a few very basic questions:

[slapper]

Hi,

How many lumens are required for adequate normal use? We like to walk down our country lane at night and I'm going to buy a floody beam light, something like a Thrunite Neutron, so we don't miss the occasional rabbit or badger or, most probably, cat. With economy in mind, I don't want to have to run the light at max. So what's a good medium lumen output for our purpose?

Will AA battery lights accept non-rechargeable lithium batteries, the ones shaped like the AA's obviously? (I get confused over the numbering of batteries).

Lastly, as we don't need strobe, sos, etc, can anyone suggest a straightforward simple flashlight that would reliably do want we want?

Hope you can help, please.

[Rafael Jimenez]

You have to know how much you are willing to spend. What I would do is buy a flashlight that will be good to walk the dog, plus take on a trip, plus go camping, and many other uses. A flashlight that will be reliable and very bright when you need it.

I would get a Malkoff Hound dog. I would get 4 rechargeable 18650 AW brand so I have a spare pair, and a ultrafire wf-139 charger(ebay has lowest price).

[Ezeriel]

50 lumens is good for walking around; 60 feet or less
100 is good for looking at stuff 100 feet away or less

that's just general info. if a light is 'throwy' it will shine farther
if it's 'floody' it's better for up-close stuff



I normally say "get a Fenix LD22", I say it so much I'm bored saying it...

but if you don't like the UI (press tailcap for on/off, pushing the bezel button cycles lo, med, hi, turbo; hold down for stobe),
you could get an E25 (one button, lo, med, high; hold for strobe) .. or an E21 tailcap on/off twist bezel for high or low

links in order:

Links removed as per the banner at the top of the page - Norm


Edit:

"Will AA battery lights accept non-rechargeable lithium batteries?"

A few do, most don't, and some of the ones that do, will only run on turbo when using a lithium.

[Gunner12]

Most 1 AA lights work well with Lithium primaries, some 2 AA lights loose lower output modes with 2 Lithium primaries.

For walking around a dark area, I like 20-30 lumen, 100+ if the area is decently lit. If you want to see things further away, a light with a throwy beam might do, most LED lights have a decent amount of side spill. Some of the more powerful floodier lights can throw decently due to how much light they make.

What's your price range?

For a lower price light, look at Shiningbeam's lights or Fenix's E series. Higher price, there are a lot more options, but most are nice choices IMO.

[slapper]

Thanks for the information, fellas. From what you've told me the Fenix E21 is just the light I'm after. Simple to use and a good medium runtime.

I'm most grateful.

[Ezeriel]

"Links removed as per the banner at the top of the page - Norm"


I thought manufacturer links were only bad if they sell lights on their site....


....bummer

[reppans]

I really think I'm the only one on this forum to like using his night vision. I walk my dog every night, with no street lights, and I like using between 3 and 8 lumens, since it retains my night vision (dilated pupils) and allows me to see more the other 280 degrees outside of my beam. This gives me better awareness of my surroundings and is just an overall nicer night-time experience.

20 lumens and up starts to give me tunnel vision and feels like listening to music with headphones on. Sure clarity and definition are good within the beam, but you don't have any idea what else is going on, or moving,a beyond that. I find it scarier.

[RCS1300]

I really think I'm the only one on this forum to like using his night vision. I walk my dog every night, with no street lights, and I like using between 3 and 8 lumens, since it retains my night vision (dilated pupils) and allows me to see more the other 280 degrees outside of my beam. This gives me better awareness of my surroundings and is just an overall nicer night-time experience.

20 lumens and up starts to give me tunnel vision and feels like listening to music with headphones on. Sure clarity and definition are good within the beam, but you don't have any idea what else is going on, or moving,a beyond that. I find it scarier.

I bet you don't have to worry about black bears, rabid raccoon, skunks, coyote, etc. When I'm walking around my house in the PA mountains at night there is no ambient light and I use my Thrunite Catapult which gives me an effective buffer zone of 125 yards. It is really something to see the eyes of a 450lb black bear lit up at 125 yards.

[reppans]

I bet you don't have to worry about black bears, rabid raccoon, skunks, coyote, etc. When I'm walking around my house in the PA mountains at night there is no ambient light and I use my Thrunite Catapult which gives me an effective buffer zone of 125 yards. It is really something to see the eyes of a 450lb black bear lit up at 125 yards.

I camp in the NE Appalachians so I'm familiar with wildlife - I guess I look at it differently. First off there is rarely ever an open enough area to see 100yds due to the dense forests where I tend to go, and second, I think the more I'm worried about wildlife, the lower the lumens I tend to use. As mentioned, the higher the lumens I use, the blinder I become for the other 280-degrees outside of my beam.... and I can't bother with doing constant perimeter scans or changing batts often. But that's just me.

[hnupek]

60 works fine for me with AMP 5.0 Maxbrite, however, I need more for occassional checks (100+) and less to preserve night vision if on good terrain (~20). Some people say sub-lumen works well, too