It sells for $100-150 and is about 6' long. It's powered by two CR123A cells or one 18650 lithium-ion cell. The second image below (Maelstrom G5) is one example. Small high performance two cell flashlights (those that use two AA or 2 CR123A batteries) can cost $100 or more. On average, small single cell high performance LED flashlights cost approximately $50. For example, the Nitecore EX11 below sells for approximately $60. For example, there are LED flashlights that operate off of one AA or one CR123A battery that produce significantly more light than a 2D-cell Maglite but you can expect to pay at least twice as much for those tiny, high performance lights. If you want higher performance flashlights, you'll have to pay significantly more. For most people, these will do everything they need them to do. Some spend $30 on a two or three D-cell LED Maglite. Many people are used to buying a two D-cell Rayovac flashlight for $2 at Wal-Mart (really, $2.00, batteries included). When you initially get into flashlight collecting, you may be shocked by the prices. However, if you want a light that's going to be reliable and will last nearly forever, Maglite is still a very good choice. That doesn't mean that they're not good quality lights but if you're looking for bragging rights (brightest light, smallest size.), Maglite isn't generally in the running.

Maglite (a familiar example below) is another very common brand but they're not typically considered to be at the cutting edge of technology (although the new XL100 may be an exception). Most of these lights remain on the cutting edge and, at any point in time, produce lights that produce the most intense output possible. Names like 4Sevens, Fenix (pronounced like Phoenix), Nitecore, Surefire, Streamlight are considered some of the best. There are dozens of popular manufacturers of high performance flashlights. High quality lights switch on flawlessly EVERY time. Having to beat on a flashlight is normal for older, budget lights but not for high quality lights. It's almost as if it's coded into our DNA. Most people think it's normal to have to beat on a flashlight to make it work. The various output modes will be described in more detail later.ДЄ quick note. With multiple output levels, the light becomes much more versatile. If the only options for a flashlight are off and full-on and the flashlight produces an intense output, it makes it almost useless for close-up use (reading a map while someone is driving, etc.) because it's simply too bright. The newer LED flashlights have many modes and various output levels. Most people have never seen a flashlight that has anything other than a simple on/off switch. The newer flashlights using LEDs produce much more light than most of the flashlights using incandescent lamps. Except for the cheapest flashlights, incandescent lamps are being phased out. Those flashlights used an incandescent lamp (hot wire filament producing light). Flashlights like the 4D-cell Maglite were considered to be some of the best, in terms of light output. Until recently, virtually all flashlights were simple on/off devices (like the one below) with very limited output. These are simply products that I have used and would recommend to my friends. There will be products that I recommend on this page. After you understand the basics you'll better understand the discussions on the various flashlight forums (like the Candlepower forum). Initially, it was difficult to understand some of the discussions on the various forums because there were so many new terms.

They typically refer to themselves as 'flashaholics'.

When looking for a new flashlight, I discovered that there is a huge community of people that are interested in (or obsessed with) flashlights. That's true for the most basic flashlights. What is there to know about a flashlight, switch it on and it lights up, switch it off and the light goes out.

Some of the Flashlights and Spotlights I Currently Own.

An Introduction to High-Performance Flashlights

Led flashlight driver circuit how to