Do you purchase multiples of the same light?

Same here. Crappy 1B emitters in generic gray/black ano, but they make hella nice and cheap hosts to throw together something in a pinch. In fact, the complete lights were cheaper’n empty hosts.

I don’t usually buy multiples, but if I find a basic light that’d be good to give away or use as a host, I can’t resist buying a few.

If you came across say an FW3A for $20 , would you buy two? Or more? --> No

If you believed you found the best EDC, would you buy two or more? --> Yes, if I really love it and use it I take one for backup

If a light you love, is offered in multiple colors and multiple emitters, would you buy multiple units? Yes !! For the moment I don't have the same model with different colors which have the same emitters. Exceptions for some models in Brass, copper, etc. :)

Can I add a question ?
Do you have a battery in each of your flashlights ??
Personally I try, (and I recycle my vaping batteries in my FL, it helps) but when I see the collection of some here, sometimes I ask myself the question !

nbattery in every one model? YES. And of course 4 sets of of backups for my multiple 18650 lights (all paired), and try to keep 4-5 21700 backups and the same with 14500, 18350, and single 18650. I did the math once I think I have over $500 in damn batteries. I'm sure others can relate. I will add- I defitnely try and use all of my lights (my collection is not nearly as large as many peoples though). So I look at it as jot too crazy to have a battery in every light. I've read people here having 400+ or 200+ flashlights, and others with like 20 kr4's lol. If I had 200 flashlights I wouldn't have a battery in everyone because I know I wouldn't be using all of them that often. And I'm not judging, I'm sure some day unfortunately I will have 200 lights lol

Yes, batteries in each light. And a few spares, of course. For extension tubes.
I don’t want to start a search for one ore more batteries every time I need a light.

Lights in drawers, etc. are always physically locked-out.
Lights with bad or worn ano are stored with a plastic cap over their tail spring.

Yes batteries are a hell of a price with a growing collection.
I also have some reserves in stock.
I ask that because sometimes I wonder when I'm going to stop wanting to put a battery in each of my FL. Maybe never!
I was secretly hoping someone would say no to help :) But so good to know I'm not alone lol

Nope.

Only in lights I use regularly, and ironically, I use the ’micro pretty regularly.

Lights that go sight-unseen for months? Hell no.

Interesting that this question seems to be split down the middle.

Also surprised how few people would jump on an FW3A deal.

Yes, if I think the additional light(s) will add additional excitement to my life.

Two Niwalker MM15, one stock 2 x MT-G2, and the other in 2 x XHP70vn.

Two 47s MMU-X3, one stock 3 x XM-L2, and the other in 3 x XHP50.2vn.

Two Acebeam X65, 5 x XHP35vn, one for each hand.

Two Nightwatch NSX53 3 x 50.2, one stock, and one ultra screaming Vn boosted.

Two Imalent MS03vn 3 x 70.2.

Three stock Astrolux EC03 3 x 50.2.

Two Haikelite HK90 3 x 90.2, one stock and one Vn. One for each hand.

Two Mateminco MT90 Plus 90.2, one stock and one Astrolux branded Vn de-lens.

Four Lumintop FW21a Pro Vn; three are 3 x 50.2, and one is 3 x SBT90.2. Two of the 50.2 I bought to gave to friends, after spending much time explaining operation and safety.

Two BLF GT94 stock, one for each hand.

Lights that I would like to buy more additional multiples of, but have not yet: X45vn screaming boost to 25,000 lumens, D18 W2vn, Noctigon Meteor M43vn in various choice of emitters, P60 quad Vn in various choice of emitters, R90TS, MS18, D4V2vn in W2, and Astrolux FT02S.

I have never sold any of the 49 performance lights that I have bought. My older ones are more obsolete than my newer ones, but the older ones have more sentimental memories attached to them.

I have not bought any of the high dollar USA semi-custom lights, yet. All of my lights are standard aluminum body, for optimum balance of weigh and heat management. Copper is too heavy, and titanium is not in the same heat management class as aluminum.

I ceased buying ultra rock bottom budget lights when I discovered the existence of the Four-Sevens MMU-X3 in October 2014. The broad middle of the road price class of lights is where I am very happy, ranging from the practically free, smaller Emisar, Astrolux, Lumintop, Nightwatch, Noctigon and Mateminco; to the expensive but very large, ultra high performance Mateminco, Astrolux and Lumintop lights.

My lights: https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/9150/287

Yes

3 or more
Emissar D4
Lumintop EDC 18
Convoy S2
Sofirn C01 (everyone got one for Christmas last year….so started with @ 12 and had like 4? left over.
Sofirn D25s and SP40 headlamps.

less multiples of other lights. Have 2 houses, it’s rare I buy less than 2.

I have two FW3A, one is the OG batch with the XP-L Hi and the other is an SST-20.

I also have two of the same light under different names. The Thorfire TG06s and the Alonefire X380. It’s a good AA/14500 sized host. Great for modding since it takes a regular 17mm driver and 16mm MCPCB. The reflectors are a little different betwen the two, but the host is the same.

Do the S2+ and C8 count? Don’t we all have a bunch of those?

Awesome collection

Yes, keep batteries in those that i use everyday or every week, and if not used in a month or so then the batteries come out. Gosh the money i have in batteries alone i do not want to think about, must be hundreds of dollars easy. And then there's the 6 charges i have.

Think of it as an investment.

It's not the same now as when it was designed and first introduced. Still a great light, imho, it was just better before they started tweaking it. Seems like a bit of a bad taste left over from the whole...the shenanigans.

I would jump on a deal, or even a sale of, the exact models I want. I didn't answer that part of this thread but- if an sst20 4000k (good bin like early 2020 or earlier) in sand came available, I'd buy 2+. Or the same emitter in the raw aluminum, I'd buy it, that is if they had no markings on the head/bezel too. So basically very specific versions of the fw3a, because unfortunately some are just better than others. Otherwise I'd buy kr4's all day over a fw3a honestly. They offer better options and are more consistent quality.

I have no idea what you are talking about.

Yes, I would buy more of the same model, especially when there is a better discount, or new choices of colour. I have bought Astrolux FT03 Mini in black, copper, and brass. I have also bought Convoy C8+ in purple and in black. Now I am resisting my growing temption to buy more Lumintop 3A and 4A, especially now during the Father’s Day Sale.

I have multiple s2+s because they’re so cheap, but that’s the only one.

Exactly.

It's surprising no one has said - "2 is 1 and 1 is none"