valueknifelover
Newly Enlightened
Totally new to the world of quality flashlights and am currently building my EDC system. Currently I carry a Streamlight Stylus Pro in my pocket and a Streamlight Scorpion X in a Maxpedition EDC Organizer. I am looking to replace the Scorpion with a better light and I will move the Scorpion into my glove box as my truck light. So I was looking at the FourSevens Quark X 123-2 and was just wondering what other good options are out there? I know VERY VERY little about lights and thought this community would be a great place to learn about new lights and brands I would otherwise never know. Any input/ suggestions is GREATLY appreciated! Thanks!!!
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
Online
2) Budget:
I'm fairly flexible if the price reflects the quality. I definitely don't mind paying more if it's worth it. But obviously, the lower the cost to me the better
3) Format:
Flashlight.
4) Flashlight-specific format/size:
Medium EDC ( 7 or less inches preferred). It will be carried mostly in a Maxpedition EDC organizer... so size is an issue for sure. Also, diameter is a concern as well.
5) Emitter/Light source:
LED seems most practical.
6) Manufacturer:
Traditional manufacturer. This is why I came here, I know very few manufacturers and would love to learn more about new (to me!) companies and my options! :thumbsup:
7) What battery type do you want to use?
Some of the more common ones I can get semi-easily: AA, AAA, CR123, Lithium... Leaning more towards CR123's just from what lights I have seen... but am open to suggestions as well.
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).
Prefer something with various options. Low lumens for reading and then up to as many lumens as possible for walks and outdoor activities at night. A good "all-arounder" if that's even really possible.
9) Throw vs. Flood: At what distance will you be most likely to use this light? Select all that apply.
__X__Less than 1 yard/meter (reading, other close work)
__X__Less than 5 yards/meters (looking for something inside a dark shed/garage/basement)
____5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
____30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
__X__50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)
__X__150+ yards (I want maximum throw possible) (not as important)
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)
__X__90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
____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).
____Slightly Important (Walks around the neighborhood).
__X__Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
__X__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).
____I don't care.
__X__I don’t know.
____Other, please specify____________________.
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
Definitely want multiple modes. Not sure on much more than that. Like I said earlier I want it to do as much as possible from reading low light to as bright as possible and anywhere in between is bonus.
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).
____I don’t care.
__X__I don’t know. Durability is important though.
____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)
__X__Pocket/belt clip
____Holster
____Wrist/Neck Lanyard
____Crenulated bezel
____Non-sparking Intrinsically Safe (IS) for use in explosive environments
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
Online
2) Budget:
I'm fairly flexible if the price reflects the quality. I definitely don't mind paying more if it's worth it. But obviously, the lower the cost to me the better
3) Format:
Flashlight.
4) Flashlight-specific format/size:
Medium EDC ( 7 or less inches preferred). It will be carried mostly in a Maxpedition EDC organizer... so size is an issue for sure. Also, diameter is a concern as well.
5) Emitter/Light source:
LED seems most practical.
6) Manufacturer:
Traditional manufacturer. This is why I came here, I know very few manufacturers and would love to learn more about new (to me!) companies and my options! :thumbsup:
7) What battery type do you want to use?
Some of the more common ones I can get semi-easily: AA, AAA, CR123, Lithium... Leaning more towards CR123's just from what lights I have seen... but am open to suggestions as well.
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).
Prefer something with various options. Low lumens for reading and then up to as many lumens as possible for walks and outdoor activities at night. A good "all-arounder" if that's even really possible.
9) Throw vs. Flood: At what distance will you be most likely to use this light? Select all that apply.
__X__Less than 1 yard/meter (reading, other close work)
__X__Less than 5 yards/meters (looking for something inside a dark shed/garage/basement)
____5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
____30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
__X__50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)
__X__150+ yards (I want maximum throw possible) (not as important)
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)
__X__90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
____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).
____Slightly Important (Walks around the neighborhood).
__X__Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
__X__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).
____I don't care.
__X__I don’t know.
____Other, please specify____________________.
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
Definitely want multiple modes. Not sure on much more than that. Like I said earlier I want it to do as much as possible from reading low light to as bright as possible and anywhere in between is bonus.
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).
____I don’t care.
__X__I don’t know. Durability is important though.
____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)
__X__Pocket/belt clip
____Holster
____Wrist/Neck Lanyard
____Crenulated bezel
____Non-sparking Intrinsically Safe (IS) for use in explosive environments
