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! :-)
--- Essentially unlimited. (Wording makes me uneasy!)
3) Format:
--- I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).
4) Size:
---TINY - Every day carry (2-4 inches).
---SMALL - Every day carry (4-7 inches).
5) Emitter/Light source:
---Really want the Nichia 219. I LOVE the look.
6) Manufacturer:
--- I would like a light from a specialty manufacturer (Possibly limited run/Custom).
--- I am interested in assembling my own components. (I don't have a ton of know-how here.)
7) What power source do you want to use?
--- Whatever. Leaning towards rechargables. Have none, but like the idea.
7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option
--- I want a separate/stand-alone charger (this involves removing the batteries to charge)
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 something impressively high, but with modes. I'd love a moonlight mode and a general edc level rather than an on/off 1 bazillion lumens.
9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
Any of these:
--- 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.
--- 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.
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
--- close up to really far away ;)
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).
--- not a concern
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase “you get what you pay for” is very accurate for flashlights.
---Slightly Important (Walks around the neighborhood).
or
--- Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
(Waterproof a bonus!!)
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
--- I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today’s high end lights). Tailstanding, please.
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
--- I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
14)Material/Finish/Coating
--- I don’t care.
15) Water resistance
--- IPX7 (Waterproof to 1 meter/30min)
or
--- IPX8 (Submersible to greater than 1 meter for 4 hours)
16) Storage conditions
--- In house (temperature/climate controlled environment)
&
--- Automobile glove-box (wide temperature swings, long standby periods, critical reliability)
17) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any/all below.
--- Pocket/belt clip
--- Crenulated bezel
