SleepyInTheSun
Newly Enlightened
Fellow flashaholics, I'm unsure of my requirements and need your advice!
Use cases:
1. Hanging out with a bunch of families around a campfire while kids play, somebody's says: 'where's Jon's kid?'. I would like to illuminate campsite and surrounds to locate said kid. Or replace 'where's kid' with 'what's dog barking at', probably similar need. Not much nightivision in play due to campfire, but weight also not a concern.
2. Backpacking with kids in the middle of nowhere, for whatever reason they somehow end up not in camp and now I need to look for them. Here some dark adapted vision likely, and weight now a concern.
Both use cases are in a similar environment: mountain west forest, not much undergrowth but rocks and significant down wood (lots of beetle kill pine here).
Other context:
I don't actually think #2 is that likely, but I'm sufficiently paranoid that I have been dragging a SF UB3T with me, which is bulky and admittedly too heavy to be hauling around the backcountry. Also I have a feeling the beam is narrower than ideal for this purpose but I haven't tried many other profiles so I'm not sure. Certainly whatever I end up with can be more suited to 'far' as it will be complemented by my trusty HDS rotary for close use and a headlamp for camp chores.
Specific questions, aside from the implicit one about which light I should get, is what beam pattern, intensity and output is really 'right' for this type of usage.
Template follows, thank-you all in advance!
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
____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!
____I don't know yet (as much as necessary, as little as possible!)
3) Format:
____I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).
4) Size:
____SMALL - Every day carry (4-7 inches).
5) Emitter/Light source:
____LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
6) Manufacturer:
____I want to buy a light from a large/traditional manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
____I would like a light from a specialty manufacturer (Possibly limited run/Custom).
____I am interested in assembling my own components. (for example a "host" or flashlight body from one manufacturer, and a "drop-in" emitter from another source).
7) What power source do you want to use?
____I intend to use "Primary"/Disposable Lithium batteries based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D and CR123 sized cells common to most stores (often a cold weather or long storage choice).
____I intend to use Rechargeable cells (NiMH or NiCD) based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D sized cells common to most stores.
____I intend to use Rechargeable cells based on less common formats (18500 or 18650 Li-Ion, RCR123, et-al).
7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option
____I want a separate/stand-alone charger (this involves removing the batteries to charge)
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).
____I want to confidently walk around an unlit/unpaved rural area (60-150 lumens).
____I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).
____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 search and rescue type illumination (800+ lumens).
I guess I need multiple modes, not sure where to top out.
9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
____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.
I think - but see usage notes above, looking for advice here.
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
____30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
____50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)
____150+ yards (I am searching from a helicopter)
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).
____90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
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):
____Any size switch will do. (Generally prefer forward clicky or momentary on tailcap, but this is less important).
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
____I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
____I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
14)Material/Finish/Coating
Less important, but weight is a consideration.
15) Water resistance
____IPX7 (Waterproof to 1 meter/30min)
16) Storage conditions
In backpack.
Use cases:
1. Hanging out with a bunch of families around a campfire while kids play, somebody's says: 'where's Jon's kid?'. I would like to illuminate campsite and surrounds to locate said kid. Or replace 'where's kid' with 'what's dog barking at', probably similar need. Not much nightivision in play due to campfire, but weight also not a concern.
2. Backpacking with kids in the middle of nowhere, for whatever reason they somehow end up not in camp and now I need to look for them. Here some dark adapted vision likely, and weight now a concern.
Both use cases are in a similar environment: mountain west forest, not much undergrowth but rocks and significant down wood (lots of beetle kill pine here).
Other context:
I don't actually think #2 is that likely, but I'm sufficiently paranoid that I have been dragging a SF UB3T with me, which is bulky and admittedly too heavy to be hauling around the backcountry. Also I have a feeling the beam is narrower than ideal for this purpose but I haven't tried many other profiles so I'm not sure. Certainly whatever I end up with can be more suited to 'far' as it will be complemented by my trusty HDS rotary for close use and a headlamp for camp chores.
Specific questions, aside from the implicit one about which light I should get, is what beam pattern, intensity and output is really 'right' for this type of usage.
Template follows, thank-you all in advance!
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
____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!
____I don't know yet (as much as necessary, as little as possible!)
3) Format:
____I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).
4) Size:
____SMALL - Every day carry (4-7 inches).
5) Emitter/Light source:
____LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
6) Manufacturer:
____I want to buy a light from a large/traditional manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
____I would like a light from a specialty manufacturer (Possibly limited run/Custom).
____I am interested in assembling my own components. (for example a "host" or flashlight body from one manufacturer, and a "drop-in" emitter from another source).
7) What power source do you want to use?
____I intend to use "Primary"/Disposable Lithium batteries based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D and CR123 sized cells common to most stores (often a cold weather or long storage choice).
____I intend to use Rechargeable cells (NiMH or NiCD) based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D sized cells common to most stores.
____I intend to use Rechargeable cells based on less common formats (18500 or 18650 Li-Ion, RCR123, et-al).
7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option
____I want a separate/stand-alone charger (this involves removing the batteries to charge)
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).
____I want to confidently walk around an unlit/unpaved rural area (60-150 lumens).
____I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).
____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 search and rescue type illumination (800+ lumens).
I guess I need multiple modes, not sure where to top out.
9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
____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.
I think - but see usage notes above, looking for advice here.
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
____30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
____50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)
____150+ yards (I am searching from a helicopter)
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).
____90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
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):
____Any size switch will do. (Generally prefer forward clicky or momentary on tailcap, but this is less important).
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
____I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
____I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
14)Material/Finish/Coating
Less important, but weight is a consideration.
15) Water resistance
____IPX7 (Waterproof to 1 meter/30min)
16) Storage conditions
In backpack.
