Now that you’ve mentioned it: Buying a 16340 Zebra. And a 47s mini Turbo while they were available.
We learn from our mistakes, so there are plenty of flashlights that I would not buy.
I would just get the ones I really like, which is a very short list.
It’s been a fun journey so far. I did get some ZebraLights early on, but it was more fun to modify and make my own flashlights. I should’ve gotten a better soldering iron sooner.
And I shouldn’t have made that spreadsheet that lists all the flashlights that I’ve purchased and made over the years. The grand total was quite the surprise! 
It’d be nice to start out knowing that “long-throw” isn’t really as useful as flood most of the time.
1. Start with a cheaper light
2. Maybe start with high CRI from the get go as well
3. Actually ask for flashlight recommendations in addition to doing individual research
4. Buying batteries either before or at the same time as getting a light
I’m just starting now. Think i’m doing good with emisar d4v2 and sofirn sc31b 
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GOOD JUDGMENT COMES FROM EXPERIENCE, AND A LOT OF THAT COMES FROM BAD JUDGMENT.
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I purchased one light from Ebay with 2 x 18650 and a T6 led zoomie and it sparked my interest. It was very bright compared my previous lights.
But I never purchased another one from Ebay after finding BLF.
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Sirstinky , my experience also :+1:
I would probably start with some Convoy or Sofirn flashlights. Pay a little more for good batteries and skip the eBay stuff. Pay a little more for a good charger.
Don’t remember the date I started, a little after the Fenix LD20 was released.
If I started over, I’d focus on quality over quantity for cells- skip the dubious li-ion cells from banggood etc and spend the money on cells from reliable sources.
Get into the habit of selling what I don’t like rather than hording on the chance I’ll mod it to my liking.
Agree about not buying duplicates of lights because they’re on offer.
Probably would do things differently (buy less), but the times way back when we modified cheap sk68s to impress our friends were probably most fun.
Now I have to buy expensive titanium flashlights to get the same kick and I am bored faster.
Not spend any money on grails/shelf queens that I don’t plan to really use because flashlights technology become obsolete pretty fast…
What would you do differently if you would get into flashlights right now?
I would seek professional help as soon as I recognise the signs of addiction. The very first step is admitting to yourself that you have a problem.
It would be useful to note the contact details of self-help organisations.
Not much different compared to the beginning, for I happen to see from a local dealer a led light ( after a very long while since my college 2D Maglight ) then discovered and surfed in Candlepowerforums and got into the buy-once, cry-once wagon.
So I bought the ‘better’ ones at that time (2012) the Pila IBC charger, Powerex Maha MH-C9000 and the iCharger 108B+ hobby charger (in order to test laptop pulls when only a few 18650 brands were available then, and only state-side). Cells from China were all the dreaded Ultrafires, etc.
As for the lights l bought the Zebralight SC600 (X2) and the Klarus XT11.
I didn’t have the good luck with the SC600 though, as one of them failed its switch 2 times and was sent back to the factory twice too.
I wouldn’t do it all that much differently, except I probably would have bought a dozen Liteflux LF2TX flashlights when I had the chance to get one on closeout. I paid $60 for mine and 5 years later sold it for $150. Had no idea it would become so desirable.
Learn from your mistakes, the best tip ever.
If you start with quality lights you will be spoiled.
Its like starting with a brand new mercedes as your first car instead of an old beater.
I think I got into flashlights at the right time. The BLF A6 was out and tested by many individuals before I dipped my toe in the waters. I got one (actually an Astrolux S1) and my family still uses it to this day.
My next lights were a Zebralight SC600w HI and a H600Fd III, which are both wonderful lights and have worked perfectly for me on many adventures. I don’t know if I’d get them again because of the cost and within a year or so, a number of excellent lights were released that were real contenders.
What I would do differently is this:
-No CW emitters or unappealing tints even if the light is a solid design or inexpensive
-Wait until lights were tested before hitting the “Buy” button
-Not be swayed by massive amounts of lumens (although it can be fun)
-No strange or annoying UI (subjective, I know)
-Buying only if it fits a niche in real use (size really does matter to me)
-Not buying duplicates that don’t get used
-Using quality brands of batteries only
-Supporting dealers and brands that support the buyer if things go wrong (this can be a challenge)
-Informing family and friends on what a quality AND affordable light really is BEFORE they waste their money
1. Never bought locally through MercadoLivre, the South American branch of eBay
2. NEVER purchased a M@g-lite, all of them were utter wastes of cash and Eneloop manglers
3. Gotten a BLF A6 instead of any 18650 Thrunites, even though the TN12 2014 served me fairly well
3.1. Failed that, never swapped the NW 4000K-ish TN12 that broke on me for a CW one with hidrous green shift
4. Gone to Lumintop for AA lights instead of insisting on the Thrunites, which were all just a ball ache (so much so that I lost my T10 v1 and didn’t miss it at all
5. Waited until 2016 to buy any Convoys, and directly from Simon at that, because Biscotti is to me like wild singletrack is to a mountain biker
5.1. Failed that, gotten a Biscotti driver to swap on my first S2 right away instead of buying a near-exact copy with Biscotti
6. Purchased a decently potent soldering iron that actually melts the solder for more than a split second
Jack Kellar, i disagree with point 2, maglites were the bomb in the 90’s
Start sooner
Lemme expand on my point:
Mag was the brand for utility lights back in incandescent days. So much so that in South America, they are practically a luxury item. Over here, you spend on a Mag as much as a US guy spends on a Surefire. No exaggeration.
Problem is that this price tag remained for the LED line, and local sellers know this. I legit spent the equivalent of 60 dollars (in the exchange rate back in the day) in one 3D and a 2AA Minimag. Both of which failed. Before that I purchased a 2AAA Mini Mag and was disappointed with the total lack of regulation. Then I bought a camo 2AA Mini that actually worked, but the twilcap spring dented the flat ends of my Eneloops to such a degree that I was afraid they would stop working within weeks. Thank goodness that didn’t happen.
ADDENDUM: I started to legitimately collect lights in 2012, and incans were already long outdated by that point.