Folks, new to the forum here. If you would be so kind, I need a flashlight recommdendation and have included the form. I do have one unique requirement. I need a flashlight having no "electronics". This means no LED's, no "driver" circuits, ability to use batteries w/o "protection" circuits. Xenon is fine, if the light does not have an electronic driver. Resistor/capacitor/inductor based circuits are fine, transister/diode based ones are not.
0) What Region/Country/State will the light be purchased in?
____I will be mail-ordering or buying online, so this doesn't matter.
____I am in North America. More precisely I am in Texas
1) Price Range: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
____I am willing to spend $80-$120.
2) Format:
____I want a flashlight.
Interesting option: I want a headlamp.
3) Length:
____1-2 inches. (Keychain sized)
____2-4 inches. (Pocket carry)
4) Width:
____I don't care.
____I prefer a long narrow 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)
____I want lithium batteries. (coin cells, CR123, AAA, AA...)
CR123 are okay, with a recommendation of "unprotected" brand.
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)
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.
Throw (distance)--------------------X--|----------------------Flood/close-up
Prefer an ability to "focus" the bezel. I seem to do about 50/50, but never have a good idea of when I'm going to be in the dark.
9) Durability: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
____Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Self-defense, Survival.)
8) Switch Type:
____I want a momentary switch. (Only stays on while held down.)
With the option to have continuous on.
9) Switch Location:
Preferred, not essential. I want a push switch on the back end of the body.
10) Operational Modes: Check all that apply.
____A simple on-off is fine for me.
11) Is it important whether the body is metal or plastic/composite?
____I don't care.
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).
____Waterproof – how deep: Puddle/shallow stream Proof
Strongly preferred Built-in second (or spare) lamp or filament
Preferred Wrist/Neck Lanyard
Strongly Preferred Kobuton/self defense features
0) What Region/Country/State will the light be purchased in?
____I will be mail-ordering or buying online, so this doesn't matter.
____I am in North America. More precisely I am in Texas
1) Price Range: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
____I am willing to spend $80-$120.
2) Format:
____I want a flashlight.
Interesting option: I want a headlamp.
3) Length:
____1-2 inches. (Keychain sized)
____2-4 inches. (Pocket carry)
4) Width:
____I don't care.
____I prefer a long narrow 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)
____I want lithium batteries. (coin cells, CR123, AAA, AA...)
CR123 are okay, with a recommendation of "unprotected" brand.
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)
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.
Throw (distance)--------------------X--|----------------------Flood/close-up
Prefer an ability to "focus" the bezel. I seem to do about 50/50, but never have a good idea of when I'm going to be in the dark.
9) Durability: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
____Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Self-defense, Survival.)
8) Switch Type:
____I want a momentary switch. (Only stays on while held down.)
With the option to have continuous on.
9) Switch Location:
Preferred, not essential. I want a push switch on the back end of the body.
10) Operational Modes: Check all that apply.
____A simple on-off is fine for me.
11) Is it important whether the body is metal or plastic/composite?
____I don't care.
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).
____Waterproof – how deep: Puddle/shallow stream Proof
Strongly preferred Built-in second (or spare) lamp or filament
Preferred Wrist/Neck Lanyard
Strongly Preferred Kobuton/self defense features
