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September 8, 2025 at 10:37 am #4575
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KeymasterI’m looking for a flashlight to carry in my Vanquest EDCM Husky. In my other thread I was also looking for that and I ended up with the NiteCore Tube, which is a very nice little flashlight in my opinion and now used as a key chain light.
1) Short Essay Question: What do you intend to use this light for?
I’ve decided to carry the Tube on my keyring and now I’m looking for a larger and more sturdy one to carry in my organizer. I would like to use it on travels, on camping trips, in the forest, around the house. I would really like to have an all-round flashlight.2) What Region/Country/State will the light be purchased in?
[V] I will be mail-ordering or buying online, so this doesn’t matter.
[V] I am in The Netherlands.3) Price Range: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest! :broke:
[V] $1-15
[V] $15-304) Format:
PART A
[V] I want a flashlight.PART B
Length:[V] 4-6 inches (+/-).
PART C
Width:
[V] I prefer a long narrow light.
[V] I prefer a short wide light.
Is there something in between?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.
[V] Medium light, about the weight of a AAA MiniMag
[V] Medium, slightly heavier than a AA MiniMag5) What kind of “bulb”.
[V] Don’t care, just want the best fit for my needs.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.
[V] I want a rechargeable system. (an investment, but best for everyday use)
Rechargeable batteries would also be OK.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).
[V] I want to read a map, find a light switch/keyhole, or get around the house at w/o disturbing anyone. (5-10 lumens)
[V] I want to walk around a generally paved area. (15-20 lumens)
[V] I want to walk unpaved trails. (40 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)————–X——-|———————-Flood/close-up
Not sure about what’s the best for my needs.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.
[V] 60-240 min. (1-2 hours)
[V] 240-360 min. (4-6 hours)10) Durability: Generally the old phrase “you get what you pay for” is very accurate for flashlights.
[V] Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box.)11) Switch Type:
[V] I don’t care.12) Switch Location:
[V] I don’t care.13) Operational Modes: Check all that apply.
[V] I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)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.
[V] I want a metal-bodied light.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).
[V] Pocket clip -
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