How to choose a good flashlight?
Are you looking for a good flashlight, but don't know how to choose the right model so that the equipment meets your requirements? In this guide, we advise you on what to look for in a flashlight and how the various characteristics translate into use.
What will be the purpose of the flashlight?
First of all, answer the following questions: What do you need the flashlight for? How long should the flashlight shine on a single charge or battery? In what conditions will you use the equipment? These questions are not random. After all, the answers to them should determine the type of flashlight you decide on.
Are you looking for something for an evening jog in the woods and running in all weather conditions? In this case, the best choice is a lightweight headlamp with several light modes, necessarily waterproof. The duration of illumination and type of power supply won't matter so much in this case, since you can change the battery every few days/weeks, and recharge the battery at home.
When you know what you are looking for, it will be easier to find a good flashlight for your needs. Consider, by the way, whether the flashlight can be useful to you in other sports activities or for work. At the end of this guide, we briefly suggest what each type of flashlight is best for.
A good flashlight - what to pay attention to?
There are 4 characteristics of flashlights that we particularly recommend paying attention to when buying a new model.
Type of power supply
Batteries or rechargeable batteries? First decide which type of power supply will be optimal for you. If you use your flashlight occasionally, such as only when camping 2/3 times a year, disposable battery models may be right for you. All you need to do is pack a pack of batteries in your backpack before your outing, which, in addition, due to their popularity, you can buy at almost any store or kiosk.
However, if the flashlight accompanies you more often, for example, on a daily basis at work, then a rechargeable power supply may be a better choice. It will save you time and money in the long run. You can charge the battery directly from an outlet or via a powerbank. In addition, this type of power supply allows manufacturers to use more maximum power in flashlights.
Flashlight power
It used to be that one of the most important parameters of a flashlight was the power of the bulb expressed in watts, which translated into the amount of light it produced. Today, most of the devices offered on the market are manufactured using LED technology, or light-emitting diode. The most important unit in determining the light output of the most modern flashlights is the lumen, the unit of measurement of luminous flux.
How many lumens does a powerful flashlight have? There is no definite answer to this question. It depends on the needs of the user, the design and the type of flashlight. The spread of these values can be huge, and we recommend testing first (if you have the opportunity) models with different parameters. For example, powerful flashlights from Olight have even more than 2 or 3 thousand lumens. In comparison Petzl head flashlights have 250 or 300 lumens in the most powerful mode, and this is completely enough to light one's way in the dark.
Of course, the higher the lumen value, the stronger and brighter the light. Therefore, again consider what your needs are. If you're using the flashlight for occasional night walks on mountain trails, then 300-500 lumens will be perfectly adequate to illuminate your path over a distance of a few dozen meters. However, if you are looking for a powerful searchlight to observe a large area at night at greater distances, then bet on models with a maximum lumen output of more than 2 thousand.
In the MILITARY.EU online store offer you will find both small pocket-sized devices, as well as larger ones for specialized applications and meeting many standards, which are used by search and rescue services, among others.
Maximum illumination range
As well as the brightness and amount of light, it is also worth considering the effective range of the torch. Some advanced designs with large reflectors offer more than a kilometre of effective light, allowing you to search for missing persons, survivors or victims of natural disasters. However, there is nothing to stop you taking a night walk in the woods or mountains with such a torch - you can always switch to a lower mode. Some torches, with a range of around 1,000 metres, are small and easy to carry on a belt.
Lighting time
Another extremely important parameter is the lighting time. It is usually given separately for each mode. If the flashlight has 4 modes (turbo, medium, low, moon), we recommend paying attention in particular to the sum of the operating time on the medium and low modes. These are the most commonly used and versatile modes. Turbo consumes a lot of energy and is mainly used for occasional shining at longer distances. Moon mode can serve you, for example, to read a map in the field.
The best flashlights are equipped with special controllers that are responsible for energy dosage. This is to prevent overheating of the device and to save power for critical situations. In addition, they have variable modes that allow them to work for up to several dozen days without recharging - such as the aforementioned moon mode. Modern diodes are also long-lasting - the average diode used in flashlights lasts about 60.000 hours of operation.
About the types of power supply
Today's technology is developing at a rapid pace, offering more and more capacious rechargeable batteries. The most common type of cells used in powerful LED flashlights are 18650 rechargeable batteries. Larger models use even more powerful power, such as 26650 or custom cell packs. A good rechargeable flashlight is also equipped with the ability to charge the cells without pulling them out. Magnetic chargers that come with sets are used for this purpose. Smaller pocket flashlights are often powered by CR123 batteries (also used in cameras) or AAA batteries, the so-called little sticks.
Rechargeable batteries
Some flashlights are equipped with a built-in rechargeable battery. It usually has a large capacity and allows you to make full use of the available space inside the device. The downside of such a solution, however, is the need to recharge the equipment from the mains in case of energy depletion. A replaceable cell, on the other hand, has the advantage that you can quickly replace the used rechargeable battery with a charged one in the event of a power outage from the grid. Often in such flashlights there is also the possibility of using ordinary disposable batteries.
Batteries
Another group are flashlights powered by readily available AA or AAA batteries. You can find popular batteries practically all over the world, they are inexpensive and take up little space, so you can take a large supply of them with you on a long trip. Their disadvantage is their lower voltage, reaching up to 1.5 volts (by comparison, 18650 cells offer up to 3.7 volts), which means that battery flashlights tend to have lower power. If you're going somewhere where you expect the mains power to be out or difficult, opt for a simple solution and a sizable supply of batteries.
| Parameters | Availability | Charging capability | Cell capacity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in rechargeable battery | Highest | None, mains charging required | Highest | Highest |
| Replaceable rechargeable battery | Very high | Medium | High/medium | High |
| Batteries | Low/medium | Highest | Low, batteries need to be replaced most often | Low |
Which flashlight to choose?
The choice of the right flashlight most often depends on its application. In the offer of our MILITARY.EU online store you will find handheld flashlights and headlamps. When to choose a headlamp and when to choose a handheld flashlight? Are all handheld flashlights the same? Below we suggest when to choose a particular type of flashlight.
Headlamps
Headlamps are lightweight, compact models designed to be worn on the head. They work best where you need to have both hands free and illuminate the area you are looking at. We recommend them for auto mechanics, do-it-yourselfers or climbers. They are also the first choice for any night hikes in the mountains or woods because of the comfort and practicality of their use. You can also choose a headlamp as an additional light when riding a bicycle.
Handheld flashlights
The most popular and versatile flashlights that will serve you for most outdoor activities. It is also worth having such a model at home in case of power failure. Due to the strong differentiation of handheld flashlights, we have divided them for ease of use into 2 categories: tactical and EDC.
Tactical models
Tactical flashlights are versatile models equipped with powerful diodes and a very durable housing. They guarantee above-average power in relatively small housings. Very durable materials, such as aircraft aluminum, are used in their production, making them resistant to impacts and falls from great heights. In addition, they are waterproof and dustproof, as confirmed by the IPX-8 waterproofing standard.
They are also equipped with reinforced glass. Tactical flashlights are especially recommended for uniformed service personnel, but also for buschcraft and survival enthusiasts, as well as anyone who uses a flashlight in difficult terrain and weather conditions.
EDC flashlights
These are flashlights that are your everyday companion outside the home (every day carry). For some, it's an everyday tool used at work, while for others it's a gadget worth having in case of an emergency, like a car breakdown in the middle of the night in an unlit area. EDC flashlights are primarily characterized by their compactness and light weight, so you can carry such a flashlight in your pants pocket, waist bag or shoulder bag. EDC flashlights also include tiny flashlights-keyrings for keys.
Due to the versatility and compactness of such flashlights, we recommend them for most activities. They will work well on camping trips, trips to the mountains, for survival or bushcraft. Some models you can even use on a bicycle thanks to special mounts. Check the offer in our MILITARY.EU store and choose a flashlight for everyday use.
Choosing proven brands from the offer of MILITARY.EU store, you can be sure that the equipment in question will serve you for years. Before setting off on a trip, always check the charge of the batteries and do not forget the charger. If you have a flashlight powered by batteries, take a supply of them with you.
We hope that the above guide was useful to you and you already know how to choose a good flashlight for your needs.