Recommendation for security light

[David McMahon]

I want to get Mum a light she can use from her Bedroom window to shine at suspicious things in the back garden!

I have a budget of around £50 (Approx $80) but of course things are cheaper in the States!

 

[jonnyfgroove]

:welcome:

Check out this thread and see if you can give us more specifics on what you're after. Battery type, etc. :thumbsup:

 

[Acid87]

:welcome: Since your a UK member check out flashaholics.co.uk. They have a few items on sale. The Nitecore D20 is a pretty good light think they have the Q5 version at 35 quid. 2 AA batteries not the best for lighting a whole garden but im sure it will do a job. The UI is pretty simple click hold for high which im guessing is going to be the main use.

The guys on here will give a fair few more suggestions too.
Steven

 

[David McMahon]

Thanks for those links, Sorry I didn't find that Check-list before! Very Useful

 

[David McMahon]

Ok here goes...

1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?

____I would like to purchase the light from a brick and mortar store. I am located in ______________.
X I will be mail-ordering or buying online, so this doesn't matter.


2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!

____Less than $25.
____Less than $50.
X Less than $100.
____Less than $150.
____Less than $300.
____I have no limit.
____I'm flexible, tell me what you gotJ.
____Other, please specify ________


3) Format:

X I want a flashlight.
____I want a headlamp.
____I want a lantern.
____I want a dive light.
X I want a portable spotlight.


4) Flashlight-specific format/size:

____Keychain size.
____Every day carry small (2-4 inches).
____Every day carry medium (4-7 inches).
____Holster carry.
____Big enough to need its own travel caseJ.
X I don't care.
____I don't know.
____N/A


5) Emitter/Light source:

____LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
____Incandescent (known for superior color rendition)
____HID (known for max output, but often at the expense of size)
____I don't know.
X Don't really matter!


6) Manufacturer:

____I want to buy a light from a traditional mass producing manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
X I would consider getting a light that is pieced together (for example a "host" or flashlight body from one manufacturer, and a "drop-in" emitter from another source). Under the right circumstances, this path can provide more options to the consumer to meet specific needs, and can often be easily upgradeable as technology improves.


7) What battery type do you want to use?

X I intend to use alkaline batteries (AAA, AA, C, D) (disclaimer, while it does not preclude all choices, these are not recommended for many of today's most powerful lights)
X I intend to use rechargeable nickel chemistry (NiCad, NiMH, NiZn) ***But at standard AAA-D size!!!***
X I intend to use lithium primary batteries (CR123, CR2, Energizer Advanced/Ultimate Lithium AA/AAA)
____I intend to use rechargeable lithium (li-ion) chemistry. Feel free to specify a size if you know which size you want (14500, RCR123/16340, 17500, 17670, 18650, etc.)
X I want a light with an integrated rechargeable battery. (Note: these choices may be very limited unless you are looking at spotlights)



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 impossible).

____I want to navigate a dark room or read a map (0-10 lumens).
____I want to walk around an unlit rural area (50-150 lumens).
X I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).
____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 ridiculous amounts of lumens (800+ lumens).


9) Throw vs. Flood: At what distance will you be most likely to use this light? Select all that apply.

____Less than 1 yard/meter (reading, other close work)
____Less than 5 yards/meters (looking for something inside a dark shed/garage/basement)
X 5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
X 30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
X 50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)
____150+ yards (I want maximum throw possible)


10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum output).

____Up to 30 minutes (I want the brightest [and potentially smallest] light for brief periods)
____30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)
____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).

(Not important over other criteria!)


11) Durability/Usage: 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).
____Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival).
X I don't care.
X I don't know.

(Of course tough is better)


12) Switch Type and location (choose all that apply):

____I want a forward clicky (Helpful for momentary activation and signaling).
____I want a reverse clicky (For use with multi-mode/level lights).
____I want a momentary switch (Predominantly for use with signaling and short bursts of momentary light only).
____I want a twisty switch (Tighten the head/tailcap to activate, and the light will stay on until the head/tailcap is loosened).
____I want a body mounted switch (near the head, like on a Maglite).
____I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today's high end lights).
____I don't care.
____I don't know.
X Other, please specify (I need to ask mum I suppose lol)


13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.

____A simple on-off with only one output level is fine for me.
____I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
____I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
____I want a programmable light.
____I want a selector ring.
____I want a strobe mode. (Blinks to show location.)
____I want SOS mode.
____I want a beacon mode.
____I don't care.
X I don't know.


14)Material/Finish/Coating

____Plastic/composite body (this may limit your choices significantly).
____Anodized Aluminum – either type II or III (Hard Anodized) (Aluminum, specifically HA, is the most common material/finish for today's flashlights).
____Stainless steel (durable, but much heavier than aluminum)
____Titanium (durable and nearly as lightweight as aluminum, but can be moderately to significantly more expensive).
____I don't care.
X I don't know.
____Other, please specify____________.


15) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any 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

 

[jonnyfgroove]

Hmm, how about the Fenix E21. It should have decent throw, uses 2AA, has a simple interface, and is not too expensive. Also, the Fenix LD40 (4xAA) throws well and would fit the bill nicely.

 

[David McMahon]

Just spotted that https://www.fenix-store.com/ are doing free shipping worldwide!

Very tempting (as cheaper) yet I'm worried about Import Taxes (We are not called treasure island for nothing!)

Has anyone bought from https://www.fenix-store.com/ ? Did they have to pay duties?

Also spotted a new TK-15 https://www.fenix-store.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_85&products_id=2538 light on there, only just out of my range (It's for Mum so flexible)and 337 Lumens!

I love getting nice things but until I buy am always anxious to get the best deal!

 

[mcnair55]

No offence towards you but I think you are rather silly posting those google links of where your Mother lives,we might be a nice bunch but you never know who reads this as guests who cannot be bothered to join and join in,you must have watched all the cop shows on UK tv and night after night the local herberts are out robbing easy targets.

As regards a light if your Mother is not tech savvy avoid multi mode lights,just a simple on/off with good output is more than enough.

You have missed a simple light for her from Lidl,sold out now but a cracking easy to use twin AA cell for a £tenner and with a 3 year warranty.My garden is approx same size as yours perhaps a tad bigger and lights it up perfectly.There are horses stabled here with plenty of old barns and many outside security lights fitted but I still need to shine in the barns when something strange outside.

 

[David McMahon]

.....from Lidl,sold out now but a cracking easy to use twin AA cell for a £tenner and with a 3 year warranty.

Yes posting links was silly of me, Edited now.

Do you have link/description of that Lidl light? Might be one still in stock at my local.

 

[bigfish5]

Simple solution: order your mom an eagletac p100a2. They cost 39.00 usd. Very bright with very good throw. Simple operation tighten the bezel for turbo, loosen for regular. The light will run for I think about 9 hours on regular putting out about 60 lumens. On turbo, 190 lumens, it should light up a critter up to 75 yards. And best of all will run on 2 aa or nimh rechargeable. Very nice light for the price, from a quality manufacturer.

 

[David McMahon]

Thank you for kind advice! I do feel a lot of interest on this forum for flash-lights!

Before finding this site flash-lights were like washing machines to me, the pinnacle (if you were posh) was a Maglite!

I did find this Torch today whilst getting some Torx screwdrivers!

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Lig...+Pioneer+AA+LED+Flashlight/d220/sd2490/p31733

http://www.nightsearcher.co.uk/Products/tabid/55/agentType/View/PropertyID/41/Default.aspx

It is cheaper and dimmer than my budget allows, yet it is in a local store and seems to be a high quality, IIRC it had a smooth reflector and a centred emitter, very small single AA torch yet does have a nice gift box to it.

The battery compartment screws seem ok, and even has the crenulated end!

It has a green end clicker and feels nice to use, I didn't put the battery in and test as was in a busy shop and it was daylight lol!

I'm very tempted to get one as a backup as 150 Lumens does seem good for the money! (Dont forget we pay more for things in the UK)

Again to the naked eye the emitter is centred so impressed with that, of course would need to measure to be sure.