I’m in a gift exchange this Christmas where the limit is $10. It’s pretty much a random draw, so I have no idea what anybody wants, or even who is going to get it, except that it’s a guy. In general, though, I think a beefier (big and manly looking), high-lumen light would be best. Standard alkalines (or AA/AAA NiMH) are probably necessary. I don’t mind paying a few dollars for shipping, but for the light itself $10 is a pretty firm limit. Something that arrives in a decent clamshell or a gift box (instead of plain brown cardboard) would be better, since it’s a gift. And, since it’s a Christmas gift, I’d have to get my hands on it by December 24th.
I know that’s a lot of restrictions, and I know a limit of $10 puts a damper on anything most people could get really excited about (I love my Thrunite TiS I got for $8, but I don’t see many of the “dudes” in my family getting excited about a light that small). I found a Maglite on sale last year (before I had found this forum or knew anything about flashlights) and it was a big hit, so I’m thinking that flashlights in general are a good idea. However, I think I can probably do better than a Maglite. I know that many BLFers give flashlights as gifts, so any recommendations for cheap lights that have been well received would be greatly appreciated.
Under $10 all you can get is a Sipik sk68 (or clone), otherwise the rest i am convinced are junk or close to it (i’m sure other forum members will disagree)
I also have a $10 gift christmas present to buy and considered a flashlight but quickly rejected it
Edit: I should have mentioned 1xAA in my reply, the one mentioned below might be good and i have heard good things about the costco specials
This one is tiny bit more than 10 ($12.72) but it’s great.
XM-L2 so it is the latest emmitter. Only 500 lumen and uses single 18650 with a simple 1 mode only.
So it shouldn’t overheat and will have a great battery life.
I got Defiant Headlamps from HD and I’m pretty happy with them. I don’t have much to compare it to, but the kids really like playing with them.
How are the HD Defiant 2AA Tactical Flashlights in comparison? The only other flashlight I have to compare is the 511 Tactical ATAC L2 that I got for free with my bag. The flashlight will be for the kids when we go on night walk
A bit late to order in time for Christmas, but I've been a fan of the Romisen RC-G2 for gifting to non-flashaholics. Runs on a single AA, no lithiums, decent sized reflector with good throw, reliable forward-clicky switch. Slightly over your limit though, depending on where you buy from:
Didn’t see that thread. It is $20 in Canada for the 2 pack, but seems like it might still be great for the kids and just to throw around he house/truck.
Thanks to all for the replies. I’m in this gift exchange every year, I need to start planning ahead so I can actually order stuff online in time.
As it is, I was leaning towards one of the HD Defiant models, but then I saw that Lowe’s has a 2D, 134-lumen LED Maglite on sale for only $14.95 (I posted a thread about it over in the Deals forum). I know it’s $5 over my budget, but I think it will be a winner - everybody loves Maglites, and to get one of their big LEDs for $15 is a steal.
Running off NiMH AA’s I found the XM-L to be great, and the XM-L2 to be maybe even a little bit better. The XM-L had a purple hue, where the L2 had more of a yellowy-green. The XM-L would focus perfectly (enough to see the three bonding wires), the L2 zoomed into a tidy square. Probably no big difference between the two, except an extra $2.
Thanks for the recommendation! My first SK68s, and I’m very happy with em.
Colour difference is not because one is XM-L and the other XM-L2.
XM-L2 is the next generation and it is more efficient.
A small zoomie with a big LED like XM-L(2) can not zoom it to a small spot as wit a XP-E(2)
XP-G(2) is in between.
I have a SK68 clone with an XP-G2, which is already quite a big (square) spot.
These I like too.
Cheap too! You can get 2½ of them for $10.—
