Maglight... I wanted to say must double as a weapon figuring that's what that meant, but I didn't want to be lumped in with those assholes with pointy lights or something.
@narfcake someone trustworthy say it? It seems like intent should matter- I would have a hard time calling it a weapon when it's a flashlight under the seat in your car, but a much easier time if you were running at someone with it over your head
@Pantheist I remember a cop telling me anything over 4 cell maglights were considered weapons. (CA) Now, he could have been perpetuating a myth that cops find useful, or been absolutely right, I don't know - but that is a "common knowledge" thing in CA, iirc.
@Thumperchick I seeee.... and just checked- mine is are 4Ds, so I never would have run into it. Wonder if it's just a couple states or widespread. Seems a shame. Is it also possessing a weapon if you need to transport a kitchen knife somewhere?
@Pantheist It is at [insert federal agency here] where we're being combed/stripped of all knives w/ blades larger than 2.5". Not that we've had any knife-related incidents or threats or anything. Not that we want to cut up fruit or anything, either.
@Thumperchick@Pantheist It does seem that in my experience, at least, the >4D Mags are rather uncommon — both in retail and in consumer ownership. Granted, a giant flashlight is still a huge leap away from a tiny gun, but… but…
@Pantheist It was an acquaintance who's had his fair share of run-ins with the law before, so while I don't "trust" him, I accepted it as trustworthy enough information.
@davidgro Fun concept in the incan days, but if you're looking forward… it just doesn't work that well with LEDs. Get an awful bubble on the wide, and a very detailed image of the LED die on the tight. Rather see a well-implemented TIR or the like than a half-assed incan carryover.
What I look for in a flashlight is not having to look for a flashlight. Sprinkle a couple dozen around the house works for a while, but eventually I wind up going out to my truck and getting the one that plugs into the cigarette lighter. (Plus it's small enough to hold in my mouth.)
I keep 2 flashlights within reach of my bed. 1 to actually use( AA mini mag with a nite eyez cree led upgrade), and the one to blind someone/get attention (from harbor freight, has 109 LEDs in the head)
A slim bright one that fits in my silverware drawer. It's not terribly convenient so I never think about using it, but it's very easy to find during a black out.
I look for one that in an emergency can be put by a bag of popcorn and it'll cook it. Or one that glows its self without any need of us to do anything. Or one that's cheap led and uses rechargable aaa or as batteries.
I look for things using a flashlight. I don't usually look for something IN a flashlight, unless I can't find batteries for some other thing that uses batteries, or my keys are missing. My keys have, on rare occasions, turned up inside a flashlight. I'd rather not think about how they got there. I'm all for living the unexamined life. If I have to examine my life, I prefer to do it in the dark using a good UV flashlight, like they do on those crime scene investigation shows. It's kind of fun, and is scares the raccoons. And the neighbors.
High max brightness and low min brightness. Must be reliable and have a configuration that's idiot proof in the case that fine motor skills are not around. Switch must be easily accesible, which negates tailstanding capability. Clip should run high. Reflrctor should definetely be smooth, or have a TIR lens. Spill is undesirable unless its a light made for just spill. Battery should be either 2x cr123 or 1x 18650. In other words, something similar to a thrunite tn12
Adjustable from blow your eyeballs brightness out to sneak up on someone in the almost dark, preferably with an optional red filter. With built in solar charging batteries. I suppose hand crank as a backup but the trouble with that is if you don't hand crank on occasion the entire flashlight stops working (umm done that more than once unfortunately).
Maglight... I wanted to say must double as a weapon figuring that's what that meant, but I didn't want to be lumped in with those assholes with pointy lights or something.
@Pantheist I used to keep a 5D Maglite under the driver's seat until I was informed that it could be classified as a weapon.
@narfcake someone trustworthy say it? It seems like intent should matter- I would have a hard time calling it a weapon when it's a flashlight under the seat in your car, but a much easier time if you were running at someone with it over your head
@Pantheist I remember a cop telling me anything over 4 cell maglights were considered weapons. (CA) Now, he could have been perpetuating a myth that cops find useful, or been absolutely right, I don't know - but that is a "common knowledge" thing in CA, iirc.
@Thumperchick I seeee.... and just checked- mine is are 4Ds, so I never would have run into it. Wonder if it's just a couple states or widespread. Seems a shame. Is it also possessing a weapon if you need to transport a kitchen knife somewhere?
@Pantheist It is at [insert federal agency here] where we're being combed/stripped of all knives w/ blades larger than 2.5". Not that we've had any knife-related incidents or threats or anything. Not that we want to cut up fruit or anything, either.
@Thumperchick @Pantheist It does seem that in my experience, at least, the >4D Mags are rather uncommon — both in retail and in consumer ownership. Granted, a giant flashlight is still a huge leap away from a tiny gun, but… but…
@Pantheist It was an acquaintance who's had his fair share of run-ins with the law before, so while I don't "trust" him, I accepted it as trustworthy enough information.
@narfcake works for me
Hands free.
This.
@thismyusername Halogen bulb?? Major waste of heat/energy
@Veloslave you can't cook an egg with a led flashlight (yet).
@thismyusername is love that to be on meh. :)
I look for adjustable beam size.
@davidgro Fun concept in the incan days, but if you're looking forward… it just doesn't work that well with LEDs. Get an awful bubble on the wide, and a very detailed image of the LED die on the tight. Rather see a well-implemented TIR or the like than a half-assed incan carryover.
What I look for in a flashlight is not having to look for a flashlight. Sprinkle a couple dozen around the house works for a while, but eventually I wind up going out to my truck and getting the one that plugs into the cigarette lighter. (Plus it's small enough to hold in my mouth.)
@walarney that's what she said...
@tightwad Plug it into that cig lighter, baby…
I like something well built that lasts forever on a set of batteries... But I also have an app on my phone so I barely use real flashlights anymore.
Small and semi-disposable is my preference, I like the single AA Cree lights for $3
I keep 2 flashlights within reach of my bed. 1 to actually use( AA mini mag with a nite eyez cree led upgrade), and the one to blind someone/get attention (from harbor freight, has 109 LEDs in the head)
@earlyre Thanks for the LED idea, didn't know about those kits.
I look for flashlights that use AA batteries. Like this Bushnell 1000 lumen or this Proton Pro 115 lumen and anything in between.
One kazillion lumens!
(no, really!)
(Seriously!)
Quality, lumens, battery longevity, beam focus.
A slim bright one that fits in my silverware drawer. It's not terribly convenient so I never think about using it, but it's very easy to find during a black out.
I look for one that in an emergency can be put by a bag of popcorn and it'll cook it.
Or one that glows its self without any need of us to do anything.
Or one that's cheap led and uses rechargable aaa or as batteries.
durability
I look for things using a flashlight. I don't usually look for something IN a flashlight, unless I can't find batteries for some other thing that uses batteries, or my keys are missing. My keys have, on rare occasions, turned up inside a flashlight. I'd rather not think about how they got there. I'm all for living the unexamined life. If I have to examine my life, I prefer to do it in the dark using a good UV flashlight, like they do on those crime scene investigation shows. It's kind of fun, and is scares the raccoons. And the neighbors.
@rockblossom the UV also makes it easier to see the scorpions
My favorite flashlight is also a taser.
@katylava I try not to be places that are not just dark but scary too...
@tightwad that's just no fun
High max brightness and low min brightness.
Must be reliable and have a configuration that's idiot proof in the case that fine motor skills are not around.
Switch must be easily accesible, which negates tailstanding capability. Clip should run high.
Reflrctor should definetely be smooth, or have a TIR lens. Spill is undesirable unless its a light made for just spill.
Battery should be either 2x cr123 or 1x 18650.
In other words, something similar to a thrunite tn12
i would like one that's available to order after 8AMEDT.
I want one that flies to my hand when I need it to strike down some impudent Jedi.
The on/off switch.
it should be easily cleanable. errr....wait. you said "*flash*light". never mind.
Adjustable from blow your eyeballs brightness out to sneak up on someone in the almost dark, preferably with an optional red filter. With built in solar charging batteries. I suppose hand crank as a backup but the trouble with that is if you don't hand crank on occasion the entire flashlight stops working (umm done that more than once unfortunately).