Jammer Six
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2017
- Messages
- 24
==================Flashlight Recommendation Checklist================
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
__X__This will be mail-order or Online (location doesn't matter).
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
____Up to $300. I could go $400 if no one tells Her.
3) Format:
_F___I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).
_H__I want a self-contained headlamp.
_H___I want a headlamp with an external pack/power source.
One flashlight and one headlamp. The headlamp can be either self contained or external power.
4) Size:
__F__Small
The flashlight can be small or medium, it will be carried in foul weather gear that has large pockets or laying on a shelf in the cockpit. I've been a Surefire 6P guy, and that size is what I'm used to.
5) Emitter/Light source:
____LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
6) Manufacturer:
__X__I want to buy a light from a large/traditional manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
7) What power source do you want to use?
__X__I don't know/I need more information on power sources.
When the boat is under sail, 120v won't be available, but limited 12v will. Under engine or in a berth, 120 will be available.
8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is not a happy experience).
__H__I want to navigate a dark room or read a map (1-10 lumens).
__H__I want an indoor "blackout" light (15-50 lumens)
I want the headlamp to do this.
__F__I want to illuminate an entire field, the neighbor's front yard several houses down, impress my friends and neighbors, etc. (300-700 lumens).
I want the flashlight to do this.
__XX__SPECIAL NOTE: Burst/Turbo mode Category - There are several lights that will run at a super bright maximum for a very limited period (usually 5-10 minutes) and then will "step-down" to a lower level for thermal control. Check here if this is acceptable.
9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
__H__All Flood: I am doing "arms length" tasks like reading and campsite cooking.
This is what the headlamp does.
__F__Wide Throw: I want a beam with a noticeable hot-center for distance throw and a significant amount of "side-spill". Good for rough trail hiking, search and rescue, and general distance work.
This is what the flashlight needs to do.
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
__H__Less than 1 yard/meter (reading, other close work)
__H__Less than 5 yards/meters (looking for something inside a dark shed/garage/basement)
This is the headlamp. Those are perfect descriptions of life aboard a cruiser at night.
__F__30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
This is the flashlight.
10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum continuous output).
__F__90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
This is the flashlight.
__H__3 hours + (I critically need this light to run on max for extended periods in between battery changes/charges).
This is the headlamp.It will be worn standing watches at the helm, with no real chance to change batteries or mess around with it.
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
____Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
____I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today's high end lights).
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
__x__A simple on-off with only one output level is fine for me.
__x__I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
__x__I want SOS mode. (blinks in ---...--- emergency pattern)
14)Material/Finish/Coating
_xx___I don't care.
15) Water resistance
__xx__IPX7 (Waterproof to 1 meter/30min) Any deeper than 1 meter will mean it's gone. :huh:
16) Storage conditions
____Other__In the cockpit and cabin of a sailboat.
17) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any/all below.
__R__Dedicated R/G/B secondary LEDs. Red for certain, blue would be nice. I didn't know the thing about blue light and blood, but that could matter.
__XX__Wrist/Neck Lanyard
---------------------------
I like this system! Thank you!
My only criticism is the SOS pattern in question 13 is backwards. SOS in morse code is ... ---...
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
__X__This will be mail-order or Online (location doesn't matter).
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
____Up to $300. I could go $400 if no one tells Her.
3) Format:
_F___I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).
_H__I want a self-contained headlamp.
_H___I want a headlamp with an external pack/power source.
One flashlight and one headlamp. The headlamp can be either self contained or external power.
4) Size:
__F__Small
The flashlight can be small or medium, it will be carried in foul weather gear that has large pockets or laying on a shelf in the cockpit. I've been a Surefire 6P guy, and that size is what I'm used to.
5) Emitter/Light source:
____LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
6) Manufacturer:
__X__I want to buy a light from a large/traditional manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
7) What power source do you want to use?
__X__I don't know/I need more information on power sources.
When the boat is under sail, 120v won't be available, but limited 12v will. Under engine or in a berth, 120 will be available.
8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is not a happy experience).
__H__I want to navigate a dark room or read a map (1-10 lumens).
__H__I want an indoor "blackout" light (15-50 lumens)
I want the headlamp to do this.
__F__I want to illuminate an entire field, the neighbor's front yard several houses down, impress my friends and neighbors, etc. (300-700 lumens).
I want the flashlight to do this.
__XX__SPECIAL NOTE: Burst/Turbo mode Category - There are several lights that will run at a super bright maximum for a very limited period (usually 5-10 minutes) and then will "step-down" to a lower level for thermal control. Check here if this is acceptable.
9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
__H__All Flood: I am doing "arms length" tasks like reading and campsite cooking.
This is what the headlamp does.
__F__Wide Throw: I want a beam with a noticeable hot-center for distance throw and a significant amount of "side-spill". Good for rough trail hiking, search and rescue, and general distance work.
This is what the flashlight needs to do.
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
__H__Less than 1 yard/meter (reading, other close work)
__H__Less than 5 yards/meters (looking for something inside a dark shed/garage/basement)
This is the headlamp. Those are perfect descriptions of life aboard a cruiser at night.
__F__30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
This is the flashlight.
10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum continuous output).
__F__90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
This is the flashlight.
__H__3 hours + (I critically need this light to run on max for extended periods in between battery changes/charges).
This is the headlamp.It will be worn standing watches at the helm, with no real chance to change batteries or mess around with it.
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
____Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
____I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today's high end lights).
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
__x__A simple on-off with only one output level is fine for me.
__x__I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
__x__I want SOS mode. (blinks in ---...--- emergency pattern)
14)Material/Finish/Coating
_xx___I don't care.
15) Water resistance
__xx__IPX7 (Waterproof to 1 meter/30min) Any deeper than 1 meter will mean it's gone. :huh:
16) Storage conditions
____Other__In the cockpit and cabin of a sailboat.
17) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any/all below.
__R__Dedicated R/G/B secondary LEDs. Red for certain, blue would be nice. I didn't know the thing about blue light and blood, but that could matter.
__XX__Wrist/Neck Lanyard
---------------------------
I like this system! Thank you!
My only criticism is the SOS pattern in question 13 is backwards. SOS in morse code is ... ---...
Last edited: