Hey. Im new to the forum. I have been lurking for a few days now and have finally decided to join up!
Being a firefighter and working in ever changing conditions where lives/property may hang in the balance id like my equipment to work every time.
I dont feel like my criteria is too limiting to lights based on the previous research I have done.
Id like a light that I could use on fire scenes/wreck-rescue scenes as well as to use as a general purpose light. I already have a light that I EDC so this wont necessarily have to be compact. This light will be carried in my EDC bag more than likely until it is called to duty.
I am looking heavily at the Fenix PD35, TK15 and i am also looking at the 4Sevens Quark and Malestrom series lights.
With that being said I have completed the check list . Feel free to make suggestions and criticisms as well as ask me questions.
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1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
Doesnt matter whether its online or B&M.
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest! :-)
Up to 100.
Not opposed to go slightly over (read 10-15 over) so long as the light will perform that much better. Obviously lower the better:D
3) Format:
I want a flashlight.
4) Size:
Doesnt matter. I would like the ergos to be suited to use anywhere between plain vision bare handed all the way to limited visibility with fire gloves.
5) Emitter/Light source:
Doesnt matter, however, I prefer LED due to run times and performance.
6) Manufacturer:
Doesnt matter so long as the customer service is good.
7) What power source do you want to use?
Doesnt matter but i prefer the option of rechargeable
7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option
This probably matters the least of all features as to how it charges.
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 a multitude of options. I want a lower lumen mode to look for things inside a vehicle/house all the way to a higher output light in the event of a search and rescue situation.
I would prefer the options of strobe/SOS (maybe others as well), however, this isnt totally necessary.
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.
I believe wide throw would be my best bet. I want to be able to reach out a bit with the throw but id like a decent amount of side spill.
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)
____5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
Id say somewhere between these 2 (yet closer to 5 yards) would be 95% of the lights usage, but, again id like some reach in the event of a search and rescue.
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).
____90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
A long runtime would be preferable. I plan on buying (or making) a traffic wand attachment for the light so a moderate brightness setting that would run for a few hours would be very nice.
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase “you get what you pay for” is very accurate for flashlights.
____Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival).
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
Switch size isnt too important so long as i can activate it with a hand covered with a fire glove.
Type and location doesnt matter too much.
***I do like the fenix style UI with the dual switches. I also like 4Sevens style of switching too.
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
Multiple levels, strobe/sos/beacon are definitely preferable.
Programmable would be cool but definitely isnt a deal breaker.
14)Material/Finish/Coating
Not very important as long as it is DURABLE. Would prefer scratch resistant lenses.
15) Water resistance
IPX8 prefered. A lower standard may work.
16) Storage conditions
Storage conditions are ever changing. Think Kentucky climates.
17) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any/all below.
____Non-sparking, Intrinsically Safe (IS) for use in explosive environments
This is important to meEDIT: Preferred but not required nor is it a deal breaker.
A lanyard attachment, holster, and crenulated bezel could be nice but not necessary.
Being a firefighter and working in ever changing conditions where lives/property may hang in the balance id like my equipment to work every time.
I dont feel like my criteria is too limiting to lights based on the previous research I have done.
Id like a light that I could use on fire scenes/wreck-rescue scenes as well as to use as a general purpose light. I already have a light that I EDC so this wont necessarily have to be compact. This light will be carried in my EDC bag more than likely until it is called to duty.
I am looking heavily at the Fenix PD35, TK15 and i am also looking at the 4Sevens Quark and Malestrom series lights.
With that being said I have completed the check list . Feel free to make suggestions and criticisms as well as ask me questions.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
Doesnt matter whether its online or B&M.
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest! :-)
Up to 100.
Not opposed to go slightly over (read 10-15 over) so long as the light will perform that much better. Obviously lower the better:D
3) Format:
I want a flashlight.
4) Size:
Doesnt matter. I would like the ergos to be suited to use anywhere between plain vision bare handed all the way to limited visibility with fire gloves.
5) Emitter/Light source:
Doesnt matter, however, I prefer LED due to run times and performance.
6) Manufacturer:
Doesnt matter so long as the customer service is good.
7) What power source do you want to use?
Doesnt matter but i prefer the option of rechargeable
7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option
This probably matters the least of all features as to how it charges.
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 a multitude of options. I want a lower lumen mode to look for things inside a vehicle/house all the way to a higher output light in the event of a search and rescue situation.
I would prefer the options of strobe/SOS (maybe others as well), however, this isnt totally necessary.
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.
I believe wide throw would be my best bet. I want to be able to reach out a bit with the throw but id like a decent amount of side spill.
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)
____5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
Id say somewhere between these 2 (yet closer to 5 yards) would be 95% of the lights usage, but, again id like some reach in the event of a search and rescue.
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).
____90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
A long runtime would be preferable. I plan on buying (or making) a traffic wand attachment for the light so a moderate brightness setting that would run for a few hours would be very nice.
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase “you get what you pay for” is very accurate for flashlights.
____Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival).
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
Switch size isnt too important so long as i can activate it with a hand covered with a fire glove.
Type and location doesnt matter too much.
***I do like the fenix style UI with the dual switches. I also like 4Sevens style of switching too.
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
Multiple levels, strobe/sos/beacon are definitely preferable.
Programmable would be cool but definitely isnt a deal breaker.
14)Material/Finish/Coating
Not very important as long as it is DURABLE. Would prefer scratch resistant lenses.
15) Water resistance
IPX8 prefered. A lower standard may work.
16) Storage conditions
Storage conditions are ever changing. Think Kentucky climates.
17) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any/all below.
____Non-sparking, Intrinsically Safe (IS) for use in explosive environments
This is important to meEDIT: Preferred but not required nor is it a deal breaker.
A lanyard attachment, holster, and crenulated bezel could be nice but not necessary.
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