Flashlights

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zkx14

Duster De-ruster
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So many choices...
Would like to hear about what YOU have or use...

Looking to buy a new flashlight for work use. I do maintenance on large printing equipment with lots of little parts. I usually have good surrounding light, but frequently need to look at things in behind other parts or inside cabinets. Nice to be able to see details but not be blinded by too much light. At the same time I want something that can focus at something up at ceiling, in corners etc at up to 50+ or so ft. Would be great if I could do both without carrying 2 lights.

Very important that it is dependable and the switches are user friendly and do what they are supposed to and not easily turned on by accidental bumps. I wear out a lot of batteries that way. LOL
Power considerations. Have free supply of AA or AAA batteries. Rechargeable would be OK as long as it is one you change and don't have to leave the light in the charger. Size and shape that works well in beltclip/holster... Would like to find something in $20 - $50 range.
Thanks in advance for you input.
 
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I picked up a Bell and Howell TacLight for $20 at the "As seen on TV" counter at Walmart.

Best flashlight I've ever owned and does all the things you're looking for.

Haven't driven over it with an Armoured Personnel Carrier or thrown it in the campfire so can't vouch for all that (yet).

20180812_112902.jpg
 
Ridge Tool makes a great little flash light, uses AAA batteries, and is BRIGHT, push button ON/OFF switch on the end of the case.
 
push button at end of case is a good feature as well as the zoom head on that B&H. The flashing mode is useless if equipped. Ive got a Duracell '250' with a beam focus that works great, found it in the middle of the street! Triple A's get gobbled. Cree LED's were the best thing to happen to flashlights since the billy club Mag-light.
 
I've had a Streamlight Stylus Pro for many years. Use it several times a day, 365 days a year for everything. Love this thing!!!!! Runs on 2 aa batteries that last a long time. Fits in pocket without even knowing its there and comes with a clip. Pretty damn bright for its size and super reliable. Cost like $25
 
One thing I noticed is a lot of them have claims of very long range, yet do not have a focus on the beam. Thinking of my old Mag lite, you turn the end to get a spot. Without that it was very short range. So, are they that bright that they just light up everything within claims of 100+meters? If I am looking out that far, I am usually trying to 'spot' something. I mean realistically, that far out I ain't gonna see it very good anyway even in daylight. I would see that there is 'something' there, just won't know what. Maybe this is where Sasquatch sighting come from. LOL
 
I use a modified head lamp aaa, with a 12lb. pull mag. base for hands free light on the spot.
I`ve crashed a few and will continue to build new when I do, they`re that awesome. but, you would need to carry 2 lights.
 
Any of those that clip on your belt will be fine but I think I would carry a second little single AAA led in my shirt pocket with the clip like a pen. Super handy in those tight space and easy to deploy.
 
So many choices...
Would like to hear about what YOU have or use...

Looking to buy a new flashlight for work use. I do maintenance on large printing equipment with lots of little parts. I usually have good surrounding light, but frequently need to look at things in behind other parts or inside cabinets. Nice to be able to see details but not be blinded by too much light. At the same time I want something that can focus at something up at ceiling, in corners etc at up to 50+ or so ft. Would be great if I could do both without carrying 2 lights.

Very important that it is dependable and the switches are user friendly and do what they are supposed to and not easily turned on by accidental bumps. I wear out a lot of batteries that way. LOL
Power considerations. Have free supply of AA or AAA batteries. Rechargeable would be OK as long as it is one you change and don't have to leave the light in the charger. Size and shape that works well in beltclip/holster... Would like to find something in $20 - $50 range.
Thanks in advance for you input.
 
I have been through a half dozen different brands. Coast , Fenix, Streamlight, Bell & Howell , Maglite, and TruNite. Usually something went bad within a year. Either a bad switch, bad driver, or a bad ground. I currently use Convoy S2+ rechargable flashlights which I learned about on the Budgetlightforum . Working well for almost two years without issues. They use an 18650 battery which I charge with a Gyrfalcon ALL-44 charger. There also are similar units sold under the brand name Astrolux S1 and BLF A6. All are available at Banggood.com. You can also pick the led type when ordering. Pricing is very reasonable for the build quality.
 
I have carried a stream lite that takes 2 AA batteries for a few years. I cannot read the writing on the side of it any more. I use it every day and always carry it. It has bright, dim, and a strobe lite setting. The strobe light works great for getting some ones attention in the very loud industrial setting where I work, they can be walking away from you and still see the flash reflecting off nearby objects. This thing has been through the washer/dryer cycle 2 or 3 times and still works fine, you don't even know you are carrying it, its bright and projects a long way, the batteries last quite a while..... I cant think of anything bad to say about it.
 
I have carried a stream lite that takes 2 AA batteries for a few years. I cannot read the writing on the side of it any more. I use it every day and always carry it. It has bright, dim, and a strobe lite setting. The strobe light works great for getting some ones attention in the very loud industrial setting where I work, they can be walking away from you and still see the flash reflecting off nearby objects. This thing has been through the washer/dryer cycle 2 or 3 times and still works fine, you don't even know you are carrying it, its bright and projects a long way, the batteries last quite a while..... I cant think of anything bad to say about it.

I carry similar but mine uses single AAA. Carried it for years, and it's got quirk or two but still reliable
 
I have never been let down by a good old fashioned mini Mag. Have two of them in my toolbox and a big four cell in the closet.
 
I have never been let down by a good old fashioned mini Mag. Have two of them in my toolbox and a big four cell in the closet.
I have a few of them. They were my goto for years. I did change a lot of the little 2 prong bulbs. Then got one of the first led minimags. Much brighter and bulb lasted, but it would cut out frequently. Started looking for something else. Have a couple Coast lights, worked great when new, but seam like bad connections now.
 
If your looking for a spotting light, they make the "gun" style ones that look like a bean can with a pistol grip. I have one that will zoom onto a palm tree top at 300M. That thing is bright! and its only one Cree LED in there...amazing. Its also rechargeable (good or bad as it doesnt take standard batteries). I also have a 1M candle power H4 based honker that you plug into the cigar lighter. It has a 8" reflector on it. I dont know what to use it for but maybe signalling a ship or something......?
 
Thanks to everyone for posting. This was VERY helpful. So, I have ordered a flashlight. After looking through all the posts here and reading reviews and watching a bunch on youtube. I really liked the Fenix E12. Got to looking what else they offered. Here's what I ordered:
Fenix E20 Fenix E20 LED Flashlight
Takes 2AAs. 4 light levels from 8 to 265 lumens. After discount it was only $30 delivered
I do like what Streamlight offers. But this looked really good at half the cost of something similar.
I may also get one of them a at some point when I have a bit more funds to work with.
FS_E20_15__04151.1444246076.1280.1280__37064.1487975363.1280.1280.jpg
 
I recently picked up one of Milwaukees pen lights and so far I'm pretty happy with it. My previous pocket light was always accidentally switched on in my pocket. Haven't had that problem with the Milwaukee. The light output isn't intense but good for maintenance applications. Things I like..I like the fact that the pocket clip is held on by the end cap rather than being a clip on, the push button switch on the end isn't turned on too easily and the end cap is rubber coated, making it easy to hold in your teeth.
 
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