Hey everyone, :twothumbs I apologize in advance for another suggestion thread but I have tried to make my way around the site and in doing so I think I am more confused then before! lol :thinking:
Having said that, I have found the Flashlight Recommendation thread which I have completed below!
Short Essay Question: What do you intend to use this light for?
To summerize I am looking for an above average light that is bright, with good to great throw with adequate spill, that is durable, in a semi-tactical setup.
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.
2) Format:
____I want a flashlight.
3) Length:
I'm guessing 4-6 inches would be ideal
____2-4 inches. (Pocket carry)
____4-9 inches. (Holster carry)
4) Width:
Some where between long/narrow and short/wide
____I prefer a long narrow light.
____I prefer a short wide light.
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.
Either
____I want lithium batteries. (coin cells, CR123, AAA, AA...)
____I want a rechargeable system. (an investment, but best for everyday use)
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).
Can one do all of these?
____I want to read a map, or find a light switch, in a dark room. (5-10 lumens)
____I want to walk around a generally paved area. (15-20 lumens)
____I want to walk unpaved trails. (40 lumens)
____I want to do Caving or Search & Rescue operations. (60+ lumens)
____I want to light an entire campground or dazzle an intruder. (100+ 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.
Defiantely more thrown than flood
Throw (distance)---|---------------------------------------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.
The brighest for the longest
____60-240 min. (1-2 hours)
____240-360 min. (4-6 hours)
9) Durability: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
Very important to critical, as if I'm not camping or out in the sticks this will be on my nightstand beside my gunvault.
____Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box.)
____Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Self-defense, Survival.)
8) Switch Type:
Prefer "clickie"
____I want a "clickie" switch. (Stays on until pressed again.)
____I want a momentary switch. (Only stays on while held down.)
9) Switch Location:
Either/or
____I want a push or sliding switch on the body near the head.
____I want a push switch on the back end of the body.
10) Operational Modes: Check all that apply.
____I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
____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 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).
The more the merrier.. Waterproof a must, and the rest are just details.
____Red (night vision preserving) filter
____Waterproof – how deep: _____________
____Non-reflective/dark finish (stealthy/hard to find)
____Corrosion resistant or hard-anodized finish
____Built-in second (or spare) lamp or filament
____Belt/Jacket clip
____Holster
____Wrist/Neck Lanyard
____Kobuton/self defense features
Is there something the size of let's say a SF 6p, with the styling of a JetBeam III pro, and performance of a Olight M20? I do not need it to be as tactical as the M20! lol
Any and all suggestions would be appreciate as time is not on my side and I would like to make this purchase sooner than later! Thanks!!
BTW, which is more preferred OP or a smooth reflector?
Having said that, I have found the Flashlight Recommendation thread which I have completed below!
Short Essay Question: What do you intend to use this light for?
To summerize I am looking for an above average light that is bright, with good to great throw with adequate spill, that is durable, in a semi-tactical setup.
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.
2) Format:
____I want a flashlight.
3) Length:
I'm guessing 4-6 inches would be ideal
____2-4 inches. (Pocket carry)
____4-9 inches. (Holster carry)
4) Width:
Some where between long/narrow and short/wide
____I prefer a long narrow light.
____I prefer a short wide light.
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.
Either
____I want lithium batteries. (coin cells, CR123, AAA, AA...)
____I want a rechargeable system. (an investment, but best for everyday use)
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).
Can one do all of these?
____I want to read a map, or find a light switch, in a dark room. (5-10 lumens)
____I want to walk around a generally paved area. (15-20 lumens)
____I want to walk unpaved trails. (40 lumens)
____I want to do Caving or Search & Rescue operations. (60+ lumens)
____I want to light an entire campground or dazzle an intruder. (100+ 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.
Defiantely more thrown than flood
Throw (distance)---|---------------------------------------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.
The brighest for the longest
____60-240 min. (1-2 hours)
____240-360 min. (4-6 hours)
9) Durability: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
Very important to critical, as if I'm not camping or out in the sticks this will be on my nightstand beside my gunvault.
____Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box.)
____Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Self-defense, Survival.)
8) Switch Type:
Prefer "clickie"
____I want a "clickie" switch. (Stays on until pressed again.)
____I want a momentary switch. (Only stays on while held down.)
9) Switch Location:
Either/or
____I want a push or sliding switch on the body near the head.
____I want a push switch on the back end of the body.
10) Operational Modes: Check all that apply.
____I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
____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 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).
The more the merrier.. Waterproof a must, and the rest are just details.
____Red (night vision preserving) filter
____Waterproof – how deep: _____________
____Non-reflective/dark finish (stealthy/hard to find)
____Corrosion resistant or hard-anodized finish
____Built-in second (or spare) lamp or filament
____Belt/Jacket clip
____Holster
____Wrist/Neck Lanyard
____Kobuton/self defense features
Is there something the size of let's say a SF 6p, with the styling of a JetBeam III pro, and performance of a Olight M20? I do not need it to be as tactical as the M20! lol
Any and all suggestions would be appreciate as time is not on my side and I would like to make this purchase sooner than later! Thanks!!
BTW, which is more preferred OP or a smooth reflector?
No real recommendations from me yet. Take my opinons with a grain of salt but hopefully it will give you an idea of what to look for based upon how you intend to use the light. Function over Form.
