Recommend a Flashlight Checklist:
(Don't worry about all the questions, just the ones you feel strongly about!)
Short Essay Question: What do you intend to use this light for?
Want an all around good carry flashlight.
0) What Region/Country/State will the light be purchased in?
___X_I will be mail-ordering or buying online, so this doesn't matter.
___XI am in North America. More precisely I am in ______Texas________.
____I am in South America. More precisely I am in _______________.
____I am in Europe. More precisely I am in _______________.
____I am in the Middle East. More precisely I am in _______________.
____I am in Africa. More precisely I am in _______________.
____I am in Asia, Japan or Micronesia. More precisely I am in _______________.
____I am in Australia. More precisely I am in _______________.
1) Price Range: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
____I only want to pay $1-10.
____I can spend $15-30.
____I could spend $40-60.
__X_I am willing to spend $80-$120.
____I have no limit!
2) Format:
_X__I want a flashlight.
____I want a headlamp.
____I want a lantern.
____I want a portable spotlight.
3) Length:
____I don't care.
____1-2 inches. (Keychain sized)
_X__2-4 inches. (Pocket carry)
____4-9 inches. (Holster carry)
4) Width:
__X_I don't care.
____I prefer a long narrow light.
____I prefer a short wide light.
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 common Alkaline batteries. (AA, AAA, C, D)
__X_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 read a map, or find a light switch, in a dark room. (5-10 lumens)
____I want to walk around a generally paved area. (15-20 lumens)
____I want to walk unpaved trails. (40 lumens)
____I want to do Caving or Search & Rescue operations. (60+ lumens)
___XI 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.
Both?
Throw (distance)----------------------|----------------------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.
____20 min. (I want the brightest light for brief periods)
___X_60-240 min. (1-2 hours)
____240-360 min. (4-6 hours)
____360+ min. (More than 6 hours)
9) Durability: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
____Not Important (A "night-stand" light.)
____Slightly Important (Walks around the neighborhood.)
____Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box.)
__X_Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Self-defense, Survival.)
8) Switch Type:
____I don't care.
____I want a sliding switch. (Stays on until slid back.)
___X I want a "clickie" switch. (Stays on until pressed again.)
____I want a momentary switch. (Only stays on while held down.)
9) Switch Location:
____I don't care.
____I want a push or sliding switch on the body near the head.
__X_I want a push switch on the back end of the body.
____I want a rotating head switch.
___I want a rotating end-cap switch.
____I want a remote control.
10) Operational Modes: Check all that apply.
____A simple on-off is fine for me.
___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 strobe mode. (blinks to show location.)
____xI want a tactical strobe. (Flashes rapidly to disorient an opponent.)
11) Is it important whether the body is metal or plastic/composite?
____I don't care.
__x__I want a metal-bodied light.
____I want a plastic/composite 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).
____Red (night vision preserving) filter
____Other filter colors (Amber, Green, Blue, _________)
___x_Waterproof – how deep: _____________
____Non-reflective/dark finish (stealthy/hard to find)
____Polished silver or brightly colored finish (for easy locating)
__x__Corrosion resistant or hard-anodized finish
____"Hybrid" light (bright incandescent combined with long running LEDs)
___x_Built-in second (or spare) lamp or filament
___x_Belt/Jacket clip
____Holster
___x_Wrist/Neck Lanyard
__x__Kobuton/self defense features
___x_Non-sparking Intrinsically Safe (IS) for use in explosive environments
