Can anybody tell me what kind of flashlights are better for longer and brighter ray?. Also I like it to be small, maybe 1 or 2 AA batteries. Thank you <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

It really depends on a number of factors. The biggest, for most people, is price. Give us some idea of how much you're willing to spend, and maybe some examples of what you want it for.

In general, I think an LED light of some sort would be the way to go here. Most people buy a 2AA Maglight when they want what you describe, but you can do so much better than that.

The Gerber Infinity Ultra is a LED and uses 1 AA batt.

Dave

Inova makes some really good one too.

I've put LED mods into my AA Maglites.

For some in depth answers, go to www.candlepowerforums.com

I've never found LEDs to be good for a longer and brighter ray. They can be brighter at short distances. For good 'throw' something like a surefire might be a good option.

If it is not going to be a "pocket carry" or keychain light, then 2 AA batteries is superior to only 1 because of the longer run time. I have a LOT of small flashlights, and some of the Maglite drop-in LED modules as well. The absolute best product balancing price, size, output, throw distance, light color, and quality has to be the new Fenix L2P. Slightly smaller than a 2AA Minimag but a thousand percent better overall. Fantastic throw, durable, uses 2AA batteries. Will run around $48 + shipping. But - you can't buy a better light for the money.

Hi there,

A long bright ray is usually known in the flashlight world as "throw".

If you want excellent "throwers" look for Inovas, they have very tight small spot that can reach a lot of distance.
Inova T3 and T4 are good examples using C123.
An X1 uses a single AA but is not very powerful.
The Streamlight polyprop AA has a good throw but uses 4AAs

If you want a single Led-based AA light I would recommend you a Fenix L1P, with just one AA cell it has a lot of output.

In any case you can refine your needs saying what kind of price range, size and features you want and we'll be able to offer you better choices.

i have a powerfull LED flashlight ( Aurora 2AA) that has a very tightly focused beam that will reach far. But it also makes it a lot less usefull for short range uses: review2 review3 review1

Fenix also makes good lights, but have much less concentraded beams. I would recommend a visit to:
http://www.flashlightreviews.com/
http://ledmuseum.candlepower.us/
to find a light that fits your need and budget.

Thank you guys, you gave me a lot of information even when I wasn't very specific. I think I got what I needed. Merry Christmas or whatever holiday you celebrate. Thanks again. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

In the never ending quest for a "better" light, consider an eight LED, titanium light, 3 3/4 inches long and uses three AAA batteries. Double "O" ring seals. Available in gunmetal or black. I bought one and liked it so well that I ordered three more. Cost: Only $5.00. Check the link below and type in KEY-265 in the search (Item #) block for the gunmetal. KEY-265BK for the black (currently out of stock).

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/default.asp

Ky-BooneFan:
Thanks for the info. That looks very good and inexpensive.
Does it throw a long and bright ray?. Is the outfit you ordered from reliable?. I had never order anything by e-mail.

No, it doesn't throw a beam at all. It just floods the immediate area with a very bright white light.

Yes, Cheaper Than Dirt is very reliable. They mail out catalogs periodically. You can order by mail, online or by phone to a toll free number. I have ordered from them for several years. Just like all others, I think they charge much
too much for S&H. Can't afford to order a single item for $5 and then pay another $5 or so to get it there. This problem is
universal though.

Couple of corrections on my earlier post:

Catalog number for the black light is "LIGHT-104".

Price is 6.97, not 5.00 like the gunmetal model.

Titanium??
Is that a French word for "Pot Metal"??
Nobody sells a Titanium body flashlight for $5.
It's Pot Metal.
There IS NO FREE LUNCH.
You get what you pay for.
It may be a decent light for $5, but I wouldn't trust my survival to a $5 flashlight.

8-Led Flashlight Review

For a 2 x AA light with a very long runtime and regulated output the Opalec Newbeam LED conversion for the minimag is great.
It accepts Lithium AAs which means it can be stored for years and will work when you need it.

For a compact and bright light that runs on one AA the Fenix L1P is unbeatable.

Got (A Fenix L1P) one for myself and my father-in-law for Xmas. Excellent product, could be sold for twice as much and still be a great deal. Disregarding pedantic personal preferences and other sillyness(the lumen junkies etc.), it is the best (yes, I said best) light out there. Small, bright as heck, push button & twist lock out, LED lasts forever, and uses cheap AA's batteries. Plus it is HA III so it won't get scratched up (aka. coating is tough).

Marc

joaquin39
Notwithstanding the fact that RandyO went completely berserk over my recommending this $5 light, I say again, it is a great light and well worth $5. It is very well made and, unless the pushbutton switch should fail, I would expect that it would last for many years. Personally, I can't imagine paying $50 or more for a small light just as I can't see paying $200 for a pocket knife. I don't fault those who do, it's just that I can find better uses for my money. I would be much more inclined to spend that $200 on a Terry Ridlin print before a knife, light, etc. <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Berserk? That wasn't my intent. Sorry if it came off that way. Just giving advice. I'm not stating that the 8-Led flashlight you described isn't worth $5.
I will concede that it probably is worth $5, maybe even $6!!

Have you ever:

worn Smartwool socks? vs. cheap cotton socks?
sipped XO Cognac? vs. cheap brandy?
sliced and diced with a Wusthof knife? vs. cut yourself with a dull cheap knife?
hiked in a pair of Vasque Sundowner boots? vs. developed blisters with crappy shoes?
plinked with a well-tuned Colt 1911A1? vs. pulled your hair out over a jam-a-matic?
shot cloverleaf groups with a Swedish Mauser? vs. shot 6" groups with a shot-out Turkish Mauser?
Gazed at a Terry Ridlin print? vs. glanced at a black velvet Elvis?


This list could go on forever but I will cut it short. The underlying principal is "You get what you pay for". Buy quality, it lasts forever. Buy crapola, you keep on buying. In the end, which is the bargain?

Randyo, my post was calculated to get a rise out of you! I read it this morning and laughed so hard I couldn't reply immediately. <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> You are absolutely correct that in most instances, you get what you pay for. But after a point, sometimes you pay too much for something that is of equal quality and costs MUCH less. That is the case with this flashlight. It is truly a little gem for $5 and I definitely have an eye for quality.

No offense. Just jerking your chain a little. <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Boone

this response in solely based on my use first led saves hella on the batts ive found princeton brand while not the cheaper of the herd quality is my issue petzl is good of course surefire way off my price range but very good though /inova has pretty good stuff now and reasonable on price

I tend to agree, but there are some fairly inexpensive lights that I think are up to the task. But the price range probably starts around $20. Here are a few examples off the top of my head:

Princeton Tec Attitude - $18.50
Gerber Infinity Ultra - $17.50
Underwater Kinetics Mini Q40 - $16.95

Options open up considerably at about the $35 price point. For example:

Underwater Kinetics Mini Q40 eLED Plus - $28.25
Underwater Kinetics 2L - 26.95
Surefire G2 - $35

-john

I bought one of the $5 LED flashlights from CTD about a year ago for my wife. It was OK for use in the house when you needed a little light in a nook or cranny. She said it goes through batteries pretty quick and I just turned it on and noticed that only two out of the eight LEDs are working so............
gino

Yes, the Newbeam is a very nice retrofit. Bright for a 3x5mm LED light, and you get a rock solid, regulated, 10 hr runtime with two alkalines batteries and longer with lithiums. The regulation should make sure it will get the most out of junk batteries too.

However, I tend to shy away from the Mag products for super reliability (retrofitted or not). I feel like there are too many parts and have had to fiddle with them to keep them working.

-john

Gene, remember the song "Why is everybody always pickin' on me"?
I'm having a hard time promoting this little light. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> Look on the backside of the LEDs. There are eight wires all terminating in the center with a glob of solder to connect them all. The battery holder spring presses against this solder. Check it and see that all eight wires are connected. You might have a cold solder joint. I would put a soldering gun to this center solder joint and resolder it. I can't imagine 6 of 8 LEDs going bad. As for the light output, with three alkalines, the light is literally blinding. Check it out and put in three fresh alkalines and let me know how it turned out. Sometimes one weak battery in the three will cause the output to dim. Check all this out and let me know how it turned out. <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Boone