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Survival and Preparations Long and short term survival and 'prepping'.

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  #1  
Old 10-07-2013, 12:01 AM
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Default Duracell Durabeam Ultra flashlights (250 lumen LED) @ Costco

Costco is selling these at $19.79 for a 3-pack ($6.60 each) including 9 AAA batteries. It's the same product being sold on Amazon for $28.79.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00D3Y3JEE



I only looked quickly at the package in the store, but I didn't see Cree listed, so I don't know the quality of the LED.

Any opinions or thoughts?
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Old 10-07-2013, 2:39 PM
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those look like the same Chinese made lights Costco has been selling for years. They started out as 150 lumens, then went to 200, and now 250, this time Duracell probably just had their name put on it. Same price and packaging.
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Old 10-07-2013, 2:41 PM
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I believe Duracell acquired Techlite and rebranded the lumen master As a Duracell flashlight.

Or it is the closest imitation / copy that I have seen.
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Last edited by hermosabeach; 10-07-2013 at 2:45 PM..
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Old 10-07-2013, 3:04 PM
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All i can say is they work great for their price. I have 6 of them in various places around the house and in the car. None has stopped working yet. I wouldn't mount it on anything that gets recoil because the spring looks undersized but they are great lights.
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Old 10-07-2013, 3:07 PM
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Originally Posted by tamalpias View Post
those look like the same Chinese made lights Costco has been selling for years. They started out as 150 lumens, then went to 200, and now 250, this time Duracell probably just had their name put on it. Same price and packaging.
Are you suggesting that the light output is the same with only changes to the marketing? A no-name brand may try to pull that off, but I doubt Duracell would be so willing to put their brand name on a deceptively labeled product. Even if they are "the same Chinese made lights", that does not mean that the LED/circuitry has not been upgraded over the years.
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Old 10-07-2013, 3:11 PM
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Originally Posted by tamalpias View Post
All i can say is they work great for their price. I have 6 of them in various places around the house and in the car. None has stopped working yet. I wouldn't mount it on anything that gets recoil because the spring looks undersized but they are great lights.
Thanks, that's what I wanted to know. I'll buy a set and give 'em a try.

FWIW, I would never put a low-cost/low-end light on ANY firearm. If I'm target shooting, I don't need a light just for the sake of having a light. If I'm in an actual defensive situation, then I want something I can trust my life with.
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Old 10-07-2013, 3:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Spyguy View Post
Are you suggesting that the light output is the same with only changes to the marketing? A no-name brand may try to pull that off, but I doubt Duracell would be so willing to put their brand name on a deceptively labeled product. Even if they are "the same Chinese made lights", that does not mean that the LED/circuitry has not been upgraded over the years.
you misunderstood me. They originally came out at 150 lumens, then they "upgraded" them to 200 lumens. Now they are at 250 lumens. I have the 150 and 200 lumens units and when compared them side by side the 200 is just a hair bit brighter. I don't see a 25% increase in light output but then again my eyes aren't rated to gauge lumens output from a light
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Old 10-07-2013, 3:19 PM
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to me not worth buying a ton of AAAs

plus they wont last as long. I have some CR123 lights and then some 18650 lights that last quite a while.
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  #9  
Old 10-07-2013, 3:25 PM
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I might pick up a pack of those!

Thanks!
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Old 10-07-2013, 3:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Darklyte27 View Post
to me not worth buying a ton of AAAs

plus they wont last as long. I have some CR123 lights and then some 18650 lights that last quite a while.
I have 9 of the Techlite lumenmasters from costco

The first generation has a red led in the tail cap... this drained power... It was replaced in the newer generations....

I use these lights all the time and they work very well.

Costco also stocks the Sanyo ENELOOP rechargeable batteries in AA and AAA.

The manufacturer send out free replacement tail caps for those who ask if one breaks or you want to replace the RED led edition that sucks down the battery.

I keep them around the house, car, office desk and garage...
They are not a surefire and I do not use them as I use my surefire.... but AAA Duracells are cheap vs CR123 and should an LED fail, i can toss away a $4 light....

The replacement heads on a surefire LED will set you back at least $60
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  #11  
Old 10-07-2013, 3:36 PM
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I might pick up a pack of those!

Thanks!
if you are not in a hurry they are on sale every 2-3 ad cycles for an additional $5 off.
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Old 10-07-2013, 4:09 PM
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Its been my experience that anything in the 6 dollar range is going to be total junk. Also having to use 3 aaa for one light is a pita. I would prefer to have one or two solid built aa or 123 lights. The aaa format is a bad format imo.

I think it wiser to get 2-3 AA lights of know brand and quality. I know its not the same price range but the zebralight sc52 run for 3 months on 1 AA and is a high quality light.

http://www.zebralight.com/SC52-AA-Fl...ite_p_100.html

  • High: H1 280 Lm (0.9 hrs) or H2 172 Lm (1.7 hrs) / 108 Lm (3 hrs) / 4Hz Strobe
  • Medium: M1 50 Lm (7.5 hrs) or M2 25Lm (12 hrs) / 12 Lm (27 hrs)
  • Low: L1 2.7 Lm (4 days) or L2 0.34 Lm (3 weeks) / 0.06 Lm (2 months) / 0.01 Lm (3 months)
  • Light output are ANSI out the front values. Runtimes tested (and parasitic drain estimated) with Sanyo 2000mAh Eneloop AA batteries. Light output with 14500 batteries are the same except that the H1 is 500Lm for the first minute and then steps down to 280Lm.

Last edited by problemchild; 10-07-2013 at 4:13 PM..
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  #13  
Old 10-07-2013, 4:36 PM
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Originally Posted by problemchild View Post
Its been my experience that anything in the 6 dollar range is going to be total junk. Also having to use 3 aaa for one light is a pita. I would prefer to have one or two solid built aa or 123 lights. The aaa format is a bad format imo.

I think it wiser to get 2-3 AA lights of know brand and quality. I know its not the same price range but the zebralight sc52 run for 3 months on 1 AA and is a high quality light.
I have always respected your opinions and think you are a great contribution to the forum. I agree it is nice to have a reliable flashlight hence i do carry a surefire with me at all times. But these are cheapy lights that I have in the car, around the house, and places where I need quick bright illumination but could care less if they get damaged or stolen. The AAA's are cheap to buy and they are everywhere. You can even get rechargeable batteries for them from Costco cheap as well. That to me is a lot of pluses. Like the OP said he is just wanting some feedback about these lights from those who had used them. I am 100% positive he is not asking about if they are worth it if his life depends on it.
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Old 10-07-2013, 4:50 PM
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I don't have these brand but I do have the tech lites brand spread all over the house. Had them for 2 years and they all still work. Costco also has a 2 pack 500 lumens tech lites that takes 3C batteries. It's the same size as the dodger mini bats.
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Old 10-07-2013, 5:05 PM
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I agree with what you said. My biggest fear for cheap lights is parasytic drain. You go to use the light and the batteries are dead.

Can any of you with this light run some wires to a multimeter and see if the light has drain?

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Originally Posted by tamalpias View Post
I have always respected your opinions and think you are a great contribution to the forum. I agree it is nice to have a reliable flashlight hence i do carry a surefire with me at all times. But these are cheapy lights that I have in the car, around the house, and places where I need quick bright illumination but could care less if they get damaged or stolen. The AAA's are cheap to buy and they are everywhere. You can even get rechargeable batteries for them from Costco cheap as well. That to me is a lot of pluses. Like the OP said he is just wanting some feedback about these lights from those who had used them. I am 100% positive he is not asking about if they are worth it if his life depends on it.
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Old 10-07-2013, 6:00 PM
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I agree with what you said. My biggest fear for cheap lights is parasytic drain. You go to use the light and the batteries are dead.

Can any of you with this light run some wires to a multimeter and see if the light has drain?
Thanks for your input. I was hoping you'd share your thoughts on this topic.

I'll probably pick up a set from Costco to try them out as general purpose lights to keep in the house and truck. For such a low price, they're hard to beat. I don't like spending a lot of money on such GP lights because the LED technology advances so rapidly that in a couple of years, you can get a light that's quite a bit brighter (with better CRI) for less money. My plan is to put AAA Enerloops in these so I'm not wasting alkalines (which tend to leak inside infrequently used flashlights).

When I get them, I'll do a test to see if there's any parasitic drain and report it in this thread.
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Old 10-07-2013, 6:01 PM
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I called Techlite today as one of the battery carriers cracked in one of my Techlite lumen masters from costco.

They confirmed that they are the manufacturer of the new Duracell light being sold in the three pack by costco.

---
The only issue I had with the lights is the they turned on accidentally as the tail cap is sensitive. The fix is to unscrew the tail cap, remove the rubber cover and snip off about 1/2 of the rubber.

Now you have to compress the tail cap button all the way before the light turns on. It keep junk in the glove box and tool box from turning the light on by accidental contact.
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Old 10-07-2013, 11:10 PM
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Yeah I hate keeping nice lights in my car just in case it gets broken into when parked. I tried the cheaper light route and when needed they lasted about 1 minute and died. I never tried the lights in the top link but I did get the bottom ones. I got 3 AA lights from the bottom link and stuck them out for use in needed places. My good lights are in my safe and emp box.



  • Cree XP-G LED (R5) with lifespan of 50,000 hours
  • Four modes of output: firefly(0.09lumens 147hours) -> Low (3 lumens, 30hrs ) -> Medium (30 lumens) --> High (120 lumens, 1.5hrs) -> (Tested with Ni-mh battery with actual capacity 2500mAh)
  • Note: 3 mode model removes Firefly mode of .09 lumens. Low, Medium, High only
  • Stable current regulated circuit, stable brightness
  • Uses one 1.5V AA battery (ni-mh, alkaline ). 14500 batteries are not recommeded, because they heat up quickly.
  • 20-gram weight (excluding batteries)
  • Made of durable aircraft-grade aluminum
  • Premium Type III hard-anodized anti-abrasive finish
  • Waterproof to IPX-8 Standard
  • Toughened double ultra-clear glass lens
  • Reliable twist switch
  • Candle mode (Capable of standing up securely on a flat surface to serve as a candle)
  • Size: 79mm(length)x17.1mm(dia)
  • Mode switch: Tighten and loosen the head to switch between modes.
  • No mode memory, always starts on Firefly mode


http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/sho...esist-THIS-ONE!

These are a great cheaper light and very well made.

http://edcplus.com/blue-xeno-e03-with-xml-neutral-white-t6-p-171.html

Specs:

1) Anodizied Aluminum (Rose Red, Deep Sea Blue, or Ti-Black)
2) GITD (Glow in the Dark) silicon O-ring and silicon rubber tail cap
3) Waterproof (10M dunk-resistance)
4) Double O-rings and Square threads
5) Battery type: Alkaline, Ni-mh, Ni-cd, Lithium, 14500 Li-ion or Lifepo4
6) Linear driver -- no PWM
7) 3 Modes in this order: Medium, Low, High. (no mode memory)
8) Unique finger grip
9) Size and Weight: 96.5mm x 21.5mm. 48g

Modes and Runtime (Aproximate):

Ni-mh cell:

Low: 20mA, 10 lumens, 20hrs+
Medium: 135mA, 60 lumens, 4hrs+
High: 500mA, 200 lumens, 1hr+

14500 Li-ion:

Low: 300mA, 90 lumens, 2.5hrs
Medium: 1000mA, 320 lumens 45min
High: 1560mA, 490 lumens, 30min


Quote:
Originally Posted by Spyguy View Post
Thanks for your input. I was hoping you'd share your thoughts on this topic.

I'll probably pick up a set from Costco to try them out as general purpose lights to keep in the house and truck. For such a low price, they're hard to beat. I don't like spending a lot of money on such GP lights because the LED technology advances so rapidly that in a couple of years, you can get a light that's quite a bit brighter (with better CRI) for less money. My plan is to put AAA Enerloops in these so I'm not wasting alkalines (which tend to leak inside infrequently used flashlights).

When I get them, I'll do a test to see if there's any parasitic drain and report it in this thread.

Last edited by problemchild; 10-11-2013 at 9:10 AM..
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Old 10-09-2013, 12:17 PM
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I bought a pack of these (at least I think they are the same) from Costco. Work pretty well and you can't beat the price. The only thing I did not like is you have to cycle through low, high, strobe then off, with the push button on the back.

Other than that I have them in the tool box, gun safe, glove box.

(guns have surefire on them)
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Old 10-09-2013, 12:45 PM
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Originally Posted by problemchild View Post
These are a great cheaper light and very well made.

http://edcplus.com/blue-xeno-e03-with-xml-neutral-white-t6-p-171.html

Specs:

1) Anodizied Aluminum (Rose Red, Deep Sea Blue, or Ti-Black)
2) GITD (Glow in the Dark) silicon O-ring and silicon rubber tail cap
3) Waterproof (10M dunk-resistance)
4) Double O-rings and Square threads
5) Battery type: Alkaline, Ni-mh, Ni-cd, Lithium, 14500 Li-ion or Lifepo4
6) Linear driver -- no PWM
7) 3 Modes in this order: Medium, Low, High. (no mode memory)
8) Unique finger grip
9) Size and Weight: 96.5mm x 21.5mm. 48g

Modes and Runtime (Aproximate):

Ni-mh cell:

Low: 20mA, 10 lumens, 20hrs+
Medium: 135mA, 60 lumens, 4hrs+
High: 500mA, 200 lumens, 1hr+

14500 Li-ion:

Low: 300mA, 90 lumens, 2.5hrs
Medium: 1000mA, 320 lumens 45min
High: 1560mA, 490 lumens, 30min
I picked up four of these a while back when EDCplus had a 20% off coupon on them. Gave a couple away and kept a couple - pretty good light based on the couple I have kept around.

The reason I like to have some cheapies around is for throw aways so I am less likely to loose one of my ~$100 lights that I am really fond of.
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Old 10-10-2013, 12:42 AM
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Was at Costco today. They had the Duracell 2-PK/500 lumen lights for $25. Same deal on amazon is going for $51. No Cree listed. That is all..
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Old 10-10-2013, 2:57 PM
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I have a bunch of the Techlight 200 Lumen lights from Costco. They have been in and around the house for over a year maybe 2 and still run on the same batts that came in the package. They are bright and have worked every time the power has gone out. They are great for stash around the house, car, tool box, safe, work desk etc to have light if the power goes out. I have a better light in my BOB for longer term needs if that occurs. I say for that price get them you can't go wrong for extra light. I may go look at my local Costco and see if they have any.
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Old 10-10-2013, 3:06 PM
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All i can say is they work great for their price. I have 6 of them in various places around the house and in the car. None has stopped working yet. I wouldn't mount it on anything that gets recoil because the spring looks undersized but they are great lights.
Me too. I bought a pack to give to the kids so they will stop losing my good Fenix lights. I also keep one in the garage. They work fine, but they are not high quality lights. They are very bright and would work for non-critical applications, but they use a plastic carrier for the batteries, and the reflectors are cheap.

But they are a fine deal for around the house, and car camping. Don't depend on them for serious backpacking or weapons mounting. They can't handle that.
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Old 10-10-2013, 3:08 PM
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I have a bunch of the Techlight 200 Lumen lights from Costco. They have been in and around the house for over a year maybe 2 and still run on the same batts that came in the package. They are bright and have worked every time the power has gone out. They are great for stash around the house, car, tool box, safe, work desk etc to have light if the power goes out. I have a better light in my BOB for longer term needs if that occurs. I say for that price get them you can't go wrong for extra light. I may go look at my local Costco and see if they have any.
This is exactly what the Costco lights are good for. And they work very well for around the house.
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Old 10-10-2013, 3:14 PM
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Was at Costco today. They had the Duracell 2-PK/500 lumen lights for $25. Same deal on amazon is going for $51. No Cree listed. That is all..
I purchased a pack of these last week and i have to say they are good lights for the money. You can focus them to be long throw or flood. I might pick up another pack or two for Christmas gifts.
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Old 10-10-2013, 3:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Spyguy View Post
Thanks for your input. I was hoping you'd share your thoughts on this topic.

I'll probably pick up a set from Costco to try them out as general purpose lights to keep in the house and truck. For such a low price, they're hard to beat. I don't like spending a lot of money on such GP lights because the LED technology advances so rapidly that in a couple of years, you can get a light that's quite a bit brighter (with better CRI) for less money. My plan is to put AAA Enerloops in these so I'm not wasting alkalines (which tend to leak inside infrequently used flashlights).

When I get them, I'll do a test to see if there's any parasitic drain and report it in this thread.
+! on the Eneloops, I use them for quite a few devices. Parasitic drain mainly happens on lights with memories. But who knows, these may be set up that way so they can sell more batteries.

Problem with eneloops is they are worth more than the flashlight if you put them in the Costco lights... I usually don't worry about wrecking cheap lights so I just put alkalines in them and keep some extra batteries in my car. Some of the new alkalines have ten year shelf lives now for about the same price.
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Old 10-10-2013, 4:03 PM
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Originally Posted by ScottsBad View Post
+! on the Eneloops, I use them for quite a few devices. Parasitic drain mainly happens on lights with memories. But who knows, these may be set up that way so they can sell more batteries.

Problem with eneloops is they are worth more than the flashlight if you put them in the Costco lights... I usually don't worry about wrecking cheap lights so I just put alkalines in them and keep some extra batteries in my car. Some of the new alkalines have ten year shelf lives now for about the same price.
But even if you wreck the light, how often do you wreck the batteries inside?

The problem with alkalines is not their shelf life; it's that after you start using them and then allow them to sit dormant for a while (like a flashlight in your glove box), they tend to leak and destroy whatever device they are in. I've never had an Eneloop leak, and from what I understand, even if they do leak they are noncorrosive.
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Old 10-11-2013, 12:29 AM
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I have dont this on a old streamlight with the stick battery pack. It landed perfectly flat and split the stick pack in half killing the battery. I have abused the costco flashlights a lot, dropped them, kicked them, dropped from about 8 feet up, dunked them in water (all these happened unintentionally) and it still runs fine. I lost the one I kept in my work truck one night and I went to walmart to buy a new light. Ended up with a colman max and it has seen the same stuff as the techlight and still runs super strong. The colman is also 3 AAA batteries.

That zebra light looks nice will look into it when some extra funds arise.
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Old 10-11-2013, 8:05 AM
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There are going to be naysayers in every bunch, usually made up of people assuming the worst about something without actually owning it. In the case of the Costco "cheapo" techlites, these are some serious bang for the buck. I jumped in at the 200 Lumen stage, and these things work great. So what if they don't work on a firearm - that's not what they're made for. I've used mine several times and have not yet been disappointed. ONe in the car, one in the truck, one on hte bike, one in my bag, one on my desk, yada yada yada. They are well worth the money and are far more durable than old school style flashlights, and definitely brighter than a 4 D cell mag light (I have several of those too).


Quote:
Originally Posted by jmaglipay View Post
I don't have these brand but I do have the tech lites brand spread all over the house. Had them for 2 years and they all still work. Costco also has a 2 pack 500 lumens tech lites that takes 3C batteries. It's the same size as the dodger mini bats.
That thing is INSANE! I can turn my street from night to day with that thing. Does yours have the "zoom" feature that focuses the beam?
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Old 10-11-2013, 8:13 AM
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Originally Posted by problemchild View Post
Its been my experience that anything in the 6 dollar range is going to be total junk. Also having to use 3 aaa for one light is a pita. I would prefer to have one or two solid built aa or 123 lights. The aaa format is a bad format imo.
This.

Quote:
Originally Posted by calif 15-22 View Post
I bought a pack of these (at least I think they are the same) from Costco. Work pretty well and you can't beat the price. The only thing I did not like is you have to cycle through low, high, strobe then off, with the push button on the back.
And this.

I have some of these lights. They are "kitchen drawer lights". Family uses them, but I hate them. Hate the 3 AAAs. Hate the cheap quality. Hate the modes and mode order. But yeah, they're really inexpensive. But that is irrelevant to me. I'm a flashlight geek and always carry at least 2 high quality lights.

IMO if you're going to buy cheap flashlights at Costco, get the 2 pack of 2D Mag LED Pros for 24 bucks. Edit: I was wrong on that price. It's 19 bucks for a one 2D cell Mag LED Pro.

Last edited by MudCamper; 10-19-2013 at 3:09 PM..
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Old 10-18-2013, 12:32 PM
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I'd make sure to have an extra set of batteries with each. The battery life is awful. Not too bad for light use but not for your 'preps'.
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Old 10-18-2013, 7:07 PM
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I buy these whenever they go on sale. I've had them from the red end cap 1st generation. They have replaced all of D cell maglightz. My only complaint is they don't come with the serrated edges anymore.

Also it's Costco, you can always return them for 90 days.

The C cell lights very bright
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Old 10-18-2013, 9:30 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jmaglipay View Post
I don't have these brand but I do have the tech lites brand spread all over the house. Had them for 2 years and they all still work. Costco also has a 2 pack 500 lumens tech lites that takes 3C batteries. It's the same size as the dodger mini bats.
Quote:
Originally Posted by A-J View Post
That thing is INSANE! I can turn my street from night to day with that thing. Does yours have the "zoom" feature that focuses the beam?
Yes, they are very powerful and the zoom works well too.
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Old 10-19-2013, 1:58 PM
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Originally Posted by tamalpias View Post
you misunderstood me. They originally came out at 150 lumens, then they "upgraded" them to 200 lumens. Now they are at 250 lumens. I have the 150 and 200 lumens units and when compared them side by side the 200 is just a hair bit brighter. I don't see a 25% increase in light output but then again my eyes aren't rated to gauge lumens output from a light
I read somewhere online that lumens are like that... Your eyes don't perceive double the output when you double the lumens value. For example, it may take a 600 lumen light to appear twice as bright as a 200 lumen one. A 400 lumen light won't do it. Never tested it myself, just something I read.

Quote:
Originally Posted by hermosabeach View Post
The manufacturer send out free replacement tail caps for those who ask if one breaks or you want to replace the RED led edition that sucks down the battery.
I have some of those older ones with the red light in the tail cap. Battery life really does suck in those. How did you get your replacement tailcaps? I don't even have the original packaging anymore. What was the process? You don't happen to remember their contact info, do you? (I will Google "Techlite" after posting this, maybe I can get answers online... )

Quote:
Originally Posted by hermosabeach View Post
I called Techlite today as one of the battery carriers cracked in one of my Techlite lumen masters from costco.
Had the same thing happen to one of the 6 I own. The carrier just broke one day when changing out the batteries. I tossed the whole light. That's the nice thing about these. You can do that and not get pissed cuz they're so cheap.

Agree with PC about AAAs not being the best choice in these lights, but they're good enough for glove boxes, power outages, and giving to the kids on sleepovers and campouts in the back yard.

I have a couple of nice, really bright Fenix lights and I don't give those out because nobody appreciates how much they cost. When somebody asks "Daddy/Honey, you have a flashlight I can use?" that's where the Techlites come in...

Last edited by xrMike; 10-19-2013 at 2:03 PM..
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Old 10-19-2013, 3:15 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jmaglipay View Post
I don't have these brand but I do have the tech lites brand spread all over the house. Had them for 2 years and they all still work. Costco also has a 2 pack 500 lumens tech lites that takes 3C batteries. It's the same size as the dodger mini bats.
I just noticed these in my local Costco today. What I find interesting about them is they have huge LEDs and aspheric lenses.

Quote:
Originally Posted by xrMike View Post
I read somewhere online that lumens are like that... Your eyes don't perceive double the output when you double the lumens value. For example, it may take a 600 lumen light to appear twice as bright as a 200 lumen one. A 400 lumen light won't do it. Never tested it myself, just something I read.
I haven't read this, but I sure do see it. I was testing 150, 300, and 550 lumen pocket lights, and the difference between 150 and 300 is barely noticeable. 550 was significantly brighter than 150, but I don't even know if I'd say it was twice as bright.
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Old 10-20-2013, 2:05 PM
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I bought the 500 lumen c cell lights from Costco about a week ago, they are very bright. Are they 500 lumens as they advertise? Probably not, they will be used as utility flashlights, not tactical so it doesn't matter. For the price it is worth a try.

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Old 10-23-2013, 2:51 AM
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These 3 cell lights are definitely good to go. I had them for about 2 years and sometimes use them as back up bike lights.
I use them with 14500 lithium batteries that I buy from China ($3.5/pc) and they lasts slightly over an hour on high (200lm).
The 14500 is about the size of one AA battery and I made an adapter from toilet roll cut and rolled onto the 14500 to bulk it up until it is fat enough to fit into the tube. Then I tape the roll down to keep it in place and the 14500 can be removed and installed easily.
2 years now and not a single problem.
Like many others or nicer lights are for critical applications and these are day to day beat around lights.
May the light be with you!
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Old 10-23-2013, 5:42 AM
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These make great "stashlights" to keep around the house and in every car.

- Affordable
- Durable
- Uses common battery size
- Will tail stand
- BRIGHT

The only real downside is the switch, it forces you to go through strobe mode when turning off (unless you hold down the switch.) But there's also a fix for that if you're into hacking: take the switch from the "free" Harbor Freight lights and install into the Costco light. Youtube will show you how, it's almost a drop-in modification once you learn it.

The newer lights don't have battery drain issues.

For SHTF/Camping/Hiking/EDC I'd still get a light with more features (notably low power mode), but for occasional use these Costco lights can't be beat.
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Old 10-25-2013, 10:08 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MudCamper View Post
This.



And this.

I have some of these lights. They are "kitchen drawer lights". Family uses them, but I hate them. Hate the 3 AAAs. Hate the cheap quality. Hate the modes and mode order. But yeah, they're really inexpensive. But that is irrelevant to me. I'm a flashlight geek and always carry at least 2 high quality lights.

IMO if you're going to buy cheap flashlights at Costco, get the 2 pack of 2D Mag LED Pros for 24 bucks. Edit: I was wrong on that price. It's 19 bucks for a one 2D cell Mag LED Pro.
If you're just looking to turn off the light, you hold the button down for a few seconds and it turns off from whatever mode you are in at the time. That way you don't have to cycle past the annoying strobe mode when you want to shut it off.
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