Z
z_salvager
Guest
Flashoholics.... First of all Let me thank you in advance for taking time to reply. I have been scanning the forums for awhile now and for me, the non flashoholic, its a bit overwhelming to sort thru so many posts. sooooo....What are your recommendations based on the survey I filled out below which I found on the forum? (Excellent idea BTW, it gets you thinking)
If possible please list the lumens, and the modes and avg. price one would expect to pay for that model. Thanks again.
1) Price Range: This is usually the easiest question, but be prepared to
change your mind when you are done answering the rest of the questions!
$25-50
2) Format:
__x_Flashlight
____Headlamp
____Portable Spotlight
____Lantern
3) Length:
____1-2 inches (Keychain sized)
____2-4 inches (Pocket carry)
__x__4-9 inches (Holster carry)
____I don't care
4) Width
____Narrow
____Wide
__x__I don't care (as long as it's not really heavy and I can hold it easily with one hand)
5) What batteries do you want to use? Common size alkaline batteries are
easier to find and less expensive but don't pack as much stored energy
and can be severely impacted by cold temperatures. Lithium batteries
have long shelf life (10+ years) and are not nearly as affected by cold
but must be kept dry and are usually much more expensive.
____I want a rechargeable system
__x__I want common Alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D) be able to use both if possible
__x__I want lithium based batteries (coin cells, CR123, etc)
6) How much light do you need? Sometimes you can have too much light
(reading a map or book close up with a 100 lumen light is impossible).
____I need to read a map or find a light switch in a dark room (5-10
lumens)
____I need to walk around a generally paved area (15-20 lumens)
____I need to walk unpaved trails (40 lumens)
____I need to do Caving or Search Rescue operations (60+ lumens)
____I need to light up an entire campground or field (100+ lumens)
---- Id like to have one with mutiple output, like my Fenix HD 10 headlamp.
7) Throw vs Flood: 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/closeup
8) Runtime: Some manufacturers severely overinflate their runtime claims
(especially with LED lights). I am discussing usable runtime measured
down to 50% from first activation with fresh batteries.
____20 min (I need a very bright light for brief periods)
__x__60-240 min (1-2 hours) Somewhere in beteween this and the next range on low-med output if possible
___x_240-360 min (4-6 hours)
____360+ min (More than 6 hours)
9) Durability: Generally the old phrase you get what you pay for is
very accurate for flashlights.
____Not Important (A nightstand light)
____Slightly Important (walks around the neighborhood)
__x__Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glovebox)
____Critical (Police, Fire/Rescue, SAR, survival)
8) Switch Location/Type: Circle all that apply.
Sliding Switch | Momentary Switch) | Clickie Switch | Remote Control
Body (Side) Switch | Endcap Switch | Rotating Head | Rotating Tail
I don't care
9) Operational Modes: Check all that apply.
____A simple On-Off is fine for me
____2 light levels (High power/short runtime and Low power/long runtime)
__x__Multiple light levels (some lights have 5-16 variable light levels)
_nice but not necessary___Strobe mode (blinks to show location)
____Tactical Strobe (Flashes rapidly to disorient an opponent)
10) 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).
* Red (night vision preserving) filter(s)
* Other filter colors (Amber, Green, Blue, Etc)
* Built-in second (or spare) lamp or filament
* Hybrid light (combines Bright Incandescent and long running LEDs)
* Belt clip
* Holster
* Wrist/Neck Lanyard
* Waterproof or resistant- (how deep?) - at least being able to withstand being out in the pouring rain or a brief drop in a stream
* Non-reflective/ dark finish (stealthy/ hard to find) vs. bright for
easy locating?
* Corrosion resistant or hard-anodized finish?
* Kobuton/self defense features?
* Non-sparking Intrinsically Safe (IS) for use in explosive
environments?
BTW what is tail cap lockout Have seen this refering to anodizing?
If possible please list the lumens, and the modes and avg. price one would expect to pay for that model. Thanks again.
1) Price Range: This is usually the easiest question, but be prepared to
change your mind when you are done answering the rest of the questions!
$25-50
2) Format:
__x_Flashlight
____Headlamp
____Portable Spotlight
____Lantern
3) Length:
____1-2 inches (Keychain sized)
____2-4 inches (Pocket carry)
__x__4-9 inches (Holster carry)
____I don't care
4) Width
____Narrow
____Wide
__x__I don't care (as long as it's not really heavy and I can hold it easily with one hand)
5) What batteries do you want to use? Common size alkaline batteries are
easier to find and less expensive but don't pack as much stored energy
and can be severely impacted by cold temperatures. Lithium batteries
have long shelf life (10+ years) and are not nearly as affected by cold
but must be kept dry and are usually much more expensive.
____I want a rechargeable system
__x__I want common Alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D) be able to use both if possible
__x__I want lithium based batteries (coin cells, CR123, etc)
6) How much light do you need? Sometimes you can have too much light
(reading a map or book close up with a 100 lumen light is impossible).
____I need to read a map or find a light switch in a dark room (5-10
lumens)
____I need to walk around a generally paved area (15-20 lumens)
____I need to walk unpaved trails (40 lumens)
____I need to do Caving or Search Rescue operations (60+ lumens)
____I need to light up an entire campground or field (100+ lumens)
---- Id like to have one with mutiple output, like my Fenix HD 10 headlamp.
7) Throw vs Flood: 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/closeup
8) Runtime: Some manufacturers severely overinflate their runtime claims
(especially with LED lights). I am discussing usable runtime measured
down to 50% from first activation with fresh batteries.
____20 min (I need a very bright light for brief periods)
__x__60-240 min (1-2 hours) Somewhere in beteween this and the next range on low-med output if possible
___x_240-360 min (4-6 hours)
____360+ min (More than 6 hours)
9) Durability: Generally the old phrase you get what you pay for is
very accurate for flashlights.
____Not Important (A nightstand light)
____Slightly Important (walks around the neighborhood)
__x__Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glovebox)
____Critical (Police, Fire/Rescue, SAR, survival)
8) Switch Location/Type: Circle all that apply.
Sliding Switch | Momentary Switch) | Clickie Switch | Remote Control
Body (Side) Switch | Endcap Switch | Rotating Head | Rotating Tail
I don't care
9) Operational Modes: Check all that apply.
____A simple On-Off is fine for me
____2 light levels (High power/short runtime and Low power/long runtime)
__x__Multiple light levels (some lights have 5-16 variable light levels)
_nice but not necessary___Strobe mode (blinks to show location)
____Tactical Strobe (Flashes rapidly to disorient an opponent)
10) 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).
* Red (night vision preserving) filter(s)
* Other filter colors (Amber, Green, Blue, Etc)
* Built-in second (or spare) lamp or filament
* Hybrid light (combines Bright Incandescent and long running LEDs)
* Belt clip
* Holster
* Wrist/Neck Lanyard
* Waterproof or resistant- (how deep?) - at least being able to withstand being out in the pouring rain or a brief drop in a stream
* Non-reflective/ dark finish (stealthy/ hard to find) vs. bright for
easy locating?
* Corrosion resistant or hard-anodized finish?
* Kobuton/self defense features?
* Non-sparking Intrinsically Safe (IS) for use in explosive
environments?
BTW what is tail cap lockout Have seen this refering to anodizing?
