Hi everyone
I'm looking too supplement my EDC (an Eagletac P20C2) with something a bit larger, a bit brighter, and with more throw. Examples of what I'm looking at are the Eagletac M25C2, Nitecore MH40GT and PD30, and the Olight MDX-UT.
I'd like a simple interface (the Eagletac is OK, but I get lost in the different modes and twists) and rechargeable would be nice, but it depends on budget (max around £100).
Any suggestions what I could be looking at?
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!
Up to $100 (although £ as UK based)
3) Format:
I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).
4) Size:
SMALL - Every day carry (4-7 inches).
MEDIUM - Holster/belt ring carry. (>7 inches)
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.
I would like a light from a specialty manufacturer (Possibly limited run/Custom).
7) What power source do you want to use?
I'm less fussy. I don't have AA and AAA rechargeable cells, but happy to buy 18650s or similar, and also happy to use CR123A.
7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option
I don't care
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 illuminate an entire field, the neighbor's front yard several houses down, impress my friends and neighbors, etc. (300-700 lumens).
I want search and rescue type illumination (800+ lumens).
9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
Wide Throw: I want a beam with a noticeable hot-center for distance throw and a significant amount of "side-spill". Good for rough trail hiking, search and rescue, and general distance work.
Narrow Throw: I want a beam with a very tight "hot center" and minimal "side-spill". Good for distance viewing, fog, and looking through dense undergrowth.
Turbohead: I want a far-distance projector with a sharply focused spot of light and minimal or zero side-spill. Good for extreme distance and impressing your friends.
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)
150+ yards (I am searching from a helicopter)
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).
30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)
90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
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):
Any size switch will do.
I don't care.
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
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 selector ring.
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 higher end flashlights).
15) Water resistance
IPX7 (Waterproof to 1 meter/30min)
IPX8 (Submersible to greater than 1 meter for 4 hours)
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.
None
I'm looking too supplement my EDC (an Eagletac P20C2) with something a bit larger, a bit brighter, and with more throw. Examples of what I'm looking at are the Eagletac M25C2, Nitecore MH40GT and PD30, and the Olight MDX-UT.
I'd like a simple interface (the Eagletac is OK, but I get lost in the different modes and twists) and rechargeable would be nice, but it depends on budget (max around £100).
Any suggestions what I could be looking at?
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!
Up to $100 (although £ as UK based)
3) Format:
I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).
4) Size:
SMALL - Every day carry (4-7 inches).
MEDIUM - Holster/belt ring carry. (>7 inches)
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.
I would like a light from a specialty manufacturer (Possibly limited run/Custom).
7) What power source do you want to use?
I'm less fussy. I don't have AA and AAA rechargeable cells, but happy to buy 18650s or similar, and also happy to use CR123A.
7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option
I don't care
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 illuminate an entire field, the neighbor's front yard several houses down, impress my friends and neighbors, etc. (300-700 lumens).
I want search and rescue type illumination (800+ lumens).
9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
Wide Throw: I want a beam with a noticeable hot-center for distance throw and a significant amount of "side-spill". Good for rough trail hiking, search and rescue, and general distance work.
Narrow Throw: I want a beam with a very tight "hot center" and minimal "side-spill". Good for distance viewing, fog, and looking through dense undergrowth.
Turbohead: I want a far-distance projector with a sharply focused spot of light and minimal or zero side-spill. Good for extreme distance and impressing your friends.
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)
150+ yards (I am searching from a helicopter)
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).
30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)
90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
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):
Any size switch will do.
I don't care.
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
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 selector ring.
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 higher end flashlights).
15) Water resistance
IPX7 (Waterproof to 1 meter/30min)
IPX8 (Submersible to greater than 1 meter for 4 hours)
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.
None
