If you want…
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
I would like to purchase the light from a brick and mortar store. I am located in.
_X_I will be mail-ordering or buying online, so this doesn’t matter.
2) Budget:
_X_Less than $25.
_X_Less than $50.
__Less than $100.
__Less than $150.
__Less than $300.
__I have no limit.
__I’m flexible, tell me what you gotJ.
Other, please specify
3) Format:
_X_I want a flashlight.
__I want a headlamp.
_X_I want a lantern.
__I want a dive light.
__I want a portable spotlight.
4) Flashlight-specific format/size:
__Keychain size.
_X_Every day carry small (2-4 inches).
_X_Every day carry medium (4-7 inches).
__Holster carry.
__Big enough to need its own travel caseJ.
__I don’t care.
__I don’t know.
__N/A
5) Emitter/Light source:
_X_LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
__Incandescent (known for superior color rendition)
__HID (known for max output, but often at the expense of size)
__I don’t know.
6) Manufacturer:
_X_I want to buy a light from a traditional mass producing manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
_X_I would consider getting a light that is pieced together (for example a “host” or flashlight body from one manufacturer, and a “drop-in” emitter from another source). Under the right circumstances, this path can provide more options to the consumer to meet specific needs, and can often be easily upgradeable as technology improves.
7) What battery type do you want to use?
__I intend to use alkaline batteries (AAA, AA, C, D) (disclaimer, while it does not preclude all choices, these are not recommended for many of today’s most powerful lights)
__I intend to use rechargeable nickel chemistry (NiCad, NiMH, NiZn)
__I intend to use lithium primary batteries (CR123, CR2, Energizer Advanced/Ultimate Lithium AA/AAA)
__I intend to use rechargeable lithium (li-ion) chemistry. Feel free to specify a size if you know which size you want (14500, RCR123/16340, 17500, 17670, 18650, etc.)
_X_I am not sure/no preference
8 ) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is impossible).
_X_I want to navigate a dark room or read a map (0-10 lumens).
_X_I want to walk around an unlit rural area (50-150 lumens).
_X_I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).
__I want to illuminate an entire field, the neighbor’s front yard several houses down, impress my friends and neighbors, etc. (300-700 lumens).
__I want ridiculous amounts of lumens (800+ lumens).
9) Throw vs. Flood: At what distance will you be most likely to use this light? Select all that apply.
_X_Less than 1 yard/meter (reading, other close work)
_X_Less than 5 yards/meters (looking for something inside a dark shed/garage/basement)
__5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
__30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
_X_50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)
__150+ yards (I want maximum throw possible)
10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum output).
__Up to 30 minutes (I want the brightest [and potentially smallest] light for brief periods)
__30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)
_X_90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
__3 hours + (I critically need this light to run on max for extended periods in between battery changes/charges).
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase “you get what you pay for” is very accurate for flashlights.
__Not Important (A “night-stand” light).
__Slightly Important (Walks around the neighborhood).
_X_Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
__Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival).
__I don’t care.
__I don’t know.
12) Switch Type and location (choose all that apply):
__I want a forward clicky (Helpful for momentary activation and signaling).
__I want a reverse clicky (For use with multi-mode/level lights).
__I want a momentary switch (Predominantly for use with signaling and short bursts of momentary light only).
__I want a twisty switch (Tighten the head/tailcap to activate, and the light will stay on until the head/tailcap is loosened).
__I want a body mounted switch (near the head, like on a Maglite).
_X_I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today’s high end lights).
__I don’t care.
_X_I don’t know.
Other, please specify.
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
__A simple on-off with only one output level is fine for me.
_X_I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
_X_I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
__I want a programmable light.
__I want a selector ring.
__I want a strobe mode. (Blinks to show location.)
__I want SOS mode.
__I want a beacon mode.
__I don’t care.
__I don’t know.
14)Material/Finish/Coating
__Plastic/composite body (this may limit your choices significantly).
__Anodized Aluminum – either type II or III (Hard Anodized) (Aluminum, specifically HA, is the most common material/finish for today’s flashlights).
__Stainless steel (durable, but much heavier than aluminum)
__Titanium (durable and nearly as lightweight as aluminum, but can be moderately to significantly more expensive).
_X_I don’t care.
__I don’t know.
Other, please specify.
15) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn’t been mentioned? Select any below.
_X_Red filter (for preserving night vision).
_XOther filter colors (Amber, Green, Blue,).
__Dedicated R/G/B secondary LEDs.
“Hybrid” light (bright incandescent combined with long running LEDs )
_X_Pocket/belt clip
__Holster
__Wrist/Neck Lanyard
_X_Crenulated bezel
__Non-sparking Intrinsically Safe (IS) for use in explosive environments
Perhaps the preferences I have listed amount to an impossible realworld combination but I am unsure and kind of overwhelmed at all the options and whats available for purchase! I am not completely set on every preference I have listed. I have been looking at solarforce and ultrafire hosts but not sure if this is the way I should go. Been lurking for a bit…Thanks for your help in advance
