I used to hang a D-cell maglite by the back door, and it has now been completely outclassed by every other light i have. So I would like to update the back-door standby flashlight to something modern, and over 1000 lumens. I would like it to be roughly the same size (in the 10 inch/250mm ballpark), somewhere in the middle ground between a wide flood and a long throw. The use would be to hang in a bracket and be grabbed on the way out the door at need. I think that something that uses 26650 batteries might be a good idea? The only thing I am really sure of is that LED's look to be the way forward, and that Alkaline / NiMH batteries are not the way forward.
==================Flashlight Recommendation Checklist================
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
____This will be mail-order or Online (location doesn't matter).
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
____I don't know yet
____Up to $100.
3) Format:
____I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).
____I want a self-contained headlamp.
4) Size:
____LARGE - Big enough to need its own travel case. ----- 2x 26650 looks like as small as i wanna go maybe -------
5) Emitter/Light source:
____LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
____HID (known for max output, but often at the expense of size) ------ is this really an option? ------
6) Manufacturer:
____I am interested in assembling my own components. (for example a "host" or flashlight body from one manufacturer, and a "drop-in" emitter from another source).
7) What power source do you want to use?
____I intend to use Rechargeable cells based on less common formats (18500 or 18650 Li-Ion, RCR123, et-al).
7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option
____I don't care
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 not a happy experience).
____I want search and rescue type illumination (800+ lumens).
9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
____Narrow Flood: I want a sharply defined flood area that will project some distance for tasks like trail walking.
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
____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 am searching from a helicopter)
10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum continuous output).
____90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
____3 hours + (I critically need this light to run on max for extended periods in between battery changes/charges).
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).
____Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival).
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
____I need a BIG switch (I'll be using gloves or have very large hands or coordination issues).
____I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today's high end lights).
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
____A simple on-off with only one output level is fine for me. ---- a buck converter that has some kind of low battery warning might work good -----
____I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
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 higher end flashlights).
____Stainless steel (durable, but much heavier than aluminum)
____Titanium (durable and nearly as lightweight as aluminum, but can be moderately to significantly more expensive).
15) Water resistance
____IPX4 (Splash resistant) --- rain, dropped in a puddle, that sort of thing -----
____IPX7 (Waterproof to 1 meter/30min)
16) Storage conditions
____In house (temperature/climate controlled environment)
____Emergency kit (long standby periods)
17) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any/all below.
____ A bracket, but I should be able to 3d-print whatever i need in this area.
==================Flashlight Recommendation Checklist================
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
____This will be mail-order or Online (location doesn't matter).
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
____I don't know yet
____Up to $100.
3) Format:
____I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).
____I want a self-contained headlamp.
4) Size:
____LARGE - Big enough to need its own travel case. ----- 2x 26650 looks like as small as i wanna go maybe -------
5) Emitter/Light source:
____LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
____HID (known for max output, but often at the expense of size) ------ is this really an option? ------
6) Manufacturer:
____I am interested in assembling my own components. (for example a "host" or flashlight body from one manufacturer, and a "drop-in" emitter from another source).
7) What power source do you want to use?
____I intend to use Rechargeable cells based on less common formats (18500 or 18650 Li-Ion, RCR123, et-al).
7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option
____I don't care
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 not a happy experience).
____I want search and rescue type illumination (800+ lumens).
9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
____Narrow Flood: I want a sharply defined flood area that will project some distance for tasks like trail walking.
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
____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 am searching from a helicopter)
10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum continuous output).
____90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
____3 hours + (I critically need this light to run on max for extended periods in between battery changes/charges).
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).
____Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival).
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
____I need a BIG switch (I'll be using gloves or have very large hands or coordination issues).
____I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today's high end lights).
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
____A simple on-off with only one output level is fine for me. ---- a buck converter that has some kind of low battery warning might work good -----
____I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
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 higher end flashlights).
____Stainless steel (durable, but much heavier than aluminum)
____Titanium (durable and nearly as lightweight as aluminum, but can be moderately to significantly more expensive).
15) Water resistance
____IPX4 (Splash resistant) --- rain, dropped in a puddle, that sort of thing -----
____IPX7 (Waterproof to 1 meter/30min)
16) Storage conditions
____In house (temperature/climate controlled environment)
____Emergency kit (long standby periods)
17) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any/all below.
____ A bracket, but I should be able to 3d-print whatever i need in this area.
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