Heads up, I'm a flashlight newbie. So, I work in a dark room all day, and occasionally have a hard time seeing things. I would like to get a quality flashlight, ideally one that is pocket friendly(pants or coat). I would be potentially interested in extra bells and whistles, just because. ==================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! 
____Essentially unlimited. 3) Format: ____I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained). 4) Size: ____TINY - Every day carry (2-4 inches). ____SMALL - Every day carry (4-7 inches). 5) Emitter/Light source: ____I don't know. 6) Manufacturer: ____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? I don't know. I can take whatever, but I like the idea of a long lasting rechargeable battery, if it is available and doesn't add too much size. 7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option Whatever works. 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) ^ |-------That is what I'll be using it for baseline, but I like the idea of having the option to adjust it brighter if needed, as long as it is available and doesn't add too much to the size. 9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance. ____All Flood: I am doing "arms length" tasks like reading and campsite cooking. ____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. 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) ^ |---------Those are probably what I'll actually be using it for, but I like the idea of adjustable brightness, as long as it is available and doesn't add too much to the size. 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). Not really sure, however, I am probably not going to be using it for extended long periods of time. That being said, I like the idea of a long lasting battery, as long as it is available and doesn't add too much to the size. 11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights. Not crucial, however, I like the idea of a durable tool, and am willing to pay for that as long as it is available and doesn't add too much to the size. 12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply): ____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 body mounted switch (near the head, like on a Maglite). ____I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today's high end lights). ____I don't know. 13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply. ____A simple on-off with only one output level is fine for me. ____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 strobe mode. (Oscillating pattern to confuse/blind aka "Police Mode") ____I want SOS mode. (blinks in ...---... emergency pattern) ____I want a beacon mode. (Regular flashes at full power to show location.) ^ |---------I would only really need a single brightness for what I'm mainly going to use it for, however, I like the idea of adjustable brightness in case I ever want to use it for something else, as well as other bells and whistles, as long as it is available and doesn't add too much to the size. 14)Material/Finish/Coating Whatever, as long as it is quality. I like the idea of durable material, and am willing to pay for it as long as it is available and doesn't add too much to the size. 15) Water resistance Not really needed, however, I like the idea of water resistance, as long as it is available and doesn't add too much to the size. 16) Storage conditions ____In house (temperature/climate controlled environment) 17) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any/all below. None that I can think of that haven't already been covered. To rehash, I only really need a small, quality flashlight to see around a dark room. However, after browsing this site a little and seeing some of the options/toys available, my interest is peaked, and as long as it is available and doesn't add too much to the size, I would like to try out some extra features(brightness adjustability, durability, strobe, etc). Thank you all for anything you can recommend!
____Essentially unlimited. 3) Format: ____I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained). 4) Size: ____TINY - Every day carry (2-4 inches). ____SMALL - Every day carry (4-7 inches). 5) Emitter/Light source: ____I don't know. 6) Manufacturer: ____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? I don't know. I can take whatever, but I like the idea of a long lasting rechargeable battery, if it is available and doesn't add too much size. 7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option Whatever works. 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) ^ |-------That is what I'll be using it for baseline, but I like the idea of having the option to adjust it brighter if needed, as long as it is available and doesn't add too much to the size. 9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance. ____All Flood: I am doing "arms length" tasks like reading and campsite cooking. ____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. 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) ^ |---------Those are probably what I'll actually be using it for, but I like the idea of adjustable brightness, as long as it is available and doesn't add too much to the size. 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). Not really sure, however, I am probably not going to be using it for extended long periods of time. That being said, I like the idea of a long lasting battery, as long as it is available and doesn't add too much to the size. 11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights. Not crucial, however, I like the idea of a durable tool, and am willing to pay for that as long as it is available and doesn't add too much to the size. 12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply): ____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 body mounted switch (near the head, like on a Maglite). ____I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today's high end lights). ____I don't know. 13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply. ____A simple on-off with only one output level is fine for me. ____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 strobe mode. (Oscillating pattern to confuse/blind aka "Police Mode") ____I want SOS mode. (blinks in ...---... emergency pattern) ____I want a beacon mode. (Regular flashes at full power to show location.) ^ |---------I would only really need a single brightness for what I'm mainly going to use it for, however, I like the idea of adjustable brightness in case I ever want to use it for something else, as well as other bells and whistles, as long as it is available and doesn't add too much to the size. 14)Material/Finish/Coating Whatever, as long as it is quality. I like the idea of durable material, and am willing to pay for it as long as it is available and doesn't add too much to the size. 15) Water resistance Not really needed, however, I like the idea of water resistance, as long as it is available and doesn't add too much to the size. 16) Storage conditions ____In house (temperature/climate controlled environment) 17) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any/all below. None that I can think of that haven't already been covered. To rehash, I only really need a small, quality flashlight to see around a dark room. However, after browsing this site a little and seeing some of the options/toys available, my interest is peaked, and as long as it is available and doesn't add too much to the size, I would like to try out some extra features(brightness adjustability, durability, strobe, etc). Thank you all for anything you can recommend!
