Here's the completed list...
0) What Region/Country/State will the light be purchased in?
____I will be mail-ordering or buying online, so this doesn't matter.
____I am in North America. More precisely I am in Washington DC area.
1) Price Range: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
____I have no limit!
2) Format:
____I want a flashlight.
3) Length:
____2-4 inches. (Pocket carry)
4) Width:
____I prefer a long narrow 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.
____I want common Alkaline batteries. (AA, AAA, C, D)
____I want lithium batteries. (coin cells, CR123, AAA, AA...)
____I want a rechargeable system. (an investment, but best for everyday use) [Yes... but recommend against rechargeables for waterproof dive lights -- gasses can't escape]
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)
____I want to light an entire campground or dazzle an intruder. (100+ lumens)
- Work on a motorcycle in the dark, change a tire at night in the rain, find my out of a dark room or into a dark theater, and find equipment on the side of a stage.
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)---X------------------|----------------------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.
____60-240 min. (1-2 hours)
9) Durability: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
____Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box.)
8) Switch Type:
____Rotating head switch (slides and clickies tend to come on in the pocket)
9) Switch Location:
____I want a rotating head switch.
10) Operational Modes: Check all that apply.
____A simple on-off is fine for me.
11) Is it important whether the body is metal or plastic/composite?
____I WOULD USE a metal-bodied light.
____I PREFER a plastic/composite 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).
____Waterproof – how deep: Up to 130 feet, but likely just in the rain.
____Belt/Jacket clip
