I’ve been interested in a new, quality flashlight for some time now and, though I do like my trusty Maglite and even the lesser expensive Coleman Max, this Coast HP14 LED Flashlight stands to supplant both of them. Here’s a few details direct from Amazon’s website so we’re on the same page here:
- Light output: High – 339 lumens; Low – 56 lumens
- Runtime: High – 4 hours 45 minutes; Low – 20 hours
- Beam distance: High – 175 meters (574 ft); Low – 36 meters (118 ft)
- Impact and water resistant casing. 8.38 inch length
- 4 X AA batteries are included to allow for immediate use
Light output and adjustable beam
I can say that this flashlight gives off a good amount of light, more than the Coleman Max I keep at my bedside and certainly more than the old style 2 D-cell Maglite I had laying around. Moreover, the adjustable beam is nice as it’s easily adjustable from a floodlight pattern (shown on left below) to a bulls-eye pattern (shown on right below) and everything in-between. Just push the lens in and out to adjust the pattern:
Beam lock is nice option, but…
The beam lock is probably not necessary considering the beam adjustment mechanism has a good feel to it and won’t readily move without you making it do so. In fact, you can set the flashlight lens-down and it won’t accidentally adjust due to the weight of the flashlight.
Of course, you do have the option to lock the beam in place by twisting the lens which is fine but happens to be a significant annoyance because the amount of movement needed to lock the flashlight beam in place is so small it’s hardly noticeable. In fact, the movement needed was so slight that I choose to line up a piece of duct tape and attempt to show how little the lens moves when locked. The flashlight is unlocked on the left and locked on the right:
Anyway, I thought it was something that I would get over and I did… I just don’t lock the beam anymore. 😉
The only other preference that I would have had was to NOT put the on/off button at the butt end of the flashlight. While you can turn it on and off with one hand, generally, it’s a two-handed job… not the best of plans for a flashlight I may need to rely upon at a moment’s notice. Regardless it’s not a deal-breaker whatsoever, just a personal preference for the on/off button to be on the side.
Regardless, the above two concerns are hardly worth worrying about.
Comparison to my other two favorite flashlights
I typically rely on a 2 x D-cell Maglite (which I’ve had forever) and/or a Coleman Max (I think I picked it up at Walmart quite some time ago for about $20 at the time). The Maglite is, obviously, a D-cell flashlight whereas the Coleman Max is a 4 x AA flashlight, just like this Coast HP14 LED Flashlight so it’s the best comparison I have. Here’s a photo of them together for size comparison:
Overall, the Coast flashlight is slightly smaller than either of the others but weights just a bit more than the Coleman and definitely a lot less than the Maglite, which is nice. To be honest, I switched to the Coleman over a Maglite as my “daily” flashlight because it uses AA batteries. The Coast light also uses AA batteries which is a HUGE benefit to most preppers because they’re easier to come by and easier to recharge.
One of the reasons people choose Maglites is because they’re super-durable and I feel that this Coast flashlight is up to the task. The body is durable and seems well-constructed. Apparently, it’s impact and water-resistant but I didn’t test either of those qualities.
As for light output, walking around outside in the dark and shining it around the property, I could see everything quite clearly and the beam was… pleasing. Not sure how else to put it.
I did take some pictures when it was almost dark with all three flashlights but they came out poorly, so much so, that these photos don’t do justice to any of the flashlights (click each thumbnail for larger image):
Whereas the Coleman flashlight had nothing more than pinpoint beam, the Maglite was broader, and the Coast flashlight actually brought the best of both worlds. Suffice it to say that the Coast HP14 far out-performed the other flashlights hands-down. Like I said, the above photos don’t do it justice. In fact, I can see now that I was using sub-par equipment for quite some time now!
I should also note that the Coast flashlight also comes with a handy case that easily attaches to a belt. I’d imagine this works well for people in law enforcement or security.
Final thoughts
Overall, this flashlight is well made. The casing is very sturdy and I really do like the fact that it runs on AA batteries. Beyond that, the adjustable beam is easy to use once I choose to ignore the beam lock.
I realize I also neglected to mention that it does have low output option which can be selected by quickly turning the flashlight on, then off, then on again. Personally, I didn’t use it hardly at all but I can see times where it might prove useful.
And, though you can purchase the Coast HP14 LED Flashlight on Amazon, it’s also readily available at local Walmart stores too. As for me, this flashlight has wound up at my bedside as my trusty “daily” use flashlight which means it’s also my emergency use flashlight. If you’re looking for a quality flashlight that won’t break the bank, this one’s for you.
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