{"id":36134,"date":"2013-10-15T20:44:39","date_gmt":"2013-10-16T01:44:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.artofmanliness.com\/?p=36134"},"modified":"2021-06-02T16:47:28","modified_gmt":"2021-06-02T21:47:28","slug":"flashlights-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beta.artofmanliness.com\/leisure\/gear\/flashlights-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Every Man Should Carry a Torch: A Primer on Flashlights"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Vintage<\/p>\n

From helping you find your way back to your campsite, to allowing you to find a missing widget under the bed, to providing illumination when the lights go out, to warding off a would-be attacker, there are few tools as handy and essential as the flashlight. And there are few tools that elicit as much affection and attachment. I think our British friends\u2019 word for the flashlight \u2013 torch \u2013 gets right to the heart of the appeal. The flashlight is simply the latest iteration of the ancient need to carry fire in one\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n

If I learned one thing from the Hardy Boys, it’s to always carry a flashlight!<\/p><\/div>\n

As we\u2019ve moved from burning branches to battery-powered tubes, the number of options for handheld light has multiplied. You may think that all flashlights are the same, but boy you\u2019d be wrong. There\u2019s more to know than you could possibly imagine. Today, we\u2019ll stick to the basics that every man should know and consider when buying a flashlight.<\/p>\n

Five Basic Categories of Flashlights<\/b><\/h3>\n

\"Vintage<\/p>\n

Keychain\/EDC.<\/b> Typically 3\u201d or less in length, these flashlights are an essential part of one\u2019s EDC (Everyday Carry) kit. Their small size allows you to stick them in your pocket, stash them in various bags, or — and this is the easiest, most foolproof option — attach to a keychain. With their low light, they are intended to be used as a backup or emergency flashlight, not your primary one. The plastic variety often runs on coin cell batteries, like what you\u2019d find in a watch, so when it dies, you\u2019re better off replacing it entirely versus going through the hassle of replacing the battery. There are also some slightly higher-powered aluminum versions out there that will run on a single AA or AAA battery. In general, a keychain light won\u2019t run you more than $10.<\/p>\n

Utility.<\/b> This is what you\u2019ll find in most houses as a general use flashlight. It\u2019s not a serious light by any means. It\u2019s probably lightweight, made of plastic, and gives off just enough light to get the job done. They\u2019re cheap, and will last a few years for your most basic flashlight needs.<\/p>\n

Tactical.<\/b> Brett has explained exactly what makes a flashlight \u201ctactical\u201d in a previous post (he also outlines how to use one<\/a>): \u201cA tactical flashlight is simply a flashlight that\u2019s been designed for tactical (i.e. military or police) use. Many tactical flashlights are designed to be mounted to a weapon for low-light shooting. They\u2019re typically smaller than traditional flashlights, emit much more light, and are made of weapon-grade aluminum for maximum durability. While tactical flashlights are designed primarily for military and police units, they\u2019re also a really handy everyday and personal defense tool for the average civilian.\u201d<\/p>\n

These will generally be 3-7\u201d in length, and are meant to be carried on your person as a self-defense tool. They may be small, but they pack a punch. I\u2019m making a few broad generalizations here, but they\u2019re generally made of aluminum, will be between 100-500 lumens (more on that later), and should run you between $30-$100.<\/p>\n

Heavy-Duty or Industrial.<\/b> These are the heavy, generally aluminum flashlights that you have in your house or garage, or on a worksite for extended use. Because of their hefty weight, some people carry them as a personal defense weapon as well. Think classic Maglite<\/a> for this category. They give a lot of power but retain their handy size at generally between 5-14\u201d long. They\u2019re usually too big for a pocket, but still easily handheld. Prices vary widely on these flashlights — anywhere from $20 to a few hundred.<\/p>\n

Emergency<\/b>. These are hand-cranked or solar powered lights that don\u2019t rely on batteries. They\u2019re used mainly in emergency kits.<\/p>\n

\"Winchester

Headlamps are another light option too, but this post focuses on the handheld variety.<\/p><\/div>\n

Options and Functions to Consider When Buying<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n

Next, we\u2019ll go through the various options and features you\u2019ll find when shopping for flashlights. The majority are simply user preference, but I\u2019ll outline pros and cons where appropriate.<\/p>\n

Battery Type <\/b><\/h3>\n

\"Vintage<\/p>\n

What kind of battery will your flashlight run on? Most flashlights will run on either AA or AAA batteries, but you\u2019ll also find ones that run on C, D, or 9-volt batteries. Some flashlights will run on<\/b> lithium batteries, which are better for long-term storage and cold operating conditions<\/b>. Be sure to check the packaging or product details, however, because not all flashlights will accept them.<\/p>\n

Generally,<\/b> flashlights with multiple brightness levels have longer run times<\/b>. There\u2019s also the renewable energy type (emergency lights) as mentioned above that are hand-cranked or solar powered. No matter which light you go with, you\u2019ll want to have plenty of batteries on hand, so stock up. It\u2019s also a good idea to keep a few batteries close to where you store each flashlight in your house or in your EDC kit.<\/p>\n

You also want to<\/b> be sure to know about the ease of changing the batteries<\/b>. Some lights may require a small screwdriver, while some may have a slip-off case like a remote control would. Keep this small detail in mind while shopping.<\/p>\n

Material <\/b><\/h3>\n

\"Vintage<\/p>\n

There are two main types of material for flashlights: plastic and aluminum. Some models have stainless steel in the head for greater impact resistance. Aluminum is usually known to have greater durability, but it can get extra hot\/cold and is heavier than plastic models<\/b>. This is simply user preference, but unless it\u2019s a high-grade plastic material, aluminum will be your best bet.  <\/b><\/p>\n

Bulb <\/b><\/h3>\n

LEDs have come to rule the flashlight market. The bulbs last up to 100,000 hours, are incredibly durable, use only 20-25% the energy of an incandescent<\/b>, and generally provide all the light you could possibly need. Incandescent bulbs have a softer light, which some people prefer, and are cheaper. They are more fragile, however, and break easily when dropped. They also have a much shorter shelf life not only with the bulb, but they use up your light\u2019s battery juice much quicker, as well.<\/p>\n

How to Operate<\/b><\/h3>\n

\"Vintage<\/p>\n

Is it a push button, a slider, or a rotating bezel that turns the light on and off? This is something to truly think about. How will you be using your flashlight?<\/b> A rotating bezel will require two hands to turn it on and off. A push button may have a more audible click than a button that slides up\/down. There are also lights that have a non-clicking insta-beam, which turns the light on by just depressing the button, and it will turn back off once you remove pressure. That could be handy in a situation where absolute silence is paramount, or you need just a quick flash of light. The feature could also make emergency signaling<\/a> easier, as you don\u2019t have to toggle a light fully on\/off while giving the SOS. Tactical flashlights often have a push button on the tail-end, making them easy to hold like a weapon and operate with just a thumb.<\/p>\n

Additional questions to consider are if the light could accidentally turn on inside a pack or large pockets. Also think about if you\u2019ll be operating it with gloves on, and how that could impact ease of use.<\/p>\n

Reflectors and Lenses <\/b><\/h3>\n

\"Vintage<\/p>\n

The reflector is parabolic in shape and organizes the light from the bulb into a focal point<\/b>. Deep and narrow reflectors will have a more concentrated beam over a long distance (also called a \u201cthrow\u201d beam<\/b>). Wide and shallow reflectors (like on a floodlight) will give a wider, less concentrated beam (\u201cflood\u201d beam<\/b>).<\/p>\n

Lenses are usually flat, and are either made of plastic or glass, with glass generally being preferred<\/b> (although you\u2019ll find as many opinions on this as people). Plastic has a tendency to discolor over time<\/b> \u2013 see car headlights as an example. And although the average user isn\u2019t likely to run into this, a bright enough bulb can melt or disfigure a plastic lens. As for scratch and impact resistance, it just depends on the quality of the plastic or glass in question. Both materials can last for many years if they\u2019re high quality, but glass will tend to shatter a little easier.<\/p>\n

A glass lens with anti-reflective coating is even better than plain glass<\/b> (not possible with plastic lens), as it allows more light to pass through without being bounced back into the reflector. Some flashlights do have curved lenses, which concentrate the beam even more. And some lights will have adjustable lenses that let you switch between a wide flood beam and a throw beam. <\/b><\/p>\n

How Many Modes?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Many modern flashlights, especially of the tactical variety, will have multiple modes of operation. It can be as simple as three or four levels of brightness<\/b>, or as complex as having built-in emergency light strobes<\/b>, or even programmable modes that can be loaded onto the light by the user.<\/p>\n

Grip <\/b><\/h3>\n

\"Vintage<\/p>\n

A smooth, plastic flashlight is liable to slip out of your hands when working in wet conditions, or if you\u2019re sweating. Make sure that you can grip the flashlight firmly, even when your palms are sweaty<\/b> (a common occurrence when nervous or stressed \u2013 like while frustratedly working on a car, or checking your home at night for an intruder).<\/p>\n

Performance Specifications<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

\"Performance<\/p>\n

As with anything you buy, there are certain performance indicators to look for. With cars, you look at horsepower, gas mileage, towing capacity, etc. There isn\u2019t necessarily a best\/worst or right\/wrong for these specifications, it simply comes down to what you need and prefer as a user. Flashlights are much the same way. There are anywhere between 4-6 specifications you\u2019ll see when looking for lights. They aren\u2019t necessarily better or worse, just different depending on what your needs are.<\/p>\n

There is actually a standard for flashlight performance. It was published in 2009 by the American National Standards Institute<\/a> and is called the Flashlight Basic Performance Standard (or \u201cFL1 Standard\u201d for short). The FL1 Standard outlines four categories of flashlight performance. The categories are as follows:<\/p>\n