What makes you buy a light?

[Gaffle]

Awhile ago someone had a thread like this. That thread dealt more with a technological boost and purchasing.

Well after reading some threads here I kind of sense some change in the wind. I still see the threads about the brightest around yadda yadda, but now there is a big Surefire surge again. Maybe the Titan sparked this, maybe people are sick of cheapo stuff, I dunno. I just know that the light I have my sights set upon is not the brightest flame thrower around. It is smaller than my current EDC, it is brighter at the emitter (dunno out the front), and the build quality is just as good.

Are people going to more solid performance and less "its cheap so it will probably break in a month but I'll buy something else by then anyway"? I tend to be. I just can't make myself buy something real cheap from some of these companies just to get 100lumens out of a poopy package. Yeah yeah some of these cheaper lights work just fine, but is there a warranty, do you have tons of support behind the light?

I do not have the $$$ to be an avid Surefire kind of guy. At some point sure I will own one. I expect to. Are they pricey? Sure. Are they worth it? IMO they are. Then I'll have to get into the whole lithium thing which I am battling right now. I still like my AA.

I like this little change in the wind. I was getting kind of sick of the cheap/bright light threads that were going around. CPF has made me a snob...:mecry:

 

[MikeLip]

Reliabilty and output. Microprocessor controls and programmability are OK, but often introduce complexity in what should be a simple item. SF seems to have the right idea as far as I'm concerned. Lots of light, simple interface on even a multi-level light (see the U2) and rock solid. Not cheap, but then, they're not cheapies

 

[datiLED]

Quality, output and ruler flat regulation. And if it can do that with a rechargeable cell, then I am hooked.

 

[FlashSpyJ]

Now days, Im only looking for a light that has it all. I want good UI, good runtime, great output, low and high mode, solid built, rechargeable with right battery, and since I really like the drop in idea the light now must be easy to upgrade. I like the idea of having a light that you use alot, everyday, it ages with you sort of. Its nice to know you kan upgrade your beloved light, whitout any fuss!

I havent really found such light yet, but I think it might be around the corner. There are some very interesting solutions, so I might get exactly the features I want. The only problem is getting your hands on the parts...

 

[DanielG]

It does something better/stronger/faster/longer than one I already own.

 

[Illum]

quality, brand, battery type but most importantly OTHER PEOPLES REVIEWS

 

[SCblur]

The voices in my head...

 

[mossyoak]

ruler flat runtime plots (cree e2l), build quality, and output, i dont care about the price, and i typically dont care where its made but usually the light ends up being made in the USA, McG and surefire are my favorites, fenix is close behind.

 

[Sgt. LED]

Addiction, insanity.

 

[KeyGrip]

Having a use for a light is priority number 1 at this point. I'd really love to have shelf queens, but my budget does not permit. Runtime is the next factor, followed by build quality and country of manufacture, then output, then battery type. I also take into consideration switch type and size, but if everything else is perfect, and the elves inside my head tell me to do it, then size and switch type don't really matter.

 

[LEDninja]

LIGHT OUTPUT - I live downtown, do not need lots of light. A 1 watt luxeon is sufficient. Brighter is nicer but not absolutely necessary.

BUILD QUALITY - I am surprised how reliable those cheap plastic lights are. They all work out of the package and no problems with the clickies. That can not always be said about lights from the Chinese/Hong Kong dealers at up to 3 times the price. My faves?
Dorcy Illuminator with TLE-1F
Dorcy Gelbrite with SMJLED PR
I do not go caving, mountaineering, or breaking down doors so do not need a Surefie.

BATTERY TYPE - I stay with common batteries. At one time I try to stay with AA for everything walkmans, CD players, pencil sharpeners, illuminated magnifiers, torches. The increasing popularity of AAA in portable radios and small torches makes me standardize on them as well.

 

[curry__muncha]

* Needs to run on AAAs or AA's (NiMH). How many batteries it takes doesnt really bother me, as long as it has a output to match. I really want to get a quaity light that runs on say, 4 -> 8 AA's and has a killer output. I already have lights that run on single AA. However, as my flashaholisn develops, theres no denying me getting other different types of rechargeables eg. various sizes of LiIons for various Flashies.
Looking for a flahslight that runs on Cree Q5 and takes like 4 or so AA's with a body style similar to the Dorcy Illuminator as mentioned above, but in metal, ie. Like Mac's Customs style. cant find any tho =(
* Good build quality

 

[FatTony]

+1 for voices in my head. I am growing quite the collection now and I don't have a use for half of them!

 

[Tempest UK]

Really, it varies a lot. A lot of my recently purchased lights are outdated and were bought purely for the purpose of fleshing out a collection (see my sig ).

Light output is important to me, but not everything when considering a light that I will actually be using. I'm not interested in getting the latest bin LED for a few extra lumens. I'm more interested in settling on a level of output that best suits my needs, and then looking for a light that offers me the best runtime at that output.

Build quality is extremely important to me, to a much greater degree than output. If I buy a light that I intend to use, I expect it to work and keep on working. Build quality is more likely to justify a high price tag than impressive lumen ratings, in my eyes.

Battery type isn't greatly important. AA/AAA is nice for the low cost and ease of access to cells (Arc AAA-p is just about the only part of my EDC that never changes) but CR123a cells will not put me off a light. Far from it. I buy enough SF123a cells that the cost per cell is very reasonable, and the performance is excellent.

Build quality and runtime are the most important for me

Regards,
Tempest

 

[nerdgineer]

I don't know. I don't NEED any, I just keep looking until something tickles me enough to get one - or it's something I'm specifically getting as a gift.

Maybe a breakthrough technology (Crees..), maybe a new low price point for an existing set of features (DX long throw projection Crees), or a closeout, or whatever.

Probably helps to be on sale...

 

[iStormy]

[Removed]

 

[woodrow]

I feel like Mel Gibson in Conspiracy Theory, its not that I HAVE to buy a new light...Its just that doing so every so often (days lately) makes everything ok again. Plus all these new damn Q5's and improved models keep popping up all over the place. I mean, my old D-mini only probably only threw 6 or 7 feet...the new digital Q5 version

 

[tony22r]

Re: What makes you buy a light? .. All of the above..

I'd like the "perfect" EDC light.. something that can do it all, and fit in your pocket.

Wish List..

-build quality, reliable UI/switch.. there's too much cheap stuff/junk these days.. I want something Reliable, that'll work when I need it, can take some abuse, will work after it's dropped in the river.

-somehow be Both a Thrower *and* a floody beam for close work.. dunno.. variable optics/reflector?

-regulated to get the most out of a battery

-modes.. nice to have Low for closeup work, and High for when you need it.

-runs on readily available battery/s

-fits in pocket, easy to carry every day.

-doesn't co$t more than my sidearm.


/end wish list

 

[Gatsby]

As with many things I tend to find what I consider to be the sweet spot of price and performance - where I think I'm getting the most bang for the buck so to speak. I'm also willing to go with a slightly older but still functional model if the price is right (how I acquired my HDS for example).

But I don't have a ton of lights and what I do have are generally designed to fit specific needs - key chain, EDC, backup, etc...

My answer was all of the above - I weight output, battery, versatility, build quality and specific use to try to figure out what will work best for me.

 

[Patriot]

Gaffle
I do not have the $$$ to be an avid Surefire kind of guy. At some point sure I will own one. I expect to. Are they pricey? Sure. Are they worth it? IMO they are. Then I'll have to get into the whole lithium thing which I am battling right now. I still like my AA.

A L1 and a stack of batteries really isn't all that bad price-wise when compared to many of the upper end asian lights.