What is the definition of a budget light

This is the Budget Light Forum. On this forum, we discuss virtually all flashlights from sub $5 to hundreds of dollars.

It just occurred to me today. Is Budget Light Forum just a cool name or are certain flashlights excluded from the discussion.

Just curious what other members think.

Fits my budget. As simply as that.

My definition of a budget light: The price is determined by features and performance rather than by materials and workmanship.

Even if it fits in your budget, I wouldn’t consider a Reaver Citadel a budget light because it violates this definition. If you can buy other lights that fulfill the same function (maybe better) for a tiny fraction of the price, then it is not a budget light.

(And yes, I still kinda want a Reaver Citadel )

BLF was started during a very different time for flashlights, when there were lots of mediocre budget lights that could be made much better by modding. It was an alternative to CPF which has always tended to have a bias towards medium priced to expensive lights (like HDS, Zebralight, Malkoff and Surefire). Now the budget market has changed, and we have lots of high quality budget lights (like Convoy and Sofirn) and medium budget lights (like Emisar/Noctigon and Fireflies), and less need for modding. I don’t think there has ever been an exclusion of what lights are discussed on BLF, just that the conversations from members tend to be related to high performance or useful lights at budget and medium prices.

Good write up, TY

Means different things to different people so no real ‘answer’ but to me budget means cheap - eg, if I see ‘budget car rental’ I expect cheap low value cars at a cheap rental price, I don’t expect to see cheap Ferarri rental if you get what I mean lol, though if you were a more well off type, you may well expect that - but that’s not what it means to me. There is a difference to ‘fits someone’s budget’ and ‘budget’ - to me at least, though it all depends how the term is used in the end.

i would say lights around 30$ are budget lights… double that its not if uask me…

That’s a good definition and i like it.

But i’ve seen some budget lights get excluded, or get no interest or respect on this forum, so it is not a universally accepted position.

I think the term is kind of an oxymoron. A budget light is one that has great value and a price that I won’t think much about spending. Doesn’t take very long to be able to look at one’s “budget” flashlights and realize that a significant budget has been spent on all of these lights;-)

one I can USE, ABUSE and LOSE with no regrets

this member thinks:

1. a budget light is one which costs $29USD or less INCLUDING shipping/taxes.
2. a budget light is one that Used To Cost $99, but reduced to $35 including batteries.
3. a budget light never, ever costs more than $44. that is my border line.

It’s hard to define.
I know it when I see it.
It still needs to check a lot of boxes cuz price alone ain’t getting me there.

Budget for me means I can build a flashlight with high quality LEDs the way I want it for less than I can buy it somewhere else. And most of the time I’m not able to buy what I want.

BLF taught me how to mod, but it also persuaded me to buy much more than a person should ever spend on flashlights!

Anything below $30 for me, personally.

Also remember that not all of us are from developed nations with high income. For some of us, even $25+ USD equivalent starts to get into ‘expensive’ territory.

If you’re mil or PD, your “budget” can be quite high if not unlimited. Along with feeding ’em an endless stream of CR123As.

for most normal people, it’s what they can buy without having to eat ramen for a week or three.

“‘Budget’ means a light I can afford to lose”… I would accept that as an axiom.

Hmm, like whut?

For me a “budget light” is more of an expression of value for money. If you earn 500.000 dollars a month it doesnt mean that a niche thrower with exotic materials and custom fabrication that costs 3k is a “budget” light when you can have the same or 90% of performance for 300 dollars.
For someone else 300 dollars are 10x what they consider “budget” but again think if you can do what this 300 dollar light does with a 30 dollar light. Can you search in the middle of the night in the open ocean at a 400m radius with it and save a life? Can you save the same life with a 70 dollar light? Then “budget” is a 70$ light.

Budget is for the most another word for cheap I suppose. For others budget is what doesnt affect their life financially even if bought 5 or 10 times. I disagree with the second opinion.

It’s also value for money for me, this is basically what CPF is to me, a collective brain that produce data from wich you can infer a value/money scale depending on your own priorities.

Whatcha talkin bout Willis

It was clear in my head but i met my english grammar limit