Hello. I am new here and a casual flashlight user. I am looking for a flashlight that would be good to take a new puppy out with at night. Any suggestions? Thanks!
New Member Question
- Thread starter Walt118
- Start date
Help Support Candle Power Flashlight Forum
- Joined
- May 31, 2021
- Messages
- 476
thanks for joining our community of flashlight enthusiasts! As you can tell it's not a simple answer.
If you want handsfree, I think a headlamp would be the best.
Are you cleaning up after the puppy or nah? Are you using it for protection IE need flash settings? Tactical?
If you want handsfree, I think a headlamp would be the best.
Are you cleaning up after the puppy or nah? Are you using it for protection IE need flash settings? Tactical?
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2016
- Messages
- 372
A headlamp isn't always a good match for yard trips. A handheld light works better because you'll be:
a) Checking furry little bottoms to be sure they're tidy
b) Checking furry little bellies to be sure they aren't covered in dirt, baby slugs, spiders - anything you don't want in the house
c) Finding where your dog pooped because sometimes puppies are ninjas about that
d) Making sure the yard is free of racoons and anything else you don't want your puppy meeting unexpectedly
Personally I've found high CRI useful. It helps you determine if that thing your puppy is intensely interested in is poop left by the neighbor's cat or a shriveled tree leaf. They look really similar in low-CRI light, especially if it's raining - not that you want them eating either of those things but who knows what they'll find.
A single-cell light is a good size when you're also juggling poop bags, maybe a leash, maybe treats if you're doing any training and then also a wiggly pup if they decide they aren't coming inside. Something that can take a rechargeable battery is also helpful, due to the fact you're pretty much guaranteed to use it every evening/night.
An HDS is my go-to for trips outside with the dog. The ability to quickly access full power no matter what level you're on just by pressing and holding the button makes it a no-brainer. You don't have to click around to get to max or remember what level you were on before. Just press for full, then let off when it's no longer needed and you're back where you were. Super simple. Plus you have low available if you need to check your dog in the middle of the night (think post-neuter, to be sure they aren't bothering stitches, etc.). It might not be a flashlight that a casual user would normally opt for, but it does have a lot of very useful features for puppy/dog duty. And if you drop it in the grass during a middle-of-the-night, I'm-barely-awake, when-oh-when-will-your-bladder-work-correctly pee trip, the locator beacon means you'll find it before you have to navigate the stairs to the back door in the dark.
Hope that feature list helps you find a light that works for you. The JetBeam RRT-01 is another light that is fairly intuitive and shares some of these same features. Less $ and probably easier to find at the moment.
a) Checking furry little bottoms to be sure they're tidy
b) Checking furry little bellies to be sure they aren't covered in dirt, baby slugs, spiders - anything you don't want in the house
c) Finding where your dog pooped because sometimes puppies are ninjas about that
d) Making sure the yard is free of racoons and anything else you don't want your puppy meeting unexpectedly
Personally I've found high CRI useful. It helps you determine if that thing your puppy is intensely interested in is poop left by the neighbor's cat or a shriveled tree leaf. They look really similar in low-CRI light, especially if it's raining - not that you want them eating either of those things but who knows what they'll find.
A single-cell light is a good size when you're also juggling poop bags, maybe a leash, maybe treats if you're doing any training and then also a wiggly pup if they decide they aren't coming inside. Something that can take a rechargeable battery is also helpful, due to the fact you're pretty much guaranteed to use it every evening/night.
An HDS is my go-to for trips outside with the dog. The ability to quickly access full power no matter what level you're on just by pressing and holding the button makes it a no-brainer. You don't have to click around to get to max or remember what level you were on before. Just press for full, then let off when it's no longer needed and you're back where you were. Super simple. Plus you have low available if you need to check your dog in the middle of the night (think post-neuter, to be sure they aren't bothering stitches, etc.). It might not be a flashlight that a casual user would normally opt for, but it does have a lot of very useful features for puppy/dog duty. And if you drop it in the grass during a middle-of-the-night, I'm-barely-awake, when-oh-when-will-your-bladder-work-correctly pee trip, the locator beacon means you'll find it before you have to navigate the stairs to the back door in the dark.
Hope that feature list helps you find a light that works for you. The JetBeam RRT-01 is another light that is fairly intuitive and shares some of these same features. Less $ and probably easier to find at the moment.
Go to Home Depot, or WalMart etc and buy a brand like Energizer or Rayovac knowing about 500 lumens will probably be plenty……then in between trips outdoors come back here and read the flashlight reviews.
Establish a budget after knowing what you didn't like about your store bought lights (if you end up not liking them) and by then it won't seem so daunting of a quest.
You'd have time to decide rechargeable batteries, usb plug in, disposeables or a combo. You can decide broad spread beam (floody) or something that "throws" light more forward. How much power do you really need? How large or small? Metal or plastic? Starts on high or low? Does that matter?
Stuff like that there. Welcome aboard.
Establish a budget after knowing what you didn't like about your store bought lights (if you end up not liking them) and by then it won't seem so daunting of a quest.
You'd have time to decide rechargeable batteries, usb plug in, disposeables or a combo. You can decide broad spread beam (floody) or something that "throws" light more forward. How much power do you really need? How large or small? Metal or plastic? Starts on high or low? Does that matter?
Stuff like that there. Welcome aboard.
I want a flashlight that will offer different features such as different level of brightness, I like the idea of rechargeable instead of keeping batteries stocked. I also think having different brightness is useful. I don't want a magpul like my dad kept in his truck as they were big, and only remember them having one setting on or off.
What do you think of the wurkkos brand in general - as I saw the post about the FC12 - and thought the color was unique easier to spot, and met a few things…just seemed cheaper than some of the other lights I've researched.
What do you think of the wurkkos brand in general - as I saw the post about the FC12 - and thought the color was unique easier to spot, and met a few things…just seemed cheaper than some of the other lights I've researched.
What is your terrain? How far away do you need to see? Seems like a good idea for decent color rendering to see the quality of the puppy stool! Multiple levels is definitely the way to go. How long will you be outside at a time? Not having to spend time removing the battery from the flashlight is nice when recharging, but not a big deal if the flashlight you want requires it.
that nashville guy
Newly Enlightened
Hey Walt.
I'm new to the world of high-powered flashlights, but I've quickly become addicted.
If you're interested enough that you sought out this forum, as I did, I doubt that one flashlight is going to satisfy you.
I've recently bought, in the last couple of weeks:
• Sofirn SP35 (for my work, fixing airplanes, night shift)
• Sofirn IF25A (to keep at home, primarily, and, just for fun, to learn the Anduril 2 user interface (UI)
• Sofirn HS40 headlamp (for nighttime running, and working on my trucks)
• Wurkkos FC12 (in purple, for wife's birthday)
We actually just opened the FC12 last night, and we've only played around with it very briefly, but it's very bright, with a powerful hotspot. Haven't taken it outside yet, but I think it'll be a good thrower. It's convenient having a tail switch; I've found that the side switch only design makes it hard to find the button sometimes on my other lights, especially the SP35. Also, I think a tail switch is harder to inadvertently activate in your pocket. Despite that, I think having 2 switches is redundant, and I'd rather have a side switch only, and have a magnet in the tailcap.
I'll say this - if you need long runtimes with high output, it's hard to go wrong with an SP35. It uses a high efficiency buck driver, and a 21700 batt, which equals exactly that - the ability to run high output for long periods of time. I've also read that it doesn't step down from turbo (has thermal regulation), but I haven't tried to test that. Frankly, the light has been bright enough that I haven't really needed turbo.
Honestly the perfect light for me would be the SP35 with its high level of efficiency and runtime, but with Anduril 2 UI, and the lighted side switch from the IF25A. So if anyone knows of a light that offers such a combination, please let me know!
OP, let us know what you decide to get.
FYI, if you like the purple, I found out that Wurkkos offers other lights in that color. The FC12 is quite long, and if I'd known how long it was, I might have gone with another model, since the wife will probably carry it in her purse quite a bit.
Megalamuffin
Enlightened
The sofirn SC21 is a good compact, multi mode, rechargeable and inexpensive light. Around $30 give or take, and they can be had in one of three color tints all of which have good color rendering.
It also works well clipped to a ball cap if you need hands free light.
It also works well clipped to a ball cap if you need hands free light.
Small backyard that backs up to the woods. There is a lot of wildlife in the woods that I want to make sure I can see at night for bathroom trips so not a lot of time spent outside when it's dark.
Sounds like you do not need a lot of runtime for that application, though you may use the flashlight in other ways. It is a challenge to see through branches and brush with a flood type beam; one's eyes get blasted by light bouncing off the foliage in front of you. Consider a torch that has a fairly tight hotspot that will pierce the nearby vegetation so you can see critters that are further in from the edge of the woods. Can you get by with a multi-purpose beam? Yes, but it is surprising how much better a tight beam looks past the close stuff. I would say definitely do not get a flood type flashlight. Inch and a half (or more) reflector size, deeper reflector with a small head, and/or a smaller sized LED will help give more throw. A little bit of faint spill is fine and should make for a more pleasant tool to work with, as opposed to a very tight beam with no spill at all. The advantage of a thrower is that longer distances, when they arise, will be handled. Later you may decide on a flashlight with a wider cast for very valid reasons.
Thank you!
Appreciate your politeness Walt118.
bykfixer gave my last post a thumbs up. That actually has traction because he owns many flashlights and spends a lot of time and thought on the matter as well as using them at work when on night shift. Wanted to add that a single 18650 battery flashlight has a lot to offer regarding runtime and a certain compactness yet with a reflector large/deep enough to give effective throw. If you want to stick with AA alkaline, the options for significant throw are much less. Maybe fixer (or another member) will expand. And it is totally ok if you choose something else.
bykfixer gave my last post a thumbs up. That actually has traction because he owns many flashlights and spends a lot of time and thought on the matter as well as using them at work when on night shift. Wanted to add that a single 18650 battery flashlight has a lot to offer regarding runtime and a certain compactness yet with a reflector large/deep enough to give effective throw. If you want to stick with AA alkaline, the options for significant throw are much less. Maybe fixer (or another member) will expand. And it is totally ok if you choose something else.
Bimmerboy
Flashlight Enthusiast
Hi, Walt, and welcome to CPF.
We got a 6 month old pup about 2 months ago, and I've found my older (with XM-L) Armytek Viking Pro has been great for finding the doggie doo against brown, hibernating grass in winter, even with a few leaves around. Summertime remains to be seen, but no hi-CRI needed as of yet. I always have it on level 3 out of 4 (not including turbo). Flashlight in the left hand, plastic bag in the right... lol.
What's been working for me is its fairly tight hot spot for centering in on small objects, and the spill is bright and just wide enough at close quarters to help prevent stepping in anything. It'll also easily throw across the yard when needed, even on level three. If you get something with similar features, I think you'll do well given your stated needs. I agree with Kitro on the tight beam with a bit of spill. One other thing to consider is whether your light will have memory. For this scenario, I do prefer the light to come back on at my preferred setting.
BTW... if that's your new pupper, he/she is super adorable. And look at the size of that left front paw!
We got a 6 month old pup about 2 months ago, and I've found my older (with XM-L) Armytek Viking Pro has been great for finding the doggie doo against brown, hibernating grass in winter, even with a few leaves around. Summertime remains to be seen, but no hi-CRI needed as of yet. I always have it on level 3 out of 4 (not including turbo). Flashlight in the left hand, plastic bag in the right... lol.
What's been working for me is its fairly tight hot spot for centering in on small objects, and the spill is bright and just wide enough at close quarters to help prevent stepping in anything. It'll also easily throw across the yard when needed, even on level three. If you get something with similar features, I think you'll do well given your stated needs. I agree with Kitro on the tight beam with a bit of spill. One other thing to consider is whether your light will have memory. For this scenario, I do prefer the light to come back on at my preferred setting.
BTW... if that's your new pupper, he/she is super adorable. And look at the size of that left front paw!
Thank you! That's not him, but it looks similar to him. I'll have to change it to a picture of him instead.
