Are you lights many tools or toys.

I retired August 1st. My tools lights got used in the worst weather. Needed water proofing and drop resistance. A mechanics tool lights might not need the water proofing but chemical resistance. An electricians light might need a non conductive housing like plastic. Each to their own needs and definitions.

I picked “Mostly Tools” because I used them all at all times for different scenarios. The other side is I have 6 different S2+ where one is used all the time and the rest is for tinkering and experimentation.

I picked “mostly even,” because I’m not in a profession where a flashlight is ever really needed. But my EDC is a tool, most definitely. And some are deployed for things like working on my car, laptop, taking out the garbage, night walks, etc. And now with fabulous tints available, some are great for photographic illumination. But then I have bought some flashlights purely as toys or curiosities.

Something like the Fireflies PL47mu I consider both a toy and a tool. If you’ve never had a mule… you might want to consider one. Really wonderful for total spill illumination. It’s seriously useful for near-field tasks that don’t require fine up-close work. The aux-LEDs are definitely toyish. The lighted switch already serves for light location. But the aux-LEDs are fun. It’s a kick to put the light in lockout mode then play around with the aux-LED settings (just 3 clicks to change).

Have toy lights, but use lights professionally with Search and rescue. There’s a grey area between the two for me as well.

a majority of my lights are tools since only three are “toys”,
but the toys do serve the purpose of entertainment.

Both. More than a few small lights that serve as tools for living on earth, and more than a few very big lights that serve as toys to give joy while living on earth.

Toys sounds like fun. :smiley:
.
Tools sounds like necessity to get a job done with the satisfaction of success. :slight_smile:
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Unno, not sure there’s much of a difference.

I voted "Mostly tools."

My flashlights are way more "useful" than "fun to play with."

Every light has a specific purpose.
The UV one is for fun since i have no need for UV, but the other lights fit a niche, lantern, thrower, flood, inbetween, ultra portable, 4AA etc.

Most of my flashlights are “toys”— things that I play with to end the boredom of Working From Home. I have been on the WFH mode since early March 2020.

I have been working/living in Singapore for over nine years now. And not once had I encountered any power failure in my apartment. So I have seldom had any real need for any big bright flashlight.

Expecting delivery of an interesting new “toy” creates some excitement in my rather routine unexciting days.

Next week I am expecting delivery of a Brass Astrolux FT03 with 90.2 LED. A big shiny “toy”, no doubt. But its imminent arrival keeps me hopeful and happy during this rather quiet weekend.

tools, but I enjoy them as if they were toys if that makes any sense.

I try to only buy what I use.
still having a hard time to justify a copper light as they add little and have many drawbacks (weight being the biggest factor)

True enough, i use lights for things that need light but i could time shift if all LED lights suddenly went dark.
Such as car repairs or house repairs or finding things or covering the pool, these things can be done in the daytime with sunlight but he LED flashlight adds the ability to do them at night.

1-5 lights=tools
more than 5=toys

Mainly tools, as I purchase my lights for light painting photography.

The lights we have are excellent toys. You only need one light that resembles the S2+. All the rest are toys, albeit cool toys but nonetheless toys.

Tools are toys for adults

I don’t give two ‘proverbial poops’ about color rendition, or beam profile.

I need to see in dark areas, is all.

Chris

Flashlights are great as toys, who doesn’t enjoy lurking creepily in the woods at night, marveling at your “high CRI” or swinging them like lightsabers??? If you haven’t had the police called on you yet by concerned neighbors you haven’t earned your BLF initiation. :wink:

Was working emergency calls in the night, some of my lights are a necessity. But then the creative character got in and I started modding. So I changed some LEDs, drivers, and some other things then take a walk after supper to put them to use. But quite true, the S2 does fit most of my needs. The others are more of the specialty light dedicated to some specific use, or just sit there to be occasionally stirred.