George wrote:
On 7/5/2010 10:44 PM, HeyBub wrote:
Daniel Prince wrote:
I want a good, small LED flashlight that uses one or two AA cells.
(I do not like AAA cells because they cost the same as AA and have
40 percent as much power. I do not want one with more than two
cells because it makes it hard to use rechargeable cells without
reversing and ruining one.)

I want a slide switch with ribs on each side so that it is less
likely to turn itself on. A recessed push button would also be
good. I do not want a screw type switch because they are hard to
use with one hand.

Can anyone recommend one? Thank you in advance for all replies.

The free ones at HF exactly fit your requirements except they use 3
AAA batteries.

He said he wanted good. Those Harbor Freight flashlights are novelty
class. I have one good CREE single cell flashlight that has multiple
intensities. Those Harbor Freight flashlights have significantly less
intensity then the lowest intensity of my flashlight.

I disagree completely. The HF flashlights are cast aluminum (not extruded),
not plastic or thin steel. The have a switch, not a sliding contact, they
have 9 LEDs, not three or five. They are rugged, dependable, exhibit long
battery life, and work under water.

Heck, I'd pay as much as a dollar for them if they weren't free!


I have a holster for it and also a velcro holder for use as a
headlight on the bike.

I used to have a whole bunch of various flashlights and it is just one
of those things that if you haven't used a good one you don't know
what you are missing and once you get one you wonder why you didn't
do it a long time ago.


A flashlight is (usually) a single-purpose tool. If it puts out sufficient
light for the project, one has to call it good. There are few other
considerations and what ones there are, are trivial (except, perhaps, cost).

And I *know* what a good flashlight is. During my cop days I carried a
5-cell Maglite. The company asserted that if the flashlight failed during
its use as an offensive or defensive weapon, the company would replace it. I
never had to take advantage of the guarantee!