Need help picking a flashlight and headlight. Need lots of help please (im a Newb)

LED Flashlights – General Info
1

Let me first say that I am new to actually researching and buying a flashlight or headlight (usually just use what is around the house or what someone has given me).

Ive tried to do some research on this forum and another big forum (even more confusing). Coming from not really knowing anything, to reading this and the other forum, I think im more confused then when I started. The forums are great, but when I read a thread its so far advanced over my head im lost.

I am looking for a couple of options for a decent flashlight and headlight. Probably mostly for a bug out bag, so size should be appropriate for bug out bag. Id like to spend less then $25 each if possible.

Regarding battery, again the more I try to read, the more im confused. It seems most take either AA, AAA, 18650, cr123…

Some seem like you plug in to re charge, some take out the battery to recharge, so just put new batteries in…I don’t know

I do not know the pros and cons of the different batteries when it comes to the batteries and flashlight behavior and I know nothing about 18650 and cr123

I would love it if some of you can give me some general AND specific recommendations . if you want to even provide a link it would be awesome.

Some that I have come across, but they may suck, I have no idea. with all the fake amazon reviews, I cant rely on that.

Flashlight:

Thorfire VG10 and VG15 (fakespot says amazon review are not reliable)

Anker bolder LC30 and LC90

Nitecore (more expensive??)

Dorcy- I cant find many reviews, but price seems decent

Something else??

Headlight:

Petzl (have not looked up price yet, but have seen it recommended)

Ozark trail 250 (I know, Walmart sucks)

Ozark trail 300

nitecore?

Dorcy Pro series 200 (with or without a tripod seem like a cool feature)-cant find many reviews, but price seems decent

Dorcy- other series seem like a good price too

I realize that there are a million options. I also realize that for a lot of flashlight enthusiasts that $25 may get me nothing but junk, but please me out with some decent options for the best price….it is called budgetflashlight forum :slight_smile:

2

Hello Kboater. Welcome to BLF.

For the flashlights you recommended:
Thorfire VG10 and VG15. Just don’t pay attention to FakeSpot, as Fakespot knows nothing about flashlight compared to us. They are good lights.

The Anker LC30 and LC90 aren’t good all-around flashlights, so wouldn’t recommend them.
Others too.

If you want something good an Amazon, I’d recommend the Sofirn SP32A:

For a headlamp:
https://www.amazon.com/Headlamp-Headlight-Rechargeable-Waterproof-Headlamps/dp/B071HW5XQH/

Great flashlight with good brightness, battery life, and a good user interface. A great deal for under 30$US, and a good starting point since it includes a good high capacity 18650 with a decent starting charger.
As a headlamp, the WowTac A2S is a great choice overall.

Includes a USB rechargeable battery.

3

Thank you so much. would you recommend the Sofirn over the Thorfire (not sure between the different model 10 vs 15)?

I will look into the headlight that you recommend too! regarding the headlight, have you heard of the Dorcy ones? are they crap; cause I cant find really any reviews

seriously, thank you

4

forgot to ask/mention, do I want one that focuses? for a wider less focused beam and then I can focus to a smaller more powerful beam?

5

The Sofirn is the manufacturer that makes Thorfire lights, but I’d still choose the Sofirn over the VG10 and VG15 anyway.

And yes, most Dorcy lights aren’t very good at all. Their brightness isn’t stable, and do not use good battery combinations. Most of their lights also start on high, which isn’t good at all too.

No problem.

If you have questions, just ask.

6

And no, you don’t want one that focuses, since when you focus, you lose A LOT of brightness, and between max and min zoom, the beam is really not good.

7

Thanks again. you have given me a few specific ones to actually feel confident putting some time into reading about. Can you enlighten me on the difference between the VG10 and the VG15?

Also, if buying extra spare 18650 batteries, will any brand be fine or are there some that are going to leak, fail quick that I should stay away from or only a few brands I should look at?

8

The main difference between the VG15 and VG10 is the body, and the UI.

Build quality is superior on the VG15, and the VG15 has a much better user interface(firefly, low, medium, high, turbo) vs the VG10 high-medium-low.

The VG15S is an older version, with a tailswitch, of the Sofirn SP32A V2.0 basically.

For 18650s, you want to buy them from trusty sources, NOT AMAZON at all. Due to how Amazon works, you can easily get fake cells from legit sources, and they can’t test the batteries to see if they are good or not.

Other online stores always get from legit sources, and test their stock, like:

If I were you, I’d get these batteries:

And this charger. Slightly overkill, but will charge any rechargeable battery, and you won’t have to buy any chargers after this for a looong time.

9

Convoy C8+ ot Sofurn C8T.I’d be looking at.for a torch.
VERY good beam. With spread for not tripping over in the dark.
18650 cells.

Another.
Astrolux S41 they cheap nowadays. 4 x LED one 18650. has 7 levels. top 2 will burn out battery and get hot pretty quick.
I have 2 and work them with plenty of light output on 4 or 5 of the 7 levels.

Buy a $5, In pocket/bag LiitoKala Lii202 charger at same time.
Does 99% of battery’s incl Li-Po.

Headlight. Ask others.
I bought a no name 2 x 18650 rear cell unit yrs ago. Still works,
does ALL I’ll ever want. Have NO idea where I got it from.

Small torches with high output are working on limits. Temperatures.
Battery usability.
Go for something little larger. Working on less max outputs. For longer.
More a cruiser.

and put a little Astrolux AO1, x 2 or 3 in pocket for family members.
Size of adult little finger or less.
Avail for under $8 us. at present on coupons here.
Great close up walkabout find things in bag etc torch. Runs on AAA
or Li-Po
I have a coupla more in mail at present.along with a Mad Max group buy.
Xanes XT03. for around $10US.

Should be a good local walkabout light. fits in a coupla fingers.
Stainless Steel body.

Old school Still avail, for around $17ish AUD.
Sky Ray S R5. Have 2 x. one is over 8 yrs old. still turning on and off.

Better shape, grip, to hold.
Than that S2 water pipe slip out of fingers one.
A VERY nice looking torch in my eyes. and reliable plus.

10

Now im really confused (in a good way).
Both of you have recommended the Sofirn, but different models. what is the difference between the Sp32A and the C8T?

11

Completely different lights.

The SP32A is a general purpose light.

The C8T is a very throwy light. Not very useful in most cases compared to the SP32A.

It’s also much bigger with a large head.

12

Thanks!
are the Convoy T8 and the Astrolux s41 just found on the Chinese sites? (nothing wrong with that, just wanted to purchase from US seller or Amazon if possible)

13

Right click each one with mouse. then click the Google search that comes up.
Peruse them, reviews etc.
Sofurn. Convoy. Astrolux…Nowadays ARE as reliable
and often BETTER built than some of the Named ones.
Basically the SP32 a tube smaller torch with higher price.

The C8/C8+ are classic. reliable, lower priced torches that work and have done for a looong time.
I have 5 (or 6?) and others on here have waaaaay more than that.
It. and it’s derivatives. Are probably THE most popular. Most reliable torch on this/these forums.

A lot of people seem to go for the Smaller, lighter, is better.
Me. I like bigger. stronger. MORE reliable, usually.
Not working on limits.
The extra coupla ounces these things weigh is ridiculous
when you add to weight of bag.

14

Bluesword.

He is asking for a Headlight and torch.
To ME. That means a headlight for walkabout. plenty of spread.
with a combination hand torch too.
IE the C8+ gives a lovely Looong throw.
With spread that’s wide enuff to be usable. you can still walk without tripping over things.

The C8T was just another one to compare.

I use.
Walkabout.
My XM-L dual battery headlight. with either a Imalent DN35/70.
One of my Astrolux S41’s. or the Convoy C8+/T.
OR, sometimes. the L2/L6 versions.

There are a zillion lights out there. We all different.
And mainly all happy with each others choices.

Some like tiny lightweight packs. others like larger with more in them packs.
Same goes for Torches. Knives and guns.

The Chinese market. Through the coupla 3 decent dealers
Take 30 days on av, to Aust.
but so far I’ve all but once got what I ordered.
and 99% working. good quality.
US. Aust Markets sell same items at much higher prices.
Or local made at ridiculous rates.

The Chinese (Known good ones) ARE as good and better,
than some others on the market.

Just check lots of reviews. Buy from reputable (Proven) dealers.
and you get the good stuff at fair prices.
I’ve always bought my battery’s from Bangood. Restricts what I can get to Aust.
BUT so far. no imitations.
and Simon has ALWAYS done me right too.
I’ve had over 70 torches. Only 2 faulty but replaced by return. 1 sw. 1 LED.
and ONE shonky dealer. Paypal sorted my return of cash from him.

He’ll find what he wants.
I’m just sticking a coupla more alternatives in there for him.

PS.
AMAZON is good for movies.

15

Sorry for all the questions! I don’t mean to sound redundant.
You linked to the 32A, but there is also a 31A which, with the description, I cant seem much of a difference…?
Then there is the 33 which is about $10 more, but has about 2x the advertised lumens and takes a different battery 26650 again, I don’t know anything about this battery or how to compare it to the 18650 (which ive at least heard of). Its only a little bit bigger and 2x as powerful for only $10 more….thoughts?

edit to add I just read that the 33 can actually take the 18650 battery with an included adaptor tube (not that I know the difference between the 2 different batteries ). reading some reviews it seems like its about 50% wider and quite a bit heavier then the 32

16

Thanks so much everyone for you help. I think I’ll pick up a couple of lights based on all of your recommendations!

Can I have some more input regarding some headlamps?

Again, thanks

17

First question before anything else…

Whaddya gonna do with it?

Like buying a car, gonna race it?, tow/carry crap in it?, ferry a gaggle of kids back’n’forth, commute to/from work, what?

Then, narrow down the choices.

18

Probably just put in a bug out bag. Maybe take it out and use it for camping and then put it back in the Bob when done

19

Can you link to the batteries on banggood that you have had good luck with?

Who or what is Simon?
Thanks

20

A good headlight is the Skilhunt H03, (note there are multiple versions, just get the H03 with the TIR) i have around 30 lights, but only one headlight, and i have to admit, this one is used the most