Guys as a newb to high end flashlights but an industrial/tactical user I have found it a bit of a journey to work out my needs. The light industry seems fairly solid in its product claims( certainly compared to some other industries) and this community is probably one of the most expert on their chosen subject matter. That said I think there are some things a newb needs to take in a certain context. I put this together to post on some of the gun and survival forums I post on. Its blunt and probably too basic for the crowd here but thought I would post a few of the points just to make sure I was not completely wrong.
1.IPX8 or IPX whatever or potted electronics chinese brand vs IPX8 tactical brands(usually American)- While they all pass this industrial testing there may be a difference in quality.
2. Such field tests regardless how tough they are, are still not a test of long term wear and tear, or quality control.
3. Because light technology is being upgraded so rapidly, its less likely for anyone to have long term/hard use durability results(5yrs+) for a brand or unit. For example guns, GPS or even sat phones on the other hand you have units in use for years, so you get an idea who is ahead of the pack.
4. Regulated turbo or maximum levels are pushing the definition of regulated as the packaging indicates, eg '1.5 hours on maximum' may mean they are stepping down or depleting to a more realistic average maximum fairly quickly.
5. Single 18650 battery capacity while increasing has not kept up with lumens gains.People buying the latest 1000+ high lumen 18650 will experience more and more of the effect in point 4 above. Some say 1x 18650 500-600 lumens is where performance is at.
6. Multiple modes, lights and flashing sell the most flashlights but again I am sensing that simpler mode lights all else being equal, have better percentage chance of working out.
7. Feeding very powerful flashlights normal batteries ( eg 4 or 8x AA) will send you broke for industrial use.
8. Using Cr123 in powerful lights where your employer is not providing them may also send you broke.
9.You need a fairly large jump in lumens to notice you are seeing more lumens.
10.Hot weather, aka tropical use or industrial scenarios where there are high night time temps can have marked effect on flashlights regulation.
11. Crossbows and high power air rifles produce reverse recoil effect which can effect rifle scopes/mounted optics otherwise considered recoil proof. They have specialised scopes to handle this, I am not sure whether flashlights will require the same.
12.You need to take a close look and even dummy practice drill the advertised user interface before buying to make sure it will work for you.
13. Its still worth taking a look at top end flashy flashlights for your uses. Because they do rule the roost with power and also are pushing the rest of the industry to keep up.
14. Similarly not all industrial/tactical/users mean 'SWAT running about with AR-15 mounted lights' or 'operators in the middle east' Industrial use might mean factory work, security guarding carparks, a cop just needing specific floodlight for traffic accidents, farmers observing cropfields from his porch- a range of applications where a chinese flooder or super thrower will win.
15. None of these are an attack on any type of flashlight. But with the lumens space race going crazy I think accepted definitions of 'regulation, turbo/maximums, heat dissappation, useful battery life' are having less compatibility between hobbyists and industrial users.Back in the 500-700 lumen days we could still lump ourselves together. Not so much anymore. So it is worth highlighting for new users some context.
1.IPX8 or IPX whatever or potted electronics chinese brand vs IPX8 tactical brands(usually American)- While they all pass this industrial testing there may be a difference in quality.
2. Such field tests regardless how tough they are, are still not a test of long term wear and tear, or quality control.
3. Because light technology is being upgraded so rapidly, its less likely for anyone to have long term/hard use durability results(5yrs+) for a brand or unit. For example guns, GPS or even sat phones on the other hand you have units in use for years, so you get an idea who is ahead of the pack.
4. Regulated turbo or maximum levels are pushing the definition of regulated as the packaging indicates, eg '1.5 hours on maximum' may mean they are stepping down or depleting to a more realistic average maximum fairly quickly.
5. Single 18650 battery capacity while increasing has not kept up with lumens gains.People buying the latest 1000+ high lumen 18650 will experience more and more of the effect in point 4 above. Some say 1x 18650 500-600 lumens is where performance is at.
6. Multiple modes, lights and flashing sell the most flashlights but again I am sensing that simpler mode lights all else being equal, have better percentage chance of working out.
7. Feeding very powerful flashlights normal batteries ( eg 4 or 8x AA) will send you broke for industrial use.
8. Using Cr123 in powerful lights where your employer is not providing them may also send you broke.
9.You need a fairly large jump in lumens to notice you are seeing more lumens.
10.Hot weather, aka tropical use or industrial scenarios where there are high night time temps can have marked effect on flashlights regulation.
11. Crossbows and high power air rifles produce reverse recoil effect which can effect rifle scopes/mounted optics otherwise considered recoil proof. They have specialised scopes to handle this, I am not sure whether flashlights will require the same.
12.You need to take a close look and even dummy practice drill the advertised user interface before buying to make sure it will work for you.
13. Its still worth taking a look at top end flashy flashlights for your uses. Because they do rule the roost with power and also are pushing the rest of the industry to keep up.
14. Similarly not all industrial/tactical/users mean 'SWAT running about with AR-15 mounted lights' or 'operators in the middle east' Industrial use might mean factory work, security guarding carparks, a cop just needing specific floodlight for traffic accidents, farmers observing cropfields from his porch- a range of applications where a chinese flooder or super thrower will win.
15. None of these are an attack on any type of flashlight. But with the lumens space race going crazy I think accepted definitions of 'regulation, turbo/maximums, heat dissappation, useful battery life' are having less compatibility between hobbyists and industrial users.Back in the 500-700 lumen days we could still lump ourselves together. Not so much anymore. So it is worth highlighting for new users some context.
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