I'm in the early days of putting together purchasing proposal for somewhere between 30 and 40 new flashlights for my small local government department located in New Zealand.
The department asset assessment of built civic infrastructure, generally community use structures, with a NAMS compliant approach and data backed onto GIS and SAP for remedial works planning and delivery. Management of public buildings, structures, critical services etc.
As you can imagine, there are many dark nooks, crannies and areas we need to ensure are safely lit prior to assessing risk of entry. At the moment, everybody has their favorite mag light, energizer 2AA or key chain light they swear provides enough light. I'm looking to standardize the light situation across the board with the same one light per person. Simplifies the charging infrastructure and spare parts swapping etc. If everyone is using the same (highly capable) thing, the job gets done with less confusion and greater efficiency.
So, scenario defined, here is my quick bullet point of requirements. I am easy on most of these (compromise is king).
I'd like to deal with a single supplier and SME whom could help fine tune my needs - anyone know a good guy/gal?
Flashlight needs high CRI, work will be done under houses, in tunnels, in cavities, color rendition is absolutely critical.
Outright lumens not critical - Suggest efficiently delivered 1000 lumens would be adequate.
Flood as opposed to spot would be required. Work will be undertaken up close in crawl spaces and ceilings.
Waterproof is a requirement. Drop and impact proof a requirement.
Tacticool bezels not required. If the only good torch that fits all the other requirements has them, then that's fine.
Driver to have simple UI. ON at 10% click to 40% and click to 100%. No strobes or blinkie modes.
Must have USB on-board recharging by direct plug micro USB cable into light. We dont want to build out a charging infrastructure.
Single 18640 preferably, although would consider 26680 if an option.
Batteries to be protected Panasonic or LG or Sony with good circuits. These will be used by lithium newbies.
Preference to a torch with conservative power delivery and some smart built in at the driver level about heat management.
Phew. It's a wall of test, thanks for getting thought it if you did. I appreciate any input and advise.
This is a rough combination of requests. Armytek has a few that are close. Elf C2 uses micro-usb but is an anglehead light. The Prime C2 USB is “normal” but uses a special magnetic USB charger. Spare charging cables can be purchased for $10. These seem less likely to be fouled with dirt or debris than a micro-usb port.
However right now none of Armytek’s lights come with a high CRI option. They occasionally do limited runs but no one knows when that will be. Maybe they would do a limited run of lights by request but I don’t see that happening unless your order size was at least 10x larger.
Another “almost” option is the neutral white Thrunite Neutron 2C. No high CRI and has strobe but you have to work at it to access strobe. Some reviews don’t even mention the strobe because it is so uncommon to activate.
If high CRI and micro-usb and no strobe are the most important factors then there is the Nitecore Tip CRI. But that has a hardwired battery and only 240 lumens.
To expand on kiriba-ru’s comment Convoy does make a light with micro-usb. It is the Convoy S9. However the UI has strobe despite community requests. And there is no high CRI option. Simon might be more willing to do limited runs for you or you might be able to find a supplier such as PFlexPro who would be willing to upgrade the LED for you.
How about a Skilhunt H03, great even flood, available in neutral CCT, newer versions are rechargeable, small, light, and also useful as a headlamp, which is MUCH better for crawlspaces and ceilings where free hands are desireable.
True, indeed. And it’s not just water resistance. Most zoomies are budget lights that won’t be tough enough for the OP.
There are some exceptions. Fenix, Klarus, and others, have non-budget offerings. None of them, however, as far as I know, include high-CRI.
Nevertheless, to anyone who has never tried a zoomie, I say, “Get one!” Just to try it. Like me, you may be surprised how much you like the beam for indoor use and close work. I like the ones with big, wide lenses. They give you big, wide beams.
Thank-you everyone whom has spent time and energy with their recommendations. I genuinely appreciate it, you have all been most kind.
I have looked at each of the options suggested against my listed criteria (which are admittedly quite unwieldy) and have found that the suggested Convoy S9 ticks more of the boxes than not.
I will be in touch with Simon of Convoy to discuss further.
The light is very good and matches some of your criteria: High CRI; built-in charger (micro USB); floody (it is a 3 x XP-G3 light with Carclo 10507 optics); comes with a *protected 2600mAh protected 18650 battery and works with protected and unprotected batteries.
It has 2 switches, 5 regular modes (Low Low > Low > Medium > High > Turbo) and Strobe/SOS/beacon hidden under long presses.
Turbo can be accessed from OFF or ON. The light has memory so it will start on the last used mode.
These are high quality flashlights, I can assure. If you want to have a try, contact member the !
