Flashlight for Inspecting Reservoirs

[vnnickel]

I am looking for a light to use when inspecting the insides of reservoirs. We need flashlight or headlamp with minimum 16 hour run time. We need to see clearly and in detail items that are 12m away with no ambient light, and a ceiling height of 6m. We need donut minimized. We need back up batteries and or charger. Chargeable from the car would be an asset but not requirement. Please give your suggestions and how/where to purchase. Thanks for your help and expertise!

 

[Vortus]

No price limits etc?

 

[vnnickel]

Hoping for around $100. But I'm open to hearing about other products that fit the bill.

 

[dusty99]

You might want to check out a Fenix TK41. Lots of power when you need it, but still plenty of lumens on lower settings and extended runtimes (27 hrs. on medium setting - 120 lumnes; uses 8 AAs).

 

[dss_777]

Interesting problem! I'm curious what is the industry standard for this kind of work?

A couple other questions: do you need accurate color rendition, and what is the size of the detail you hve to pick out from 12m away? things like cracks, pitting, or discoloration?

I'm guessing you're going to have to pick two out of the three things: long runtime, light quality, and cost.

 

[Gunner12]

Do you need a flashlight that does not spark (Polymer body)? The Flashlight recommendation checklist might help narrow down the selection.

On the headlamp side, the Spark ST6 that I have advertises 28 hours at 50 lumen on one 18650 battery.

:welcome:

 

[vnnickel]

Interesting problem! I'm curious what is the industry standard for this kind of work?

A couple other questions: do you need accurate color rendition, and what is the size of the detail you hve to pick out from 12m away? things like cracks, pitting, or discoloration?

I'm guessing you're going to have to pick two out of the three things: long runtime, light quality, and cost.

We need the light for inspection of very large tanks. No need for color rendition, just shape and variations in dark vs. light staining. We need to be able to pick out details like cracks, pitting and discoloration. Ceiling height is usually 6.5 m and we need to be able to see the whole height of the wall and use the light to assist in photography of the defects found at the top of the wall.

Also - spark (polymer body) is not necessary but would be good for some wastewater applications.

I have copy and pasted the flashlight recommendation checklist below for some more specifics:

1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?

____I would like to purchase the light from a brick and mortar store. I am located in ______________.
__x__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! 🙂

____Less than $25.
____Less than $50.
____Less than $100.
__x__Less than $150.
____Less than $300.
____I have no limit.
__x__I’m flexible, tell me what you gotJ.
____Other, please specify ________


3) Format:

__x__I want a flashlight.
__x__I want a headlamp.
____I want a lantern.
____I want a dive light.
____I want a portable spotlight.


4) Flashlight-specific format/size:

____Keychain size.
____Every day carry small (2-4 inches).
_x___Every day carry medium (4-7 inches).
__x__Holster carry.
____Big enough to need its own travel caseJ.
__x__I don’t care.
____I don’t know.
____N/A


5) Emitter/Light source:

____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)
__x__I don't know.


6) Manufacturer:

__x__I want to buy a light from a traditional mass producing manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
____I would consider getting a light that is pieced together (for example a “host” or flashlight body from one manufacturer, and a “drop-in” emitter from another source). Under the right circumstances, this path can provide more options to the consumer to meet specific needs, and can often be easily upgradeable as technology improves.


7) What battery type do you want to use?
SOMETHING RECHARGEABLE, LONG BATTERY LIFE (16 HOUR RUN TIME)
____I intend to use alkaline batteries (AAA, AA, C, D) (disclaimer, while it does not preclude all choices, these are not recommended for many of today’s most powerful lights)
____I intend to use rechargeable nickel chemistry (NiCad, NiMH, NiZn)
____I intend to use lithium primary batteries (CR123, CR2, Energizer Advanced/Ultimate Lithium AA/AAA)
____I intend to use rechargeable lithium (li-ion) chemistry. Feel free to specify a size if you know which size you want (14500, RCR123/16340, 17500, 17670, 18650, etc.)
____I want a light with an integrated rechargeable battery. (Note: these choices may be very limited unless you are looking at spotlights)


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).
__X__I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).
__X__I want to illuminate an entire field, the neighbor's front yard several houses down, impress my friends and neighbors, etc. (300-700 lumens).
____I want ridiculous amounts of lumens (800+ lumens).


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)
_X___5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
____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 want maximum throw possible)


10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum 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)
__X__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).
__X__Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
____Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival).
____I don't care.
____I don’t know.


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

____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).
____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).
__X__I don't care.
____I don’t know.
____Other, please specify____________________.


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. (Blinks to show location.)
____I want SOS mode.
____I want a beacon mode.
__X__I don’t care.
____I don’t know.


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 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).
__X__I don’t care.
____I don’t know.
____Other, please specify____________.


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

 

[127.0.0.1]

zebralight H600w or H600,

6 light levels, tons of light (h600w will provide best color rendition, the non w will be brightest)

use as headlamp or flashlight

pretty small but oh so powerful and will run over 2 hours on max with a 3100mah 18650

pair of eagletac protected 18650 batteries

xtar wp2 II charger plugged into vehicle power port to charge the spare 18650
----

 

[Gunner12]

What light do you currently use?

The Fenix TK35 is rated for 20+ hours at 120 lumen, the next higher mode at 360 lumen runs 6 hours as rated. Not sure which batteries they used. If you prefer AA batteries and don't mind a 2D mag sized light, or changing out 8 AA batteries, the Fenix TK41 also does 120 lumen for over a day of runtime, or 360 lumen for 7 hours.