Hello all, I'm looking for light recommendations that are robust enough for primarily outdoor use. I don't have much experience with many flashlight brands/models; a few years ago I was gifted a Maglite Mini 2xAA incandescent (this was before LED was the trend for flashlights) and I've been quite satisfied with what it had to offer.
I'm looking for 3 lights all powered by Alkaline batteries: one to go in my pack to replace the Mini Maglite, one that can fit more comfortably in my pocket, and a headlamp. It'd be nice if they were all powered by the same battery type (AA or AAA) but this isn't a hard requirement.
Questions with answers common to all 3 lights:
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
I'm located in NorCal and don't mind shopping in person or online.
2) Emitter/Light source:
LED
3) Manufacturer:
I want to buy a light from a large/traditional manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
4) What power source do you want to use?
I intend to use a mix of Lithium and Alkaline batteries in AA format, and am okay with devices that primarily take NiMH.
5) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
Pack flashlight:
1) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
Up to $50, but preferably under $30.
2) Format:
I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).
3) Size:
SMALL - Every day carry (4-7 inches).
4) 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 this flashlight to be able to output 100-200 on high and 25-60 on low.
5) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
I want adjustable from at least wide flood to narrow throw.
5a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
Normally 5-50 yards/meters, but the further it can max out the better.
6) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum continuous output).
At least around 2 hours on high, and at least around 6 hours on low.
7) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
I don't care, or maybe I just don't know enough to care.
8) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
I want at least 2 light levels. Intermittent flashing modes is a nice-to-have that I care only a little about.
9) Material/Finish/Coating
I don't care as long as it's durable but not ridiculously heavy for its size.
10) Water resistance
IPX4 required in case of rain, IPX7/8 nice to have.
11) Storage conditions
In backpack almost all the time.
12) Lights I've been looking at so far
Maglite Mini LED 2-Cell AA
The incandescent version has always worked for me so I defaulted to what I know.
Pocket flashlight:
1) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
Up to $50, but preferably under $30.
2) Format:
I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).
3) Size:
MICRO - Keychain size.
TINY - Every day carry (2-4 inches).
4) 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).
60-150 lumens on high, 15-50 lumens on low - low mode is preferred but not required.
5) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
I want at minimum a Wide Throw, adjustability is a nice to have.
5a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
50 yards at minimum.
6) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum continuous output).
At least an hour on high, more would be nice, and 3 hours on low.
7) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
Tail mounted switch preferred, forward switch okay.
I strongly prefer switches with memory/selection - as in the switch is not the thing used to cycle through modes - and would be willing to stretch my budget if necessary.
8) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
I prefer multiple light levels, but I'd rather have only one mode than a switch that cycles between modes.
9) Material/Finish/Coating
I don't care as long as it's light and durable enough (so probably aluminum).
10) Water resistance
IPX8 preferred, IPX7 required.
11) Storage conditions
In house (temperature/climate controlled environment) or in pocket
12) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any/all below.
I care a lot about size and weight for this one. My Maglite Mini doesn't fit all that comfortably in my pocket and I want this one to be able to ride in my pocket for long distances.
However, this isn't going to be a flashlight in my pocket every day. I live in a city and find my cell phone flashlight feature sufficient for most tasks, and I usually have my backpack with me. This would more likely be for hiking, camping, or backpacking in a situation where I'm either not anticipating to be in the dark, need to travel light, or want a backup to a headlamp.
13) Lights I've been looking at so far
Fenix E series
Fenix LD series
Coast HP1
Coast G20
Streamlight Microstream
Streamlight ProTac series
Some random ThruNite ones
Lumintop Tool AA/AAA
Headlamp:
1) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
Up to $50.
2) Format:
I want a headlamp with an external pack/power source.
3) Size:
Not sure what this means in relation to a headlamp but I have a giant head that most hats don't fit on so high adjustability is a must.
4) 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 confidently walk around an unlit/unpaved rural area (60-150 lumens). Up to 250 or 300 should be okay.
5) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
Wide Throw: I want a beam with a noticeable hot-center for distance throw and a significant amount of "side-spill". Good for rough trail hiking, search and rescue, and general distance work.
5a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
50 yards minimum.
6) 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).
7) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
Don't care that much as long as it's not impossible to turn off/on when it's on my head.
8) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
2 or more light levels preferred.
9) Material/Finish/Coating
I don't know.
10) Water resistance
Needs to survive being close to waterfall or under rain at minimum, so probably IPX7.
11) Storage conditions
In house (temperature/climate controlled environment)
12) Lights I've been looking at so far
None. I've got pretty much no experience with this kind of light.
Hope you guys can help me choose what to get, especially for the pocket flashlight and headlamp. Thank you in advance!
I'm looking for 3 lights all powered by Alkaline batteries: one to go in my pack to replace the Mini Maglite, one that can fit more comfortably in my pocket, and a headlamp. It'd be nice if they were all powered by the same battery type (AA or AAA) but this isn't a hard requirement.
Questions with answers common to all 3 lights:
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
I'm located in NorCal and don't mind shopping in person or online.
2) Emitter/Light source:
LED
3) Manufacturer:
I want to buy a light from a large/traditional manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
4) What power source do you want to use?
I intend to use a mix of Lithium and Alkaline batteries in AA format, and am okay with devices that primarily take NiMH.
5) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
Pack flashlight:
1) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
Up to $50, but preferably under $30.
2) Format:
I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).
3) Size:
SMALL - Every day carry (4-7 inches).
4) 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 this flashlight to be able to output 100-200 on high and 25-60 on low.
5) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
I want adjustable from at least wide flood to narrow throw.
5a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
Normally 5-50 yards/meters, but the further it can max out the better.
6) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum continuous output).
At least around 2 hours on high, and at least around 6 hours on low.
7) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
I don't care, or maybe I just don't know enough to care.
8) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
I want at least 2 light levels. Intermittent flashing modes is a nice-to-have that I care only a little about.
9) Material/Finish/Coating
I don't care as long as it's durable but not ridiculously heavy for its size.
10) Water resistance
IPX4 required in case of rain, IPX7/8 nice to have.
11) Storage conditions
In backpack almost all the time.
12) Lights I've been looking at so far
Maglite Mini LED 2-Cell AA
The incandescent version has always worked for me so I defaulted to what I know.
Pocket flashlight:
1) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
Up to $50, but preferably under $30.
2) Format:
I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).
3) Size:
MICRO - Keychain size.
TINY - Every day carry (2-4 inches).
4) 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).
60-150 lumens on high, 15-50 lumens on low - low mode is preferred but not required.
5) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
I want at minimum a Wide Throw, adjustability is a nice to have.
5a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
50 yards at minimum.
6) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum continuous output).
At least an hour on high, more would be nice, and 3 hours on low.
7) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
Tail mounted switch preferred, forward switch okay.
I strongly prefer switches with memory/selection - as in the switch is not the thing used to cycle through modes - and would be willing to stretch my budget if necessary.
8) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
I prefer multiple light levels, but I'd rather have only one mode than a switch that cycles between modes.
9) Material/Finish/Coating
I don't care as long as it's light and durable enough (so probably aluminum).
10) Water resistance
IPX8 preferred, IPX7 required.
11) Storage conditions
In house (temperature/climate controlled environment) or in pocket
12) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any/all below.
I care a lot about size and weight for this one. My Maglite Mini doesn't fit all that comfortably in my pocket and I want this one to be able to ride in my pocket for long distances.
However, this isn't going to be a flashlight in my pocket every day. I live in a city and find my cell phone flashlight feature sufficient for most tasks, and I usually have my backpack with me. This would more likely be for hiking, camping, or backpacking in a situation where I'm either not anticipating to be in the dark, need to travel light, or want a backup to a headlamp.
13) Lights I've been looking at so far
Fenix E series
Fenix LD series
Coast HP1
Coast G20
Streamlight Microstream
Streamlight ProTac series
Some random ThruNite ones
Lumintop Tool AA/AAA
Headlamp:
1) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
Up to $50.
2) Format:
I want a headlamp with an external pack/power source.
3) Size:
Not sure what this means in relation to a headlamp but I have a giant head that most hats don't fit on so high adjustability is a must.
4) 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 confidently walk around an unlit/unpaved rural area (60-150 lumens). Up to 250 or 300 should be okay.
5) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
Wide Throw: I want a beam with a noticeable hot-center for distance throw and a significant amount of "side-spill". Good for rough trail hiking, search and rescue, and general distance work.
5a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
50 yards minimum.
6) 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).
7) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
Don't care that much as long as it's not impossible to turn off/on when it's on my head.
8) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
2 or more light levels preferred.
9) Material/Finish/Coating
I don't know.
10) Water resistance
Needs to survive being close to waterfall or under rain at minimum, so probably IPX7.
11) Storage conditions
In house (temperature/climate controlled environment)
12) Lights I've been looking at so far
None. I've got pretty much no experience with this kind of light.
Hope you guys can help me choose what to get, especially for the pocket flashlight and headlamp. Thank you in advance!
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