Hi everyone,
I'm hoping this will be my first post here. I'd submitted one a few days ago, but it never made it to the forum. I've always loved flashlights, and have too many of them. But they're all poor-quality store-bought models with disappointing output (except for my Maglights that are good quality with okay output). So I've decided to start replacing/augmenting them. I know essentially nothing about flashlights. But I found this terrific forum earlier this week and have been trying to learn all I can.
My first order of business is actually to find a good flashlight for my father. He's retired and his eyesight isn't what it used to be. He's a really early riser who goes walking every morning at about 3AM - regardless of weather conditions. What I'm looking for is:
I'm hoping this will be my first post here. I'd submitted one a few days ago, but it never made it to the forum. I've always loved flashlights, and have too many of them. But they're all poor-quality store-bought models with disappointing output (except for my Maglights that are good quality with okay output). So I've decided to start replacing/augmenting them. I know essentially nothing about flashlights. But I found this terrific forum earlier this week and have been trying to learn all I can.
My first order of business is actually to find a good flashlight for my father. He's retired and his eyesight isn't what it used to be. He's a really early riser who goes walking every morning at about 3AM - regardless of weather conditions. What I'm looking for is:
0) Purchasing location: I'm in the U.S., but will probably be buying online.
1) Price Range: I'm thinking $40-60 for two reasons. First, my father really appreciates better quality (buys Snap-on tools, thinks Craftsman is okay). Second, he has an annoying habit of not using the better quality stuff (usually uses the Craftsman tools instead of the Snap-on to actually fix stuff). He already has an Inova X5 he's proud of, but doesn't use. :shrug: I want this light to be used.
2) Format: I want a flashlight.
3) Length: Probably the 4-9 inch range so it'll be compact, but not too small to comfortably hold. (Holster carry)
4) Width: No huge preference here, but I'm leaning toward a long narrow light.
5) Batteries: Easily available standard AAs. It looks like a 2AA light might be best. One other reason my father may not use his X5 is the CR123 batteries it requires. I'm thinking about getting him a charger and some Eneloops.
6) Light Needed: He walks around a generally paved area (15-20 lumens) mostly, but may also walk unpaved trails (40 lumens). He'll also look for things in dark closets/storage areas.
7) Throw vs Flood: I'm assuming a shorter throw, more floody light is best, but I'll have to leave this to the experts.
8) Runtime: 240+ min. preferred
9) Durability: "Very Important." It'll be used every single day and my father appreciates quality.
8) Switch Type: Slider or Clickie is okay, Just as long as there's a simple, intuitive way to turn it on/off.
9) Switch Location: Doesn't matter, except that it'd be best if it were hard/impossible to accidentally turn on.
10) Operational Modes: Something uncomplicated. So a simple on-off or 2 light levels. My dad's very capable (can fix anything), but he hates gimmicky/overly complex stuff.
11) Body Material: I want a metal-bodied light.
12) Special Needs: It'll be rained on. So it needs to be water and corrosion resistant. It also needs to have good, smooth threading, quality anodizing and a decent PWM if it has a long runtime mode. A lanyard and perhaps a holster. It'd be great if the light was made in the America. But I don't hold much hope for one given the budget/requirements.
After reading a lot of threads here this week, I'm leaning toward a Fenix L2T. Other lights I've been considering are the E20 (no long runtime mode, maybe too bright for night-adjusted eyes?), the L2P (cheap, great runtime, but maybe not bright/white enough in high mode?), and the Nitecore D20 (outstanding quality, though maybe too good, plus the UI looks to be a little much?). But I'd love to hear thoughts of those much more knowledgeable than I.1) Price Range: I'm thinking $40-60 for two reasons. First, my father really appreciates better quality (buys Snap-on tools, thinks Craftsman is okay). Second, he has an annoying habit of not using the better quality stuff (usually uses the Craftsman tools instead of the Snap-on to actually fix stuff). He already has an Inova X5 he's proud of, but doesn't use. :shrug: I want this light to be used.
2) Format: I want a flashlight.
3) Length: Probably the 4-9 inch range so it'll be compact, but not too small to comfortably hold. (Holster carry)
4) Width: No huge preference here, but I'm leaning toward a long narrow light.
5) Batteries: Easily available standard AAs. It looks like a 2AA light might be best. One other reason my father may not use his X5 is the CR123 batteries it requires. I'm thinking about getting him a charger and some Eneloops.
6) Light Needed: He walks around a generally paved area (15-20 lumens) mostly, but may also walk unpaved trails (40 lumens). He'll also look for things in dark closets/storage areas.
7) Throw vs Flood: I'm assuming a shorter throw, more floody light is best, but I'll have to leave this to the experts.
8) Runtime: 240+ min. preferred
9) Durability: "Very Important." It'll be used every single day and my father appreciates quality.
8) Switch Type: Slider or Clickie is okay, Just as long as there's a simple, intuitive way to turn it on/off.
9) Switch Location: Doesn't matter, except that it'd be best if it were hard/impossible to accidentally turn on.
10) Operational Modes: Something uncomplicated. So a simple on-off or 2 light levels. My dad's very capable (can fix anything), but he hates gimmicky/overly complex stuff.
11) Body Material: I want a metal-bodied light.
12) Special Needs: It'll be rained on. So it needs to be water and corrosion resistant. It also needs to have good, smooth threading, quality anodizing and a decent PWM if it has a long runtime mode. A lanyard and perhaps a holster. It'd be great if the light was made in the America. But I don't hold much hope for one given the budget/requirements.
