I’ve been looking real hard at the Sunwayman V10R and the Jetbean BC-10. I’m really digging the continuously variable nature of the SWM, but the price is more comfortable on the BC-10. Not that price is prohibitive. I liquidated my watch collection a while ago after I settled on one that I wear almost every day (Seiko BFK), so I’m sitting on a (small-ish) chunk of cash.

Here’s the back story. I carry a Lumentop worm on my keychain. Love the light, the 2 modes work well for just about everything I need them to, but I’m looking for something both more and less powerful. I have a 5 month old son who sleeps in our room, and as the days shorten and it’s darker and darker when I get up, he’s being disturbed by the closet light when I’m getting dressed. I’m looking for something with a really low low. I’d also like something that can light up the back yard so I can see what the hell the dogs are staring at in the woods when they won’t come in for the night.

As for size, I’m thinking a single AA, or maybe a 123? I dunno. I want something that’s comfortable for pocket carry (A pocket clip is also mandatory), but larger than a keychain light. Any advice here would be appreciated.

Here’s the copy-paste survey:
1) Short Essay Question: See above

2) What Region/Country/State will the light be purchased in?
USA

3) Price Range: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
$30-70 USD

4) Format:
PART A
I want a flashlight.

PART B
Length:
2-4 inches. (Pocket carry)

PART C
Width:
I prefer a long narrow light. (I think), this one is flexible.

PART D
Weight:
[ x] Very light, can’t tell it’s there.
[ x] Light, no heavier than a few keys or a small car remote.
[ x] Medium light, about the weight of a AAA MiniMag

5) What kind of “bulb”.
LED – more rugged, unlikely to burn out in your lifetime, less accurate color rendition, in general less output but more efficient (longer runtimes)

6) What batteries do you want to use?
[x] I want common Alkaline batteries. (AA, AAA, C, D)
[X] I want lithium batteries. (coin cells, CR123, AAA, AA…)
[?] I want a rechargeable system. (if included in budget)

7) How much light do you want? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is impossible).
[X] I want to read a map, find a light switch/keyhole, or get around the house at w/o disturbing anyone. (5-10 lumens)
[ ] I want to walk around a generally paved area. (15-20 lumens)
[X] I want to walk unpaved trails. (40 lumens)
[ ] I want to do Caving or Search & Rescue operations. (60+ lumens)
[X] I want to light an entire campground or dazzle an intruder. (100+ lumens)

8) Throw vs Flood:

Throw (distance)———————-|—-XX——————Flood/close-up

9) Runtime: Flexible, I’d like more than 6 hours on ultra low, but it’s not really an issue on ultra high.

10) Durability: Generally the old phrase “you get what you pay for” is very accurate for flashlights.
[X] Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box.)

11) Switch Type:
[ ] I don’t care.
[ ] sliding switch (Stays on until slid back.)
[X] clickie switch. (Stays on until pressed again.)
[X] momentary switch. (Only stays on while held down.)
[ ] rotating switch

12) Switch Location:
[X] I want a push switch on the back end of the body.

13) Operational Modes: Check all that apply.
[X] I want multiple light levels. (some lights have 5-16 light levels.)

14) Is it important whether the body is metal or plastic/composite? In this case “plastic” and it’s variants does not mean “cheap” or poorly made. In many applications a plastic bodied light is preferable, hard use and water resistance comes to mind; think caving or lights that get dropped or abused.
I want a metal-bodied light. (moderately flexible. If something fits all other categories, I’d consider it, but I have a thing for metal)