So what shall I buy!?

Hi one and all, looking to buy a torch/flashlight, and have been reading over the posts and have finally decided to fill out the form and post it to see what your opinion is. Really appreciate the help and look forward to finding the right light for me.

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[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText-Bold]==================Flashlight Recommendation Checklist================[/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText-Bold]1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?[/FONT][/FONT]
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• [FONT=.SFUIText] ____This will be mail-order or Online (location doesn't matter).[/FONT]

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[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText-Bold]2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest! [/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____I don't know yet[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____Up to $[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____Up to $[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____Up to[/FONT][/FONT]

• [FONT=.SFUIText]____Up to $[/FONT][FONT=.SFUIText-BoldItalic]200[/FONT][FONT=.SFUIText].[/FONT]

[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____Up to $[/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText-Bold]3) Format:[/FONT][/FONT]
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• [FONT=.SFUIText]____I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).[/FONT]

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• [FONT=.SFUIText]____I want a portable spotlight [/FONT]

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[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText-Bold]4) Size:[/FONT][/FONT]
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• [FONT=.SFUIText]____MEDIUM - Holster/belt ring carry. (>7 inches)[/FONT]
• [FONT=.SFUIText]____LARGE - Big enough to need its own travel case.[/FONT]

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[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText-Bold]5) Emitter/Light source:[/FONT][/FONT]
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• [FONT=.SFUIText]____I don't know.[/FONT]

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[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText-Bold]6) Manufacturer:[/FONT][/FONT]
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• [FONT=.SFUIText]____I want to buy a light from a large/traditional manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.[/FONT]

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[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText-Bold]7) What power source do you want to use?[/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____I intend to use "Primary"/Disposable [/FONT][FONT=.SFUIText-Bold]Alkaline[/FONT][FONT=.SFUIText] batteries based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D sized cells common to most stores.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____I intend to use "Primary"/Disposable [/FONT][FONT=.SFUIText-Bold]Lithium[/FONT][FONT=.SFUIText] batteries based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D and CR123 sized cells common to most stores (often a cold weather or long storage choice).[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____I intend to use [/FONT][FONT=.SFUIText-Bold]Rechargeable cells[/FONT][FONT=.SFUIText] (NiMH or NiCD) based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D sized cells common to most stores.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____I intend to use [/FONT][FONT=.SFUIText-Bold]Rechargeable cells[/FONT][FONT=.SFUIText] based on less common formats (18500 or 18650 Li-Ion, RCR123, et-al).[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____I want a light with an integrated rechargeable battery pack.[/FONT][/FONT]

• [FONT=.SFUIText]XXI don't know/I need more information on power sources.[/FONT]

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[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText-Bold]7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____I want a light that plugs directly into the wall (literally with prongs built into the light)[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____I want a light that has a recharging adapter (your typical "wall wart")[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____I want a light that snaps into a cradle (usually mounted on a wall)[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____I want a separate/stand-alone charger (this involves removing the batteries to charge)[/FONT][/FONT]

• [FONT=.SFUIText]____I don't care[/FONT]

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[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText-Bold]8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need? [/FONT][FONT=.SFUIText]Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is not a happy experience).[/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____I want to navigate a dark room or read a map (1-10 lumens).[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____I want an indoor "blackout" light (15-50 lumens)[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____I want to confidently walk around an unlit/unpaved rural area (60-150 lumens).[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).[/FONT][/FONT]

• [FONT=.SFUIText]____I want to illuminate an entire field, the neighbor's front yard several houses down, impress my friends and neighbors, etc. (300-700 lumens).[/FONT]
• [FONT=.SFUIText]____I want search and rescue type illumination ([/FONT]

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[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]9) [/FONT][FONT=.SFUIText-Bold]Flood vs Throw:[/FONT][FONT=.SFUIText] Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.[/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____All Flood: I am doing "arms length" tasks like reading and campsite cooking.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____Wide Flood: I want a defined flood area for semi-close tasks like after-dark campsite tasks or working on a car.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____Narrow Flood: I want a sharply defined flood area that will project some distance for tasks like trail walking.[/FONT][/FONT]

• [FONT=.SFUIText]____Wide Throw: I want a beam with a noticeable hot-center for distance throw and a significant amount of "side-spill". Good for rough trail hiking, search and rescue, and general distance work.[/FONT]

[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____Narrow Throw: I want a beam with a very tight "hot center" and minimal "side-spill". Good for distance viewing, fog, and looking through dense undergrowth.[/FONT][/FONT]

• [FONT=.SFUIText]____Turbohead: I want a far-distance projector with a sharply focused spot of light and minimal or zero side-spill. Good for extreme distance and impressing your friends.[/FONT]

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[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText-Bold]9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light[/FONT][FONT=.SFUIText] (check all that apply)[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____Less than 1 yard/meter (reading, other close work)[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____Less than 5 yards/meters (looking for something inside a dark shed/garage/basement)[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)[/FONT][/FONT]

• [FONT=.SFUIText]____50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)[/FONT]
• [FONT=.SFUIText]____150+ yards (I am searching from a helicopter)[/FONT]

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[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText-Bold]10) Runtime:[/FONT][FONT=.SFUIText] Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum continuous output).[/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____Up to 30 minutes (I want the brightest [and potentially smallest] light for brief periods)[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)[/FONT][/FONT]

• [FONT=.SFUIText]____90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)[/FONT]
• [FONT=.SFUIText]____3 hours + (I critically need this light to run on max for extended periods in between battery changes/charges).[/FONT]

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[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText-Bold]11) Durability/Usage:[/FONT][FONT=.SFUIText] Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.[/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____Not Important (A "night-stand" light).[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____Slightly Important (Walks around the neighborhood).[/FONT][/FONT]

• [FONT=.SFUIText]____Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).[/FONT]
• [FONT=.SFUIText]____Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival).[/FONT]

[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____I don't know.[/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText-Bold]12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):[/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____Any size switch will do.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____I need a BIG switch (I'll be using gloves or have very large hands or coordination issues).[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____I want a forward clicky (Helpful for momentary activation and signaling).[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____I want a reverse clicky (For use with multi-mode/level lights).[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____I want a momentary switch (Predominantly for use with signaling and short bursts of momentary light only).[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____I want a twisty switch (Tighten the head/tailcap to activate, and the light will stay on until the head/tailcap is loosened).[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____I want a body mounted switch (near the head, like on a Maglite).[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today's high end lights).[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____I want a remote switch (usually found on high-end bicycle headlights)[/FONT][/FONT]

• [FONT=.SFUIText]____I don't care.[/FONT]
• [FONT=.SFUIText]____I don't know.[/FONT]

[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____Other, please specify____________________.[/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText-Bold]13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection.[/FONT][FONT=.SFUIText] Select all that apply.[/FONT][/FONT]
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• [FONT=.SFUIText]____A simple on-off with only one output level is fine for me.[/FONT]

[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____I want a programmable light.[/FONT][/FONT]

• [FONT=.SFUIText]____I want a selector ring.[/FONT]

[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____I want a strobe mode. (Oscillating pattern to confuse/blind aka "Police Mode")[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____I want SOS mode. (blinks in ---...--- emergency pattern)[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____I want a beacon mode. (Regular flashes at full power to show location.)[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____I don't care.[/FONT][/FONT]

• [FONT=.SFUIText]____I don't know.[/FONT]

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[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText-Bold]14)Material/Finish/Coating[/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____Plastic/composite body (this may limit your choices significantly).[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____Anodized Aluminum – either type II or III (Hard Anodized) (Aluminum, specifically HA, is the most common material/finish for today's higher end flashlights).[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____Stainless steel (durable, but much heavier than aluminum)[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____Titanium (durable and nearly as lightweight as aluminum, but can be moderately to significantly more expensive).[/FONT][/FONT]

• [FONT=.SFUIText]____I don't care. [/FONT]

[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____I don't know.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____Other, please specify____________.[/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText-Bold]15) Water resistance[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____None needed[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____IPX4 (Splash resistant)[/FONT][/FONT]

• [FONT=.SFUIText]____IPX7 (Waterproof to 1 meter/30min)[/FONT]

[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____IPX8 (Submersible to greater than 1 meter for 4 hours)[/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText-Bold]16) Storage conditions[/FONT][/FONT]

• [FONT=.SFUIText]_ ___In house (temperature/climate controlled environment)[/FONT]

[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____Emergency kit (long standby periods)[/FONT][/FONT]

• [FONT=.SFUIText]____Automobile glove-box (wide temperature swings, long standby periods, critical reliability)[/FONT]

[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____Other_________________________________________ ____[/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText-Bold]17) Special Needs/extras:[/FONT][FONT=.SFUIText] Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any/all below.[/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____Red filter (for preserving night vision).[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____Other filter colors (Amber, Green, Blue, _________).[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____Dedicated R/G/B secondary LEDs.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____"Hybrid" light (bright incandescent combined with long running LEDs)[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____Pocket/belt clip[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____Holster[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____Wrist/Neck Lanyard[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____Crenulated bezel[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]____Non-sparking, Intrinsically Safe (IS) for use in explosive environments[/FONT][/FONT]
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Malkoff Hound Dog sounds like a solid option. It's within price, very tough, lasts long at a high output with the MD4 body.
If you want significant more throw get the Hound Dog Super.

I think it ticks all boxes!

Yep, Hound Dog Super was my first thought too ....

Since you said that you wanted a light of at least 7" and a price up to $200, you will be able to get something way above the 300 to 700 lumen mark. I have a Jet Beam T6 that put out 4,420 lumen and throws 158k lux or 795m that I was just about to list for sale. The T6 is a high output thrower, which means that it throws a large hotspot with a very bright and floody spill. I bought it last fall and liked it so much I bought the modded version for even better performance. The T6 has a bezel diameter of 3.5" and it 6.5" long.

Hi Brumby Driver,

I noticed a lot of the lines you marked as "don't know" or "don't care." Am I correct that you're looking for a general all-around light, but aren't quite sure what is available these days and what the strengths and weakness of each are?

I also noticed you selected both wide throw beams (very common) and extreme distance throw beams (more specialized). Is one or the other of these important, or are you hoping to get both in one light (adjustable zoom lights are in the minority these days).

You also mentioned lights larger than 7 inches. Do you specifically want a larger light, or are you simply expecting you'll need to get a large light to beat the performance of Maglites and other common flashlights?

I get the sense you might be happy with a high quality, general purpose light, and many of the 1x18650 lights would suffice, but I want to clarify before making specific recommendations.

Check out thrunite tn40.