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#148870 - 09/14/08 05:34 PM Re: Best $10 flashlight? [Re: DFW]
Todd W Offline
Product Tester
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 11/14/04
Posts: 1928
Loc: Mountains of CA
Originally Posted By: DFW
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.
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Self Sufficient Home - Our journey to self sufficiency.

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#148881 - 09/14/08 07:25 PM Re: Best $10 flashlight? [Re: TeacherRO]
Am_Fear_Liath_Mor Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 08/03/07
Posts: 3078
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.










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#149286 - 09/17/08 02:16 AM Re: Best $10 flashlight? [Re: Am_Fear_Liath_Mor]
TeacherRO Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 03/11/05
Posts: 2574
thanks - I prefer to stick with something that uses AA or AAA bats.

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#149290 - 09/17/08 02:26 AM Re: Best $10 flashlight? [Re: TeacherRO]
BobS Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 02/08/08
Posts: 924
Loc: Toledo Ohio
Yep, AA's are the way to go.
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You can run, but you'll only die tired.


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#149856 - 09/22/08 03:52 PM Re: Best $10 flashlight? [Re: BobS]
BillLiptak Offline
Enthusiast

Registered: 12/19/07
Posts: 259
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.

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#149858 - 09/22/08 04:29 PM Re: Best $10 flashlight? [Re: BillLiptak]
Rodion Offline
Enthusiast

Registered: 04/29/08
Posts: 285
Loc: Israel
I'd rather see the manufacturer "lose" money as I find a cheaper source.

Go eBay!
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Whenever you rest, someone, somewhere is training to kick your ass.

www.kravmagafederation.com

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#149861 - 09/22/08 04:42 PM Re: Best $10 flashlight? [Re: BillLiptak]
clearwater Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 03/19/05
Posts: 1177
Loc: Channeled Scablands
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"

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#149888 - 09/22/08 09:33 PM Re: Best $10 flashlight? [Re: BillLiptak]
Art_in_FL Offline
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 09/01/07
Posts: 2432
Originally Posted By: BillLiptak
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.


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.

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#149960 - 09/23/08 09:11 PM Re: Best $10 flashlight? [Re: DFW]
Brangdon Offline
Veteran

Registered: 12/12/04
Posts: 1204
Loc: Nottingham, UK
Originally Posted By: DFW
Why are LED flashlights so expensive?
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.
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Quality is addictive.

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#150696 - 10/02/08 09:48 AM Re: Best $10 flashlight? [Re: Brangdon]
firefly99 Offline
Journeyman

Registered: 05/28/06
Posts: 58
Originally Posted By: Brangdon
Originally Posted By: DFW
Why are LED flashlights so expensive?
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.



Edited by firefly99 (10/02/08 09:56 AM)

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