I pined for a Malkoff Hound Dog for a while. When the Mrs. asked for a light for some walks to the bus stop I saw my in! I love the light, and have no plans to get rid of it, but it's not what I ended up needing for my more frequent uses. I've now got my eye on a Wildcat V6, eyeing the slightly smaller MD3 body, but m wondering what other lights I am missing out on. (Bonus Q: Gene sells 18500 batteries. I've seen some other slightly higher capacity versions that are slightly thicker - any issues fitting these, if anyone knows what I mean?) I've also considered the floody 18650 options from ZL, or tracking down a flood reflector for the rotary I own.
Just not positive what's all out there.
Just not positive what's all out there.
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
Irrelevant
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
TBD
3) Format:
Flashlight
4) Size:
Irrelevant / lean towards medium/smaller
5) Emitter/Light source:
LED / love the neutral and warmer tints, especially Nichia 219B. No CW!
6) Manufacturer:
Prefer buy outright
7) What power source do you want to use?
Rechargeable, likely 18650/18500, X1, X2…, something like that.
7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option
____I want a light that plugs directly into the wall (literally with prongs built into the light)
____I want a light that has a recharging adapter (your typical "wall wart")
____I want a light that snaps into a cradle (usually mounted on a wall)
____I want a separate/stand-alone charger (this involves removing the batteries to charge)
Any of these
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).
Light up a good portion of a yard/room. Short to medium range. Throw not important.
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.
Either of these. Some more throw isn't an issue, but good flood is the goal.
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
50 yards MAX – less okay
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 that important.
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
Important/very important
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
I like forward clickies, but am not committed one way or another.
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
High/low is all I need. Additional levels are fine. Don't want to deal with disco or SOS modes.
14)Material/Finish/Coating
Alum is fine
15) Water resistance
Water resistant a plus/not necessary
16) Storage conditions
Mostly house
17) Special Needs/extras:
Tailstand is a bonus
Irrelevant
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
TBD
3) Format:
Flashlight
4) Size:
Irrelevant / lean towards medium/smaller
5) Emitter/Light source:
LED / love the neutral and warmer tints, especially Nichia 219B. No CW!
6) Manufacturer:
Prefer buy outright
7) What power source do you want to use?
Rechargeable, likely 18650/18500, X1, X2…, something like that.
7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option
____I want a light that plugs directly into the wall (literally with prongs built into the light)
____I want a light that has a recharging adapter (your typical "wall wart")
____I want a light that snaps into a cradle (usually mounted on a wall)
____I want a separate/stand-alone charger (this involves removing the batteries to charge)
Any of these
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).
Light up a good portion of a yard/room. Short to medium range. Throw not important.
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.
Either of these. Some more throw isn't an issue, but good flood is the goal.
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
50 yards MAX – less okay
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 that important.
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
Important/very important
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
I like forward clickies, but am not committed one way or another.
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
High/low is all I need. Additional levels are fine. Don't want to deal with disco or SOS modes.
14)Material/Finish/Coating
Alum is fine
15) Water resistance
Water resistant a plus/not necessary
16) Storage conditions
Mostly house
17) Special Needs/extras:
Tailstand is a bonus