Why do people collect flashlights?

I humbly hope that it is ok to sort of disagree, kind of like sort of, in general, for the most part.

This, based on my observations of two things: other people and myself.

Materialism and Consumerism usually occur together. However, Collecting things is not indicative of Consumerism. Consumerism implies use, discard, replace, use, discard, replace, repeat rapidly long term.

Collecting implies not using to rapid discard and rapid replace cycles.

Therefore, I think that Consumerism is not related to collecting.

Next, you mention Materialism. I have interacted with many people who practice Materialism and who are very non-Spititual. Most of these people collect something, but almost none of these people collect flashlights. I have interacted online with people who collect flashlights, and I can say that I have observed that people who collect flashlights are very spiritual, a lot more spiritual than the general population.

Next, myself. In 59 years, I have collected very little. The total quantity of possessions that I have is very little. I have never owned a television, I have never purchased a roll of paper towels. The real property that I own and live in was given to me as a gift, by friends, not by family. The reason that I collect flashlights is that of all the physical things that can be acquired with money, flashlights bring me more happiness than anything else. I know that complete, long-term happiness comes from God, not from material things. For less than the perfect happiness that comes from God, for me, there is flashlight collecting.

Partly because I love precision. (I'd really be in trouble with guns!) Started out in 02 looking for a good light for night shift at a hospital. Security guard showed me his Streamlight Stinger and it was off to the races. Ran the whole gambit of CPF in the early 2000's with modding and groundbreaking LED advancement. Met up at the first 3 photonfests in NJ when I lived there. Lots of fun.. but I'm very far from the income of most of those folks and didn't fit in. Made one too many snide remarks there about the rich and got permabanned.

Badge of honor!

Been with BLF since its inception and I love it here... fits me like a glove! I miss Old Lumens terribly... he was the only other guy I ever knew, and the first, to do lights with hand tools and he's my spiritual brother in that aspect.

Why do I have over 100 lights? Because I love the things, I have the makings of a very fine hoarder and Asperger's plays a big part I'm sure! And I loved to mod before production lights outstripped anything I could mod.

Oh, yeah, my avatar... for those that remember I still have The Neutralizer. Greedy pricks at photobucket deleted all of the lost pictures in my post though.

Something about lighting up a whole field that makes me feel good. That’s why I like powerful flooders and pocket rockets mainly.

At this point, technology in CNC machining and LED emitters has progressed so that very attractively designed quality LED flashlights have become affordable to the masses. Prior to this, only the wealthy could parade around their McGizmo, Hanko, and Tain titanium flashlights copiously adorned in tritium, making the rest of us so very jealous. They not only produce light but some are beautifully designed, looking like art sculpture. Such a small pocket sized device that’s also useful is pleasing to have on hand.

Yeah, you're right. Now you can do that with an Emisar with far superior performance. Except for the money aspect I miss those days though.

Do tell. What’s The Neutralizer?

I don’t miss those days… because I couldn’t expand my budget to afford those highly desirable flashlights. I am very grateful for how far we’ve come. Much better efficiency. And the emitter tints! That has become even more important to me than maximum lumens output.

As for all types of tecnology can only improve.
It’s like consumer electonics,that’s why there is not reason to spend lot of money for flashlights. I
Remember how much cost first Leds bulbs and flashlights with crappy tint years ago and now they have lower cost with better quality.
But when in future a new light tecnology came yours current flashlights will be obsolete?
It’s just buisness,then you never stop to buy and most of them will remain on the drawer never used as is happening to me since I almost always use keychain lights.
So collect them with moderation :slight_smile:

'Cause they're smaller than motor vehicles, cheaper than firearms and,

Big Brother hasn't legislated "high capacity" flashlights out of existence...

Yet.

("No one needs all those brightnesses, or leemuns or whatever they're called. I heard they use clips! They can be held in one hand and hidden in a pocket!!! THEY'LL PUT SOMEONE'S EYE OUT")

slmjim

Because new great flashlights are born. Such as multiple SBT 90.2. Multiple 90.2 emitters per one flashlight is a new great thing. Hence, something new to collect.

start out with a “reasonable amount”, replacing regular flashlights with LED versions.
find several “cool” ones (tiny, neat looking, whatever). Buy extra to give away
…buy a few more to have some handy…why not.

…then you see videos of throwers…like the “Giggle Monster”….must…have…
…and its all downhill from there.

of course, it helps if you already collect other things, like lasers, or drones, or some other silly thing :smiley:

Searching for the holy grail.

(It’s the one made of wood.)

Ha Ha!

Mountain Don’s Old lumen entry?

I think flashlights are an interesting technical product:

In theory, the premise is simple - you press a switch and light comes out the front.
However, the various materials used, the different body styles, the multitude of drivers, batteries and emitters… make a simple approach very complex and interesting. the more you learn about this subject the more you become interested in owning more than one model.

Gross stupidity . I have more flashlights, watches and knives any reasonable person would consider normal.

Growing up with crap flashlights, the new models are quite something, a combination of electrical and mechanical engineering.

:neutral_face:

Wellp, at least DJ got it…

Flashlights are mens jewelry. :cowboy_hat_face: