- Joined
- Jan 18, 2018
- Messages
- 508
Today my brother asked me if I would get him a flashlight. The flashlight will not be for extensive outdoor or work use, more of just something to have for occasional use.
My brother has cerebral palsy which provides some limitations on him, which drives the characteristics that I'm wanting.
- He specifically asked for it to glow, so would like at least a portion to glow in the dark. I could add paint or tapeif need be, but would be nice if built in
- a 1-2inch body doameter and 4-8in long. He does not have a lot of muscle dexterity so he needs something big enough to fill his hand but not too heavy because he also does not have a lot of hand strength
- a good size body mounted switch. He definitely would not be able to operate a twisty and a tail switch would not be as easy.
- just 1-2 modes. If it has multiple preferably low being default for turning on
- standard (AAA, AA, C, D) alkaline primaries
- light does not need a lot of lumens (less than 100) and lower is probably more preferred in case he accidentally pointed it at someone
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!
Prefer less than $50, but Could go higher if it was the right light
3) Format:
I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).
4) Size:
Needs to be at least 1in diameter and 4-8in length
He does not have a lot of hand dexterity so a fatter longer flashlight that is easy to get a good grip on is what is needed.
5) Emitter/Light source:
LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
6) Manufacturer:
I want to buy a light from a large/traditional manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
7) What power source do you want to use?
I intend to use "Primary"/Disposable Alkaline batteries based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D sized cells common to most stores.
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 to navigate a dark room or read a map (1-10 lumens).
____I want an indoor "blackout" light (15-50 lumens)
9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
____All Flood: I am doing "arms length" tasks like reading and campsite cooking.
____Wide Flood: I want a defined flood area for semi-close tasks like after-dark campsite tasks or working on a car.
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
Less than 5 yards/meters (looking for something inside a dark shed/garage/basement)
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).
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.
Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
I need a BIG switch (I'll be using gloves or have very large hands or coordination issues).
momentary switch, nice but not required
NO 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).
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
A simple on-off with only one output level is fine for me.
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 higher end flashlights).
15) Water resistance
Would be nice, but None needed
16) Storage conditions
In house (temperature/climate controlled environment)
17) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any/all below.
At least some portion of it glows in the dark
My brother has cerebral palsy which provides some limitations on him, which drives the characteristics that I'm wanting.
- He specifically asked for it to glow, so would like at least a portion to glow in the dark. I could add paint or tapeif need be, but would be nice if built in
- a 1-2inch body doameter and 4-8in long. He does not have a lot of muscle dexterity so he needs something big enough to fill his hand but not too heavy because he also does not have a lot of hand strength
- a good size body mounted switch. He definitely would not be able to operate a twisty and a tail switch would not be as easy.
- just 1-2 modes. If it has multiple preferably low being default for turning on
- standard (AAA, AA, C, D) alkaline primaries
- light does not need a lot of lumens (less than 100) and lower is probably more preferred in case he accidentally pointed it at someone
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!
Prefer less than $50, but Could go higher if it was the right light
3) Format:
I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).
4) Size:
Needs to be at least 1in diameter and 4-8in length
He does not have a lot of hand dexterity so a fatter longer flashlight that is easy to get a good grip on is what is needed.
5) Emitter/Light source:
LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
6) Manufacturer:
I want to buy a light from a large/traditional manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
7) What power source do you want to use?
I intend to use "Primary"/Disposable Alkaline batteries based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D sized cells common to most stores.
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 to navigate a dark room or read a map (1-10 lumens).
____I want an indoor "blackout" light (15-50 lumens)
9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
____All Flood: I am doing "arms length" tasks like reading and campsite cooking.
____Wide Flood: I want a defined flood area for semi-close tasks like after-dark campsite tasks or working on a car.
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
Less than 5 yards/meters (looking for something inside a dark shed/garage/basement)
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).
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.
Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
I need a BIG switch (I'll be using gloves or have very large hands or coordination issues).
momentary switch, nice but not required
NO 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).
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
A simple on-off with only one output level is fine for me.
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 higher end flashlights).
15) Water resistance
Would be nice, but None needed
16) Storage conditions
In house (temperature/climate controlled environment)
17) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any/all below.
At least some portion of it glows in the dark