Do it all recommendation..

Hi,
im a newbie to high end lights and have been reading through pages of these forums for days and I am becoming overwhelmed with choices. So hopefully you guys can help me narrow it down. I'm looking for a do it all light if there is such a thing

==================Flashlight Recommendation Checklist================

1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?

____I would like to purchase the light in person from a brick and mortar store. I am located in ______________.
__X__This will be mail-order or Online (location doesn't matter).


2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!

____I don't know yet
____Up to $25.
____Up to $50.
____Up to $100.
____Up to $200.
___X_Up to $300.
____Essentially unlimited.


3) Format:

____I am not sure, please help me decide.
__X__I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).
____I want a self-contained headlamp.
____I want a headlamp with an external pack/power source.
____I want a mounted light (typically for a bicycle or vehicle)
____I want a lantern/area light.
____I want a portable spotlight (it may have an external power source).
____Other ____________________________________________


4) Size:

____MICRO - Keychain size.
____TINY - Every day carry (2-4 inches).
____SMALL - Every day carry (4-7 inches).
____MEDIUM - Holster/belt ring carry. (>7 inches)
____LARGE - Big enough to need its own travel case.
___X_I don't know/I don't care.


5) Emitter/Light source:

___X_LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
____Incandescent (known for superior color rendition)
____HID (known for max output, but often at the expense of size)
____I don't know.


6) Manufacturer:

___X_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).
____I am interested in assembling my own components. (for example a "host" or flashlight body from one manufacturer, and a "drop-in" emitter from another source).


7) What power source do you want to use?

____I intend to use "Primary"/Disposable Alkaline batteries based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D sized cells common to most stores.
____I intend to use "Primary"/Disposable Lithium batteries based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D and CR123 sized cells common to most stores (often a cold weather or long storage choice).
____I intend to use Rechargeable cells (NiMH or NiCD) based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D sized cells common to most stores.
__X__I intend to use Rechargeable cells based on less common formats (18500 or 18650 Li-Ion, RCR123, et-al).
__X__I want a light with an integrated rechargeable battery pack.
____I don't know/I need more information on power sources.

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)
__X__I don't care


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).

_X___I want to navigate a dark room or read a map (1-10 lumens).
_X___I want an indoor "blackout" light (15-50 lumens)
_X___I want to confidently walk around an unlit/unpaved rural area (60-150 lumens).
_X___I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).
_X___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___I want search and rescue type illumination (800+ 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.

____All Flood: I am doing "arms length" tasks like reading and campsite cooking.
__X__Wide Flood: I want a defined flood area for semi-close tasks like after-dark campsite tasks or working on a car.
__X__Narrow Flood: I want a sharply defined flood area that will project some distance for tasks like trail walking.
__X__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.
____Narrow Throw: I want a beam with a very tight "hot center" and minimal "side-spill". Good for distance viewing, fog, and looking through dense undergrowth.
____Turbohead: I want a far-distance projector with a sharply focused spot of light and minimal or zero side-spill. Good for extreme distance and impressing your friends.

9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
_X___Less than 1 yard/meter (reading, other close work)
_X___Less than 5 yards/meters (looking for something inside a dark shed/garage/basement)
__X__5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
_X___30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
__X__50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)
____150+ yards (I am searching from a helicopter)

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).

_X___Up to 30 minutes (I want the brightest [and potentially smallest] light for brief periods)
__X__30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)
____90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
____3 hours + (I critically need this light to run on max for extended periods in between battery changes/charges).




11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.

____Not Important (A "night-stand" light).
____Slightly Important (Walks around the neighborhood).
__X__Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
____Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival).
____I don't know.


12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):

____Any size switch will do.
____I need a BIG switch (I'll be using gloves or have very large hands or coordination issues).
____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 twisty switch (Tighten the head/tailcap to activate, and the light will stay on until the head/tailcap is loosened).
____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).
____I want a remote switch (usually found on high-end bicycle headlights)
__X__I don't care.
____I don't know.
____Other, please specify____________________.


13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.

____A simple on-off with only one output level is fine for me.
____I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
__X__I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
____I want a programmable light.
____I want a selector ring.
____I want a strobe mode. (Oscillating pattern to confuse/blind aka "Police Mode")
____I want SOS mode. (blinks in ...---... emergency pattern)
____I want a beacon mode. (Regular flashes at full power to show location.)
____I don't care.
____I don't know.


14)Material/Finish/Coating

____Plastic/composite body (this may limit your choices significantly).
__X__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).
____I don't care.
____I don't know.
____Other, please specify____________.

15) Water resistance
____None needed
____IPX4 (Splash resistant)
__X__IPX7 (Waterproof to 1 meter/30min)
_X___IPX8 (Submersible to greater than 1 meter for 4 hours)

16) Storage conditions
_X___In house (temperature/climate controlled environment)
____Emergency kit (long standby periods)
____Automobile glove-box (wide temperature swings, long standby periods, critical reliability)
____Other_________________________________________ ____


17) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any/all below.

____Red filter (for preserving night vision).
____Other filter colors (Amber, Green, Blue, _________).
____Dedicated R/G/B secondary LEDs.
____"Hybrid" light (bright incandescent combined with long running LEDs)
____Pocket/belt clip
____Holster
____Wrist/Neck Lanyard
____Crenulated bezel
____Non-sparking, Intrinsically Safe (IS) for use in explosive environments



I Have looked at a lot and ideally would be floody with some throw maybe out to 75-100 yards. A few I have looked at and liked are Olight X7R, Fenix RC40, Acebeam X80, X45, Olight R50 pro. But I am open to suggestions. And I don't want to spend $300 if I can find something for $200 that is as good.

Thanks in advance.

Do you have any lights now? I have a couple suggestions. First, check out the Lumintop Tool AA 2.0. It will take either an AA cell or a 14500 LiIon rechargeable cell. It has four modes and mode memory, and throws out to about 150 yds. To get that range you need to use a 14500 cell. Best of all, it sells for under $20 USD. Another good starter light would be the Nitecore EA11/EC11. They are the same light, just with different power sources. The EA11 will use either an AA cell or a 14500 cell, just like the Lumintop Tool AA. The EC11 uses an 18350 LiIon rechargeable cell. Either one comes with a nice little belt holster. Thy normally sell for around $50-$60. A good all around light in my opinion is the Nitecore P30. A single 18650 cell light, it can also use two CR123A primary cells if you are not into rechargeables. To get the approx 600yd range it uses a larger head, which makes it impractical for pocket carry except for something like a jacket or winter coat. It too sells for around $60, but I have seen it as low as $35 this holiday season.
After that, the sky is the limit. There are a lot of good lights that will reach out more than a thousand yards and beyond, using multiple cells to get the power needed. As you have probably noted, I only mentioned Nitecore lights (except for the Tool). Except for some Lumintop Tool AAA and the Tool AA, all my lights are Nitecore, so those are what I know and use, and what I have had good experience with. There are a lot of other good brands out there, and I am sure others will be recommending them. Two things to remember: "Once you go big, you can't go back", and our mantra; "Two is One, and One is None". If you only have one light and it fails for whatever reason, you are pretty much SOL. So most of us carry a second, usually lower performing light as a backup. I normally carry my EA11, and once in a while my P30, as my EDC light. But I have a Nitecore Tip on my keychain, and a Streamlight Microstream in my pocket as backups. I may have only been a Cub Scout, but I still believe in 'Be Prepared'.

In my option you really can't beat Li-ion batteries if you are comfortable using them. They are just so much more efficient; I prefer a light that could run 18650 cells but 26650/26700 are also good if the light isn't too bulky (a little too big for pocket carry imo). The only thing it's not good for is doomsday scenarios because they aren't readily available like AA or D batteries or lithium CR123A batteries.

I own Surefires, Malkoffs, HDS systems (in the pasts) Fenix, 4sevens & many others & honestly they are all great. I've never had a single light fail me (with exception to a used moded Fenix Keychain light). As long as you buy a good quality light that people vouch for on here I think you'll be happy with it.

That being said there is no more impressive light than Zebralight in my option. Their lights are engineering marvels. I run a Zebralight SC600w IV HI as my every day carry. It's small, very bright, beautiful tint & Zebralight are some of the most efficient lights you'll find. It's also durable, has good knurling & ergonomics. Zebralight also offers a wide variety of tints, floody, normal or throw focused beams. They offer flashlights & headlamps; also sell different battery options if you prefer with AA batteries. No they don't offer 10,000 lumen flashlights or lights that can throw a mile away but they are supremely practical lights.

Lastly most of their lights are under $100. I would advise if you have never bought a high quality light don't spend $200 or $300 on your first light. You have to try the lights in person & for their intended use before knowing what you really need. Like if you want a throwy or floody beam, how bright you need, what size light you prefer, etc. Good luck, there are a myriad of options of options and information on this forum.

:welcome:

Not being an a55, please dont take this wrong, but there is no do it all light. I would look at a couple, one for EDC carry maybe(so fits in a pocket) and maybe a larger light for your higher lumen wants.

Now if you want a good cheap light, the emisar range, be it D4 for an 18650 quad xpl HI or nichia . The D1 for a more throwy compact light. There is the D1s for a more dedicated thrower. Also the D4s which is 26650 fed......................for $40-$70 ish in that range(titanium more expensive). These can be found at mtn electronics USA side, or direct from international outdoor. Great UI, programmable and ramping................very trick!
Zebralight as mentioned are worth a look, great lights. Programmable and part potted, and IMO one of the better anodising out there(certainly chinese made). The sc700d series(3000lm ish) is their latest.

If you want something with more choice of LED options, check vinhs work out skylumen or in his sub forum here. Awesome guy to deal with and backs his mods up.
https://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?140-Vinhnguyen54

Then there are USA made choices, surefire of new and old(cant beat the classics), malkoff , HDS be it rotary or clicky UI. Granted not the brightest compared to many, but look past that and have a tank of an EDC. Too much to go into, but now on the 21st thread of 100's of pages each pretty much sums that up.

Custom, there are quite a few awesome options, but do go beyond budget unless get lucky on the used market(can happen).

Few here(there are more)
https://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?92-CPF-Custom-Flashlight-Builders-and-Modders

If there was a do it all light, i am sure there would be a lot of fatter wallets out there haha. There are just too many choices and too many different applications and wants/needs to nail it on one light. To give two examples, i prefer to use more than one colour temp. Day time i like 5k(so in work for one example), home and about, i prefer a little warmer 4k in evening. 2nd, i like triples/quads for a useful beam, but also enjoy reflector based lights. I could go on and on and on!

Enjoy the ride, the hunt for the do it all light never seems to end, but its a fun journey with great like minded folk. My advice is simple, dont try and cut that experience short(learning and making new friends around the world) , enjoy the whole package.

The Zebralight SC600: 0.2 - 2,400 lumens, three modes instantly available from off with user-selectable outputs for each, 1x18650 and not much larger than the cell for pocket carry, $100.

Please be sure you are thoroughly familiar with safety and handling procedures for Li-ion batteries.

I know a do it all light is a stretch. I’m just looking to start a collection. I have a jet beam BR10-gt that I kinda acquired and forgot I had. Don’t be light I want now is a higher Luman larger body light. I will look into the suggestions and continue to read through this forum.