Recommended $5 flashlights for gifting in 2019

they TG06S or SF10 seems to be the new SK68.

whatever… cloners evolved.

I think the Sofirn was manufacture of ThorFire? SF12 looks exactly like the TG06S. And I’m guessing $2+ clones will never arrive to your door.

And all of them look like the original Jaxman E3.

I paid $16.72 for two TG06S flashlight last Nov from seller autocaredepot (now doing business as trac8894)), and they turned out to be poor quality fakes:

  • They had the modes: High, Medium, Low, Strobe and SOS - INLINE. Whereas, the modes in a real TG06S have the modes High, Med, Low, MoonLight; and double tap to access Strobe.
  • There should have been NO memory versus next-mode memory found with these.
  • These flashlights were not even close to 500 lumens in High as with a real TG06S, and they have a cool white emitter (with a greenish tint) versus warm white, as they should.
  • Grinding occurred while screwing head to body.

But appearance wise, they were similar to the real thing.

Got refunded for one while keeping both, and they are now in my give-away-to-a-stranger collection.

Yikes!

In that case, I would avoid the cheap clones that I linked to earlier in this thread.

…grabs popcorn…

Yeah, the muggle won’t know any better if the light’s Angry Blue or Hateful Purple, so who cares? :laughing:

I already got the 4C XM-L[2?] and 1.4A driver lined up, just gotta shave the driver about 2mm smaller to fit the pill, and hope I don’t file through any necessary vias and break something. “Dumb” driver, just 7135s and a diode.

Through an aspheric, the tint should be that beautiful warm-sunlight color as through a TIR. Oh, it’ll probably cook itself if left on too long, so I’m going to have to backfill the gaps with… something.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1x-New-R3-LED-1000-Lumens-Lamp-Clip-Mini-Penlight-Flashlight-Torch-AAA/192016420853?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&\_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

I like The AAA lights. I carry one or 2 to gift. I have given a bunch and only 2 have failed.
Those shown as “EnjoyDeal have been good.

I paid around 5 AUD for a “TG06” on eBay recently and while it looked very convincing (including the packaging) it had the terrible five-mode driver with inline strobes and next mode memory. For the price the build quality is nice, but I wouldn’t give a light with next mode memory to my worst enemy.

I just pulled the trigger and purchased three of the INLAND 1W R22 LED flashlights based on this information. Even though shipping was a bit high, I am anxious to check them out. Off topic, but I remember that your recommendation of the NiteFox UW360 (in a previous thread) was pure gold. A little expensive also from Amazon, but well worth the cost. Thanks!

Edit: Are the "LFP" batteries you mention above lithium primaries? Thanks!

Nah.

LFP = LiFePO4.

3.2V rechargeables. Flat voltage curve over most of its SOC, like NiCd, used quite often nowadays in solar walkway lights (directly powers the dinky little LED vs needing a separate boost converter from a NiMH cell).

Wow, I learned something new. Here they are on Amazon. Thank you.

No worries, go crazy…

And those’re the ones I got (and I think reviewed, too).

Yep, looked, and I did. Gave ’em a solid “meh…”.

==yeah i like those lights for some reason
wle

these are crap even for the price, ihave one with different name, has the worst tint ever, probably a cheap 2 cent emitter in there…

1000 lumens lol… not even 20 or so…

I disagree. I have given away a bunch, and they work, and are bright.
Try one marked EnjoyDeal.
Few care about tint. I have not noticed. Most people dont use flashlights for flashlights sake, but when needed want one that turns on/off and is reliable. I have found these fit the billl.I am not dure of the output but estimate 80 lmn and maybe more.

The OP asked for a light priced around $5. As usual a lot of folks here don’t do as requested, but recommend one that is 3 times that amount. That is OK, but why not also find one at the requested price?

The only problem I have notices with most of those light is that the threads are too few and shallow.
Jerry

I will report back when I receive both Thorfires

I had good luck with 1xAAA Uking- got them for less than a buck, regularly at 2.42
https://www.gearbest.com/led-flashlights/pp_788796.html

I always wanted to try these 1xAA SK68 Zoomie clones -regularly at 1.99 but I think they have been at 0.99 at some point.

Had many cheap earlier crappy LED’s but this one (smaller version) I would recommend

Just received yesterday, picked it up on a late night buying spree on ebay for $1.85 :beer: With the same thought that it can be gifted without much remorse.

XPE-R3 LED 1000 Lumens Pocket LED Flashlight Zoomable LED Torch Penlight

Trust me, its nowhere near 1000 lumens but its pretty darn bright, I would say about 250+ lumen, and a bit on the throwier side rather than floody.

Its aluminum but very thin gauge and weighs nothing

The circut board came half way sticking out on an angle and really wedged in there…, but nothing a few hammer taps did not fix. :student: