Right now I am looking at the Quark AA² Turbo because of it's runtime.
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
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 $150.
3) Format:
I want a flashlight.
4) Flashlight-specific format/size:
Weapon light (AR-15)
5) Emitter/Light source:
LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
6) Manufacturer:
I want to buy a light from a traditional mass producing manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
I would consider getting a light that is pieced together. Must be fairly simple to build for a first timer.
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 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.)
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).
9) Throw vs. Flood: At what distance will you be most likely to use this light? Select all that apply.
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 spaces)
150+ yards (I want maximum throw possible)
10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum output).
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).
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival).
12) Switch Type and location (choose all that apply):
I want a forward clicky (Helpful for momentary activation and signaling).
I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today's high end lights).
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
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.
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).
Titanium (durable and nearly as lightweight as aluminum, but can be moderately to significantly more expensive).
Thank you in advance.
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
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 $150.
3) Format:
I want a flashlight.
4) Flashlight-specific format/size:
Weapon light (AR-15)
5) Emitter/Light source:
LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
6) Manufacturer:
I want to buy a light from a traditional mass producing manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
I would consider getting a light that is pieced together. Must be fairly simple to build for a first timer.
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 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.)
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).
9) Throw vs. Flood: At what distance will you be most likely to use this light? Select all that apply.
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 spaces)
150+ yards (I want maximum throw possible)
10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum output).
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).
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival).
12) Switch Type and location (choose all that apply):
I want a forward clicky (Helpful for momentary activation and signaling).
I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today's high end lights).
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
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.
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).
Titanium (durable and nearly as lightweight as aluminum, but can be moderately to significantly more expensive).
Thank you in advance.
