Hey all, so it seems that the more I get into flashlights, the more I expect from them. When I started this hobby, the 1000 lumen benchmark was the pinnacle of brightness. It was what all lights strived to be and I was so impressed when I got my eagletac that I felt no other light would compare! Now after having multiple 1000+ lumen lights, even into the 3k and 4k range, I’m just not as impressed anymore. It takes a lot of light for me to be wowed and in all honesty, 1k lumens is now my bare minimum it seems. It’s weird. I still very much enjoy the hobby, I just find myself wanting more, but in reality, there’s no need for it. I know I’m just kind of rambling on here, but I was wondering if anyone else has felt the same? Like what was amazing not too long ago has just become…meh…
Yes, I am now not as hung up on lumen, but exactly as you said, brightness is not the WOW factor it was.
I blame my Noctigon Meteor for part of this… In all seriousness though, I have become more interested in tints, run-time and modes than max output. I really like Dr Jones guppydrv now, and warmer tints are my preferred tint….
The fact we get so much (relative) light from such small flashlights I hope never goes away, and I cannot wait to see what the next years ahead bring…
Same here, brightness is the minimum I expect from a light.
What please me : modes, UI, finish, materials, tint, clean beam, compacity, modability…
after building a incan hotwire with 20,000 bulb lumens in 2012, its hard to impress me 
closest thing is the modded triple xhp70 tn36 that does around 14k lumen
1000W?! Please tell me what bulb and voltage that thing was/is running
I remember when anything over 100 lumens was exciting. My first mod back in the day was a 2D MAG with I think a 9V Bulb using 8AA’s in series. My very first LED mod was a 2D MAG with 4 XRE R2’s 2 18650’s and nanjg105 driver. Those were the days.
Yes, lumens alone mean nothing to me now. The most important thing to me is that the light is well regulated for most the run time.
Rather have a 400 lumen light that runs strong till the very end than a 1k lumen light that fades to 30% in 20 min
Yep… XML-T6 aint a big deal anymore… XRE’s, Q5… yeah they’re ok. Used to be a 300lm Q5 zoomie was a big deal. Not so much now.
I tend to be more interested in run-time, fit and finish of the light, quality annodizing, and a tint that is just right for the use… massive flood is just as useful to me as incredible throw… so I don’t even have to chase that dragon anymore either.
I’m not too hung up on lumens anymore. 500 is nice to have, but not necessary. 1000 is getting to overkill, unless you really need long throw.
I’m much more concerned about tint and CRI. I demand a neutral tint, preferably high CRI. A couple hundred lumens is okay for EDC. Also gotta have moonlight mode.
SWMBO has some Good Advice on this matter: “The secret to Happiness is Lowered Expectations!”
For example, if you refuse to allow yourself to beLIEve the Marketeering Hype, that LEDs
- Run Cooler,
- Use Less Current and still
- Make Bright White Light,
… you won’t end up on the world’s greatest Flashlight Forum with a nickname like
Dimbo The Blinky
Yup. I’ve actually LOLed before with my lights. The first time was when I received my first high-power light, the XR-E R2 501b. I took my incan Maglite outside with the 501b, and compared the two. It was an insane world of difference. Again, with different lights; my first triple, my first aspheric, etc.
Now? Nothing. :weary:
There are so many cool lights in the market that I wish to buy when when I see the specs and it only makes 1,000lm i just forget about them. Reason is I don’t want to spend this much on a stock light knowing that my other modded cheapos will outperform it.
For example the nitecore MH20GT, 1,000lm with 33kcd throw, how can I justify spending $80 for it when I have a $30 EE X6 that makes 1,600lm with 60kcd throw. I know there are other functions but performance is my main concern, I don’t even give my flashlights real use but when I do it has to be the best performer.
Big time lumens can be a real kick for sure. Bells and whistles are fun too.
But for lasting satisfaction it’s suitability for the intended use and a good user interface.
On top of good design, and quality manufacturing.
Yea, I feel like the biggest thing I look for now is a perfect light for work. I’m getting closer, but still haven’t found that perfect option. Either it doesn’t throw far enough, or the clip isn’t just right, or the ui isn’t good enough for my needs, etc…
I just like doing something different with each build. I have a Triple S2+ with two XP-L’s and one nichia, I have a triple S8 with an XP-L, an XP-G2, and a red XP-E, and I have a M6 with 9 different emitters hidden in different places. Doing something different is what keeps it fun for me…. but it still needs to be bright when I’m done.
I’m still looking for my perfect light though: Slim 18650 reflector light with dual-switches and built-in USB recharging. I thought the EE X5R was going to be it (and it still might be) but I haven’t figured out a way to get my driver in there without losing the charging.
It’s simple. We’re all slowly going blind.
WHAT DID HE SAY??!
Not just blind, I can hardly hear the rush when I let the lumen out… The stabbing pain in my butt turned out to be my wallet slamming shut after being emptied due to BLF. turns out my sense of touch is still good, so I have that at least…
Well I ain’t a young’un anymore so it’s kind of to be expected 
I’ll always be impressed with brightness. The way to keep that lovely feeling is to keep a cheap old incan around- that old beater you used to have in the toolbox which you thought gave pretty good light when you dropped it in there ages ago. Yeah, turn it on and look a it occasionally and you’ll remember the difference. It will also remind you of your aging eyes too when you can’t see anything with so little light any more 
I’m more into function than ‘flash’- pretty is nice but performance is tops. So I look for lights that perform the way I want them to: modes, beam pattern, UI, runtime, durability- that’s all worth something too but only when there’s enough light going along with it.
Phil
I don’t consider myself a victim of rising expectations.
Instead, I think that every new purchase adds a data point to what I know about flashlights. At the beginning, every new purchase was a revelation. Now, each new purchase just adds an incremental amount of information. And that incremental amount of information simply doesn’t generate the same “wonderment of discovery”.
However, with knowledge comes an appreciation. Fit and finish details come under closer scrutiny. I am more aware of the nuances of tint and beam profile. I can better recognize the value of a good flashlight.
Yep run time, programmable modes, tint is where it’s at these days. A 1000 lumen light is the standard for any 18650 light.
Of course one has to have a stupid 10000 lumen light just for fun.