I know there is a $50 or less thread out there already but I wanted to start something for those that can't go that high.

Also because I'm looking for the best flashlight for someone in the $20 or less range that is the brightest out there.

Thanks in advance.

I was thinking of buying from Deal Extreme because of the free S/H and also thier site seems to have better user comments then KD which seems like it does not have many comments/feedback on the items on ther website.

AA or AAA batteries preferred.

This one gets under the wire by 55 cents. AA or CR123. It's a great deal!

Romisen RC-N3

UltraFire WF-606A Cree Q5-WC 230-Lumen LED Flashlight with Extension Tube (1*CR2/2*AA)

https://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.14909

Superb...

Plus $2.75 for shipping, still a good deal.

I just thought I would throw that in since I haven't posted for a while and don't want to lose my member status.

The advantage the Romisen has is that you won't wait two, three, or gawd-knows how many weeks to get it (at least on this side of the pond)! The practical side of me knows that having one of these on my bars and one on my helmet is all I really need for my situation (short commute--need more to be seen than to see). I just like the "WOW" factor of having a P7.

if you already have a P7 and want to supplement it with a light helmet light, then I'd recommend the Trustfire TR-801 which also uses a Q5-WC, but shares the same 18650 battery as the majority of P7 lights.

If your location "North of the 49th" means you are in Canada, you might look at the Noma High Output Cree Flashlight at Canadian Tire stores -- see it at www.canadiantire.ca, Product #65-2069-2. It is a little over the $25 mark at $29.99 Cdn but without US exchange and shipping the cost compares favorably with a $25 US flashlight.

I have two and find them very serviceable.

Well if the P7 lights came in AA/AAA versions and in the price range I would get one. I don't have a P7 yet but would like to get one later when the prices drop or when I have the funds for it.

For me right now a light under $25 is best but also looking to help others looking for a cheaper light if they can't afford the P7's and the whole charger setups.

Yah I'm in Canada. Toronto. I'm going to have to see that light in person as the price is high. Yes the good thing is I can get the light pretty much same day but if I can get a brighter light for cheaper with a trade off of a longer shipping time (I've ordered from DX before and I know it's ~2 weeks normally).

Also if the light is moddable it is a bonus in the future but really this light is for my dad as he needs it for work. If I get to borrow it later then I'd probably use it as a backup bike light as I've built my own DIY 4 x LED + 2 LED helmet light for ~900lm lighting.

I would love a light in the 200lm range or higher but I'm not sure if 2xAA can produce 230lm. I think with the CR cell it may get to the 230lm range.

+1 - I bought one of these as my first "real" light (it replaced a mini-maglite incandescent). Very bright compared to any bike-specific lights I've seen, though I'm still waiting to buy a P7.

Even though it is not over 200lm, i bought this one and it does a good job https://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ct_id=10196613

There is also this one, but I don't know how good it is https://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.10727

I have purchased two different 'Coast' brand lights at Lowes and think both are great.

One is carried daily as a work light and the other is kept in the car.

https://www.coastportland.com/display...d=29&mastCat=5


Their web page does seem to give different outputs from what are listed on the packaging in the store, but I like the fact that you do have a lumen output listed and that you can actually test them in the store.

The same lights are available at places like 'Sportsmans Warehouse', but usually run about twenty dollars more.

I haven't found anything I like more but your application may be different from mine.

Good luck.

Don't, automatically, rule out the Lowes Taskforce, with the Cree Emitter (60 X Brighter.)

Even though it is a "C" cell flashlight, it is nicely sized, and throws awesome light a long way. $25 when they put them on sale, with a lifetime warrantee.

If you tie your purchase to your phone number, your warrantee is permanently registered with no need for receipts. This is done at the register, during checkout.

[QUOTE=Wanderer;8244146]
Even though it is a "C" cell flashlight, it is nicely sized, and throws awesome light a long way. $25 when they put them on sale, with a lifetime warrantee.

QUOTE]

+1

I was at Lowes today and these light have a yellow POS sticker indicating a new, everyday price under $25. If they would have been in stock, I probably would have grabbed one! The downside of doing so is that I would have had to get yet another charger because the one I have for NIMH doesn't do C-cells.

I'm in Canada. THat system may be in the USA. I'll see next time I got to Lowes if that is the same here (or someone else can check for me as I don't got to Lowes often because they are too far for me).

+1 on Romisen. It's not as bright and new-hip as the P7 from Dealxtreme, but in my opinion (and use), this light, which is pretty much a Fenix clone, has 98% of the functionality of the Fenix, half the price, and will be easily the most flexibly used light in your arsenal on the bike. (The P7 is too bright to use in traffic.)

Boom!

Get 4 of these my friend and you're all set!

https://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=98397

I know this is a dumb question, but why don't the P7s use AA batteries?

Generally, the P7 torches need current and voltage ie. lots of power.

My P7 uses 2 x 18650 cells, to get the same performance I would need to use 6 x AA nimh and then there is the self discharge as well......

The 18650's are lithium chemistry and imho it's superior.

Too bad there arn't any tiny 500mL sized water bottle nuclear power sources. If we had tho all you'd have to worry about is just the heatsinking of the lighting and not worry about the battery power. Hehe...

Yah given some of the P7 configurations I've seen on the two-mode units it's 1000mA low mode and 2800mA high mode. Now think about the size and capcity of AA cell at it's highest (currently to my knowledge the only company that holds the highest and repeatly shows up after testing as higher then thier market claimed cells is the Maha 2700mAh which tests at about ~2750mAh) size and you'll see how many cells you'll need to keep that P7 happy bright for any amount of time.

No you would just have to worry about mini Chernobyls.