What is the ideal flashlight for geocaching?
(Geocaching is an outdoor recreational activity, in which the participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver to seek containers hidden by other participants. e.g. Hiking in the woods and finding small well hidden containers)
What is the ideal headlamp for geocaching?
My current EDC is a Fenix LD01. I have an Fenix PD32 UE in my bag.
I currently have ordered a Malkoff MDC and a Malkoff Devices "Hound Dog" XM-L.
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
____I will be mail-ordering or buying online, so this doesn't matter.
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
____I have no limit.
____I'm flexible, tell me what you got.
I am interested in the solution that offers the best set of trade-offs.
3) Format:
____I want a flashlight.
____I want a headlamp.
Ultimately looking for two different devices.
4) Flashlight-specific format/size:
____Every day carry medium (4-7 inches).
____Holster carry.
This light will be in my geocaching bag. Smaller/lighter is good, but this is not my EDC light. I plan to use this to supplement my EDC.
5) Emitter/Light source:
____I don't know.
6) Manufacturer:
____I would consider getting a light that is pieced together (for example a "host" or flashlight body from one manufacturer, and a "drop-in" emitter from another source). Under the right circumstances, this path can provide more options to the consumer to meet specific needs, and can often be easily upgradeable as technology improves.
7) What battery type do you want to use?
____I intend to use lithium primary batteries (CR123, CR2, Energizer Advanced/Ultimate Lithium AA/AAA)
____I intend to use rechargeable lithium (li-ion) chemistry. Feel free to specify a size if you know which size you want (14500, RCR123/16340, 17500, 17670, 18650, etc.)
18650. (I also have RCR123, CR123 and eneloop AA)
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 impossible).
____I want to navigate a dark room or read a map (0-10 lumens).
____I want to walk around an unlit rural area (50-150 lumens).
____I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).
____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 ridiculous amounts of lumens (800+ lumens).
Part of my challenge is I can imagine scenarios when geocaching when all of the above would be useful.
9) Throw vs. Flood: At what distance will you be most likely to use this light? Select all that apply.
____Less than 1 yard/meter (reading, other close work)
____Less than 5 yards/meters (looking for something inside a dark shed/garage/basement)
____5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
____30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
____50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)
____150+ yards (I want maximum throw possible)
Part of the challenge is I can imagine scenarios when geocaching when all of the above would be useful.
10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum output).
____90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
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).
I am willing to pay more for reliability. I plan to use this light it needs to be durable.
12) Switch Type and location (choose all that apply):
____I don't know.
I don't yet know enough to have a preference
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
____I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
____I want a programmable light.
____I want a selector ring.
____I don't know.
I expect that multiple light levels would be necessary given the activities.
14)Material/Finish/Coating
____Anodized Aluminum – either type II or III (Hard Anodized) (Aluminum, specifically HA, is the most common material/finish for today's flashlights).
____Titanium (durable and nearly as lightweight as aluminum, but can be moderately to significantly more expensive).
15) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any below.
What other requirements would you specify for a great geocaching light set?
Thank-you for any advice.
(Geocaching is an outdoor recreational activity, in which the participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver to seek containers hidden by other participants. e.g. Hiking in the woods and finding small well hidden containers)
What is the ideal headlamp for geocaching?
My current EDC is a Fenix LD01. I have an Fenix PD32 UE in my bag.
I currently have ordered a Malkoff MDC and a Malkoff Devices "Hound Dog" XM-L.
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
____I will be mail-ordering or buying online, so this doesn't matter.
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
____I have no limit.
____I'm flexible, tell me what you got.
I am interested in the solution that offers the best set of trade-offs.
3) Format:
____I want a flashlight.
____I want a headlamp.
Ultimately looking for two different devices.
4) Flashlight-specific format/size:
____Every day carry medium (4-7 inches).
____Holster carry.
This light will be in my geocaching bag. Smaller/lighter is good, but this is not my EDC light. I plan to use this to supplement my EDC.
5) Emitter/Light source:
____I don't know.
6) Manufacturer:
____I would consider getting a light that is pieced together (for example a "host" or flashlight body from one manufacturer, and a "drop-in" emitter from another source). Under the right circumstances, this path can provide more options to the consumer to meet specific needs, and can often be easily upgradeable as technology improves.
7) What battery type do you want to use?
____I intend to use lithium primary batteries (CR123, CR2, Energizer Advanced/Ultimate Lithium AA/AAA)
____I intend to use rechargeable lithium (li-ion) chemistry. Feel free to specify a size if you know which size you want (14500, RCR123/16340, 17500, 17670, 18650, etc.)
18650. (I also have RCR123, CR123 and eneloop AA)
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 impossible).
____I want to navigate a dark room or read a map (0-10 lumens).
____I want to walk around an unlit rural area (50-150 lumens).
____I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).
____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 ridiculous amounts of lumens (800+ lumens).
Part of my challenge is I can imagine scenarios when geocaching when all of the above would be useful.
9) Throw vs. Flood: At what distance will you be most likely to use this light? Select all that apply.
____Less than 1 yard/meter (reading, other close work)
____Less than 5 yards/meters (looking for something inside a dark shed/garage/basement)
____5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
____30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
____50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)
____150+ yards (I want maximum throw possible)
Part of the challenge is I can imagine scenarios when geocaching when all of the above would be useful.
10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum output).
____90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
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).
I am willing to pay more for reliability. I plan to use this light it needs to be durable.
12) Switch Type and location (choose all that apply):
____I don't know.
I don't yet know enough to have a preference
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
____I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
____I want a programmable light.
____I want a selector ring.
____I don't know.
I expect that multiple light levels would be necessary given the activities.
14)Material/Finish/Coating
____Anodized Aluminum – either type II or III (Hard Anodized) (Aluminum, specifically HA, is the most common material/finish for today's flashlights).
____Titanium (durable and nearly as lightweight as aluminum, but can be moderately to significantly more expensive).
15) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any below.
What other requirements would you specify for a great geocaching light set?
Thank-you for any advice.