Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire LED flashlights - if you have a good one for the woods share

I used to buy a lot of the cheap 3 packs at Costco that use 3 AAA's each and are about 200 lumen. Seems like they always shut off right when I need them and I have to shake them to get them going again. I've tried some of the AA and AAA mini mag LEDs and they are pretty good until a battery swells in one. There is no way to get them out. I'll watch this thread because I'm still searching for the right little light.

I did get a nice 2 pack of headlamps from Costco the other day. I don't recall the brand but they have one bright main led with an adjustable beam and 2 little red ones. They work great and aren't too bulky. $25 for 2

Bb

Surefire L4 digital. Great flashlight.

Agree, I just picked one up....I also picked up a Bushnell Headlight 300 lumens!!!! This thing is bright and rechargeable....

I buy flashlights all the time for the car, my friends, and my wife hoards them for some reason. They generally get black friday specials from Lowes or Home Depot. I get AA or D cells. I don't buy the dollar ones, they generally have multiple inefficient "seconds" LEDs that chew up batteries.
For hunting I have 3 Fenix that I use. A LD01, now made as LD02, single AAA battery that weighs nothing and it clips to my hat. Only runs a few hours, but I always have it on me because it is so light weight.
Next light is a Fenix LD10, now a LD12. Single AA battery, and probably weighs 3X the LD01. Heavy to clip on a hat, but the battery lasts 2-3X longer than the AAA.
Fenix LD20, now a LD22, 2 AA batteries so it last a lot longer. Still compact, but I generally don't need the weight.
I don't like C cells, or those 3 volt batteries, or flash lights that take a tone of AAA or AA.

I used to pref. Surefire but I got tired of buying the special batteries, and the LED's are so bright I don't think I need CR123 battery lights anymore.

I have used the cheap ozarks from wally world and energizers headlamps for a long time and they always quit when I need them. Once a year I was replacing an el-cheapo $20 headlamp. I picked up a Petzl on a recommendation of a friend. I will never buy another cheap headlamp the petzel is way brighter though there we some simialr lumen ratings.

So I am a Petzl guy now. If you want something good for out in the woods skip the cheap headlamps and get something more reliable.

This is the most useful flashlight I have ever owned, Streamlight Protec 1L it stays in my front pocket. Its small enough for the pocket and bright enough to do get the job done and with a low setting to save battery when the hi setting is not needed.

Love my Maglite

Thank you.

For about any application I've found that 2 of the Cyclops clip ons (to the bill of a cap), together, about covers it all from tracking to in and out of the woods. Also works well in a boat coming back to the camp after dark. ~ 14$ for the pair. Each has 2 batteries and 4 bright led's. Hands free and always on point.

TTT

More than happy with the Maglites. Focusing potential is a big plus.