Hi Folks,
Been poring through the archives and reviews but not getting anywhere so figured I’d just ask.
I currently edc a Defiant (2 x AA batteries) that is available at Home Depot for $20. Its served me very well and I have no complaints apart from the fact that the I mode is only 70 lumens. However I am in the market for a second light and I was going to buy the same one but I am sure there is better technology out there now after a few years.
So I am looking for a light that meets the following:
1. Priced under $30 with a premium Cree LED (not willing to spend more - its a light and I prefer them cheap)
2. push button activated (with memory)
3. Modes - high/low (or infinite), strobe (strobe is important as it will sit in my car)
4. water resistant (IPX8 is not required - won’t be swimming with it)
5. maximum 2 x AA batteries (only AAA or AA battery powered as I like to use eneloop)
6. Has good runtimes on medium/low settings
7. Flod is probably better than throw for my intended use
I don’t care about the brand and I figure theres probably some good models coming out of China that meet my needs, is there anything out there that y’all would recommend to me?
I was enamoured with the Nitecore SRT3 and EAL but waaaay too expensive. I also came across the ITP C7R Cree Q5 which seems like my best choice but its been out on the market a long time so figures something better has been released since.
I don’t know what is best, but I do have an xtar h1. It’s a headlamp, 1aa (or 14500) and it is stupidly bright. Out of the headlamp, it’s a tiny AA light, beam is on the side of the body, and has very usable flood and throw. It’s great clipped in a pocket.
How about a SolarStorm SC01? 1AA, reversible clip, side button, adjustable brightness programming, hidden strobe and hidden (sort of) ultra low mode. $14-$15. I keep one in the car with a Lithium AA. Search the review here on BLF.
takes 2x AA, floody beam, about 1 hour and a half on max, forward clicky switch with memory, almost anything you want but the fact that it has no strobe mode.
if you can try to stretch your budget a bit, get an Olight ST15 Baton which will perfectly fills every of your requirements, plus with bonus of multiple option using only 1x AA or 2x AA and even 3xAA with extender tubes.
The Aliexpress website is like a candystore, damn I could end up spending a lot of money there!!
All the flashlights are coming out of china nowadays, the designs and interfaces are universal and I figure there are some good no-name brands out there that are at least 98% as good as the expensive big names.
I just cannot justify spending $80 on a light when I am regular home user … heck I have a 25 year old 2 x C battery Maglite that is halogen and its still trucking along just fine.
I purchased the Olight S15 off Ebay for $38. It arrived today and included the barrel extender too.
I immediately tried it out and am VERY disappointed with light output, it says 280 lumens in the specs and I am sure I am getting nowhere near that. The beam is very floody (which is good) but the light output is pathetic (tried with AA batteries).
In direct comparison to my cheap $19 Home Depot flashlight (marketed at 70 lumens High) it does not measure up at all.
I would highly recommend anyone on here to go to HomeDepot and check out the Defiant 2AA light I refer to, it may have a bigger form factor but its is amazing value for the $$ and built like a tank! Also they have not overstated the lumens and mine is going strong two years later on the original AA batteries!
I have never felt so let down after reading all the hype and positive reviews about a product.
The quality of Olight lumen output is similar to a $4.99 LED cheapo I picked up at the flea market a while back. I just don’t understand how the Defiant 70 lumens is outshining the Olight 280 lumen???
I have two Olight s15. They are very bright. Maybe you got a counterfeit flashlight. When you hold down the switch the flashlight comes on in the moonlight mode. Are you sure you cycled through all the modes to get to turbo?
A (genuine) Olight S15 is bright and floody on 2 Eneloops. I've bought two and have been happy with them. If you still can't get a decent output after trying the usual troubleshooting steps, you should contact the seller.
i have a few of these that have been running fine for several months now. Actual haiii anodizing. And can run off 2xaa or shrink down to run one cr123a
Can’t figure that as I have one and 3 of my co workers had me order them one because of size and output. Either you are not on high or it is defective. ordered all of mine from edisonbright_led on ebay.
The Shining beam Spark NW is on sale for 27.99.Very flexible and reliable light shippend from NYC.Go to Shiningbeam.com listed under weekly specials or clearance section.I have been abusing one at work for over two years now.
