I am relatively new to flashlight game and for the last month have been ordering a quite a few lights. But I am not confident enough yet to mod a light, so i was wondering what are the must have lights for a non-modder.
Also, what stores are better to order from?
Right now as i do not mod, i am really looking for quality so i do not have to mod. anything from $4-60, what would you guys recommend.
I have started small with the sipik sk68 and sk98 and a couple solarforce l2 series lights. I also have picked up a couple group buys lately, but have not been overly impressed.
thanks guys.
http://mtnelectronics.com/opencart/
Get Richard to make you a custom triple XP-G2 S3 and M6. A BTU Shocker can be nice for its throw, but not nearly as practical as the other lights, and is much more expensive.
I really like the Jetbeam RRT01, aka Niteye EYE10. Put a filed down Convoy S6 battery tube on it if you want to use 18650's. Sunwayman D40A can be in your price range during sales.
Any Convoy light, Convoy C8 is must have…
Convoy S series.
Convoy C8 / XinTD C8
Supfire M6
These cover your 18650 EDC, single emitter 18650 thrower, and ‘soup can’ triple emitter flooder respectively. They are solid, budget flashlights stock, but as you gain confidence in your modding abilities later on down the road you can opt to mod them if you so choose as they also have great potential when it comes to modding.
I second the MntElectronics store suggestion as well.
I collect mainly EDC type lights, so:
Thrunite T10S / T10T
Spark SF5 NW
Sunwayman V11R
for that kind of money, I’ll say get Yezl Y3 or Smallsun T-08 and you have enough money left to buy batteries and charger and still happy with the light:)
or maybe Tangsfire C8 from Tmart for smaller size and still give a good throw 
Convoy C8 indeed, i mean, a C8 is a must have model, so best get a Convoy then. 
Or XinTD, which is said to be even better.
Of course you also must have at least one SK68 clone, the cheap amazing AA / 14500 zoomie.
Personally i think a UniqueFire UF-T20 is also a must have. Affordable serious 18650 zoomie.
And an Olight i3s, preferably purple. It’s the better and cutest really tiny AAA flashlight out there i.m.o.
Not cheap at 20 bucks average, but comes in gift box with Duracell AAA and keychain
Stainless steel is expensive, but i.m.o. a must have.
Go for SingFire SF-348. it’s a 7½ buck stainless steel AAA / 10440 light, only 12mm diameter.
Then you also have a stainless steel flashlight… 
Also a must have is something with a BIG reflector, because of the amazing throw big reflectors have.
A well known one-step-bigger-reflector-than-C8-flashlight you must have is the Jacob A60.
You can get them for 10 - 15 dollars.
Very big is the Courui reflector.
Courui or a clone is around 35 bucks.
These are my personal must haves that i subsequently ‘had to’ buy.
I’m still looking for a nice 3x XM-L(2) soupcan (4x 18650), which i ultimately must have…
O, and a 3x D-cell silver Maglite i must also have, because it’s an icon and (because) it’s the perfect design (i.m.o.)
I got my Nitecore EC25W at $50 in 2013. If you can find one at same price, you will be happy with it.
Here is the link to the official site.
wow, come back from lunch and it looks like my next 6 months of purchases will be covered. These lights look exactly what I want.
Two of my favorite “budget” lights are:
Roche F6
Roche F12
I recommend a Convoy M1, a good all purpose light that handles heat well and is well made as you can see from all the Convoy recommendations above, easily upgradable when you get to that point and can usually be found for around 22.00 or less.
I am actually looking at the s3 and m6 now, thanks alot leaftye
Zebralight SC52 for the small light.
Eagletac TX25L2 for medium EDC.
Supfire M6 for flood.
TK75 for the big light.
Convoy C8 is a must have light. Cheap and a classic budget light.
Convoy S2 is a great medium size EDC with 18650. Only a little longer than single AA lights.
Spark SF5 is my favourite right now to use with AA Eneloop.
Oh, get an Armytek headlamp as well.
By popular vote, had to buy the C8. Can’t wait.
thanks everyone.
Thrunite TN12… You can waste your money buying a bunch of $15-30 lights that will not perform anywhere near as well or you can just buy one good light…
any skyray king clone is good to start - can be had for around $25 when a deal comes around… should get you 2000-2700 lumens
convoy c8 also is good
I have so many “Must have” lights.
SK68s are a must, and i have many, many of them in various levels of mods, including a side-switch 2-AA model, a turned-down more pocket friendly model with a XP-G2 N/W & 20-mode driver, etc.
Other favs are:
- Thrunite Ti2 with N/W XP-G2.
- Olight S20 with a Nichia 219 mod.
-Solarstorm Warrior with 4C tint XM-L2s.
- Trustfire Mini-01 with BLF driver.
- TomE modded BTU Shocker for throw purposes.
- Modded SRK 12-amp Kung for flood purposes.
- MT-G2 modded ZY-T08.
The Olight S20-L2 is a great EDC as it is, blows away most alternatives. But would have been even better with a slightly warmer tint...
A single AA small flashlight to hang on the keys is also needed. ;) I have a Nitecore Sense AA in that role now. There are many great alternatives. But I would never buy a single AA flashlight that is as big or bigger than the Olight S20-L2 with 18650. I mean, what is the point? 8)
Convoy flashlights are great for value.
Zebralight has some really great flashlights and headlamps, but they are expensive...
Xintd X3 in neutral/warm tint is great for battery versatility, runtime and value.
I am still looking for a multi led & multi battery flashlight with good tint, performance and value. Preferably 3x26650 and 3xXML2 in 3C tint or possibly MTG2 with low that could give decent emergency lighting with a diffuser or a lampshade for a few weeks (months?) as well as high with ridiculous amounts of light for a few hours.
I always recommend the XinTD C8 from IOS. It is even better now with the mcpcb being directly soldered to the pill. Additionally you can choose your preferred tint, emitter type (XM-L2 or XP-G2), switch type (forward or reverse clicky) and whether u want a holster. Fantastic light for $30 IMO. Just make sure you use a good quality battery with it.
Also the sunwayman D40A purely because it is a fantastic light and can run on primaries.