I tend to buy my flashlights from online stores like Banggood, Gearbest, Fasttech from HK or China.
But I don't buy at their retail prices as you can get very good discount if you join groupbuy or ask for discount codes over at CandlePowerForums (CPF) or BudgetLightForum (BLF).
For example, the big Nitecore TM16 in my photo has a retail price of US$199, but using discount code/group buy, the final price is about US$120 including shippng.
Just a guide that normally Nitecore flashlghts can be had with 40-45% discount from their RRP if you know where to buy them, but caveat is you forego local warranty and have to ship your lights back to China for repair works or warranty claims.

As for batteries, I tend to buy Keeppower for protected button-top as Olight or Nitecore batteries are a bit expensive.
If you need flat-top batteries (but normally Nitecore flashlights need button-top), you can just get the factory stock batteries from Panasonic/Sanyo, Samsung, LG or Sony.

Lucky for me, so far never kena tahan by Kastam

Legal or not?
Bring them in might be an issue if you need import permit for taser.

Lol! I sure don't want to end up tazing myself accidentally at home or outside.

Hard to go wrong with Convoy as part of the collection.
My 2 S2+ with short tubes which I always kept under my pillow.

You can get them for about US$3/pc from Banggood or direct from Convoy store at Aliexpress.
It can fit both 18350 or 16340 cells.

Their online pricings for their low end models such as S2+, C8, are quite low already, and maybe local dealers find it very hard to sell Convoy with their profit margin considering users can buy them direct from China.

I have 2 S2+ myself, in blue and red, with both using the short 18350 tubes.
One stays inside my wife travel bag while another one is next to her bedside dresser.
The HA2 anodized can stand the normal daily abuses

In other countries, some modders use the S2+ as host for their triple set-up.

Wow! Nice light!
I have the Nitecore TM16 that has the same form factor as the TN40 but is cheaper and slightly lighter, albeit with shorter throw and less lumens.
Wish I can find more use for the light

What a lovely gift from Olight.
Really nice of them.
Is that the S Mini or S1?

Am thinking of getting the brass S Mini to complement my black S1

First flashlight delivery for 2017.
Klarus Mi7 Ti with XPL-HI
Not bad for US$37 with registered shipping from Banggood

^ same opinion as the above.
I have the Nitecore EC4S, which basically uses Cree XHP50 emitter, instead of XPL-Hi.
Since it uses 2x 18650 batteries, I don't find it pocket friendly and if I bring it out, it will be in the holster and clip to my belt.

If you wNt light that can be charged on the go, plenty out there that are using single 18650 battery. No need to invest on dedicated Li-Ion charger coz all you need is a USB cable and power source to plug your cable.

You might want to consider the Olight S1 Baton too.
They both use CR123 primary battery or 16340 Li-Ion rechargeable battery.
The CR123 battery can still be found at some hardware stores or camera stores

Agree on battery choice as @power911

The value-for money Panasonic NCR18650B I reckons should be good enough for the Zanflare.
If you want to splurge, the Sanyo GA or the LG MJ1 for slightly more capacity over the NCR B can be considered too. I don't think you'll notice any improvement if you go for the high drain Samsung 30Q or LG HG2 in this flashlight

Do you want throw, spread or something in between?
The older Nitecore TM16 with around 4K lumens might suit your need.
It's much cheaper than the Fenix and reliability is not an issue as I had mine for about 2 years already.

Try asking for discount code or groupbuy price from CPF or BLF.
Bought mine from Banggood using the disc count for less than US$120 back in 2015.
It should be much cheaper now as considered old technology already

I've ordered about 10 flashlights in the past 2 years, all in diff shapes, sizes, prices, etc from USA, China, Middle East and so far none kena stop by our Kastam.

No, but the police sure want to pinjam the flashlight

Lumens is not everything, as I prefer colur tint over lumens
Some of us prefer the Nichia’s rosie tint over Cree’s greenish tint, eventhough normally the Nichia generates less lumens than the Cree

My first light for 2018.
Utorch U2 in 5000K neutral tint, although to my naked eyes seems like 4000 to 4500K tint

Pity it’s almost impossible to buy Li-ion battery from China and HK now as I only have 2x 26650 batteries.

On a separate note, the Massdrop-made copper AAA light, which is loosely based from the Lumintop Tool light is available from the drop.
Massdrop copper AAA

This post has been edited by widget: Jan 28 2018, 08:46 AM


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Good catch on the Convoy L6.
Convoy can really makes affordable lights at budget prices, without sacrificng the quality.
My 2 Convoy S2+ have been dropped so many times by my wife and kid, but they are still working fine and the anodizing are still pristine.

Where did you get the 2 protected 26650 batteries for your L6?
Used to get my Li-ion batt from Banggood, HK Eqpt, eBay and even Gearbest before they stop shipping the batt to Malaysia

I’m talking about Li-Ion batteries.
The Utorch U2 I bought it from Gearbest, but I couldn’t order the 26650 batt from them