Why do people collect flashlights?

We are scared of the dark :smiley:

No really i have no idea?

I like to be enlightened. :slight_smile:
And to “make” light.

I don’t so much collect, as search for the perfect light - and I haven’t found it yet. Of course, no one light is the best for every situation, so I need a handful of different types. But then I don’t want to walk across the flat to grab one for looking in a drawer, so it’s best to have a few scattered. And so the not-a-collection grows…

The thrill of seeing bright light flowing out a tube.

Virtually every light I buy has an intended use (although some of those purchases don’t measure up and never get used). The “collection” part is an accidental consequence of upgrading my lights from time to time :slight_smile:

Same reason people collect Coins, Hot Wheels, early 1900’s stainless dildos, Stamps, buttons, etc.

As a kid I quickly abandoned Hot Wheels for Electric Slot cars, (Aurora Thunderjets to be specific) because they did something on their own and you could work on them and soup them up. Taught me mechanics and electrical at the same time.
Later in life it taught me about collecting and how the original box can easily double the value of many items.
Also taught me how to look for and spot clones/fakes.

I now describe collecting flashlights to people by saying “Some people collect coins, I collect Flashlights because coins can’t find the keys in the dark!”
Always gets a laugh and explains it quick.
Then they usually ask what kinds of lights etc and you get to educate and maybe help some folks.
Still leary of pushing Li battery powered lights to Muggles though.

Later,
Need to get to work now and collect some $

Because I’m at the ” I Want ” stage of life —— it started around age 5 and still going strong at 57—— :smiley:

Why do people collect flashlights?

Because dogs don't have money!

Besides, only people (and mermaids) collect things.

Because it’s affordable, unlike classic cars…

Why do people collect anything ?

I don't feel like i am collecting flashlights, not getting every model in every color but … well … to each task it's tool and one might have to test several tools to find the most appropriate for each task ;)

I don’t collect lights. They seem to gather around me. I get parcels in the mail and I wonder “what’s this??” only to find it’s (another) torch. It’s like I’m the Flashlight Fairy’s favourite person and she keeps gifting me…. honest…. true story :blush:

Something ready for any eventuality....panic buying for every new model at a cheaper price..

So far I am inventing justifications to buy more lights. One for work (night shift), one on the key chain to always be on me. I live outside the city so several in the house one for every area in the house to go outside with and for when the light goes out (relatively regular event). One big thrower to scan the are outside the house. Two lights in the car, one small with a magnet, one larger but compact thrower in case I am somewhere I need it to look around.

Yeah, if you find yourself using the term “panic buying” for flashlights outside of a disaster or zombie movie, you might have a problem. ;0)

We have bears with cubs in my neighborhood. & big ass bucks, and does with Bambi in tow.
Foxes. Raccoons. Not to mention the hoppy bunnies.

So, when my dog Moose & me go out for that last call to nature before tucking in, I
Take a bright light with us. Used to carry a torch before joining BLF.

Now I collect lights. Go figure.

this is exactly it—not collecting per se, just acquiring things hoping they work or do what we want

i get something, it is close to what i want, i use it, then something better comes along

i’ve just about stopped though with FW3A and anduril UI

wle

Beat me to it. Except for me, it's vintage motorcycles.

Also...,

Necessity.

Fear of darkness that is somewhat ingrained in our collective psyche by evolution.

Lights are useful tools as well as "toys"; a relatively inexpensive way to enable me to exert some control (illuminate) my immediate (dark) environment, out to hundreds of meters with the right device. That's something our far and not-so-far distant forbears, tens of thousands of years removed up until mid last century, would have found very useful for survival, as the cooking/heating/wild-animal-defense fire would only illuminate a few meters out. The same fire also advertised the presence of the individual(s) tending it, something that could often draw unwanted attention from other individuals harboring nefarious intent. Having more ways to satisfy the desire to see what otherwise cannot be seen satisfies a primal defensive desire. Perhaps that's why illuminating the darkness is so satisfying.

Then too...,

Utility.

I'm a tool junkie. Different lights for (sometimes subtlety) different uses.

Hate to admit it but...,

Vanity.

I got something' you don't.

I like to hear others say "Wow!" Cool!" "Lemme see that!" etc.

Last but not least...,

The Fun Factor.

I'm a Technician by temperament as well as by trade. The child within is a Tim The Tool Man Taylor-type gadget freak (More Power grunt grunt grunt...*). Flashlights are cheap, repeatable fun. More lights = more ways for the Technical Child to have fun after the Necessity and Utility demands are met.

slmjim

* - for those across the pond, a trademark utterance of the character played by comedian Tim Allen in the popular TV series Home Improvement.

According to my parents my first word was “lightbulb”, so, I’ve always been facisnated with light. I was also an electronics geek as a kid and LEDs were my favorite component. Back then it was just the dim red or green indicator lights but once we reached the point we’re at today it was inevitable that I would become mildly obsessed.

Maybe it’s because I was a boy scout as a kid or something but I just don’t feel right without a flashlight and a pocket knife on me.

This. I don’t “collect” I “accumulate” and every now and then the discards box yields up giveaways for family and friends.

First I wanted a reliable amber light —- that took me through modifying lights to put in amber emitters, and learning about the different manufacturers, and learning about forward voltages and drivers.

Then I wanted a multiply capable light — that took me into making amber zoomies.

Then I learned about TK and Anduril and I started looking for the most me-friendly UI, which is a stern chase is a long chase situation as Anduril keeps getting better in some lights.

And somewhere along in there I learned about higher capacity cells and started scrutinizing my big steel battery box ….

It’s fascinating.
I don’t know why.
Like cameras; I don’t know how they work; but I like what they do.