TLDR:
- Very reliable and overbuilt ($100-200+ is expected)
- Not too wide or too long for front pocket carry in jeans
- Dependable turbo mode at a moments notice
- Access to other more general purpose modes for utility and to extend battery life.
Format:
I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).
Size:
SMALL - Every day carry (4-5 inches).
Fits in front jean pocket, shaped like a cylinder without a significantly wider head.
(e.g. Narrower head than Elzetta and the higher output Malkoffs).
Emitter/Light source:
LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
I prefer a significant brightness increase over color accuracy when given a choice.
What power source do you want to use?
Single AA or CR123 sized cell.
Not too fond of 18650's because they tend to make the light too long and too wide, but it's not a deal breaker.
Examples of 1 x AA powered lights that output 300-400 lumens seem to be hitting the market (EagleTac and ?). This would be ideal.
How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need?
300-400+ lumens for Burst/Turbo mode
85 lumens mode
30 lumen mode
1 lumen mode
Something resembling those 4 modes would be ideal.
Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
Narrow Flood: I want a sharply defined flood area that will project some distance for tasks like trail walking.
Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light
Less than 1 yard/meter (reading, other close work)
Less than 5 yards/meters (looking for something inside a dark shed/garage/basement)
5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
Runtime:
Up to a few minutes (I want the brightest [and potentially smallest] light for brief periods) and
70 hours + for a moon mode.
Switch Size, Type, and location.
I only want a tail mounted switch.
The more reliable the better.
No secondary side switches.
Tail standing ability is preferred.
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection.
Something like this:
Default mode is turbo full blast, ideally momentary only like a Surefire 6P.
If not momentary, then forward clicky (ON/OFF only)
Secondary mode (possibly accessed by twisting the tailcap or head) would give access to a few general purpose modes resembling 1, 35, and 85 lumen modes. If it's just one lower mode, that would be acceptable.
15) Water resistance
IPX7 (Waterproof to 1 meter/30min)
17) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any/all below.
Pocket/belt clip is a plus.
- Very reliable and overbuilt ($100-200+ is expected)
- Not too wide or too long for front pocket carry in jeans
- Dependable turbo mode at a moments notice
- Access to other more general purpose modes for utility and to extend battery life.
Format:
I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).
Size:
SMALL - Every day carry (4-5 inches).
Fits in front jean pocket, shaped like a cylinder without a significantly wider head.
(e.g. Narrower head than Elzetta and the higher output Malkoffs).
Emitter/Light source:
LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
I prefer a significant brightness increase over color accuracy when given a choice.
What power source do you want to use?
Single AA or CR123 sized cell.
Not too fond of 18650's because they tend to make the light too long and too wide, but it's not a deal breaker.
Examples of 1 x AA powered lights that output 300-400 lumens seem to be hitting the market (EagleTac and ?). This would be ideal.
How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need?
300-400+ lumens for Burst/Turbo mode
85 lumens mode
30 lumen mode
1 lumen mode
Something resembling those 4 modes would be ideal.
Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
Narrow Flood: I want a sharply defined flood area that will project some distance for tasks like trail walking.
Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light
Less than 1 yard/meter (reading, other close work)
Less than 5 yards/meters (looking for something inside a dark shed/garage/basement)
5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
Runtime:
Up to a few minutes (I want the brightest [and potentially smallest] light for brief periods) and
70 hours + for a moon mode.
Switch Size, Type, and location.
I only want a tail mounted switch.
The more reliable the better.
No secondary side switches.
Tail standing ability is preferred.
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection.
Something like this:
Default mode is turbo full blast, ideally momentary only like a Surefire 6P.
If not momentary, then forward clicky (ON/OFF only)
Secondary mode (possibly accessed by twisting the tailcap or head) would give access to a few general purpose modes resembling 1, 35, and 85 lumen modes. If it's just one lower mode, that would be acceptable.
15) Water resistance
IPX7 (Waterproof to 1 meter/30min)
17) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any/all below.
Pocket/belt clip is a plus.