Please stop buying overpriced flashlights

I have a mixture of both but have to give the microstream one below best bang for the buck in mine and most used. It has survived the most abuse by far. Going on probably 3 years of daily carry and use also several trips threw the washing machine and still going strong. Hat clip is one of the best parts about it as well for hands free. It has become so important I got a spare for when this one gets misplaced.
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I have a hand full of cheapo lights, but if I’m going outdoors I grab my Fenix TK41. I probably have 5 lights that I love for different reasons.
 
I have to have one of the micro streams on me at all times. I’ve become to used to it. So much performance is such a small package. And CHEAP. The single cell USB one with hat clip is the perfect edc light, imo. I have like 4 different micro streams. When they are cheap on Amazon, I’ll buy another.

I have Streamlight protac weapon light on AR. 320 lumens which is perfect for my use. Tlr-6 on a Grock 43.
I have a Surefire G2 on the bedstand. Love this light even though I am sure there are better.
And a Fenix Pd34 in my vehicle.

If I spend more than that, it’ll be on one of the Arisaka lights. Because I like their mounts and fingers tops a lot. The lights look pretty slick.
 
The microstream is an awesome light, especially for under 20 shipped.
Love the size and rear click
 
I'm a Streamlight junkie and have one on me at all times. I have several of the ProTac lights that use the CR123 batteries. I have found that these batteries last a lot longer than AA or C batteries. They do cost a little more and not as easy to find in a convenience store. I order them from Amazon for a little over $1 each and keep a few on hand at all times.

I do have several of the cheap flashlights laying around all over the house. I have bought them in bulk (5 or 6) from Amazon, too. They are just fine for looking for something in the house but I'd prefer to have my Streamlight if I really needed to depend on a light.
 
I'm a Surefire fan. I have several and like the idea of having a handheld spotlight with me. When the tailcap switch on my E2D defender stopped working I contacted Surefire and they send me a new one. I love my Surefire flashlights and their customer service seems to be top notch.
 
Why do you care how much other people spend on flashlights?
Cause keeping up with the Joneses can get expensive. So I prefer if the Joneses buy cheap stuff. :D
 
Cause keeping up with the Joneses can get expensive. So I prefer if the Joneses buy cheap stuff. [emoji1]

You can always fall back on feeling superior for not wasting your money on the overpriced ones [emoji4]
 
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I use cheap AA flashlights for work. Working around chemicals everything I use has gotten funk on it that I don’t like to have in my pocket. The Coleman and the other one I mainly use have lasted years. The second one doesn’t even have a brand name on it. They aren’t the brightest, but they are mainly used to look in drums and when crawling around on top of drums in the back of a truck. Anyone that knows me also knows that if something is going to get broken I’m your guy. I think flashlights are a crap shoot. I do know the fire departments where I lived in Virginia all used streamlights.
 
I have a mixture of both but have to give the microstream one below best bang for the buck in mine and most used. It has survived the most abuse by far. Going on probably 3 years of daily carry and use also several trips threw the washing machine and still going strong. Hat clip is one of the best parts about it as well for hands free. It has become so important I got a spare for when this one gets misplaced.
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IMO the best EDC light ever! That's quite a bit of wear on yours. Only issue I have with them is I keep loosing them. I wear it clipped inside my left front pocket and whats causing me to loose them is the dam seat belt in my truck. Appareantly the lap belt will get under the clip enough to yank it out of my pocket when taking off the belt. I've found them on the floor board, door pocket, seat and still clipped to the belt. I know what the culprit is I just can't think of a good way to mitigate the issue. Besides the obvious of carry it in my right pocket, but that's where my knife lives. Any suggestions?
 
IMO the best EDC light ever! That's quite a bit of wear on yours. Only issue I have with them is I keep loosing them. I wear it clipped inside my left front pocket and whats causing me to loose them is the dam seat belt in my truck. Appareantly the lap belt will get under the clip enough to yank it out of my pocket when taking off the belt. I've found them on the floor board, door pocket, seat and still clipped to the belt. I know what the culprit is I just can't think of a good way to mitigate the issue. Besides the obvious of carry it in my right pocket, but that's where my knife lives. Any suggestions?


No good suggestions been lucky with this one always been lucky and found it when I lost it. I usually carry it all the way down in my pocket but have had it fall out of kacki pants there as well just happen to hear it fall.
 
overpriced or cheap has not been my problem....it's rechargeables.
none have been reliable enough. hijack is over and out.
 
I know what the culprit is I just can't think of a good way to mitigate the issue. Besides the obvious of carry it in my right pocket, but that's where my knife lives. Any suggestions?
Try left appendix carry, behind belt, clipped to pants. The belt will guard the clip. I've carried my blade that way for years. Just make sure it's secure before you open yer fly to pee, it might go a swimmin'
 
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I carry a Maratac AAA for seeing into dark holes. For monkeying around outside at night, I would recommend working on your night vision; it's something you can actually improve and develop overtime. I can walk through some pretty pitch dark woods at night without issue.
 
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You shouldn't have to pay over $30 for fantastic flashlight that throws a huge beam far. I rarely pay over $20 and they are just as good as the $75 lights and mostly better.

For Instance.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XRVKT3Z/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Often with the more expensive flashlights you are paying for higher quality components as far as the drivers and led’s are concerned. While there are some exceptions on both ends of the spectrum I’ve found that makes like Surefire, Streamlight, Pelican, Maglite, Zebralight and Princeton Tec to be extremely reliable.

Though they are not often the brightest compared to some of the cheaper Chinese lights with “flavor of the month improved Leds” in general they last longer due to better testing by the manufacturer.

I think most people would be better served buying a few quality flashlights and headlamps instead of buying a ton of cheap ones but that’s just my opinion. I have way too many expensive ones and feel like I’m on the opposite end of this but you’d be hard pressed to convince me to go the other way.
 
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I have three Fenix lights and have been well-pleased with them. Fenix, like Columbia outdoor clothing, is the right balance of cost vs performance to fit my needs. (YMMV) I could buy a North Face or Patagonia coat, but my 20+ year old Columbia coat is still going strong, and I doubt I'd live long enough to wear out its replacement. The same goes for my Fenix lights, especially now that I'm retired and don't put them to hard, daily use. Again, YMMV.:D
 
I carry a Maratac AAA for seeing into dark holes. For monkeying around outside at night, I would recommend working on your night vision; it's something you can actually improve and develop overtime. I can walk through some pretty pitch dark woods at night without issue.

Any suggested exercises to improve night vision?
 
Any suggested exercises to improve night vision?

Without trying to sound contrite, walking around outside out night. You'll be surprised how much you can see after about 10 minutes. You'll also be surprised how little you can see after your eyes have adapted and somebody shines a flashlight. I've night hiked and woods roamed during the wee hours for years, and it really does get better over time. Woods are a different place when the sun is gone.
 
Without trying to sound contrite, walking around outside out night. You'll be surprised how much you can see after about 10 minutes. You'll also be surprised how little you can see after your eyes have adapted and somebody shines a flashlight. I've night hiked and woods roamed during the wee hours for years, and it really does get better over time. Woods are a different place when the sun is gone.

I see. I thought you meant something more cumulative that would add to just letting the eyes adapt to the dark when it gets dark.
 
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