The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest Need a BRIGHT flashlight?

I'm sure that most of us carry the lil 9-LED flash light that HF gives away every few months in our glove box or tool box.
> HF flashlight

But sometimes you need a flame thrower to see those dark recesses of the engine compartment even in the sunlight. Or to illuminate a distant object at night.

I found two flash lights at Home Depot that fill the bill. Each projects a bright white beam over 1,000 feet and cost less than $30. Lifetime warrenty. I have each and recommend both.

> Defiant LED Tactical Super Thrower Flashlight
This 500 lumin flashlight throws a concentrated beam almost 1,500 ft. The push button on-off switch is easy to reach. I like this light. I gave it to my wife. It's a deal at $22.97.
Model # 809-2791-D
Store SKU # 639226
Distance (ft.) 1459
Lumens 493
$22.97

> Defiant ArmorMax 3D Tactical Flashlight
This light seems indistructable. It has a 20% brighter light at 600 lumins. The center beam spreads out a little more to illuminate a wider area, but that reduces the distance. The pkg says 420 meters (1,375 feet); the specs say 1,050 ft. To me, it looks like it projects an effective beam near the distance of the other flashlight. Water proof. The 3-setting push button switch on the butt of the light is HIGH, LOW, STROBE. The low power position is brighter than most flashlights and doubles the battery life to 12hours. The butt location is not as handy as the first light.
Model # 809-3731-D
Store SKU # 852955
Distance 1050 ft.
Lumens 600
$29.97

> Comparison

- Lonnie

Battery Junction
They've got some seriously good stuff. I'm using an Olight that I carry and use every day at work. It's on it's fourth year and still going strong.

New LED flash lights are very cool--tons of light and great battery life.

I have a Coast that I got at Home Depot that is really small, easy to carry, good quality and sturdy, but I expect prices to go down and performance to go up on these things...I will check these new ones next time I go to my local store.

I haven't worn out my two big Mag lites....or the little one yet but I'll keep yall's advice in mind.
Say, do you have a "head light". Man, I use that little cheap thing all the time when I don't have enough hands!

I have head lights but I don't use them. I'm still using my 5 cell Mag rechargeable. If I need more than that, I crank up a wobble mercury vapor light.

Those Defiants seem to be a good deal. Nite-Eyes sells a haed strap that has an elastic loop you can slide most small handhelds into so you may work hands free.
I run a small dog sled team in the winter, mostly on snowmobile trails, so I want to see...AND BE seen. I use a 900 lumen headlamp and people think I'm a snowmobile coming down the trail! I also have an 18 LED tail light I wear on a wide belt around my waist, should anyone come up from behind. DealsExtreme.com out of Hong Kong has tons of smokin' prices on every kind of LED light you can imagine and shipping is always free with no minimum order. Coming from Hong Kong it's a slow boat, however. Usually 7-10 days.

All this new LED stuff is amazing!

Agreed. Flashlight technology didn't change much for at least 50 years but in the last ten years they've become simply amazing. Imagine what we'll be carrying for lights in another ten years.

I need a "headlight " for my welding hood if I am under a truck welding. Trying to hold a drop light and a MIG torch steady in the other hand--I am just no good at it.