new member/flashlight recommendation

Z

z_shywolf7

Guest
Hello, I am a new member here, but have from time to time over the past couple of years stopped in to read through the forums and learn some things. I decided to register to ask for some help in selecting a possible new flashlight. I was browsing the forum today and saw the sticky thread about the flashlight recommendation checklist and thought it was a great tool to post and get some help with recommendations. So...here it goes...



For all questions please select all that apply.





1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?



____I would like to purchase the light from a brick and mortar store. I am located in ______________.

__X_I will be mail-ordering or buying online, so this doesn't matter.





2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest! :)



____Less than $25.

____Less than $50.

____Less than $100.

____Less than $150.

____Less than $300.

____I have no limit.

__X_I'm flexible, tell me what you gotJ.

____Other, please specify ________





3) Format:



_X__I want a flashlight.

____I want a headlamp.

____I want a lantern.

____I want a dive light.

____I want a portable spotlight.





4) Flashlight-specific format/size:



____Keychain size.

_X__Every day carry small (2-4 inches).

_X__Every day carry medium (4-7 inches).

_X (MAYBE)__Holster carry.

____Big enough to need its own travel caseJ.

____I don't care.

____I don't know.

____N/A

NOT ALL 3, ONLY LOOKING FOR ONE FLASHLIGHT, BUT NOT REAL SURE ON SIZE - AND I'M A BIT FLEXIBLE ON SIZE TO GET THE FUNCTIONS I WANT/NEED.





5) Emitter/Light source:



_X__LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)

____Incandescent (known for superior color rendition)

____HID (known for max output, but often at the expense of size)

____I don't know.

I CHOSE LED, BUT WILLING TO CONSIDER OTHERS IF ONE IS A BETTER FIT FOR WHAT I WANT/NEED FUNCTION-WISE





6) Manufacturer:



_X__I want to buy a light from a traditional mass producing manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.

_X__I would consider getting a light that is pieced together (for example a "host" or flashlight body from one manufacturer, and a "drop-in" emitter from another source). Under the right circumstances, this path can provide more options to the consumer to meet specific needs, and can often be easily upgradeable as technology improves.

PREFER TO JUST PURCHASE, BUT WILLING TO CONSIDER PIECING IT TOGETHER IF IT IS BETTER FOR WHAT I NEED/WANT FUNCTION-WISE





7) What battery type do you want to use?



____I intend to use alkaline batteries (AAA, AA, C, D) (disclaimer, while it does not preclude all choices, these are not recommended for many of today's most powerful lights)

____I intend to use rechargeable nickel chemistry (NiCad, NiMH, NiZn)

____I intend to use lithium primary batteries (CR123, CR2, Energizer Advanced/Ultimate Lithium AA/AAA)

____I intend to use rechargeable lithium (li-ion) chemistry. Feel free to specify a size if you know which size you want (14500, RCR123/16340, 17500, 17670, 18650, etc.)

____I want a light with an integrated rechargeable battery. (Note: these choices may be very limited unless you are looking at spotlights)

DON'T CARE, WHATEVER IS BEST FOR THE REST OF THE REQUIREMENTS





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 want to navigate a dark room or read a map (0-10 lumens).

____I want to walk around an unlit rural area (50-150 lumens).

____I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).

____I want to illuminate an entire field, the neighbor's front yard several houses down, impress my friends and neighbors, etc. (300-700 lumens).

____I want ridiculous amounts of lumens (800+ lumens).

UNSURE HOW MUCH I REALLY NEED, BUT FOR THIS LIGHT, MORE IF PROBABLY BETTER WITHOUT GETTING TOO BIG TO USE/CARRY.





9) Throw vs. Flood: At what distance will you be most likely to use this light? Select all that apply.



____Less than 1 yard/meter (reading, other close work)

____Less than 5 yards/meters (looking for something inside a dark shed/garage/basement)

_X__5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)

_X__30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)

_X(MAYBE)___50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)

____150+ yards (I want maximum throw possible)

NOT ENTIRELY SURE, NEVER KNOW WHERE I MIGHT END UP USING IT.





10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum output).



__X_Up to 30 minutes (I want the brightest [and potentially smallest] light for brief periods)

____30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)

____90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)

____3 hours + (I critically need this light to run on max for extended periods in between battery changes/charges).

MORE IS NEVER A BAD THING, BUT I DO HAVE OTHER LIGHTS IF I NEED A LONGER RUNTIME (OR I DON'T MIND SWAPPING BATTERIES IF NECESSARY)





11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.



____Not Important (A "night-stand" light).

____Slightly Important (Walks around the neighborhood).

____Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).

_X__Critical (Police, Fire, Search Rescue, Caving, Survival).

____I don't care.

____I don't know.





12) Switch Type and location (choose all that apply):



_X__I want a forward clicky (Helpful for momentary activation and signaling).

____I want a reverse clicky (For use with multi-mode/level lights).

_X__I want a momentary switch (Predominantly for use with signaling and short bursts of momentary light only).

____I want a twisty switch (Tighten the head/tailcap to activate, and the light will stay on until the head/tailcap is loosened).

____I want a body mounted switch (near the head, like on a Maglite).

_X__I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today's high end lights).

____I don't care.

____I don't know.

____Other, please specify____________________.

WILLING TO CONSIDER OTHER OPTIONS, BUT PRETTY SET ON WANTING A MOMENTARY/FORWARD CLICKY.





13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.



_X__A simple on-off with only one output level 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 programmable light.

____I want a selector ring.

____I want a strobe mode. (Blinks to show location.)

____I want SOS mode.

____I want a beacon mode.

____I don't care.

____I don't know.

ONE OUTPUT LEVEL IS FINE AS I HAVE OTHERS WITH MULTIPLE OUTPUT LEVELS, BUT I AM NOT OPPOSED TO MULTIPLE LEVELS FOR THIS. I WOULD ONLY SAY THAT I WOULD WANT THE MAX LEVEL TO BE THE FIRST AVAILABLE (IE, I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO START AT LOW AND TAB THROUGH MULTIPLE LEVELS TO GET TO THE HIGHEST).





14)Material/Finish/Coating



____Plastic/composite body (this may limit your choices significantly).

____Anodized Aluminum – either type II or III (Hard Anodized) (Aluminum, specifically HA, is the most common material/finish for today's flashlights).

____Stainless steel (durable, but much heavier than aluminum)

____Titanium (durable and nearly as lightweight as aluminum, but can be moderately to significantly more expensive).

__X_I don't care.

____I don't know.

____Other, please specify____________.

DON'T CARE, AS LONG AS IT IS TOUGH AND LASTS.





15) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any below.



____Red filter (for preserving night vision).

____Other filter colors (Amber, Green, Blue, _________).

____Dedicated R/G/B secondary LEDs.

____"Hybrid" light (bright incandescent combined with long running LEDs)

____Pocket/belt clip

____Holster

____Wrist/Neck Lanyard

____Crenulated bezel

____Non-sparking Intrinsically Safe (IS) for use in explosive environments



Other stuff I would mention is that I would like it to be fairly waterproof/resistant and I have (and will in the future) find myself out in the rain using this.



Beyond that, I should mention (just so you have an idea) the other lights I currently have/use (in no particular order):



Maglite - mod w/ led, lens, reflector

Preon Kit

Fenix Digital P3D Black Premium Q5

Fenix Digital P2D Black Premium Q5

SureFire 6P LED Defender Flashlight



I also have several other regular maglites I've accumulated over the years (different sizes, etc) as well as a couple of other cheapie incad and led small lights and a keychain light or two.



Other than that, I'm not sure what else to tell you. I don't really need a new light, but I am wanting one. The lights I have currently, work well and fill the needs I have quite well. If I left anything out that would help you give me a recommendation on a light I should look at/consider, please feel free to ask. Thanks!
 

InHisName

Enlightened
Joined
Apr 29, 2009
Messages
213
Location
Warminster, PA
this was only response in google....

Re: new member/flashlight recommendation
Written by Belstaff1464 on 11-28-2010 04:22 PM GMT

IMO, the most bombproof light currently available is the HDS
Clicky. Seeing as you selected Critical in section 11, I highly
recommend that you get the HDS Clicky. Every aspect of the light was
designed with durability in mind. There is none tougher. The Tactical
version comes on High first but you can customize it to suit your
individual needs.

The Malkoff MD2 also has a reputation for being ultra-reliable.
 
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