Recommended $5 flashlights for gifting in 2019

Actually, LFP is quite nice. Like I said, it’s got an almost flat voltage curve from just out of the charger to mostly spent. That’s why they’re used in (better) solar lights. Cheapies still use NiMH and boost drivers.

And LFP batteries are used in RVs, etc., where you want nice safe easy to use (including charging) batteries for offline power.

HgO is (was) used in cameras to power built-in lightmeters. Lousy capacity, pricey as Hell, but held a rock-solid flat voltage curve which could be used as a voltage-reference without having to use a voltage reference.

Use the right cell for the job, is all.

Look, if you ain’t looking for a scorcher of a light, you could create a “regulated” light that keeps a pretty much constant brightness, again from charger to charger, without any 7135s or anything, just a simple stoopit resistor, vs needing to regulate the current to the LED via an actual active circuit. Might be useful for medical use, jewelry, anything where a constant brightness is more highly regarded than absolute brightness.

Yeah, given that 7135s can be had for pennies, it ain’t much of a savings, but in theory…

Received my Thorfire TG06S

Paid $3.60, now is a little cheaper

Link to product here

Measured:

  • High: 37 lumens
  • Med: 18 lumens
  • Low: 9 lumens

Next mode memory.

Bare threads are sharp and squeeky.

Spring came loose, so tightening the light resulted in the light turning off...

Clip is kind of useless. It comes off rather easily.

Conclusiong: For $ 3.60 an okay light to give away.. people will be able to see things in the dark..... period ;)
Not for gifting as a birthday present, although that could be okay if you are really low on funds.

Now waiting for the next light to arrive.

So, it’s a clone.
The lumens were measured when the torch was functioning with NiMh?
Thanks.

Is that with a dead battery? That’s… horrible.

Ummm, you sure it’s an actual Thorfire, and not a counterfeit knock-off?

My TK05s were all top-notch, like all my other TF lights. The above light sounds like pure garbage, even though the pix show that it looks nice.

It has a lovely UI: High, Med, Low, Strobe, SOS...
No memory (actually next mode memory in that regard).

The eneloop battery was kind of empty yes, I just noticed.. Tried a fresh Duracell battery (only using for runtime graphs on AA flashlights :p) and got an amazing 39 lumens! Tried another Eneloop battery (also not fully charged) and got the same number..

This is a gem... :p

At least it has threaded rings for driver and tail switch, easy to mod.

Maybe this is incomplete overstock that the current vendor slammed an el cheapo driver in.
Have 2 on the way to me so we shall see when they arrive.
Thanks for the pics, it looks decent, now we just have to make it perform decent.
we have the Technology!

Whut’s the diameter of the driver? Might be worth grabbing a bunch just to use as hosts…

I measured the inside of the threading (of the head) being 17mm, but haven't taken the driver out yet

Sounds promising.

The “Thorfire” CT01 has something like a 16mm driver, gotta shave down a 17mm and hope nothing breaks.

Debating, though, whether/not I even wanna bother. So I go and “fix” the damned things with a better LED and driver… then what?

Like I ain’t got enough AA lights…

Anyway, whoever wants to do it, can stick in a regular NANJG driver and use only 14500s. Pretty sure it’d be brighter’n 39lm… :confounded:

The zoomy arrived.. horrible thing..

High Low Strobe

The fake TG06S was a much better value for money. Look at the spring in the tailcap.. ugh.

Led? fake?
Driver? doesn't look any good..

Winner: Thorfire TG06S for below $4

see pictures here:

https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/55783/83

These look like a good gifting option …

I rather like the idea of rechargeable as most people have access to a USB port

Problem in my opinion is the battery included. It must be junk ;)

My particular question was more related to helping someone out in the middle of the night (evening) and give them a flashlight to take home. Here in the Netherlands we cycle a lot, even at night. So giving a flashlight to someone driving on an unlit road could save them from getting into an accident :)

@ChibiM,

Are you still looking for suggestions, have a look what I came across this while browsing around amazon. or this one.
this one gives you a choice of body color.

Hey Chibi ,I think you need to call the fake Thorfires a "clone/thorfire" so as not to disparage Thorfires reputation.

There is no real way to FIX a bad AA flashlights driver since no one has created a good AA/14500 replacement driver . First person to do so will become an instant millionaire and a BLF hero.

in case someone is looking for a AAA tailclicky with momentary on, start high-low-moon… The sofirn sf01A is currently on sale on aliexpress at around 5-6 euros. XPG2 ca. 5500K

The Sf14 for AA is under 10 euros (or under 14 with charger+14500 battery). Low Med High, no memory and no strobes. I got one and will order 2 more now. it’s around 5500k, so not terribly cool. throws fairly far with clear reflector and takes 14500. Good all-purpose light.

And for start high… the sf10 is even cheaper.

I have been impressed for the price by the non zoomable version of this

Anyone knows about a empty host (no led) but that can be powered with 3xaaa or 2xaa???

Thanks

You’d likely be paying the same for a complete light vs host anyway, especially for a cheap light. Not that any mfr would bother making hosts of such lights.

I ordered too one of these.
Can you recommend a good driver for it? Preferably one that works with NiMh/Alkalines?

Thank you.

Unfortuantely no.
I'm not sure if there is any "good" driver available out there that will work with AA batteries.