Recommendation for LED Flashlight Similar to GB Lights

[alamogunr]

I'm looking for LED flashlights that perform similar to the lights that were available awhile back as a GB. I bought several for myself and for my two sons. One of them is wanting another for Christmas since the Daughter-in-Law has appropriated his.

I haven't seen them mentioned in a couple of years but would like to buy a couple of commercial lights if I could find one that was reliable and performed as well as those we bought back then. I can't even remember the member from upper E. TN that ran those GB's.

I don't need Seal Team quality just good reliable lights that work under everyday conditions. It would be a plus if they used 18650 batteries so the same charger could be used. All recommendations will be appreciated.

[Chainsaw.]

Bought my wife a fenix several years back. It like 700 lumen on high. Still worls great. Definitely recommend if its not going to the moon or into battle.

[sawinredneck]

Fenix makes decent lights for the money for sure, I have a couple I love and another I really want.
4Sevens makes some really nice and interesting lights for a little more money or about the same if you catch them on sale. Check them out if nothing else.
I could go on, but the prices go right on up! Really, bang for buck, it’s hard to beat Fenix quality and they stand behind them for not much more than a “cheapie” light.

[sawinredneck]

Well, 4Sevens closed shop!
Here’s the cheapest Fenix 18650, 8-1000lm for $45.
https://www.fenixlighting.com/product/e35ue-fenix-flashlight/

[3leggedturtle]

Look at the, Battery Junction website. I’ve ordered quite a few off there. Nitecore and Fenix are main lights I purchase. Todd3/leg

[Mr_Sheesh]

alamogunr - Was this the group buy you meant?

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?168807-Christmas-Lights-LED-buy

Run by Wiljen who isn't around lately

[Smoke4320]

Fenix has some real good ligjts for reasonable prices

[wildwilly501]

Fenix costs a little more than some but for daily use and long term durability they are hard to beat.

[762 shooter]

I carry a Fenix LD22 every day. I have used Fenix for a long time and have no complaints.

762

[Reddirt62]

I run streamlight but then again I was a diesel mechanic for 35 years and got tired of cheap, crappy flashlights years ago. [emoji4]

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[MrWolf]

I still have a box marked Wiljen lights with my extra chargers, etc. They are good lights.

[mattw]

Ok... I have been building lights for a few years. I build large multi-cell, melt your face off lights and single cell EDC tube lights. I have also been reviewing flashlights for a few years. My EDC rotation includes Zebralight, Olight and Klarus as well as several lights I have built. If you are interested in good, reasonably priced EDC lights I would suggest Olight, if you are looking to mount something on a rifle for a couple of hundred yards, I would suggest Klarus. Or you can get into expensive custom copper and titanium lights for about 75 bux to over a thousand bux.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4875/45999943872_fdded43406_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2d5RJGy)
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4918/44964458075_e0121c3afb_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2bvmARa)

[SciFiJim]

Ok... I have been building lights for a few years. I build large multi-cell, melt your face off lights and single cell EDC tube lights. I have also been reviewing flashlights for a few years.



Is there some place online that has comprehensive instructions for a beginner on how to build a light. I've looked several times, but get in over my head quickly.

[sawinredneck]

Is there some place online that has comprehensive instructions for a beginner on how to build a light. I've looked several times, but get in over my head quickly.
Start with candle power forums, great guys with a ton of knowledge! Illumination supply is a great place to get parts, but you’ll need to know what you’re buying!

[SciFiJim]

Start with candle power forums, great guys with a ton of knowledge! Illumination supply is a great place to get parts, but you’ll need to know what you’re buying!

I just looked at that forum. Wow, the language is pretty dense. About like casting I guess. On the other hand,:razz: A new hobby to add to the collection of them that I have!

[45workhorse]

Nightstick lights dual mode.
https://www.baycoproducts.com/product

[mattw]

I have been a member of budgetlightforum.com for a good while, can learn it all there. Start with a Solar force P60 or Convoy S2+.

[alamogunr]

I have been a member of budgetlightforum.com for a good while, can learn it all there. Start with a Solar force P60 or Convoy S2+.

Please educate me. I'm going to order a Fenix or Olight for the son & daughter-in-law, but thought I would try to assemble a light for myself. Amazon shows a body, a P60 module and a L2-CH lamphead. The lamphead looks like a replacement for the one on the body except it looks weaponized. Could I build my own flashlight from the body and P60 module and just add a 18650 battery? I already have 2 or 3 chargers left from the Cast Boolits GB's.

Sounds too simple. Have I missed something?

[popper]

Gotten fenex for Christmas several times, they always work. 3 cell maglite is in the closet collecting dust - it does make a good weapon.

[mattw]

Please educate me. I'm going to order a Fenix or Olight for the son & daughter-in-law, but thought I would try to assemble a light for myself. Amazon shows a body, a P60 module and a L2-CH lamphead. The lamphead looks like a replacement for the one on the body except it looks weaponized. Could I build my own flashlight from the body and P60 module and just add a 18650 battery? I already have 2 or 3 chargers left from the Cast Boolits GB's.

Sounds too simple. Have I missed something?

Yes! I would really suggest Solarforce L2 series bodies. The dropin is the main light engine, some quality here is a good thing. Again, the Solarforce dropins are pretty good. They also make a decent gun mounted remote switch. The dropin will work in almost any P60, if you are using the right cell, the head and the tailswitch may or may not exchange between brands.

[LUCKYDAWG13]

I carry a Fenix LD22 every day. I have used Fenix for a long time and have no complaints.

762
I just picked up one from the Fenix web store $43. Bux shipped like it a lot uses AA batteries

[alamogunr]

I've got these two items on order thru Amazon. The bulb unit should be delivered tomorrow but the body won't be here until next week. I guess I'll find out if this is all I need.
Been reading a lot about lights and batteries. The Trustfire 18650 batteries I've been using for a few years now aren't well thought of by most on the flashlight forums. I may buy something different for son and daughter-in-law since safety of the Trustfire units was questioned.

Solarforce Black L2M Flashlight Body
Sold by: CustomLites
$16.99
Condition: New


WMlife Flashlight Bulb LED 1000 Lumens Smooth Reflector T6 Single Mode 3.0-18V Drop-in - P60 Design: Ultrafire,Surefire, Hugsby , C2 G2 Z2 9P G3 S3 D2 Ultrafire 501B 502B

[sawinredneck]

Don’t stress over the Trusfire’s, I’ve used them for years in flashlights and they’ve held up better than many premium brands!

[MT Gianni]

https://www.amazon.com/ULTRAFIRE-Tactical-Flashlights-3-Mode-Adjustable/dp/B071Y6JFBM/ref=pd_day0_hl_469_4?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B071Y6JFBM&pd_rd_r=d9c12a1c-f9b2-11e8-936d-53f097e130c6&pd_rd_w=cfikL&pd_rd_wg=WYjTA&pf_rd_p=ad07871c-e646-4161-82c7-5ed0d4c85b07&pf_rd_r=T8FPP17N20D9T7BFZJ5C&psc=1&refRID=T8FPP17N20D9T7BFZJ5C

I have bought these singls AA zoom flashlights since Wiljen stopped the group buys. @ $3-$4 each they cannot be beat. I give away 3 or 4 a year and loose one. Light easy to carry and battery gives you 8+ hours of constant run time.

[alamogunr]

Thank you for that link. I bought one of those(or at least similar) when Wiljen ran one of the GB's. I use mine more than the others for just around the house mostly. It sure helps these old eyes find small things that I drop. Also good for just finding my way to the shop and getting the key in the lock.

[SciFiJim]

https://www.amazon.com/ULTRAFIRE-Tactical-Flashlights-3-Mode-Adjustable/dp/B071Y6JFBM/ref=pd_day0_hl_469_4?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B071Y6JFBM&pd_rd_r=d9c12a1c-f9b2-11e8-936d-53f097e130c6&pd_rd_w=cfikL&pd_rd_wg=WYjTA&pf_rd_p=ad07871c-e646-4161-82c7-5ed0d4c85b07&pf_rd_r=T8FPP17N20D9T7BFZJ5C&psc=1&refRID=T8FPP17N20D9T7BFZJ5C

I have bought these singls AA zoom flashlights since Wiljen stopped the group buys. @ $3-$4 each they cannot be beat. I give away 3 or 4 a year and loose one. Light easy to carry and battery gives you 8+ hours of constant run time.

That's exactly what I was looking to do. Cheaper to buy them. I've probably had half a dozen or so. They are cheap enough to give away or loose without much worry.

[alamogunr]

Need some more information. I have a light that I got on one of Wiljen's GB's that has a momentary(?) switch in the back. It quit working some time ago. I thought it was dead. Since investigating lights here and on other forums I decided to try the on/off switch on one of the other lights with the same or similar body. It brought the light back to life. Where would I go to get a screw on switch for this light. The body is Ultrafire as are all those of the same size that I bought from Wiljen

[Alstep]

I know nothing about these new lighting systems. Will any of these new fangled bright bulbs fit in a Maglite? I've got a half dozen Maglites laying around, be nice to upgrade them.

[alamogunr]

I know nothing about these new lighting systems. Will any of these new fangled bright bulbs fit in a Maglite? I've got a half dozen Maglites laying around, be nice to upgrade them.

In my looking around for LED flashlights I ran across this:

https://www.amazon.com/LudoPam-Upgrade-Replacement-Conversion-Flashlights/dp/B0739MYXNL/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1544155128&sr=8-3&keywords=led+maglite+replacement+bulb

[SciFiJim]

I know nothing about these new lighting systems. Will any of these new fangled bright bulbs fit in a Maglite? I've got a half dozen Maglites laying around, be nice to upgrade them.

There are drop in conversion kits for maglites.

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_3_8?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=maglite+led+conversion+kit&sprefix=maglite+%2Caps%2C170&crid=2YEP7BIKD6PZ9

[Alstep]

Thanks alamogunr & SiFiJim. Will look into this.

[alamogunr]

Part of my order for the Olight flashlight and parts to build a light were delivered today. The LED module listed in my post #22 was missing. The Amazon record shows it delivered. When I tried to go to Amazon website to notify, all it allowed was a return of a defective item. I tried to explain but the process demands a return(which I don't have). I asked for a refund to my credit card and then reordered.

Does anyone know of anything that I can do different? Amazon doesn't seem to recognize that an item could be missing from an order.

[silverjay]

Take a look at Malkoff Devices. They make drop in heads and full lights. I have several, they perform well and have held up.

[Tatume]

Wife wanted a new flashlight. We looked and looked, and didn't find one online that pleased her. Finally drove to Lowe's, where she picked out a really nice torch that fits her needs at a price we deemed excellent.

[fecmech]

https://www.amazon.com/ULTRAFIRE-Tac...7N20D9T7BFZJ5C

Love those little lights! Have given them to everyone in my family and always use it when I take out the dog to check for deer. The group buy light from Wiljen only gets used if I'm going to be working on something for a while. The little "zoomie" gets most of my flashlight use.

[dragon813gt]

I bought a Fenix PD35 and it arrived over the weekend. Seems like a sold light and it’s definitely bright. Haven’t had a chance to see how long it lasts on a single charge. It came w/ a Fenix branded 18650 battery that can be charged directly w/ a micro-usb cable. I bought two more of them. Means I don’t have to carry a charger w/ me which is less weight in the Pelican case. Time will tell how well they hold up.

I also bought the Fenix HL60R headlamp. Seemed like a great light on paper. 950 lumens and able to charge the battery w/out removing it. It drops down a light level quickly when running at the highest setting. And boy does it get hot. Not a big deal as I bought it for a hard hat. But it would hurt if you actually wore it. Has a strobe mode that likes to turn on instead of the actual light. And the lowest setting and red LEDs are worthless. All they do is make it more clicks to cycle to the setting you want.

I was able to expense these as tools for work, which they are. Not sure if I would buy the flashlight w/ my money. And I certainly would not buy the headlamp. I wish manufacturers would keep it simple. I want a flashlight to turn on when I click the switch. Not have a strobe light turn on. And multiple brightnesses are nice but I’d rather just have two, high/low, or simply on.

[alamogunr]

Part of my order for the Olight flashlight and parts to build a light were delivered today. The LED module listed in my post #22 was missing. The Amazon record shows it delivered. When I tried to go to Amazon website to notify, all it allowed was a return of a defective item. I tried to explain but the process demands a return(which I don't have). I asked for a refund to my credit card and then reordered.

Does anyone know of anything that I can do different? Amazon doesn't seem to recognize that an item could be missing from an order.


http://tinyurl.com/y9u2fxdm

I have bought these singls AA zoom flashlights since Wiljen stopped the group buys. @ $3-$4 each they cannot be beat. I give away 3 or 4 a year and loose one. Light easy to carry and battery gives you 8+ hours of constant run time.

I finally got thru to Amazon customer service and got the missing LED straightened out.

I also have several of the little AA lights ordered. Plan to give them as gifts plus keep one for myself to add to the one I already have.

I have to say the Olight light I ordered is very bright. It is going to one of the daughters-in-law. Might have to think about one for the wife.

[Dark Helmet]

+1 on the Convoy S2+. I love mine. Does come on the slowboat from you know where though. Very reasonably priced. Get a little learnin' in on Budget Light Forum, Candlepower Forum, etc. and dive in:razz: