gomer pylot
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2009
- Messages
- 1
1) Short Essay Question: What do you intend to use this light for? I am a offshore EMS helicopter pilot. The light would be used primarily for preflighting the aircraft (higher power setting) and cockpit use at night (need a low power setting). We use NVG's so a green NVG compatible filter would be a definite need. Waterproof and SOS mode would be nice to have also. Secondary use would be EDC pocket/holster carry. A self defense impact bezel would be a plus.
2) What Region/Country/State will the light be purchased in?
[X] I will be mail-ordering or buying online, so this doesn't matter.
3) Price Range: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest! broke
[X] $40-60
[X] $80-$120
4) Format:
PART A
[X] I want a flashlight.
PART B
Length:
[X] 2-4 inches. (Pocket carry)
[X] 4-9 inches. (Holster carry)
PART C
Width:
[X] I prefer a long narrow light.
PART D
Weight:
Lights of a similar size can be very different in weight and may turn the perfect sized light into a paper weight. In general a lights of the same size will stack up like this; plastic and aluminum will be your lighter choices brass, stainless steel, bronze will be heavier. I won't put numbers here because everyone has a different weight sensitivity. For the purposes of EDC specifically I'll limit the choices here to the more easily carried sizes pick 2 sizes to represent a range of weight.
[X] Medium light, about the weight of a AAA MiniMag
[X] Medium, slightly heavier than a AA MiniMag
5) What kind of "bulb".
[X] LED - more rugged, unlikely to burn out in your lifetime, less accurate color rendition, in general less output but more efficient (longer runtimes)
6) 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.
[X] Employer provides AAs, but CR123s are ok for the right light.
7) 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).
[X] I want to read a map, find a light switch/keyhole, or get around the house at w/o disturbing anyone. (5-10 lumens)
[X] I want to walk unpaved trails. (40 lumens)
[X] I want to light an entire campground or dazzle an intruder. (100+ lumens)
8) 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. Sometimes a flood is better particularly closer up or indoors. You won't have to "sweep" the light back and forth to see what you need to see. You can also just set it down pointing the general direction rather having to point it right at that which you are working.
Throw (distance)----------------------|-------X---------------Flood/close-up
9) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims (like some LED lights). but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries. Understand that runtime is a function of brightness and capacity of your batteries. If you want 6 hours you'll either have big batteries or dimmer light, they haven't made a setup yet that lights up like the sun, runs all night, and fits in your watch pocket. wink
[X] 60-240 min. (1-2 hours)
[X] 240-360 min. (4-6 hours)
10) Durability: Generally the old phrase “you get what you pay for” is very accurate for flashlights.
[X] Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box.)
[X] Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Self-defense, Survival.)
11) Switch Type:
[X ] clickie switch. (Stays on until pressed again.) with momentary capabilites
12) Switch Location:
[X] I want a push switch on the back end of the body.
13) Operational Modes: Check all that apply.
[X] I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
[X] I want multiple light levels. (some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
[X] I want a tactical strobe (Flashes rapidly to disorient an opponent.)
[X] I want S.O.S. flashing <---preferred to a tactical strobe
14) Is it important whether the body is metal or plastic/composite? In this case "plastic" and it's variants does not mean "cheap" or poorly made. In many applications a plastic bodied light is preferable, hard use and water resistance comes to mind; think caving or lights that get dropped or abused.
15) 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).
Note: I bought an EagleTac P20C2, but am returning it. I really like the size, bezel, pocket clip and how it fits in my hand, but the strobe mode is WAY too easy to accidentally activate (for my use in the cockpit anyway). This was the deal breaker for me. A 300 lumen strobe in a cockpit on a dark night, 100+ miles offshore at 1000' off the water, while wearing goggles = no bueno!
2) What Region/Country/State will the light be purchased in?
[X] I will be mail-ordering or buying online, so this doesn't matter.
3) Price Range: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest! broke
[X] $40-60
[X] $80-$120
4) Format:
PART A
[X] I want a flashlight.
PART B
Length:
[X] 2-4 inches. (Pocket carry)
[X] 4-9 inches. (Holster carry)
PART C
Width:
[X] I prefer a long narrow light.
PART D
Weight:
Lights of a similar size can be very different in weight and may turn the perfect sized light into a paper weight. In general a lights of the same size will stack up like this; plastic and aluminum will be your lighter choices brass, stainless steel, bronze will be heavier. I won't put numbers here because everyone has a different weight sensitivity. For the purposes of EDC specifically I'll limit the choices here to the more easily carried sizes pick 2 sizes to represent a range of weight.
[X] Medium light, about the weight of a AAA MiniMag
[X] Medium, slightly heavier than a AA MiniMag
5) What kind of "bulb".
[X] LED - more rugged, unlikely to burn out in your lifetime, less accurate color rendition, in general less output but more efficient (longer runtimes)
6) 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.
[X] Employer provides AAs, but CR123s are ok for the right light.
7) 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).
[X] I want to read a map, find a light switch/keyhole, or get around the house at w/o disturbing anyone. (5-10 lumens)
[X] I want to walk unpaved trails. (40 lumens)
[X] I want to light an entire campground or dazzle an intruder. (100+ lumens)
8) 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. Sometimes a flood is better particularly closer up or indoors. You won't have to "sweep" the light back and forth to see what you need to see. You can also just set it down pointing the general direction rather having to point it right at that which you are working.
Throw (distance)----------------------|-------X---------------Flood/close-up
9) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims (like some LED lights). but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries. Understand that runtime is a function of brightness and capacity of your batteries. If you want 6 hours you'll either have big batteries or dimmer light, they haven't made a setup yet that lights up like the sun, runs all night, and fits in your watch pocket. wink
[X] 60-240 min. (1-2 hours)
[X] 240-360 min. (4-6 hours)
10) Durability: Generally the old phrase “you get what you pay for” is very accurate for flashlights.
[X] Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box.)
[X] Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Self-defense, Survival.)
11) Switch Type:
[X ] clickie switch. (Stays on until pressed again.) with momentary capabilites
12) Switch Location:
[X] I want a push switch on the back end of the body.
13) Operational Modes: Check all that apply.
[X] I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
[X] I want multiple light levels. (some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
[X] I want a tactical strobe (Flashes rapidly to disorient an opponent.)
[X] I want S.O.S. flashing <---preferred to a tactical strobe
14) Is it important whether the body is metal or plastic/composite? In this case "plastic" and it's variants does not mean "cheap" or poorly made. In many applications a plastic bodied light is preferable, hard use and water resistance comes to mind; think caving or lights that get dropped or abused.
- I want a metal-bodied light.
15) 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).
- I need a light that I can set a certain power setting, turn it off, then turn it back on and its remembers what power setting it was on when it was turned off. <---Very important
- Other filter colors (Amber, Green, Blue, _________) -Green NVG compatible filter is essential. Easy to put on and take off would be a plus.
- Waterproof – how deep: ~5'ish
- Belt/Jacket clip
- Holster
- Wrist/Neck Lanyard
- Self defense bezel
- Non-sparking Intrinsically Safe (IS) for use in explosive environments
Note: I bought an EagleTac P20C2, but am returning it. I really like the size, bezel, pocket clip and how it fits in my hand, but the strobe mode is WAY too easy to accidentally activate (for my use in the cockpit anyway). This was the deal breaker for me. A 300 lumen strobe in a cockpit on a dark night, 100+ miles offshore at 1000' off the water, while wearing goggles = no bueno!
