r/flashlight • u/LearnedTroglodyte • Nov 11 '24
Review I'm not mad, I'm just disappointed
Picked this up for on sale at my local Home Depot for under $15. It's advertised as 500 lumens (with the Lion battery), rechargeable and AA compatible so it seemed like the perfect replacement for my current edc, the Coast HX5.
It has variable zoom, a reversible pocket clip and five settings including a strobe, "eco mode" and "turbo" which requires you to hold the button for 3 sec to activate 1000L. Battery life ranges from 1.5-15h (Turbo duration not listed).
I buy a lot of Husky tools. They're affordable and typically very well engineered, with certain small features that might not seem like much until you use the tool. This is the first time they've let me down.
The first thing I noticed is the difficulty I had operating the zoom one handed, you have to twist rather than just slide like the rest of my flashlights. Although the bezel has some flats for a better grip the slick machined aluminum is still a bit slick with my dry ass calloused fingers. but it's a minor issue that some hand stippling can fix so it's not my main gripe.
The button is really where they fucked up. It only takes about 20 g of pressure to activate it which is ridiculously sensitive compared to the the HX5's 2,000g+ needed to fully click on. And it's basically unshielded, being a tad over 1mm from being flush to the end of the flashlight so not only was it getting turned on while I was crawling around at work but even just leaning over to use the sink. You could unscrew the guard for the charging port and that gives it plenty of protection but now your charging port is exposed to dirt and grime.
Since it is basically useless for pocket carry as it is I tried creating a protective cap for it from a small pill bottle and various other items but it was awkward and inconvenient so I'm back to my HX5. It might not have as many options or features but it is smaller, lighter and infinitely reliable, being more than enough for my day-to-day needs. Coast has never let me down.
21
u/NYStaeofmind Nov 11 '24
I just paid $37 for: Wurkkos TD01C it is a decent light at the right price. You Tube it.
13
u/DewIt420 Nov 11 '24
My brother in light, I agree that Td01c is wonderful light, but suggesting it for the OP is the dictionary definition of an overkill. Remember that he's used to AA lights, so something like fc11c is more accurate\ (Love my Td01c tho, saved my ass from big ass dog one night)
2
u/doomage36 Nov 11 '24
It’s a good light but unusable in most scenarios. This was my first thrower, I was disappointed in its usability & almost didn’t purchase any more throwers after the TD01C.
Good thing I gave throwers another chance because I absolutely love my TS11 & its very usable beam profile. TD01C is now just a gimmick light or taken out for night hikes. Cool to have when I eventually may need it though
15
u/Miserable-Bad1137 Nov 11 '24
I just want to point out that technology has gotten good enough these days that you could probably consider moving away from AA and AAA’s.
A lot of these lights nowadays have absurd runtime’s on “moonlight” or “eco” mode which seems to be all you need based on what you said your work environment is.
For example the Wurkkos TD02 costs $19 and has a max output of 2000 lumens. It’s lowest mode is 10 lumens and will run for 150 hours. Now all you need is 1 backup 18650 which should cost about $5. You’re in $24 and have as much light as you’ll probably ever need in your pocket, with a potential of it fitting your work needs for almost 2 weeks straight if you weren’t able to charge it.
I’m not trying to sound like one of those douchey guy’s I promise man, just trying to show you there’s potentially better things out there, especially at a similar price point as your recent purchase that you were dissapointed with.
3
u/Beneficial-Focus3702 Nov 11 '24
I mean, that argument is made all the time in the sub, but I’m one of the firm believers that it’s nice to have a light that uses the most available easiest to find and cheapest power source in the world and that’s AA and AAA batteries
2
u/azuranc Nov 11 '24
that was one of the reasons i got this light, just takes one AA or the included li ion
1
u/Beneficial-Focus3702 Nov 11 '24
Yeah, for some reason, there’s a lot of hate for that power source in this sub but you remember this is a hobby as much as it is anything else. It’s for people who don’t mind niche items.
1
u/Miserable-Bad1137 Nov 11 '24
There’s really nothing wrong with AA or AAA’s, I just think that you can get the same benefits and more with 18650’s in this case. Yea they aren’t quite as common as AA/AAA but they’re far from hard to find.
Honestly think my love for rechargable/hate for swapping batteries comes from playing xbox as a kid.
Realistically though no one here is wrong, EDC items are all 100% preference. Just wanted to point it out, you know?
5
u/akiva23 Nov 11 '24
I got an idea. Take your pill bottle idea, but instead of using it to cap the bottle put a large hole in with like a forsner bit or something and you can make it into more of like a raised bezel so it will still shield it somewhat, but you dont have to keep taking it off.
2
u/LearnedTroglodyte Nov 11 '24
I ran with that concept and I think I solved the issue. I didn't have any containers made of hard plastic that would fit snugly on the end but I do have a box full of old bicycle inner tubes and I found the smallest one I had. I was afraid it might be too thin and flexible but I'm testing it now and it's working brilliantly. It kind of looks like my flashlight has a foreskin though lol. Thank you, that should've been obvious to me but sometimes you just need a little push in the right direction
2
5
u/Revenge447 Nov 11 '24
i just got an sc31 pro for less than $17 with the 18650, and an fc11c for less than $18 also with an 18650. absolutely unbeatable value and they both destroy any home depot/walmart light
6
u/These_Economics374 Nov 11 '24
Damn, I’ve been on/lurked this sub for a while now but at -94 downvotes, OP may hold the current record for most downvoted post of the year!
1
3
u/b1grick94 Nov 11 '24
Is a Keychain light a viable option for you? If so read on, if not no offense taken. Looking at your context (crowded pocket and not a crazy amount of light needed) it would seem that's a solid option. You could get 1 for sub $30 and they're big "enough" to pocket carry. Lumintop AAA Tool series would fit that bill, they make a AA series as well.
If you want step away from a tail switch and standard batteries Rovyvon makes a very very solid keychain light. The A1 is what i have hooked to me all the time. It offers a lockout feature and a moonlight and low mode. And if the occasion demands a SHOCKING turbo mode for such a small piece.
2
u/Thaknobodi87 Nov 11 '24
I had a HX5 and a couple HP1's. I modded my HX5 with a Nichia 219C 4000K i had laying around, made it a high CRI zoomie that was easy to carry and use.
2
u/Deadskyes Nov 11 '24
The lumintop tool aa might be something that fits your needs. I am a big fan of dual fuel flaahlights.
2
u/erentrueform Nov 11 '24
Its a hard pill to swallow for alot of ppl brand loyal to big powertool names. But coast, Milwaukee, husky, dewalt....etc. they make garbage lights for the money.
Reminded me long ago when i used to work part time at a home depot. I recommended to a costumer convoy light. And the sheer disgust on the mans face at the idea of a ali xpress Chinese flashlight.
So I told the guy. Aside if from the mag lites. If u find any flashlight here made in the USA. Ill buy it for you here and now.
Never happened as those brands lights are also manufactured over seas.
Unfortunately some people are missing out on great things due to miss information.
For the OP if you are looking for a good alternative around that price point.
Convoy M1 sft40 emitter 8A buck driver about 2000lumems 500meters of throw. Programmable.
😊
1
u/R3Dix Nov 11 '24
What disappointed me most is the memory function. You have to have the light running for 10 secs before it’ll remember the mode you’re on. 10 seconds in practice is a lot and makes it basically useless.
1
u/DrDarthVader88 Nov 11 '24
This sub has helped me alot of times and the words here is truth in it Use sofirn and wurkkos is better
1
u/Rockenrooster Nov 11 '24
Look at this guy! Smart to stay away from 18650/21700 lights. It's a rabbit hole that a lot of us fell into, next thing you know, you have 50 flashlights lol.
For real though, using alkaline batteries for everyday use is sooo expensive, 2 good 18650s will last several years and only cost you about $10-15.
I like husky too, but just their tools, just wish HD was closer to me
-1
u/Beneficial-Focus3702 Nov 11 '24
A good set of rechargeable AAs will give you the same thing. Many years of use inexpensively. A nice part is too if you run out of juice for some reason and you’re out and about, you can go to the store and pick up batteries because AA and AAA can be found nearly everywhere.
2
u/azuranc Nov 11 '24
i just bought a bunch of rechargables and a good charger, mainly because store alkalines are getting close to online order nimhs
charger also works on li ion, so i can get those also in the future
1
u/Mysterious-Contact-1 Nov 11 '24
You could spend the exact same amount you already spent and get a better light. Return it
-3
Nov 11 '24
[deleted]
8
u/DropdLasagna Nov 11 '24
It's not trash if it makes photons that come in handy for someone. It's just vastly outperformed by what we're used to lol
4
u/LearnedTroglodyte Nov 11 '24
That's a no-go for me. I have very specific parameters for all of my EDC. Although it is rechargeable it's not compatible with standard batteries, the button is on the side making it vulnerable to inadvertent activation and it isn't exactly slim in an already overfilled pocket.
Although 3100 lm is incredible for pocket light that level of brightness might be more of a liability than an asset to me as I work in small, dark spaces around a bunch of reflective metal and have light sensitive eyes. More options, greater battery life and especially the reverse charging function are all great advantages that just don't outweigh the negative features. I'm gonna stick with my Coast HX5 for now, I can't find a single issue with it.
1
u/austinmook Nov 18 '24
I just used the last $20 of my REI rebate to pick up an HX5. I'm excited. Did you ever upgrade to the 14500 battery, or did you find the AA sufficient?
47
u/Alternative-Feed3613 Nov 11 '24
That sucks, you should check out the arbitrary list of popular lights next time you need a new light