Recommended $5 flashlights for gifting in 2019

Last night when I was driving home I saw somebody standing on the side of the road. It was an older lady looking at her bicycle. I was thinking about stopping, just when she started cycling again.. I first thought she had some trouble with her lights.

So I got this idea about having a handful of (preferrably) AA flashlights at hand, (better than the Police eBay flashlights), but without breaking the bank. I'd like to have about 3-5 of these. Just for these kind of occasions where you can give them to someone without needing to receiving them back, but still knowing that they will be able to use them for a longer period of time.

What are currently "good" flashlights in the $5 range... (really keeping it below $7) $10 is above budget for these generic "gifts".

AA flashlights... AAA would be a second choice.

The next problem would probably be chosing the correct battery to give.. Eneloops would probably be thrown away when empty :(
But that's a discussion for anothe thread ;)

I don’t think you can do better than this: Smiling Shark SS-8022 Q5 3-Modi zoombare Mini LED Taschenlampe Sale - Banggood Deutschland sold out-arrival notice-arrival notice

these are amazing, especially on a 14500, but work fine on an NiMH. I still feel this is the best flashlight deal available (if u get the right one)

Ouch, it seems the average price of reasonable flashlights is about 10-15 usd.
(Where is the time an S2+ was in flashsale for 6,99)
I’d say Convoy T2 or something similar.
Otherwise you’ll end up with an SK68 or ‘police’ or ‘military’ light

How about this? Comes in a 10 pack for 13.99 - 5% coupon from amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Pocketman-Modes-300lm-Flashlight-Torch/dp/B01N02OSAF

Use code from vipon

https://www.vipon.com/product/5616720-Pocketman-Mini-Modes-Cree-300lm-LED-Flashlight-Torch?ref=ss_5616720_19_image&g=

Comes out at $12.60 with free shipping that is $1.26 each!!!

HTH

Haha, a SK68 clone, what did i told you!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N02OSAF/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M0UJFTI/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I purchased the above to give out during hurricanes and emergencies. FastTech, BangGood, and AX also carry this style. Just search on SK68.

I keep this cheaper type of flashlight on hand so I don't have to give something away I care about

Lumintop EDC01 AAA mini flashlights. I have bought 6 of them for gifts and are really good for the price. All of my friends use them on their keychain.

https://m.banggood.com/Lumintop-EDC01-XP-G3R5-120LM-3-Modes-Mini-Flashlight-EDC-Keychain-Light-Everyday-Carry-Torch-p-1382456.html?rmmds=search

Select CN warwhouse. Any color, add 2 to the cart and use promo code 2NDLUM

Should come out at $12 for the 2.

There is a promo right now that makes it so that you cannot add a coupon. Just wait until the promo is over.

Sofirn SF10. AA&14500. Small, nice, shines very well.

Yeh, I think I pointed that out somewhat snarkily on the Amazon-deals thread. :smiley:

Way less’n a buk-fitty each for a ’68 clone…

I’m absolutely amazed at how cheep-cheep-cheep they can be…

Got these before Christmas and had to return them.
The tint wasn’t good but wasn’t a deal breaker but…
Every one had emitter wayyyy off center and worst thing besides that was the bezels had very sharp tangs on them.
They would definitely rip clothing and tear skin.

Best SK68 clone in last year for me at least was the Hausbell from Amazon, they actually had nice creamy tint and good build quality.
Maybe I just got a good batch, but would buy them again and actually kept one. They are usually on sale at around $5-6 for 2.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B4KTIEI/ref=sspa_dk_detail_9?pd_rd_i=B07BPL125Y&th=1

Been using these single AA's from BG for years and all still working. Just on and off mode and that's it.

https://www.banggood.com/Meco-XPE-Q5-600-Lumen-7W-Zoomable-LED-Flashlight-For-1xAA-1_2V-p-907006.html?rmmds=myorder&ID=224&cur_warehouse=CN

Yes, these work very well.
Still have about 15 of them.
Was a mod thread a few years ago and you can grind down the sliding bezel on the back part from the flute to the beginning of the groves and really pick up a wide flood.
And these things tolerate a 14500 with no issue.
Only real knock on them is the clip is nothing to brag about and the finish is pretty much just a paint, no big deal.

@Muto, yep and they can take quite a beating too.

https://www.microcenter.com/product/486512/r22-1w-led-flashlight

3bux a pop. It’s my bobofett light, can get beat to Hell and keeps chugging along.

Almost too nice to give away to strangers, even at 3bux. :laughing:

Also takes 20mm TIRs, and is easy enough to swap emitters, too.

I'll second the Sofirn Sf10 and the $2 Zoomies with the 3 mode if possible .Fun to mod/ cut down and de-dome. I have some modded with emitters too nice for the light .

My non-a-holic friend went and bought a garbageSK68 clone after buying a good one from me years ago. He ended up coming back and apologizing for ever questioning my ability to know turkeys from turnips .

When a noob can spot a bad clone from 50 feet ..it's a bad light .When they are shocked with what 40 cri looks like vs 60...it's a bad light . When the emitter is so off center it shines back at you...it's a bad light .

Thanks for the suggestions.... The SK68 clones crossed my mind as well, buy impossible to know what you'll get.... But at only $1.50 a piece I wouldn't mind grabbing a few..

I love microcenter. It’s 45 minutes away which keeps me from going there every day

Are these all the usual blue emitters? I had some skywolfeye b13 in AAA 2.50eu shipped which were decent and reliable. Clips are really good! I usually keep one to hand out and dont mind when I dont get them back. Their AA zoomies are well built, too. But light is rather blue.

$5 won’t get you much. I’d say bump up to $10 and get a nice Jetbeam μ “mu”, for $10 on AliExpress. AAA, simple twisty 3 mode UI, no strobe, very bright, very well built.