I have gone through probably 10 flashlights. None have thrilled me. Still searching for "my" holy grail. Looking for:

1. Compact - Pocket, pack. 3-5 inch type
2. High lumens
3. Good battery longevity

Dont want to drop 200 but tired of coming up disappointed and ready to spend if needed. Any suggestions/opinions/experiences ?

Thanks in advance

I’m sold on Streamlight. I’ve got one I use all the time at work that I change the batteries on about once a year. They’ve held up better than Surefires, for me, and for a lot less money.

X2

Coast model HP1 small very bright and zoomable good battery life

I have the Strap-on" style flashlight that goes over you cap. This has been the only way for me to take a flashlight with me hunting. My hands are always full of stuff.

Best I ever had!!!!!Uses AAA and will last over a year on 1 battery.
Has 3 brightness settings, and is REAL bright. About 3" long and 1/2" dia.

Streamlight strion and stylus pro. I carry both.

Cree C8- under $10 on ebay. They're the same light US companies sell as some sort of hunting flashlight for $100+. I've found that I lose my lights long before they break, and have never had a problem with these not working.

Excellent scoop...I appreciate the replies. Gonna research all these...........

What type of use? I have a light that fits on the brim of my cap. It has 4 different color lights red, green, blue and white. I use it for walking to my deer stand. Uses a couple 20/32 batteries.

I have a good head lamp I use walking around to from blinds etc. This is more for general use, game tracking, in case im the last pickup, critter in camp, etc.

Here is your answer......^^^^^^^^^

I get the Ultra fire's off of Amazon starting at around $10, can get them in clear, red , green and blue. Shines about as good as a $275 dollar one I bought 6 years ago from a guy in New Your.

Some of these sound like a lot of bucks for the bang!

I have a bushnell I picked up from Walmart for about $30. Best light I have ever had. I like it better than my stream light.

This one works well and holds a charge for a weekend at the cabin. Spotted a deer in the tree line at about 40 yards. Used the zoom on the light and could make out the antlers.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VZTJVE6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Yeah I have two of the UltraFire WF-502B 5 mode 1000 lumens tac light kits from Amazon that I bought 3 years ago and they do the job fine. I have a $150 NiteHunter tac light set made here in Texas and the UltraFire is just as good and costs under $20 for the kit and it came with a tail cap pressure switch. I modified one with a momentary bubble switch for my IWI Tavor pressure pad on the foregrip. If you are looking for the most bang for your buck then get one of these. For a headlamp I use the Sniper Hog Lights headlamp with the red bulb. If you really want to spend some money then go with a Moonshiner Lights set up. Their hard hat light setups are awesome!!!!

I use a Niteforce P10. Its 500 lumens on "turbo" but has 4 brightness settings - I use the one level below turbo and can see great with it walking in the dark. Pocket size and uses CR123 batteries. Been very happy with it.

This. Bought 2 for my 10 y.o. daughters. I was very impressed by it. I'm a streamlight guy also.

I quit buying anything over about $10 a pop years ago. Usually buy a card of 3 at Costco for $15 or so when I lose a couple. They started out as 200 lumen and are now 500 lumen. I keep a spare in my pack. Brand is Duracell but Cree makes them.

For my backpack hunts I use a Black Diamond headlamp.

I buy ten at a time in various colors on Amazon for three bucks and change apiece. Cree LED and single AA cell. Super bright lights.

I go the cheap route too, but some black-hearted soul on here introduced me to camofire.com and I couldn't resist a Factor Mizpah 250 for a little over 20.00. Darn thing runs on two AAAs, has a clip you can put on your cap, and on high, could be used as a self-defense light. Don't know about durability, but it's my new favorite and is in the nightstand.

Also found a cheap Energizer headlamp in the blind I was in last week and now I'm rethinking my desire to post a reminder about cleaning out your blind before you leave.

You’ll go back to that stance when you find a ziplock bag full of piss in the stand.

Yes, it’s happened.