Z
z_jamiedolan
Guest
Hello;
I'm from Neenah, WI. I've always enjoyed collecting a few flashlights, but it has never been a serious hobby.
When walking with my dogs at night, I have been using a Element K2 flashlight. I looked it up and it was rated 80 lumens.
I came across the Maglight XL100 that had a lot of favorable reviews. (I realize this is not a high end brand.) I looked up the lumens and it was 85.
Then I saw the Nu-flare at 210 Lumens for about the same price (within a couple bucks).
So my question about lumens; are they really accurately represented on these flashlights? Would the NU-Flare really be about 2.5 times as bright as the Mag or the Element K2? Just seems odd considering how similar they are in price.
I looked at the CREE X-Tactical ATE0C2L007 and almost bought it. The reason I talked myself out of it was because it uses the more expensive (than a AA or AAA) CR123A battery. (not opposed to, but they are more expensive and I didn't know if there was an advantage to using them) I saw you guys had this helpful looking form for me to fill out, so I thought I would give it a try and see if I can get some suggestions. Thanks in Advance.
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! :-)
____Less than $100.
3) Format:
____I want a flashlight.
4) Flashlight-specific format/size:
____Every day carry medium (4-7 inches).
5) Emitter/Light source:
____LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
6) Manufacturer:
I want to buy a light from a traditional mass producing manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
But would consider a custom light if there was some really compelling reason to.
7) What battery type do you want to use?
____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 lithium primary batteries (CR123, CR2, Energizer Advanced/Ultimate Lithium AA/AAA)
Either would be okay, if using the CR123 type of battery is a big advantage, then I'm okay with that.
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 walk around an unlit rural area (50-150 lumens).
____I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).
9) Throw vs. Flood: At what distance will you be most likely to use this light? Select all that apply.
____Less than 5 yards/meters (looking for something inside a dark shed/garage/basement)
A bit wider beam would be great, something that can light the area in front of me where the dogs are walking, but something that can also let me see what's going on across the street.
10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum output).
____30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)
____90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
The latter sounds like a more preferable option, especially if this is going to use something like the CE123 @ $2 a battery.
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase “you get what you pay for” is very accurate for flashlights.
____Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
Would be nice for it to be as tough as a old D cell mag, but with a stronger bulb.
12) Switch Type and location (choose all that apply):
____I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today’s high end lights).
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.)
____I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
____I want a programmable light.
I'm flexible, for the most part, one brightness would be fine, but perhaps to maximize battery life, something with multiple levels might be better.
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).
____Titanium (durable and nearly as lightweight as aluminum, but can be moderately to significantly more expensive).
15) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any below.
____Wrist/Neck Lanyard
I strongly prefer a light with a small wrist strap. (or as the hold to put one on).
Thanks very much;
Jamie
I'm from Neenah, WI. I've always enjoyed collecting a few flashlights, but it has never been a serious hobby.
When walking with my dogs at night, I have been using a Element K2 flashlight. I looked it up and it was rated 80 lumens.
I came across the Maglight XL100 that had a lot of favorable reviews. (I realize this is not a high end brand.) I looked up the lumens and it was 85.
Then I saw the Nu-flare at 210 Lumens for about the same price (within a couple bucks).
So my question about lumens; are they really accurately represented on these flashlights? Would the NU-Flare really be about 2.5 times as bright as the Mag or the Element K2? Just seems odd considering how similar they are in price.
I looked at the CREE X-Tactical ATE0C2L007 and almost bought it. The reason I talked myself out of it was because it uses the more expensive (than a AA or AAA) CR123A battery. (not opposed to, but they are more expensive and I didn't know if there was an advantage to using them) I saw you guys had this helpful looking form for me to fill out, so I thought I would give it a try and see if I can get some suggestions. Thanks in Advance.
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! :-)
____Less than $100.
3) Format:
____I want a flashlight.
4) Flashlight-specific format/size:
____Every day carry medium (4-7 inches).
5) Emitter/Light source:
____LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
6) Manufacturer:
I want to buy a light from a traditional mass producing manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
But would consider a custom light if there was some really compelling reason to.
7) What battery type do you want to use?
____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 lithium primary batteries (CR123, CR2, Energizer Advanced/Ultimate Lithium AA/AAA)
Either would be okay, if using the CR123 type of battery is a big advantage, then I'm okay with that.
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 walk around an unlit rural area (50-150 lumens).
____I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).
9) Throw vs. Flood: At what distance will you be most likely to use this light? Select all that apply.
____Less than 5 yards/meters (looking for something inside a dark shed/garage/basement)
A bit wider beam would be great, something that can light the area in front of me where the dogs are walking, but something that can also let me see what's going on across the street.
10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum output).
____30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)
____90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
The latter sounds like a more preferable option, especially if this is going to use something like the CE123 @ $2 a battery.
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase “you get what you pay for” is very accurate for flashlights.
____Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
Would be nice for it to be as tough as a old D cell mag, but with a stronger bulb.
12) Switch Type and location (choose all that apply):
____I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today’s high end lights).
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.)
____I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
____I want a programmable light.
I'm flexible, for the most part, one brightness would be fine, but perhaps to maximize battery life, something with multiple levels might be better.
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).
____Titanium (durable and nearly as lightweight as aluminum, but can be moderately to significantly more expensive).
15) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any below.
____Wrist/Neck Lanyard
I strongly prefer a light with a small wrist strap. (or as the hold to put one on).
Thanks very much;
Jamie
