6 or 7 years ago they had an entire isle dedicated for flashlights, it was like a candy store for those who didn’t buy online. Now days the flashlight section shares a card board stand at the far corner of the store.
At my local Home Depot, the flashlight rack is nestled between two other sections… I think one is the tools pouches, or something like that. So, not so minimal as a cardboard stand, but not nearly as present as a full rack.
Mine has a 10’ full rack. Most of the lights they offer, particularly from Coast are “very good” for non -enthusiasts. For us, they are overpriced and a decade behind but then, we are what? A fraction of 1% of the market?
Coast / LED Lenser used to be a pretty decent brand, although a bit overpriced—good deals on sale. But no lithium powered lights (all NiMH). I didn’t realize their names were regionally split — Coast in USA and LED Lenser in Europe. It looks like they’re separate now, as LED Lenser is showing as part of the Leatherman group. At this point, seems they’re still good but quite overpriced for what you get. I do wonder if there are some gems in the LED Lenser lineup somewhere, though.
Sometimes you can find good deals on older Coast/LED Lenser lights. Anyone here familiar with the V2 Moon?
Over priced for people like us, but for people walking off the street and know nothing about flashlights, they are a safe and reasonable good quality product. I think I have about a total of 8-10 of them between the cars, house and plant.
Only ni-mh is deliberate. HD does not want mishandled li-ion batteries and houses burning down. No matter whose at fault, they know they will be the first target.
I’m replacing all of them with my current hunt for the “perfect” EDC’s, but I’m not throwing them away.
My approach is to say something like, “Flashlights are one of my interests, and I have a small collection of them, as well as mod and build them for myself and friends.” So I’m not directly saying I’m a collector, nor am I directly saying I’m an enthusiast; but at the same time I have identified myself as someone with working knowledge of flashlights. I think not putting a label to what I do makes others a bit more comfortable, as it’s just a little hobby of mine, not some kind of cult or underground thing. And as many folk have some kind of hobby or pastime, they may be more apt to relate.
If you already have them, there’s no real need to replace. They’ll do the job. Incidentally, seems they’re past the NiMH only phase. Some newer models support lithium cells, like their top end rechargeable ones.
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