nasal_avenger
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- May 25, 2017
- Messages
- 3
My EDC flashlight broke again and I have been putting off buying another one because I am overwhelmed by choice and can't easily get all the details I need from manufacturer's websites. I now have 2 days to buy a new light (won't get into why) and I humbly request some help.
==================Flashlight Recommendation Checklist================
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!
____Up to $60.
____Up to $100 if there is nothing close in my price range
3) Format:
____I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).
4) Size:
____TINY - Every day carry (2-4 inches). AAA size type light, I NEED to be able to fit into dress clothes and skinny jeans. I have another flashlight for deeper/larger pockets.
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).
Don't care as long as it fits my needs
7) What power source do you want to use?
I prefer to use "Primary"/Disposable Alkaline batteries based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D sized cells common to most stores. If there is no light that meets my criteria with off-the shelf batteries then I'll go with whatever it needs.
7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option
I don't care
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 navigate a dark room or read a map (1-10 lumens).
____I want an indoor "blackout" light (15-50 lumens)
____I want to confidently walk around an unlit/unpaved rural area (60-150 lumens).
____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.
I want all 3 options (adjustable brightness)
9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
____Wide Flood: I want a defined flood area for semi-close tasks like after-dark campsite tasks or working on a car.
____Narrow Flood: I want a sharply defined flood area that will project some distance for tasks like trail walking.
either, prefer narrow flood
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
____Less than 1 yard/meter (reading, other close work)
____Less than 5 yards/meters (looking for something inside a dark shed/garage/basement)
____5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
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).
____Up to 30 minutes (I want the brightest [and potentially smallest] light for brief periods)
____30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)
This is the least important factor
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).
____Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival). If I can get this in my price range I prefer this
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
____Any size switch will do.
____I want a forward clicky (Helpful for momentary activation and signaling).
____I want a reverse clicky (For use with multi-mode/level lights).
____I want a momentary switch (Predominantly for use with signaling and short bursts of momentary light only).
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.)
____I want a programmable light.
____I want a selector ring.
____I dont care.
Interface MUST BE ABLE TO START ON HIGH, MOMENTARY ON, WITH ONE HAND. I don't care how. This feature saved me from being mugged once so I am a big believer in it. Other than that I need to be able to turn it to constant on for utility tasks and need at least one lower brightness level for map reading at night and stuff.
14)Material/Finish/Coating
____I dont care.
15) Water resistance
____IPX4 (Splash resistant)
____IPX7 (Waterproof to 1 meter/30min) prefer if in my price range
16) Storage conditions
____Automobile glove-box (wide temperature swings, long standby periods, critical reliability)
____Other (backpacking, standing around in the cold winter/hot summer, etc.)
17) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any/all below.
____Pocket/belt clip
==================Flashlight Recommendation Checklist================
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!
____Up to $60.
____Up to $100 if there is nothing close in my price range
3) Format:
____I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).
4) Size:
____TINY - Every day carry (2-4 inches). AAA size type light, I NEED to be able to fit into dress clothes and skinny jeans. I have another flashlight for deeper/larger pockets.
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).
Don't care as long as it fits my needs
7) What power source do you want to use?
I prefer to use "Primary"/Disposable Alkaline batteries based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D sized cells common to most stores. If there is no light that meets my criteria with off-the shelf batteries then I'll go with whatever it needs.
7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option
I don't care
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 navigate a dark room or read a map (1-10 lumens).
____I want an indoor "blackout" light (15-50 lumens)
____I want to confidently walk around an unlit/unpaved rural area (60-150 lumens).
____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.
I want all 3 options (adjustable brightness)
9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
____Wide Flood: I want a defined flood area for semi-close tasks like after-dark campsite tasks or working on a car.
____Narrow Flood: I want a sharply defined flood area that will project some distance for tasks like trail walking.
either, prefer narrow flood
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
____Less than 1 yard/meter (reading, other close work)
____Less than 5 yards/meters (looking for something inside a dark shed/garage/basement)
____5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
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).
____Up to 30 minutes (I want the brightest [and potentially smallest] light for brief periods)
____30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)
This is the least important factor
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).
____Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival). If I can get this in my price range I prefer this
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
____Any size switch will do.
____I want a forward clicky (Helpful for momentary activation and signaling).
____I want a reverse clicky (For use with multi-mode/level lights).
____I want a momentary switch (Predominantly for use with signaling and short bursts of momentary light only).
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.)
____I want a programmable light.
____I want a selector ring.
____I dont care.
Interface MUST BE ABLE TO START ON HIGH, MOMENTARY ON, WITH ONE HAND. I don't care how. This feature saved me from being mugged once so I am a big believer in it. Other than that I need to be able to turn it to constant on for utility tasks and need at least one lower brightness level for map reading at night and stuff.
14)Material/Finish/Coating
____I dont care.
15) Water resistance
____IPX4 (Splash resistant)
____IPX7 (Waterproof to 1 meter/30min) prefer if in my price range
16) Storage conditions
____Automobile glove-box (wide temperature swings, long standby periods, critical reliability)
____Other (backpacking, standing around in the cold winter/hot summer, etc.)
17) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any/all below.
____Pocket/belt clip