Hi All
As a newbie, I was hoping to ask the respectable, experienced audience here for some advice if I may (I previously asked about zoom or not to zoom).
I have spent many weeks researching to buy a reasonably compact flashlight that gives both excellent throw and excellent flood, and reasonably priced, considering import taxes (I am not in the USA).
I have seen the HK04 9000 lumens with a throw said to be 850 metres and a review said reasonable flood (there are almost no reviews because its a newish flashlight), then there is the HK04 5000 lumens with a throw of 950 metres (not sure if the extra 100 metres makes a big difference and if it is worth sacrificing the lumens from 9000 to 5000 ? Does it mean I will have less flood because of fewer lumens? (I have also made the observation that those flashlights with more throw have fewer lumens).
Then the third option I am considering is the Astrolux FT03S with amazing throw of 1428 metres (but only 4500 lumens), and I gather not too good at flooding???
I need to make a choice because I can only buy one flashlight.
I love the throw of the Astrolux FT03S(even though a bit bulky), but do you think the flood is just too poor?
Is the flood significantly less than the HK04 9000 lumens and the HK04 5000 lumens, OR not really much different?
OR is a better option the middle road, by taking the HK04 9000 lumens with 850 metres throw plus presumably good flood?
OR do you think take the HK04 5000 lumens for an extra 100 metres of throw (950 metres), and perhaps a better flood than the Astrolux FT03S because it is an extra 500 lumens?
Finally, to my mind as a novice, it is difficult for me to say if 4500 lumens/5000 lumens is regarded as bright enough when there is another flashlight with 9000 lumens (the HK04 9000 lumens). My instinct would be that 9000 lumens are better than 4500 lumens/5000 lumens.
If the experienced audience tells me that 4500 lumens or 5000 lumens are already enough light, then I can discount the lumen factor when making a decision (of course to a newbie, we think the higher the lumens, the better).
Thank you to all those who have taken the time to read this long post.
I highly appreciate your advice and expertise.
Thank you
Kind regards
Peter