Badge request, flashlight... Plus the question.

PitCarver · **on:** September 09, 2019, 08:38:48 PM

Firstly, thought I'd give a go at the flashlight badge.
Seen here riding atop my EDC bag.

Now, the question part...
What's the advantage of a $50.00+ flashlight, for general use, over my 2 for $10.00, Tractor Supply light.
It has a focusing beam, is the perfect size for me and uses standard AAA batteries.

Wspeed · **Reply #1 on:** September 09, 2019, 08:40:40 PM

How bright is it PC

PitCarver · **Reply #2 on:** September 10, 2019, 05:55:17 AM

Lumins?
¯\_(ツ)_/¯

It throws enough light to shine the road, from my front porch...50 yards or so.
Got one of those itek "super" lights, that has 4 or 5 modes and "200x" zoom, as a gift, does about the same.

PitCarver · **Reply #3 on:** September 10, 2019, 06:03:50 AM

Keep the itec by my chair, for power outages and such. It's not bad, just heavier than the other. Takes 3 AAA batteries.

comis · **Reply #4 on:** September 10, 2019, 09:39:54 AM

Pretty cool functional lights! Good luck with the badge!

PitCarver · **Reply #5 on:** September 10, 2019, 01:03:12 PM

Thanks.
Got almost as many different flashlights as I do Multitools.
I went through a phase...

SteveC · **Reply #6 on:** September 10, 2019, 01:39:48 PM

Badge awarded

I'll move this to the flashlight forum where it may get more answers for you.

Wspeed · **Reply #7 on:** September 10, 2019, 01:45:33 PM

Congratulations on your badge PC

Aloha · **Reply #8 on:** September 10, 2019, 03:53:41 PM

Congrats on the badge.

Quote from: PitCarver on September 09, 2019, 08:38:48 PM

Now, the question part...
What's the advantage of a $50.00+ flashlight, for general use, over my 2 for $10.00, Tractor Supply light.
It has a focusing beam, is the perfect size for me and uses standard AAA batteries.

Based on your answer after your question, Nothing. IMO a light that serves the user in the way you describe is exactly what most are looking for.

Now to expand a little. Some are looking for very powerful light output. Some are looking for certain materials. Some like USB recharge options. Some want multiple cell options. Some like the longest run times. Some want a multitude of features. Some want ultra compact. There's certainly more to be added as to why one would want to spend more on a light.

I have 2 lights that were north of 50. My ZL SC52L2 was right around 50 and my Olight S1

R Turbo S was 65.

ZL sc52l2 specs.

User Selectable Levels: 3 main levels (High, Medium and Low). Each main level can be programmed to one of its two sub-levels. The second sub-level of the each main levels can be further programmed to different brightness levels.
Light Output (runtimes)
High: H1 300 Lm (0.9 hrs) or H2 184 Lm (1.7 hrs) / 116 Lm (3 hrs)
Medium: M1 54 Lm (7.5 hrs) or M2 27 Lm (12 hrs) / 13 Lm (27 hrs)
Low: L1 2.9 Lm (4 days) or L2 0.36 Lm (3 weeks) / 0.06 Lm (2 months) / 0.01 Lm (3 months)
Beacon Strobe Mode: 4Hz Strobe at H1 / 19Hz Strobe at H1

Light output are ANSI out the front (OTF) values. Runtimes tested (and parasitic drain estimated) using Sanyo 2000mAh Eneloop AA batteries. Light output with 14500 batteries are the same except that the H1 is 535Lm for the first minute and then step down to 300Lm.

I like that I could program the light as I needed/wanted. I can also use a variety of AA cells and 14500s (which I do use). It was also great to read here on the forum that Zebralight will fix the light for 15 should I have issues. The light has performed flawlessly since I got it. I find the design to be very interesting as well.

Olight S1R Turbo S specs.

The update consists in the added Turbo level, that is positioned between the 900 and 300 lumens levels present on the previous version.

- TurboS: 900 lumens 1.5 minutes, 300 lumens 50 minutes
- Turbo: 600 lumens 1.5 minutes, 300 lumens 55 minutes
- High: 300 lumens 60 minutes
- Medium: 60 lumens 4.5 hours
- Low: 12 lumens 33 hours
- Moonlight: 0.5 lumens 15 days
-Timer Setting: Short (3 minutes) and long (9 minutes)
- Strobe
RCR123 customized battery or CR123

This is my powerhouse light. I want a boost of light, this is the light for that. Its a small light which is also great. The magnetic charging is really neat but I can use other cell options. I appreciate the lock out feature tho I haven't had an accidental on yet.

Need/Want play a large part in all our decisions of gear. The simple answer is the one you gave.

PitCarver · **Reply #9 on:** September 10, 2019, 06:25:20 PM

Quote from: Aloha on September 10, 2019, 03:53:41 PM

User Selectable Levels: 3 main levels (High, Medium and Low). Each main level can be programmed to one of its two sub-levels. The second sub-level of the each main levels can be further programmed to different brightness levels.
Light Output (runtimes)
High: H1 300 Lm (0.9 hrs) or H2 184 Lm (1.7 hrs) / 116 Lm (3 hrs)
Medium: M1 54 Lm (7.5 hrs) or M2 27 Lm (12 hrs) / 13 Lm (27 hrs)
Low: L1 2.9 Lm (4 days) or L2 0.36 Lm (3 weeks) / 0.06 Lm (2 months) / 0.01 Lm (3 months)
Beacon Strobe Mode: 4Hz Strobe at H1 / 19Hz Strobe at H1

Light output are ANSI out the front (OTF) values. Runtimes tested (and parasitic drain estimated) using Sanyo 2000mAh Eneloop AA batteries. Light output with 14500 batteries are the same except that the H1 is 535Lm for the first minute and then step down to 300Lm.

I like that I could program the light as I needed/wanted. I can also use a variety of AA cells and 14500s (which I do use). It was also great to read here on the forum that Zebralight will fix the light for 15 should I have issues. The light has performed flawlessly since I got it. I find the design to be very interesting as well.

Olight S1R Turbo S specs.

The update consists in the added Turbo level, that is positioned between the 900 and 300 lumens levels present on the previous version.

- TurboS: 900 lumens 1.5 minutes, 300 lumens 50 minutes
- Turbo: 600 lumens 1.5 minutes, 300 lumens 55 minutes
- High: 300 lumens 60 minutes
- Medium: 60 lumens 4.5 hours
- Low: 12 lumens 33 hours
- Moonlight: 0.5 lumens 15 days
-Timer Setting: Short (3 minutes) and long (9 minutes)
- Strobe
RCR123 customized battery or CR123

Thanks...

I'm still trying to figure out the Bell's and whistles of my phone, after over half a year.

and still wear an analog watch, for the simplicity.

The itec has 4 modes that has the ability to confuse me to no end.

After almost 18 years of using old 5D cell Maglights, for work. I went simple and small.

PitCarver · **Reply #10 on:** September 10, 2019, 06:32:30 PM

Quote from: SteveC on September 10, 2019, 01:39:48 PM

Badge awarded

I'll move this to the flashlight forum where it may get more answers for you.

Thanks...
Somehow I couldn't find flashlights yesterday, so I thought the cheap section fit.

Ivo · **Reply #11 on:** September 10, 2019, 08:13:08 PM

Congrats with you badge PC

Aloha · **Reply #12 on:** September 10, 2019, 10:09:29 PM

PitCarver. You've found what works stick with it. I haven't bought a new light in a while. The Zebralight and Olight both have hit all the right marks for me. I get tempted but theres not much that has me wanting to pull the trigger.

comis · **Reply #13 on:** September 12, 2019, 05:13:42 AM

As an ex-flashaholic myself, I too went thru that pharse and had been out of the loop for sometime.

Recently, our fellow member, Sos24, was nice enough to introduce me a flashlight with rotary dial switch(with infinitive brightness setting).

The idea is very simple, just twist on to however bright you want it, and when you are done, just twist it all the way off.

I am really digging the ease of operation, and it is even usb rechargeable. I know you are probably don't care for any flashlight programming or multiple clicks/twist, but given it's ease of use, this one might be worth a look:

Image gotten from Battery Junction