Thanks for all the replies so far!
There a 4 gents in the wedding, so were talking 5 lights... (I must have a new toy too)
There is going to be 2/2 blue/white collar guys here but 3 outa 4 would surely get some good use out of these, at work or play. The other... well he may need help getting the batteries in...
I had engraving on my mind when I was thinking of what to buy so that will be covered. and as far as batteries maybe AA's isnt a bad idea... again 3/4 would probably buy a charger/bats.
Anyways, Great advice so far. And thanks for the welcome.
J
Well, if one of your buddies is technically impaired (as I am
), I would stay away from lights that take 2 CR123a batteries, and lights that need 1 RCR (a rechargeable CR123 battery). Bad things can happen if you are not careful. But, you might want to get one of these lights JUST for your brother-in-law.
That leaves you with 1 x CR123, 1 X and 2 X AA lights, and 1 x AAA lights.
If they guys aren't practical, or budding flashaholics, CR123a powered lights may end up in the drawer, once they see the cost of these batteries at retail outlets. If they order all their stuff online anyway, no problem. But even then, they have to be sure to order GOOD cells...not some off brand cheapie junk at the lowest price off of Evil Bay.
So that leavs you with AA lights and AAA lights.
As much as I like the AAA cell, I don't think you are going to get the 'wow' factor out of an AAA light from anyone but a flashahiolic or a techno-geek. And even they may quicky be craving more runtime than the little AAA cells can offer.
Lights that take two AA cells can offer great output and long runtime on lower output modes, but they are pretty large to be carrrying around all the time. Most of us can't really carry a holstered light around all day without raising some eyebrows, so a light should be able to fit in a pocket, and be of compact size. Which means you will be looking at 1 x AA lights.
Flashlights are kind of a tough gift item. Oddly, even among guys who dig their IPhones, knives, guns, computers or other gadgets, flashlights still generally are met by a big "Yawn....." Unless the guys are flashaholics (whether they know it yet or not) OR, have a practical mindset and realize how useful the light you gave them will be for work, or play/hobbies, they may be singularly unimpressed. You don't want to get the dreaded 'WTF-is-this???' look.
So, I'd suggest something that is of high quality, has a 'wow' factor to impress the uninitiated, but doesn't have any gimmicks, and can be really usefull. This means, at least one real bright setting (by layman's standards) and at least one lower setting for usable light for an extended runtime. The operation of the light should be simple, but also allow guys who like to fiddle and adjust everything to do just that to their hearts' content. At least, it will keep them interested in playing with the things for awhile. This means I think the ideal UI should allow for simnple operation, and customization.
I would suggest you check out, from 4 Sevens, the Nitcore Defender Infinity and the Nitecore D10. Both have UIs that can have at least one light level set by the user to his liking, and access to a bright "high" level anytime. The D10, I belive, has more options for messing with the pre-set light levels, while the Defender infinity has a simpler interface allowing for two different levels of light to be easily accessed. The Defender Infinity is about $75 - $80 dollars and the D10 about $55-$60 dollars. Another neat thing you may be able to do with the D10 is get a piston (that's the 'switch' on the D10) cover that is cut to accept a tritium (glow-in-the-dark isotope) vial which can be used to locate the light in darkness, and just to look cool. (And no, I don't think tritium vials are gimmicks.)
There are some review in the "Review Section" of the board on both the Defender Infinity and D10, so you can see what these lights look like and understand the differences in the way they operate.
Good luck, Oh, and congratulations on your marriage. :twothumbs
