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Difference between revisions of "Picking a Light"
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(Created page with "When people who have studied up on flashlights go to flashaholics and ask them what kind of flashlight they should buy, the flashaholic has no idea how to make a recommendation. ...") |
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CandlePower Forums actually has a [http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?276972-Flashlight-Recommendation-Checklist-Updated!! form] that they ask people to fill out when they ask for a recommendation. It goes into a ton of detail and tries to accommodate every situation, which may be overkill, but there are still some pretty critical questions on there. | CandlePower Forums actually has a [http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?276972-Flashlight-Recommendation-Checklist-Updated!! form] that they ask people to fill out when they ask for a recommendation. It goes into a ton of detail and tries to accommodate every situation, which may be overkill, but there are still some pretty critical questions on there. | ||
Don't want to read all of this? Try the [[quick picks]] page. | |||
;Store or Online: There aren't many stores that have high end flashlights, so you really open things up if you're willing to go online. It also matters where you are as to what your options are. | ;Store or Online: There aren't many stores that have high end flashlights, so you really open things up if you're willing to go online. It also matters where you are as to what your options are. | ||
;Budget: There are cheap lights like you get for a couple of dollars at a hardware store, then there are [[budget lights]] that typically cost between $5 and $25 shipped directly from China. Then there is kind of a dead zone up to about $50 after which you can start getting a high-end light. Then there is stuff that is over $100 and even more. For really powerful lights, you have to spend a lot of money. | ;Budget: There are cheap lights like you get for a couple of dollars at a hardware store, then there are [[budget lights]] that typically cost between $5 and $25 shipped directly from China. Then there is kind of a dead zone up to about $50 after which you can start getting a high-end light. Then there is stuff that is over $100 and even more. For really powerful lights, you have to spend a lot of money in order to get a larger light to hold more batteries, with enough mass to transfer heat, and a reflector large enough to focus a beam. | ||
;Size: This is key. Do you want something to go on your keychain, or do you want something that can be used as a night-stick? Or do you want something in between that might fit in a pocket or a little bigger that might go in a holster or coat pocket. | ;Size: This is key. Do you want something to go on your keychain, or do you want something that can be used as a night-stick? Or do you want something in between that might fit in a pocket or a little bigger that might go in a holster or coat pocket. | ||
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;Runtime: How long does the light need to last on a set of batteries? High performance lights don't usually run for more than an hour. But if you set them to a lower level, they can last for days sometimes. | ;Runtime: How long does the light need to last on a set of batteries? High performance lights don't usually run for more than an hour. But if you set them to a lower level, they can last for days sometimes. | ||
;Switch location/type: | ;Switch location/type: The classic flashlight has a switch on the side, but most higher end lights have a switch on the tail. It can be reverse or forward. Some lights do away with a clicky switch and are activated by twisting the head or tail. | ||
;User interface: Simple 1-mode or multi-mode. | ;User interface: Simple 1-mode on/off or multi-mode. Sometimes twisting the head will change modes. There are also more complicated lights that give you more control over modes or light levels by being programmable or having variable brightness controls. | ||