Help me pick a light

Hi CPF,

I need help choosing a light for someone.
I emailed him the "checklist" and here's what I got back.
I do have suggestions of my own, but, I'd rather him see suggestions from others also...
Please help him get the most bang for his buck/needs.




1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?

EITHER WAY, SOONER THE BETTER. I NEED SOMETHING STRONG FOR HUNTING AND SHOWING OFF A BUDDY.

_X___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.
_X__Less than $150.
____Less than $300.
____I have no limit.
____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:

DOESN'T HAVE TO HAVE A HOLSTER, BUT WOULD BE NICE.

____Keychain size.
____Every day carry small (2-4 inches).
__X__Every day carry medium (4-7 inches).
__X__Holster carry.
____Big enough to need its own travel caseJ.
____I don't care.
____I don't know.
____N/A


5) Emitter/Light source: I HAVE THE STREAMLIGHT TRL-1. I THINK THAT IS LED. I WANT BRIGHTER WITH MORE THROW AND FOCUS FOR HUNTING AND SPOTTING AT LONG DISTANCES.

___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)
_X___I don't know.


6) Manufacturer: DOESN'T MATTER, I DON'T WANT TO GO TO FAR OVERBOARD WITH THIS. (I TYPICALLY DO WITH MOST PROJECTS)

_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? I REALLY ONLY WANT TO USE THE 123A BECAUSE MOST LIGHTS THAT USE THIS POWER CELL ARE STRONG, I COULD BE WRONG THOUGH. He's open to Li Ion/18650... I let him know of the "dangers", seems comfortable with it. I was going to suggest Nimh/eneloops(TK41/40) before I received this checklist back..

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


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).
_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.

____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 spaces)
__X__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).
I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO BUY BATTERIES EVERY TIME I GO HUNTING, BUT THE LIGHT WILL NOT BE ON ALL THE TIME.

____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)
_X__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.

____Not Important (A "night-stand" light).
_X___Slightly Important (Walks around the neighborhood).
____Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
____Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival).
____I don't care.
____I don't know.


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

____I want a forward clicky (Helpful for momentary activation and signaling).
____I want a reverse clicky (For use with multi-mode/level lights).
____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____________________.


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

TEMPORARY SWITCH IS NICE, LIKE ON THE TRL-1. THERE IS A CONSTANT AND A TEMP, BUT SIMPLE ON/OFF WOULD WORK. STROBE WOULD BE NICE, BUT NOT A NECCESSITY AT ALL.
_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.
_X___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.


14)Material/Finish/Coating
NOT PLASTIC BUT WEIGHT IS NOT A HUGE ISSUE.
____Plastic/composite body (this may limit your choices significantly).
__X__Anodized Aluminum – either type II or III (Hard Anodized) (Aluminum, specifically HA, is the most common material/finish for today's flashlights).
__X__Stainless steel (durable, but much heavier than aluminum)
____Titanium (durable and nearly as lightweight as aluminum, but can be moderately to significantly more expensive).
____I don't care.
____I don't know.
____Other, please specify____________.


15) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any below.
NOT A MUST HAVE, BUT WOULD BE VERY VERY HELPFUL TO HAVE A GREEN REMOVABLE FILTER

____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





My edits/notes/suggestions are in red.
Any comments/suggestions appreciated.
Thanks

Well...based primarily on his budget, the output, and throw desires, I would then progress from the checklist to "selfbuilt's" wonderful 2011 beamshot comparison reference thread: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?316295 .

Also check into his 2010 edition here: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...or-Beamshots-*UPDATE-SEPT-2010*-now-34-lights! Hopefully, these beamshot comparisons threads and follow-up reviews will help him refine his preferences.

Although "selfbuilt's" beamshot comparison thread are extremely helpful to new members and flashoholics alike, your friend could be more than satisfied with others models that may not have used in the comparison threads, but still have plenty of output and throw and are also well under $150 so that he can also purchase a small stockpile of batteries and perhaps some accessories.

Also for consideration, is to make use of Marshall's (GoingGear.com) YouTube Channel for reviews of a multitude of lights for getting concise reviews, operating features and outdoor beam shots.

If your friend lives nearby you, perhaps you could allow him try out some of your lights in order to better determine a style of UI of greater preference?

Since there are so many quality products to consider, I personally believe that it would also be helpful to have him fully consider how he "might" intend to use this light beyond taking walks or wowing the neighbors. I'm sure many CPFers would tell your friend about when they first started, and how that wished they would have known how to narrow their choices for that first light, in order to have purchased something more versatile.

With what we currently have from the checklist, I'm going suggest reviewing the EagleTac T20C2 MKII XM-L whose reflector is tuned in for providing greater throw than others of its class. Also the Fenix TK21, some 4/7s Maelstroms, etc.

"hotlight": PM coming shortly.

Best wishes,
John

Thanks for the reply and suggestions John.

I emailed him a link to this thread.......


He is looking at the Solarforce M8 right now(using the single mode switch) .... + an L2m(xpg drop in) for general use.(Im assuming multimode)
Anyone know if there are issues with the M8? AI switch?


since he's local to lighthound, he'd prefer to buy from there.

double post

Cheap:
Solarforce L2T - ~$20
Manafont Ultrafire 3-mode 4.2V XM-L drop-in SMO reflector- ~$17
or
Solaforce 5-mode 3-6V drop-in SMO reflector- ~$22
IMR LiMn 18650 - ~$7-???
Copper tape to wrap drop-in - ~$3

Total cost: ~$47-$52

Advantages:
1. Bright - Up to 900 or maybe more lumens according to many.
2. Cheap
3. Forward Clicky switch
4. Solid host for the money
5. Three modes or five modes to save on battery usage
6. Solarforce drop-in can use primaries and has strobe
7. Well within your size constraints
8. Cheaper bezel rings

Not so cheap:
Bored Surefire 6P - ~$75
Nailbender 3-mode XM-L drop-in (Hi-Lo-Strobe) - ~$40
McClicky switch upgrade - ~$26
Copper tape to wrap drop-in - ~$3

Total cost: ~$144

Advantages:
1. Bright - 600 or maybe more lumens according to many.
2. More reliable/robust
3. Forward Clicky switch of high quality
4. Surefire host ensures bragging rights
5. Three modes - Hi, mid, strobe
6. Well within your size constraints - shorter overall
7. Drop-in can be potted for only $5 more
8. In which case I would feel safe mounting it on a firearm, whereas I wouldn't with the cheaper alternative.
9. Holds its resale value better (I know... I know...)

Hi everyone. Thank you for your help. I went ahead and bought the M8, also picked up a L2M with R5 drop in. Two tail clickers came with the M8, one has momentary and full on, the other has h,l, and strobe. I picked up a charger and 3 18650's. I am using the M8 w/out the extention x1 18650 and the momentary clicker and the L2M with 1x 18650 with the M8's h,l, and strobe clicker. Both lights work wonderfully. The colors aren't exact on the L2M with the clicker but I don't mind. Any sugestions of other options are appreciated, I'm a newB.

Hi Brandon.... good to see you made an account. Welcome to CPF!
Normally these types of threads would get a better response... my thread title might not be exciting enough. But you did get suggestions from 2 of CPFs finest.
Thanks John and shao.

I don't know much about the M8 but I'm pretty sure it'll do you good. From the specs, it seems to be an awesome light.
My only suggestion is to take care of the Li Ion batteries.. besides that, good choices for your first "real"/hobbyist lights.

You got my number/email if you need help/questions.... lighthound is close by, and shao is local also. I think you're all set. Have fun with the setup.