Got a Lenser P5, and quite impressed, but I note it doesn't seem to be well regarded around here, so before getting a P7, I thought I'd seek a flash of inspiration here...(I suspected I might get blinded by several hundred lumen of flash
)
I have an Exposure diablo
http://www.exposurelights.com/product/000056/diablo-mk.2/
I have the mk1, which is a mere 800 lumens, however I feel (and I know there are more expensive lights about) that at £150, it's a tad expensive to be using an every day torch. It's also annoyingly not fully ipx waterproof.
Hence the purchase of the p5, however that's a step too far down the other way.
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
I would prefer to buy from amazon.co.uk as I have some vouchers, but anywhere uk online is fine.
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
I'm looking for around £50
3) Format:
____I want a flashlight.
4) Flashlight-specific format/size:
____Every day carry small (2-4 inches).
____Every day carry medium (4-7 inches).
Up to 5 inches is fine, smaller pocketable better.
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)
____I don't know.
dont' mind, although I suspect you're not going to get a small 4" incandescent with 200 lumens
Manu
____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 (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.
Don't mind here either, not really considered the 2nd option!
7) What battery type do you want to use?
I DON'T want to use lithium primary batteries (CR123, CR2, Energizer )
Brother has a surefire, curses it due to the cost of the CR123's I would prefer rechargeable AAA/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 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.
____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).
____30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)
I would like a dim long option as well.
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 don't care.
____I don't know.
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
____I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
Preferably 3, v low, long life, v high max lumens option 3 in between.
14)Material/Finish/Coating
____I don't care.
15) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any below.
I'm probably going to get another for my brother as a present, so suitable for police use would be good to replace his surefire.
)I have an Exposure diablo
http://www.exposurelights.com/product/000056/diablo-mk.2/
I have the mk1, which is a mere 800 lumens, however I feel (and I know there are more expensive lights about) that at £150, it's a tad expensive to be using an every day torch. It's also annoyingly not fully ipx waterproof.
Hence the purchase of the p5, however that's a step too far down the other way.
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
I would prefer to buy from amazon.co.uk as I have some vouchers, but anywhere uk online is fine.
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
I'm looking for around £50
3) Format:
____I want a flashlight.
4) Flashlight-specific format/size:
____Every day carry small (2-4 inches).
____Every day carry medium (4-7 inches).
Up to 5 inches is fine, smaller pocketable better.
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)
____I don't know.
dont' mind, although I suspect you're not going to get a small 4" incandescent with 200 lumens
Manu
____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 (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.
Don't mind here either, not really considered the 2nd option!
7) What battery type do you want to use?
I DON'T want to use lithium primary batteries (CR123, CR2, Energizer )
Brother has a surefire, curses it due to the cost of the CR123's I would prefer rechargeable AAA/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 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.
____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).
____30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)
I would like a dim long option as well.
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 don't care.
____I don't know.
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
____I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
Preferably 3, v low, long life, v high max lumens option 3 in between.
14)Material/Finish/Coating
____I don't care.
15) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any below.
I'm probably going to get another for my brother as a present, so suitable for police use would be good to replace his surefire.
