jrmcferren
Enlightened
Here are my requirements compiled from the checklist:
0) What Region/Country/State will the light be purchased in?
USA or USA online retailer
1) Price Range: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
$10 tops, hopefully only to be "used" for testing the bulb/battery
2) Format:
Flashlight Preferred
3) Length:
No longer than a Mini-Mag
4) Width:
Not that big of an issue
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.
Disposable, Alkaline, or Lithium AA/AAA
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).
15 Lumens would be enough
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.
3 Hours to 50%, If I would need anything longer I would either be able to use my L2T or the map lights.
9) Durability: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
Glove Box light, but not something too pricey, something that will hold up to being dropped. If it only lasts being used in one roadside emergency, that's fine. I'm looking at Life Lights to give an idea.
8) Switch Type:
No Momentary switches please
9) Switch Location:
Anything as long as I can turn it on and sit on the road while changing a tire, etc.
10) Operational Modes: Check all that apply.
_X__A simple on-off is fine for me.
____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?
Plastic
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).
Disposable light is being considered, likely to be tested more than used.
0) What Region/Country/State will the light be purchased in?
USA or USA online retailer
1) Price Range: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
$10 tops, hopefully only to be "used" for testing the bulb/battery
2) Format:
Flashlight Preferred
3) Length:
No longer than a Mini-Mag
4) Width:
Not that big of an issue
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.
Disposable, Alkaline, or Lithium AA/AAA
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).
15 Lumens would be enough
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.
3 Hours to 50%, If I would need anything longer I would either be able to use my L2T or the map lights.
9) Durability: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
Glove Box light, but not something too pricey, something that will hold up to being dropped. If it only lasts being used in one roadside emergency, that's fine. I'm looking at Life Lights to give an idea.
8) Switch Type:
No Momentary switches please
9) Switch Location:
Anything as long as I can turn it on and sit on the road while changing a tire, etc.
10) Operational Modes: Check all that apply.
_X__A simple on-off is fine for me.
____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?
Plastic
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).
Disposable light is being considered, likely to be tested more than used.
