Buying Flashlights At the Airports

[TheAzn]

As a lot of you may know, buying quality tactical flashlights is usually an expensive activity.
Because I am going to vacation in Thailand during this summer anyways, an idea came to me about buying flashlights in Duty Free areas.
I want to use a flashlight alongside my Handgun. No, I am not bringing my handgun with me; the weapon will remain in the USA with my family.

Here are my main questions:
1. In your experience, do airports (domestic or foreign) sell tactical/camping flashlights for travelers in their Duty Free shops?

2. If they do sell these tactical flashlights, are they less expensive than buying from elsewhere?

 

[taliv]

no, but why can't you just put the flashlight in your checked baggage?

 

[TheAzn]

I don't have a tactical/camping flashlight right now. I am trying to find the one that is the most inexpensive.

I just thought that there might be Duty Free camping flashlights at the airport.

 

[jcwit]

Why not just order one off E-Bay from a Chinese seller. Cheap and usually free shipping. All the stuff I've got this way usually gets to me in 1 to 2 weeks and I've never needed to pay duty or custom fees.

I've gotten stuff from England, shaving supplies from Turkey, Blades from Moscow, tools & leather goods from china, it all works good.

 

[TheAzn]

Why not just order one off E-Bay from a Chinese seller. Cheap and usually free shipping. All the stuff I've got this way usually gets to me in 1 to 2 weeks and I've never needed to pay duty or custom fees.

I've gotten stuff from England, shaving supplies from Turkey, Blades from Moscow, tools & leather goods from china, it all works good.

I can't believe that I have not thought about this obvious solution. Thanks for the great advice.

 

[hso]

do airports (domestic or foreign) sell tactical/camping flashlights for travelers in their Duty Free shops

Nope, no camping/outdoor anything at Duty Free.

Don't just order any cheap flashlight. Get one that's been recommended. Be sure to purchase GOOD batteries.

The one I recommend right now is the ArmyTeks out of Canada. I just bought a Partner A2 XM-L for $30 and am more than impressed.

 

[Torian]

I know we hit this on another thread, but I'm going to reiterate it here:

I have visited multiple duty-free stores throughout the world during the various deployments I've had. Neither the prices nor the selection were anything exemplary. If anything, they were nice stops for us when we were bored, but I never saw something that jumped out in terms of what you are looking for. These are not sporting goods stores.

If you want a good torch, buy it now and put it in your luggage. Assuming that some random duty free store is going to carry exactly what you want is asking for disappointment.

Many of the best flashlights these days also require specialized batteries and / or rechargers (if you go the rechargeable route) that can be difficult to find on a good day.

As I mentioned before, for under 100 USD, at over 700 lumens, Fenix has quite a few options. I have used their torches extensively for personal work as well as duty overseas. For even less money, you can follow HSO's recommendation.

 

[TheAzn]

I know we hit this on another thread, but I'm going to reiterate it here:

I have visited multiple duty-free stores throughout the world during the various deployments I've had. Neither the prices nor the selection were anything exemplary. If anything, they were nice stops for us when we were bored, but I saw something that jumped out in terms of what you are looking for. These are not sporting goods stores.

If you want a good torch, buy it now and put it in your luggage. Assuming that some random duty free store is going to carry exactly what you want is asking for disappointment.

Many of the best flashlights these days also require specialized batteries and / or rechargers (if you go the rechargeable route) that can be difficult to find on a good day.

As I mentioned before, for under 100 USD, at over 700 lumens, Fenix has quite a few options. I have used their torches extensively for personal work as well as duty overseas. For even less money, you can follow HSO's recommendation.

Thank you again Torian for the great advice.

 

[jcwit]

My free Harbor Freight flashlites do everything I need, in other words they light the way. But then I'm old and stay out of dangerous areas.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

As stated by Torian, the prices aren't generally anything to be impressed about in duty-free shops in airports. And that's for just about anything.

You'd do far better doing a little bit of internet research for what you want, then search out an online source with an acceptable price.

If you have to spend time (and time is money, too, don't forget) looking for what you want at a price you want, you might as well do it online. Traveling has its own expenses, whether by car or plane, and that includes time, gas, and so forth.

 

[TXdefender]

I can recommend the Klarus XT11 as a relatively (compared to surefire) inexpensive tactical flashlight. It's around $100, made of aluminum. Puts out 600 lumen. I and a bunch of co-workers have used them on duty for a bit over a year now. If anyone can break stuff it's cops.

 

[Torian]

Speaking of Surefire:

We've used them in the military heavily because they are issued to us (free). They are also practically indestructible...and if they do break...Surefire replaces them without a problem.

As far as Lumens go however, they are behind the curve on LED R&D. There are torches out there for HALF the money or less that currently outperform them.

 

[Hondo 60]

I would NOT bother with trying to find one at the airport.
Airports are notorious for having "tourist trap" prices.

Just find one locally & you'll save $$$

 

[greyling22]

some things you get what you pay for and price is a good indicator of quality (optics for example. or graphics cards maybe) Flashlights are not one of those things. poke around on candlepower forums and find a good recommended cheapie, then go buy it at dealextreme or some place. Be sure to use the rechargable lithium cells. (ex: a 14500 cell instead of a AA battery) It is like going from regular headlights to high beams. For $30 you can get a kick butt flashlight. add another 10 for a charger and 5-8 for batteries and you're ready to rock and roll for less than 50 bucks.

 

[Elm Creek Smith]

I have carried an EagleTac P20A2 for several years now with no complaints. It uses a CREE LED, has 15/55/210 lumens adjustability, and strobe on 55 and 210 lumens. The best part is that it uses AA alkaline batteries that you can find anywhere, and they last pretty well.

ECS

 

[welldoya]

My sister gave me an "Ultra Fire" flashlight for Christmas that she got off Ebay. I've never seen anything like it for the price.
When the guys in my hunting camp saw it, they all ordered two. One guy even got his initials engraved on his so he wouldn't get it mixed up with the others.
I was showing it to a friend and we went out on his back porch. When I put it on the focused beam, we could see the geese across his 4 acre pond.
I think they are about $25. What really surprised me is how long the batteries lasted before needing recharging.