I took this flashlight to work and they only use mac tools and matco flashlights that are smaller than this and the cost starts at $60. They were all impressed with this flashlight!
I run mine off 18500 rechargeable batteries makes huge difference in runtime and brightness level, for 10.00 excellent value. I have Streamline, FourSevens, and a new SR1 Baton Olight, compares well for cheap led.
I take the tailcap switch out. Then I tear it down to remove the gold spring contact cap. With the cap gone and just the spring contacting the battery, theres enough room to install an 18650. I find the 18650 much easier to find locally and more compatible with other electronics i use, so i just use 1 battery type for all my gizmos.
Great review. Just bought this flash light the other day. It's such a great value. I didn't know about the strobe and low beam. Thanks for the informative video.
I like them and they are so good, I bought 3 of them, one for each auto. I keep them in the door panels. The body of the flashlight is made of 6061 T6 aluminum.
Bought one that is a 3 pack that had the same features, but with an extra feature or 4th mode which is a SOS signal using morse code and comes with a wrist strap lanyard. Price was $10 as well and bought it at TJ Maxx. It was a Honeywell brand.
The specifications for this light say the width (diameter) is almost 1.5" at the widest point, and I assume that's at the widest part of the shroud around the lens. Can anyone report on the diameter of the main barrel? Obviously, it would be nice if this is 1"/25.4mm. Thank you for the review! I like that the change in focus on the beam doesn't produce any dark areas/shadows. This is a big drawback of some other small flashlights.
Nice for self-defense. Perfect hand size for me. Get a clip to for the side of your pants. Any smaller and it might not be as powerful or could have overheating issues. Nice hand size.
I was going to upgrade my old Maglite AA flashlights to LEDs. After buying one of these I cannot justify the cost of upgrading old Maglites anymore. I bought one of these the other day and I agree this is one of the little gems you find at Harbor Freight. I'm going to go back and buy a few more for my daughters to keep in their cars and around the house.
Thanks! You won't be disappointed with this light. The flashlights that you can get for free with the coupon is pretty much junk. I've gone through a ton of those as well. This light however is a winner!
Which Harbor Freight is this deal? I have been outside the USA in Southeast Asia for the past 10 years. The nearest Harbor Freight to me that I am aware of is in Medford, Oregon. My destination is Yreka, California, a very, very small town.
I take the tailcap switch out. Then I tear it down to remove the gold spring contact cap. With the cap gone and just the spring contacting the battery, theres enough room to install an 18650. I find the 18650 much easier to find locally and more compatible with other electronics i use, so i just use 1 battery type for all my gizmos.
Mine quit working. My batteries are okay. The switch in the end is okay. It will not light by shorting out the battery to the casing. How do I get access to the lightbulb? I can't get the end off where the light and the crystal are. Thamk you.
I run my QFL-588 with 4 Eneloop AAA batteries. The barrel gets hot on a high beam which then becomes dim. I then have to turn it off and then back on to get the high beam bright again. I use it for walking the dog. Do you have any suggestions?
I take the tailcap switch out. Then I tear it down to remove the gold spring contact cap. With the cap gone and just the spring contacting the battery, theres enough room to install an 18650. I find the 18650 much easier to find locally and more compatible with other electronics i use, so i just use 1 battery type for all my gizmos.
Nock off of a torch mine has a few more functions for 9.99 and lesser quality one i got at a gas station for 10 bucks same as my torch and that HF one i will have to try it . Every one and there sister has a knock off of the torch tac light
I just bought this light about a week ago. One night, I left it on out on my deck for two hours. When I remembered, I went out to retrieve my flashlight it was off. I thought the batteries had run down. As soon as I touched it (picked it up), the light came on full strength. Another night, I left it out all night. The next day was a very dim beam BUT, when I shut it off, I now have a strong beam still. This flashlight must come with an automatic shut off of some kind. Try it yourselves and see what happens. Nice vid Guy.
I had that same problem with mine. I was using alkaline batteries. Now I run my QFL-588 with 4 Eneloop AAA batteries. The barrel gets hot on a high beam which then becomes dim. I then have to turn it off and then back on to get the high beam bright again. I use it for walking the dog. Do you have any suggestions?
Ok, before I express my observation with respect to the 'Quantum,' I must say the person who gave a critique, with a pretense of being knowledgeable, does not convey genuine experience with regard to real life and death tactical situations. They sound like a keyboard warrior, or at least didn't learn much. In a dark area, if one needed to disrupt an assailant, and had a few seconds to set a counter attack, preceded by disrupting the assailant, that strobe in the eyes, is absolutely blinding, and hurts. It made me turn my head, and I tried it on several special ops types. That light on full charge flat out works. In my testing, each person when surprised turned the head and shielded the eyes. It feels like an icepick in your eyes. Sorry the strobes are so annoying to your friends in the real world., but in this same real world, it is more or less advisable to at least know who is about to assault, who, if anyone else is held, or if anyone is down range, I.E. your friend, or wife, or kids. Maybe a friend was having a bad night, and came in the door. It is not advisable to shoot blindly in the dark, so this light is very handy and effective. The strobe hitting anyone in the eyes, while in a dark room, will react. At the same time, if you are stalking an intruder, make sure you are mentally papered, no nervous trigger pulls, stay focused... so, the brightness is great,and the strobe is great and effective. I have one critique on this.light. I hope the company see's this. The Quantum is a very nice unit. Well worth the money, for sure. But the striking edge, is about worthless. I've studied it, tried it, and it is crap. What if your flashlight was in the extended position. Before any real impact can occur, it must slide down the it's length, similar to a shock absorber. Worthless. If it is in the pulled back position it is not effective because the tube will move and compromise your grip. The glass lens, is actually has a sort of structural block, preventing it from being dangerous. It may scrape and cut skin, but a person's skull.. doubtful BUT- The company missed the really hard edge.. the really potentially effective one, is the back side. Much more dense, heavier and solid to hit with. All in all, this is a great value and wonderful light. As with all tools, we find a way to make them work as we need.
Chihand, striking edge? It's a $10 flashlight for crying out loud,, it's not made to be a weapon! If you want a flashlight that doubles as a weapon, go spend $75+ for a D-cell Maglite!
Well varied ways to look at this, open your mind, think creatively. For one, the company does say it can be used for self defense. But think in a fuller capacity. What does the price have to do with it? A five or ten cent pencil sharpened normally, can kill. A rock is free, so are sticks cut from dense trees. So, what is a weapon? A braided leather whip, thrown and snapped, can rip a mans flesh off, or easily blind him. A roll of quarters, or pennies held in the hand makes a punch harder and can be a potentially fatal blow. A piece of braided cord, 1/8 diameter can be used as a garrote, your dinner fork, cane, broomstick, tire iron, even a plastic bag can be used as a weapon. Once upon a time, we did not know how to hit. Grab and do what? What ever they did, I surmise size mattered. One day some cave dude hit someone with a closed hand. Wow a punch, so the rival clan, tried a stick. Wow, State of art weapon for a prehistoric man. But his rivals, were dismayed.. so to one up this arms race, tied a rock to the stick, and a club with stone head; that was badass. So they smashed their rivals, who then realized they were getting hit because the stick club gave enemy reach. Being close was too dangerous. So they figured what if they threw the rock. Awesome, so they hid, and rained down the rocks the new weapon, and won. Needless to say, it kept escalating, Any object, with the ability to cause blunt trauma, or cut, or penetrate, is a weapon. Even the tube of a felt pen, body held in closed fist with bottom as the striking area works. A leather belt, with a solid buckle, can do serious damage. So just because an item is not designated for combat, does not mean it is not capable. We Improvise, Adapt and Overcome: ... oh and what I said goes. I can use the butt end of that light effectively. Your 75 dollar beast does not ganeentee you wil make the hit on target. Timing, skill, strategy all play a role. Point of fact, i only write about things I am experienced with.
If you're experienced using a $10 flashlight as a weapon, so be it. In the real world, you would have to hit the assailant many times to have an affect on him, meanwhile, the assailant wouldn't be just standing there waiting for the next blow, he will be defending himself and counter reacting to your blows. Yes, strategy, timing and skill all play a role, but you had better be adapt at defending yourself as well, and it should be with something other than a little $10 flashlight. Oh, and the D-cell Maglite? One well place blow with a Maglite will instantly put someone in dream land.
Great little light...I like the easy focus because with the flick of the wrist you can get tight focus... works great for me.
All the Chinese flashlights I have had of this style fail when the button switch quits. If you are going to use it frequently, I'd have a backup.
i have this light.. I love it. Harbor freight definitely has some quality products.. this being one of them.
I've had mine for 2 plus years and use it 2-3 x a week. Just had to replace the batteries for the 1st time.
If you put the battery holder in backwards, you get a red light.
Unbeatable deal. I love mine.
I took this flashlight to work and they only use mac tools and matco flashlights that are smaller than this and the cost starts at $60. They were all impressed with this flashlight!
Nice! I'm still using all of mine just about everyday. Love these flashlights!
This is way better than my Maglite that costs 10X as much!
I have that flash light and I put it on my 12gaug shotgun
I run mine off 18500 rechargeable batteries makes huge difference in runtime and brightness level, for 10.00 excellent value. I have Streamline, FourSevens, and a new SR1 Baton Olight, compares well for cheap led.
I'm about to have to replace the batteries on one of mine. Gonna go with a recharable18500. Thanks for the suggestion.
John, you're a saint. I was just looking for what rechargable battery this would take. Cheers.
Would a Li-Ion 25500 battery (C-Cell sz) or 26650 work, with 3000-5000mAh capacity?
I take the tailcap switch out. Then I tear it down to remove the gold spring contact cap. With the cap gone and just the spring contacting the battery, theres enough room to install an 18650. I find the 18650 much easier to find locally and more compatible with other electronics i use, so i just use 1 battery type for all my gizmos.
@@HeartofTexasArmory do they still carry that flashlight.
Great review. Just bought this flash light the other day. It's such a great value. I didn't know about the strobe and low beam. Thanks for the informative video.
Glad I was able to help you out with my video. Thanks for the comment!
I like them and they are so good,
I bought 3 of them, one for each auto.
I keep them in the door panels.
The body of the flashlight is made of
6061 T6 aluminum.
I have this one and the 120 lumen light (QFL-338), and they are both awesome lights!
...what does "EDC" stand for...?
Bought one that is a 3 pack that had the same features, but with an extra feature or 4th mode which is a SOS signal using morse code and comes with a wrist strap lanyard. Price was $10 as well and bought it at TJ Maxx. It was a Honeywell brand.
The specifications for this light say the width (diameter) is almost 1.5" at the widest point, and I assume that's at the widest part of the shroud around the lens. Can anyone report on the diameter of the main barrel? Obviously, it would be nice if this is 1"/25.4mm. Thank you for the review! I like that the change in focus on the beam doesn't produce any dark areas/shadows. This is a big drawback of some other small flashlights.
The barrel has flatspots on opposite sides. The barrel is 29mm. The flatspots of the barrel are 27mm. And the grip is 30mm. I hope I was able to help!
Hi I'm Troy from Australia I just bought one . it's that good I'm getting 3 more one for home one for car one for the wife . good one.
Nice Troy!
Nice light i have it but very hangry with batteries!
Nice for self-defense. Perfect hand size for me. Get a clip to for the side of your pants. Any smaller and it might not be as powerful or could have overheating issues. Nice hand size.
Not bad at all for the price. Nice vid:)
Yo compré una hace tiempo. Muy buena y muy útil.
Is it possible to put a 18650 battery or a better battery on it?
Yes. I have installed that battery in my flushlight
to small
Is it still holding up I just got one and love it so far
I was going to upgrade my old Maglite AA flashlights to LEDs. After buying one of these I cannot justify the cost of upgrading old Maglites anymore. I bought one of these the other day and I agree this is one of the little gems you find at Harbor Freight. I'm going to go back and buy a few more for my daughters to keep in their cars and around the house.
Does anyone know how to get the quantum flashlight lens off
I like when said batteries are free.
I have the 588 that only has an on off button, no other modes. I guess that's an older version.
Similar are like same or cheaper...I got a Coleman battery lock 600 at ross for $10
Good light 100 yards of throw, nice light should cost 39 dollars.
Your video gives the most thorough review. I have been through so many of the HF free flashlights, that I'm considering buying this for the long term.
Thanks! You won't be disappointed with this light. The flashlights that you can get for free with the coupon is pretty much junk. I've gone through a ton of those as well. This light however is a winner!
Which Harbor Freight is this deal? I have been outside the USA in Southeast Asia for the past 10 years. The nearest Harbor Freight to me that I am aware of is in Medford, Oregon. My destination is Yreka, California, a very, very small town.
Will a Li-Ion 18500 or 18650 rechargeable battery replace the 4 AAA's in the Quantum Tactical Flashlight?
Charlie Crash I don't think it's possible. Would be amazing if it could! The 18650 would be too long to fit in the battery compartment.
@@HeartofTexasArmory Looking at an Li-Ion chart, maybe a 25500 (C-Cell sz) might fit better, with a rating of 3000-4000mAh?
@@charliecrash3450 I'll have to look into that battery! Thanks!
I take the tailcap switch out. Then I tear it down to remove the gold spring contact cap. With the cap gone and just the spring contacting the battery, theres enough room to install an 18650. I find the 18650 much easier to find locally and more compatible with other electronics i use, so i just use 1 battery type for all my gizmos.
Can a lithium ion battery be substituted for the triple a batteries
it's alright mine ain't working no more after two months of professional use
Is that LED a variant of the XML L2?
awesome flashlight
Mine quit working. My batteries are okay. The switch in the end is okay. It will not light by shorting out the battery to the casing. How do I get access to the lightbulb? I can't get the end off where the light and the crystal are. Thamk you.
I disagree these having value. I personally wouldn't put any faith in the boxes blurbs
I run my QFL-588 with 4 Eneloop AAA batteries. The barrel gets hot on a high beam which then becomes dim. I then have to turn it off and then back on to get the high beam bright again. I use it for walking the dog. Do you have any suggestions?
Does anyone know how many lumens in the low mode?
how do you clean lens?
Got moisture in side of the lens can't remove to clean.
I have this light,, but the battery is too weak..
Good review but one thing. When reviewing a flashlight. Maybe show how well it LIGHTS...lol
does it come with a strap or a belt case
It does not
+njshift : thanks
Great video can you fit a 18650 lithium battery ?
I take the tailcap switch out. Then I tear it down to remove the gold spring contact cap. With the cap gone and just the spring contacting the battery, theres enough room to install an 18650. I find the 18650 much easier to find locally and more compatible with other electronics i use, so i just use 1 battery type for all my gizmos.
Nock off of a torch mine has a few more functions for 9.99 and lesser quality one i got at a gas station for 10 bucks same as my torch and that HF one i will have to try it . Every one and there sister has a knock off of the torch tac light
Next time get a flashlight instead of a torch!
Have you tried using it with Nimh batteries? If so, do you get much life with Nimh batteries with this flashlight?
I haven't yet. Still on the included batteries with both of them.
Okay, no prob. Thanks. Are you going to buy one of the new phoibos watches?
I wanting to purchase the Eagle Ray when it's available this summer. Also hoping to get the Wave Master and the Reef Master in or reviews.
I just bought this light about a week ago. One night, I left it on out on my deck for two hours. When I remembered, I went out to retrieve my flashlight it was off. I thought the batteries had run down. As soon as I touched it (picked it up), the light came on full strength. Another night, I left it out all night. The next day was a very dim beam BUT, when I shut it off, I now have a strong beam still. This flashlight must come with an automatic shut off of some kind. Try it yourselves and see what happens. Nice vid Guy.
I had that same problem with mine. I was using alkaline batteries. Now I run my QFL-588 with 4 Eneloop AAA batteries. The barrel gets hot on a high beam which then becomes dim. I then have to turn it off and then back on to get the high beam bright again. I use it for walking the dog. Do you have any suggestions?
the NEW small BLACK ROUND single led FREE flashlight is SUPER BRIGHT DO A COMPARISON FOR ALL TO SEE THE CHANGE THE SAME OLD BODY HAD MANY DIM LEDS
Stop yelling!
Ok, before I express my observation with respect to the 'Quantum,' I must say the person who gave a critique, with a pretense of being knowledgeable, does not convey genuine experience with regard to real life and death tactical situations. They sound like a keyboard warrior, or at least didn't learn much. In a dark area, if one needed to disrupt an assailant, and had a few seconds to set a counter attack, preceded by disrupting the assailant, that strobe in the eyes, is absolutely blinding, and hurts. It made me turn my head, and I tried it on several special ops types. That light on full charge flat out works. In my testing, each person when surprised turned the head and shielded the eyes. It feels like an icepick in your eyes.
Sorry the strobes are so annoying to your friends in the real world., but in this same real world, it is more or less advisable to at least know who is about to assault, who, if anyone else is held, or if anyone is down range, I.E. your friend, or wife, or kids. Maybe a friend was having a bad night, and came in the door. It is not advisable to shoot blindly in the dark, so this light is very handy and effective. The strobe hitting anyone in the eyes, while in a dark room, will react. At the same time, if you are stalking an intruder, make sure you are mentally papered, no nervous trigger pulls, stay focused... so, the brightness is great,and the strobe is great and effective.
I have one critique on this.light. I hope the company see's this.
The Quantum is a very nice unit. Well worth the money, for sure. But the striking edge, is about worthless. I've studied it, tried it, and it is crap. What if your flashlight was in the extended position. Before any real impact can occur, it must slide down the it's length, similar to a shock absorber. Worthless. If it is in the pulled back position it is not effective because the tube will move and compromise your grip. The glass lens, is actually has a sort of structural block, preventing it from being dangerous. It may scrape and cut skin, but a person's skull.. doubtful BUT- The company missed the really hard edge.. the really potentially effective one, is the back side. Much more dense, heavier and solid to hit with. All in all, this is a great value and wonderful light. As with all tools, we find a way to make them work as we need.
Chihand, striking edge? It's a $10 flashlight for crying out loud,, it's not made to be a weapon! If you want a flashlight that doubles as a weapon, go spend $75+ for a D-cell Maglite!
Well varied ways to look at this, open your mind, think creatively. For one, the company does say it can be used for self defense. But think in a fuller capacity. What does the price have to do with it? A five or ten cent pencil sharpened normally, can kill. A rock is free, so are sticks cut from dense trees. So, what is a weapon?
A braided leather whip, thrown and snapped, can rip a mans flesh off, or easily blind him. A roll of quarters, or pennies held in the hand makes a punch harder and can be a potentially fatal blow. A piece of braided cord, 1/8 diameter can be used as a garrote, your dinner fork, cane, broomstick, tire iron, even a plastic bag can be used as a weapon.
Once upon a time, we did not know how to hit. Grab and do what? What ever they did, I surmise size mattered. One day some cave dude hit someone with a closed hand. Wow a punch, so the rival clan, tried a stick. Wow, State of art weapon for a prehistoric man. But his rivals, were dismayed.. so to one up this arms race, tied a rock to the stick, and a club with stone head; that was badass. So they smashed their rivals, who then realized they were getting hit because the stick club gave enemy reach. Being close was too dangerous. So they figured what if they threw the rock. Awesome, so they hid, and rained down the rocks the new weapon, and won. Needless to say, it kept escalating,
Any object, with the ability to cause blunt trauma, or cut, or penetrate, is a weapon. Even the tube of a felt pen, body held in closed fist with bottom as the striking area works. A leather belt, with a solid buckle, can do serious damage. So just because an item is not designated for combat, does not mean it is not capable. We Improvise, Adapt and Overcome:
... oh and what I said goes. I can use the butt end of that light effectively. Your 75 dollar beast does not ganeentee you wil make the hit on target. Timing, skill, strategy all play a role. Point of fact, i only write about things I am experienced with.
If you're experienced using a $10 flashlight as a weapon, so be it. In the real world, you would have to hit the assailant many times to have an affect on him, meanwhile, the assailant wouldn't be just standing there waiting for the next blow, he will be defending himself and counter reacting to your blows. Yes, strategy, timing and skill all play a role, but you had better be adapt at defending yourself as well, and it should be with something other than a little $10 flashlight. Oh, and the D-cell Maglite? One well place blow with a Maglite will instantly put someone in dream land.
Why write a novel for a 10.00 flashlight?
Wuben lights are better.