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!
Somewhere in the 100-150 range. Leaning to the lower end of the scale but have the budget.
3) Format:
I am not sure, please help me decide.
Leaning toward a flashlight, but could be convinced to get a mounted light.
4) Size:
____TINY - Every day carry (2-4 inches).
____SMALL - Every day carry (4-7 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've looked mainly a Fenix and Streamlight. Open to SME suggestions hence the post.
7) What power source do you want to use?
____I intend to use Rechargeable cells (NiMH or NiCD) based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D sized cells common to most stores.
____I intend to use Rechargeable cells based on less common formats (18500 or 18650 Li-Ion, RCR123, et-al).
I've got a flat top 21700 that came with a UV beast light. Not that it matters, I'd be fine with 18650 as well.
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).
Main use case would be night mountain bike riding, night skiing, road trip light, and walking around in the winter in a snowy area.
___X_SPECIAL NOTE: Burst/Turbo mode Category - There are several lights that will run at a super bright maximum for a very limited period (usually 5-10 minutes) and then will "step-down" to a lower level for thermal control. Check here if this is acceptable.
9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
I'm not sure, probably something in in the middle? Some flood leaning towards throw for high speed on bike/snowboard.
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
Not really, sure I've never had a light for night riding.
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)
____3 hours + (I critically need this light to run on max for extended periods in between battery changes/charges).
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).
____Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival).
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
____I don't know.
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
____I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
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).
____Stainless steel (durable, but much heavier than aluminum)
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)
____Emergency kit (long standby periods)
____Automobile glove-box (wide temperature swings, long standby periods, critical reliability)
All of the above.
17) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any/all below.
____Red filter (for preserving night vision).
____Other filter colors (Amber, Green, Blue, _________).
____Dedicated R/G/B secondary LEDs.
____"Hybrid" light (bright incandescent combined with long running LEDs)
____Pocket/belt clip
____Holster
____Wrist/Neck Lanyard
____Crenulated bezel
____Non-sparking, Intrinsically Safe (IS) for use in explosive environments
Additional background:
I have a streamlight 1l-1aa, which is great for EDC tasks and dog walks and so forth. Suits my needs great there. I've been wanting to get into night MTB righting. I know a lot of folks might recommend a bike specific light such as the outbound lighting or the Fenix BC30, but some solutions are out of my price range (outbound), and I was thinking I could get something with dual purpose. Use it with a bike mount or a normal torch.
I've been looking at the Fenix pd36r v2 the pd32r, bc26r, bc30r. I'm thinking something with moden 21700 or 18650s would be ideal. I'm not stuck on Fenix, I've just read good things and they seem to be well liked.
I like streamlight, but it appears that they're behind the industry as far as value. Pretty much willing to look at any brand, but I'd like something that won't let me down in the mountains where weather can be pretty random or heavy snow at anytime.
My main use cases would be night MTB riding in the mountains for now and later would be for night snowboarding. It would be cool to use as a general purpose light as well.
Thank you!
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!
Somewhere in the 100-150 range. Leaning to the lower end of the scale but have the budget.
3) Format:
I am not sure, please help me decide.
Leaning toward a flashlight, but could be convinced to get a mounted light.
4) Size:
____TINY - Every day carry (2-4 inches).
____SMALL - Every day carry (4-7 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've looked mainly a Fenix and Streamlight. Open to SME suggestions hence the post.
7) What power source do you want to use?
____I intend to use Rechargeable cells (NiMH or NiCD) based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D sized cells common to most stores.
____I intend to use Rechargeable cells based on less common formats (18500 or 18650 Li-Ion, RCR123, et-al).
I've got a flat top 21700 that came with a UV beast light. Not that it matters, I'd be fine with 18650 as well.
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).
Main use case would be night mountain bike riding, night skiing, road trip light, and walking around in the winter in a snowy area.
___X_SPECIAL NOTE: Burst/Turbo mode Category - There are several lights that will run at a super bright maximum for a very limited period (usually 5-10 minutes) and then will "step-down" to a lower level for thermal control. Check here if this is acceptable.
9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
I'm not sure, probably something in in the middle? Some flood leaning towards throw for high speed on bike/snowboard.
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
Not really, sure I've never had a light for night riding.
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)
____3 hours + (I critically need this light to run on max for extended periods in between battery changes/charges).
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).
____Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival).
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
____I don't know.
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
____I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
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).
____Stainless steel (durable, but much heavier than aluminum)
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)
____Emergency kit (long standby periods)
____Automobile glove-box (wide temperature swings, long standby periods, critical reliability)
All of the above.
17) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any/all below.
____Red filter (for preserving night vision).
____Other filter colors (Amber, Green, Blue, _________).
____Dedicated R/G/B secondary LEDs.
____"Hybrid" light (bright incandescent combined with long running LEDs)
____Pocket/belt clip
____Holster
____Wrist/Neck Lanyard
____Crenulated bezel
____Non-sparking, Intrinsically Safe (IS) for use in explosive environments
Additional background:
I have a streamlight 1l-1aa, which is great for EDC tasks and dog walks and so forth. Suits my needs great there. I've been wanting to get into night MTB righting. I know a lot of folks might recommend a bike specific light such as the outbound lighting or the Fenix BC30, but some solutions are out of my price range (outbound), and I was thinking I could get something with dual purpose. Use it with a bike mount or a normal torch.
I've been looking at the Fenix pd36r v2 the pd32r, bc26r, bc30r. I'm thinking something with moden 21700 or 18650s would be ideal. I'm not stuck on Fenix, I've just read good things and they seem to be well liked.
I like streamlight, but it appears that they're behind the industry as far as value. Pretty much willing to look at any brand, but I'd like something that won't let me down in the mountains where weather can be pretty random or heavy snow at anytime.
My main use cases would be night MTB riding in the mountains for now and later would be for night snowboarding. It would be cool to use as a general purpose light as well.
Thank you!
