An Unfair Giveaway (updates at end of post)

[DavidEF]

@Agro

@toddcshoe

@Zulumoose

I don’t think many people really struggle to save for a flashlight, what they do is put off buying what they see as a luxury they don’t really need until next month, then next month, etc.

I know I often make the mistake of not buying a $50 light I really want, but in the same month I might buy 3 $10 lights and a $20 light I don’t really want but can’t resist because they seem like irresistible bargains and not a big outlay. In retrospect I would have preferred the $50 light in the end and would have spent the same, or in many months actually less, especially since each collection from the post office costs another $2.

Agreed. I have a BLF Q8 that cost me almost $300. I kept putting if off for months because I thought it was too expensive. Bought lots of other lights but, not the Q8. If I had only not bought the other lights and got the Q8 I would have saved myself money.

It’s not so simple.
I started the opposite way. Bought a high-end light. Customized for me with stuff flying between US/AU/EU.
Later I learned it was not really what I needed.

So if you know what you need - yes, it may be worthwhile to pay extra for it. Otherwise - it’s better to learn on cheap lights.
So far I’m still in the learning mode. And I prefer to buy stuff that’s cheap but not too cheap. This means that almost all my lights are in the $10-$40 range.

Even the “knowing what you like” is not a sure way to keep from acquiring too many lights. I’ve known for years what I like, but I keep trying new sizes, shapes, and brands just in case I might like one of them better! :person_facepalming: