There are a some very important features it needs to have and to NOT have.
It needs to rechargeable. A magnetic charger like Silkhunt or Olight would be best. But plugging in a USB would be OK.
It needs to have a simple UI. Preferably low medium and high. No hidden modes that they may activate. No way to change to a different mode which contains 7 different levels and features or something stupid like strobe or moonlight mode. I’ll get a torturous phone call trying to explain how to get it back to the simple low, medium high mode.
Single 18650 size or maybe a little bigger like a 21700.
Floody. Neutral to warm tint.
Not too expensive. Maybe up to $40.
They have a puppy and walk her at night. I bought a decent light for them a couple years ago. But the UI confused them, so the bought a plastic Ray-o-Vac at the grocery store and started using that.
I’ve been searching. It seems anything rechargeable with decent quality has confusing UIs.
I’m grooving on my Astrolux EC01 right now. USB-C recharge, and muggle mode. Not as floody as a D4SV2, but definitely not a thrower, either. Available in 5000K.
I only paid $26 for my last order, so you might look around here for a coupon code.
Ah, I missed that part for some reason. That makes it a bit harder. You could give the Olight S2R ii a shot, but I can’t speak to how floody
it is. I recall my old S1A being relatively floody. It’ll blow your budget, though…
Not exactly what you asked for, but you might look up “https://www.bestpathlight.com/”
3xAAA motion sensor light that attaches to canes, illuminates while in motion.
Three 5mm blue-white LEDs, plus some status LEDs on a control panel.
Might be moddable. I’m looking at one for an elderly neighbor.
I would also say that the Wowtac A6 or A7 (more throw) are good muggle flashlights. However the NW versions are not out yet. It does appear that they are coming.
And I have thought about what you’ve said varbos about not going with a cheap Chinese light. Something like a Olight Seeker would be perfect. I’ve got one. But I’m not getting mom a $150 flashlight.
The Sofirn and Wowtac look really good for them. I’ll probably wait to for the warm or NW A6 to become available. It seems like the more simple UI.
But maybe it is best to just grab a Coast AAA or the Duracell from Costco for them.