Budget? Yeah, right... I feel another expensive hobby coming on.

I stumbled upon this site while I was researching chargers.

A few weeks ago I said to myself, I said "Self, I want to move away from alkalines. That last time a Duracell leaked & destroyed a nice light that was a gift just ticked me off. I want something better! Some good NiMh and a charger; just something basic." (yeah, right).

So, I found some weak sites doing supposed "reviews", and lots of fluff sites that were just unsatisfying. Then I discovered the lygte site and, somehow that led me here.

And so, the rabbit hole opened under my feet.

I had no idea there was a forum of such depth & breadth re: all things flashlight, cells, chargers etc. The LED data page is something I'll have to peruse for some time to advance my understanding.

I've been lurking here for a while. Time to out myself among others who are similarly afflicted the gadgetitis:

Hi. I'm slmjim, and I'm a Gadgetaholic.

I wasn't always a Gadgetaholic, but then puberty happened & I had a job and a little money to spend. Cars, motorcycles, tools, firearms, sound equipment & all manner of other entertaining items crept into my life. And girls! But that's another subject.

Anyway, that was a handful of decades ago. So now I'm retired from an IT gig, with way too much time on my hands when I'm not playing with the aforementioned toys & wimmin' and, lo & behold, I discover flashlights. And cells. And chargers.

Hmmm...

Unlike most rabbit holes, this one isn't dark. In fact there's so much light down here it's positively brilliant!

So, now there's an XTAR VC-4 on it's way here from Amazon and a Ikea Koppola 3-port USB power supply to run it, and an Opus BT-C3100 on the way from Gearbest (thanks for the pormo code bilakos10) because..., well, just 'cause.

I've already got enough expensive hobbies. I can see flashlights, chargers & cells turning into a deep-but-well-lit rabbit hole.

Thanks to all the regular posters who've contributed to this new educational opportunity for me.

Now, please excuse me while I meditate on resisting the urge to buy unneeded flashlights.

slmjim

Welcome to BLF!

With me it was $3-5 lights, then $10-15, I swore $20 was it, I would spend no more…then there was big lumens, group buys, more batteries, more lights. There is nothing about budget here IMO but it is fun.

Now, please excuse me while I meditate on resisting the urge to buy unneeded flashlights



it will take all the meditation u can muster up. Run while u can!

Hey how are you doing man? Welcome to BLF! :partying_face:

“Unlike most rabbit holes, this one isn’t dark. In fact there’s so much light down here it’s positively brilliant!” — haha, but dark news ahead to your finances…

Well, even just being here in BLF can give you a small ‘kick’!

First and foremost, always remember to recharge your credit card. :smiley:

Welcome slmjim.
I can guarantee that your rabbit hole is expected to be very deep, especially if you keep on reading reviews and mods :slight_smile:

You remember that movie “RUN FOREST RUN”
Welcome to BLF slmjim.

It's a pleasure to have you onboard, slmjim!

I hope your card can handle a large draw :crown:

With a super low interest rate!!
Since 13 Dec 2017

BLF-GT (x2) ,bags, OpTech hoods, 16/3500mah batts
Acebeam K70 (x2),
Nitecore TM26GT,
Noctigon Meteor M43,
Niwalker BK-FA30s,
Fenix TK75vn KT XML2,
Thrunite TN42cw,
Opus 3400’s (x2)
Miboxer C4-12’s (x2)
Aluminum carry case
Pelican 1010 micro cases (x4)

…so did I…. so did I. :person_facepalming:

Welcome to BLF!

Budget doesn’t always mean cheap.
The army has a budget too :confounded:

If you’re into big lights ….it’s probably cheaper to buy a small apartment complex and set it on fire .

I came here (and into flashlight “communities” in general) looking for a small edc light. I spent weeks researching and reading before buying my first “good” light. I wound up with a 47s Preon, 35 bucks or so, and it was great. Still have it. But like you fear, it started something for me. Now 4ish years (and 150ish lights) later, here’s one of my latest acquisitions:

So yeah, its very easy for this to get a bit out of hand :slight_smile:

(If you’re not familiar, that’s the new Sinner Ti350, serial number lucky 13. I’ve added some blue anodized highlights, an Okluma clip, and 14 trits (iceblue/white). Not obvious from the pics is the LDB4 driver setup and triple 219b sw45k r9080 internals I swapped in.)

^ Absolute stunner! :sunglasses:

Welcome slmjim!

One of us… one of us… :smiley:
It’s going to be fun!
Welcome!

Need has little to do with a flashaholic condition. It does however start out “budget” where you will find yourself buying C8s and Utorch units. At some point you will be consumed by the obsession with “brighter, more efficient” and phrases like “UI and CRI” come out frequently. Then, God help you when lumens per watt figures constantly cruise around your head.
Lastly, a full demonic possession has occurred when Nitecore and Acebeam make your shopping list.

I completely agree with you, except that last phrase :wink:
I think there are equal or higher quality lights for a lower price (This is budget light forum remember ? :wink: )