I am looking for a practical light with good throw and took the questions from the flashlight recommendation list (thanks for it), in some cases added to the answers:
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: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
_X___Less than $150.
_X___I'm flexible, tell me what you gotJ.
3) Format:
_X___I want a flashlight.
4) Flashlight-specific format/size:
_X___Every day carry medium (4-7 inches).
_X___Holster carry.
* Max. length: 200 mm (8 in)
* Max. head diameter: 70 mm (2.8 in)
* Max. body tube diameter: 50 mm (2 in)
5) Emitter/Light source:
_X___LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
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.
7) What battery type do you want to use?
* 2 - 8 NiMH AA
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 good throw, it could be reached by high total output or better collimation. See 9)
_x___I want to walk around an unlit rural area (50-150 lumens).
_X___I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).
_x___I want to illuminate an entire field, the neighbor's front yard several houses down, impress my friends and neighbors, etc. (300-700 lumens).
_x___I want ridiculous amounts of lumens (800+ lumens).
9) Throw vs. Flood: At what distance will you be most likely to use this light? Select all that apply.
_X___50-150 yards/meters
_X___150+ yards (I want maximum throw possible)
* I want a light that has a significantly higher intensity than the turbo mode of the Fenix LD20, and this should be in a sustainable mode (non-turbo). So I guess peak beam intensity should be at least 5000 cd.
This should be a mode with constant brightness (regulated) that can be used for e. g. an hour without the light getting too warm.
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).
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
_x___Slightly Important (Walks around the neighborhood).
_X___Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
12) Switch Type and location (choose all that apply):
* Clicky preferred
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
* Single mode would be OK (I would then carry another (head) light for short range). Several brightness levels and strobe would be nice to have.
14)Material/Finish/Coating
_X___I don't care.
15) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any below.
_x_(nice to have)___Red filter (for preserving night vision).
_x_(nice to have)___Holster
* nice to have: Diffusor that can be easily moved in or out of the beam
What I have found searching is the Fenix TK41 (http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...New-Fenix-XM-L-flashlights-TK21-TK41-and-TK70), but it is somewhat large for me. If there was a smaller (and maybe cheaper) option, I would prefer it, even if it has less total light output and a more narrow beam.
I would be thankful for your recommendations and comments!
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: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
_X___Less than $150.
_X___I'm flexible, tell me what you gotJ.
3) Format:
_X___I want a flashlight.
4) Flashlight-specific format/size:
_X___Every day carry medium (4-7 inches).
_X___Holster carry.
* Max. length: 200 mm (8 in)
* Max. head diameter: 70 mm (2.8 in)
* Max. body tube diameter: 50 mm (2 in)
5) Emitter/Light source:
_X___LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
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.
7) What battery type do you want to use?
* 2 - 8 NiMH AA
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 good throw, it could be reached by high total output or better collimation. See 9)
_x___I want to walk around an unlit rural area (50-150 lumens).
_X___I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).
_x___I want to illuminate an entire field, the neighbor's front yard several houses down, impress my friends and neighbors, etc. (300-700 lumens).
_x___I want ridiculous amounts of lumens (800+ lumens).
9) Throw vs. Flood: At what distance will you be most likely to use this light? Select all that apply.
_X___50-150 yards/meters
_X___150+ yards (I want maximum throw possible)
* I want a light that has a significantly higher intensity than the turbo mode of the Fenix LD20, and this should be in a sustainable mode (non-turbo). So I guess peak beam intensity should be at least 5000 cd.
This should be a mode with constant brightness (regulated) that can be used for e. g. an hour without the light getting too warm.
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).
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
_x___Slightly Important (Walks around the neighborhood).
_X___Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
12) Switch Type and location (choose all that apply):
* Clicky preferred
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
* Single mode would be OK (I would then carry another (head) light for short range). Several brightness levels and strobe would be nice to have.
14)Material/Finish/Coating
_X___I don't care.
15) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any below.
_x_(nice to have)___Red filter (for preserving night vision).
_x_(nice to have)___Holster
* nice to have: Diffusor that can be easily moved in or out of the beam
What I have found searching is the Fenix TK41 (http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...New-Fenix-XM-L-flashlights-TK21-TK41-and-TK70), but it is somewhat large for me. If there was a smaller (and maybe cheaper) option, I would prefer it, even if it has less total light output and a more narrow beam.
I would be thankful for your recommendations and comments!
