Not_the_brightest
Newly Enlightened
I do a lot of general yard/handiwork which runs late as well as hiking and camping. To describe what I am looking for in a sentence would be an enthusiast grade light but with all the practicality and usability of a more ¨sane¨ light. I have 18650 batteries and chargers so I am looking for it to run off a single 18650. It also must be waterproof.
I am looking for excellent beam characteristics and high cri. While not absolutely necessary I would prefer it to be above 1000 lumens. My personal preference for color is warmer than daylight but closer to neutral than warm. Like around 4000-4500k.
Efficiency: Other than beam quality/brightness this is probably the most important characteristic for me. I want it to last multiple hours at high lumen outputs and any extra amount of battery life is 1 less 18650 battery I have to carry on a hike. How long it can maintain a given output is important too. I don want it to be outputting 1000 lumen for a glorious 20 seconds and then drop down to consumer level brightness for anything after that.
Weight: This is another big issue for me. I have carried a black diamond spot (86 grams) and a petzl tikkina (83 grams) before which were both acceptable for weight but lighter is always a big bonus for me when hiking.
Comfort: I will be wearing this for extended periods, it can´t start to become uncomfortable or loosen itself even after multiple hours.
Nice to haves: Good out of strap ergonomics, this will be my primary carry until I have enough money to blow on another flashlight so it should function well as a flashlight as well as a headlamp. Some sort of way to find it even when its not on, like a glow in the dark bit or a really low drain light. Good low output options which can be used with sensitive wildlife and sleeping people.
Reliability: I want to go hiking and backpacking with it so it can be futzy or unreliable. I always carry a backup light but I am going to be really annoyed if it fails.
The 2 main lights I am looking at are the armytek wizard pro nichia and the zebralight h600fc. I am partcularly curious about the efficiency difference between the zebralight and the armytek. I heard the zebralight is more efficient but by a lot of just a hair? The skillhunt H04 would save me a decent chunk of cash if the value added by the more premium ones is not a lot.
I am looking for excellent beam characteristics and high cri. While not absolutely necessary I would prefer it to be above 1000 lumens. My personal preference for color is warmer than daylight but closer to neutral than warm. Like around 4000-4500k.
Efficiency: Other than beam quality/brightness this is probably the most important characteristic for me. I want it to last multiple hours at high lumen outputs and any extra amount of battery life is 1 less 18650 battery I have to carry on a hike. How long it can maintain a given output is important too. I don want it to be outputting 1000 lumen for a glorious 20 seconds and then drop down to consumer level brightness for anything after that.
Weight: This is another big issue for me. I have carried a black diamond spot (86 grams) and a petzl tikkina (83 grams) before which were both acceptable for weight but lighter is always a big bonus for me when hiking.
Comfort: I will be wearing this for extended periods, it can´t start to become uncomfortable or loosen itself even after multiple hours.
Nice to haves: Good out of strap ergonomics, this will be my primary carry until I have enough money to blow on another flashlight so it should function well as a flashlight as well as a headlamp. Some sort of way to find it even when its not on, like a glow in the dark bit or a really low drain light. Good low output options which can be used with sensitive wildlife and sleeping people.
Reliability: I want to go hiking and backpacking with it so it can be futzy or unreliable. I always carry a backup light but I am going to be really annoyed if it fails.
The 2 main lights I am looking at are the armytek wizard pro nichia and the zebralight h600fc. I am partcularly curious about the efficiency difference between the zebralight and the armytek. I heard the zebralight is more efficient but by a lot of just a hair? The skillhunt H04 would save me a decent chunk of cash if the value added by the more premium ones is not a lot.
