I have been doing some reading and I was looking for advice on how much output is needed. I've been reading reviews on flashlightreviews.com and I see overall outputs of 2.8 for the Infinity Ultra, 5.80 for the Mag 2AA incan, and 1.58 for the Gerber Sonic. I'm looking for something small to use for emergencies, say for when the power goes out and you need to walk through the house or your office building. So, how much output would be considered sufficient for this in a small light?
how much output do I need?
- Thread starter bjn70
- Start date
IlluminatingBikr
Flashlight Enthusiast
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2003
- Messages
- 2,320
First of all, Welcome to CPF!
I recommend the CMG Infinity Ultra for a small, AA powered light, with a long run-time, but still provides you with enough light. The Infinity has a nice broad flood beam, perfect for walking in a house.
As far as what I would call sufficent... well I don't think I would want anything less bright. I could get by with something that isn't as bright, but it would be a struggle. I think the Infinity Ultra is about the minimum reasonable brightness level for this application. Just my opinion.
I recommend the CMG Infinity Ultra for a small, AA powered light, with a long run-time, but still provides you with enough light. The Infinity has a nice broad flood beam, perfect for walking in a house.
As far as what I would call sufficent... well I don't think I would want anything less bright. I could get by with something that isn't as bright, but it would be a struggle. I think the Infinity Ultra is about the minimum reasonable brightness level for this application. Just my opinion.
crashlander
Newly Enlightened
Well, for walking around in dark buildings, a small single AA/AAA LED-light will do it. If You want a bit more output, e. g. for lighting up bigger rooms or things some meters away, a singe CR123 LED may be good. It gives You a lot of light in a small package and the lithium cell will hold its full charge for years, what leads back to the emergency aspect.
Also, You have a good price range from cheaper lights (Nuwai, Inova), middle class (Longbow) to expensive (Surefire, customs, mods).
Also, You have a good price range from cheaper lights (Nuwai, Inova), middle class (Longbow) to expensive (Surefire, customs, mods).
I EDC a uke2AAA eled and in complete darkness (stumble and fall type dark) you can see well within the beam and even read with it and it is rather underpowered. I also have a 4LED nightlight that I typically feed a current of 4ma to it and it is like moonlight in my room here you can see the outline of everything to walk by.
Even an slightly underdriven bare LED puts out a suprising amount of light you can get around by and even read by. Most of us flashaholics carry a light on us all the time that will do just what you are looking for running off small batterie(s).
Even an slightly underdriven bare LED puts out a suprising amount of light you can get around by and even read by. Most of us flashaholics carry a light on us all the time that will do just what you are looking for running off small batterie(s).
SilverFox
Flashaholic
Hello Bjn70,
I will also welcome you to CPF.
I believe the overall output numbers give information as to the shape of the beam. You really need to compare both the total throw and the overall output.
For example, a light with a very tight beam will have a high throw value and a low overall output. On the other hand a lantern type beam will have a low throw value, but a high overall output.
I would suggest you compare a couple of lights that you already have to get an idea of what will work for you. In general, if you want a light with noticeable more brightness, look at those with double the overall throw, then check the overall output for beam shape. Also, don't forget to read the review.
To navigate inside your house during a power outage, any single LED light will do. I have a bunch of key chain lights in strategic places for just that purpose. I got 20 of them at www.countycomm.com for $20.
Tom
I will also welcome you to CPF.
I believe the overall output numbers give information as to the shape of the beam. You really need to compare both the total throw and the overall output.
For example, a light with a very tight beam will have a high throw value and a low overall output. On the other hand a lantern type beam will have a low throw value, but a high overall output.
I would suggest you compare a couple of lights that you already have to get an idea of what will work for you. In general, if you want a light with noticeable more brightness, look at those with double the overall throw, then check the overall output for beam shape. Also, don't forget to read the review.
To navigate inside your house during a power outage, any single LED light will do. I have a bunch of key chain lights in strategic places for just that purpose. I got 20 of them at www.countycomm.com for $20.
Tom
MrBenchmark
Enlightened
How bright do you expect your surroundings to be in an emergency? In near total darkness, a surprisingly tiny amount of light will be very useful. If there's lots of ambient light, then the same light will seem washed out and useless. For example, my red Inova X5 is almost blindingly bright when I'm at a dark sky site doing astronomy. The exact same light is unimpressive when walking down a city street at night. If your emergencies will happen in areas that really aren't all that dark, you should consider using a fairly bright light, as long as it's small enough to carry with you regularly.
cratz2
Flashlight Enthusiast
I don't own a Sonic, but I own three Infinity Ultras and used to own a regular non-Ultraized Infinity. The longer runtime of the regular Infinity is nice, but seeing as the Ultra is good for a whole days use, that is what I would consider the minimum. As Bikr said, I'm sure one could get away with less, but why bother.
For indoors, I'd look for a light with very good flood and less of a spot type beam and at least 8 hours runtime. Gerber/CMG Infinity UItra, Gerber Trio, Inova X5 or one of the MiniMag drop-ins with good flood.
For a light that is perhaps a little less usable overall but with EXCELLENT runtime, the Princeton Tec Impact (original not the II version) lasts a LONG time on 4 AA batteries. I've used it off and on for over a year and I'm still on the original set. I also like the Streamlight Twin Task 2L that you has the option of running on either 3 LEDs or 1 Incandescent bulb from the same light. Very versatile. As far as using a light indoors in rooms that are less than 30 or 40 feet long, I can't imagine a much more versatile light.
It all comes down to what you think your applications might be, how small you require the light to be, how long you want it to run and how much you want to spend. Total output and throw numbers are nice and good references, but be super sure to read the text of the reviews as well. A light that has tons of throw but very minimal spill might not be ideal for an indoor emergency of just trying to find you way around and/or out of the emergency. On the other hand, if you think you might have to temporarily blind someone, then lots of throw might be nice.
For indoors, I'd look for a light with very good flood and less of a spot type beam and at least 8 hours runtime. Gerber/CMG Infinity UItra, Gerber Trio, Inova X5 or one of the MiniMag drop-ins with good flood.
For a light that is perhaps a little less usable overall but with EXCELLENT runtime, the Princeton Tec Impact (original not the II version) lasts a LONG time on 4 AA batteries. I've used it off and on for over a year and I'm still on the original set. I also like the Streamlight Twin Task 2L that you has the option of running on either 3 LEDs or 1 Incandescent bulb from the same light. Very versatile. As far as using a light indoors in rooms that are less than 30 or 40 feet long, I can't imagine a much more versatile light.
It all comes down to what you think your applications might be, how small you require the light to be, how long you want it to run and how much you want to spend. Total output and throw numbers are nice and good references, but be super sure to read the text of the reviews as well. A light that has tons of throw but very minimal spill might not be ideal for an indoor emergency of just trying to find you way around and/or out of the emergency. On the other hand, if you think you might have to temporarily blind someone, then lots of throw might be nice.
