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I prefer just about anything Streamlight. I use the Strion led daily. I also use the Stylus pro USB and love it too.
I sill like my old Snap On trouble light that connects to the battery. A buddy gave it to me years ago and it was one of the first tools he bought. Its at least 20 now and still works.
As for a proper flash light I bought a smaller sized one, looks like a mini mag light but it has a full LED head on it, aswell as a telescopic and bendy feature. Ive seen them at a pile of auto stores. It cost me $5 and its still on its original set of batterys. The only time it quit was when I dropped it into a pan of coolant and needed to dry it out.
One cool home made invention I’m proud of was taking one of the nice and bright outdoor work space lights and ziptiying some magnets to the bottom of it. The name of the actual style of lamp escapes my mind right now. Basicly its a job site floor light. Pop open the hood, stick it to the underside, aim it at the engine and plug it in the wall. Not only is it brighter than the sun it actually produces some good heat, a bonus in winter!
I second the Streamlight suggestion. I have a Streamlight Protac HL. However, it uses nonrechargable lithium cells. On the bright setting, it is crazy bright. But only about one hour of battery on the high setting. I found a big package of appropriate cells on Amazon for low money, and they store n the drawer for about ten years. I also use a cheapo Cree Ultrafire that uses a (popular) rechargable lithium 18650 cell. The rechargable lithium cells require a special charger.
I guess I take a three tier approach. Best performing flashlight is the Streamlight Protac. Really nice piece of gear. Don’t loan it out. You’ll never see it again. For every day knock around duty, and at twenty bucks or so, the Cree that takes the aforementioned rechargable 18650 or three AAA alkaline cells. And for lower but still OK brightness “keep it in the glove box and if it gets destroyed, stolen or lost I don’t care” duty, a super cheapo single LED flashlight that uses three AAA pencels and was a whopping two flashlights for three bucks (US) at the local Menards box store.
As I am sure you are aware, avoid the multiple LED cheapo flashlights.
I use the light saber 60 led. I don’t like the small store light, mag light type lights, rarely do I ever need one where the big light saber can’t get the job done. No cords, very light, nice hook, very derable, lasts me about 1-2 years. For me its great for inspections and doing jobs. Also comes in a 30 and 90 led version.
Every tech in the industry has a Stream Light.
The MAC guy told me $180 + Tax gets the light, belt pack, spare battery pack, and a charger. I told him to kiss my ass.
I have a $30 Craftsman that eats up the 6 AAA batteries in no time flat. It has bright, and not-as-bright settings. I purchased a Stream Light belt pack for $20 from the Cornhole Cornwell guy.
So, for $50, I have a flashlight that on the high setting, is slightly brighter than a stream light, and on the not-so-high setting, is just as bright as a stream light. Oh, but I don’t have a stupid strobe light feature. Whooptee do! What’s that good for anyways?
And don’t worry about how fast it eats the batteries. If the shop is too stingy to provide batteries, I don’t want to work for them.
You can also get a decent Head Lamp from Lowe’s, Home De Pot, and the like for dirt cheap that runs on 3 AAA’s and has a variable brightness lever on the back.
Whenever you walk through the shop with it on, the other techs will never tire of saying: “Hey man, do you feel ok? You look a little *light headed* to me!”
Roll on snare drum
Everybody laugh
Drop Curtain
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