Greg Cote offers a pretty good selection of flashlights on his website. I personally bought 2 Mag-lite Solitaires from him and received them very quickly. They are very good pocket flashlights and I use the one I carry all of the time. I bought mine last November during all of the sales, but they are still just over $10 each (not including shipping). Of course there are other flashlights to choose from as well. I was going to buy some from Amazon (I have Prime), but there were a lot of complaints that many of the flashlights they were claiming to be LED were actually not. I can confirm the ones I bought from Greg Cote are the genuine deal. Just look up Greg Cotes website via Google if you are interested.
Best Inexpensive LED flashlight
- Thread starter finesse_r
- Start date
Edmo
US Veteran
Under $15, no. Under $20, yes.
I have Streamlight Stylus Pros in the vehicles. Much easier to handle and use than the fat stubbies. It fits perfectly in a Maxpedition Micro along with all my other small keep in car stuff.
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I own and use eight different Streamlight flashlights and weapons lights. I carry one of their lights with me each and every day and have had nothing but great performance out of their products. Yes, I always have one in my pocket or around my neck...
Depending on the model you will likely spend more than your $15 limit on a Streamlight. However, You get what you pay for. I have found cheap $$ lights generally will not hold up to constant and repeated use. I'm not sure what happened with mountain_man's Stylus Pro, but my experience has been just the opposite (I own two).
Below is one of my favorites for EDC. It is the ProTac 2AAA. It is lightweight, thin, and bright (80 lumens on high and 10 on dim). 80 lumens is bright enough to blind someone, but not so bright to make it unusable for daily tasks like some of the uber bright lights (I have some of those too). It also has three modes: bright, strobe, & dim and can be found for just under $30.
There are many LED lights on the market these days. I'm sure many are good, but I stopped my search with Streamight because their lights have always worked for me.
Edmo
On edit: The second pic below shows one of my Streamlight Microstreams. It can be found for around $15 dollars and both below have been used daily for the last 3+ years (note the wear on the edges).
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ChattanoogaPhil
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Absolutely. The iPhone flashlight in Control Center works quite well for most anything inside the home. The flood will land wall to wall in any room. I don't know what the lumen is, but the brightness is comparable to the spill light (not the hotspot) on my Surefire set on 15 lumen. Very usable light and IMO much better than a bang-zoom high output flashlight for inside the home.
GatorFarmer
Member
A trip down the flashlight aisle at Walmart will solve the problem. Lumens and whether they survive a modest drop now appear on the package front in most cases.
Though for the price point, personally, I would get a GI angle head flashlight. Then you simply screw in an LED conversion. I sleeved mine to let it use AA batteries. End result is very light, quite durable and the basic design has been kicked around since WW2. Leave the spare incandescent bulb in the bottom, and you have a plan B if the LED fails for some reason.
Though for the price point, personally, I would get a GI angle head flashlight. Then you simply screw in an LED conversion. I sleeved mine to let it use AA batteries. End result is very light, quite durable and the basic design has been kicked around since WW2. Leave the spare incandescent bulb in the bottom, and you have a plan B if the LED fails for some reason.
ChattanoogaPhil
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I hate flashlight threads... gets me thinking about buying another one 
.
So..... just bought a Pelican 1920. $22 delivered from B&H.
. So..... just bought a Pelican 1920. $22 delivered from B&H.
Linejudgemick
Member
I've been impressed with the quality of this flashlight from Walmart given its low cost. They make other sizes too.
Ozark Trail 3AAA OT-150L Flashlight with Duracell Batteries - Walmart.com
This one fits my hand well, is compact and bright.
Ozark Trail 3AAA OT-150L Flashlight with Duracell Batteries - Walmart.com
This one fits my hand well, is compact and bright.
Try the Brinkman Armormax. It looks like a little tactical flashlight but is made out of composite and not metal. They have a single AA and double AA version. Light, dependable and bright. I prefer AA batteries over the 3 AAA flashlights that are common now.
60 lumens, light weight, about $14. At Academy or Amazon, and others.
60 lumens, light weight, about $14. At Academy or Amazon, and others.
I don't buy cheap flashlights or pocket knives. Both break too soon and too easily. You get what you pay for.
LVSteve
Member
Similar thread earlier in the year recommended a Fenix.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/386916-finally-found-flashlight-meets-all-my-criteria.html
http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/386916-finally-found-flashlight-meets-all-my-criteria.html
Rastoff
US Veteran
One of the issues I have with a lot of "tactical" lights is the blinking feature. I would be OK with it if it couldn't accidentally be selected. All of the flashlights I've used that have it, have it selectable by pressing one switch; usually the on/off switch. Thus, when trying to use the light, I've accidentally selected the blinking mode more than once. That's just annoying.
So, I went looking for a light that's better and I found one, the Nebo Redline Select. Amazon.com: Nebo 5620 Redline Select Flashlight: Home Improvement@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41LT7XPQcuL.@@AMEPARAM@@41LT7XPQcuL It's $34 at Amazon.
It still has a blinking feature, but it's selectable by a separate switch. This way you know exactly what you'll get when the light is turned on. I'll do a review of this light later.
So, I went looking for a light that's better and I found one, the Nebo Redline Select. Amazon.com: Nebo 5620 Redline Select Flashlight: Home Improvement@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41LT7XPQcuL.@@AMEPARAM@@41LT7XPQcuL It's $34 at Amazon.
It still has a blinking feature, but it's selectable by a separate switch. This way you know exactly what you'll get when the light is turned on. I'll do a review of this light later.
scooter123
Member
Another plus for the Streamlight Stylus Pro. I've worn out two of the 4A Stylus models and due to the expense of these tiny batteries decided to get a Stylus Pro this time around. I do not think I'll be wearing the Pro out for a very long time. Liked it enough I bought another for my BIL for Christmas. Also purchased Siege 3D lanterns for everyone in the family as an emergency light. Hard to not like an emergency light that can run for 12 DAYS on one set of batteries.
As for inexpensive hand sized lights, 2 different output Duracell lights have been making the rounds at the local gun shows, both selling for 10 dollars even. The first is a 3 AA cell 250 Lumen light with 3 functions and the second is a 4 AA cell 300 Lumen light with just High and Low. Both lights are well made (china) and the output rating is an honest rating. In fact the 300 lumen light puts one of the old 4 D cell Maglights with it's Krypton bulb in the dust and isn't even a 1/6 the size of the old Maglight and can be carried in a coat pocket with ease. I expect that if you do a search on Amazon you'll be able to find either light with ease.
As for inexpensive hand sized lights, 2 different output Duracell lights have been making the rounds at the local gun shows, both selling for 10 dollars even. The first is a 3 AA cell 250 Lumen light with 3 functions and the second is a 4 AA cell 300 Lumen light with just High and Low. Both lights are well made (china) and the output rating is an honest rating. In fact the 300 lumen light puts one of the old 4 D cell Maglights with it's Krypton bulb in the dust and isn't even a 1/6 the size of the old Maglight and can be carried in a coat pocket with ease. I expect that if you do a search on Amazon you'll be able to find either light with ease.
sipowicz
Member
I'm a flashlight junkie...but I found that the ones I use the most fit on my keychain since I don't like carrying stuff in my pockets..A wallet, cash, speed strip and cell phone is my max.
This my fav...about 6 years old...been around the world with me and never failed....I like that it has 3 settings also...great for restaurant menus...do I have a light on my phone? Yeah, but like I said, I'm a flashoholic...
Amazon.com: iTP A3 EOS 96 Lumen Flashlight -Upgrade Version 1 X AAA battery: Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41E%2B8nxBiWL.@@AMEPARAM@@41E%2B8nxBiWL
This my fav...about 6 years old...been around the world with me and never failed....I like that it has 3 settings also...great for restaurant menus...do I have a light on my phone? Yeah, but like I said, I'm a flashoholic...
Amazon.com: iTP A3 EOS 96 Lumen Flashlight -Upgrade Version 1 X AAA battery: Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41E%2B8nxBiWL.@@AMEPARAM@@41E%2B8nxBiWL
charlie sherrill
SWCA Member
Cree Ultrafire with rechargeable batteries. I've got one I've been using for over a year. You can find them on line for around $10 with free shipping from China so I guess I've got my moneys worth with that one. I know a guy who sells these for $40 at the gun shows. I take mine to shows because the light is almost always bad. My real flashlight is an aluminum Streamlight like the ones I carried on duty for years. These things last forever and have replacement parts when they don't. They're pricey but you get what you pay for . Don't know the lumens but I do know it will blind an intruder. They come with a house and truck chargers.
ChattanoogaPhil
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Depends on what you're asking of the light.
The Streamlight Stylus Pros that I have in the cars might be used tomorrow or maybe not used for the next three years. Loaded with Lithium batteries, I feel quite confident that it will shine bright when needed.
I have flashlights I use every night to walk the dog. For that I want a more robust light. We have no street lights around here so I sure don't want the light to fail as a car comes around the corner when it's pitch black. But these are not flashlights that most folks would consider stashing in a drawer in every room of the house as the OP is looking for.
I did pick up one from the above recommendations and so far it is looking pretty good. It was the Ozark Trail 150 Lumen from Wal-mart for $10.99. I will try it out for a while to see how it holds up but it does put out a pretty good beam of light. it is more of a spread than a tight beam which is fine with me.
Farmer17
Member
I'm a flashlight junkie...but I found that the ones I use the most fit on my keychain since I don't like carrying stuff in my pockets..A wallet, cash, speed strip and cell phone is my max.
This my fav...about 6 years old...been around the world with me and never failed....I like that it has 3 settings also...great for restaurant menus...do I have a light on my phone? Yeah, but like I said, I'm a flashoholic...
Amazon.com: iTP A3 EOS 96 Lumen Flashlight -Upgrade Version 1 X AAA battery: Sports & Outdoors
Sip,
I have the exact same light on my keychain, I think I paid $23 for it on ebay and it does 90% of what I need a flashlight to do. The rest of the time I want a high powered light with an XM-L LED lamp that will do 6-800 lumens.
I did pick up one from the above recommendations and so far it is looking pretty good. It was the Ozark Trail 150 Lumen from Wal-mart for $10.99. I will try it out for a while to see how it holds up but it does put out a pretty good beam of light. it is more of a spread than a tight beam which is fine with me.
This does not fit the OPs requirement but this is now a generic flashlight thread.
I just bought a Duracell 1000 lumen flashlight that is really impressive. It is not a mini light being about a foot long with a machined aluminum body. It puts out a massive amount of light and is heavy enough to serve as a weapon. It is supplied with four C batteries. I just bought a second one.
Amazon.com : Duracell Durabeam Ultra 1000 Lumens : Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ZMJ234rfL.@@AMEPARAM@@51ZMJ234rfL
I just bought a Duracell 1000 lumen flashlight that is really impressive. It is not a mini light being about a foot long with a machined aluminum body. It puts out a massive amount of light and is heavy enough to serve as a weapon. It is supplied with four C batteries. I just bought a second one.
Amazon.com : Duracell Durabeam Ultra 1000 Lumens : Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ZMJ234rfL.@@AMEPARAM@@51ZMJ234rfL
ChattanoogaPhil
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Pelican 1920 arrived $22 delivered from BHPhoto which was the lowest price on the Net I could find.
120/12 lumens with a momentary and constant rear clicky switch like my Surefires. Compared to the Stylus Pro it's slightly longer, heavier, larger lens and the clip is locate lower.
Light is whiter than the Stylus Pro.
12 lumen is perfect for reading a map at night or watching your step. It's similar to the 15 lumen on my Surefires but with a bit smaller hot spot.
At 120 lumens (clicks on first) significantly outperforms the Stylus Pro at 65 lumens but at a cost of less than half the rated runtime of the Pro.
Other than general size and battery type (2 AAA) the lights are quite different and fill different niches. IMO, the real value is the lower setting on a light like this.
I had not paid much attention to Pelican but I like this 1920. Lifetime warranty. The 1910 is calling out....
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120/12 lumens with a momentary and constant rear clicky switch like my Surefires. Compared to the Stylus Pro it's slightly longer, heavier, larger lens and the clip is locate lower.
Light is whiter than the Stylus Pro.
12 lumen is perfect for reading a map at night or watching your step. It's similar to the 15 lumen on my Surefires but with a bit smaller hot spot.
At 120 lumens (clicks on first) significantly outperforms the Stylus Pro at 65 lumens but at a cost of less than half the rated runtime of the Pro.
Other than general size and battery type (2 AAA) the lights are quite different and fill different niches. IMO, the real value is the lower setting on a light like this.
I had not paid much attention to Pelican but I like this 1920. Lifetime warranty. The 1910 is calling out....
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