I'm looking for a small light, with a COB on the side or a tilting head to carry with me in my bag, I'd say leatherman sized or smaller.
Ideally with a magnet to stick it on a rack/server to get some light while I work, rechargable with USB-C and bonus point if it can work while plugged in.
I don't care much for the lifetime on the main light, but should be bright enough to walk around in the dark in park for ~20-30min in a pinch (I've got my absolutely old EagleTac G25C2 for that purpose at home if needed). A longer lasting low-power mod would be nice.
For the COB/side light I'd need more lifetime 60-90 minutes, but I won't need that much light, I'd use it to work on cabling on racks or replace parts in servers. If I can just plug it on my phone charger and works while plugged in it'd be ABSOLUTELY PERFECT.
I've actually already done a bit of research and I found a couple that could work, but I'd rather have a bit of advice if there's better models around since I haven't been in the loop for oh god... years
- Lumintop E21C
- RovyVon Angel Eyes E200
Anyway, checklist below:
Ps: I just noticed I created this account exactly 10 years ago to get advice on other flashlights, still got those, working great.
Ideally with a magnet to stick it on a rack/server to get some light while I work, rechargable with USB-C and bonus point if it can work while plugged in.
I don't care much for the lifetime on the main light, but should be bright enough to walk around in the dark in park for ~20-30min in a pinch (I've got my absolutely old EagleTac G25C2 for that purpose at home if needed). A longer lasting low-power mod would be nice.
For the COB/side light I'd need more lifetime 60-90 minutes, but I won't need that much light, I'd use it to work on cabling on racks or replace parts in servers. If I can just plug it on my phone charger and works while plugged in it'd be ABSOLUTELY PERFECT.
I've actually already done a bit of research and I found a couple that could work, but I'd rather have a bit of advice if there's better models around since I haven't been in the loop for oh god... years
- Lumintop E21C
- RovyVon Angel Eyes E200
Anyway, checklist below:
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!
____Up to $100.
3) Format:
____I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).
4) Size:
____MICRO - Keychain size.
____TINY - Every day carry (2-4 inches).
5) Emitter/Light source:
____LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
6) Manufacturer:
___Anything
7) What power source do you want to use?
____I intend to use Rechargeable cells (NiMH or NiCD) based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D sized cells common to most stores.
____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.
7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option
____I want a light that has a recharging adapter (your typical "wall wart")
Specifically USB-C
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).
____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.
Sure, but I'd rather not since that usually impacts the battery lifetime a lot compared to a light that is made to work at that light level.
9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
Ideally a COB on the side for...
____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.
And the main light in this range...
____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.
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)
____30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
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).
I'd say 30 minutes is enough for the main light, but I'd need a couple of hours of flood from the COB
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).
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
____I don't know.
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
____I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
____I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
14)Material/Finish/Coating
____Plastic/composite body (this may limit your choices significantly).
____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
16) Storage conditions
Pocket or tool bag, might have standby periods (2-3 weeks tops)
17) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any/all below.
Magnetic
____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!
____Up to $100.
3) Format:
____I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).
4) Size:
____MICRO - Keychain size.
____TINY - Every day carry (2-4 inches).
5) Emitter/Light source:
____LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
6) Manufacturer:
___Anything
7) What power source do you want to use?
____I intend to use Rechargeable cells (NiMH or NiCD) based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D sized cells common to most stores.
____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.
7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option
____I want a light that has a recharging adapter (your typical "wall wart")
Specifically USB-C
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).
____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.
Sure, but I'd rather not since that usually impacts the battery lifetime a lot compared to a light that is made to work at that light level.
9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
Ideally a COB on the side for...
____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.
And the main light in this range...
____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.
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)
____30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
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).
I'd say 30 minutes is enough for the main light, but I'd need a couple of hours of flood from the COB
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).
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
____I don't know.
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
____I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
____I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
14)Material/Finish/Coating
____Plastic/composite body (this may limit your choices significantly).
____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
16) Storage conditions
Pocket or tool bag, might have standby periods (2-3 weeks tops)
17) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any/all below.
Magnetic
Ps: I just noticed I created this account exactly 10 years ago to get advice on other flashlights, still got those, working great.
