Hello, CPF! :wave:
I spent an hour and a half or so being illuminated (ok, I'll stop now, you've all heard it before anyway, I imagine...) as to the staggering amoung of options in flashlights these days. I am enthralled thus far with the sheer amount of info on this site, but have yet to see a final answer for me. I'm hoping the more enlightened (ok, I mean it this time... that is it) of you can help me out.
So, I had a Lifegear 80 lumens for about a year and used it for everything from camping to working on my computer. Plus, for the last three months or so, I have used it as a helmet light for when I ride my bicycle at night. And I was really happy with it. I told all of my friends about it, blogged about it, and generally thought of it as the best light I ever owned.
Then last week, it died. I clicked it on and off several times and nothing doing. Dead, dead, dead. However, I left it on the table for about an hour and then when I walked back through the room it was back on. So, I clicked it off and then on and nope... it was dead again. It has not revived since, and I have taken it apart as much as I can without breaking it and see nothing obviously askew or disconnected.
So, I need a new light. And here's my form to help give you guys an idea of what I'm looking for.
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
Doesn't matter to me. I am fine with either Brick and mortar or internet.
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
Would like to stay under $50, but would not balk at $75-$100 if it bought me a substantial amount of increased durability.
3) Format:
Flashlight, please.
4) Flashlight-specific format/size:
Small to medium... I would like something roughly the same size as the Lifegear I had, if not smaller. It was 4 1/4" long and 1" diameter at the widest part.
5) Emitter/Light source:
LED, but only if it is the best for durability and battery life, as I suspect. Otherwise, I'm open to suggestions.
6) Manufacturer:
Totally down with some DIY hijinks, but really have no preference. I Would love ideas towards both.
7) What battery type do you want to use?
I have some rechargeable AA's that I would love to still be able to use, but would be fine with whatever is more efficient.
8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is impossible).
I have no idea. I just need to see far enough ahead of me to not run over a dog or something if I'm cooking down the bike path at 25 mph. I figure anything that can do that will be fine for camping or working on stuff.
9) Throw vs. Flood: At what distance will you be most likely to use this light? Select all that apply.
I am a horrible judge of distance. I want to not need to slow down just to see what's in front of me. The Lifegear did pretty well, but I have no idea what kind of throw vs. flood it had.
10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum output).
No idea. I used my Lifegear for a year or so and replaced the batteries once, I think. Maybe twice. But longer is better.
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
The main reason I am coming to this forum is durability. I liked the Lifegear, but it conked out on me. I want something that will last a couple of years, otherwise I would probably just get another Lifegear.
12) Switch Type and location (choose all that apply):
No idea. I don't think I want the head-twist type, but if it was substantially more durable or had another benefit, I could change my mind.
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
Two light levels would be cool and a strobe would be awesome for bicycling, but really a simple on/off would be ok.
14)Material/Finish/Coating
I'm guessing aluminum is the lightest without sacrificing durability, so that's what I think would be best.
15) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any below.
The red filter/option would be righteous for rummaging around a tent, and a crenelated bezel would be pretty cool, but I'd be ok without either, honestly.
So, what does everyone think? Should I stick with another Lifegear (I'd probably look at the 145 lumens option this time around), or look at something like the Fenix LD20 or PD20?
Any help at all is much appreciated.
Thanks!
I spent an hour and a half or so being illuminated (ok, I'll stop now, you've all heard it before anyway, I imagine...) as to the staggering amoung of options in flashlights these days. I am enthralled thus far with the sheer amount of info on this site, but have yet to see a final answer for me. I'm hoping the more enlightened (ok, I mean it this time... that is it) of you can help me out.
So, I had a Lifegear 80 lumens for about a year and used it for everything from camping to working on my computer. Plus, for the last three months or so, I have used it as a helmet light for when I ride my bicycle at night. And I was really happy with it. I told all of my friends about it, blogged about it, and generally thought of it as the best light I ever owned.
Then last week, it died. I clicked it on and off several times and nothing doing. Dead, dead, dead. However, I left it on the table for about an hour and then when I walked back through the room it was back on. So, I clicked it off and then on and nope... it was dead again. It has not revived since, and I have taken it apart as much as I can without breaking it and see nothing obviously askew or disconnected.
So, I need a new light. And here's my form to help give you guys an idea of what I'm looking for.
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
Doesn't matter to me. I am fine with either Brick and mortar or internet.
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
Would like to stay under $50, but would not balk at $75-$100 if it bought me a substantial amount of increased durability.
3) Format:
Flashlight, please.
4) Flashlight-specific format/size:
Small to medium... I would like something roughly the same size as the Lifegear I had, if not smaller. It was 4 1/4" long and 1" diameter at the widest part.
5) Emitter/Light source:
LED, but only if it is the best for durability and battery life, as I suspect. Otherwise, I'm open to suggestions.
6) Manufacturer:
Totally down with some DIY hijinks, but really have no preference. I Would love ideas towards both.
7) What battery type do you want to use?
I have some rechargeable AA's that I would love to still be able to use, but would be fine with whatever is more efficient.
8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is impossible).
I have no idea. I just need to see far enough ahead of me to not run over a dog or something if I'm cooking down the bike path at 25 mph. I figure anything that can do that will be fine for camping or working on stuff.
9) Throw vs. Flood: At what distance will you be most likely to use this light? Select all that apply.
I am a horrible judge of distance. I want to not need to slow down just to see what's in front of me. The Lifegear did pretty well, but I have no idea what kind of throw vs. flood it had.
10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum output).
No idea. I used my Lifegear for a year or so and replaced the batteries once, I think. Maybe twice. But longer is better.
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
The main reason I am coming to this forum is durability. I liked the Lifegear, but it conked out on me. I want something that will last a couple of years, otherwise I would probably just get another Lifegear.
12) Switch Type and location (choose all that apply):
No idea. I don't think I want the head-twist type, but if it was substantially more durable or had another benefit, I could change my mind.
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
Two light levels would be cool and a strobe would be awesome for bicycling, but really a simple on/off would be ok.
14)Material/Finish/Coating
I'm guessing aluminum is the lightest without sacrificing durability, so that's what I think would be best.
15) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any below.
The red filter/option would be righteous for rummaging around a tent, and a crenelated bezel would be pretty cool, but I'd be ok without either, honestly.
So, what does everyone think? Should I stick with another Lifegear (I'd probably look at the 145 lumens option this time around), or look at something like the Fenix LD20 or PD20?
Any help at all is much appreciated.
Thanks!
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