# I need to score a couple dozen (ideally, red) flashlights, cheep. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 14, 2006, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-score-a-couple-dozen-ideally-red-flashlights-cheep/372756 "2006-09-14T21:25:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2006, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-score-a-couple-dozen-ideally-red-flashlights-cheep/372756/1 "2006-09-14T21:25:02Z")
Anybody know where I can order about 24 cheap flashlights? I’m hoping to pay about $2 each, but I’ll pay more if they’re red LED or have a red lens. (Saves me an evening of cutting circles of red acetate and unscrewing lenses.) Big, bulky, and cheap-looking is actually a plus—this is for a classroom set, and the bigger and cheesier they are, they less likely they are to walk away. I’m finding scads of cute, inexpensive little pocket-or-purse models, but think the attrition rate would be apalling. Thanks in advance to anyone who can suggest a cheap source! ---
**Author:** ![CC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2006, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-score-a-couple-dozen-ideally-red-flashlights-cheep/372756/2 "2006-09-14T21:46:47Z")
Try Dollar Stores. I used to go there for similar science activities. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2006, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-score-a-couple-dozen-ideally-red-flashlights-cheep/372756/3 "2006-09-14T22:13:18Z")
I was going to suggest those little keychain LED lights (try ebay - they can be bought in bulk) - they’re available in red and they’re really nice and bright, but they’re not big. The pocketable size could easily be overcome by attaching the keyring part to something big and bulky, like hotels do to stop you accidentally walking off with the room key. (one hotel I stayed at had the keys attached to eyelets that were screwed into cricket balls. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2006, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-score-a-couple-dozen-ideally-red-flashlights-cheep/372756/4 "2006-09-14T22:49:00Z")
Try [Oriental Trading](http://www.orientaltrading.com/)- I buy tons of my cheap little goodies through them. They are reliable and fast, as well as very inexpensive. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2006, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-score-a-couple-dozen-ideally-red-flashlights-cheep/372756/5 "2006-09-14T22:50:17Z")
I just put “flashlight” in their search box and got 60 products. YOu should be able to find exactly what you need! ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2006, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-score-a-couple-dozen-ideally-red-flashlights-cheep/372756/6 "2006-09-15T03:16:49Z")
Try [here](http://www.sciplus.com/index.cfm) ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2006, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-score-a-couple-dozen-ideally-red-flashlights-cheep/372756/7 "2006-09-15T03:17:49Z")
Those are all teeny novelty flashlights, lifespan in the average classroom about 5 minutes before they disappear into pockets and purses. She needs regular-size flashlights, but cheap. All the red LED lights on Froogle that I’m turning up are those mini keychain lights, also with short lifespans. Why don’t you make “cutting out red acetate circles and unscrewing lenses” part of class time? No reason they should expect Teach to hand them their project on a silver salver. It builds character, to have to getcher own materials ready. Then you can go to [Discount Office Supplies](http://www.discountofficesupplies.com/ce/shop/ui?ovchn=FRO&ovcpn=EVE3251ND&ovcrn=EVE3251ND&ovtac=CMP), search for “Economy Home Use Flashlight”, and get regular 2-D cell flashlights for $1.21 each. Just a ho-hum “Mom keeps one on top of the fridge” type of flashlight, probably isn’t going to incite anyone to fall in love with it and take it home. Dollar Store flashlights would be good, too, but probably not real sturdy. At least with the Eveready Ho-Hum you know it’ll last longer than the first class period. ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2006, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-score-a-couple-dozen-ideally-red-flashlights-cheep/372756/8 "2006-09-15T03:20:01Z")
I mean the Oriental Trading ones are all teeny novelty flashlights. ---
**Author:** ![Otanx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Otanx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otanx)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2006, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-score-a-couple-dozen-ideally-red-flashlights-cheep/372756/9 "2006-09-15T11:59:51Z")
Haven’t had to buy one in a while, but try military surplus stores for flashlights. Shouldn’t have to pay much at all for them, and they will come with clear, red, and blue lenses. Run on 2 D batteries. Big ugly things, nobody would want to steal them. -Otanx ---
**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2006, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-score-a-couple-dozen-ideally-red-flashlights-cheep/372756/10 "2006-09-15T13:27:22Z")
Thanks for the suggestion everyone. **picnurse** , Surpie was, of course, my first thought. 🙂 Again, they have lots of tiny ones, and really good deals on nice LEDs, but those are $5-10, so nothing that quite fits the bill. [QUOTE=DDG] Why don’t you make “cutting out red acetate circles and unscrewing lenses” part of class time? No reason they should expect Teach to hand them their project on a silver salver. It builds character, to have to getcher own materials ready. [/quote] After I posted, it occurred to me that this could be a job for my undergrad teaching assistant. I don’t work her hard enough, and she always needs more hours. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2006, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-score-a-couple-dozen-ideally-red-flashlights-cheep/372756/11 "2006-09-15T14:43:16Z")
Ebay? Like item #130025293233 “10 pcs of 14-LED Super Bright Rugged Waterproof Compact Flashlight” Or 140027458952 “Lot of 14 Pcs Assorted Colour Flashlights - Rite Police” Search= “flashlight lot” ---
**Author:** ![jharvey963](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/54ee81/32.png) [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2006, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-score-a-couple-dozen-ideally-red-flashlights-cheep/372756/12 "2006-09-15T17:30:48Z")
Try Telescope supply stores, such as Orion Telescopes. They are called “Astronomer’s Flashlights” there, for use in outdoor (night) viewing parties. The red light doesn’t ruin your night vision. J.