I am tough on flashlights. I frequently drop them and have lost them outside for months. I rely on them at least twice daily. I depend on flashlights both for regular chores and for checking on things outdoors in the middle of the night when my dogs indicate that there is something outside that shouldn't be. The two flashlight brands I depend on are Jobsmart and DieHard.
I have a small homestead and am fairly new to many homesteading activities; such as raising chickens. This past year and a half has been a learning experience. One thing I have noticed is that dependable lighting is a MUST and I was fortunate to choose two flashlights that have been more dependable and durable than I would have ever imagined.
JobSmart 350 Tactical
The JobSmart line of flashlights are available at Tractor Supply Stores. I purchased mine very soon after I moved to the homestead when I realized that my camping lanterns, lights, and headlights weren't quite bright enough. I'm not embarrassed to admit that I'm slightly afraid of the dark when walking around on my mountain ridge land after dark and want a very bright light. However, my budget doesn't allow for the highest lumens and big-name brands.
I chose the flashlight that was in the middle of the price range offered at Tractor Supply at the time. It happened to be the JobSmart 350 Tactical. It turned out to be a fantastic choice for me. It uses 3 AAA batteries and the batteries seem to have a long life. I only had to replace the batteries after losing it outside for months when it was turned on.
The JobSmart 350 Tactical is thinner in size than my DieHard and lighter weight. It has a twisting adjustable beam that focuses in a wide swath or a thin beam that is very bright and reaches the chicken coop from my house so I can check on things in the middle of the night without going outside.
Product Details from the website:
Light your way with the JobSmart 350 Lumen LED Aluminum Flashlight.
- Up to 350 lumen output
- High/low mode
- Twist to adjust focus lens
- Requires 3 AAA batteries (not included)
- Working time: 1.5 hr. in high mode; 4 hr. in low mode with alkaline battery
- CREE XPG LED bulb
- Aluminum and Rubber construction
DieHard 1700 Flashlight
- Ultra Bright 1,700 Lumen LED Flashlight
- Pro grade anodized aluminum construction & heavy-duty true grip design
- Precision flood-to-spot beam through twist focusing
- 3 power modes—high/medium/low
- Includes 6 AA DieHard batteries