Hi,
"daily useage" is, of course, somewhat stupid, but it kinda fits best: I´d like a light that helps me walking over a parking lot between buildings in the dark, can give me some light inside dark buildings and can be used to illuminate the insides of computer cases (which tend to be rather dark when you need to work on them) and, rarely, the underside of a car.
I´m considering getting a Led Lenser T7.2, but there might better choices. So I´ll fill in the questions you´ve been so kind to form:
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
____This will be mail-order or Online (location doesn't matter).
Online, location does matter because I´m in Germany, and it would be an advantage to buy a light I could get spare parts for in case I need them.
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
____Up to $50.
____Up to $100.
3) Format:
____I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).
4) Size:
____MICRO - Keychain size.
____SMALL - Every day carry (4-7 inches).
I´m not sure. It would be an advantage to be able to have it with my keys, but those probably won´t give much light, and having it attached to the
keys all the time isn´t ideal. I could get a rather cheap for that in addition to a good one.
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.
7) What power source do you want to use?
____I intend to use "Primary"/Disposable Alkaline batteries based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D sized cells common to most stores.
7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option
I would want to plug it into a 12V outlet of a car and into an USB port, i. e. both options. But I don´t really want one that I need to recharge.
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 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.
It´s not unacceptable, yet not required, either. Unless it´s useful to blind someone, it´s a pretty useless option, but I guess it would be bright enough to blind someone without this anyway.
9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
I´m not sure. Some flow is good for walking a parking lot and buildings; lighting something up in a great distance isn´t too useful unless I use binoculars with it
For reading, I could use the keychain light.
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
____5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
____30-50 yards/meters (I have a big 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).
____3 hours + (I critically need this light to run on max for extended periods in between battery changes/charges).
It doesn´t need to run at full power all the time. I don´t want the batteries to be empty all the time, but in case I need it super bright, I don´t care too much how long the batteries last if they
can go for at least half an hour.
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).
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
The switch should be easy to operate, preferably not located at the back of the light but in reach when holding the light.
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.)
14)Material/Finish/Coating
____Anodized Aluminum either type II or III (Hard Anodized) (Aluminum, specifically HA, is the most common material/finish for todays higher end flashlights).
____Stainless steel (durable, but much heavier than aluminum)
____Titanium (durable and nearly as lightweight as aluminum, but can be moderately to significantly more expensive).
15) Water resistance
____IPX7 (Waterproof to 1 meter/30min)
____IPX8 (Submersible to greater than 1 meter for 4 hours)
16) Storage conditions
____In house (temperature/climate controlled environment)
____Automobile glove-box (wide temperature swings, long standby periods, critical reliability)
What would you suggest? Would the Led Lenser be a good choice? I could get one for about 50.
"daily useage" is, of course, somewhat stupid, but it kinda fits best: I´d like a light that helps me walking over a parking lot between buildings in the dark, can give me some light inside dark buildings and can be used to illuminate the insides of computer cases (which tend to be rather dark when you need to work on them) and, rarely, the underside of a car.
I´m considering getting a Led Lenser T7.2, but there might better choices. So I´ll fill in the questions you´ve been so kind to form:
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
____This will be mail-order or Online (location doesn't matter).
Online, location does matter because I´m in Germany, and it would be an advantage to buy a light I could get spare parts for in case I need them.
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
____Up to $50.
____Up to $100.
3) Format:
____I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).
4) Size:
____MICRO - Keychain size.
____SMALL - Every day carry (4-7 inches).
I´m not sure. It would be an advantage to be able to have it with my keys, but those probably won´t give much light, and having it attached to the
keys all the time isn´t ideal. I could get a rather cheap for that in addition to a good one.
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.
7) What power source do you want to use?
____I intend to use "Primary"/Disposable Alkaline batteries based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D sized cells common to most stores.
7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option
I would want to plug it into a 12V outlet of a car and into an USB port, i. e. both options. But I don´t really want one that I need to recharge.
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 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.
It´s not unacceptable, yet not required, either. Unless it´s useful to blind someone, it´s a pretty useless option, but I guess it would be bright enough to blind someone without this anyway.
9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
I´m not sure. Some flow is good for walking a parking lot and buildings; lighting something up in a great distance isn´t too useful unless I use binoculars with it
For reading, I could use the keychain light.
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
____5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
____30-50 yards/meters (I have a big 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).
____3 hours + (I critically need this light to run on max for extended periods in between battery changes/charges).
It doesn´t need to run at full power all the time. I don´t want the batteries to be empty all the time, but in case I need it super bright, I don´t care too much how long the batteries last if they
can go for at least half an hour.
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).
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
The switch should be easy to operate, preferably not located at the back of the light but in reach when holding the light.
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.)
14)Material/Finish/Coating
____Anodized Aluminum either type II or III (Hard Anodized) (Aluminum, specifically HA, is the most common material/finish for todays higher end flashlights).
____Stainless steel (durable, but much heavier than aluminum)
____Titanium (durable and nearly as lightweight as aluminum, but can be moderately to significantly more expensive).
15) Water resistance
____IPX7 (Waterproof to 1 meter/30min)
____IPX8 (Submersible to greater than 1 meter for 4 hours)
16) Storage conditions
____In house (temperature/climate controlled environment)
____Automobile glove-box (wide temperature swings, long standby periods, critical reliability)
What would you suggest? Would the Led Lenser be a good choice? I could get one for about 50.