do you just buy lights, or do you wait?

do you wait for the best light to come out, or do you buy on impulse?

-David

I'll sometimes buy a light on impulse. However, this only happens with lights I've not seen or heard of before and are cheap (<$10). Usually, like most purchases, I'll agonize and try to justify it first.

Geoff

I wait, for weeks or months sometimes. I definitely don't have to have to have the latest and the greatest.

My lights philosophy is,



Use it Up
Wear it out,
Make it do
Or do without



Old WWII saying, when there were rations for things like car tires and more.

I buy based on research and needs, mixed with an amount of want.

In short, I've only purchased three new Lights in the last 2 years, but I think highly of each of them.

Never on impulse. There are a few ights I dragged my feet on and they went away or the whole company went away and I totally missed out. Oh, the humanity!

If I have the itch I will buy!Something inside Me says no but the YES always wins

What 6.1 said. Not on impulse. All my lights were researched and they work well for what I need.

:buddies:

If I have the money and the light looks good...IMPULSE :lolsign:

I think I may have bought one light on impulse, but I usually research my "targets" very carefully before I pull the trigger. I can't afford costly mistakes!

I usually research most of my lights but I will get something's If I really like the design of it. Still has to be a decent performer though (yes i want it all).

I do not buy on pure impulse (can't afford that anymore), but I do not plan strategically either. I buy what I want and can afford and sell again when needed.

I've been happy and disappointed purchasing both ways (impulsive or researched).

Interesting question. Although some purchases have been on impulse, most of the times I wait some time until others have reviewed the lights and time proves they're good designs. My waiting period also has to do with me having to save up for an expensive light. Even with less expensive lights, I tend to wait - by the time I decided to get a couple of L1P's, they had almost been replaced by the L1T's. :green:

I research like nuts and maintain a list called: "Flashlights; Equipment Priorities". Currently the document has evolved into a 19 page MS Word document of over 4000 words covering various factors and reasons affecting my flashlight hobby. It lists reasons as to why some lights should not be purchased (although I really really want to), why I should sometimes wait before purchasing a specific light, what to look out for and which lights to do more research on.

The list is updated whenever necessary and it really helps me go about my purchases in a more organised and disciplined manner at the risk of making me sound like I should be in a mental hospital. :candle: For example, after all my research, I've managed to come up with 16 resons as to why I shouldn't buy a U2 although I've always wanted one!

Research a lot; but that doesn't help when 2-3 mths down the road something much better comes out. Haven't been buying lights for a long while though; the CREEs are tempting me back into upgrading, but I think it's worth waiting awhile more to see possible improvements or platforms that suit my taste more.

I'm waiting for the Cree LEDs to make a nice footprint on the market. I DID buy my brother a new Mag 3W 2AA LED for Christmas, however.

If I'm going to spend quite a bit of money on something, I will do as much research as I can before buying. I spent a year and a half shopping around for a new car before I made my final decision and have not regreted it. If I expect something to last for a long time, I don't mind spending a few extra bucks. The thing that ticks me off is when I see something I want and put off buying it, when I am ready to purchase it, it's out of stock or discontinued (and this is when you really want it) I always get mad at myself saying "I knew I should bought then". This has happened more times than I care to remember ! So, If you like something, buy it. Then you have the option of returning it for refund if you don't like it (or that dreaded store credit !). For me, spending money falls into three catagories a) need b) like c) want. You need to spend money on gas, groceries, paying bills etc. Some of which can fluctuate in price. I like x item, I don't need it, maybe someday I'll buy it. I want x item and will pay the price now instead of waiting for a sale.

I wait...then as I'm about ot buy I find out something better is out...then I start to save...then I am about to get said light and I end up having to spend the money on other stuff

do you just buy lights, or do you wait?

Click to expand...

Yes....

pathalogical said:

...The thing that ticks me off is when I see something I want and put off buying it, when I am ready to purchase it, it's out of stock or discontinued (and this is when you really want it) I always get mad at myself saying "I knew I should bought then". This has happened more times than I care to remember ! ...

Click to expand...

This type of thing has changed the way I buy lights to a certain extent. None of the lights were expensive as most of mine aren't but I really wanted them and was bummed all the same.