Under the heading of "Harbor Freight Tools that don't COMPLETELY Suck" is the Quantum QFL-588 LED flashlight. It's a zoomie that takes 4 AA's and throws out 500ish lumens for $10 with the coupon. It is pretty much a no-brainer for a homeowner. Here is a review of it.

https://youtu.be/6uPohMxJtJ8

P.S. ditch the batteries that come with it. Cheap and leaky.

Going on 5 years or so with my main light, a Nitecore P36. Fairly severe daily use until I retired a year ago. Best feature is the flat handle that makes it easy to slip into a pants pocket. Still using the original Nitecore batteries. This thing turns night to day.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1536664494.JPG

I got a Fenix PD35 V2.0 a couple of years ago. I keep it in my desk instead of banging it around in to my tool bag. I use cheaper lights for that.
Anyway, I haven't used it in a while and took it out this morning. No light. I checked the batteries - dead. But new batteries didn't help. Fenix has a great troubleshooting page on their web site. It suggested taking the tailpiece switch out, and cleaning it up. I did so, and LIGHT! Fenix is really well built and the PD35 is a perfect form factor for me.

Based on recommendations from the board, I've got a ThruNite TC12 and a zebralight headlight (which by far gets the most use).

I've been thinking about the Fenix PD35 for a while but would carry it in the car, it would get banged around some. Are they tough enough for that? I always assumed that the "PD" meant that it was intended for LEOs, in that case it must be tough, right? :cool:

I put a $12.50 LED bulb in an old 2 D cell Maglite. Much improved club.

It’s a strong aluminum case, I think you could stand on it without hurting it. I worry about the lens getting scratched while juggling around in a bag of tools with the screws and other pointy junk that inevitably ends up in there. The lens is recessed and shrouded somewhat by the case, so it is somewhat protected. If I had some kind of cap or case to cover the lens I wouldn’t worry about it at all.

I'm tired of buying AA batteries. Anyone familiar with the Anker brand ?

Looking at the LC40 or LC90.

There are several flashlights that use rechargeable 1650 or 1850 or whatever batteries. Just plug them into a USB charger.

Anker is generally a good brand with good products. I don't have a flashlight made by them, but their cabling is top notch and some of it has a lifetime warranty (which I've made use of, and it was no hassle).

I love my Zebra Light. I call it my superpower. It is just so nice to have what I am looking illuminated. I use mine all the time. I am not sure how I survived without it.

After reading your post...I purchased the QFL-588. Very nice...esp for the low price.
Looking at their website today..I noticed a new Quantum with 1500 lumens for $24
Ordered it just now.
https://www.harborfreight.com/merchandising-promotions/new/1500-lumen-led-flashlight-56652.html

I was gifted a Fenix UC35 earlier this year and I had no idea I'd use it as much as I have done so! Can't think of anything wrong with it! Great form factor, solid build quality, quite bright light, charges quickly, holds charge for quite a while.

If/when this one no longer works, I'd replace it with something just like it.

4D maglite is the fan favorite here.
Worse case I can hit them with it.

In the years since this thread started, I started using the Pelican 7600 rechargable with LiIon batteries. Very reliable. And a Pelican 7070R.

For "area lighting" I added a Streamlite Lite Box E-Flood HL and Pelican 9490 RALS with Bluetooth connectivity. I also bought a few light towers, which are not flashlights.

Yeah, flash lights man, flashlights...<iframe width="613" height="345" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vV-iX0VWRtI" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

i have been carrying this daily for about a decade (or more). maybe TWO decades!!

i get free batteries at work, so i keep them updated. i use it at work, and at home. its a tank! and it has been flawless. i have wildfires, blackouts, my office doesn't have a single working light in the parking lot. getting a key into lock will have this light clenched in my teeth. i flipped the clip backwards, so i can clip it to the bill of my ball cap and light up my life. the light is SICK!! unexciting, and boring..but for a flashlight, that is a good thing.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1605544374.jpg

NEBO TOOLS REDLINE 6K - I bought this for work a few weeks ago. Before that I had a smaller LEDLENSER that has served me well but I needed an upgrade. At first I thought it would be overkill but this thing is off the charts. My job involves going into dark buildings in remote areas and to get in I have to find a "secure" lock box on the outside of the building. (I'm on call 24/7 for remote support of various IT systems)... Absolutely no regrets and if something happened to it I would buy another without hesitation. The only thing I'd change is the wrist strap. It's standard cheap nylon strap. I'm thinking about making a nice leather one for it.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1608725329.jpg

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/z9TwlAM4Q9g" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The best one ever ... by this guy :):
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1608734532.jpg

Oh no! I just tossed a Nebo flashlight that I bought at an RV store into the trash.

Try the 7070R from Pelican. Buy the plastic holder and trust me, you'll not regret it. I also have a box of CR123 batteries for backup. I depend on flashlights all the time and can't stop working just because the sun went down.

For lens protection and anything else I need a cap on I roam the grocery store aisles looking for the right can cover. For instance, I found cat food can covers on some kind of cheese dip product.

Tube ends at the packing store are just another option out of many.

Picked this up from Amazon for when I’m walking our Great Dane in the dark. Very bright, uses four C-cell batteries, and submersible. Has a trigger lock to prevent it turning on when you don’t want it to. Flash with pull of trigger or stays on with full pull of trigger. Very happy with it.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1608822220.jpg

Anyone have any experience with the new Streamlight "Wedge"? I have three of the larger ones. The Stinger series is good but the Wedge fits in the pocket.

Anyone got a good LED flashlight that you can focus? I've had flashlights where you could twist the end and the beam would adjust between flood and spot. Are there any of the modern LEDs that do that?

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6q_0wxzClkg" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I'm still happy with my Fenix flashlight. It was quite pricey when I bought it 10 years ago but it has done so much work it's incredible. The supplied Surefire batteries weren't much good so replaced them with Panasonic ones NCR18650 which last 3 times as long. I've dropped it onto concrete a number of times and it still works fine.

It's a Fenix TK30 which is completely different to the current Fenix TK30. Stupid using the same model name.

Were's your Fenix made Mr Bill? (China, Taiwan, USA?)

I don't know. I'm surprised it still goes as it's been used a lot. An aluminium body and cree bulb. I guess China.

A guy at the Clark Rubber store said this to me today: "Buying quality is never expensive."

If it's stood the test of time then it must be decent.

(It's worth the click... Promise ;) - https://www.clarkrubber.com.au )

we use 18v tool battery flashlites

but would like a good CHEAP long lasting LED BULB for them to replace the old style bulbs

e-bay or amazon has china junk that doesNOT last
I think most are 6 or 12v units they say will work at 18v do for a bit but not very long

Welcome back Champ!

What size is the regular incandescent bulb in your "18v tool battery flashlites"?

These are made to covert Maglite torches to LED but these might fit.

https://niteize.com/high-power-led-upgrade

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1665161741.jpg

LED Lenser should fit that description.

Flashlights to consider

Pelican 7070R. Buy the polymer holster 7108. This is a power user's solution. If you spend hours in the dark, night after night like I do, then this will be an everyday tool. The torch snaps into a wall charger. Very bright, but not as bright as some of the Olights. The problem with Olight is short run time, they get hot, and are simply not as tough as the Pelican light.

Surefire Stiletto Pro. It's the same shape and size of a small auto mag. It has 1000 lumens and will run for hours and hours on a single charge. An EDC light for sure.

Polarian PH50D. Military grade, handheld HID arc light. This is the "Death Star" of flashlights. I have two spare batteries so that I can switch them out in order to keep running all night.

Pelican 9490 RALS. It's like a mini portable light tower. I use it when we have a night time emergency situation. I take a mini generator with me and just run it off of AC power most of the time. It's a reliable area light. No need for flashlights, as it will turn your chosen work area into daytime.

There are many others that I have such as the HID Litebox. I've got the LED version and the HID arc light version. Fantastic lights. It just depends on your application and how much run time you need, and how often you use your lights. Some are not suited for constant every day use, such as the Polarian SL-X. I bought it because it looks cool and throws out a hell of a lot of light.

Can anyone recommend a high end US made flashlight?

Can't guarantee that of the 11 factories, your Pelican flashlight will be made in the US. But the profits and jobs will be.

https://www.pelican.com/us/en/about/our-story/

Picked up this one from HF the other day for working on equipment.

So far, very nice rechargeable light.

Has a light on the end of the rod and each side.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1665252449.jpg

Thanks and I actually own three Pelican cases. :)

Based in Shenzhen, China

Bottom of page. Click "About Fenix"

https://www.fenixlighting.com/

IPhones are a well made in China product. Unlike Apple, I understand that Fenix has one of the lowest on-the-job suicide rates in the country for children workers between the age of seven and eleven.

I must not be searching properly as none of those show up. :confused: Oh...wait...not THIS Pelican.

lol!

Haha !!!