Your "go to" Flashlight

Hello, I’m new to the forum. I was searching Google for best budget flashlight and it somehow lead me here. I’m hoping you guys can help me. I know you can’t expect much quality for cheap but I’m looking for two things here. The first one is a small portable flashlight that I can carry in my pocket for around $20-30. I want it to be pretty bright but I don’t want to have to buy specialty batteries. Also I’m looking for a super bright flashlight to keep on my night stand. Size doesn’t matter and I would like to spend around the same. Thank you in advance.

So no special batteries for either? I take it that means AA’s?

What’s the advantage of using non traditional batteries? I mean I would be willing to use them if they aren’t too expensive.

Thrunite Archer 2A V3

Depends on your idea of specialty batteries. Rechargeable lithium ion cells really aren’t considered specialty anymore, at least not around here or any other flashlight forum. Granted, you can’t buy them at your local Walgreen drug store, but available at 100’s of online sellers. 1000’s if you consider electronic cigarette stores and websites.

That said, the Jetbeam MK-I is a nice little AA light, that can accept a 14500 lithium if you decide you get tired of buying AA’s. 220lumen with Alkaline AA, and 480lumen with a 14500.

I guess I just have a bad taste in my mouth with non traditional batteries. A friend of mine had an underwater dive light that used some special battery that was like $15 but we would only get one dive out of the battery before it died. I just don’t want to spend a ton of money on batterys.

Lithium ion cells will give you more options, but it’s not necessary if you don’t want it. It definitely does require an extra investment. $5-10 per battery + $5-20 for a charger. Obviously rechargeable a few hundred times, so in the cost may be worth it.

Rechargeable batteries usually perform better and you don’t need to buy new ones every time?

Lumintop ED25 seems like it might fit the bill

The dive light probably had crap batteries, or an HID light with not enough battery, or just a cheap dive light.

An 18650 lithium ion can be charged 400 times if you take care of it, costs 5-10 dollars, and has 4 to 5 times the energy of a AA. You’re looking at about 1100 AA batteries for an equivalent. So which is more expensive?

High beams, you just came to the right place. As with all of which we experience, the bad taste in your mouth is a consecuence of no other thing than your beliefs, thoughts, feelings, … ignorance & bad decisions. So shift into high gear with wisdom.

Li-ion is pretty affordable nowadays. Less than $10 can afford you a quality battery and a cool single bay charger. And that's not to say that there are some good lights with built in battery charging.

However, if you're unwilling to learn at least some tech basics with regards to li-ion handling & care, better stick with Ni-MHs and alkaleaks. Don't freak, though, it's accessible in reality.

There are some 4×AA great quality torches, too, which coupled with good Ni-MHs do very nice. Yet don't even think in alkalines, powerful torches can kill them faster than those digital cameras of the past, they're simply not suitable for anything other than low drain applications.

Cheers ^:)

If you decide you are interested in learning more about the lithium ion powered lights, hang around, ask questions, and you’ll get more information than you dreamed possible in regards to flashlights.

Basically, lithium ion cells are named in numbers. 18650, 18350, 14500, 16340, etc… What this means is, an 18650 is 18mm in diameter and 65mm long. A 14500 is 14mm in diameter and 50mm long (same as a AA), and so on.

Some flashlight examples, from left to right. 18650, 18350, 14500, 16340, and a standard AA. All the lithium ion’s charge to 4.2v

EDC, go for Jetbeam jet 1
150 Lm on AA, 450 on 14500.

Still waiting for my Jetbeam which i ordered 20 days ago from Gearbest…

Jetbeam Jet-1 MK
Or Eagle Eye X2R

The X2R has a build in USB charger and costs you with a 18650B 22-25$

The light can run for almost 2 hours on high level

One 18650 battery equals 4 AA NiMh batteries

Once you go lithium ion, you’ll never go back.
Never.

My go to flashlight is the Olight S1A, with a Sanyo 14500 it reaches 600 lumens, and has the option to use AA’s

I know there are many other AA flashlights but for me this one has the best beam and user interface for daily use

If you are looking for pocket flashlight it is good to: use one AA battery, have tail switch and not longer than 10 - 12 cm.
Neutral white light is also advantage.
Here is two options:
http://www.thrunite.com/thrunite-t10-xp-l-252-lumen-flashlight/

http://www.thrunite.com/thrunite-archer-1a-v3/

Welcome from a fellow noob. I started coming here a few months ago with a similar question to yours. Now I have two chargers, four 18650s, two 14500s, and a bunch of Eneloops and Ikea Laddas, as well as a BLF A6, Convoy S2+, Crelant V4A, Astrolux A01, BLF 348, Lumintop Tool, Lumintop IYP 365 and Jetbeam Jet I MK to put them in.

If it were me I’d get a Jetbeam Jet I MK ($18-20) and a LiitoKala Lii-100 charger ($5) with a KeepPower 14500 840mAh ($7-8) for everyday carry. Or the Lumintop Tool ($13) which is in my pocket right now. The Lumintop Tool and the Jetbeam Jet I MK are my two favorite torches for EDC.

A note on prices: if you wait for a sale or look for a coupon, you can find all those items for much cheaper than what I listed. I got my Jetbeam Jet I MK for $13 shipped. I got the LiitoKala Lii-100 for $3.90. Etc.

Tomorrow (Nov. 25) is a big sale day; many prices at places like Banggood and GearBest will be low. Several members on this forum also offer coupon or deals threads. Groups buys can be a lot of fun.

Enjoy it.

Thorfire TK4A
A small soda can light running on 4 AA batteries
Using a set of eneloops it is as bright as lotsof 18650/26650 flashlights I have, but safe.
It makes one smile to seethis much output from such a small light.

Oh and welcome to BLF!

Well, that all depends of your opinion of Small i guess.
Personally, i think Soda can size is too big