Hi all,
I'm a first time poster, though I've been reading your lovely site for a while.
I'm looking for a torch for multiple activities, and was wondering if you good people could give me some recommendations.
For context, I'm now biking to work and need a bright helmet mounted light to provide visibility on unlit, dodgy roads and to signal my presence to worrying cars. I have bar mounted lights for general visibility, but find that I can't see the road surface fast enough. I'll be riding for around 2 hours a day, 5 days a week, so would like to go rechargeable. Brighter is better as far as I'm concerned, with a relatively tight beam.
I'd also like to use it for airsofting, so would like a momentary on tail switch and bright enough beam to provide that tactical edge in CQB. For reference, again I'm looking for around 200+ lumens (As well as having the front glass strong enough to resist a hit) Option for a molle mounted fast access holster would be good as well, as would a lanyard and flip up red filter. Weapon mount and remote switch would be useful for the future, but for now I intend to use it with a pistol in a Harris grip.
Lastly, I'd like it to also operate as just a good quality, always available torch for use hiking, feeding outdoor pets, reading in the dark, etc.
Budget is £100 (UK) for torch, batteries, charger and mount. Other funky accessories can come later. Budget can increase slightly if absolutely necessary, but I'd really rather it didn't.
1) I will be mail-ordering or buying online, so this doesn't matter.
2) Budget: Less than £100. (UK) (Torch, mount, batteries, charger)
3) Format: I want a flashlight. (With helmet mount)
4) Flashlight-specific format/size: Every day carry small (2-4 inches)/Every day carry medium (4-7 inches).
5) Emitter/Light source: LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
6) Manufacturer: Known or Bodged. (Though I am not a technically gifted person)
7) What battery type do you want to use? Not an issue, as long as they are available and rechargeable.
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): (0-10 lumens) - (150-300 lumens).
9) Throw vs. Flood: At what distance will you be most likely to use this light? Select all that apply.
10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum output): 3 hours + (I critically need this light to run on max for extended periods in between battery changes/charges).
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights: Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival).
12) Switch Type and location (choose all that apply):
I want a momentary switch (Predominantly for use with signaling and short bursts of momentary light only).
I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today's high end lights).
I want the ability to mount a remote/cable switch
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
I want at least 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
I want a programmable light. (possibly)
14)Material/Finish/Coating
Non-reflective, durable and waterproof
Strong front glass, preferably able to take a BB hit.
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, preferably flip up, a later accessory).
Holster (An optional extra for the future, but something offering fast access and molle mount would be good)
Weapon mountable on a RIS rail. (A later accessory)
Wrist lanyard
So, any thoughts?
I'm a first time poster, though I've been reading your lovely site for a while.
I'm looking for a torch for multiple activities, and was wondering if you good people could give me some recommendations.
For context, I'm now biking to work and need a bright helmet mounted light to provide visibility on unlit, dodgy roads and to signal my presence to worrying cars. I have bar mounted lights for general visibility, but find that I can't see the road surface fast enough. I'll be riding for around 2 hours a day, 5 days a week, so would like to go rechargeable. Brighter is better as far as I'm concerned, with a relatively tight beam.
I'd also like to use it for airsofting, so would like a momentary on tail switch and bright enough beam to provide that tactical edge in CQB. For reference, again I'm looking for around 200+ lumens (As well as having the front glass strong enough to resist a hit) Option for a molle mounted fast access holster would be good as well, as would a lanyard and flip up red filter. Weapon mount and remote switch would be useful for the future, but for now I intend to use it with a pistol in a Harris grip.
Lastly, I'd like it to also operate as just a good quality, always available torch for use hiking, feeding outdoor pets, reading in the dark, etc.
Budget is £100 (UK) for torch, batteries, charger and mount. Other funky accessories can come later. Budget can increase slightly if absolutely necessary, but I'd really rather it didn't.
1) I will be mail-ordering or buying online, so this doesn't matter.
2) Budget: Less than £100. (UK) (Torch, mount, batteries, charger)
3) Format: I want a flashlight. (With helmet mount)
4) Flashlight-specific format/size: Every day carry small (2-4 inches)/Every day carry medium (4-7 inches).
5) Emitter/Light source: LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
6) Manufacturer: Known or Bodged. (Though I am not a technically gifted person)
7) What battery type do you want to use? Not an issue, as long as they are available and rechargeable.
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): (0-10 lumens) - (150-300 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)
- 5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
- 30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
- 50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)
10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum output): 3 hours + (I critically need this light to run on max for extended periods in between battery changes/charges).
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights: Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival).
12) Switch Type and location (choose all that apply):
I want a momentary switch (Predominantly for use with signaling and short bursts of momentary light only).
I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today's high end lights).
I want the ability to mount a remote/cable switch
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
I want at least 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
I want a programmable light. (possibly)
14)Material/Finish/Coating
Non-reflective, durable and waterproof
Strong front glass, preferably able to take a BB hit.
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, preferably flip up, a later accessory).
Holster (An optional extra for the future, but something offering fast access and molle mount would be good)
Weapon mountable on a RIS rail. (A later accessory)
Wrist lanyard
So, any thoughts?
