Best LED Small Flashlight.......

[JMarhofke]

Check out the Pelican line of flashlights. many styles and battery types. They have a lifetime warranty, and you get a lot of "bang for your buck".



Jim

 

[MMcClane]

Want the best for the money? Go with the Pelican Model 7060. It is the same light used by the LAPD and many other departments. I have two. Retails for around $200. 00 but can be found for a little over $100. 00 now. You know it must be bright when the crooks complained during testing about being blinded by it. Temporary condition of course!

 

[EricBu12]

I have one similar to this one on the link but not pink. . Mine is silver. . It is a 9 LED with 3 AAA battery. Push button on the end and small enough for the pocket. Puts out alot of light!!

Super Bright Aluminum 9 White LED Mini Torch Flashlight - eBay (item 260211222562 end time Feb-16-08 16:28:22 PST)

 

[MRoberts]

I have been a firefighter for 22 years and like most firefighters, I'm a flashlight junkie! I've had Streamlight, Mag, Surefire and Bright Star.



The best LED I have seen and now carry on my helmet and coat are Pelican Recoils. Pelicans are a type of plastic case and have a lifetime replacement warranty! I have never seen one break though. Most LEDs give a broad light pattern, Pelican reverses the light pattern and the result is a very intense, focused, long range pattern. They work great, I highly recommend them. http://www.pelican.com





They are the same company that makes the great cases.

 

[ccie]

I just bought a Fenix P1D and its great. Fits in my pocket, uses one C123 battery, and puts out like 160 lumens

 

[The patriot]

Insight technologies have some pretty nice looking lights too.

I believe they make them for Blackhawk.

 

[nickleinonen]

I have one similar to this one on the link but not pink. . Mine is silver. . It is a 9 LED with 3 AAA battery. Push button on the end and small enough for the pocket. Puts out alot of light!!



Super Bright Aluminum 9 White LED Mini Torch Flashlight - eBay (item 260211222562 end time Feb-16-08 16:28:22 PST)

i got a 4 pack of that style made by garrity from costco early last year. . they work pretty well and i have never yet changed the batteries on any of them. i think next time when i am there if they still have them, i will get another pack or 2. . i have them hanging on the door knobs in rooms. pain the butt to have the power go out at night while on the toilet... especially if the roll of tp is empty [been there, done that, learned a lesson]

 

[DeezelDood]

Check out the Pelican line of flashlights. many styles and battery types. They have a lifetime warranty, and you get a lot of "bang for your buck".



Jim

Love Pelican. Very durable, water proof. I carry a pen sized LED Model L4 everywhere I go. Uses AAAA batteries that never seem to wear out. It's great for tight spots, a lot of light in a small pkg.

 

[CRuth]

Thumbs down to anything that use the cap as a switch.

 

[Crunch]

As a general rule, I'd say it's best to keep two flashlights in your truck. A small one for use in the cab and under the hood. A larger light if you move away from your truck or need to search for something. I have the 6 D-cell mag and the 2 AA-cell mag. Several years ago I was traveling back to Texas with a cat, rolling at 70MPH. It crapped in the truck so I popped open the sliding rear windshield to get fresh air. Within 3 seconds the cat was in the window, in the bed, hanging onto the tailgate and gone. I pulled over, grabbed the 6-cell and headed back up the shoulder to see how it all scored out. At about 200' I could see the eyes glowing in the darkness. The cat was pretty scraped up and had a serious concussion that lasted a week, but survived. I've also had stuff blow out of the bed at night which made a larger light indespensable. And when it comes to standing on the side of the road at night, I much prefer a larger light to wave and redirect oncoming traffic.

 

[CRuth]

I have one of those wind up flashlights in the truck should the worst case scenario happen and my big flashlight is dead, my rechargeable has crapped out and I forgot the mini mag i usually carry. Its pretty pathetic light but better than nothing.

 

[Loren]

hammersley,



What are you trying to do here, start a war? Isn't this question like asking, "What's the best oil?" Actually, I'm impressed at how civil all the posters have been.



My story:

I'm also a flashlight junkie. I started with the pieces of junk from my youth (about 45-50 years ago) and worked up from there. In 1980, I discovered the Mag-Lites. I own three of their 3-D's, one 4-D, and several mini Mag-Lites. I don't care for the mini's but their full-sized flashlights were about the best you could buy in 1980.



I had been trying to justify a Surefire combat light for several years and finally got one for Christmas. Great present. I eventually bought a Surefire Aviator, which is one of the best lights made. But even the Aviator has drawbacks. First, it's about $200. Second, it uses CR123A batteries, which are ridiculously expensive. Third, if you use the Aviator on high, those expensive batteries wear out fast. On the plus side, if you don't use the flashlight a lot, the CR123A batteries have a very long (10 year) shelf life. They are good for emergency flashlights that are stored a lot.



I finally discovered Fenix lights. I bought the L2D-CE which is the predecessor to this one:

https://www.fenix-store.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_65&products_id=362



This Fenix light is absolutely the best light I have ever owned. Here's why:

1. It's the brightest light I own, including the expensive Surefire Aviator. This is important to understand. This little flashlight is brighter than my 4-cell Mag-Lite.

2. It uses cheap AA batteries. I use NiMH rechargables for even greater savings (and better performance, according to some evaluations).

3. It's small and comes with a nylon holster, so I can wear it almost all the time.

4. It's very reasonably priced.



I doubt that anything from Fenix will be as rugged as the Surefire, Mag-Lite, Streamlight, Pelican, and many other brands, but I have treated my Fenix harshly and it comes back for more.



You can buy this Fenix directly from the Fenix store (above). I liked this light so much that I bought some to sell. (Send a PM if interested. ) However, I don't have the new 180 lumen version. I have only the 135 lumen version. That's the one that's brighter than any other flashlight I own. I haven't tried the 180 lumen light.



Here's a link to a web site that used to evaluate flashlights:

Flashlight Reviews and LED Modifications



That site is now retired, but the older information is still available on it. There is a huge amount of research represented.



You won't go wrong with most of the lights mentioned here. I just love my Fenix L2D-CE so much that I had to promote it.



Happy hunting.

Loren

 

[MartyK]

Loren, were are the Fenix lights made?



Thanks,

marty

 

[Loren]

Loren, were are the Fenix lights made?



Thanks,

marty

Marty,



I hate to admit it, but it looks like they're made in China. The box doesn't say, "Made in China," but the company's address is in China so I assume the lights are made there.



They are still excellent lights, though.



Loren

 

[MartyK]

Thanks Loren,



Not trying to high jack this thread but I would like to replace some of my AA maglites and I would really prefer to do it with an American designed and built LED flashlight. Anybody know of any?



Thanks.

 

[CJ Johansson]

How about a Maglite AA LED flashlight?

Product Line > Mag Instrument, Inc. - Manufacturer of the Maglite® Flashlight

I think they still make everything in the USA.

-cj

 

[MartyK]

cj,



That is what I may end up buying, plus they are avaliable everywhere. I just wanted to try something different. Maybe one with a push button switch instead of twisting the head.

 

[CTD12V]

If you want a push-button switch for a AA Mag, I think NiteIze sells a replacement tail cap with a pushbutton, if you want to go that route. I haven't used one, so I can't vouch for the quality or how well-designed it is. Probably made in China . . .



CTD12V



EDIT: Here's a link:Nite Ize: Product Detail

 

[MartyK]

When you click on the enlarge view, you can see "Made in China" on the packaging. It sure would be nice if we still made stuff.

 

[Blakers]

Want the best for the money? Go with the Pelican Model 7060. It is the same light used by the LAPD and many other departments. I have two. Retails for around $200. 00 but can be found for a little over $100. 00 now. You know it must be bright when the crooks complained during testing about being blinded by it. Temporary condition of course!

Are the Pelicans made in America? This looks like the flashlight to get. I see lots on here in the $60-70 range, but this one being rechargeable and coming with batteries more than makes up the difference.



Thanks,

Blake