rik
Newly Enlightened
Hello,
It's been a while since I was last here, and I've dropped out of the game a little. I'm not even sure of the major players anymore. Life has changed a bit for me since I last posted, and now I need a flashlight to replace one that I have loved having on me for several years - the NiteCore SRT-3, because they don't make it anymore, and my wife has stolen mine to check on the baby at night.
So, here's the template:
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
Online only.
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
Up to $200.
3) Format:
I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).
4) Size:
SMALL - Every day carry (4-7 inches).
Actually, 3.5" to 6" inches seems right.
5) Emitter/Light source:
LED only.
6) Manufacturer:
____I want to buy a light from a large/traditional manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
____I would like a light from a specialty manufacturer (Possibly limited run/Custom).
____I am interested in assembling my own components. (for example a "host" or flashlight body from one manufacturer, and a "drop-in" emitter from another source).
Any of the above, provided I don't have to solder.
7) What power source do you want to use?
I intend to use "Primary"/Disposable Lithium batteries based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D and CR123 sized cells common to most stores (often a cold weather or long storage choice).
I intend to use Rechargeable cells based on less common formats (18500 or 18650 Li-Ion, RCR123, et-al).
I have several RCR123A and a few CR123A as emergency backup. Unless everything else is right about the light, I'd prefer to stick with this.
7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option
I don't care
I am recharging outside of the light right now, but I have a USB power bank with me when camping. I have spare batteries, but being able to charge from USB is a "nice to have". A bonus, but not searched for.
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 not a happy experience).
I want to navigate a dark room or read a map (1-10 lumens).
I want an indoor "blackout" light (15-50 lumens)
I want to confidently walk around an unlit/unpaved rural area (60-150 lumens).
I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).
9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
Wide Throw: I want a beam with a noticeable hot-center for distance throw and a significant amount of "side-spill". Good for rough trail hiking, search and rescue, and general distance work.
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check 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)
10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum continuous output).
30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)
90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
I wold be happy with either of these. Most of the time the light will not be run at full power.
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).
I wouldn't put "Critical", but I'm looking for the light that will spend the next few YEARS on my body, getting usage at least a couple of times a week, and heavy usage when I go camping. I want to put critical, but I'm not any of the examples.
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
I want a forward clicky (Helpful for momentary activation and signaling).
I want a momentary switch (Predominantly for use with signaling and short bursts of momentary light only).
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 multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
I want a selector ring.
I want a strobe mode. (Oscillating pattern to confuse/blind aka "Police Mode")
14)Material/Finish/Coating
Anodized Aluminum – either type II or III (Hard Anodized) (Aluminum, specifically HA, is the most common material/finish for today's higher end flashlights).
Stainless steel (durable, but much heavier than aluminum)
Titanium (durable and nearly as lightweight as aluminum, but can be moderately to significantly more expensive).
15) Water resistance
IPX4 (Splash resistant)
IPX7 (Waterproof to 1 meter/30min)
IPX4 is good. I live in Seattle, so I'll be walking in the rain a lot.
16) Storage conditions
Clipped to pocket, like a knife, every single day.
17) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any/all below.
(Dedicated R/G/B secondary LEDs.) -- This is downgraded to "would be nice". Red preferred, others a bonus.
Pocket/belt clip
Must have a pocket clip.
It must be carried clipped to my pocket like a knife, head down. Single CR123A or RCR123A as power source. Multiple controls entirely acceptable, to keep the forward-clicky tailcap as on/off and another control to select everything else. Continuous slider ring control for brightness of white light considered VERY desirable. Light will be held icepick style, in use, as a general guideline.
So, after that, what do we have as suggestions? I'll consider anything, but it may bring a second round of "that's interesting, but it has made me realize that I do/don't like this feature".
It's been a while since I was last here, and I've dropped out of the game a little. I'm not even sure of the major players anymore. Life has changed a bit for me since I last posted, and now I need a flashlight to replace one that I have loved having on me for several years - the NiteCore SRT-3, because they don't make it anymore, and my wife has stolen mine to check on the baby at night.
So, here's the template:
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
Online only.
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
Up to $200.
3) Format:
I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).
4) Size:
SMALL - Every day carry (4-7 inches).
Actually, 3.5" to 6" inches seems right.
5) Emitter/Light source:
LED only.
6) Manufacturer:
____I want to buy a light from a large/traditional manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
____I would like a light from a specialty manufacturer (Possibly limited run/Custom).
____I am interested in assembling my own components. (for example a "host" or flashlight body from one manufacturer, and a "drop-in" emitter from another source).
Any of the above, provided I don't have to solder.
7) What power source do you want to use?
I intend to use "Primary"/Disposable Lithium batteries based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D and CR123 sized cells common to most stores (often a cold weather or long storage choice).
I intend to use Rechargeable cells based on less common formats (18500 or 18650 Li-Ion, RCR123, et-al).
I have several RCR123A and a few CR123A as emergency backup. Unless everything else is right about the light, I'd prefer to stick with this.
7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option
I don't care
I am recharging outside of the light right now, but I have a USB power bank with me when camping. I have spare batteries, but being able to charge from USB is a "nice to have". A bonus, but not searched for.
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 not a happy experience).
I want to navigate a dark room or read a map (1-10 lumens).
I want an indoor "blackout" light (15-50 lumens)
I want to confidently walk around an unlit/unpaved rural area (60-150 lumens).
I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).
9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
Wide Throw: I want a beam with a noticeable hot-center for distance throw and a significant amount of "side-spill". Good for rough trail hiking, search and rescue, and general distance work.
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check 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)
10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum continuous output).
30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)
90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
I wold be happy with either of these. Most of the time the light will not be run at full power.
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).
I wouldn't put "Critical", but I'm looking for the light that will spend the next few YEARS on my body, getting usage at least a couple of times a week, and heavy usage when I go camping. I want to put critical, but I'm not any of the examples.
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
I want a forward clicky (Helpful for momentary activation and signaling).
I want a momentary switch (Predominantly for use with signaling and short bursts of momentary light only).
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 multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
I want a selector ring.
I want a strobe mode. (Oscillating pattern to confuse/blind aka "Police Mode")
14)Material/Finish/Coating
Anodized Aluminum – either type II or III (Hard Anodized) (Aluminum, specifically HA, is the most common material/finish for today's higher end flashlights).
Stainless steel (durable, but much heavier than aluminum)
Titanium (durable and nearly as lightweight as aluminum, but can be moderately to significantly more expensive).
15) Water resistance
IPX4 (Splash resistant)
IPX7 (Waterproof to 1 meter/30min)
IPX4 is good. I live in Seattle, so I'll be walking in the rain a lot.
16) Storage conditions
Clipped to pocket, like a knife, every single day.
17) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any/all below.
(Dedicated R/G/B secondary LEDs.) -- This is downgraded to "would be nice". Red preferred, others a bonus.
Pocket/belt clip
Must have a pocket clip.
It must be carried clipped to my pocket like a knife, head down. Single CR123A or RCR123A as power source. Multiple controls entirely acceptable, to keep the forward-clicky tailcap as on/off and another control to select everything else. Continuous slider ring control for brightness of white light considered VERY desirable. Light will be held icepick style, in use, as a general guideline.
So, after that, what do we have as suggestions? I'll consider anything, but it may bring a second round of "that's interesting, but it has made me realize that I do/don't like this feature".
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