Chicago_Ted
Newly Enlightened
Hi. Sometime this year I plan to replace my current EDC, a LED Lenser P7 (first good light I bought), with something more high-end.
Short Essay Question: What do you intend to use this light for?
It will be used in EDC, search and rescue work and outdoor environments. Durability is very important to critical, and it needs to be waterproof due to possible submersion. A 'strike bezel' would be nice if possible.
Must be LED.
I would like the light to be priced reasonably, and preferably under $100 AUS, and will carried in a holster.
It would be nice to have over 100 lumens, preferably approaching 200 or more on turbo/max.
Batteries are preferably AAA or AA rechargeable, but C123s etc are okay, provided they are safe in this light (following standard battery safety for lithium.) Not sure about Li-ons. I think I have a phobia that they'll explode.
0) What Region/Country/State will the light be purchased in?
____I will be mail-ordering or buying online, so this doesn't matter.
1) Price Range: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
____I could spend $40-60.
____I am willing to spend $80-$120.
2) Format:
____I want a flashlight.
3) Length:
____4-9 inches. (Holster carry)
4) Width:
____I don't care.
5) What batteries do you want to use? Alkaline batteries are easier to find and less expensive but don't pack as much stored energy and are don't work well in cold temperatures. Lithium batteries have long shelf life (10+ years, great for stored emergency lights) and are not as affected by cold but must be kept dry and are more expensive. Rechargeable start expensive, but if used frequently pay off quickly.
____I want lithium batteries. (coin cells, CR123, AAA, AA...)
____I want a rechargeable system. (an investment, but best for everyday use)
6) How much light do you want? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is impossible).
____I want to do Caving or Search & Rescue operations. (60+ lumens)
____I want to light an entire campground or dazzle an intruder. (100+ lumens)
7) Throw vs Flood: Which do you prefer, lights that flood an area with a wide beam, or lights that "throw" with a tightly focused beam? Place an "X" on the line below.
Throw (distance)-------------X--------|----------------------Flood/close-up
8) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims (like some LED lights). but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries.
____60-240 min. (1-2 hours)
____240-360 min. (4-6 hours)
9) Durability: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
____Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box.)
____Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Self-defense, Survival.)
8) Switch Type:
____I want a "clickie" switch. (Stays on until pressed again.)
____I want a momentary switch. (Only stays on while held down.)
If it has a momentary function, it MUST be an extra as opposed to only capable of momentary activation, ie the light must have standard 'always on' mode.
9) Switch Location:
____I want a push switch on the back end of the body.
10) Operational Modes: Check all that apply.
____I want multiple light levels. (some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
____I want a tactical strobe. (Flashes rapidly to disorient an opponent.)
Strobe would be nice, but is not required.
11) Is it important whether the body is metal or plastic/composite?
____I want a metal-bodied light.
12) Special Needs: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Circle any below or write in your own comment(s).
____Waterproof – how deep: _____Down to 3 metres
____Non-reflective/dark finish (stealthy/hard to find)
____Corrosion resistant or hard-anodized finish
____Holster
____Wrist/Neck Lanyard
____Kobuton/self defense features
Thank you for taking the time to assist me. :twothumbs
Short Essay Question: What do you intend to use this light for?
It will be used in EDC, search and rescue work and outdoor environments. Durability is very important to critical, and it needs to be waterproof due to possible submersion. A 'strike bezel' would be nice if possible.
Must be LED.
I would like the light to be priced reasonably, and preferably under $100 AUS, and will carried in a holster.
It would be nice to have over 100 lumens, preferably approaching 200 or more on turbo/max.
Batteries are preferably AAA or AA rechargeable, but C123s etc are okay, provided they are safe in this light (following standard battery safety for lithium.) Not sure about Li-ons. I think I have a phobia that they'll explode.
0) What Region/Country/State will the light be purchased in?
____I will be mail-ordering or buying online, so this doesn't matter.
1) Price Range: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
____I could spend $40-60.
____I am willing to spend $80-$120.
2) Format:
____I want a flashlight.
3) Length:
____4-9 inches. (Holster carry)
4) Width:
____I don't care.
5) What batteries do you want to use? Alkaline batteries are easier to find and less expensive but don't pack as much stored energy and are don't work well in cold temperatures. Lithium batteries have long shelf life (10+ years, great for stored emergency lights) and are not as affected by cold but must be kept dry and are more expensive. Rechargeable start expensive, but if used frequently pay off quickly.
____I want lithium batteries. (coin cells, CR123, AAA, AA...)
____I want a rechargeable system. (an investment, but best for everyday use)
6) How much light do you want? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is impossible).
____I want to do Caving or Search & Rescue operations. (60+ lumens)
____I want to light an entire campground or dazzle an intruder. (100+ lumens)
7) Throw vs Flood: Which do you prefer, lights that flood an area with a wide beam, or lights that "throw" with a tightly focused beam? Place an "X" on the line below.
Throw (distance)-------------X--------|----------------------Flood/close-up
8) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims (like some LED lights). but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries.
____60-240 min. (1-2 hours)
____240-360 min. (4-6 hours)
9) Durability: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
____Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box.)
____Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Self-defense, Survival.)
8) Switch Type:
____I want a "clickie" switch. (Stays on until pressed again.)
____I want a momentary switch. (Only stays on while held down.)
If it has a momentary function, it MUST be an extra as opposed to only capable of momentary activation, ie the light must have standard 'always on' mode.
9) Switch Location:
____I want a push switch on the back end of the body.
10) Operational Modes: Check all that apply.
____I want multiple light levels. (some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
____I want a tactical strobe. (Flashes rapidly to disorient an opponent.)
Strobe would be nice, but is not required.
11) Is it important whether the body is metal or plastic/composite?
____I want a metal-bodied light.
12) Special Needs: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Circle any below or write in your own comment(s).
____Waterproof – how deep: _____Down to 3 metres
____Non-reflective/dark finish (stealthy/hard to find)
____Corrosion resistant or hard-anodized finish
____Holster
____Wrist/Neck Lanyard
____Kobuton/self defense features
Thank you for taking the time to assist me. :twothumbs
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