Belgian Cookiemonster
Newly Enlightened
Hi,
A couple of days ago i was taking my cane corso for a walk when i heard some strange noises in the forest. I always have a 'flash light' with me (just to check if the slippery things i occasionally step into are not poop ) and i aim for the noise... unfortunately there was no spot-beam-searchlight so i can only assume it was a deer i heard sprinting away from me...
My search for a new flash light started!
I rememberd something about a maglite so i googled up some things and a few moments later i was browsing the FL-review-site "My God, there are a lot of flashlights!"
Another few minutes later i was browsing the CPForum and it became pretty clear to me that not every FL is just a FL.
I crunched numbers, saw a gazillion different beams and browsed numerous FL-sites. At this moment my mind is set on a Surefire light but i can not choose... But i also reached a point that all the knowledge in the world could not help me. I badly need expert advice!!
E2e - E2defender - C2 - L4 - ... I feel my head is going to explode :help:
Could some of you share your experiences with these lights? And if you really want to be a pita advice me to not buy a surefire but another light
Nice forum btw, lots of constructive posts, hardly any wine, ... Make sure it stays this way!
EDIT (FL Checklist):
Short Essay Question: What do you intend to use this light for?
Hmm, walking my dog and camping/hiking trips
0) What Region/Country/State will the light be purchased in?
____I will be mail-ordering or buying online, so this doesn't matter.
1) Price Range: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
____I am willing to spend $80-$120.
____I have no limit!
Something between these 2… I'm a big quality fan and quality usually costs money so… My gf wanted to buy me one for Christmas around 100$ but if i see one i like i don't mind spending 100$ myself. 200$ is the absolute limit tho!
3) Length:
____I don't care.
Size doesn't matter, not too big tho, i need to carry it on me every evening so…
5) What batteries do you want to use? Alkaline batteries are easier to find and less expensive but don't pack as much stored energy and are don't work well in cold temperatures. Lithium batteries have long shelf life (10+ years, great for stored emergency lights) and are not as affected by cold but must be kept dry and are more expensive. Rechargeable start expensive, but if used frequently pay off quickly.
____I want lithium batteries. (coin cells, CR123, AAA, AA...)
Don't know if Alkalines would get the job done? Rechargeable is a bit expensive perhaps?
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).
____I want to walk unpaved trails. (40 lumens)
____I want to do Caving or Search & Rescue operations. (60+ lumens)
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)------|--------------------------------------Flood/close-up
I like spots! J
But i guess you need a little spillbeam to avoid the peephole-effect?
8) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims (like some LED lights). but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries.
____60-240 min. (1-2 hours)
____240-360 min. (4-6 hours)
One hour minimum
9) Durability: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
____Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box.)
____Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Self-defense, Survival.)
10) Operational Modes: Check all that apply.
____A simple on-off is fine for me.
____I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
11) Is it important whether the body is metal or plastic/composite?
____I want a metal-bodied 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).
____Corrosion resistant or hard-anodized finish
____Belt/Jacket clip
____Wrist/Neck Lanyard
____Kobuton/self defense features Would be nice J
Kind regards
Erwin, that little Belgian dude
(English is not my native language so i hope this text did not hurt your eyes too much) :devil:
A couple of days ago i was taking my cane corso for a walk when i heard some strange noises in the forest. I always have a 'flash light' with me (just to check if the slippery things i occasionally step into are not poop ) and i aim for the noise... unfortunately there was no spot-beam-searchlight so i can only assume it was a deer i heard sprinting away from me...
My search for a new flash light started!
I rememberd something about a maglite so i googled up some things and a few moments later i was browsing the FL-review-site "My God, there are a lot of flashlights!"
Another few minutes later i was browsing the CPForum and it became pretty clear to me that not every FL is just a FL.
I crunched numbers, saw a gazillion different beams and browsed numerous FL-sites. At this moment my mind is set on a Surefire light but i can not choose... But i also reached a point that all the knowledge in the world could not help me. I badly need expert advice!!
E2e - E2defender - C2 - L4 - ... I feel my head is going to explode :help:
Could some of you share your experiences with these lights? And if you really want to be a pita advice me to not buy a surefire but another light
Nice forum btw, lots of constructive posts, hardly any wine, ... Make sure it stays this way!
EDIT (FL Checklist):
Short Essay Question: What do you intend to use this light for?
Hmm, walking my dog and camping/hiking trips
0) What Region/Country/State will the light be purchased in?
____I will be mail-ordering or buying online, so this doesn't matter.
1) Price Range: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
____I am willing to spend $80-$120.
____I have no limit!
Something between these 2… I'm a big quality fan and quality usually costs money so… My gf wanted to buy me one for Christmas around 100$ but if i see one i like i don't mind spending 100$ myself. 200$ is the absolute limit tho!
3) Length:
____I don't care.
Size doesn't matter, not too big tho, i need to carry it on me every evening so…
5) What batteries do you want to use? Alkaline batteries are easier to find and less expensive but don't pack as much stored energy and are don't work well in cold temperatures. Lithium batteries have long shelf life (10+ years, great for stored emergency lights) and are not as affected by cold but must be kept dry and are more expensive. Rechargeable start expensive, but if used frequently pay off quickly.
____I want lithium batteries. (coin cells, CR123, AAA, AA...)
Don't know if Alkalines would get the job done? Rechargeable is a bit expensive perhaps?
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).
____I want to walk unpaved trails. (40 lumens)
____I want to do Caving or Search & Rescue operations. (60+ lumens)
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)------|--------------------------------------Flood/close-up
I like spots! J
But i guess you need a little spillbeam to avoid the peephole-effect?
8) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims (like some LED lights). but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries.
____60-240 min. (1-2 hours)
____240-360 min. (4-6 hours)
One hour minimum
9) Durability: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
____Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box.)
____Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Self-defense, Survival.)
10) Operational Modes: Check all that apply.
____A simple on-off is fine for me.
____I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
11) Is it important whether the body is metal or plastic/composite?
____I want a metal-bodied 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).
____Corrosion resistant or hard-anodized finish
____Belt/Jacket clip
____Wrist/Neck Lanyard
____Kobuton/self defense features Would be nice J
Kind regards
Erwin, that little Belgian dude
(English is not my native language so i hope this text did not hurt your eyes too much) :devil:
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