Super cheap flashlights

[rlboyce]

(http://bestofferbuy.com/NF-06-1W-80-Lumen-LED-Flashlight-with-Strap-(3*AAA)-p-53099.html?currency=USD&utm_source=gbase&utm_medium=cse&utm_campaign=gbase)

I came across this 80 lumen flashlight for $3.60 including shipping, and it got me thinking... is there anything else that puts out this much light or more for the same price or less? I understand that comparing the quality of this to Zebralight would be like comparing a Pinto to a Corvette, but at $3.60 it seems worth trying. Heck, at that price you could have some fun by ripping out the components and making something better.

The website is kind of nice too, because in the product pictures it shows the light pattern for all the flashlights.

[Marduke]

That's a Super CRAPPY light. If you take that into a cave, you deserve any Darwin Award you receive.

I would put that light firmly in the "spelunker light" category.

And yes, there are lights which offer better lumens/dollar (remembering that light is no where close to the 80 lumens advertised).

[rlboyce]

That's a Super CRAPPY light.

LOL, indeed it is! If I could've thought of something worse than a Pinto, I would have used that for comparison instead.

I don't know if taking this into a cave as a backup to the backup of the backup to the backup puts you on par with a Homo habilis or the nefarious spelunker that we all fear being classified as, but using it as your primary light source certainly would classify you as such.

Again, I'm just commenting on the surpising luminous flux for the money, and wondering just how well those supposed 80 lumens would light up a passage.

Could you give some specific examples of the lights with a superior lumen to dollar ratio? I'm sure they would be equally craptastic, but I'm not above wasting $4 if it's small enough to fit in a side pouch or has decent enough components to maybe experiment and make something better. Thanks!

[Marduke]

You would be lucky to get 30 lumens out of that, with 80 being purely imaginary. 3xAAA direct drive for a power LED is also the worst possibly power source next to coin/button cells.

You can go to Deal Extreme and for $10-15 get a 1xAA light power by a "real" emitter (Cree XR-E or better) that might even reach tripple digits for brightness. The Ultrafire C3, Akoray K-106, Saik SA-105, or Romisen RC-G2 would all be MUCH MUCH better choices.

[rlboyce]

That's exactly the type of recommendation I was looking for. Thanks!

[Mark620]

I would have to agree BUT it looks no different than some of the offerings from Energizer that I have seen.

That's a Super CRAPPY light. If you take that into a cave, you deserve any Darwin Award you receive.

I would put that light firmly in the "spelunker light" category..

[rlboyce]

Whoa there! You better be careful, I know there are some die-hard energizer fans on here who might resent that!

[Marduke]

I would have to agree BUT it looks no different than some of the offerings from Energizer that I have seen.

Trust me, it's MUCH worse...