Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Cheap flashlights

I bought those cheap 300 lumens flashlights and just put them everywhere, workshop, glove compartment, backpacks. I bet I have bought 20 of them and in 3 years only one has failed - and it works if I screw the cap on just right. Since they only take 1 AA battery and it lasts a long time, they are a great bargain.

Gave one to my Mom and then she bought them for everyone she knew.

Streamlight ProTac HL 3 - 1,100 Lumen

That's exactly my point. A $40 light doesn't help if it's at home and you aren't. These cheap ones last a long time and at that price, you can have one anywhere you might possibly need one.

Back to the batteries...who makes Costco's Kirklands? I've used quite a few of them and have no corrosion problems at all.

Walmart has $1 cap lights and Headband lights that work great for the cost.

Do you have a link for that? I couln't find a cap light for less than $6 and it had cheap plastic clips that are sure to break in cold weather.

Smart...

Menards gives birthday gifts. I think a light is around here somewhere, it works.

Lol, quit using Duracell batteries.

If you look about on the web you will find It's not uncommon, Duracell has a problem.

l usually pick up a whole bunch of batteries every year or so. When I head out to go hunting or fishing or whatever I will change out to fresh batteries... and toss the used ones in a tupperware. Then sometime during the winter when I'm bored I will voltage check all of the batteries in the Tupperware. Anything below 1.58 I toss.

Anything above 1.63 I put back in the new pile.

Anything in between goes in TV remotes or whatever the kids might need batteries for.

I use new lithium batteries in my battery powered beard trimmer. They start out about 1.7 volts and the motor runs extra fast so I pull out less hair and therefore curse far less.

My speculation is that 100% of all alkaline batteries are made in China or some other third world s*******. I also speculate batteries cost about a dime apiece to make.

IMHO all batteries are virtually the same.

Surprisingly, Harbor Freight batteries have a slightly higher initial voltage.

The problem is if a Harbor Freight battery blows up in your $50 flashlight you are SOL, but if a Duracell battery blows up... Duracell will send you a voucher and free batteries.

So basically the only thing you're paying for with Duracell or Energizer is good will and a modicum of assurance to guarantee.

LED Lenser TT model flashlight. Less than 30 bucks (closer to 25). Compact and bright. I have 3 and will be getting more. One of them is 3 years old and still works flawlessly.

Something has changed at Duracell. I always bought them because they never leaked, but now they do. I’m not risking an expensive game cam, flashlight or radio leaving them in for very long. Walmart has $1.00 little plastic ones that take three AAA batteries that are included.

Guess what country has the world's lithium supply locked up.

For situations where I do not use a flash light immediately, I carry the batteries in a separate container. Seems I always forget to change out the batteries.

Me too. At least I used to be. But now finding myself wanting to upgrade again. A bright lightweight reliable torch like that sounds ideal for backpacking and self defense. There's big ones that are good impact weapons too, but it's better to have a little bright one in hand than a big one back at the car.
I might get one.

LIke I said in the OP, these won't replace your primary light. They're to have a light anywhere you're likely to be if you need it. If nothing else, have you ever tried to change batteries or a bulb in the dark on a mountain side with cold wet hands without having a small extra light to see what you're doing?

I've never had to change a bulb. That would be a challenge. Today's leds are fortunately more forgiving to drops. Caves are a fun place to change batteries.

Nothing against your new set. I'm with you there.
I got sidetracked on the primary.
They're both essential and have their roles.
I've got a handful of tiny Big lots specials that should be replaced with the kootek if I get around to finding a debit card that doesn't require SS # or bank account.

I hear you...

I read an article about a year ago about some new age battery to replace lithium-ion. Apparently it was some type of salt water battery. High technology but low resource acquisition.

Mostly I was chasing it as a stock investment and did not pursue it much more beyond that.

Nothing would make me happier then to see China suck hind tit acquiring lithium-ion and then watching all of that effort become obsolete with something as basic as a saltwater battery.

China is a huge enemy to America and very few people even know it.

MAGA 2020

KAG 2020

DJT Junior 2024-2028

Um, that's the purpose of a debit card - to make access to your bank account easier. It's like carrying a plastic check book. If you don't have a bank account, where would the money come from?