3000 Lumens with Instant On 3000 Lumens ?

kimo_james

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Oct 24, 2018
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1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?

____I would like to purchase the light in person from a brick and mortar store. I am located in ______________.
___X_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 $25.
____Up to $50.
___X_Up to $100.
____Up to $200.
____Up to $300.
____Essentially unlimited.


3) Format:

____I am not sure, please help me decide.
__X__I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).
____I want a self-contained headlamp.
____I want a headlamp with an external pack/power source.
____I want a mounted light (typically for a bicycle or vehicle)
____I want a lantern/area light.
____I want a portable spotlight (it may have an external power source).
____Other ____________________________________________


4) Size:

____MICRO - Keychain size.
____TINY - Every day carry (2-4 inches).
___X_SMALL - Every day carry (4-7 inches).
____MEDIUM - Holster/belt ring carry. (>7 inches)
____LARGE - Big enough to need its own travel case.
____I don't know/I don't care.


5) Emitter/Light source:

___X_LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
____Incandescent (known for superior color rendition)
____HID (known for max output, but often at the expense of size)
____I don't know.


6) Manufacturer:

___X_I want to buy a light from a large/traditional manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
____I would like a light from a specialty manufacturer (Possibly limited run/Custom).
____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 "Primary"/Disposable Alkaline batteries based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D sized cells common to most stores.
____I intend to use "Primary"/Disposable Lithium 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).
____I intend to use Rechargeable cells (NiMH or NiCD) based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D sized cells common to most stores.
___X_I intend to use Rechargeable cells based on less common formats (18500 or 18650 Li-Ion, RCR123, et-al).
____I want a light with an integrated rechargeable battery pack.
____I don't know/I need more information on power sources.

7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option
____I want a light that plugs directly into the wall (literally with prongs built into the light)
____I want a light that has a recharging adapter (your typical "wall wart")
____I want a light that snaps into a cradle (usually mounted on a wall)
____I want a separate/stand-alone charger (this involves removing the batteries to charge)
____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 to navigate a dark room or read a map (1-10 lumens).
____I want an indoor "blackout" light (15-50 lumens)
____I want to confidently walk around an unlit/unpaved rural area (60-150 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).
___X_I want search and rescue type illumination (800+ lumens).

____SPECIAL NOTE: Burst/Turbo mode Category - There are several lights that will run at a super bright maximum for a very limited period (usually 5-10 minutes) and then will "step-down" to a lower level for thermal control. Check here if this is acceptable.


9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.

____All Flood: I am doing "arms length" tasks like reading and campsite cooking.
____Wide Flood: I want a defined flood area for semi-close tasks like after-dark campsite tasks or working on a car.
____Narrow Flood: I want a sharply defined flood area that will project some distance for tasks like trail walking.
___X_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.
____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.
____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.

9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check 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)
___X_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).

____Up to 30 minutes (I want the brightest [and potentially smallest] light for brief periods)
____30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)
____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.

____Not Important (A "night-stand" light).
__X__Slightly Important (Walks around the neighborhood).
____Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
____Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival).
____I don't know.


12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):

____Any size switch will do.
____I need a BIG switch (I'll be using gloves or have very large hands or coordination issues).
____I want a forward clicky (Helpful for momentary activation and signaling).
____I want a reverse clicky (For use with multi-mode/level lights).
____I want a momentary switch (Predominantly for use with signaling and short bursts of momentary light only).
____I want a twisty switch (Tighten the head/tailcap to activate, and the light will stay on until the head/tailcap is loosened).
__X__I want a body mounted switch (near the head, like on a Maglite).
____I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today's high end lights).
____I want a remote switch (usually found on high-end bicycle headlights)
____I don't care.
____I don't know.
___X_Other, please specify___Instant On 3000 Lumens _________________.


13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.

____A simple on-off with only one output level is fine for me.
____I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
____X I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
____I want a programmable light.
____I want a selector ring.
____I want a strobe mode. (Oscillating pattern to confuse/blind aka "Police Mode")
____I want SOS mode. (blinks in ...---... emergency pattern)
____I want a beacon mode. (Regular flashes at full power to show location.)
____I don't care.
____I don't know.


14)Material/Finish/Coating

____Plastic/composite body (this may limit your choices significantly).
__X__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).
____I don't care.
____I don't know.
____Other, please specify____________.

15) Water resistance
____None needed
____IPX4 (Splash resistant)
__X__IPX7 (Waterproof to 1 meter/30min)
____IPX8 (Submersible to greater than 1 meter for 4 hours)

16) Storage conditions
___X_In house (temperature/climate controlled environment)
____Emergency kit (long standby periods)
____Automobile glove-box (wide temperature swings, long standby periods, critical reliability)
____Other_____________________________________________


17) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any/all below.

____Red filter (for preserving night vision).
____Other filter colors (Amber, Green, Blue, _________).
____Dedicated R/G/B secondary LEDs.
____"Hybrid" light (bright incandescent combined with long running LEDs)
____Pocket/belt clip
____Holster
____Wrist/Neck Lanyard
____Crenulated bezel
____Non-sparking, Intrinsically Safe (IS) for use in explosive environments
 

kimo_james

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Oct 24, 2018
Messages
28
Think I found it :

Zebralight SC700d XHP70.2 or Lumintop GT mini Pro 3500 Lumens XHP50.2
 

sween1911

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Dec 10, 2003
Messages
2,049
Location
Pennsylvania
I'll throw a vote in for the Streamlight Protac HL 5-X. It hits all your points except size, it's a tiny bit outside your stated range.
On high, it's instant 3000 lumens. It has multiple modes, you can set it up pretty simply using their 10-tap click sequence.
 

kimo_james

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Joined
Oct 24, 2018
Messages
28
I'll throw a vote in for the Streamlight Protac HL 5-X. It hits all your points except size, it's a tiny bit outside your stated range.
On high, it's instant 3000 lumens. It has multiple modes, you can set it up pretty simply using their 10-tap click sequence.
Thank you ; I like it and am considering despite the size .
 

aznsx

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Apr 24, 2015
Messages
1,634
Location
Phoenix, AZ USA
I bought the Streamlight Stinger 2020 !
It's Perfect for my home defense flashlight needs !

Have one of those too, and IMO it's an innovative design from one end to the other - and it's innovation that really 'delivers' and works, not just innovation to be 'different'!
 

kimo_james

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Joined
Oct 24, 2018
Messages
28
Very nice! Great choice.

I think we should update the lumens numbers in our form to reflect current offerings with 1000/2000/3000+ categories :)
I'm thinking of getting the Protac HL 5-X also ; is that redundant ?
 

sween1911

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Dec 10, 2003
Messages
2,049
Location
Pennsylvania
I'm thinking of getting the Protac HL 5-X also ; is that redundant ?
Well, you're asking the wrong person on the wrong message board if you're asking me if you shouldn't get both :crackup:but to answer your question, no. I have the HL 5-X but not the Stinger to compare it with. The HL 5-X is a good addition as a rough duty high-output blaster. It will also take (4) primary CR123's in a pinch, so that's a good feature.
 

kimo_james

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Joined
Oct 24, 2018
Messages
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Well, you're asking the wrong person on the wrong message board if you're asking me if you shouldn't get both :crackup:but to answer your question, no. I have the HL 5-X but not the Stinger to compare it with. The HL 5-X is a good addition as a rough duty high-output blaster. It will also take (4) primary CR123's in a pinch, so that's a good feature.
Don't need a "rough duty" light so maybe I'll look elsewhere .
I was considering the 5-X for it's higher lumens and longer throw over the Stinger 2020 .
 

aznsx

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Apr 24, 2015
Messages
1,634
Location
Phoenix, AZ USA
Don't need a "rough duty" light so maybe I'll look elsewhere .
I was considering the 5-X for it's higher lumens and longer throw over the Stinger 2020 .

Well, with the 2020 you got plenty of durability with the deal, as it has a FL1 Impact Rating of 2 meters, whereas the also excellent (from what I hear) 5-X is rated at 1 - and remember that per FL1 test criteria, '2>>1x2'.

I'd kinda like to test drive a 5-X as well, and as someone already pointed out, when it comes to potentially critical equipment, basic N+1 redundancy is recommended; so even if you get a 5-X as well, no one here will give you any stick - 'redundant' or not:). You might even find that they excel in somewhat different applications, so having both could be useful anyway. Easy for me to say of course, since it's your money!
 

sween1911

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Dec 10, 2003
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2,049
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The Streamlight HL 5X has a lot of output, but it's not tightly focused and thus doesn't "throw" like a classic HID with a deep reflector, you won't see that long range "pencil-beam" profile. It's a wall of light though, and I've hit trees at night from a couple hundred yards and it lights up the whole thing.
 

aznsx

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Apr 24, 2015
Messages
1,634
Location
Phoenix, AZ USA
I'm considering the Protac HL 5 also. Does it come with the remote switch to attach to home defense toy?
I don't believe so. SL specializes in many models of dedicated weapon-mounted lights, but in terms of 'conventional' flashlights (which can also be used hand-held) [EDIT: specifically "long gun" lights], I believe there are several models in the Protac line which are not only capable of weapon-mounted operation, but are sold with all the required 'kit' for that application. Those are the ones you'd probably be interested in. They're listed on this page:

 
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