Hello, I’m looking to get a flashlight for my dad whose birthday is coming up soon and who is a home inspector. As such he takes with him a flashlight on every job he does. He has had the same old flashlight for years now. I can’t remember the brand but it has a good center spot with decent spill over when he is inspecting an attic or crawlspace/basement. The one he uses has a holster type of thing that he puts the flashlight into to recharge it via a pair of side contacts on the flashlight.
I personally own several Sofirn flashlights and enjoy them immensely but I’m still fairly new to the kinds of high-end flashlights that populate the consumer market these days.
I was looking for a well built flashlight that he could use that is controlled via a side switch and not a tail switch when he’s inspecting dark areas at the houses he visits. It doesn’t have to charge via a holster but it would be nice to charge it without having to remove the batteries. I was looking at the Sofirn C8F but the way he handles the flashlight, I think he would be frustrated with having to turn it on and off via a tail switch. It wouldn’t have to have much “throw” but does need to fill the space well when he’s indoors. There are many that meet these specs but he also uses his flashlight as an extension of his arm and to push things around in tight areas almost as a probe sometimes. As such I was looking for a longer type of flashlight that’s not a small compact “soda can” size like the Sofirn SP36. (which was the first “nice” flashlight I ever bought)
Does anyone have any recommendations? I was looking to spend less that $100. Thank you for any responses. I’m new to this forum and this is my first post so I apologize if I’m stepped into any “taboos” with my post.
Sofirn SC 31 pro would work well. Anduril is nice for inspection work. Press and hold for the light level required rather than last memorized level which might be too bright and blind you in a confined area. The SST 40 is a good compromise of flood and throw. Pocketable and inexpensive. Good tint.
Nitecore MH10S? Cool white though. 6500k. Multi battery types. 21700 included. Holster included. Good quality. ~5” long so may not be the probe you mentioned.
Many choices…
I’ve met probably 50 to 70 home inspectors. There’s a lot that goes into choosing a good light. How are they going to carry it and easily access it and put it away 15 or more times per hour without looking. Some use a tool belt with a dedicated pouch or drop in ring system. I don’t see too many putting a light in and out of their pocket. For some of what they are doing it does need to have a tight hotspot to look at the end of the crawl space or the other side of the attic that they can’t get up into. There may be some ambient light or one light bulb in one area that you need to overcome. Most are using cool white and low cri because they don’t know better and or there are no other good choices. Easy recharging is extremely important to them. One owner with a crew of inspectors asked my advice over 2 years ago and I told her to check out the wurkkos FC11 in 2700k and 4000k. She got them and liked them so much she bought enough and spares for her crew of six inspectors. Most of them like and use them but some still prefer whatever they were using before. Ideally I think something tube style with a 21700 battery, type C external charging, 4000k hi cri, 300 meter rating, 5.2 inches 130mm, a large front switch and a UI similar to the fc11, 1500- 2000 lumens, 700 sustainable, would be ideal. A good pouch system that it can be dropped in and out of easily but yet has a flap to secure it when you’re not going to be in and out often would be required. I don’t think such a thing exists.
