Best flashlight?

[organic snowman]

Hi,

Not sure if this should have been in a different category....

Anyone have any recommendations on a best flashlight? I like the Pelicans, but they sink.

Need to be able to get it in Canada as well.

Thanks

[a64pilot]

I have a couple of the big aluminum ones, Maglights (D cell)held on the walls by clips.
However what I use most are the cheap plastic lanterns you pull open and or head lights, especially headlights as they leave the hands free, flashlights are there, but rarely used

[Diesel Bill]

We used to have the 2-D cell mag lights to use in the engine room on the tankers I sailed on. They were reliable but heavier than the previous plastic flashlights we had before.
After a few years we switched to the pelican lights with an on/off switch and the ones you turn on by turning the front lens barrel. Both types seemed to go through a lot of bulbs which are pricey as you buy the reflector with the bulb as a one piece unit. Nice thing was they were slim enough to carry in your back pocket while making a round.
On my boat I have a couple of large LED lanterns with the square 6 volt batteries and a couple of LED head lamps that put the light where you turn your head, easy to aim.
I bought a giant lantern with a 12 volt battery for emergencies but thankfully haven't needed it. Would be great to light up the bridge windows on a ship getting to close at night.

[svsputnik]

I bought this one from LeeValley (so ship to canada) : Chip-On-Board LED Floodlight - Lee Valley Tools

Really bright. I REALLY like the "floodlight" feature when working on the engine or the chain locker; it helps lighting the whole room instead of a spot (I thought it was gimmicky when I bought it but it's actually the best feature ever).

I haven't had the "opportunity" to test if it floats, but there's a rubber seal on the battery compartment so I'm guessing it's somewhat waterproof. And LED, so good battery life

[John Holbrook]

Amazon and look for a 4+ rating star by at least 100 customers.

Start here...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...A19OPHLYGZ3CXV

[dennismckim]

I like everything I have purchased from Fenix:
http://www.fenixlight.com
or
https://www.fenix-store.com

[Wotname]

I have (and very much like) the Maglite ML300L LED Torch Flashlight 625 Lumens.

Has several power settings and on full power, about a 400+ yard range and on super low power, 100+ hours run time. Uses 3 x D cells.

Dunno if it's the best, but it is pretty darn good.

[Privleoplag]

nitecore all the way:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzN_6P-V7K4

head lamps: either Nitecore or variations of the Princeton Tech with a red/blue/green option.

[ggray]

These lights are impressive. Long range, very narrow beam that doesn't reflect back off your bow/rig.

Marinebeam Ultra Long Range CREE RLT Illuminator

They sell seller ones that are impressive as well.

[barnakiel]

We have a huge LedLenser but it is crap quality. AVOID.

Id does deliver huge amt of light and has excellent reach.

b.

[Polux]

I have one of those:
https://olightworld.com/store/specia...seeker-le.html
4 times smaller than the previous one, 3 times more powerful (3200 lumens) and rechargeable.

It really makes a difference when you arrive at night on a crowded anchorage, full of buoys, to find a place or to identify the line of buoys that protect the beach and mark the anchorage exclusion zone.

[wingless]

Check out some of the flashlight forums. They have comparative analysis w/ measurements.


The Flashlight Forum

Candle Power Forums

[OrangeCrush]

I absolutely love this OxyLED dive light:

It's brighter than my large LED flood light, very compact and handy and totally submersible. It uses a Lithium battery I hadn't seen before (#18650) but it comes with its own charger. The battery life on a charge is impressive. The light isn't really built to last forever, but for $17 I would still call it a great value. I went on sailing on a friend's boat to Maine and he wouldn't let me take it with me when I got off since it was so wildly superior to any of his other flashlights. I donated it to him and I'll be buying another for myself soon.

[El Pinguino]

I bought one of these recently CREE XM-L T6 USB LED Zoomable 5000Lm 18650 Rechargeable Battery Flashlight Torch | eBay
Pretty good for the money... has the Cree LED.

There are some out there that are cheaper i.e. about $15 Australian but they are pretty crap... don't ask me how I know that......

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by OrangeCrush

I absolutely love this OxyLED dive light:



It's brighter than my large LED flood light, very compact and handy and totally submersible. It uses a Lithium battery I hadn't seen before (#18650) but it comes with its own charger. The battery life on a charge is impressive. The light isn't really built to last forever, but for $17 I would still call it a great value. I went on sailing on a friend's boat to Maine and he wouldn't let me take it with me when I got off since it was so wildly superior to any of his other flashlights. I donated it to him and I'll be buying another for myself soon.

18650's are extremely common, that is THE cell to use to build bigger packs like for scooters etc.
You can get them on Ebay, I have several dive lights that use them, the Panasonic 18650's in particular seem to be very high quality, much better than the blue Ultrafire ones