$1 Budget Beamer Beaters

i was in the hardware section of a neighborhood wallmarr and saw a tray full of plastic body AAA flashlights selling for $1

These used to be the 9 x 5 tubes with 3 AAA, but these are marked “OT. 50L” and have a single round domed emitter.

It has a very clean white High CRI beam with no yellow artifacts and a nice round center spot. The reflector has a textured ring at the bottom around the emitter, then a smooth tapered cone.

These new ones are much better than the older versions, and totally blow away the $10 Defiant from HomDepo with aluminum body, square emitter and lots of yellow artifacts and lumps in the center beam.

They come in different body colors and are about 1 inch diamter and 4” long. Nice build quality, tail switch with tapered fat spring. Can’t beat it for the price, i’m gonna get a handful to stash in dark closets and toolboxes, and give away to friends and family.

I have bunch of “cheap” lights. Some are clearly better then others. I draw the line in terms of price and don’t bother with anything less than a $10 S2. I think the S2 has become the new AA Maglite in terms of popularity and overall customer satisfaction. 10 years later, you will still be able to sell it for $10.

These are true budget lights that you won’t cry over if lost; you can pay more, much more, but will be hard pressed to beat the beam value here.

I’ll have to see if my local has them…

Everyday price or on sale?

is this it?

My “beaters” are aluminum D4V2. Not because they’re bad, but because they look and feel much “cheaper” in my hand than the other metals, resulting in my never wanting to carry them.

It’s not a cost thing, it’s a “feel” thing.

That’s it for beaters. I don’t like throw-away trash ever, and won’t ever buy it unless forced (societal collapse)

Yep that’s the one. They are designed by Ozark Trail, and seem to have done a great job over all the previous AAA tubes that have been sold at WM over the years.

What do you think of the beam?

Wow! True to the BLF spirit! What a find, thanks for posting.

Eggzactly. :+1:

Didn’t get a chance to look today, but I looked online and web says they have them. Really exited.

Do they require 3 AAA batteries?

Regardless, $1 and have a “a very clean white High CRI beam with no yellow artifacts and a nice round center spot”, what a bargain!!!

But the batteries are worth more than the light and i would be unhappy to lose my Eneloops.
I don’t have any alkaleaks to put in it and they cost money.

In the end i have to use my good lights since i typically need good lighting. But my keychain Olight i3e does well in most (rare) situations where i don’t have an 18650 light on me.

That said i can see recommending this light to muggles, they buy their own batteries :smiley:

1 Thank

The 3 AAA cells are included; there is a plastic separator disk under the tail cap that must be removed for operation.

they are made in China, but i think the designer is located in Utah— i couldn’t find the website again.

That works for me! :slight_smile:

i rolled up a strip of cardboard and dropped in an 18650 laptop pull.
its apparently got a resistor as it didnt go up in smoke.
it has no heatsinking to speak of.
ran 3 cycles and still the same as an unused control.
probably the best $1 light out there.

Just picked up 4 of these. Really impressed with the tint. Also grabbed some coin cell headlamps. Impressed also.

This?

I am getting error on your link zoulas

Try it again.

Don’t know what is going on with walmart links, I tried to post one and it wouldn’t work for me.

Go to walmart search Ozark Trail OT50