Dr Forinor
Enlightened
As per title.
I recently got a Fenix E16 (which has the neutral white). This reminded me how much I love CR123 lights, but more importantly how much I love 4000-5000k colour temperatures.
I dug out my Lumintop Tool Ti High CRI, and the BLF-348, and instantly was at home with the High CRI aspect of it all.
What I really dislike about the Fenix E16 is the switch is quite easily pressed whilst in the pocket, for me at least. I know there is an electronic lockout function but that just makes the thing constantly flash all the time. And using the pocket clip to cover the switch is kind of crap, doesn't work.
This has now lead onto me wanting a new light, but very specific criteria;
- Has to be pocketable/EDC-able
- I want a CR123/16340 to allow for higher modes than an AAA light
- I want to stay in colour temperatures of between 4000k – 5000k. Ideally 5000k is at the extreme cool end, I much prefer 4000-4500k, but can live with 5000k, no cooler.
- I want High CRI, absolutely no less than 90 and ideally 92 if possible.
- Obviously it's an EDC light so mainly an area style of light, but if possible if it has some throw then a great bonus
Is there such a light out there that fits this criteria?
------------------------------
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
____This will be mail-order or Online (location doesn't matter). I live in UK, so preferably something I can get my hands on in the EU (for now).
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
____I don't know yet. It's not unlimited, I'm thinking £100ish? But I will pay more if the light is right.
3) Format:
____I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).
4) Size:
____TINY - Every day carry (2-4 inches).
____SMALL - Every day carry (4-7 inches).
5) Emitter/Light source:
____LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
6) Manufacturer: Either of the following
____I want to buy a light from a large/traditional manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
____I would like a light from a specialty manufacturer (Possibly limited run/Custom).
7) What power source do you want to use? Either if it fits my criteria
____I intend to use Rechargeable cells based on less common formats (18500 or 18650 Li-Ion, RCR123, et-al).
____I want a light with an integrated rechargeable battery pack.
7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option: either of the following
____I want a light that has a recharging adapter (your typical "wall wart")
____I want a separate/stand-alone charger (this involves removing the batteries to charge)
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).
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.
____Narrow Flood: I want a sharply defined flood area that will project some distance for tasks like trail walking.
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
____30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
____50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)
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).
____30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)
____90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
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).
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply): Not too fussy out of the following options
____I want a forward clicky (Helpful for momentary activation and signaling).
____I want a reverse clicky (For use with multi-mode/level lights).
____I want a momentary switch (Predominantly for use with signaling and short bursts of momentary light only).
____I want a body mounted switch (near the head, like on a Maglite).
____I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today's high end lights).
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply. I want at least 3 modes, perhaps 4 (ultra low if possible, low, med, high)
____I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
____I want a programmable light.
____I want a selector ring.
14)Material/Finish/Coating
____Anodized Aluminum – either type II or III (Hard Anodized) (Aluminum, specifically HA, is the most common material/finish for today's 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)
17) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? The following are all very important.
____Pocket/belt clip
____High CRI
____Colour temperature between 4000-5000K
I recently got a Fenix E16 (which has the neutral white). This reminded me how much I love CR123 lights, but more importantly how much I love 4000-5000k colour temperatures.
I dug out my Lumintop Tool Ti High CRI, and the BLF-348, and instantly was at home with the High CRI aspect of it all.
What I really dislike about the Fenix E16 is the switch is quite easily pressed whilst in the pocket, for me at least. I know there is an electronic lockout function but that just makes the thing constantly flash all the time. And using the pocket clip to cover the switch is kind of crap, doesn't work.
This has now lead onto me wanting a new light, but very specific criteria;
- Has to be pocketable/EDC-able
- I want a CR123/16340 to allow for higher modes than an AAA light
- I want to stay in colour temperatures of between 4000k – 5000k. Ideally 5000k is at the extreme cool end, I much prefer 4000-4500k, but can live with 5000k, no cooler.
- I want High CRI, absolutely no less than 90 and ideally 92 if possible.
- Obviously it's an EDC light so mainly an area style of light, but if possible if it has some throw then a great bonus
Is there such a light out there that fits this criteria?
------------------------------
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
____This will be mail-order or Online (location doesn't matter). I live in UK, so preferably something I can get my hands on in the EU (for now).
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
____I don't know yet. It's not unlimited, I'm thinking £100ish? But I will pay more if the light is right.
3) Format:
____I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).
4) Size:
____TINY - Every day carry (2-4 inches).
____SMALL - Every day carry (4-7 inches).
5) Emitter/Light source:
____LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
6) Manufacturer: Either of the following
____I want to buy a light from a large/traditional manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
____I would like a light from a specialty manufacturer (Possibly limited run/Custom).
7) What power source do you want to use? Either if it fits my criteria
____I intend to use Rechargeable cells based on less common formats (18500 or 18650 Li-Ion, RCR123, et-al).
____I want a light with an integrated rechargeable battery pack.
7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option: either of the following
____I want a light that has a recharging adapter (your typical "wall wart")
____I want a separate/stand-alone charger (this involves removing the batteries to charge)
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).
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.
____Narrow Flood: I want a sharply defined flood area that will project some distance for tasks like trail walking.
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
____30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
____50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)
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).
____30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)
____90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
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).
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply): Not too fussy out of the following options
____I want a forward clicky (Helpful for momentary activation and signaling).
____I want a reverse clicky (For use with multi-mode/level lights).
____I want a momentary switch (Predominantly for use with signaling and short bursts of momentary light only).
____I want a body mounted switch (near the head, like on a Maglite).
____I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today's high end lights).
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply. I want at least 3 modes, perhaps 4 (ultra low if possible, low, med, high)
____I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
____I want a programmable light.
____I want a selector ring.
14)Material/Finish/Coating
____Anodized Aluminum – either type II or III (Hard Anodized) (Aluminum, specifically HA, is the most common material/finish for today's 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)
17) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? The following are all very important.
____Pocket/belt clip
____High CRI
____Colour temperature between 4000-5000K
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