grifter182
Newly Enlightened
**UPDATED BELOW**
Hey all.
New here, and after a home torch that could light up the street.
Don't really care about the price. Just want a proven, reliable torch that will impress.
Thanks everybody.
I'm new to this and the choice seems overbearing!
Without any actual stores nearby to test or get a feel for any flashlights, it seems like I will have to go through a lot of flashlights to find out what I actually like.
Is this the usual process?
Would love to hear your thoughts.
EDIT:
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
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!
Up to 400
3) Format:
I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).
4) Size:
MEDIUM - Holster/belt ring carry. (>7 inches) to
LARGE - Big enough to need its own travel case.
I'll keep this inside my house, but I want to be able to walk around with it in one hand.
5) Emitter/Light source:
I don't know.
6) Manufacturer:
Either of these two:
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?
I don't know/I need more information on power sources.
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 illuminate an entire field, the neighbor's front yard several houses down, impress my friends and neighbors, etc. (300-700 lumens).
I want search and rescue type illumination (800+ lumens).
9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
Wide Flood: I want a defined flood area for semi-close tasks like after-dark campsite tasks or working on a car.
I'd like to light up an entire area outside my apartment from the balcony.
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
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).
Up to 30 minutes (I want the brightest [and potentially smallest] light for brief periods)
30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)
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):
Any size switch will do.
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
I don't care.
14)Material/Finish/Coating
I don't care.
15) Water resistance
IPX4 (Splash resistant)
Don't want it to break in the rain
16) Storage conditions
In house (temperature/climate controlled environment)
(Might take it camping on rare occasions)
Hey all.
New here, and after a home torch that could light up the street.
Don't really care about the price. Just want a proven, reliable torch that will impress.
Thanks everybody.
I'm new to this and the choice seems overbearing!
Without any actual stores nearby to test or get a feel for any flashlights, it seems like I will have to go through a lot of flashlights to find out what I actually like.
Is this the usual process?
Would love to hear your thoughts.
EDIT:
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
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!
Up to 400
3) Format:
I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).
4) Size:
MEDIUM - Holster/belt ring carry. (>7 inches) to
LARGE - Big enough to need its own travel case.
I'll keep this inside my house, but I want to be able to walk around with it in one hand.
5) Emitter/Light source:
I don't know.
6) Manufacturer:
Either of these two:
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?
I don't know/I need more information on power sources.
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 illuminate an entire field, the neighbor's front yard several houses down, impress my friends and neighbors, etc. (300-700 lumens).
I want search and rescue type illumination (800+ lumens).
9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
Wide Flood: I want a defined flood area for semi-close tasks like after-dark campsite tasks or working on a car.
I'd like to light up an entire area outside my apartment from the balcony.
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
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).
Up to 30 minutes (I want the brightest [and potentially smallest] light for brief periods)
30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)
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):
Any size switch will do.
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
I don't care.
14)Material/Finish/Coating
I don't care.
15) Water resistance
IPX4 (Splash resistant)
Don't want it to break in the rain
16) Storage conditions
In house (temperature/climate controlled environment)
(Might take it camping on rare occasions)
Last edited:
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