Coast HP14 junk

So I’ve been using the Coast HP14 as a truck light for a couple years now and overall its design is just about right. I don’t care for the adjustable beam but I don’t hate it; just superfluous. Sure the XML is starting to age but its still effective and plenty bright. I love the multiple AA format as it allows L91 lithiums as well as easily sourced replacements during a trip. The overall size is just right, also. Allows me to easily find it in my large glovebox and gives a good amount of purchase when holding it.

Unfortunately, its junk. As I leave it in the truck 24/7 as an emergency light it doesn’t get used much. When it does get used its because I need it. And when I’ve taken it out to use it, more times than not, it doesn’t want to work. Sure, eventually it will start clicking… after I’ve cycled the switch dozens of times. Almost like the switch has internal corrosion or grease or something that needs to be worn through. I have reached out to their customer service, but I find the warranty terms unappealing. Ship it to them on your own dime AND provide front money for return shipping? Definitely sub-par. And, not that I paid anywhere near this, but on a $70 “performance” (cough) light, this shouldn’t even be a problem to start with…

My thinking is that it could help to keep the batteries in a separate storage container beside the light to help with temperature variances within a vehicle.

I’m not too familiar with Michigans climate but swings in temperature could cause condensation internally maybe?

I’m not sure and maybe it’s just the light but I’m sure there’s many on here who can provide a better explanation

I was thinking possible condensation as well, although I’ve never had this problem before with Surefire, Fenix or even my 5.11 lights. Actually, add Maglite to that list as years ago I used a 3D Maglite in my car.

Ancient and no doubt discontinued, but I still got some Taskforce 2×AA lights with internal ribs so the body looks as if it could accommodate C cells. Rubberised all over, nice and protecty. Swapped the hotwire bulb for a Maglite LED “bulb”, tossing the end-cap and shaving the hole with an Xacto knife for a snug press-fit.

Nice and hefty, sizewise. Grippy with the rubber. Still uses AA alkaleaks, yet has about 4× the runtime because of the LED.

Might find something similar that’d be moddable like that.

Coast branded lights ARE A JOKE. Especially the prices they charge. I saw a new rechargeable 800 lumen at Wally’s $70. NO THANKS. I would rather buy Bushnell and I DO NOT like Bushnell. Shows how I feel about Coast which is a JOKE in the flashlight community.

Unno, never quite understood the fascination some people have with Coast (or LEDLenser for that matter).

Never had either, so can’t really condemn them for anything specific, but just browsing through the stores… I just don’t see the appeal.

And Pretzl headlamps, for camping-/hiking-types, too. The ones I’ve seen were obscenely priced, and plastic(!), yet.

Brand is everything?

Many commercial lights have steel springs / switch contacts. These I found corrode with inevitable condensation in the car. I’ve tried greasing, re-solder plating parts but they still would end up “wanky”. Now I test with a magnet, anything steel is replaced (if the light is valued) or the whole thing is tossed into the parts bin.

In my parts, Coast is an overpriced Canadian Tire light catering to the automotive type. There are no serious flashlight distributors in my city other than Fenix which has an exclusive with Mountain Equipment Coop - a store for the outdoor enthusiast, and is somewhat located on the outskirts of a shopping mall. You gotta to know of them else you would have just past their store unknowingly.

Look around, Parametrek

When I think of Coast, I think of the sub-$30 lights they have at Home Cheap-O, not the $500 lights they sell in their online store. That’s insanity.

That said, I have a sub-$20 Coast 2AA light that I keep around the bench. Never kept it in a car so I can’t say much about that, but the one I have at home turns on all the time.

I have three of them. One in the house and two at work. Probably several year old and no problems.

The home one is rarely used but the work ones are abused. Anything from checking for lost bolts to extra light when setting tooling. Be surprised how many dark crevices are in big machines, regardless of plant lighting.

They abuse them but I’m pretty sure they haven’t used them as hammers. I think…

If you have a problem, it just happens.

Big box stores want “safe lights” running on AA or AAA cells.

Basically, big box stores use “safe suppliers” and “safe products”. They don’t want 100 million lawsuit if the abused li-ion cell burns down a house. If there is loss of life, better if the supplier declared bankruptcy. I had an innocuous product yet I had to have enormous minimum insurance. Several fold from previous.

I don’t think some people realize that you get cheap junk at big box stores because the costs….returns, insurance, deliver costs, customer service, extra staffing, extra inventory…just drive up the costs.

The VG10 that I bought for about $10 USD from Amazon would be $20 wholesale delivered to HD and $39.99 (or more) at the rack.

Talking about Amazon….they don’t demand the level of service big box stores do, so the suppliers can work with better margins, which means cheaper prices, which means box stores have to compete, which means small margins, which means less and less big box stores. So they are all jumping on the online wagon…and the future will be smaller big boxes and far more online.

It is what it is….

Backpackers and climbers are weight weinies, and legitimately so. The price is for the name, yes, but the plastic is by design.

Get a Convoy and be happy.

I have an S2+ which is very nice, and a C8’s on the way. But if you have seen any of their X3 for sale let me know!