Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Looks like I'm gonna have to drop some coin on a good quality flashlight. My 20 LED Wally World special just died on me. It gave decent light and a broad beam for a purchase price of $10-20. I've got another cheap 20 LED that is OK but a little to small of a beam and not as bright.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good field light? I'd prefer a strong, broad beam with reasonable battery life. I'm budgetting about $50 but may go more if the quality and output is demonstrably better. I've seen LED lights for over $300 and can't imagine the light or quality being THAT much better.

Wistol Supply sells some good lights (stubbies) with battery & battery pouch and belt. I have used these for years. A battery with a full charge is good for 4 hours. These are just quad lights and are not the LEDS you are talking about.

Wayne

Wayne,
Thanks for the info. I checked out the Wistol site. They do have lots of good looking lights. However, I'm not sure what you mean by "stubby" or "quad light". I Googled both terms and found everything from TINY flashlights to high dollar spot lights and work lights.

Daryl, I'm an led flashlight-a-holic. Check your email.
RP

Got it. Thanks!

Wally World sells a 1-watt LED light that's reflected well enough internally to produce a bright beam. It's about $20; I don't remember the name but the body is egg-shaped and there's day-glo plastic on the handle. One of the best lights I've had for the money; it uses 4 AAs and battery life is pretty good.
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Bill Cope
O'Brien, FL

Thanks Bill. I think I saw that the last time I was in town. Has the casing held up OK for you? The light I'm replacing has a plastic casing that is falling apart.

Eby,
check out Guide Gear lights.I just love mine and I think it was about $39.00 plus shipping.You can get them from cabelas.They are 40 led bulbs and there are two settings.First push is 20 of the bulbs and flood and then all 40 on the next push but more of a spot.Will run for like 9-10 months full blast if left on.4 d batteries.

Shannon

My Bad, it was Spotsman Guide were I bought it.

Shannon

I've dropped mine and banged it around a little, but it has held up OK. I think the egg shape helps with that. Even if it does fail, I'm out only 21 bucks. One other thing I like about it: The center point of the beam is pretty bright and it doesn't waste a lot of light at the edges. I have a Stubby II which is OK for up close, but get a few yards away from a cut and I'm better off with full moonlight.
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Bill Cope
O'Brien, FL

I got that light, it's great for what I use it for, stopping to i.d. something in the road instead of using the 1 million watt cut burner, also the lightest light I have run across. It's a Garrity brand Luxeon 1 watt lamp and it is surprising for what it is. The non-weight blows me away and it has seen 5 full nights of action so far without the batteries going dead. Great little walking light and spot checking from the car light.
Todd Hughes

I use a Bayco 512, O'rielly auto parts stors usually have them.
http://www.budgetlighting.com/store/agora.cgi?cart_id=8473648.19622*p96Yl2&p_id=2121&xm=on&ppinc=search2

and power it with a portable car battery jumper deal from wally world. (I dont use the one linked, but a similar one, you can also make your own with a 7amp battery, like the ones used for deer feeders.)
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5679655

Total price runs right at $50.
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South Texas Herps

http://www.ledwholesalers.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=177

np

Good 3 or 5 watt LED or an array of LEDs

You will never lug that brick on the end of your stubby again...

Princeton Tec - Apex

In my opinion Princeton Tec makes the best lights available. I use their headlights and hand helds exclusively. They are very bright with no dead spot in the center of the beam.
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Steve W.

I use a mag rechargeble ive had this light for 7 years and it throws a great beam that light up one 2 to 3 foot area.the battery lasts around 2 hours and you can recharge it in youre car.the dowside is its a little heavy and when it goes dead it loses its light fast.they are on ebay for around $80.for back ups you cant beat the old big $5 walmart square battery flashlights.