First, there are many worse, more expensive and even insidious ‘hobbies’ than buying/collecting flashlights. As a guy, I understand the ‘guy thing’ to want to buy the latest and greatest flashlight for the wow factor, and from reading these and other forums, I also completely understand the fun aspect and challenge of modding lights (for the same reasons people mod their computers, cars, smart phones and whatever else they enjoy modding).
In contrast to many other activities, flashaholism is rather benign, and even looks healthy by comparison. More power to those who want to rock and roll with flashlight fever.
I came here and posted a thread two days ago soliciting advice on what would I should purchase as my first dedicated ‘true’ LED light, even if I did set out an approximate target price of $30 (give or take $10…or $15).
After reading countless threads, cruising countless forums, watching countless videos of beam shots and reviews, and generally consuming information at a rapid clip on all things flashlights, I’ve decided to nip my potential flashaholism in the bud.
I have been using a Coast G10 (the single AAA version) that a friend gave me from that free (S&H only) offer they ran. He requested 3 and told me the one he gave me was the whitest and brightest, even if it is a true budget light. I understand it’s a relatively low lumen light (32) with a single mode and a relatively old Nichia diode…but…
….to be honest, this simple, one mode, Coast G10 actually serves about 95% of my flashlight purposes. It’s compact enough to stick into the square pocket WITHIN my larger pocket on my jeans, and not even know it’s there. It’s bright enough to provide adequate light walking through heavily wooded areas with no other lighting (I’ve done this with it 3x now, with now problem), as it has a nice floody beam that illuminates a wide swath of territory in front of me. It runs on a single AAA alkaline battery, and I’m sure it will run a decently long time on it.
Now, I am planning on buying one more light, with a brighter beam, a newer and more powerful diode, and a different reflector and lens. I imagine I will use that light the other 5% to 10% of the time that the G10 won’t suffice.
I will try to keep that light as compact as possible, also (I’ve learned that the smaller things are, the more likely you’ll take them with you places), and I’ll try to get one that is powerful enough for ‘those other times’ that G10 isn’t adequate, but that doesn’t run on expensive batteries, and doesn’t cost a small fortune (maybe around that original $30 price point).
What I’ve learned is that the super powerful throwers are cool and fun, and that I could easily fall into the addiction that is flashaholism, but I’ve been down the -ism road with other things, such as watches, and like all such things, it gets to be an expensive, time consuming & obsessive activity that, for someone like me, doesn’t really carry any practical benefits (I know everyone analyzes this differently and the cost/benefit ratio works for them, and that’s great).
I am trying to simplify things in my life, reduce costs, and cut down on purchases and actually reduce things I have purchased, but rarely use, to a minimum. Minimalism has really been effective in increasing my level of happiness lately.
I completely understand everyone views this differently, and I also know there are professions where a variety of task specific flashlights are not only useful, but a necessity.
I know others derive more pleasure out of just collecting flashlights that any financial costs in doing so pales in comparison to the satisfaction they get from this pursuit.
For me, this issues boils down to the fact that I simply don’t need another time consuming, expensive pursuit, and my daily job doesn’t require me to have any specialized flashlights to do my work.
This is a great forum, by the way, with more helpful members than just about any other forum I’ve ever joined.
