I know you guys might get a lot of these around here so i'll try to be brief. I want a flashlight for every-day-carry on my belt under streetclothes like t-shirts and the like. It has to be compact, durable and adaptable to whatever i might need it for. I want it to be there, ready and capable at doing whatever needs lighting up within decent requests ;p
Without further ado, the quizz atop of the page:
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!
Around 100$, say 150 max-max but it should be something that excels at doing what i require and go above the call of duty.
3) Format:
I want a flashlight/torch.
4) Flashlight-specific format/size:
Every day carry small (2-4 inches). As said, it can be a bit longer if it's not bulky but i don't want it be TOO long either.
5) Emitter/Light source:
LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
6) Manufacturer:
Both out of the box and DIY kits. I'm technically adept and i'm more then willing to build it if i get it cheaper/better/better suited to my needs.
7) What battery type do you want to use?
*I intend to use rechargeable nickel chemistry (I got some AA/AAA Eneloops which i love to death)
*I intend to use rechargeable lithium (li-ion) chemistry. Feel free to specify a size if you know which size you want: RCR123/16340 < CR123A in rechargeable form.
Basically, i don't want to buy batteries per se, i want to buy rechargeables once.
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).
Say about 150-170 lumens is the max, i really don't need anymore.
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)
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)
About 60-120 minutes will work for me, but i'd like the option to use different light outputs according to the situation.
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
*Slightly Important (Walks around the neighborhood).
*Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
I don't really need it to be absolutely kill-proof, but i'd like it to withstand wall-scrapes or accidental falls.
12) Switch Type and location (choose all that apply):
In order of need/want:
*I want a momentary switch (Predominantly for use with signaling and short bursts of momentary light only).
*I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today's high end lights).
*I want a reverse clicky (For use with multi-mode/level lights).
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 selector ring.
*I want a programmable light.
*I want a strobe mode. (Blinks to show location.)
I want it to be adaptable. Whether reading in the dark, whether using it when hitting the country-side or whether using it at my airsoft night games on strobe..Again, choices have been made in order of need/want.
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).
*Stainless steel (durable, but much heavier than aluminum)
*Titanium (durable and nearly as lightweight as aluminum, but can be moderately to significantly more expensive).
As said, i want it to withstand falls, knocks or hits. Not that i'll be playing soccer with it around the house, but i want to know that if i drop it down a flight of stairs, that it will survive. No real problem with weight, just with cost.
15) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any below.
*Pocket/belt clip < Necessary, as said, belt-mounted.
*Holster < Only slim models apply, things that i can wear under my streetclothes.
*Crenulated bezel < Very nice to have, definetly saves a flashlight from knocks and bumps.
Thanks.
Without further ado, the quizz atop of the page:
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!
Around 100$, say 150 max-max but it should be something that excels at doing what i require and go above the call of duty.
3) Format:
I want a flashlight/torch.
4) Flashlight-specific format/size:
Every day carry small (2-4 inches). As said, it can be a bit longer if it's not bulky but i don't want it be TOO long either.
5) Emitter/Light source:
LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
6) Manufacturer:
Both out of the box and DIY kits. I'm technically adept and i'm more then willing to build it if i get it cheaper/better/better suited to my needs.
7) What battery type do you want to use?
*I intend to use rechargeable nickel chemistry (I got some AA/AAA Eneloops which i love to death)
*I intend to use rechargeable lithium (li-ion) chemistry. Feel free to specify a size if you know which size you want: RCR123/16340 < CR123A in rechargeable form.
Basically, i don't want to buy batteries per se, i want to buy rechargeables once.
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).
Say about 150-170 lumens is the max, i really don't need anymore.
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)
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)
About 60-120 minutes will work for me, but i'd like the option to use different light outputs according to the situation.
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
*Slightly Important (Walks around the neighborhood).
*Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
I don't really need it to be absolutely kill-proof, but i'd like it to withstand wall-scrapes or accidental falls.
12) Switch Type and location (choose all that apply):
In order of need/want:
*I want a momentary switch (Predominantly for use with signaling and short bursts of momentary light only).
*I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today's high end lights).
*I want a reverse clicky (For use with multi-mode/level lights).
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 selector ring.
*I want a programmable light.
*I want a strobe mode. (Blinks to show location.)
I want it to be adaptable. Whether reading in the dark, whether using it when hitting the country-side or whether using it at my airsoft night games on strobe..Again, choices have been made in order of need/want.
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).
*Stainless steel (durable, but much heavier than aluminum)
*Titanium (durable and nearly as lightweight as aluminum, but can be moderately to significantly more expensive).
As said, i want it to withstand falls, knocks or hits. Not that i'll be playing soccer with it around the house, but i want to know that if i drop it down a flight of stairs, that it will survive. No real problem with weight, just with cost.
15) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any below.
*Pocket/belt clip < Necessary, as said, belt-mounted.
*Holster < Only slim models apply, things that i can wear under my streetclothes.
*Crenulated bezel < Very nice to have, definetly saves a flashlight from knocks and bumps.
Thanks.
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