I use a Tescos (supermarket here in the UK) own brand £3 LED torch. I had a lenser and left it in the flight deck and it disappeared. So I'll never use an expensive torch at work again. This Tescos one is actually very good value for money. If you need red-light you can colour the lens with an OHP pen or whiteboard pen.

LED Lenser P7 is superb for walk round/outdoor use. I got this blister pack which includes the smaller P3 which is good for cockpit use, checking ice probe etc and clips in shirt pocket. P7 is way too bright in cockpit even on low setting. May be cheaper elsewhere now but was discounted when I got it last year.

P7 Twin Pack with P3 by LED Lenser for £59.99

Edit: Sorry, just saw you're from Oz, don't think they have a branch down under. Scally

Chinatown.

Small, with led , 2 batteries , 5 euros.

The best.

A320

I have used a Surefire E2D Defender for years. Bright enough to preflight a large aircraft, but way too bright for the cockpit. It's also good for walking around town on a layover.

For a 172, which is what the OP is flying, I have a Coleman MAX. LED, red, white and green light. I like the green for night flight in the cockpit/simulator and the white provides enough light for preflighting said 172. It also has a lanyard feature, which is handy.

I have a streamlight ProTac and I am very pleased with it. It never leaves my flying suit pocket and is perfect for walk arounds. They have a lot of products on their website so I am sure you will find exactly what you are looking for on there. Having owned various brands of torches, including a couple of Surefires I now wouldn't buy anything else as they match the surefures on quality and light yet are a fraction of the price and the majority use 'normal' batteries rather than the rather expensive lithium batteries.
Definitely worth a look.

I use a LED Lensor P7 as used by many people. Superb torch for walk around the Airbus with superb single handed beam adjustment and wrist strap. Quality is second to none, made in Germany and great compact size. Amazon doing it for £32 so add it to your christmas list.

Thanks for all your valuable inputs. I decided to use something cheap for now as I'm still a student. Bought an imitation of the Fenix PD30 with 400Lm for 5AUD. I'll use that for my walk arounds and a small head torch for the cockpit.

:ok:

You ask for a "good flashlite". You want to "invest into something that will last through my training then GA jobs to airlines".
...
And than, after several good hints, you buy "something cheap for now as I'm still a student". :ugh:
Welcome to my ignore list... :mad:

Actually think he made a sensible decision. A top of the range powerful led torch is ott for a 172. A decent powerful torch may be more applicable later in career but not now. The correct tool for the job in hand.

Or as Oscar Wilde said

“The only thing to do with good advice is to pass it on. It is never of any use to oneself.”

Correct, I came here for advise for a flashlight expecting everyone to tell me to buy branded expensive products. Besides from the LED Lenser P7 and other branded products, majority here use cheap Chinese alternatives. So I've learnt that nit everything in aviation has to be expensive and top of the range.

So I decided to get something cheap for now based on everyone's inputs thats more practical for my use. The P7 is a good quality product however I'm not really going to use it on a C172 unless I'm going to pretend to walk around the citation.

However do continue to list more products and recommendations for future flashlight hunters.

Thanks!

Ahh Chinese LED's will be very reliable, just cost more in the long run in batteries. Foolish decision as compared to a quality rechargeable over the long run as price goes.