New to forum / flashlights question

[fredx]

Is there any one out there who can recommend a couple things for me? I am new here to the forum and would appreciate some assistance.

First- I am not a computer / forum "journeyman", these things are fun for me and info gathering, hope one day to know enough to repay the favors with my advice but thats years away- so have some patience with me please.

I know absolutely ZIP about these things so is there anyone who can link me up with any threads already posted or links to somewhere else where I can find the difference between a few things like LED & HID? Lumens & watts? Already spent some time looking.

Lastly- usually I have found there are a few different kind of folks on these internet forums, some that are almost always willing to help & very knowledgeable and a few that are arrogant smart alecs I will thank the former in advance and hopefully the latter will go back to their mirror.

Thanks
fred

[Norm]

Check Flashlight Wiki as listed in my sig line, Terminology.

Norm

[fredx]

Thanks Norm!!

[ScaryFatKidGT]

Id grab a simple but well known LED light light jetbeam or klarus or fenix and go from there

or get a P60 host

but I have found you don't really know where to start till you have something to compare. If there was a place that sells nice flashlight by you that would be perfect.

[yliu]

Go to your nearest electronic store, and get a D-cell LED Maglite. It's the quintessential flashlight. Time-tested, and proven to be reliable. That would be always the 1st thing I recommend to someone who's new to flashlights. And it's always good to have a backup light lying around at your home (just change the batts every 7 years).

LEDs are definitely the way to go, but the format, size, features, brand and price all depends on you and what you need/want.

If you buy from known brands, you should be fine.

You should do these steps before buying a light:
1. Decide what format/size you want.
2. Look around and find a list of places you are willing to get the light from.
3. Search around their website or their store and make a list of lights that matches the format/size you want.
4. Compare prices and pick out the ones you are interested in.
5. Search for reviews online, look at as much reviews are you can to get more opinions
6. Purchase

or you can fill out the checklist here and post it in the "recommend me a light for..." section.

[HotWire]

To start with, I'd suggest that you look over available SureFire LED lights. Buy one that you like. Start with a less expensive one. I'd choose one you could carry in your pocket. Then read CPF forums day & night. You'll start with a reliable light and build information about other brands available. Many of us started with cheap brands.... and found them unreliable. The one thing that is most important to me is reliability. Read the battery forums and learn about the different kinds of batteries. Some are very powerful but potentially dangerous. Some are safer, but less powerful. Stick with brands others here on CPF recommend. Welcome aboard!

[ScaryFatKidGT]

If you go the route above I would suggest the Mini-Mag Pro+ if you have a Lowes by you that has one, unless you want a bigger light.

The nice thing about CPF is that if you get a light you don't like you can sell it here for not much loss.