Kevin1322
Flashlight Enthusiast
Want a light with a side switch. What do you recommend?
Been a member for a while now and have some good lights, including from Dereelight, Fenix, Olight, and Solarforce. Hoping you guys have some recommendations for a light with a side switch for me to look at for another purchase. Thanks!
Short Essay Question: What do you intend to use this light for?
Will be for general use around the house.
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.
____I am in North America. More precisely I am in _______________.
____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!
$20-$80
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)
____2-4 inches. (Pocket carry)
_x___4-9 inches. (Holster carry)
4) Width:
____I don't care.
_x___I prefer a long narrow light.
____I prefer a short wide light.
5) Batteries: Looking at running two AA or CR123/CRC123s. Ideally an 18650.
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).
Ideally 3 modes - low between 5 n 20 lumens, high at least 220.
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
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)
_x___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.)
_x___Slightly Important (Walks around the neighborhood.)
____Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box.)
____Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Self-defense, Survival.)
8) Switch Type:
_x___I don't care.
____I want a sliding switch. (Stays on until slid back.)
____I want a "clickie" switch. (Stays on until pressed again.)
____I want a momentary switch. (Only stays on while held down.)
9) Switch Location:
This is the most important feature!___I want a push or sliding switch on the body near the head.
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.)
____I want a strobe mode. (blinks to show location.)
____I 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: __water resistant___________
____Non-reflective/dark finish (stealthy/hard to find)
____Polished silver or brightly colored finish (for easy locating)
____Corrosion resistant or hard-anodized finish
____"Hybrid" light (bright incandescent combined with long running LEDs)
____Built-in second (or spare) lamp or filament
____Belt/Jacket clip
____Holster
____Wrist/Neck Lanyard
____Kobuton/self defense features
_x___Upgradable. Would love it to take a P60 drop.
Whatcha got CPF?
Been a member for a while now and have some good lights, including from Dereelight, Fenix, Olight, and Solarforce. Hoping you guys have some recommendations for a light with a side switch for me to look at for another purchase. Thanks!
Short Essay Question: What do you intend to use this light for?
Will be for general use around the house.
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.
____I am in North America. More precisely I am in _______________.
____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!
$20-$80
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)
____2-4 inches. (Pocket carry)
_x___4-9 inches. (Holster carry)
4) Width:
____I don't care.
_x___I prefer a long narrow light.
____I prefer a short wide light.
5) Batteries: Looking at running two AA or CR123/CRC123s. Ideally an 18650.
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).
Ideally 3 modes - low between 5 n 20 lumens, high at least 220.
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
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)
_x___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.)
_x___Slightly Important (Walks around the neighborhood.)
____Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box.)
____Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Self-defense, Survival.)
8) Switch Type:
_x___I don't care.
____I want a sliding switch. (Stays on until slid back.)
____I want a "clickie" switch. (Stays on until pressed again.)
____I want a momentary switch. (Only stays on while held down.)
9) Switch Location:
This is the most important feature!___I want a push or sliding switch on the body near the head.
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.)
____I want a strobe mode. (blinks to show location.)
____I 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: __water resistant___________
____Non-reflective/dark finish (stealthy/hard to find)
____Polished silver or brightly colored finish (for easy locating)
____Corrosion resistant or hard-anodized finish
____"Hybrid" light (bright incandescent combined with long running LEDs)
____Built-in second (or spare) lamp or filament
____Belt/Jacket clip
____Holster
____Wrist/Neck Lanyard
____Kobuton/self defense features
_x___Upgradable. Would love it to take a P60 drop.
Whatcha got CPF?
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