Best small flashlight portal
Sick of bulbs that burn out, yellow light, flashlight always dead when you need it, expensive D batteries for a flashlight that never works, batteries not lasting anywhere near long, large heavy flashlight that does not produce much light? Then this information is for you.
Let me start off by introducing your worst enemy: the Maglite. The flashlights are expensive, extremely long and uncomfortable, eat expensive D size batteries, and worst of all, do not produce any usable light.
Compare this a flashlight with an unlimited supply of batteries, white light, bright enough to work with, and small enough for your pocket. All of this is indeed possible.
One of the best ideas is a 2 AA batteries LED 1 watt flashlights that you can put in your pocket or your purse.
So, how do you find your ideal flashlight? Follow these recommendations:
- Keep it under $20. Oh, plenty of people want to sell you a $100 flashlight, but if you are like most people, two things will happen: 1) you will not use the flashlight often enough to justify the price, and 2) it will break before paying off its high sticker price (or get lost, or you find out it is not what you really wanted).
- Stick with AA batteries. Not only does your house have them in multiples of dozens, but I strongly encourage that you make the small investment into rechargeable batteries that will last many, many recharging cycles. '''Note''': although the cost per recharged battery is small, you will get somewhat less light, and there may be a faster dimming at the end of the battery's charge than what you get with alkalines. '''Note''': if you bought this flashlight for seldom use (less than few times per month), I will recommend high quality alkaline batteries because of lower self discharge. Rechargeables lose charge over time, and I do not want you to find a flashlight with nearly depleted batteries.
- LED is required. (useful hint: if a bulb burns out in a regular flashlight, most of them have a spare either in the end cap or the head. This even applies to tiny 2 AA flashlights. More than likely, they have a spare). And it is not just about burning out. You will get a much brighter white light because LEDs convert much more energy into light that they do into heat.
- As for light output, you should look for about 1 Watt, or 50 lumen, possibly several levels/adjustable (but not really needed). How long the light lasts is again not very important because you should either carry spare batteries, or spares can be salvaged from other electronic devices.
- Size: Silly D battery Maglites is not what you want for portability. Look for something that you can put into pocket, purse, belt holster, etc. Do not get obsessed with small size. Why? Well because you will have to actually hold it right? Surprisingly, it is easier to hold a longer 2 AA flashlight than a short 1 AA one.
So, where do you actually buy a flashlight like this?
Your local store. Surprised?
If you select carefully, you can buy a budget flashlight that you will love.
The following is a "convince" list with prices. This is for information only, go to your favorite store and look around.
- Amazon: Rayovac flashlights, several models, $20-30. Note: I have reviewed a Rayovac flashlight.
- Sears: Dorcy 1 Watt 2 AA Focusing LED Flashlight $22, Coleman 2AA LED Flashlight $15, Coast 1.25 watt Digitac Flashlight$30, DeWalt 2AA Heavy-Duty Aluminum LED Flashlight $40
- Wal-Mart: Coleman Cree XLamp XR-E LED Flashlight, $25
Another note: should you get a rechargeable flashlight? I do not see the point if you use rechargeable batteries anyways, and that it is better to be able to swap depleted batteries out.
Another recommendation: it is not my idea to recommend a flashlight that replaces all other flashlights. On the contrary, you will supplement with dynamo flashlights (for your car, emergency supply, etc), large flashlights (Dewalt 18V flashlight that I have reviewed), and the like.
Read my page on a large rechargeable flashlight from DeWalt.
Now, you might salivate over overhyped expensive flashlights. I have included the list below for an example. But I sincerely hope that you will do what I did: look at these, salivate a bit, then got to a local store, and buy a $20 flashlight that you will love.
- Streamlight (Stinger DS $100, Stinger LED $100)
- Surefire (L7 LumaMax $225. q: variable output?, holster?)
- Inova (t4 $179.99)
- Fenix (TK10 $75 good reviews but not rechargeable)
- Pelican (most non-led and non-rechargeable, don't look cool)
TODO later:
- listing of all manufacturers with mandatory links (no site no listing)
- video compare
- LED flashlights that will accept aa and AAA rechargeables
- rechargeable flashlights
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Page last modified 06-Jan-13 20:32:05 EST
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