I'm looking for a flashlight, and I've been researching them for a couple months. The number of choices is flat overwhelming, I'm more confused now than when I began.
I think I would really like the Acebeam K30, but it's a bit out of my price range.
So here's a list of some needs / operating conditions. (Also, we have decent headlamps for closer stuff, Nitecore nu32 to be specific, so don't need a flashlight to duplicate that job).
- First of all, we live in an area that is mostly fairly dense foliage, except when we are in the logged areas in which case it's completely open. So 2 extremes.
- Due to the hilly terrain, maximum distance we could even use a flashlight at would be 500-600m, but I doubt we would ever need to throw past 300m.
- The flashlight would probably be used mostly for 2 things, looking for bears or cougars in the distance (or for spotting those nasty raccoons in the trees that are trying to kill our chickens), and looking for logs or other objects at a distance of approx 100m or closer. And occasionally for trying to identify unusual sounds in the woods.
- High cri would be nice.
- Size isn't too critical, as long as it doesn't take two hands to hold it. It's not something we would be using for hours on end where weight would become an issue.
- Needs to put out enough sustainable lumens to get the job done for a half hr without dropping the output (short burst / turbo mode will never be used and I don't count the lumen output of that, nor do I want a lot of/noticeable stepdowns.). I'm thinking maybe around 1000 lumens as a regular sustainable high setting? Usually would be used on probably medium, but want the option of a reasonable high output for a while if needed. This is totally open to debate, I really have no concept of what that relates to in real world use. Maybe we need a lot more, maybe less, you tell me what you think would be appropriate for our usage.
- Maximum runtime at any given use would be a half hour. However, we live completely off-grid and have to head to the in-laws to charge things, so want the longest runtime between recharges as possible, OR the ability to have multiple batteries we can swap out as long as it isn't super frequent. Without selling my firstborn to pay for the spare batteries. Whatever we use needs to be rechargeable AND affordable,, no AA batteries.
- Something that won't glare back from all the foliage and make it impossible to see up in the trees during the summer but will also be good for looking across the clearcut.
- Lastly, it rains here a lot and is frequently foggy so the more it penetrates that stuff the better.
- All that for under $75.
- Bonus points if it's a combo stun gun flashlight just in case the cougars or pesky family members decide to get too close.
- Oh and needs to be off the shelf, no modding unless absolutely necessary.
Am I asking for the impossible? Thank you all for your suggestions!
