What makes a flashlight great?

[dougmccoy]

I am a self confessed flashaholic and I am a member of both the CPF and SF forums and I consequently have watched fascinated by everyones opinions on what makes a great flashlight. However if practicality is the reason for purchasing a flashlight then perhaps I should pose a few questions on what makes a PRACTICAL and GREAT flashlight?

1) Incandescent v LED's
2) Obviously initial purchase cost.
3) The cost of batteries and what type.
4) The availability of batteries, cos it sure as hell is a big problem getting hold of specialist battery types in the boonies.
5) Bulbs, cost and availability.
6) Runtime
7) Performance against cost
8) Durability
9) Weatherproof/waterproof
10)Ergonomics
11)What accessories are available?
12)Warranties
13)Rechargeable/Non-rechargeable

If we take most of the above as a purchasing criteria then nothing out there yet is really matching it (at present).

At the moment I favour SF products for performance and efficiency but acknowledge that initial purchase and running costs are very high.

I also use and run Maglites and I feel that they score highly on running costs but loose out on performance.

Consequently I wonder what members of the forum think meets most of the above criteria and why?

Doug

 

[BuddTX]

Whatever meets your needs.

For example, Mag-Lite is a very nice, well built, realily available lite. Compare the quality of materials and construction of the Mag-lite vs any other light you can get at most hardware, sporting goods, or wal-mart k-mart type places.

They will last for years, have a built in second bulb, shock mounted screwed in collar for the bulb, very reliable, just one problem, they have a marginal beam.

 

[BuddTX]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by *something ridiculous ?:
BuddTX, I don't think that the Mag-Lite C and D series have any real shock isolation for the bulb - do they ??
lightlover

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Well, I have not taken apart these hundred dollar plus flashlights yet, but there is a spring loaded shock absorber where you mount the bulb. After tightening down the collar, it acts like a mini shock absorber.

But I can't compare it to the SF or Streamlights!

 

[Mr Ted Bear]

I have posed this same question months ago, and for that matter, have seen the same question asked by at least 10 other forum members this past year. What I have come to realized is it that there is no way answer this question, with out first asking several others.

It seems that when any of us purchase a light, we do so wo with a specific task or intended use in mind. If the light provides the kind of light (brightness, spot or flood)), for the amount of time that we need it to(burntime), and has the appropiate form factor(shape and size), and doesn't cost an arm and leg, its a great light!

Note that not one single characterstic of any light, determines greatness. How bright is important, but so is burntime. In fact, it might be that a bright flashlight could be a major negative (reading a map or charts at night). A long burn time is of no use if I can't see what I need to see X feet in front of me.

The best, greatest, most practical etc can only be determined when the user first defines the needs. Once the need is established, then come expectations. Only then can we judge the performance relative to needs and expectations; meet or beat is great, anything less is poor

 

[lightlover]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by BuddTX:
... Mag-Lite ... shock mounted screwed in collar for the bulb...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

BuddTX, I don't think that the Mag-Lite C and D series have any real shock isolation for the bulb - do they ??

dougmccoy, I reckon that beam quality should be added to your list of criteria.
The search for the perfect flashlight continues ......

lightlover

 

[dougmccoy]

Hey Mr.Ted Bear,

I love your last paragraph!...............It kinda reminds me of a rhetorical double negative meets double negative if you know what I mean!! LOL!

 

[brightnorm]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mr Ted Bear:
What I have come to realized is it that there is no way answer this question, with out first asking several others. The best, greatest, most practical etc can only be determined when the user first defines the needs. Once the need is established, then come expectations. Only then can we judge the performance relative to needs and expectations; meet or beat is great, anything less is poor<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ted B,

Your post is the single best analysis of these issues that I have yet seen in CPF.

Best regards,
Brightnorm


.

 

[Bmccue1964]

1.)Reliability
2.)Run time on batteries
3.)Value for your money

I always choose a light by imagining that I was going to be stuck in a cave underground, or on the side of a mountain for a week.

What light would I want with me?

 

[dougmccoy]

Hey Brightnorm,

Even though I posed the question I have to agree with you that Mr.Ted's answer was probably the best one you could get as it does address the question from the other perspective. Perhaps I should have worded my question differently. I think that in a way BMCCUE 1964 has hit the question from yet another angle when he condenses what is a very difficult question with many facets into a simple answer for what perhaps I should of asked which is what is the simplest specification for a good flashlight?

Anyway thanks for all the contributions so far!

Doug

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Greetings everyone. Happy New Year.

I've used only a "handful" of flashlights over many years so determining what a great one is simple. For me, "what makes a flashlight great" is desirability for usage and frequency of usage. These events have to occur at the same time. Just because you desire to use a particular model does not mean you necessarily use it most of the time for one or more reasons. Here are my candidates: Mag Instrument Macharger, Surefire 9N, and Surefire 6-volt, lithium-powered (2 CR123s). I have found that I wanted (desire) to use these models most often and actually have (frequency) over those many years. All three have endured the rigors of very frequent usage. All three have reasonably powerful outputs and I am able to carry each of them wherever I go – sometimes two of them at a time. Now it is time to chose "the one."
The 6-volt Surefire is typically in my trouser or suit-coat pocket or in a belt sheath. It comes in third place because I want to use it more often but I cannot because it will not last without a battery change. The Magcharger and Surefire 9N are "neck and neck." In the six years that I used it (I don't own it anymore), the 9N provided both a high-powered output (140 Lumen) for longer distance and a moderate one (20 Lumen) for close-up. I've used a Magcharger for seventeen years; owned the same one, until recently, for sixteen. It provides the adjustable high output; spot beam for reach and flood for close-up.
The Magcharger is "the one" because I've owned it longer and have used it more frequently (remember my criteria).