Advice appreciated

Hi, this is my first post, having only recently developed an interest in LED flashlights (not really sure how it started and Im suprised that there is such a thriving community online!). Anyway, I'm looking to buy my first light and I was wondering if I could get some advice - as theres so many to chose from!

Basically, I just want a decent beginners light - one that is powerful enough without having to mess about replacing/swapping bits and pieces. I want to spend in the region of $30-$50, and the brighter the better! :-)

So far I seem to be leaning towards one of the following:

Skyray 3800 (upper end of my price range and heard that they may have a tendancy to break), Trustfire TR-1200 (mid price-range) or KD C8 T6 (lower end of price range).

I was just wondering if any of you lot, who know a lot more than i do and have probably experienced them 1st hand, would help me choose or let me know if I've missed one that is an obvious choice for a beginner like me.

I guess you probably receive millions of posts like this, but any guidance would be much appreciated...

Cheers,

Pete

Welcome to BLF. the Kaidomain C8 is a very bright and highly regarded budget light. Can’t go wrong there. The Trustfire X9 is a beautiful XML light, maybe my favorite light of all. I got mine for $34 on eBay with two batteries and a charger. The skyray 3800 does seem to have problems although my original version has proven very robust. Another option is the solarforce L2 series lights with an XML dropin. I know you said you didn’t want to mess with putting pieces together but there is nothing to that. An L2 variant with XML will surprise anyone who sees it.

From those three choices: Absolutely the KD C8

Reasoning:
- Very good light for that price
- You will have still money for good batteries and charger
- Uses a single 18650 (others are multi battery setups - NOT good for a beginner!)

I'm fairly new, but have the kd c8, I love it...very useful light. But I'd also remind you about batteries. I decided on the KD c8 due to it's price and therefore allowing me to get good quality batteries and a charger in budget that means I don't have to worry about that side of things.

I bought 2 xtar 2600mah, and a xtar charger....to me this side of things is more important than having the best light as it allows me to not have to worry about it.

After this I'm now looking at other lights and factor in the cost of more xtar batteries as I don't want to waste money on crappy batteries.

the kd c8 is a very ample light, and I haven't yet had a situation where I NEED more, just a question of WANT I guess, which is why I'm now looking at triple xml lights, and a nice floody headlamp for walking.

Hope my experiences can help you some what.

Brilliant, cheers guys - really appreciate your thoughts/experiences! Looks like the KD C8 might be the one for me, although Im tempted to have a look at the X9 too (I thought it might be a bit more than i was hoping to spend but didnt realise you could find it so cheap on Ebay...)

Pete

Everyone should own a kdc8. I took my X9 out fishing tonight. Someone on shore decided to shine their 60 lumen light on us as we motored past. I gave them a hit with the X9 on high. lol. I heard what the .....? was that. hahaha It has a good amount of throw and was great to light up the waterway.

Also took my UFH3. What a great head lamp. I used it for around 3 hrs non stop on high and never changed the battery.

Aloha and welcome to BLF cheesy78!

If it were me for a first light since I own one, I would recommend the Trustfire 1200 Q5 with the extra extension to take 3 18650 batteries which will give you longer runtime and a brighter beam as well. I'm not a big Deal Xtreme supporter for they take awhile to get your order to you, but they do have a great price.

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/trustfire-tr-1200-cree-q5-wc-5-mode-1200-lumen-white-5-led-flashlight-2x18650-3x18650-4x16340-57380

That is more light than most will ever need.

Welcome to BLF, Pete! Word of advice...do NOT go with the Skyray 3800. It is plagued with too many issues and while some have had good fortune with it, most have not. Instead, go with the Trustfire TR-3T6. No known issues and excellent heat management. Works on 1, 2, or 3 cells with an insane high and a nice low. Puts out a blast of light that can reach out far and light what you want to see as well as everything else surrounding it. Able to lego to fit any size need and with extra extensions will even run on AA alkalines. Probably the one llight in my collection that comes closest to replacing all the rest.

Hard to argue with recomending the KD C8 for a first light. With the stated budget up to $50, that leaves enough for batteries/charger but if you take those things out of the equation, I might choose another, depending on if you get bitten with the flashlight bug.

If you don't and this is just a real bright light for a great price, all is well and you're done. If you do happen to become infected, a few months from now the C8 might not be your most cherished torch. My first big boy light remains to this day, my favorite.

L2PFoy

Don’t get Foy going on his L2P

Thanks again for all the helpful advice guys! Think I'll start off with the KD C8 - as most people seem to have positive words for it, and the price will mean I can look out for some decent batteries and a charger that aint gona burn my house down! ;-)

Cheers,

Pete