door smelling like a French whorehouse. Not that I know what that smells like. 
Yes I use candles, but only the ones that tailstand. And still waiting for a neutral emitting candle coming on the market 
djozz
I’d guess many regular people will give something away when they see the need, a good cause, and someone they are willing to help. I know lots of people who have less than my wife and I who do that all the time and I’m always impressed with people who are humble and helpful.
At the same time, my heart breaks thinking of that guy in the huge house who sat against his door with his fear of looters who were going to take something or hurt someone he loved (maybe himself) AND who didn’t trust enough to help those truly in need.
IMO, the real criminals are those selfish ones who cause people to fear instead of to being willing to be helpful. Unfortunately, I still don’t understand why both the lady and the homeowner were not already evacuated so that others didn’t have to fear, too.
Glad you joined here AND are back safe!
Probably EVERY one of us could do more useful stuff in our lives. Having gone through what you just did, perhaps you recognize that better than many others. Much of my time here was for learning, some still is until I actually do some failed experiments like OL. Thanks for the slap in the head!
It might have been the primaries, but I suspect the spec’d low low (with long run-time as CT points out) is exactly what some may not yet appreciate. In the uncertain dark, low amps out of the batts is a very good thing. Those carrying an EDC light do so for the unknown need . . I hope more will consider a low low (whether firely or 3 lumens) important enough to act to improve their EDC. And those who don’t EDC, well . . maybe they will reconsider too.
Ahhh, the importantance of tint, or . . .whatever. Our priorities change . . sometimes literaly with the weather. Please see beginning of my post.
For some of us, it is our only "life".
Very glad to hear your mom is safe and that you came to help her.
I think of "Budget Light Forum" as merely a title, nothing more.
I think a lot more people have burned their houses down with candles than exploding lithium ion batteries. Candles do offer great runtime though.
I agree that modding is just something to add to the enjoyment of a flashlight and if you’re not into that, it’s not a problem. Same with tints. Some people like cool white, some don’t. It’s amazing that we take something as simple as a portable light source and that there are so many thousands of variations and different tastes. Vive la difference!
Glad you’re okay and had good lights to make use of.
Candles work well for some things, like putting a warm glow in the room. They can be safe if in a proper container. They don’t put out enough directional light for tasks like reading, working, board games, etc. and not portable for tasks running around the house or outside. Always have a drawer full, it’s a warm feel good kind of light.
We are not animals! Candles? Candles? Where do you get off?
Imho It has to start with a host .. that is one reason I'v continually looked hard at older lights .. I can change a driver /emitter ,a reflector or the guts of a clicky .
What I can't do is mill a tube ,cut threads ,knurl or anodize .
To me it's always gonna be about the host...In many ways it's hugely subjective and has alot to do with .. how it feels to you.
It's nice to hear from people that you saved their bacon and the lights you gave them were put to good use . My brother and his family in NJ said the same thing ..Suddenly they have a new favorite light and want more instead of having the light you gave them tossed somewhere ...in the car ..?
Glad to hear you made it okay. It’s the people we’re not hearing from that I worry about. Some people are bothered by tint while others are bothered by pwm. Lots of people notice it, some do something about it, some don’t. For me, BLF is a nice place to compare notes, learn, share, and shoot the breeze. When the fit hits the shan you definitely find out just where your priorities lie though.
in which your ability to somewhat comfortably remain where ya are may be changed against your will, it is prudent to conserve your batteries whenever possible at full charge at all times as you may direly need them while on such an involuntary move. And it may become an urgent move in the dead middle of a cold night or many cold nights where power is not available to recharge those vital batteries. Hence my comment about ‘candles’. It wasn’t to be cute and contrary. IMO, candles if safely used are as important as flashlights in this context.
Just sayin’…………………….
A sincere thanks to everyone here! Im certain most of you would have done the very same thing given the situation. Make no mistake the next day i was like" wheres my Apex?"..lol Its actually a cool feeling knowing these lights will be used for a much better purpose.
-the-, thank You for the kind offer to assist in replenishing flashlight funds, way to kind.
Thank You Gentleman.
Im ordering the X6 this weekend.Im really on the fence about the Apex. It was a direct drive version with some beefy heatsinking. Which leads me to a slight concern about the fireman that owns it. Its kinda hard explaining duty cycles at 3am. Im thinking i may ask him to let me put the driver back in for longevity and safety. He has to stop by to pick up a charger, i'll snap a pic and post it.
Back on to my point - I'm thinking about replacing the Apex with the SkyRay 6 X-ML flooder. And if its underdriven ( it will be even if its not) i can run it direct drive like the Apex. No one seems to own this light yet..I question the handle on it it appears to be something else other than metal? sorry for the threadjack
Your comments about ‘whats the big deal with the tint’ remind me of a thread on here where a guy was surprised the police were not impressed with his light while they were pulling his car out of a lake!
Priorities… perspective…. little nits that we pick on forums when all is well matter not when SHTF. I get you buddy.
Wise people have said - sometimes we need a storm or two in life to make us appreciate the sunshine, and to remind us what is important and what is insignificant.
Now your comments about modding lights I take a bit more excpetion to. (You didn’t think this was going to be all good did you?) You may be dwelling on semantics too much. The term ‘budget’ is beside the point when you get into the modding side of things. As has been said, there is appeal to ‘making silk from a sow’s ear’. This is not a new concept or one unique to flashlights. There are versions of this in many spheres and hobbies.
It reminds me a little bit of some folks dismissive attitude about modified ‘budget’ import/compact cars, or even hotrods. Too many dismiss this entire hobby as pointless foolishness. Yet, I have seen many looks of genuine horror and crushing disappointment on the faces of those driving much more expensive metal as they are left behind by a built car with much humbler roots. We cannot all start with a Porsche or Ferrari… Sometimes you have to build up what you have. Just saying. 
I really do enjoy your story. Glad you and your family made it through OK. It sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders. I wish more people had similar perspective.