Your Average Lumen Use ?

N_N_R · **on:** July 20, 2012, 10:48:38 AM

I just saw this type of a poll on CPF and decided we should have one, too, if it doesn't exist yet

I want to see what's the average lumen use/ the best option for most people

I personally find 10 lumens pretty good for lighting up a room, but I don't mind and even like something brighter most of the time.

dks · **Reply #1 on:** July 20, 2012, 11:06:03 AM

Nice to see some competition to CPF

See if you can add another category (or categories) as 100 or more is way general for higher power LED users (e.g. 100 to 250, 251 to 500, 501 or more).

N_N_R · **Reply #2 on:** July 20, 2012, 11:10:59 AM

Ok, done

For the guys with the... flame throwers

dks · **Reply #3 on:** July 20, 2012, 11:20:30 AM

I have voted already..

My most used torches seem to be the TrustFire TR-3T6 on either low (around the house) or high outside and the Tank007 E09 from my keychain, on high.
Also C8, TR-3T6 when cycling and RC-T601 to annoy people..

Of course if there is a reason to leave a torch on all night unattended I use a Jetbeam...

captain spaulding · **Reply #4 on:** July 20, 2012, 11:25:34 AM

Well the light I use the most is my Fenix E01 which is 13 Lumens.

AimlessWanderer · **Reply #5 on:** July 20, 2012, 11:33:09 AM

It varies and depends on throw/flood too. I'm usually happy with around 30 (floody or with decent spill) for general walking around, around 60ish to get some decent bounce of light for inspection of bores and gearboxes at work, or engine bays at the boatyard, 100+ for perimeter checks of boatyard especially checking out the banking across the water, building checks at work, or inspection/monitoring from a distance. I have also been navigating at night when someone else has been driving and needed a sub-10 lumens light to avoid dazzle. I don't have much call for the really big lamps

Like with most other things in life - I like having options

The best light I've found for this is a Sunwayman I bought off Nuphoria as it's infinitely variable, but I don't carry it all the time as I don't want it to get wrecked/lost or dropped into something destructive

EDIT: I've not voted

as I use anything from 30 to 200 lumens fairly regularly and it's hard to pin it down to what's used most

N_N_R · **Reply #6 on:** July 20, 2012, 12:52:37 PM

@dks, to annoy people...

@captain spaulding, 13 lumens? *think* Wasn't it supposed to be 10? Not that the difference is huge

Or you can squeeze some more lumens using a different battery type?

@50ft-trad, yeah, having options is a nice thing of course

I believe that when you have them, it's indeed hard to decide what you use the most

I also prefer flood rather than throw... well, of coure when you're outside, you want both, lol

mvyrmnd · **Reply #7 on:** July 20, 2012, 12:58:28 PM

Minimum lumens : 1
Average lumens : 500
Max lumens: 4000

Hehehe.

nuphoria · **Reply #8 on:** July 20, 2012, 02:48:10 PM

100 ish.... I use a lot lower and a lot higher too, but somewhere in the middle is probably where I get most of my use.

Beerplumber · **Reply #9 on:** July 20, 2012, 04:25:07 PM

My surefire saint and zebra light H31 have been getting a tonne of use this summer. The saint I generally run maxed out at 100 lm but the zebra on high at 220 lm is almost too much when your eyes are adjusted to the dark. Haven't voted yet but I figure I'm a usual 100 lm kinda guy!

Two weeks ago I went quading and my headlights decided they didn't feel up to the task of actually functioning. I just left my saint around my neck cranked on and it seemed almost better than said headlights when they do decide to wake up. Rode trails all night no problem!

Stay multi my friends

Mr. Whippy · **Reply #10 on:** July 20, 2012, 04:29:01 PM

Oh hum...

Depends if I'm inside or outside.

Inside, I like 25-50 range, but with the option of 5 or less lumens (I cover the end with a finger in a pinch).

Outside, I like 200 or more. Makes a big difference when trying to find horses, dogs etc out in a field.

Gareth · **Reply #11 on:** July 21, 2012, 12:07:23 AM

I've gone for the 30-100 category. As others have said I do like having the option of more, but most of the time something in the 50-ish is more than enough for me.

tattoosteve99 · **Reply #12 on:** July 21, 2012, 03:23:05 AM

Most of the time my Edc pocket carry is 1100 lumens. Other than that it's 330 lumens.

16VGTIDave · **Reply #13 on:** July 21, 2012, 03:42:23 PM

Difficult question to answer. It depends on the situation, but I generally try to use the least light possible to accomplish the task. Saving battery's and not eliminating night vision entirely are my reasons. I tend to use ~20 lumens for most tasks in doors, in the car, around the campsite, etc. 150 - 250 when in dark, large areas like warehouses and hangars or when outdoors, especially when trying to navigate the boat between islands on a overcast, raining night. 1 or 2 lumens is just fine for navigating the house at night and avoiding that piece of Lego that didn't get picked up...

Dave

Sent from my iPad2

jimmiewalker · **Reply #14 on:** July 21, 2012, 08:08:14 PM

I don't use my flashlight everyday, but when i need light, the 600lm of the zebralight sc600w is my choice!

Heinz Doofenshmirtz · **Reply #15 on:** July 21, 2012, 09:28:13 PM

I answered 1 - 5, because the low setting on my HCRI Preon 2 is in that range (probably about 2 lumens), and it's the setting I use most. After that is the medium setting, which is probably about 30 lumens.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #16 on:** July 21, 2012, 10:00:25 PM

Yep, low lumen user here too

enki_ck · **Reply #17 on:** July 21, 2012, 10:10:23 PM

I mostly use low lumens too, from 0,02 to about 15ish, but I like having a higher powered flashlight on me as well, about 200+ is my most powerful one.

N_N_R · **Reply #18 on:** July 22, 2012, 07:53:51 AM

It's interesting to read

Heinz Doofenshmirtz · **Reply #19 on:** July 22, 2012, 08:50:50 AM

Quote from: enki_ck on July 21, 2012, 10:10:23 PM

I mostly use low lumens too, from 0,02 to about 15ish, but I like having a higher powered flashlight on me as well, about 200+ is my most powerful one.

That's one of the things I love about my Zebralight SC60w... it can go from the moonlight mode of about .25 lumens, to max output of 265 lumens in a couple of clicks.

The newer SC600 has a short term 'turbo' mode of about 750 lumens, and the low-low sub-lumen mode as well, so it's got even more range. As great as the 600 is, I still prefer my 60w though.

N_N_R · **Reply #20 on:** July 22, 2012, 09:30:20 AM

Btw, now that I saw people say they use light lower than ONE lumen, I'm curious about what such light/mode can be used for? I don't think I've ever tried that, but I doubt it's convenient for reading or walking in the dark

So, what do you use those rrrreallly low modes for?

JRB65 · **Reply #21 on:** July 22, 2012, 11:27:56 AM

Quote from: N_N_R on July 22, 2012, 09:30:20 AM

So, what do you use those rrrreallly low modes for?

Well, I don't know about the rest here but... while geocaching in the twilight or dark, it's nice to have a lot of light for the actual searching for those boxes. Then when it's time to sign a log, you manage with very little light. Got blinded from bright light reflecting off paper a few times too often

N_N_R · **Reply #22 on:** July 22, 2012, 11:49:21 AM

Quote from: JRB65 on July 22, 2012, 11:27:56 AM

Quote from: N_N_R on July 22, 2012, 09:30:20 AM

So, what do you use those rrrreallly low modes for?

Well, I don't know about the rest here but... while geocaching in the twilight or dark, it's nice to have a lot of light for the actual searching for those boxes. Then when it's time to sign a log, you manage with very little light. Got blinded from bright light reflecting off paper a few times too often

Yeah, I've got blinded by too much light for too close a distance, too

Lynn LeFey · **Reply #23 on:** July 22, 2012, 08:40:23 PM

What I need most often is the 1.8 low setting on my Preon 1, or the 3 lumen keychain fauxton I have. I do like having more power available when I need it (with the preon) but find it more of a psychological comfort, instead of a need.

ducttapetech · **Reply #24 on:** July 23, 2012, 12:19:18 AM

What ever light I have, I use max power. If my lite had a 500 million candlepower and could set fire to a tank and boil water I would use it. I have a Surefire LED2 Defender rarely use the low settings. Inside or outside, I use battery sucking mode.

Heinz Doofenshmirtz · **Reply #25 on:** July 23, 2012, 04:23:57 AM

Quote from: N_N_R on July 22, 2012, 09:30:20 AM

Btw, now that I saw people say they use light lower than ONE lumen, I'm curious about what such light/mode can be used for? I don't think I've ever tried that, but I doubt it's convenient for reading or walking in the dark

So, what do you use those rrrreallly low modes for?

For me, it's small, up-close tasks. I also use sub-lumen modes when out with the telescope with my wife, or star-parties and the like. Searching for things in the tent or my sleeping bag, etc.

kiak · **Reply #26 on:** July 23, 2012, 11:31:27 AM

Actually I'm using mid mode of my EOS A3 most. It is specified 18 lumens. But I'm in a process of upgrading my lights, so for future - I don't know. I think that I'll like something in 40-50 lm. range.

NutSAK · **Reply #27 on:** July 23, 2012, 03:37:13 PM

My use this time of year averages in the 15-30 lumens range, sometimes higher (up to 120 or so) in daylight. As winter solstice approaches, my lumen average reduces considerably, as my flashlight use is more often with dark-adjusted eyes. I use 1 lumen around the house if I need to get up in the middle of the night.

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