Do you have a favorite LED flashlight you love to use? We’re itching to try something new and are open to recommendations.
We have also put together a list of our top 10 LED flashlights, mostly because we wanted to share the recommendations, but also because we need to test a new page layout we’ve been working on.
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So please chime in with your flashlight recommendations, most wished-for models, and if you’re up to it, feedback about the new page layout.
Check it out: ToolGuyd’s top 10 favorite LED flashlights.
Our top picks are $20 and up, but there are a couple of excellent cheaper flashlights as well.
Bill C
I rely on several different flashlights. My favorite for around the house and in the car is the Pelican StealthLite 2410 LED with Photoluminescent Shroud. Very bright (126 lumens), great battery life, and the PL shroud makes this a great flashlight to have when the power goes out.
I also have a Surefire U2 Ultra, which is a very, very expensive flashlight. It’s not quite as bright as the Pelican but the throw is better and the brightness is adjustable (2 lumens to 100 lumens). I’m sure most people don’t have a need for adjustability but I do and this light works well for that. It’s also smaller than the Pelican and fits in my front pocket when I’m using it.
My daily carry light is an ARC-AAA Premium, a small 10.5 lumens light that lives in the coin pocket of my jeans (next to my Leatherman Squirt S4 and a thumbdrive).
Sebastian
I own a Pelican 7060 rechargeable flashlight. I use it everyday at work. It is very bright and durable. i still have my original batteries and I’ve been using the flashlight for about 3 years now with no problems. It’s a great flashlight and I would recommend it to anybody.
Joe
I like Maglite XL200 http://robonza.blogspot.com/2012/02/review-maglite-xl200-led-flashlight.html
One main reason is that it uses AAAs not a hard to find battery.
Cheers,
-Joe
rob
Nebo Redline:
http://www.amazon.com/Nebo-Redline-Tactical-Flashlight-5581/dp/B0049M8I22/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345733727&sr=8-1&keywords=redline+flashlight
All the features of the Elzetta above (might not be waterproof) at a budget price.
Stuart
Yes, but there have been reported cases of dimming issues.
My own has not dimmed yet but I also don’t use it much. It was a great value, though, but cannot hold its own against lights by Elzetta, Surefire, 4Sevens, Streamlight, and even similarly priced Maglites.
Nebo claimed it was waterproof and when I asked them about whether it was IP-rated they quietly changed the product description to say weather-proof and then water-resistant. Still, resistant is better than nothing.
Brandon
Inova T4/T4R I have been using this light for about 5 years and I really like it. It produces about 300 lumens and has a high, medium, and low setting. I use it everyday and have only had one problem with the original T4 that I purchased. I sent it back to Inova and they promptly replaced it with a new light. They are now producing a lithium rechargeable light (the T3R) that can be recharged with a usb cable that I would really like to try. It would be nice to no longer have the need to carry a extra battery.
Bill Tuttle
Mine is my 4Sevens Quark AA2 Tactical. Multiple brightness levels available, with easy switching between two modes. And when it runs down, I just grab two AAs out of the charger.
Christian
My favorite is the Streamlight Strion LED. Its light weight, less than 6 inches and can be fit on a belt holster or a pant pocket comfortably. It has 3 brightness settings up to 160 lumens. I love the rechargeable batteries, and the solid warranty, a must have. I also have Streamlight LED Stinger but the Strion has it beat. Others like the Nebo are great for light use but if your really working with a torch, try out a Strion, it won’t disappoint.
Brandon
I really wanted to try one of the newer Strions. I had the first generation and the switch was terrible. I was planning on sending it back to Streamlight and test out their warranty, but it ended up getting stolen before I had the chance.
rob
I have the Nebo Redline, can’t say it’s my favorite. But I will say it’s always near me if there is any issues with power or a posability that we may lose power. I was in my local tire store (Les Schwab) and they were selling the Nebo there. The manager said they hadn’t sold a lot yet but figured as the fall/winter sets in and it’s dark earlier and people are getting their chains for the snow sales shold increase.
Theron
Easy. Fenix L2D – Used for commercial construction on my belt for the last five years every day. It has a lot of scars, but it still works flawlessly and it’s ridiculously bright.
Ken
I often have to peer into dark broadcast equipment racks to verify cable connections and cable numbers. Over the years I have tried many lights: ARC AA, ARC AAA, Inova X1, Maglite AA with Terra Lux module, and Maglite LED AA.
I have found the Streamlight Microstream 1AAA to be the best fit for me.
I can carry it in my pocket easily, it’s bright enough for my needs, and it has a pushbutton switch.
Ken
Mitch (route246)
Fenix TK12 (I think PD32 has replaced it). Once I figured out I could get 18650 Li-Ion batteries (US$4.55/2 shipped from HK) or a pair with charger for about US$10 from Amazon I was a convert. I’ve bought those cheap Chinese 200+ lumen ones for US$10-US$15 but they don’t focus well and the color is very blue. I don’t mind the cheap Chinese 18650 battery bad reviews. They seem to work fine for me. But these 18650 (think laptop battery pack form factor except in single quantities) batteries are fantastic.
The only problem I’ve had with the Fenix is the thin material of the belt pouch. It’s wearing through. I need to go to the local police supply and see if they have a replacement. Other than that, Fenix is pretty high quality and very good performing.
Mitch (route246)
Went to the local police supply store and looked for a replacement belt pouch. Nada. I would think the cops would want something like this but I guess I’m wrong. Once this pouch wears out I have no idea what to do.
Aaron
Fenix E01 on my keychain – single AAA
Stuart
Fantastic choice! The beam on my wife’s gold version seems a bit purplish, but nice construction and great runtime.
Mike
I just bought my wife a Fenix E01 for xmas she loves it,I like my Streamlight microstream and stylus pros.
thinking a Preon or Klarus next.
Brendan Lee
I pouch carry a Surefire 6P LED Defender, and an E1B backup light rides in my jeans coin pocket.
Surefire lights are dependable and its no surprise that the military uses them. Their reputation and customer service are impeccable.
I know my lights work each and everytime I’m going to need them.
Two is one & one is none…
Justin Tienter
I have a Fenix pd22. It is the perfect balance in the high performance flashlight field and the very best for Every Day Civilian Carry. The Fenix PD22 is 75$ but goes for 50$ on Amazon, with its pocket clip so it is extremely comfortable to carry, usually in the oposite pocket as my knife. Has 190 Lumens of power with High Med Low beam, plus SOS and Strobe settings. I owned a Surefire E1b backup, after the surefire went missing, I did not want to spend 160$ again. For 50$ it’s just as durable and waterproof as the surefire way brighter has a thinner diameter body and doesn’t burn through 123A batteries any faster than the surefire and on low setting the batteries last forever. If you will use the light a lot I would go with the LD12 it’s little longer has only 115 instead of 190 lumens but for the length and power sacrifice you can save a lot on Batteries it uses 1 AA Battery instead of the 2.50$ a piece CR123A Battery like the PD22.