Reddit reviews WOWTAC A1S BSS TAC V2 LED Flashlight, Pocket-Sized LED Torch 1150 Lumens CREE LED, IPX7 Water Resistant, 5 Modes Low/Mid/High/Trubo/Strobe for Indoors and Outdoors(Camping,Hiking, Cycling Use)

You'll get plenty far with $50! u/PnwStimm has a great suggestion with the Q8 - its about the best bang-for-your-buck light you can get. However, it won't come with the required 4 18650 li-ion cells you need, and that will bump its cost by at least $15-20.

A fairly new light to the scene is the ThruNite TC15, which blasts out an amazing 2300 lumens AND comes with a quality 18650 battery. It isn't an uber-tactical military flashlight, but it has a direct access shortcut to turbo which is something I really enjoy. The UI is very well set up.

If you think he would want to play cop and look the part, you could look into offerings from ArmyTek or Nitecore that look the part (I can help with that if you want to go this route).

So long as you don't laugh at the name, there is another option: my first "real" flashlight was a WOWTAC A1S BSS v2 and it kinda fits the bill - the (removable) strike bezel is absurd, it has a red light filter, and it has an interesting driver that can be controlled from both the e-switch on the side and the tail switch (for normal or "tactical" use). Its served me pretty well, and the 1050 lumens it puts out is absolutely no joke.

EDIT TO ADD: /u/parametrek has an insanely handy website for finding a wide variety of flashlights within specific parameters. Here is a custom search for flashlights/weaponlights under $50 with over 700 lumens (which in my head is pretty farking bright). You may want to dig through these and see if there's anything that catches your eye!

If by a bezel you mean a crenellated strike bezel, I’m of the opinion that they’re kind of pointless. There are any number of other items that would make better improvised weapons, but there are some impressive looking ones out there. You didn’t define a budget, but one of the best cheap lights is the $30 Wowtac A1S. They make a “BSS” version of it for a few bucks more with a gnarly bezel on it, though it’s also removable. You can spend less on absolute crap, but that’s the best deal I can think of on a light that I’d actually recommend.

I'm not a firm believer in 'strike bezels' being particularly good at striking anything, but here's a few options. All of these are single 18650 lights that should have no issue fitting in that sheath.

• Olight M1X Striker
  
  
• Olight M2T
  
  
• Wowtac A1S BSS TAC
  
  
• Convoy M1
  
  
• Convoy M2

Wow tech a15 bss please and thank you

Wowtac A1S BSS
Thanks for the giveaway & the handy reference website!

I will recommend the Wowtac A1S bss v2

Its very bright (1100 lm 19200 cd), durable (check out the torture tests on youtube), and it has a detachable bezel for defensive purposes. Im a big fan of the two button UI as well. Definitely great value at this price point.

WOW!

This Wowtac Wowlight definitely seems like a good deal to me.

https://www.amazon.com/Wowtac-A1S-BSS-TAC-V2/dp/B07567K2QC/?tag=parametrek-20

https://www.amazon.com/Wowtac-A1S-BSS-TAC-V2/dp/B07567K2QC/?tag=parametrek-20

I wouldn't mind having one like this with the filters and all. Thanks for the giveaway!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07567K2QC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_ik4eAbYJA12AW

Much appreciated!

Wowtac, formerly called Atactical, is a relatively new budget brand aimed at non-enthusiasts. Ever since they showed up, their lights have been regularly recommended here for a few reasons.

1. Batteries are included. So far, all of their lights are 18650 powered. Because they're aimed at people who aren't into flashlights yet, Wowtac's lights all come with special 18650 cells. The protection circuits on these cells are also charging circuits. They charge from a micro USB port on the positive end of the cell. Depending on whether you get the A_ or the A_S version, the light will come with either a 2600mAh or a 3400mAh cell.
   
   
2. Quality to price ratio. Their website says they have "technical support provided by ThruNite". I'm not sure what that means exactly, but it's clear that the two companies are connected. Wowtac's lights are very similar in style and build quality to ThruNite's lights. They don't sell for ThruNite prices though. The A1 and A1S have build quality comparable to the ThruNite TN12, but for $30 and $20 less, respectively.
   
   
3. They're on Amazon. If you've never ordered from China before, it can seem kind of sketchy, and the long wait times take some getting used to. Wowtac's lights are on Amazon, and they're Prime eligible.
   
   All that being said, they aren't perfect. The A3's zooming mechanism is flawed, just like every other aspheric zooming mechanism out there. Some users report that the charging circuits get hot when you give them too much current. They sell stupid tacticool flashlights.

I 2nd the A1S. I would avoid the A2S because, while the right-angle is useful, right-angle lights seem odd if you're not a flashlight guy.

I would add, the A1S BSS looks more "tactical" (tacticool) if he want's something agressive and "military" looking.

Wowtac A1S BSS

https://www.amazon.com/Flashlight-Pocket-Sized-Resistant-Indoors-Outdoors/dp/B07567K2QC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1512025032&sr=8-1&keywords=Wowtac+A1S+BSS

I'd be down for one of these.

https://www.amazon.com/Wowtac-A1S-BSS-TAC-V2/dp/B07567K2QC/?tag=parametrek-20

Wowtac A1S thank you very much

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07567K2QC/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1506091449&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=wowtac+a1s&dpPl=1&dpID=51dfxVIksFL&ref=plSrch

Respect for the fallen subteddits (a few of my favorites were among them.)

You're awesome for doing this, and thanks for chance!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07567K2QC/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1522040999&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=wowtech+flashlights&dpPl=1&dpID=51dfxVIksFL&ref=plSrch

Hahah, Love the Chilean Peso twist!

I'd get the Wowtac A1S
https://www.amazon.com/Flashlight-Pocket-Sized-Resistant-Indoors-Outdoors/dp/B07567K2QC/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1506105225&sr=1-1&keywords=a1s+wowtac

https://www.amazon.com/Flashlight-Pocket-Sized-Resistant-Indoors-Outdoors/dp/B07567K2QC/ref=sr_1_2?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1506120304&sr=1-2&keywords=Wowtac%C2%AE+A1S

Thanks! Wowtac A1S BSS TAC V2 LED Flashlight

thanks!

Wowtac A1S - seems to be a winner for me...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07567K2QC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_ICfUAbP97Q496

Good luck to everyone, and thanks for your generosity. I've been looking for a light, and may just buy this one after I'm sure I haven't won it.

Giveaway you say? Thanks!
https://www.amazon.com/Wowtac-A1S-BSS-TAC-V2/dp/B07567K2QC/?tag=parametrek-20

https://www.amazon.com/Wowtac-A1S-BSS-TAC-V2/dp/B07567K2QC/?tag=parametrek-20

Thanks for the giveway, best of luck for everyone entering.

thanks for the chance to win

I would really like the Wowtac A1S V2.

Thanks for the giveaway!

Just getting into nice flashlights and this would be amazing to help kick off my collection!

Thanks for the opportunity!
link

>From the doorway (Turns into a shitshow if I need to go in with lights out and whatnot) I am just looking to see that they are there, and ideally they are alright.

I incorrectly assumed that you had to go in and do a closer check like acute care facilities do.

> my old flashlight that was red was really bright and I'd just shine it on the ceiling and it'd light up the whole room.

With that in mind, the Nitecore I recommended earlier probably won't work for you since the red LED in it is pretty low power. You might be better off getting a Solarforce L2M host (runs 18650, or can run stubby with 18350 with the extension tube removed) and a red LED drop in like this one from KAI Domain.

Or just get a white light that will take a screw in or slip on red filter, like Fenixes linked by u/ImALittleCrackpot. The Wowtac A1S BSS includes a screw in red filter and is complete package for $40.

I hope this helps you find the right light or at least gets you going in the right direction.

The A1S has twice the lumens output as the A1

I like my A1S, it's my first 'proper' flashlight

There is also the A1S BSS TAC - https://www.amazon.com/WOWTAC-Flashlight-Pocket-Sized-Resistant-Outdoors/dp/B07567K2QC/

WOWTAC A1S BSS TAC V2 and swap out the crenulated bezel for the red lens.

https://www.amazon.com/Wowtac-A1S-BSS-TAC-V2/dp/B07567K2QC

https://www.amazon.com/Wowtac-A1S-BSS-TAC-V2/dp/B07567K2QC/

Just don't get the one with the absurd bezel