Need help choosing a flashlight

Hi, I need some help from you guys please. I've been a UPS driver for 22 years and fortunately, have had routes over the years that were pretty well lit at night. I now have a route that has some very dark, unlit streets on it and with the busy Christmas season looming in the near distance, I know I will need a good flashlight to help me find street numbers in the dark. I've got a couple of the Maglite 2 and 3 d-cell led flashlights I could use, but they are pretty big and heavy. I would prefer something smaller, but with an equally bright and penetrating light that travels a good distance. I would prefer not to spend a lot of money on a flashlight for work so a recommendation in the budget category would be great. I saw one at the link below and was wondering if it looks like it would fit the bill. Thanks in advance for your advice.

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/fandyfire-501b-cree-r2-wc-1-mode-250-lumen-white-led-flashlight-with-strap-1-x-18650-2-x-123a-59481

are you familiar with 18650 Li-ion batteries and what goes into using them?

or do you plan on using CR123A primaries?

I think is a good cheap choice
…but if you need more trow and flood(read power xD) buy xm-l led it give also more lumen/watt
dx 502b
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/fandyfire-502b-xm-lt6-1-mode-510lm-white-led-flashlight-w-clip-1-x-18650-91698
or FP 501b
http://www.focalprice.com/LF794B/UltraFire_WF501B_CREE_XML_T6_3_Mode_1000LM_LED_Flashlight_with_Wrist_Strap_Black.html
That are 1 mode and as specs you must use 18650, don’t support over 4.3v so can’t use 2xCR123A disposable battery
p.s. also if u look for an hand-warmer take the xml xD

this

http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/ultrafire-wf501b-t6-5mode-led-flashlight-118650-black-p-7639

Is there something special about the 18650's that I need to know?

Thanks, does the one "EDC" linked to seem like a good choice to you?

I actually think your choice (WF501B XR-E R2) might be quite good:

  • You don't want to blind yourself inside the car
  • You need a bit of throw to read the numbers
  • You don't need a big spot; I guess you don't want to annoy people by shining into their windows.

Here's a similar thread.

About 18650: Get protected ones. They'll shutdown themselves before you seriously over-discharge them. I recommend these batteries and this charger.

At the bottom of this page are some notes on Li-ion batteries.

+1

You could go for :

Ultrafire WF-501B CREE Q5 White Light LED $11.89

Or smaller

UniqueFire A10-B Cree Q5 WC 1-Mode 240-Lumen White LED Flashlight with Strap (1*18650) $15.60

I don't think he needs an 18650 at all.... a nice AA or cr123 xpg r5 or 2 AA light would serve him absolutely well . to thinjk everyone who stumbles into blf needs a 65$ light outfit is a bit over the top whats wrong with a 10 $ sipik 68 it's a light every newbie needs .. it will make him into a flashaholic in 3 months and he'll be back ordering solarforce like it was crack ..mho http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280615078332

https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/1001

I agree with Boaz, AA are easier to find in a emergency situation and cost next to nothing.

I always felt that headlights are a good choice.

Is that your recommendation? What about the folks who's house numbers aren't on the mailbox or street? I can't go around pulling into people's yards so my headlights will illuminate their house. The headlights work ok for most of the deliveries, but only if the address is clearly marked.

Thanks Bob, I appreciate your input. You are right about me not needing to light up the entire yard at once. I just need a beam that I can use as a spotlight to search for the addresses. And, out of the approximately 300 deliveries a day I will be making, I will probably only need the flashlight for 10 to 20 of them so one battery would most likely last me several days or more. I'll go ahead and order the one I was asking about. I'll get the protected batteries and I'll get a 12v charger I can hook up in my truck so I can just recharge the batteries while I'm working.

@oldbobk:

There was an issue with the DX TF flame 18650s for a couple a few months; the protection circuit only had 1 transistor instead of 2, making them trip at lower currents and having a higher internal resistance.

This issue seems to be resolved now. I (and others) got a new pair and they deliver high currents again. So I do recommend them again.

I have never tested those SolarForce batteries though. Maybe their voltage drop under load is even lower.

murman,
That is just my idea, because I prefer to use headlights, because I was fishing and huntingenthusiasts, so. .
I am also using a high-power headlights.

I think he means "headlamps" as in something you wear on your head so that your hands are free such as a Zebralight. I think you are interpreting his remarks to mean using your trucks headlights. He meant a light for your head...I think:)

That might be a good idea if you need to light the path from your truck to the house but for reading house numbers from the street I think your first idea was the best. You need a narrow beam of light and that's not most headlamps.

[

if you use it 10 times at day the cheap spik could do the job less of 8$ today

http://www.tinydeal.com/portable-3w-mini-super-bright-white-light-torch-lamp-with-clip-for-hiking-walking-climbing-black-fld-34942-p-28879.html?dp=O0106

with cheap charger like

http://www.tinydeal.com/multifunction-us-plug-travel-wall-charger-for-ni-mh-nicd-li-ion-aa-aaa-9v-rechargeable-battery-hcg-6164-p-5775.html

and 14500 protected litio or aa nimh battery

tinydeal is fast usually shipping in 1/2 days

Hi Murman,

Welcome to BLF!

Look around a bit and you'll find a lot of info here.

I drove taxi's at night for almost 8 years. I went through several lights, and didn't find one light to fill my needs.

It wasn't until recently that I too found BLF, and I took some time deciding what light I liked.

I chose a Solarforce L2 with a 3-mode XR-E drop-in, and bought a pair of 18650 (protected) batteries with a charger.

Here's why;
High quality host (body), you won't have to replace it until you WANT TO.

3-mode XP-E drop-in, good throw (distance), to hit those address's. I use it in low and medium mostly, low preserves my night vision and is almost too bright inside the vehicle, medium is usually enough, high is always there if you need it.

18650 rechargeable battery will probably last several days if used in medium and low modes. Carry the spare and keep running the first battery until you have to change it to get used to how long it will serve your needs.

What-ever you choose, good luck. Pick a budget. I think it will help in your decisions

Solarforce L2 or an Ultrafire 504B if you go 18650 batteries.

A good old C8 style light would work as well, more focused than the P60's.

I ended up choosing this light based on a review and recommendations from another member here. The light and batteries arrived this week and I am very pleased with my choice.

The AA Romisens that Shiningbeam sells are very nice, bright, reliable lights. I recommend one of them.