent, dim gradually if they just connect the batteries directly to the bulb or LED. That's simply because the battery voltage declines relatively linearly over time, and the lower voltage means less current flows through the bulb/LED.

Some flashlights interpose a regulated power supply between the battery(s) and the emitter. Those can be designed to have any desired voltage curve. Most commonly they have flat voltage (and thus constant light) for maybe 90% of the battery's capacity, and then a gradual decline. The idea is to produce constant light, but give you a little warning at the end so you can change batteries.

I personally much prefer the regulated lights.

It's not always easy to know which type you have for cheaper lights. Lights that will run on one AA have to have some kind of voltage boosting electronics, because LEDs won't work at all at 1.5 volts, and IMHE they generally have those power supplies provide a fairly flat curve. Cheaper lights that run on 3 AAAs are usually unregulated; having 3 batteries gives you enough voltage to run the LED, but 3 AAAs are otherwise inferior in capacity to say 2 AAs, so running on 3 AAAs is correlated with not spending the money for regulated voltage.

(There are a lot of good lights out there. I tend to recommend a 'Streamlight ProPolyMax 4AA'. They run about $40 but I think qualify as a 'boglehead light' for the same reasons I think Milwaukee or Porter Cable power tools qualify - not the cheapest, but a good value. Streamlight is not the Harbor Freight of flashlights - a lot of their market is firefighters etc - and the build quality is high. It's a nice size - big enough to handle easily, not too big to put in a pocket, plastic so not cold in the hand. But there are surely many good lights out there these days.)
Thanks for proving a technical reason to not get 3xAAA lights. I avoid them like the plaque from personal experience. They're bright but go through batteries like crazy. Very happy with all my 1xAA or 2xAA lights (I like Coast and Jetbeam.)
iamlucky13
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by iamlucky13 »

wrongfunds wrote: Fri Feb 23, 2018 7:55 am Once you get your hands on a 18650 based light, you will wonder why you put up with those stupid 3xAAA lights in the past. But be aware, once you go there, you will get addicted to flashlights and will be getting yellow packets from far east periodically :-)
Most people aren't familiar with 18650 and other lithium ion formats, and the reason for that is that it's important to use lithium ion batteries properly for safety. So much so that the major manufacturers generally do not approve of selling them directly to consumers - only as part of an engineered product that includes safe guards to ensure proper use. For example, here is a letter from Sony warning a vaping shop to stop selling Sony's 18650 cells:
https://imgur.com/a/kSbnt

This is the general type of cell that, so far, Tesla has been using to build the battery packs in their cars. A battery twice the volume of a AA has about 4 times the energy, and is theoretically rechargeable hundreds of times.

But if overcharged or significantly over-discharged, are accidentally shorted, or if they have manufacturing defects, they can become a fire hazard. Hence, you always want to buy from a reputable manufacturer, use a good charger, and avoid over-use. For a couple dollars more, you can get protected lithium ion cells with a small circuit board added to the end under the wrapper that shuts off the battery at low or high discharge conditions. I think these fall in kind of a grey area the battery manufacturers aren't very concerned about, but would not outright endorse, especially since I've never seen a protected 18650 battery claim a UL or comparable certification.

The simplest way for a casual user to take advantage of the benefits of lithium ion batteries is to get a light with its own built-in charging circuit, so you can just plug it into a USB port to charge it. Such lights usually have their own protection circuit, and the manufacturer should be sourcing cells from known good manufacturers. Thrunite, Fenix, Olight, Nitecore, are examples of reputable light manufacturers that sell rechargeable lights.
goodlifer
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by goodlifer »

The title made me think that there was a Boglehead logo flashlight out there somewhere. I'm shocked that no one has said "the best one is the one you already have" since OP has head lamps and probably a cell phone. I mainly use my cell phone flashlight while walking the dog, but if it is charging or I'm using it for a game, I like the Olight keychain flashlights on Amazon. Very nicely made and well worth the $10 or so. I have a few and gave a few as gifts. I also have a Coast brand and like it.
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dratkinson
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by dratkinson »

Image

https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-flashlight/

This review recommends the (2AA) Thrunite Archer 2A V3 as the best flashlight currently. It should fit easily in a vehicle’s glovebox. And it also comes in a 1AA model that will fit in pocket or keychain.




Image

http://www.capstoneindustries.com/index ... s/eco3led/

I keep some of these cheap rechargeable lights in the garage by the doors so they are handy to grab on the way out to check on something quickly. They are also easy to velcro to my bike for a night ride, so saves my headlamp batteries.

On the same webpage, at the bottom, is a larger/brighter 4-in-1 light. Didn't know larger model existed when I bought mine from HD. The small ones work so well I’ve been tempted to buy the larger model… just because.

These lights use rechargeable lithium chemistry so should last for a while. (Lesson learned: don't buy any rechargeable light if the battery chemistry is not disclosed.)




Image

https://www.batteryjunction.com/titaniu ... xp-g2.html

If I have my keys on me, I just use my Titanium Innovations Illuminati (1AAA) simple multi-mode light. It's smaller and more useful than the MiniMag Solitaire. I like it and have given it as gifts. It looks like a rebadged Olight or iTP model, but I prefer its modes (it moves through low-med-high).

But wanting more, have been thinking about swapping to the Thrunite 1AA model for a brighter keychain light (when needed) and longer runtime otherwise. And the memory function would be nice too.

Why? Have learned that while AAA and AA batteries are the ~same price, AA batteries contain 3x the energy. So AA is the better bang for the buck.
d.r.a., not dr.a. | I'm a novice investor; you are forewarned.
lightheir
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by lightheir »

This $25 Terralux flashlight is every bit as good as the pricier $30 2 x AA LED flashlights listed above, including the one recommended by the Wirecutter. I've had mine for 7 years now, and it's just as good as when new.

It uses the same CREE-LED technology that all the top LED lights use now in this category, so you won't get any brighter/longer flashlight for the same build setup regardless of brand.

https://www.amazon.com/TerraLUX-TLF-3C2 ... flashlight
iamlucky13
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by iamlucky13 »

dratkinson wrote: Fri Feb 23, 2018 4:17 pmBut wanting more, have been thinking about swapping to the Thrunite 1AA model for a brighter keychain light (when needed) and longer runtime otherwise. And the memory function would be nice too.

Why? Have learned that while AAA and AA batteries are the ~same price, AA batteries contain 3x the energy. So AA is the better bang for the buck.
Thrunite has a pair of 1AA lights. The Archer is a lot larger than your AAA twisty light. It's really not a keychain light, although it's not bad for carrying separate from your keys in a pocket.

The T10 is Thrunite's compact 1AA light. However, I've heard they're coming out with a new version of it soon and have stopped making the old one in the meantime, so it might be hard to find for a couple months.

A very similar light is the Lumintop Tool AA. It comes with two tail caps - one with a standard clicky switch, and one with plain tailcap for using the light as a twisty, which makes it about 1/2" shorter.

* Edit - also, get some low self-discharge rechargeable batteries like Eneloops, regardless of whether you stay AAA or go AA. There's no need to keep throwing money into alkaline batteries, and risking the death of your light when they leak.
Last edited by iamlucky13 on Fri Feb 23, 2018 7:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Fletch
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Re: Boglehead Flashlight?

Post by Fletch »

I have been extremely pleased with this. I have three similar Fenix flashlights, 1 in each car, one at home by the back door. Variable light output, extremely well built, great customer service if you need it (I had a minor issue with a switch - they told me how to fix at home, no replacements needed).

https://www.amazon.com/PD32-2016-Flashl ... +lumen+led
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