I can't really say the I remember THE first time I used a flashlight, but thanks to this thread, I can now clearly remember my whole life as a flashaholic.
The first flashlight I remember playing … let me rephrase that… The first sip into flashaholism I had was with one of those chrome 2D things that showed a yellow concentric pattern you had to move around constantly to make out an object in the dark. I killed so many batteries with that hog, before killing it for good (I think the switch fell off). Then my father bought a brand new red metallic flashlight with the white plactic tip to hold the lens in place, and the huge refrigerator magnet on it. Much brighter than the first one. I think I played as much with the magnet than I did with the light. Once I scratched the refrigerator door, so I started playing with the light more.
Some time later, Nestle Quick had this offer that if you sent them so many CUP codes, they sent you a free flashlight. That's probably how I got fat. 6 to 8 weeks seemed like an eternity. The delivery only took 4 weeks, and they had made a mistake…. They sent TWO! (First real taste of flashaholism) these where MINE, and only MINE and TWO of them! My dad ended up buying a battery charger. At some point I broke one, but still had the other one. I played with it for years, until I wasn't impressed anymore. Now that I know better, a fresh bulb would have kept me glued to the poor thing longer.
Then so many years passed in a seeming remission, until the store I was working at started giving away free pen lights. Couldn't change the batteries, so I stashed quite a few. Then we got some white LED squeezables to give away. I had at least 2 on me at all times, but the batteries kept falling out.
A couple of years later, after getting tired of setting up camp in the dark because of my lazy friend who insisted his dad's chrome flashlight was bright (as old as that first one I rubbed the switch off) I decided it was time I sarted shopping for a real light. Got my very first Krypton AND white LED combo (pre-luxeon). It even had a red LED to keep your night vision. I was totally impressed at the white LED's spill, no previous flashlight I ever saw had ever been this usable, and dropped to the floor at the Krypton's throw. I thought I'd never need another flashlight again, so I got a second one and the matching headlamp. (First dive into flashaholism) Coul've shot a guy up a telephone pole over a hundred feet away. I thought "this is it!"
A couple of years later, I noticed an attractive package that mentioned something about 45 lumen. I had no idea how many lumen my current lights where rated at, but since it was from the same brand, I decided it must be worth the money and even convinced my cousin to buy one at the same time I did, without even testing it first. When we got to the car, we tore the package like a couple of desperately hungry hoboes and popped the batteries in. We lit the floor and got somewhat impressed. We knew the very fact we could see light was a good sign, but we where not THAT impressed. Then the light hit me "Do you realize it's high noon??!?!?!!? IT'S NOON AND WE CAN SEE THE BEAM CLEARLY!" We dropped all previous plans and went straight back to my place to make our very first beam comparisons with the good ol' krypton. Needless to say our jaws dropped to the floor for the first time ever. Got myself another one and two of the matching headlamps. Flashaholism was defenitely taking over.
We started scurrying the net to see what else was out there. 60, 80, 120, 180 lumen!!!! I ended up ordering 2 terralux and 1 fenix L2D each for me and my cousin and a fenix L0D for EDC. I could remember the wait for the Quick flashlight, but this time it was only a few days. I think I was shaking while waiting. I dreamt about it. I cursed and swore never to buy anything through the internet, because the wait made it too painfull. Then it came and my mouth dropped to the floor three times again. No more that 2 weeks later I saw the rayovac 4 watt 150 lumen (excellent thrower and very good spill by the way) and couldn't resist. I bought one. I was now an openly admitted flashaholic. My cousin tried to get one from the stores in his town, but they only had the old type cut-corner disposable cheapos. He brought one of his new lights to the hardware store and started lecturing the manager (a woman) about how she could actually throw away everything that was on the shelves, including m*gs. He actually convinced her to get some of the new lights (now, THAT'S a flashaholic! Don't convince friends, convince THE WHOLE STORE!) and finally got a good taste at a real thrower for himself. Meanwhile I had bought myself a second one… 300$ worth of flashlights in a month (without counting the ones I gave away) and no regrets…why fight it? I did look for some therapy I could sing myself up at, but only found this site… look for a doctor and find a pusher…
Just this month, amongst others, I got the very last two TK11 R2s in Canada (one for my cousin, I still owe him money) and still want more… I did the same mistake as the first time, though… I popped the batteries in and turned it on in the car (yes, while driving!… for some it's cellphones, this is my problem) and thought "not so bad… oh, wait it's true… THE SUN IS UP!!!!!!" and it wasn't even on turbo… Anyways, I still want more and hesitate between a TK40, M2 or M30…. Sure hope reviews and Lux readings are coming up soon…. I need a fix doc! The paint in my appartment is turnig yellow prematurely … I'm scrounging the rest of my savings to go camping…
-Flashaholic since I'm 4 and until death… I'm considering a flashlight buryal… preferably on a cloudy night a hundred mile away from city lights. Go out with style or burn out like a bulb!