I guess there is no perfect light. I can say even with the Nichia's it all depends on the time of day I'm using the light. There are too many variables i suppose. Sometimes if using a light at home during the day, a whiter light is better, but at night; the whiter light might be too white. The whiter light even being hi-cri can still tend to wash out colors at night, or not be quite accurate. However hi-cri does a better job at color accuracy than CW or neutral standard (80cri).
I do not think Gene has a target at law enforcement, or at least not in the same regards as say Elzetta. But as Blue said, It depends on the officer and what they need as well. Last year I got pulled over in Kentucky by a state trooper for a roadside inspection. (apparently everyone thinks a Coloradoian does drugs, have had issues with Indiana too) Anyway, when he was done; I asked him what flashlight he used and if he has ever heard of Malkoff or Elzetta. He said he has heard of them and would like to use something else or at least try something else but they are issued Surefire, so that is what he uses.
It is shown on flashlightguide and I think an elzetta video, what the importance of color accuracy is for law enforcement, rescue searches, etc. It can be very difficult to determine accurate colors if you do not have the proper light. If officers are chasing someone on foot, they need to be able to accurately describe what someone is wearing or possibly describing the color of a building or what not, to respond/warn others. A light like M61HOT, surefire, similar will result in wrong information being sent to others because those lights will not show the true colors and can make certain colors look like other colors. You get the point.
For most of us, this isn't an issue or necessity. I just do not like shining a light around and the environment is washed out, etc.
For those that have to look at wires, resistors, etc; it is very critical for the light to show accurate colors. Working in a communications room, emergency splicing if a phone line gets cut, etc requires accurate light so the coded wires to not get mixed up. I have worked with phone splicers out in the field or communications rooms for over 10yrs and it can be a pain to figure out where a mix up happened on a 2400pr cable, especially once it's been resealed in the encapsulant.
These are just a couple examples I have encountered where color accuracy is critical. For the daily user, obviously not as important. However I just like things to be natural and accurate.
My parents prefer cool white lights and don't mind if there is a blue tint. To their eyes it looks better and BRIGHTER. That's what they said to me when i tried to explain my thoughts/likes. I feel that this is where many others lie.
Everyone's eyes are different and are effected differently to the different tints. also needs/priorities will be different as well.
Some like CW, some warm, others neutral/nichia. I guess that is why we have variety. I would be more open to CW as long as it has a good tint that doesn't have blue or green in it, probably not going to happen. The only CW Malkoff light I have been able to tolerate so far, has been the CW Super. Although the rainbow of colors in the beam can bother me at times.
Obviously CW has the best efficiency, but from my experience and needs, I haven't had any issues with the neutral or Nichia light's. In situations like WoodsWalker encounters all the time, i can see where efficiency would be most important.
Well, that's enough of my 2 cents. Hope everyone is having a good day!
