Anyone recommend a reliable cheap flashlight?

[BravoV]

I've bought 5-6 pcs. for me and a couple of friends back when they released it. Still got it in my pocket. Best torch i've ever had.
The only annoying thing is, the old batch had a great belt-clip, on the newer versions they got it to cheap.

Not sure about the latest coating/finishing, all of mine have really hard surface, as they won't scratch or dent easily, knew this as I put one inside my car's toolbox, and after all this years, laying side by side with other hard steel tools like wrench keys, screw drivers and etc, the flashlight's surface is still very smooth, quite amazing imo. 

[EEVblog]

There's a flashlight feature built into my mobile phone so that covers the always have it with me thing.

Wash your mouth out!

[VK5RC]

A bit off topic - but not too far - I carry Victorinox midnight manager@work.
It is small form factor, has knife, scissors, usb drive, small torch, pen, flat and Phillips screwdrivers, bottle opener.
Pretty pricey but I use it so often.

[Johnboy]

A bit off topic - but not too far - I carry Victorinox midnight manager@work.

It isn't until I see something like this that I realize I've posted off topic. I also didn't notice that the OP had already made his decision and basically thanked everyone and signed off before I even got to the party.

All that said, I agree that I dislike carrying a lot of things, and if I can find a way to incorporate a flashlight into something else, so much the better. I happen to have a flashlight on my phone as well, but there are a lot of times when I don't want to carry a cell phone with me, and I'd rather "shoot from the hip" (literally) and simply press a button when I'm lacking in light than unlock and fumble through menus anyway. A few years ago all of my dash lights suddenly went out while driving at night through a large metropolitan region and I had to use my watch to periodically view the analog speedometer. Having a reliable flashlight handy at all times can be a very good thing.

[james_s]

Well the pub doesn't have to shut down and everyone go home when the first guy who got there leaves. It's often after the original question has been answered that the best discussions occur.

[EEVblog]

A bit off topic - but not too far - I carry Victorinox midnight manager@work.
It is small form factor, has knife, scissors, usb drive, small torch, pen, flat and Phillips screwdrivers, bottle opener.
Pretty pricey but I use it so often.

Horses for courses IMO.
Real AAA torch on the Keyring, and a Victorinox MiniChamp in the pocket. The knife gets used a lot more than the torch, so I'd rather have a more capable knife than try and combine it with a whimpy torch.
Then when I need a torch I want something fairly decent that the Midnite can't match with it's piddly LED.

[cs.dk]

Not sure about the latest coating/finishing, all of mine have really hard surface, as they won't scratch or dent easily, knew this as I put one inside my car's toolbox, and after all this years, laying side by side with other hard steel tools like wrench keys, screw drivers and etc, the flashlight's surface is still very smooth, quite amazing imo. 

The surface is fine.. It's the beltclip that is to weak - The one I have in my pocket are from the very first batch. Strong and springy beltclip. The newer ones seems like a beercan. Not springy at all and easy to bend.

[Peabody]

For single AA or AAA lights, has anyone tried the Energizer Ultimate Lithium cells?  They are lithium iron disulfide, nominal 1.5V, non-rechargeable.  It looks like they cost about twice what alkalines cost, but are supposed to have low internal resistance, which doesn't increase as the cells discharge.  Also good in the very cold.

[EEVblog]

For single AA or AAA lights, has anyone tried the Energizer Ultimate Lithium cells?  They are lithium iron disulfide, nominal 1.5V, non-rechargeable.

They actually go up to almost 1.7V fresh IIRC.
Some products can't handle the extra voltage when fresh.

[HighVoltage]

German made "LED Lenser" are my absolute favorite small flashlight for many years already.

https://www.ledlenser.com/en/

[Jeroen3]

I just buy many of those single AA flashlights on aliexpress for $2.
A few years ago I made a topic to find some ideal light, I'm still searching.

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/the-quest-to-the-ideal-portable-work-light/msg1358019/#msg1358019

I did eventually work with these for a while. But eventually they do create a problem where the batteries are not long enough. (poor spring quality)

Meanwhile I bought some 18650's, maybe create my own or something. Not sure yet.

[Red Squirrel]

I found that an 18650 cell fits perfectly inside a 3/4" copper pipe.  I have yet to do it but I kind of want to make my own flash light with pipe.  It's very hard, if impossible to find a LED flashlight that takes 18650's and only has 1 mode. I just want on and off, that's it!  None of this annoying flashing stuff that I have to keep cycling through. 

[schmitt trigger]

For single AA or AAA lights, has anyone tried the Energizer Ultimate Lithium cells?  They are lithium iron disulfide, nominal 1.5V, non-rechargeable.  It looks like they cost about twice what alkalines cost, but are supposed to have low internal resistance, which doesn't increase as the cells discharge.  Also good in the very cold.

A few years ago, my son went to Egypt for a month, and took with him a real digital camera (not SLR, but prosumer), which ran on AA cells.

I advised him to purchase those batteries.

When he came back, he said that it had been an excellent recommendation, he was very happy.

[aargee]

I second the BLF A6s - uses one 18650 and puts out heaps of light down to moonlight.
I also have the BLF Q8 - which I nickname "possum killer" - 5000+ lumens.

[SilverSolder]

These are about $5, run a long time on a battery, are reliable.




They will have to be discontinued, for sure!

[Red Squirrel]

Actually it could be fun to mod one of those.  Make a lithium ion battery pack and change the bulb to the brightest LED you can find that will fit the bulb's foot print and you got yourself a pretty skookum flashlight.  Not exactly tactical or strong but it's a handy form factor for general use and would last a very long time.  Could even throw in a USB port to act as a battery bank. heck, Even a solar cell to trickle charge it (might take a few years but it will charge eventually).  I'm starting a kick starter!

[Mr.B]

I have had a LED Lenser K3 on my keyring for more than 10 years.
It is a bit beaten up, but works every time I need it.