My wife is an LMHC. So you know what it is like being married to someone who’s job it is to find things wrong with people!
LOL. She understands my addiction/obsession…whatever they call it.
Very good Chicago X,
Well, I feel safe now, knowing that I am not a Flashaholic. I don't fit any of those stages, except possibly the last word - Darkness.
I only do it, to have something to do and something to make with my hands. Also, it's really less money than building RC stuff, like airplanes or boats. Even making model ships out of wood can be very expensive. I've tried most hobbies and dismissed them as too expensive. I've just about dismissed this one, as I have done about all I wanted to do, except for modding expensive lights, so I'm definitely at the last stage or past it. For me, it's just something to pass the time now, when boredom gets too much to take.
I don't collect anything any more, can't afford to and really don't care to have anything sitting on a shelf somewhere, doing nothing. I already figured out that there is no light that will ever satisfy my needs. I have felt for a long time that I should carry an EDC, but you know, after almost 60 years, I just don't want anything in my pocket, or on my belt. I carry a couple keys and a thin wallet, other than that, I just don't want anything carried. It's sad because I would like to, but it just doesn't feel right.
The only two lights I have managed to keep is one of the 1D lights, for the house (which has never been used) and a Thrunite T10 that another member gave to me. I use that to go from the office to the bedroom, when the lights are shut off and I'm going to sleep. It's just so I don't stumble into anything, as the wife likes total darkness and she can see like a cat at night. I can't see a darned thing at night.
Off and on, I have modded lights for probably ten years, with several long breaks in that time. Not one of them satisfied any need for lighting. Only a few satisfied my need to make something nice. I could count on one hand, the number of lights I have modded, that I am actually proud of. The rest, as they say, is history.
And did you say Quest for Fire ?
Not sure what level I am at… Anything shiny with over 500 lumens is apt to be procured.
very nice chi x! 
I’m at stage 5 probably, trying to get that dang sc52 to open so I can replace the emmiter with xml2 3c
I’m stuck in a 1 - 2 - 3 circle with a tendency to try to draw others into my addiction. Shiny!
Excellent post Chi X!
For a while now I've wanted to dive into the psychology of why the flashlight (and light in general) fascinates me, but I just haven't sat down to think about it yet. I'm sure it has something to do with, much like my love of fast cars, the ability to overcome the limitations of nature to make life more pleasurable.
I'm not sure what stage I'm at, but I know I fluidly move up and down. I'm done with the cool tints, but not a CRI snob yet. I like modding, not to make the perfect light for me, but just to make whatever that light is better. I think I would get more satisfaction out of the hobby by building lights (or simply sourcing them) for people who actually need them on a daily basis. All of mine, except for the 30 lumen one on my keychain, just sit on a shelf.
Thanks for the explanation, With me it went quick, in one year all the way, lingering a bit at tint snobbery, but now in a solid stage 5, only limited by not having workshop and sophisticated tools. I'm now in the transition from wanting to make useful lights to wanting to explore some extremes :-)
Sadly, I will likely never get past stage three.
i am no flashaholic nor modder but tint has become a major concern to me. buying a new model, brand name stuff and pricier than my others, with a poor tint? 100% a nogo.
hence stage 4 here then *g*
my new sig line should read "**EE sucks" ;)
Chicago, this was an excellent post, very eloquent and well-written. I especially loved your comparison of the primal love for fire with LEDs.
I’ve completed my stages and started back over. I’m at 1, going into 2 again.
Thanks for the kind words, guys.
Perhaps I should make some subsets, such as The Hoarder/Collector, The Shelf Queen King, The Soon-to-be-Divorced ?
I'm a Stage Five Hoarder/Collector, personally....
a friend was just asking me about different majors and minors, he wouldn’t get it if i told him i have the equivalent of a minor in flashlightology
Verry well written, Wayne! I especially enjoyed the introduction. It explains it all eloquently.
Stage 5 myself with occasional dances near 6. I've come to realize tbere is no perfect light only lights done perfectly.
That is the words of a wise man. You must have seen the light, and been enlightened! 
Or maybe its just words another “stage 5” members would consider wise.
Strange… scaru hadn’t commented yet…
Yeah, I'm at stage 7; rather than being logical and going to stage 6, I skipped that and went insane trying to get more lumens. 
What is stage Boaz?
Stage Scaru- When you feel the need to put a bunch of emitters inside a P60 with an even higher bunch of amps flowing through.
I have not reached that stage yet.
Really impressed with the 3 emitter p60 drop in you got…
Stage 7. Wow…