Good single 18650 flashlights under $30?

LED Flashlights – General Info 18650 Flashlights
1

Looking to get some ideas for 2 close coworkers for Christmas gifts. Searching for good options in a single 18650 flashlight under $30, more or less in the familiar 5”x1” size. My daily work light is a fenix pd32 2016 which I really like (coworkers do too). I’d figure one would default to the BLF A6 at this price range but i wonder if better options exist now. I question the longevity of built in rechargeable lights but if you guys think they’re good for newbies I’ll hear u out. Just recently saw the good deal on those Sofrin SP31 but not a big fan of the mode spacing and question its quality. Looking forward to hearing any and all recommendations.

Thx Gents.

PS - yes i will include a GA or 30Q and a Xtar MC1 plus with whatever light we choose if it needs it.

2

I’m looking into the “On the Road M6 18650” Flashlight. 1000 Lumen (Battery + charger) and just right around $35 or less with codes.
Its littler On the Road M3 is 920 lumen and full package (Charger + battery) with the code goes for $22.

Both can be bought without battery and charger and save a few bucks, but I would say full package is a better gift

3

For Christmas gifts, I would recommend Lumintop prince, brass or copper. It’s extremely classy and worthy, and has a good beam too.

4

Can’t go wrong with a Convoy S2+. It’s the de rigeur choice of a do-everything 18650 light.

Get the 4C tint and throw in a nice 20mm TIR lens, and it’ll kick ass, a beautiful color light with no “fried-egginess” to the beam at all.

If they’re not tint-snobs, the Zanflare F1 is built nice and solid, is a very well-thought-out design, has built-in usb charging (so no need for an external charger), and comes in a beautiful “presentation box” well suited for gifting.

My only gripe is the greenness of the beam. Probably the AR-coated glass that greens it up, but it bugs me nonetheless. After using it a while, I’ve gotten used to it… until I use a non-green light then get “green-shock” next time I use the F1.

If they’re not tint-snobs, they might not care, or even notice.

Great doubleclick-to-turbo, and blinkies are nicely hidden (need to change mode-groups by holding the button a long time).

Sold out now, but the warm-white Sofirn SF31 (not to be confused with the SP31) was/is really nice. That’s been my new “nightlight” for quite a while. Nice mode-spacing nice warrrrrrrrm beam, impresses everyone who sees it. I ordered 4(!) more when I saw they were discontinued with like 6 left, so I’ll probably be gifting some and keeping the others. :smiley:

My only gripe with Sofirns is that I’ve been having issues with the switches. The ‘31 started getting finicky after I dropped it like 2’ onto carpet. Before that, my SF36 would occasionally “stick on” and you’d have to give it 2 extra clicks to turn off. Never a problem turning on, only off.

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Those’re my votes for tubelights. My real EDC is a ’502B. There’s always the C8 in various incarnations. Depends how pockettable you want it to be, or if a holster is okay.

If you want flexible, a ’502B or L2M host with drop-in of your choice gets you exactly what you want.

5

I would not give a A6 to coworkers

Likely lights like
Eagle Eye X2R in 5000K with a good battery
Convoy S2+ in desert tan/sand with AR, DTP und XPL HI, battery and Lii 100 charger
JETBeam EC-R26 with coupon
ThorFire VG15S
LUMINTOP EDC25 coupon td15s 28.99
Fenix E35UE with MadMax coupon

Sofirn SF31 in Warm white still availiable on Aliexpress for cheap
https://de.aliexpress.com/store/product/Sofirn-SF31-Led-taschenlampe-18650-Cree-XML-3000-Karat-EDC-Tragbare-Lampe-LED-Taschenlampe-Lanterna-Taschenlampe/2933049_32834832925.html

SP30A in NW
https://de.aliexpress.com/store/product/SP30A-EDC-Powerful-LED-flashlight-Rechargeable-USB-Flashlight-18650-Cree-XPL-1000LM-LED-Torch-6-modes/2933049_32799422822.html

6

Convoy S2+ with new Bistro firmware and XPL HI SMO reflector. New colors are out too but you gotta order it directly from Simon at the Convoy store.

7

You guys are blowing my mind with the S2+ now. Does anyone sell these already modded or made to order? The one thing I originally didn’t like about S2s was the lack of a 100-150 lumen mode for general use but with customizable UI software this changes things. Of course I’m still open to hear what others would gift in my situation. Thanks for the input given so far. Research in progress…

8

surely BLF A6 is a bargain when on special

9

BG or GB sell the XPL hi S2+ but not with the new drivers. But they do sell the new drivers separately. Can you swap out a driver?

10

BLF A6 when on special with a 30Q battery included is about $21, and a Lii100 is maybe $3. I can’t see any performance package beating that. Comes in a presentable box as well.

If the intended user is not someone you would trust with instructions and heat issues, you can often get a grey Convoy s2+ with 6x7135 that puts out about 1000 lumens and is easier to use for $7-10, add a Lii100 and battery for less than $10 and you are at $15- $20, but no box.

Scratch that last comment, the newer Convoys do come with a nice box, maybe not the grey one though, it is always the cheapest option.

11

BLF A6. I’ve bought a bunch of these for the guys I work with for use at work and it’s my most used torch by far.

Convoy C8 clear if you need throw. Or both, cause it’s probably still in your budget!

12

astrolux s41 with ext tube should be more or less around 30$ ?

13

I am new to the flashlight world, but have conducted much research regarding “bang for the buck” in a similar price range, and repeatedly returned to the Wowtac A1S BSS for $39.95 which is available at amazon.com. Although slightly above the $30 budget you had mentioned, it includes a usb rechargeable 18650 (mini usb port on battery itself), and with the strike bezel, may be an interesting gift depending on your coworkers’ taste.

14

[quote=Zulumoose]
BLF A6 when on special with a 30Q battery included is about $21, and a Lii100 is maybe $3. I can’t see any performance package beating that. Comes in a presentable box as well.

+ 1

15

Convoy S2+
Thorfire TK15S - if you want momentary/forward clicky
Zanflare F1 NW - if you want USB charging

16

Here is the official Convoy Store on AliExpress, run by the owner of Convoy, Simon.

The Desert Tan S2+ will come with all of the newest features by default. Namely the newer XP-L HI emitter, smooth reflector, AR glass, and Biscotti firmware. Just choose the U6 3A (neutral white) or U6 4C (warm white tint) and either 6 or 8 7135 chips.

But if you want those options in a different color S2+ (including black, gray, red, blue, green, or clear) just message Simon through AliExpress. What he will likely have you do is proceed with checkout using the color of S2+ that you want, and include a message in your order listing your customizations. Just don’t enter payment information at first. Once the order is created and waiting on payment, he will adjust the price to account for the changes.

So let’s say you want a red S2+ with the XP-L HI, smooth reflector, and Biscotti. You would add the red S2+ to your cart and begin checkout. Once you get to a page where you can enter a message to the vendor, you would enter something like “Would like XP-L HI emitter in 3A tint, smooth reflector, AR glass, and Biscotti firmware”. Go as far as you can with the order WITHOUT entering payment information. You should be able to go to your orders and see that it is created, but listed as waiting on payment. Then Simon will adjust the price accordingly, and you can proceed with payment.

edit: This also applies to virtually ever light on the Convoy store. I recently purchased a Convoy M2 with XP-L HI and Biscotti, even though there is no M2 with those options listed on the store.

17

+1 for a set of BLF A6 with 30Q included

18

As a noo-b, this kind of detailed info is very VERY much appreciated! Thanks so much for the post! :THUMBS:

-Ben

19

Yesterday, I bought Outlite A100 18650 Flashlight. Price is only 13 bucks, 1000 lumens brightness with 5 modes. Not a bad deal. Although, It isn't my favorite 18650 flashlight. Here is my a few Best 18650 Flashlight From Top Brands 2018(August) and I have most of them in my collection.

20

I love the A6. It a wonderful light for what it is. The S2+’s are a decent light, depending on emitter and driver/UI. The guy who thinks the A1S is the best bang for the buck might want to do a bit more research in my opinion. For a new guy that wants a decent light, decent beam, won’t burn his hand on high and still gives plenty of light. A DQG Tiny 4th 18650. Check out M4DM4X website for a decent coupon for it. https://m4dm4x.com/m4d-m4x-deals/ and then check out the light too. DQG 4. Tiny 18650 XM-L2 850LM Kleinste LED Taschenlampe Grau Sale - Banggood Deutschland-arrival notice-arrival notice