Posted: 2/15/2007 6:45:40 PM EDT
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Okay, more like a general bitching. Wifey got me a Brookstone LED flashlight, 1.5 watts, nice tight focused spot. The switch lasted 10 cycles and stuck off. She'll take it back. I go to China Mart, pick up a MiniMag LED, 3 watts, three AA batteries. Get it home and notice the package was opened and taped up (F&%k you Walmart), and the light is weak and diffuse, the operation is spotty (blinks on and off when you turn the lens cap to operate it). It goes back tommorow. WTF? Does no one make a decent LED flashlight for under $30? I don't need a weapon light, just something light and bright to keep from getting run over when we walk the dog at night (the sidewalks are a frozen mess, we have to walk on the roads in our subdivision). HG. |
Thanks. I saw those, but went with MiniMag for their (undeserved) reputation. I will try one. I really like the 14 LED lights that AIM was selling for a while for $10 a pop, but he kids have managed to lose all three of them (thats a rant for another day). |
What? How can that be? MAG-lights are Ameri-cun made! 
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dorcy I have this one and although it's been great for some reason it's beginning to cut out on me and you have to smack it around a bit for it to come on and it may cut out 1m/s later. not very good for a " you need light NOW" situation it doesn't do this when fresh batteries are installed but if they drain from 1.5v to 1.3v it starts acting up I thought maybe the connectors were bad but this is not the case, my other thought was perhaps it's a built in low battery indicator  but it sucks to need light and have to pimp-smack your flashlightany thoughts on what could be wrong? or just ditch it for something else not from wal-mart? |
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Here's the $19.99 LED I got, 3w Luxeon....aluminum with tail cap switch....takes 2-C batteries, super bright, nice white light and great throw. As nice as my 3W Inova for less than half the cost. www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?categorycode=3092&mfrcode=PFA&mfrpartnumber=APF708 |
+1 on that! The Dorcy LED @ WM is a Hell of a lot of flashlight for under $20 OTD (includes name brand batteries too). Aluminum anti-roll body, o-ring sealed tube, broadcasts a useable amount of light with no rings or dark spots, rear mounted on/off switch (not momentary though). I use one every single day and I am still on the original set of batteries after a year. We keep one in every car and a couple in the house. |
Had one for probably 5 years now on my keychain.... I doubt I've gone through more than 3 batteries in that time because it just seems to run forever. It has a few scratches on it, but even with rubbing up against the keys and other junk in my pockets, it seems to have held up well. Guess it's about time to order a new premium model and let my wife have this one since she needs a keychain light, too. |
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Go here and buy five or so of these things for $4.39 each. Throw some of his keychain coin cell lights in too, they're about as cheap as they get. Last time I looked, shipping was free. Now.. What you'll get are lights without the fit or finish or overall quality engineering of a Mag or an Arc, but something that puts out a shitload of good light out of 1-AA, especially for under five bucks each. They're quite the little sleeper. Now.. The reason you buy five is because there is a lot of variation in output and beam tint, and because they get cheaper in quantity. Give away the three worst ones and keep the two best. I've got a fair collection of lights, but somehow this little cheap guy ends up in my pocket pretty often. It doesn't throw real far, but it's a fine flood beam. The little coin keychain lights are similar if not identical to lots of more expensive competitors. They fail about as frequently and won't last forever, but I buy bags of 'em and give them out and squirrel them away. |
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A while ago, sears.com had some 1AA Coast Lenser LED lights (single LED) that are fantastic. As a rule, I would avoid 3 battery LED lights as they tend not to be regulated and the light declines pretty rapidly with use. Search out the 1 battery lights as they tend to be smaller, and have some sort of voltage regulation. They tend to run at a more steady light output. I've got a few different LED lights and I'd have to say that the AA maglight is the champion of underperformance. I don't recommend it. The ARC AAA is a must have in my opinion. It is amazingly bright for its size and since it is small, you can keep it on your person at all times. I've got a kind of square looking INOVA (2AA) light that I was going to recommend to you , but I can't find it on their website so it might be out of production. The best place to for research into flashlights is candlepowerforums. Plus if there is an unusually good deal on flashlights somewhere, it will definitely show up as a thread there. |
I've got an INOVA X1 (1 AA) that I use. Good light, solidly built. Very tight beam. I think it's out of the price range you're looking at, though (I think it's 50 bucks instead of the 30 you're looking for). Batteries last forever in it. Been using mine every day for more than a year and I'm just about through my second battery. |
I bought the 3 cell MiniMag as well, yes it is a POS and mine has all the issues as yours even though mine was in a perfect unopened package, I think they are just crapola.
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Wow, thanks for all the info, everyone.  The originally mentioned light was great except for the switch. I really need a light that absolutely with get noticed by a driver if I briefly flash toward his car, just to make sure he knows we are there. Usually there is enough light from porches/windows/etc to walk without a flashlight, but the ice has forced us into the road. I like the candlepower forum, but it looks like you could spend days in there sorting through all the information. Imagine knowing nothing about ARs and trying to quickly absorb info to make your first purchase based on a quick perusal of arfcom. My main problem is the kids use my flashlights and don't put them back, so when I need one its a snipe hunt to locate it. Maybe I should keep them in the gun safe, at least I succeeded in getting the gun saftey lessons across without a "learning incident". Edit: page 2 pwnage. this is probably my karmic payback for getting two stinker flashlights in a row. |
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I agree with you on the AA LED miniMaglight. Just returned one back to WM. The one watt luxeon's (Dorcy I think) sold at Sams are good, though I prefer the "Task Force"1W flashlights from Lowes with the tailcap switch. Found them on sale for $10.00 Here's bigswede's mini review from the sf forum taskforce review eta- +1 on the Streamlight. have used one of those for years and it's reliable. Good quality, and waterproof. Buy a cheap flashlight, because the technology is about to get a lot better. |
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Here you go... www.flashlightreviews.com/index1.html Edit: I would suggest you look into this light... www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/aurora_alj-012aa.htm It is available at Target for $20 under the "River Rock" name (it's the exact same light, just rebranded). It's very well made, surprisingly bright for its size, and has a very good run time on commonly available batteries (2AA). Check it out. They make for great utility lights. I should know... I own two!  I also have one of these (also rebranded under the River Rock name): www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/nuwai_tm-311h_2aaa.htm Another great little light to have around & it's only $10 at Target!!! |
I found the one I was thinking of www.lapolicegear.com/inraaaser2.html It's not tacticool but it is a pretty good light with a nice beam and it uses cheap AA batteries. The lapolicegear price is pretty good but you might be able to do better if you can find it at someplace like Target or Walmart. ETA: I think I paid $30 for mine a couple years ago. |
+1 on the Streamlight. I have one for camping and it kicks ass. It is plenty bright, takes commonly available batteries and is water resistant. Also available in tacticool black or high-viz yellow plastic. Further tacticool props for the momentary and constant on/off switch. Plus, it is assembled in the US (Pennsylvania!). Link here (only $28 from Brightguy!). |