Need advice on getting really GOOD flashlight (s).

[dixiegrrrrl]

We have several of the *battery dying when we need to use it* plastic handheld types,
and I am ready to put some money into a bright, long lasting torch or 2.
Have also been considering the head mounted LED lights in addition to a
*middle of the night in the rain look-see* real torch.

American made, of course, if possible.

Would you please share your good or bad experience with different types and brands, so I can go online and order.

[2Design]

1. got one at lowes with the big battery for 3.97 - nice square shape

had it a year and it still works fine

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. Thank you.

We have only a super Wal-Mart here in teeny town,but I get the idea.

[2Design]

3. kmart and supermarket had them for more money n/t

[Warpy]

4. Depends on what you want it for and how you'll use it

I don't use my hand held jobs since I got an LED head lamp. It gets 150 hours on 2 AAA batteries at low power and has 3 power settings. It's adequate for reading when the power goes out, for taking out the trash after dark, for rummaging around in dark closets and cupboards and fixing the puter. It's one of those things I didn't know I needed until I got it.

My flashlight is a kiddie light in primary colors from Wally's, runs on 4 AA batteries, has decent life, and has a handle to help prop it into place when I'm using it for task lighting. Bulbs are easy to find.

However, the head lamp beats it for most jobs.

[old mark]

5. have 2 plug-in rechargable flashlights - I use them to read at night

so as not to wake my wife.

Got them from Lowe's for around $9 each, they work very well, one charges while the other is in use for nearly a week at a time. They have power level switches.

Flashlights have become nearly all disposable junk till you get to the aluminum expensive versions, and even they are hard to find lately. Try Lowes or Walmart for the best prices....Nearly none are made in the US anymore, even if the company is American owned.

mark

[uppityperson]

6. Headlamps (with leds) and LED hand helds are the way to go

My oldest headlight w/LED & regular bulb option is over 5 yrs old, Coleman brand. I don't have brand names beyond Maglites (Maglights?) but would advise LEDs since they lasta long time on batteries.

[ConcernedCanuk]

7. Go LED for sure

.
.
.

They don't "die all of a sudden"

and don't necessarily change the batteries if they seem to go "dead" during long usage - try it the next day

LED's are awesome, even get long life out of the cheapest batteries.

[katkat]

8. Maglites are made in the US, according to their website

They last forever. I've been carrying a small one around in the junk pit in the bottom of my pocketbook for a decade, maybe, and it still works like a charm.

I have a big one in the house, and one in the car. Pay $ once for quality instead of many smaller $s over time for junk.

My local TrueValue carries them.

[wuvuj]

10. I have a 3 D cell Maglite...

...that I've had for 25 years. Bought it because the cheapies kept failing...usually the switch. It's probably been dropped 10 Xs...I use wide vinyl tape to cover the switch...the lense is from a plastic 2 L bottle....on maybe the third bulb. Can buy an LED to fit these too.

Also recently bought an LED headlamp...$35...but it puts out a LOT of light...batteries last a long time....PETZL.

[morningglory]

9. I suggest the one in my father's tool box in 1959 that was so rusty the

switch wouldn't slide. It always worked, year after year.

[Fumesucker]

11. Maglite LED 2xAA

http://www.amazon.com/MAGLITE-SP2209H-2-AA-Flashlight-Holster/dp/B000IF6JMK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1270092539&sr=8-1

For batteries I highly recommend the Sanyo Eneloop low self discharge AA rechargeable cells, with the Kodak *precharged* AA rechargeables coming in second. I've been using the Eneloop and the Kodak precharged in my high powered camera flashes and they are more reliable than any other rechargeable cells I've found. Big flashes are hard on batteries and the Sanyos and Kodaks are great, you can let them sit six months and they still work with plenty of power left, most rechargeables won't do that..

http://www.amazon.com/SANYO-eneloop-Pre-Charged-Rechargeable-Batteries/dp/B000IV2WAW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1270093329&sr=1-2

http://www.amazon.com/Kodak-1578921-Battery-AA-NiMH/dp/B000WMK344/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1270093375&sr=1-2

You can get the Kodak precharged cells at Walmart or could six months ago or so..

I also cannot speak highly enough of the LaCrosse BC900 charger, it totally blows away every other AA and AAA cell charger I've ever used (a bunch of them).. It will not only optimally charge your batteries, it will measure and rejuvenate each single one seperately, four at a time.

http://www.amazon.com/Crosse-Technology-BC-9009-AlphaPower-Battery/dp/B00077AA5Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1270093207&sr=8-1-catcorr

[breadandwine]

12. If you get a really long maglite, say a 19 incher, it doubles as a defensive stick.

Say you live in an apartment building in a dangerous neighborhood and the power goes out and you have to take the light into the hallway. Having that long metal stick is helpful for protection in an emergency. And cops can't take it away so easily because it's primary purpose is light.