From the checklist:

1) Short Essay Question: What do you intend to use this light for?

Every day carry in an urban environment. I work mainly from my home office or am traveling around the country (I do sales), I get out daily a few times to walk the dogs in light / dark / rain / shine. Occasionally am out elsewhere. This is not going to be a heavy use item — in the short time I’ve been EDCing a Fenix E01 I realize how handy these things are.

Because I’m using it at home etc. having multiple modes including a moonlight or firefly, low, will be very helpful.

2) What Region/Country/State will the light be purchased in?
[X] I am in _______(country) and __________(state/providence).

Washington DC

3) Price Range: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest! :broke:
[x] $1-15
[x] $15-30
[x] $40-60

Ideally I’d like to keep it under $40 but am willing to move.

4) Format:
PART A
[x] I want a flashlight.

PART B
Length:
[x] 1-2 inches. (Keychain sized)
[x] 2-4 inches. (Pocket carry)

PART C
Width:
[ ] I prefer a long narrow light.
[ ] I prefer a short wide light.
[x] Doesn’t matter.

PART D
Weight:
Lights of a similar size can be very different in weight and may turn the perfect sized light into a paper weight. In general a lights of the same size will stack up like this; plastic and aluminum will be your lighter choices brass, stainless steel, bronze will be heavier. I won’t put numbers here because everyone has a different weight sensitivity. For the purposes of EDC specifically I’ll limit the choices here to the more easily carried sizes pick 2 sizes to represent a range of weight.
[ ] 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
[x] Medium, slightly heavier than a AA MiniMag
[ ] Heavy Medium, can of Coke
[ ] Heavy, PDA or small digital camera

5) What kind of “bulb”.
[x] 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? Alkaline batteries are easier to find and less expensive but don’t pack as much stored energy and are don’t work well in cold temperatures. Lithium batteries have long shelf life (10+ years, great for stored emergency lights) and are not as affected by cold but must be kept dry and are more expensive. Rechargeable start expensive, but if used frequently pay off quickly.
[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. (an investment, but best for everyday use)

I prefer commonly available batteries, and already have a lot of rechargeable AAs. This seems to be about the right size.

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)
[x] I want to walk around a generally paved area. (15-20 lumens)

8) Throw vs Flood: Which do you prefer, lights that flood an area with a wide beam, or lights that “throw” with a tightly focused beam? Place an “X” on the line below. Sometimes a flood is better particularly closer up or indoors. You won’t have to “sweep” the light back and forth to see what you need to see. You can also just set it down pointing the general direction rather having to point it right at that which you are working.

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

I really don’t know.

9) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims (like some LED lights). but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries. Understand that runtime is a function of brightness and capacity of your batteries. If you want 6 hours you’ll either have big batteries or dimmer light, they haven’t made a setup yet that lights up like the sun, runs all night, and fits in your watch pocket.
[x] 20 min. (I want the brightest light for brief periods)
[x] 60-240 min. (1-2 hours)

10) Durability: Generally the old phrase “you get what you pay for” is very accurate for flashlights.
[x] Slightly Important (Walks around the neighborhood.)

11) Switch Type:
[x] clickie switch. (Stays on until pressed again.)
[x] momentary switch. (Only stays on while held down.)

Momentary would be nice but not a must have. My current light has a twisty turn-on mechanism and feel like this is not optimal (like it could twist on in my pocket).

12) Switch Location:
[x] I don’t care.
[ ] I want a push or sliding switch on the body near the head.
[ ] I want a push switch on the back end of the body.
[ ] I want a rotating head switch.
[ ] I want a rotating end-cap switch.
[ ] I want a remote control.

13) Operational Modes: Check all that apply.
[ ] A simple on-off is fine for me.
[x] I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
[x] I want multiple light levels. (some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
[ ] I want a strobe mode. (blinks to show location.)
[ ] I want a tactical strobe. (Flashes rapidly to disorient an opponent.)
[ ] I want S.O.S. flashing

I like the idea of a low / moonlight mode, medium, and high if possible.

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 don’t care.
[x] I want a metal-bodied light.
[ ] I want a plastic/composite light.

Admittedly, I am really interested in a stainless steel or titanium body.

15) Special Needs: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn’t been mentioned? Circle any below or write in your own comment(s).
[ ] Red (night vision preserving) filter
[ ] Other filter colors (Amber, Green, Blue, _________)
[ ] Waterproof – how deep: _____________
[ ] Non-reflective/dark finish (stealthy/hard to find)
[ ] Polished silver or brightly colored finish (for easy locating)
[ ] Corrosion resistant or hard-anodized finish
[ ] “Hybrid” light (bright incandescent combined with long running LEDs)
[ ] Built-in second (or spare) lamp or filament
[x] Belt/Jacket clip
[ ] Holster
[ ] Wrist/Neck Lanyard
[ ] Kuboton/self defense features
[ ] Non-sparking Intrinsically Safe (IS) for use in explosive environments

I like stainless or titanium look, or colors (like orange!). I also like having a little belt clip on the light.

Thank you!