Z
z_drew332
Guest
My name is Justin and I have browsed around a few times. I know it has been asked by many but, I couldn't find the answer I was looking for. I am looking at purchasing as others have said my first real flashlight. I have looked at the Fenix PD31 and like its features. I like the optional traffic wand, diffuser, and camping lampshade offered by Fenix but, they do not fit the PD31. I like the low output options as well as the higher outputs.
Here is what I am looking for I think.
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
__x__I will be mail-ordering or buying online, so this doesn't matter.
2) Budget:
__x__Less than $100.
3) Format:
__x__I want a flashlight.
4) Flashlight-specific format/size:
__x__Every day carry medium (4-7 inches).
5) Emitter/Light source:
____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)
_x___I don't know.
6) Manufacturer.
__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.
7) What battery type do you want to use?
rechargeable 18650, built in? Whatever works. If battaries i would like to have a couple extra ready for swap.
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).
__x__I want to navigate a dark room or read a map (0-10 lumens).
__x__I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).
Camping, reading book/map, search and Rescue, Smokey room?
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)
____5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
____30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
____50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open
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__90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
__x__3 hours + (I critically need this light to run on max for extended periods in between battery changes/charges).
18650 etc. with extra on charge or ready?
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
__x__Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
__x__Critical (Police, Fire, Search Rescue, Caving, Survival).
Not my only fire light but, important none the less.
12) Switch Type and location (choose all that apply):
Preferably tail cap or like a mag-lite.
__x__I don't know.
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
__x__I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
__?__I want a strobe mode. (Blinks to show location.)
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).
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).
__x__Pocket/belt clip
__X__Wrist/Neck Lanyard
__?__Crenulated bezel
__?__Non-sparking Intrinsically Safe (IS) for use in explosive environments
Traffic Wand, Diffuser/Lampshade?
Sorry it is so long for a first post. Thanks for any help.
Here is what I am looking for I think.
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
__x__I will be mail-ordering or buying online, so this doesn't matter.
2) Budget:
__x__Less than $100.
3) Format:
__x__I want a flashlight.
4) Flashlight-specific format/size:
__x__Every day carry medium (4-7 inches).
5) Emitter/Light source:
____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)
_x___I don't know.
6) Manufacturer.
__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.
7) What battery type do you want to use?
rechargeable 18650, built in? Whatever works. If battaries i would like to have a couple extra ready for swap.
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).
__x__I want to navigate a dark room or read a map (0-10 lumens).
__x__I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).
Camping, reading book/map, search and Rescue, Smokey room?
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)
____5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
____30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
____50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open
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__90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
__x__3 hours + (I critically need this light to run on max for extended periods in between battery changes/charges).
18650 etc. with extra on charge or ready?
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
__x__Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
__x__Critical (Police, Fire, Search Rescue, Caving, Survival).
Not my only fire light but, important none the less.
12) Switch Type and location (choose all that apply):
Preferably tail cap or like a mag-lite.
__x__I don't know.
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
__x__I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
__?__I want a strobe mode. (Blinks to show location.)
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).
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).
__x__Pocket/belt clip
__X__Wrist/Neck Lanyard
__?__Crenulated bezel
__?__Non-sparking Intrinsically Safe (IS) for use in explosive environments
Traffic Wand, Diffuser/Lampshade?
Sorry it is so long for a first post. Thanks for any help.
