- 1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
I am in the United States, but location of seller is not important (online / mail)
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
Up to $200, but if I need the batteries and charger this cuts into said price (I have plenty of AA Eneloop regular / pro batteries and chargers)
3) Format:
I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained)
4) Size:
Tiny, Small, or Medium
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?
Either AA Eneloop Pro batteries (have plenty and a charger) or 18650 (or larger) batteries
7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option
If I go this route, typical wall wart
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).
____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).
X 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.
9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
Narrow / Wide Flood & Wide throw. See below for usage. I am basically looking for a good general use, combo type light
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
So, this one is complicated. I may have to buy more than one light I realize, but if possible, I am looking for an all-around type torch, something I can use for arm length work up to 150 meters away
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).
30-120 minutes; run time is moderately important, but I will be using batteries I can recharge, so less run time is not a deal breaker
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
Very Important
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
While I do not know, I find buttons with membranes like typical keyboards are annoying and I find they always wear out very quickly. I would prefer something more mechanical / "clicky" (anyone who has used Cherry MX mechanical switches knows what I mean, especially Cherry MX Blues)
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
I need at least four light levels, low, med, high, and, in memory of Spaceballs, Ludicrous Brightness...for, yes, the cool factor, but also for utility. Selector ring isn't mandatory, but certainly acceptable
14)Material/Finish/Coating
I don't know, whatever is best for my intended usage
15) Water resistance
May be used in heavy rain, up to 90 minutes
16) Storage conditions
Typically stored indoors, though sometimes will be in the car, used hiking / camping etc.
17) Special Needs/extras:
A case or some type of protective "holster" would be nice, but in no way mandatory. Also, if I can get away with a thrower & then a diffuser to meet my short distance needs, then a diffuser too, though I realize I can always buy this separately
After reading a lot here at CPF, especially Selfbuilt's stuff, I originally settled on the TN4A (not the HI version) in neutral white. Looking for confirmation / other suggestions if something is better for my intended usage. Also, hello :wave: