* I've always had trouble getting and keeping a dependable flashlight, ever since my Official Boy Scout Flashlight failed me on my first campout (as a tenderfoot scout) in 1961? After that, I think my longest-lasting one was a 6v Eveready floating lantern, that worked for a year, before it floated off.... I would try to keep one in my work tools, my home tools, the house, and in each of the the cars/trucks (like fire extinguishers, they're indispensable), but until I started using LEDs, and alkaline (now maybe lithium?) batteries, they'd quit working before I next needed to use one. And still, until just recently, I could never find & keep a working group of flashlights around.
* I've bought flashlights at Harbor Freight by the dozen (none of which lasted very long), and many at Northern Tool (of which only two of the last six worked after a year, they're in toolbags now), some specialty automotive penlights (mirrored, or with magnetic retrieval tools attached) from tooltrucks, and a wide assortment of ever-increasing-cost hunting/camping lights from Academy (of which only a S&W mid-range priced light still works, in another toolbag). So, I quit trying to find an all-purpose very bright light, and started buying "handy" lights instead.
* My first camping light (for the start of my TTT camping), bought just for that purpose, was a no-battery, hand-cranked, Eton model, for under $10...it still works today, and is kept with my emergency items. My second camping-only light was the cheap Ozark Trail Cree headlamp (to replace a broken one of my wife's), which I now normally leave at home when camping, so the wife can do the "snake patrol" to protect our herd of dogs at night. It's been a good light for several years. Next, I found a Black Friday special light trio, at Home Depot, that I've grown to appreciate for almost 3 years now. They're Husky brand, and are quite similar to a Coast set that I also liked, but went missing, a few years back. I attached one to my home defense gun, and gave one to the wife, and the third is used daily, year-round, at home and at camp. Very dependable.
* Lastly, I decided to always carry one or two small lights as EDC pocket gear, so I found a single AAA cell miniature, that I clip to my vest pocket when away from home (I've started wearing a vest for the added pockets I need!). Only 120 lumens, but having a concentrated beam of light available for a couple of hours, can come in handy. My second EDC light has three switchable settings up to 252 lumens, and uses a single AA battery. It's always clipped to a beltloop, where it's at hand at all times. It's always there wherever I need it, instantly (which is never a planned-for-use). it's now my favorite of all time. Sure, there are lights out there I want to try, but I've found and kept a good combination of lights for a few years now that work, so why spend more money than needed?
- after years of trying to find a few good lights, these cheap ones were the best
- EDC and daily usage flashlights.jpg (272.84 KiB) Viewed 3284 times
There are some good deals to be had too … 
by GPW » Thu Jul 11, 2019 5:14 am 
