This eliminates quote a few fancy-pants models, but wha'ts the best $10 led flashlight?

TRO

What’s the best of any given item? You first have to decide what you want to do with it.

I like an ARC-P for my key chain but I think it was almost $40, super bright, awesome key chain light VERY RIGID and bright.

For $10 I would say this:
http://www.amazon.com/Super-Bright-Heavy...3685&sr=8-1

I have one very similar I got free with an order from a parts company it's lasted over a year and I've sent it through the wash, and dryer, and it still works. It is one of the two lights that stays by my bed. The other is a SureFire G3 w/LED conversion and ~130 lumens I believe.

It really depends what you want it for, etc.

Fenix E01 is $12 and a great value.

I have to go with a classic. Maglite AA.

Well not considering what you would do with it or where you would take it, the best models around ten bucks, IMO, would have to be an Energizer Hard Case AA model (I bought several on clearance), or get both a Mini-Maglite and an LED conversion kit from Nite Ize. Never really had a problem with either setup, and I should know. One of the AA Hard Cases I put through hell and back. It rattles inside but still works great.

http://www.garritylites.com/page725.html

There it is.
Costco sells these in a 3 pack for 20 bucks including 9 Duracell batteries !!
I carry a Surefire on duty but keep one of these as a back-up and for use while searching as the runtime is excellent.

$10 LED flashlights are generally keychain lights that are simply not large enough for general emergency use. Most are not very rugged and few are even moderately resistant to water.

For $10 or less I would look at some of the very simple but reliable 2-D cell non-LED, incandescent, industrial flashlights. They put out a lot of light and usually will run for about three to four hours on a set of batteries. More than enough time to get your act together, change a tire, practice your first-aid or signal for help.

With judicious intermittent use it will serve for several days. With a single change of batteries, a week. Don't forget to get a spare bulb and keep it handy. Many industrial flashlights have a built-in holder for the spare bulb. Usually behind the reflector.

The weak point is that such a flashlight is fairly heavy and bulky. Which is okay if your carrying it in a car or around the house. A bulky flashlight can also be handy if you need to back off a dog.

If your willing to swing for a few dollars more I would get a 2-AA Maglight for about $10 and a Nite-Ize LED conversion kit for $5. Your 50% over your $10 budget but you will have a compact and reliable little flashlight that puts out a good amount of light and it will be a LED light so your not going to be burning through bulbs or batteries.

Ditto to what Art wrote. That's exactly what I'm putting in my daughter's "off to college PSK/BOB/ bag".

John E

Why are LED flashlights so expensive? I did the Mini-Mag and LED-kit thing, but if you want to buy an LED flashlight off the shelf, they are twice (or more) as expensive as regular bulb lights. I can't see why they should be......

*NEW* Just like *NEW* computer parts, and other things, etc.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3371

Slightly more than the $10 at $18, but is a very flexible design.

It can use both RCR123s or a single 18650 reachargeable lithium cell. 2 18650 cells and charger are about $19

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.4151
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5790

You can also use other drop in modules such as Cree XR-E R2-WC 5-Mode 250-Lumen LED Drop-in Module. There are also high efficiency Cree Q5 Drop in modules as well.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13658
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.11074

or a high Powered 3W InfraRed IR Drop-in Module

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.12625



IR flashlight using IR camera (Sony F707) and Daylight IR filter + ND8 filter.



Virtually no visable light emitted....

There are also UV modules and 3.7V 10W Xenon Bulb modules available as well.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3246

The Romisen MXDL RC-G2 Cree Flashlight Gray is a great little AA powered flashlight. At $11.30 it is an absolute bargain.

thanks - I prefer to stick with something that uses AA or AAA bats.

Yep, AA's are the way to go.

IMHO, I second the Fenix EO1 aaa battery powered LED light. Its a little brighter than my Gerber Infinity which runs on aa batteries and costs 15 to 20 dollars. While the fenix can be had for 10 bucks with free shipping form fenixstore.com

-Bill Liptak
P.S. The reason LED lights cost more, again IMHO is because light manufacters will "lose" money over time because of the longevity of the LED "bulb". So they up the cost to recoup losses.

I'd rather see the manufacturer "lose" money as I find a cheaper source.

Go eBay!

Only see them for $15. Where are the $10 ones.

"MHO, I second the Fenix EO1 aaa battery powered LED light. Its a little brighter than my Gerber Infinity which runs on aa batteries and costs 15 to 20 dollars. While the fenix can be had for 10 bucks with free shipping form fenixstore.com"

Possibly. But then again tiny LED lights may be repurchased because the person wants one in every possibly useful location, I include one in each first-aid kit and the pocket of every jacket I regularly use, and because they are small they will tend to get lost.

I compare this later point to the very useful and compact Trim brand nail clipper. I have never had one break even though I have I have one that had been used regularly for twenty years. Yet every year or two I end up buying more simply because I like to keep one in each first-aid and tool kit and and they are always getting lost. Being relatively inexpensive I don't mind buying a few extra.

The good news is that as everyone buys a half-dozen or more to fill all the nooks and crannies and starts to replace those temporarily lost the numbers being produced go up and the price goes down. Also, the general trend, is that better units will begin to crowd out less effective units.

I don't know, but I suspect research and development costs. The industry is moving very quickly, with LEDs getting twice as bright every year or two, so torches need to be redesigned to remain competitive.

Also the ones I consider tend to be at the high end, with tough metal bodies, electronics providing multiple modes and brightness levels. And they have a wow factor people will pay for.

Research and development cost would greatly inflated the price of any manufactured products.

The links given above (by another poster) are for known for cheap China lights.

Any $10 or less flashlight is very likely "designed in Paris and made in China". You do not need to be a rocket scientist to put together a LED flashlight. Just a LED bulb, a battery, some bits of wire and a casing, hastily assembled in some underground factory in China.

I think any flashlight that worth having will cost at least $40.

You would be wrong.

Fenix makes quality flashlights. Not the stereotypical pieces of Chinese junk. Have you ever used a Fenix Flashlight? They are made with quality and will last a long time. Yeah, they are not $200 Surefire's, but they do the job fine. The Eo1's are great lights.

I'll second the Fenix recommendation. I've got several. L1D, L2D, or P2D (all three use the same head) for EDC on belt. L0D for more discrete times.

edit:
Also the L1/2T that got retired for the D series.

I may have found the holy grail of $10 LED flashlights at Costco (Edmonton, Canada):

Lightwaves 3 Watt LED flashlight -- first impressions:
- Cree LED with optical lens, good 50+ yard spot with secondary spill, good colour
- runs on 2 AAs, Duracells included in package
- heavy aluminum body, black finish, good grip
- reverse clicky, nice and firm, hard to turn on accidentally
- water resistant (dunkable only)
- pocket clip included, a bit lightweight but okay for casual use
- five year warranty with an actual address to send them to (!)

2-pack selling for $19.99 CAD !!

This appears to be a helluva deal. I bought a pack, and testing is underway. Sorry, no pics online that I can find.