# Suggestions for a GOOD rechargable flashlight **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 19, 2013, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-good-rechargable-flashlight/653342 "2013-03-19T11:09:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![deltasigma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e5b9ba/32.png) [@deltasigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deltasigma)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2013, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-good-rechargable-flashlight/653342/21 "2013-03-20T01:05:57Z")
[This puts out 3800 lumens](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005VLZPVW/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1)and literally lights up the night but requires 3 18650 rechargable lithium batteries that you’ll need to get separately along with a special charger. You should be able to get everything for under $70-80 delivered. You can use it with just 2 of the batteries but you’ll need the extension tube (comes standard with the kit - or is supposed to, one of mine didn’t and had to send it back) if you want use 3 and get the full 3800 lumens. But if you do, it really is freaking amazing. I’ve used it in a brightly lit parking lot and had people staring at me like ‘wtf?’ edit: don’t know what the run time is but I know smaller models with CREE LEDs and these batteries that are high output tend to get hot if you run them continuously for say 5-10 minutes. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2013, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-good-rechargable-flashlight/653342/22 "2013-03-20T07:21:00Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > Alkaline batteries have a shelf life of 10 years. With LED flashlights that last 80 hours on a set of batteries I don’t see the wind up flashlight/radios to be worth the inconvenience. until they corrode and destroy the flashlight. Had to throw away a good maglight because of this and the batteries were only in there for a couple of years. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2013, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-good-rechargable-flashlight/653342/23 "2013-03-20T07:37:08Z")
I got a flashlight from Hong Kong that appears to be [this one](http://www.sears.com/weiita-cree-led-flashlight-500-lumens-zoom-adjustable/p-SPM6264815708?prdNo=6). Very pleased with it. Stays charged and is very bright. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2013, 9:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-good-rechargable-flashlight/653342/24 "2013-03-20T09:42:33Z")
I have one of [these](http://www.ebay.com/itm/SSC-P7-1000-Lumen-LED-Torch-Rechargeable-Flashlight-/320733370292?pt=US_Flashlights&hash=item4aad32d7b4). It’s not my brightest flashlight, but it’s brighter than any flashlight you currently own. Works very well, and no batteries to mess with. ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2013, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-good-rechargable-flashlight/653342/25 "2013-03-20T14:53:23Z")
> [@ducati](#): > > A blinding flash or strobing light is a thing of beauty when encountering animals of all kinds! I was impressed by the use of the strobe lighting torch in the movie Kick Ass. Is that really useful? I see Surefire doesn’t have that feature in their lineup. ---
**Author:** ![standingwave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@standingwave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/standingwave)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2013, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-good-rechargable-flashlight/653342/26 "2013-03-20T15:27:37Z")
> [@AaronX](#): > > I was impressed by the use of the strobe lighting torch in the movie Kick Ass. Is that really useful? I see Surefire doesn’t have that feature in their lineup. Did not see the movie but [Surefire](http://www.opticsplanet.com/surefire-az2-combatlight-dual-output-led-flashlight-w-strobe-150-lm.html) has surely jumped on the strobe bandwagon. The theory is that it interferes with the eye’s natural reaction to contract its pupils in the presence of a bright light. Supposedly one flash per second is optimal. I’m dubious about the claims but it’s an inexpensive option and with LED bulbs it shouldn’t cause the bulb to wear out any sooner. Another application is signaling. I have an emergency omni-directional flash that runs from a single _D_ cell that usually lives with my canoe gear. ---
**Author:** ![deltasigma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e5b9ba/32.png) [@deltasigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deltasigma)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2013, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-good-rechargable-flashlight/653342/27 "2013-03-20T17:02:24Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > I have one of [these](http://www.ebay.com/itm/SSC-P7-1000-Lumen-LED-Torch-Rechargeable-Flashlight-/320733370292?pt=US_Flashlights&hash=item4aad32d7b4). > > It’s not my brightest flashlight, but it’s brighter than any flashlight you currently own. Works very well, and no batteries to mess with. Just fyi, that uses a 16850 lithium battery, it’s just that the charging circuit seems to be tied in with the battery itself. I guess that’s more convenient that pulling the batteries out and charging them, but in my case, I have several flashlights that use those batteries so I prefer using the generic 16850’s with a charger. ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2013, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-good-rechargable-flashlight/653342/28 "2013-03-20T19:33:31Z")
> [@AaronX](#): > > I was impressed by the use of the strobe lighting torch in the movie Kick Ass. Is that really useful? I see Surefire doesn’t have that feature in their lineup. Shirley - you jest! Every light here strobes, and if you’ve not seen it in action, you’re in for a treat. I saw my first one maybe 3 years ago at [FRI](http://www.iafc.org/micrositeFRIconf/) here at the GA World Congress Center. It’s a display show for fire & rescue equipment. Standard convention hall, 40 foot ceiling, well light, wide open. The Surefire guy had me stand about 40 feet away, and strobed me with the M3LT. I almost went to my knees. The brightness is unbelievable, and the strobing is very disorienting. I now have strobing lights on several weapons, and my beside table. You don’t have to shoot anyone who’s crying on the floor covering their eyes! It’s a Good Thing[sup]TM[/sup] ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2013, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-good-rechargable-flashlight/653342/29 "2013-03-20T20:14:08Z")
I went with a Maglite Pro LED 2D , with a couple of Battery Junction 3 AA to D adapters, and put Sanyo Eneloop low self discharge rechargeables in there. It’s basically the same as that one that **Orionizer** linked to, only it can take regular old primary batteries, and has a MUCH better life using alkaline D cells (12 hrs vs. 6) The way I see it, I have an extremely flexible and adequately bright flashlight (274 lumens). I can use the rechargeables for everyday use, and know they’ll stay charged until I need them, and in a pinch, replace the rechargeables with either alkaline AA batteries, or D alkalines for the very longest run-time. Plus, the flashlight is the size and heft of a small club, so that might be useful as well. ---
**Author:** ![\_Olive](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/4af34b/32.png) [@\_Olive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_Olive)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2013, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-good-rechargable-flashlight/653342/30 "2013-03-20T21:30:33Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > until they corrode and destroy the flashlight. Had to throw away a good maglight because of this and the batteries were only in there for a couple of years. This is a problem with mag lights in Hawaii. They corrode. ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2013, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-good-rechargable-flashlight/653342/31 "2013-03-21T02:41:20Z")
> [@standingwave](#): > > Did not see the movie but [Surefire](http://www.opticsplanet.com/surefire-az2-combatlight-dual-output-led-flashlight-w-strobe-150-lm.html) has surely jumped on the strobe bandwagon. The theory is that it interferes with the eye’s natural reaction to contract its pupils in the presence of a bright light. Supposedly one flash per second is optimal. I’m dubious about the claims but it’s an inexpensive option and with LED bulbs it shouldn’t cause the bulb to wear out any sooner. Another application is signaling. I have an emergency omni-directional flash that runs from a single _D_ cell that usually lives with my canoe gear. You can see that scene here: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVMQSaGGJ5Q](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVMQSaGGJ5Q) the audio is out of sync, though. It flashes at much more than 1 Hz. > [@ducati](#): > > Shirley - you jest! > Every light here strobes, and if you’ve not seen it in action, you’re in for a treat. > > I saw my first one maybe 3 years ago at [FRI](http://www.iafc.org/micrositeFRIconf/) here at the GA World Congress Center. It’s a display show for fire & rescue equipment. Standard convention hall, 40 foot ceiling, well light, wide open. > > The Surefire guy had me stand about 40 feet away, and strobed me with the M3LT. > I almost went to my knees. The brightness is unbelievable, and the strobing is very disorienting. I now have strobing lights on several weapons, and my beside table. > > You don’t have to shoot anyone who’s crying on the floor covering their eyes! > > It’s a Good Thing[sup]TM[/sup] Ok, now I see the R1 has a strobe mode, but it’s not listed as a feature. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2013, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-good-rechargable-flashlight/653342/32 "2013-03-21T15:36:14Z")
> [@deltasigma](#): > > Just fyi, that uses a 16850 lithium battery, it’s just that the charging circuit seems to be tied in with the battery itself. I guess that’s more convenient that pulling the batteries out and charging them, but in my case, I have several flashlights that use those batteries so I prefer using the generic 16850’s with a charger. **Really**! It uses _batteries_? I was sure it was powered by a captured demon. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2013, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-good-rechargable-flashlight/653342/33 "2013-03-21T17:18:30Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > **Really**! > It uses _batteries_? > > I was sure it was powered by a captured demon. > > :smack: I original poster says (post #17) that she’d (?) prefer not tio have batteries, so this is a relevant comment. As I pointed out, hand-crank flashlights that use supercapacitors ij plaxce of batteries don’t have the problem of being unrechargeable when they’ve been left in a drawer for a year, so they’re the perfect emergency lights. And, despite what someone wrote above, supercapacitor flashlights are just as bright as those running off batteries. I love mine. ---
**Author:** ![deltasigma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e5b9ba/32.png) [@deltasigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deltasigma)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2013, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-good-rechargable-flashlight/653342/34 "2013-03-21T18:11:41Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > **Really**! > It uses _batteries_? > > I was sure it was powered by a captured demon. > > :smack: The point I thought was obvious. The specific battery is a 16850 - the same as in the flashlight I had mentioned and which you will commonly see in lights that have high discharge CREE LED chips. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2013, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-good-rechargable-flashlight/653342/35 "2013-03-21T19:34:58Z")
isn’t that 18650? ---
**Author:** ![deltasigma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e5b9ba/32.png) [@deltasigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deltasigma)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2013, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-good-rechargable-flashlight/653342/36 "2013-03-21T19:38:32Z")
> [@johnpost](#): > > isn’t that 18650? Probably. I’m ever so slightly dyslexic. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2013, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-good-rechargable-flashlight/653342/37 "2013-03-28T18:07:12Z")
> [@ducati](#): > > A lot of people don’t think about flashlights much until the power goes out, but a good flashlight on you always is a great idea, and can even be a lifesaver. > > Like any other product, there’s good and bad. You should never skimp on condoms, tires, shoes, flashlights, and more. A good light will last many years, and be more help than you can imagine. > > As you can tell, I’m a [flashlight](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v677/ural/misc/Picture30451.jpg)guy, and I can tell you quality is the most important element in choosing a light. Batteries come second, but we can help there as well. > > As Beowulff mentioned, there are 2 ways to go. Currently (hah!) the best unit-charging light is the Surefire [R-1](http://www.surefire.com/illumination/flashlights/r1-lawman.html). It can use regular CR-123s like all Surefire lights, or the rechargeable Li-ion pack. > > It’s a little over $300 retail right now, but when you [shine one outside](http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?338365-SureFire-R1-Lawman-pics-and-beamshots), you’ll see the value. > > My bedside bump-in-night light is an M-3 at 225 lumens. It will blind any intruder. The R-1 is 3 times brighter. > > Too much? That’s OK. It’s more of a duty light than most. Have a look at the [rest of the family](http://www.surefire.com/illumination/flashlights.html?clear=1), and choose what’s right for your needs, knowing that CR-123’s are available as rechargeables, so any on this page will take them. > > And, with a lifetime warranty, it’s an investment you’ll never regret. > > Also, take some time to look at some stories they have collected. Hopefully everyone will think outside the box a bit. Flashlights aren’t just for finding the breaker panel, or camping. > > No I don’t own Surefire, but I wish I did! > > Now in fairness to the second place guys, [Streamlight](http://www.streamlight.com/en-us/product/class.html?cid=2)makes several rechargeables, but you can’t get one as bright as Surefire makes. You may not need to search the woods or blind an attacker until you do, then what? > > A blinding flash or strobing light is a thing of beauty when encountering animals of all kinds! > > As with anything, there’s a group of experts discussing the pros and cons of lights night and day over at [Candlepower Forums](http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/content.php). Good place for research. You say 225 lumens is enough to blind any intruder. Is lumens the primary measure of brightness? I see 4,000-lumen Trustfire lights for sale in Amazon links I jumped to from other links in this thread. Would a 4,000-lumen Turstfire be brighter than a 750-lumen Surefire, or is there technical distinction I’m missing (like volts/amps in electricity, where a high voltage rating does not necessarily mean a big shock)? Would it be 5 times brighter? Those Trustfires are shipped from China, is that some sort of pirate brand ripoff? The prices look good. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2013, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-good-rechargable-flashlight/653342/38 "2013-03-28T18:14:05Z")
(edit period expired) And [here’s](http://www.amazon.com/Ultrafire-Super-Bright-11000Lm-Flashlight/dp/B0098I9TPM/ref=pd_rhf_cr_s_cp_4_SGFA) a suspiciously-similarly-named brand that claims 11,000 lumens. For cheap. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2013, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-good-rechargable-flashlight/653342/39 "2013-03-28T18:16:42Z")
You might want to see whether they’re self-rated at 4000 lumens, or if that’s actual ANSI FL-1 standard lumens. Also, peak beam intensity is important - it’s the intensity of the projected beam that doesn’t vary with distance. Some lights can be high in lumens and have less peak beam intensity and range than lights with lower lumen ratings- that Maglite Pro LED 2D I have is in that ballpark- about 135 lumens more than the Maglite LED 2D, but slightly less peak beam intensity and about 22 meters less range. I have 50% more run time though. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2013, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-good-rechargable-flashlight/653342/40 "2013-03-28T18:41:07Z")
The lumen ratings of all flashlights need to be taken with a boulder-sized grain of salt. Either go to Candlepower forums and try to see if someone has profiled the particular flashlight, or buy it yourself and try it. I’ve had pretty good luck with some of the generic China-made knockoffs, but the lumen ratings are always way, way optimistic… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-good-rechargable-flashlight/653342.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-good-rechargable-flashlight/653342.md?page=3)