Jesus 'n Jim
A mainly PC (some Mac) site w/Software, Computer Repair Info, How-To's on Using Computers
Technical Support 1-360-521-2060 (my business line cell)

how I choose a flashlight, headlamp,or keychain light

 

Overview

I look for several features at a minimum when I look for a flashlight or headlamp or keychain light. here they are.

keychain lights

  • battery type. I like button cells like CR2016 (this is usually the type) or CR3032. I don't like rechargeable because of the inconvenience and the fact that they drain completely over the period of a month.
  • always-on switch is a nice extra if I can get it
  • rainproof, if possible
  • battery life! I put a set of batteries in my Photon Light II last year, and I don't use it very often, and it still works.

flashlights

  • how far it can be dropped: I have broken a number of flashlights on cement that way. very important. 8ft drop onto cement would be nice, at least 6ft.
  • adjustable beam (beam throw range, beam angle)
  • brightness switch, if possible
  • momentary switch, if possible
  • Battery type: I am only covering the medium-power flashlights, not the high-end ones, and not the tiny 1xAA's. I try to avoid the multiple cr123a's due to the great possibility of explosion hazard due to mismatched pairs (one reverse-charges the other), and instead choose single cr123a, or multiple alkalines.
  • Brightness: I want to see what I am doing in the dark at least 3ft in front of me. if the flashlight can't even do that on its lo mode, redesign it. I want to see approcimately 180-220 Lumens out of most flashlights. I also like 200 lumens. it's bright enough I can see what I am doing at night or daytime. unless you are dealing with a CREE XR-E, you will typically see only about 5-7 hours of battery life at full brightness.
  • battery life! models of LED types seem to come and go, but I hope the CREE XR-E stays. My favorite flashlight of all time was the TENERGY XR-E (no longer sold). for general flashlight use, I had my flashlight run on a set of 3AAA's for 3-6mo using the thing at least once or twice a day. typical NiMH and Li-Ion rechargeables lose their charge over the period of a month. some flashlights you can do that with, and most you can't. you can tell when the batteries ooze that this is the wrong flashlight to use (I lost flashlights that way), maybe need to pick a 1xCR123A cell flashlight. Industrial Alkalines are better than regular Alkaline cells (1 set has been powering my power-hungry calculator for quite a while now).
  • adjustable beam (beam throw range, beam angle)
  • brightness switch
  • a headlight with strobe and a headlight without. some people like computer repairmen and household use don't need strobe and it can actually be annoying unless you are needing it for safety purposes. provide one with and one without or at least make it a separate switch. those who need the strobe will also need a long burn life absolutely, so bigger batteries are a big help. I know I want bigger batteries in MY headlamp for repair purposes... AA's or 1xCR123A.
  • battery life! this could be especially paramount for hikers, climbers, and outdoors folks, who need those batteries to last for a long time because there is no store on a cliffside or at the top...