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!
_X_Less than $25.
_X_Less than $50.
____Less than $100.
____Less than $150.
____Less than $300.
____I have no limit.
____I'm flexible, tell me what you got-
Preferably about under 30USD, but no problem with going up to 50 if you deem it neccessary. It is a plus if the seller can mark the value at less than 30USD though.
3) Format:
_X_I want a flashlight.
____I want a headlamp.
____I want a lantern.
____I want a dive light.
____I want a portable spotlight.
4) Flashlight-specific format/size:
Pretty small, under 15cm. (That's 6inches for those of you not accustomed to a functional measurement system.) The smaller the better if nothing else suffers?
5) Emitter/Light source:
_X_LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
6) Manufacturer:
_X__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. This would be fun! But not available at my budget I fear?
7) What battery type do you want to use?
_X_ I intend to use rechargeable lithium (li-ion) chemistry. 18650.
_X_ I'd like to also use NiMh.
I have a slight preference towards NimH, but want longer runtime for the weight, and that's lithium, isn't it? Single cell, in that case.
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).
_X__I want to walk around an unlit rural area (50-150 lumens).
_X__I want ridiculous amounts of lumens
It's most important that it works well for evening walks in the forest and camping etc. But it would be awesome if it ALSO had a ridiculous amount of lumens, or at least an impressive amount of light at a special HIGH setting. Something that makes the friends drool and the women to... nvm. I'm male after all, and there IS a reason they market products towards us with "Super Ultra Stealth Fusion" as catchwords...
9) Throw vs. Flood: At what distance will you be most likely to use this light? Select all that apply.
_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)
~30m is most important, if I have to choose.
10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum output).
_X_90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
_x_3 hours + (I critically need this light to run on max for extended periods in between battery changes/charges).
I think I would like three modes. One pretty bright for walking that lasts 90-120 minutes, one low for finding matches etc. that is availible for backup. Again, with my bydget, I'm happy with only the top option.
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
_X_Slightly Important (Walks around the neighborhood).
_X_Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
In my experience, the build quality my Ultrafire C3 would be more than sufficient for my needs if only the rubber clicker didn't fall of all the time. I want to be able to use it in the rain, but I have no plans for diving 10m down with it...
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.
_X_I don't know.
I'd prefer to be the mode setting (if a three mode light) was not on the clicky switch. Ie. one switch for gain setting, and one tail cap clicky maybe? No must-have though.
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
_X_A simple on-off with only one output level is OK for me, but makes me sad.
_X_I want 2 or 3 light levels. Low, long lasting, and the other bright enough for walks (see distance above). A third ridiculous mode would be fun. (Note: my standards for "ridiculous" are probably MUCH lower than yours...)
_X_I want a selector ring. (nice to have, need it not.)
14)Material/Finish/Coating
____Plastic/composite body (this may limit your choices significantly).
_X_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).
_X_I don't care, as long as it isn't plastic or too heavy. prefer alu, probably
_X_I don't know.
15) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any below.
As much value for money as possible! Still, I think I'd maybe likie to have a self-build with pre-made components, if available for the price.
____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!
_X_Less than $25.
_X_Less than $50.
____Less than $100.
____Less than $150.
____Less than $300.
____I have no limit.
____I'm flexible, tell me what you got-
Preferably about under 30USD, but no problem with going up to 50 if you deem it neccessary. It is a plus if the seller can mark the value at less than 30USD though.
3) Format:
_X_I want a flashlight.
____I want a headlamp.
____I want a lantern.
____I want a dive light.
____I want a portable spotlight.
4) Flashlight-specific format/size:
Pretty small, under 15cm. (That's 6inches for those of you not accustomed to a functional measurement system.
) The smaller the better if nothing else suffers?5) Emitter/Light source:
_X_LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
6) Manufacturer:
_X__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. This would be fun! But not available at my budget I fear?
7) What battery type do you want to use?
_X_ I intend to use rechargeable lithium (li-ion) chemistry. 18650.
_X_ I'd like to also use NiMh.
I have a slight preference towards NimH, but want longer runtime for the weight, and that's lithium, isn't it? Single cell, in that case.
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).
_X__I want to walk around an unlit rural area (50-150 lumens).
_X__I want ridiculous amounts of lumens
It's most important that it works well for evening walks in the forest and camping etc. But it would be awesome if it ALSO had a ridiculous amount of lumens, or at least an impressive amount of light at a special HIGH setting. Something that makes the friends drool and the women to... nvm. I'm male after all, and there IS a reason they market products towards us with "Super Ultra Stealth Fusion" as catchwords...
9) Throw vs. Flood: At what distance will you be most likely to use this light? Select all that apply.
_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)
~30m is most important, if I have to choose.
10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum output).
_X_90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
_x_3 hours + (I critically need this light to run on max for extended periods in between battery changes/charges).
I think I would like three modes. One pretty bright for walking that lasts 90-120 minutes, one low for finding matches etc. that is availible for backup. Again, with my bydget, I'm happy with only the top option.
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
_X_Slightly Important (Walks around the neighborhood).
_X_Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
In my experience, the build quality my Ultrafire C3 would be more than sufficient for my needs if only the rubber clicker didn't fall of all the time. I want to be able to use it in the rain, but I have no plans for diving 10m down with it...
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.
_X_I don't know.
I'd prefer to be the mode setting (if a three mode light) was not on the clicky switch. Ie. one switch for gain setting, and one tail cap clicky maybe? No must-have though.
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
_X_A simple on-off with only one output level is OK for me, but makes me sad.
_X_I want 2 or 3 light levels. Low, long lasting, and the other bright enough for walks (see distance above). A third ridiculous mode would be fun. (Note: my standards for "ridiculous" are probably MUCH lower than yours...)
_X_I want a selector ring. (nice to have, need it not.)
14)Material/Finish/Coating
____Plastic/composite body (this may limit your choices significantly).
_X_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).
_X_I don't care, as long as it isn't plastic or too heavy. prefer alu, probably
_X_I don't know.
15) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any below.
As much value for money as possible! Still, I think I'd maybe likie to have a self-build with pre-made components, if available for the price.
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