[wheelgunslinger]

Anybody have one?
I'd never seen them until I went to the battery store to get a new motorcycle battery and played with one.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000R8G4QO?smid=AS0K3MKEU5H24&tag=yahoo-tools06-20&linkCode=asn

[hso]

Yep, and they're a great bargain.

[outerlimit]

I have to disagree, $37 for a made in China flashlight with an antiquated Luxeon 3 emitter is far from a bargain.

Those lights are actually made by Nuwai and are sold under several different brand names. Target sells a "River Rock" brand with camo finish for about $20. It is the same light as above aside from the finish and brand name. I believe there is even a Smith and Wesson one at Wal-Mart as well. I don't think they are worth it either.

Nuwai has recently released some models with an upgraded emitter, you might want to check those out instead. Or better yet, get a Sure-Fire.

[mgregg85]

I picked one up from a local electrical supplier for $15, works great. My work supplies the AA batters and I use it at home and at work.

[hso]

I just went through Target's website and the only 3 watt there was nearly $80.

There is a 1 watt Ray-O-Vac that looks exactly like the 3 watt that I picked up that runs about $20 at WalMart. Could you be thinking of that one?

The Nuwai marked 3W is running $27 at http://www.eliteled.com/products/flashlights/nuwai-x-3.htm while a Dorcy 3W can be had for $23 at DorcyDirect.

I have Surefires, Streamlights and Pelicans for higher light output, but if anyone can show me where I can get the light output for a better price for a consumer LED flashlight I'd appreciate it (ebay excepted).

[ZeSpectre]

My opinions on this light can be found here...
http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=189821

summary. surprisingly good.

[takurpic]

This is also my favorite flashlight. So much so, that I made this pic :D ...

http://www.pbase.com/takurpic/image/87121729.jpg

38 bucks seems kinda steep though. Mine came from Walmart, $24.95 for the 3 watt version and $19.95 for the 1 watt version.

I use Energizer rechargable NiMH AA batteries and the 15 minute charger. Beats the heck out of buying CR123a batteries. I have a bunch of the AAs that I use in my photo gear. Probably not the best to use if you're going to let it sit for extended time- the batteries will go bad if not charged regularly (I charge mine weekly).

[TimboKhan]

Hmm. I think I might have just found my new flashlight. We had a long blackout tonight for some reason, and the whole time I was using my Surefire I was thinking "Cripes, I don't have any extra batteries for this". The AA option is very attractive to me, because I always have spares around, to include scrounging out of my remotes if needed.

I just have the cheapie Surefire G2 nitrolon, and I like it just fine, but it would be nice to have something that fits between that and my big ol' Maglite for general use.

Edit to add: One other thing to add is that I ended up using the little LED I keep on my keychain to read by, figuring that that the elextricity would come back on long before it died. I was right.

[takurpic]

Don't forget about LED headband flashlights. We had an ice storm a couple years back that left us with no power for 4 days. That's when I discovered the value of the headband lights.

I have the Energizer model and the Brinkman. While the Brinkman isn't as bright, I like it better for indoor use around others because the light can be rotated to bounce off of the ceiling to avoid blinding others and the switch goes from off to on in one swipe- no cycling through four or five options to kill the light.

The Energizer is my preference for outdoor work (emergency car repairs, etc).

Sorry, a bit OT, but relevant to TimboKhan's post.

[MillCreek]

After reading about these flashlights on candlepower forums, I picked up a couple at Wal-Mart. I think it is one of the better LED flashlights for the price, especially in the two AA cell form factor. They are certainly a lot cheaper than my Fenix and Surefire lights.

I continue to keep my eye open for a Cree LED 2 AA flashlight with a good quality build and several light levels for $ 25, but until that comes along, the Rayovac flashlight is a good compromise.

www.dealextreme.com, located in Hong Kong, is an excellent source for flashlights.

[black bear]

Here is my review of the Ray O Vac, from my thread "Law enforcement flashlights"

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=257029&page=2


I happen to like this light very much, is the perfect light for those in a budget (not ready to spend $67 in a Fenix).
Wal Mart has them for $25 and Cabela's for $20
Besides the use of AA is a big plus, especially when used with rechargeable Nimh batteries.

I have recommended this light to several people that are very happy with the purchase.

Best regards
Black Bear

[Deer Hunter]

Is there any reason to buy this over, say, my 3 Wat small mag light I got a lowes for 24 dollars?

[takurpic]

Deer Hunter- the Rayovac uses a tail cap switch.

[ZeSpectre]

Deer Hunter - it also has a regulation circuit and better heatsinking so you can use NiMH rechargable batteries fresh from the charger without worrying about frying the LED due to overcharge and you'll get pretty close to 1hr45min of -steady- light output before it begins to dim down.

The 3watt Mag is a decent light, but the Rayovac is better.

[Deer Hunter]

Well are they durable? My mag light's been through hell and back with me. I abuse my flashlights pretty bad.

[ZeSpectre]

The link to my review was back on post #6

[wheelgunslinger]

I thought it might be a neat light to keep in my Motorcycling gear.
If the bike breaks down at night, I'm screwed unless I have a light. I'm just not up for decking out the bike with a sure-fire.

[takurpic]

Deer Hunter,

I've dropped mine several times, kicked it, and let my kids play with it in the bathtub. I have not had any problems. I'm not a rich man (financially), so I won't be performing any 'push to failure point' tests with mine.

I've seen the Maglite version and like other mags, it looks be very durable. I opted for the Rayovac for the tailcap switch.

[outerlimit]

Deer Hunter - it also has a regulation circuit and better heatsinking so you can use NiMH rechargable batteries fresh from the charger without worrying about frying the LED due to overcharge

The voltage of two AA NIMH rechargeable batteries is less than the forward voltage of the LED, so you wouldn't have to worry about that anyways.

[SpookyPistolero]

I've got the 1 watt model that I keep as a camping torch, works well. It's seen some rough weather and some 'constant on' and it's going quite strongly. I can recommend them without much problem. I sometimes think I'd rather have the 3 watt model, but I enjoy the extra run time with the 1 (since I'm not doing much house clearing, etc.).

[takurpic]

Spooky,

That's kind of ironic, because I've sometimes noticed the 3 watt is too bright- flip it on then off in very low light, and my older eyes take a bit to readjust.

I say get them both!

[alaskanativeson]

I like the Pelican PM6 3330 with the LED. It takes the CR123 batteries but I also have rechargables for it. If you're going to get some be SURE that you get 3.0v batteries. Some of the rechargables coming out of Hong Kong are 3.6v and will zorch your products. I like the looks of that Ray-O-Vac, I may have to order one.

For headlights I swear by my Princeton Tec Eos.

[sm]

I sincerely appreciate this thread and the many fine review shared and linked to.

I have learned a lot, and have forwarded this thread to folks I care about, in regard to these lights.

Me and mine like what we have read, and we like these AA type lights, as we do AAA lights for logistics of batteries.

Respectfully,

Stee

[stolivar]

176 lumens $18 shipped to your door registered mail. I bought 4 CR123A rechargeable batteries with the charger for a whopping 19.98 shipped.

The light also will run on 3 AAA batteries for 40 minutes and about 12 hours on CR123A rechargeable batteries. here is the site for it. the batteries I got off Ebay. http://www.ledshoppe.com/Product/ledp/LP1067.htm

I love this thing. It is bright.


steve

[txgho1911]

Found the 4w LED Rayovac version for $8 on sale and got 2. Now I wish I got every one on the shelf.

[Jim Watson]

A friend admired my Fenix but did not want to pay the price, so I told him about the Ray O Vac. All that was in stock at Walmart was the one watt so he bought that. He says he wishes the tailcap switch would click on instead of twist, but I notice he now has a three watt, too.

[Exmasonite]

well... looks like this thread from 04/08 was "conjured" up again but here's my take on the best bargain flashlight out there:

Dorcy Spyder (http://www.bargainoutfitters.com/cb/cb.asp?a=218516&kwtid=203643)

Found this in my local Meijer for $16.99. Comes w/ the 2 CR123 batts, too. Brighter than both my Surefire E1E and E2E.

Only "cons" that i'll note: Uses CR123 batts (not AA/AAA but brighter, too). Also, the tailcap switch is "backward"... Click to turn on and then momentary "off", no momentary on function. But tail cap pretty well protected from accidental turn on.

[Rupestris]

I was at Target the other day and they have the new Inova Bolt series. The 2A is 5.5" X 1" (2XAA) with a 3.8w LED. It looked like a pretty well built flashie thing.

Anyone have any experience with the Bolt Series?

http://www.inovalight.com/bolt.html

Its listed for $30 at Amazon.

Thanks,
Chris

[wheelgunslinger]

Hey, it's cool. I'm actually still looking for a good tac light. And, my other half works for Target so I'll go check them out.

Never did buy a Ray-o-vac.

[DWARREN123]

I picked up one from Wal-Mart for $24.95 and it is nice. Not a $35 flashlight.

[Tirod]

I got the Rayovac 3 watt last summer, and no longer use Surefire G2's. The light output, although different, LED to incandescent, is about the same. I no longer shop for bargain sales on volumes of C123's, as I use Eveready or Rayovac Nimh AA's - which fit into a lot of other gear.

I'm not busting on Surefire, but for nontactical use, the Rayovac will do. The cost of special batteries, special bulbs, a spares carrier, etc., was no longer justified when I retired after 22 years in the Army Reserve. The G2 went to a needy soldier. I got an equivalent light, a rechargeable battery system, and no need to keep spare bulbs, all of which matched my current cash flow.

The G2 is available now in LED, but I'm moving on to Fenix, as I just replaced an ARC AAA missing in action with a EO1 for half the price. It does an even better job.

I don't have to like buying chinese, but I can buy stuff that gives the best bang for the buck, and there are some very competitive products out there.