Father's Day Gift Help!

marriedtoaflashoholi · 2018-06-07T15:03:34.000Z

My husband loves flashlights. He frequents this forum. He has quite the collection of flashlights. I’ve heard olight, zebra light, and nitecore being tossed around in conversation but I have no idea which ones he has. He even has a flashlight that will shine (is that the appropriate word?) up to 2 miles away (It’s so big, it has it’s own backpack). My question is this: Is there a website I can go to to purchase a gift card for him to build a custom light? Is this even a thing? I think it would be cool if he could pick out his own parts and build it himself, but I have no idea where to start. If I give him cash, he’ll end up using it to buy gas or put it towards groceries and I really want him to spend it on something he loves. Any help or advice is greatly appreciated! Thank you all!

AlexGT · 2018-06-07T15:16:46.000Z

Welcome to the Forum! Custom light? How much do you want to spend? Skylumens comes to mind or some flashlight facebook pages like Tim Miklos and Hanko and Mitch Lum or for more reasonable prices our forum member Texas Ace or another member Texas Lumens http://www.texaslumens.com

Good luck on your quest, Is going to be hard to keep it a secret if he frequents the forum a lot!

RobertB · 2018-06-07T15:22:10.000Z

How many lights does he have? That big flashlight is the BLF GT. Maybe a case organizer for all his lights? Here’s a small battery tube for the GT you might add to the list.

Henk4U2 · 2018-06-07T15:25:11.000Z

Take a look at Mountain Electronics. We consider this to be a trusted supplier. Richard, the owner, is a member on BLF. He sells “off the rack” lights but on request also builds customised lights. You can buy a gift-card from him, that way you are sure your other half has to spend your money on flashlights

bmengineer · 2018-06-07T15:25:42.000Z

If you’re in the US, www.mtnelectronics.com is the most common site for buying parts. There’s also PFlexPro.com where you can buy custom made lights.

marriedtoaflashoholi · 2018-06-07T15:40:18.000Z

These are all great suggestions. He doesn’t frequent this forum as much as r/flashlight on reddit. My budget is around $100. I really want him to get something he loves. Either an everyday carry or maybe tactical.

Pete7874 · 2018-06-07T15:54:39.000Z

I really want him to spend it on something he loves.

In that case, just give the gift card to yourself.

marriedtoaflashoholi · 2018-06-07T15:59:37.000Z

Would $100 be a good amount for him to purchase all the parts he needs to create one? He has soldering equipment and he knows how to “bake” the flashlight (I think that’s the term). Or would $50 do the job? I know most flashlights he purchases are in the $20-$50 range, I just know custom might be a bit more.

marriedtoaflashoholi · 2018-06-07T16:02:29.000Z

Seriously, the man spoils me on the daily. The other day, I received flowers and a gift card to my favorite store just because. I feel like a princess all of the time. I give him a hard time for spending money on flashlights (in a fun and loving way), but it’s the only hobby he really enjoys. I don’t get the obsession, but if it makes him happy, so be it. He’s mentioned a custom light, but has never followed through because something is always needing to be bought.

marriedtoaflashoholi · 2018-06-07T16:14:21.000Z

Yes, I thought a custom light would be a cool way for him to get something he wants and I think to process of picking out the parts himself is just as fun for him as getting one from a manufacturer. I have budgeted between $50 to $100. I am clueless as to how much a custom flashlight would cost. I know most lights he purchases are in the $20-50 range (with the exception of the two mile range one). I’ve also heard him mention one flashlight brand that he isn’t willing to spend $80 on (and I could kick myself for not remembering). His favorites are the ones he can snag for $20-$30.

lampliter · 2018-06-07T20:56:47.000Z

Lumintop Prince.

FmC · 2018-06-07T21:05:39.000Z

As mentioned above, I think a Mountain Electronics gift ‘card’ is the best choice.

They have everything from individual components, to complete lights, & can customize a light to your specifications.

If he needs assistance with building a light from parts, you could always steer him over to BLF as well