Latest update: 1/3/12
As with most other subjects, were you to get one hundred people in a room and ask their opinion about flashlights, you would have a minimum of 99 opinions. With that in mind, I will provide this page as a summary of my opinions on the things I find more important when it comes to flashlights.
A very good source for information on high output flashlights is Candle Power Forums(CPF). DO keep in mind that their main area of concern is for HIGH OUTPUT flashlights. As such, if your idea of a "good" flashlight is the one you can find at Radio Shack for $1.99, you will not find CPF of much use.
The first item for you to think about in the purchase of a flashlight is your use. If you want something to keep around the house "just in case" the power goes out and you need to traverse the house without stubbing your toe on the furniture, the Radio Shack $1.99 is a good choice. Just remember to change the batteries at least every other year! On the other extreme, if you have a LARGE backyard that has four legged visitors you need to deter, a much higher output light is in order.
Once you have a preliminary decision made on the relative output you want, the next consideration is the type of "bulb" the flashlight will be using. The old time standard of incandescent, still works just fine, IF you do not need high output. There are several different improved incandescents, Xenon is one example, that are significantly higher in output. If you want to get to really higher output then you need to seriously consider Light Emitting Diodes (LED) as your choice of emitter (read that bulb).
The relative output and efficiency of the LED emitter has been changing at an almost exponential rate in just the last few years. In fact, the "high output" LED of just last January is now considered less efficient compared to the current XM-L types. Do you really care? The harder you use your flash, the more important the light output and efficiency become. - - - - - Main point, just get one that handles your need and don't worry. I have one LED light that is four years old and it is still an excellent choice which, unfortunately, is no longer available.
Please skip this portion if you are not interested in LED efficiency numbers, as reported by the manufacturer.
It is very interesting just how much efficiency has been gained in the conversion from incandescent to LED lighting. The initial LED lighting provided about a 2/3rds reduction in current, and resulting heat generated, compared to the incandescent bulb. As you can see, the later releases have improved the efficiency even more.
The XLamp XR-E LED is leading the LED lighting revolution with its unprecedented lighting-class brightness, efficacy, lifetime and quality of light. These lighting-class features enable the XLamp XR-E LED to replace many traditional light sources and save money with energy-efficient light and long lifetimes.
The cool white XLamp XP-G provides 139 lumens and 132 lumens per Watt at 350 mA. Driven at 1 A, the XP-G produces 345 lumens, which is 37 percent brighter and 53 percent more efficient than the brightest XR-E LED. The XP-G LED has the highest lumen density of any available lighting-class LED, and it is based on the XLamp XP family package.
XLamp XM-L LEDs offer the unique combination of very high efficacy at very high drive currents, providing a 20% efficiency gain over the XLamp XP-G LED at the same current.
My calculator tells me that the XM-L LED, run at the same amount of
light output as the incandescent bulb, would be running on 5% of
the current required by the incandescent bulb. Unfortunately, or
fortunately, if you prefer, the XM-L LEDs are being driven at a MUCH
higher output than the incandescent bulbs. This provides significant
increases in usable light, and thereby increases low-light-area safety.
- - - The net gain in efficiency is 80%!
A very important item to consider is the type of battery your new flashlight will use. The quite old, yet very reliable (and HEAVY) alkaline battery has done yeoman service and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. The are, however, quite heavy, but they are relatively inexpensive, and last a long time. The other choices are Nickel Cadmium (NiCad), Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMh), Lithium (Li), and Lithium Ion (LiIon). Each is an improvement in performance over the previous, but at a perceptible increase in cost.
The batteries noted above are divided into two categories; Primary, or NON rechargeable - the Alkaline and Lithium (not to be confused with Lithium ION), and Secondary, or rechargeable - Nickel Cadmium, Nickel Metal Hydride and Lithium Ion.
The old alkaline is NOT RECHARGEABLE! If you try to recharge them they will, at minimum, leak all over the place, and some may explode. DO NOT try to recharge a primary cell!
There are SIGNIFICANT differences in the care and feeding of the various types of rechargeable batteries and that information, at lest for now, is beyond the scope of this web page. - - - I will, however, make note of one SIGNIFICANT difference between rechargeables. The LiIon rechargeable used for flashlights have a SIGNIFICANTLY higher output voltage than either the NiCads or NiMHs. NiCads are 1.2V per cell at full charge. The LiIon at full charge is 4.2V! Put a 4.2V cell into a device that is expecting 1.2V and can you say SIZZLE?! Just take care.
One other point while we are in batteries: The Lithium Ion (rechargeable) does not use the same naming standards as Alkaline, et al. The LiIon battery is known by its size (in mm). For example: The AA size we all know is a 14500; 14mm diameter, 50mm tall and the last zero says cylindrical in shape. The double CR123A battery is the 18650, or 18mm diameter, 65mm tall and cylindrical shape.
Chargers for LiIon rechargeable batteries must be well regulated (see the article from Battery University). I also suggest, if you decide to go with LiIon batteries, that you get "protected" cells. They are more expensive, but well worth it in the long run. Battery University has an overview of the Li-Ion batteries with some of the cautions mentioned. Candle Power Forums have more information but some of the people there are more paranoid than necessary.
Just like cars where you have Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Nissan, (etc, ad nausium), there are many many different brands of flashlights. The one item that I find most important in selecting a brand of flashlight, is your intended use. If you are going to use it daily and "most strenuously" (such as the Police do) then Streamlight or Maglight are excellent choices. For the rest of us, I suggest Xeno (pronounced Ze-no) as a viable choice.
I have more than one Streamlight and they are a good product. The primary objection that I have to their product is the type(s) of battery you need for them. The better of their line run on either CR123 (at $2 to $3 each) that provide you with about one hour of service, OR rechargeable Nickel Cadmium (NiCad) batteries that run from $4 each to as much as $20. Do remember you will need to learn about the care and feeding of NiCads, should you decide to run Rechargeable NiCads. - - - I find Streamlight to be very usable, but far from optimal.
Having said less than optimal, there are two of the Streamlight models that are quite usable, if you do not need significant output. The MicroStream is 25-28 lumen that runs on a single AAA battery. They typically cost from $13 to $17, depending on where you get them. This is particularly good for a backup that sees little use. - - One that fits between low output and high output is the PT 2L which runs 180 lumen. If you look around you can find the ones with no strobe and only high output for about $45 to $50.
Maglights are, again, a very durable light that comes in many configurations. I think every one of us has seen the TV program COPS and the primary light of choice is Maglight for larger ones and Streamlight for smaller ones. If you are willing to put up with the extra weight, a Maglight, with LED conversion ($20, if not included in the initial purchase price) is far from a bad choice. In fact if you want a super durable light that will last and last, a Maglight with LED conversion, in three or four cell alkaline configuration is an excellent and comparatively inexpensive choice.
The assortment of Maglights available is nice, but some are only marginally useful. For example, the Mini-Maglights are in the low output range and even with LED emitters are still not very efficient, nor convenient to use.
My first excursion into high output flashlights was a 2-"D" cell unit from Home Depot. This is a 200 Lumen light with a very good focus (throw) that I got on sale for $20. Unfortunately Home Depot decided they were not making enough money off of their light and discontinued it. Later, and from there I went to CPF and found the Zebra-Light SC600. This is an EXCELLENT, high output, pocket size light, that is expensive ($125 counting everything to get it going properly) and extremely complex to operate (three sets of three options that you have to do a dance with the push button switch to activate). Nice, but less than optimal usability.
I then happened upon the Xeno E03. EXCELLENT little flashlight that is just under the size of a roll of nickels (but only 1.7oz without batteries). It runs on either a standard AA size battery OR the LiIon rechargeable. The output from the standard AA is a bit less than half of the output from the LiIon battery (DUH!) but is still quite good at about 120 lumen on high. Today's cost (V3) is $30, so they are not cheap, but with over 400 lumen output from a true pocket sized EDC (Every Day Carry) light (with 14500 battery), how much more can you ask for? - - Almost as a P.S. they are available in black, red, blue, and all for the same price. If the top E03 link shows "Out of Stock", check the links just above for those currently in stock (they sell out quickly, but are back in stock in a few weeks).
Specifications: Length=3.8" Diameter=0.85" Weight=1.7 oz.(battery excluded)
Batteries=(1)AA or (1)14500
~~ V3 Output Levels:
Using Ni-MH AA battery (Lumens / Run Time / Current):
Ultra Low (20 lumens / 20 hours / 20mA)
Low (45 lumens / 4 hours / 150mA)
High (120 lumens / 1 hour / 350mA)
Using Li-ion 14500 battery (Lumens / Run Time / Current):
Ultra Low (80 lumens / 2.5 hours / 300mA)
Low (280 lumens / 45 mins /1A)
High (430 lumens / 20 mins / 1.5A)
Measured with a single 2600mAh SANYO eneloop AA Ni-MH rechargeable battery and 800mAH 14500 Li-ion rechargeable battery. Both fully recharged and continuous testing to get a burning time.
The Xeno F7 and F8 are virtually the same light, except that the F8 costs $20 more. The difference is in the color of the anodizing, finger groves and shape of the tail-cap switch. For $20 less I far prefer the F7, at $39.95 from Emergency Matters.
Specifications: Length=5.35" Diameter=1.25" Weight=4.2 oz.(batteries excluded)
Batteries=(2)CR123A or (1)18650
~~ F7/F8 Output Levels:
Ultra Low (10 lumens / 100 hours)
Low (115 lumens / 8 hours)
High (300 lumens / 2.5 hours)
Please note that while the pictures imply that the F8 is larger than the F7, they are of identical size.
The Xeno G42 is one of the least expensive, durable, HIGH THROW (focus for distance of 1000 feet) that I have found. It is available from BladeHQ which is a division of Emergency Matters. It is a 600 lumen, three level output that has 330 lumen as the low (medium for us mere mortals). If you really need a super focused, tight beam (long throw), the G42 is an relatively inexpensive option. BE SURE you get V2.
Specifications: Length=6.3" Head Dia=1.8" Body Dia=1.05" Weight=9.2 oz.(batteries excluded)
Batteries=(2)CR123A or (1)18650
Output Levels:
Ultra Low (60 lumens / 100 hours)
Low (330 lumens / 2.5 hours)
High (605 lumens / 1 hour)
Much like the F7/F8 the G42 has a cousin in the F42. It is VERY close to the same specifications (560 Lumen out the front in place of 605 for the G42, and 300 in medium vs 330), does NOT have the built-in belt clip (I like it without), has a slight color shift in the anodizing, has the same tail-cap as the F7, and is . . . . . . . . $30 less (30%).
I ended up with the "Cool White" in the G42 and the "Neutral White" in the F42. The slight blue-ish cast with the Cool White is a tad more pleasing to me, but BOTH are excellent lights. When you add in the cost difference I am VERY happy with the F42. - - Oh, one other thing: Note that the "Low" (medium for the rest of us) in the F42 is equal to the High of the F7/F8, with the same run time.
Before I forget, the lubricant mentioned below is - very - handy to have for the F42/G42. The manufacturer ships the F42/G42 in a box that is not long enough to hold them with the tail-cap on. Thus you really should lubricate the threads and "O" rings before you install the batteries and tail-cap.
YANOC = Yet Another Note Of Caution: BladeHQ is one of many that have the G42-V2 in multiple emitter configurations. You can pay $95.00 for a G42 that provides 350 lumen output or one that provides 605 lumen output! If it costs you the same, why not get the higher output model? - - - - This is not a hit on BladeHQ but rather a cautionary note for ALL vendors. Look VERY closely at what they list, and how it is listed. For high output you want an XM-L 1B U2 emitter, for slightly lower output any other XM-L emitter, and in NO case an XP-G.
Here is a list of the various emitters that I have found that are
available for the Xeno F/G-42s:
As you can see, it pays to "read the fine print" (and YES, the two XP-G R5s have different output).
In doing my research on various configurations and brands of LED lights I find that there are a veritable plethora of brands that have strobe modes included. To me, that is nothing but an annoyance that you have to "click through" to get the durned light shut off. How many of us need a strobe function? And of those that do, how often do you use the strobe, compared to how often you just want to shut the light off? To me, that is unnecessary garbage.
The E03 and F7/F8 have YouTube videos available showing them doing a
drop test, from three feet, on concrete, THIRTY times. The lights just
keep on running. I consider that durability. The G42 has pictured, in
the manufacturer's web page, the G42 being run over with a 1.7 ton truck,
and still working. I'm impressed.
Xenos are three "mode" (high, low and ultra low [high, medium and low for mere mortals]). The default varies by model number. The E03 starts with medium and allows you to change the output by pressing lightly on the tail cap while it is in operation. The F7, F8, F42 and G42 all default to high, but you can lightly press the switch and index through the other modes until you get the one you want and then just press until it clicks. It will run at that output until it is shut off.
I find the Xeno approach to the user interface to be FAR superior to the UI of any other multi-mode brand! I really dislike the "turn-it-on then do this then do that then do the other thing" to change the light output, or to get strobe (see above on what I think of strobes) and I am especially repulsed by "Turbo-mode" lights.
One last item you WILL want if you make the excursion into high(er?) output flashlights is lubrication for the tail-cap threads and the "O" rings that maintain the water resistance. The one that I have found to be the most efficient and easiest to obtain, yet relatively inexpensive, is the 3oz. tube of Super Lube. That is about a five year supply, but for $6 to keep everything working properly, and save "O" rings, that seems inexpensive to me.
Some of the more inexpensive sources for Xeno lights are directly from CHINA! Unless you want someone in another country to have your credit card information, take care. On the other hand, both Emergency Matters and BladeHQ are in Utah. I have dealt with both on multiple occasions and find them to be good vendors.
Almost as a P.S. - a few of the China vendors will accept PayPal, so you can at least keep your credit card information within the US. This also keeps you from incurring an "exchange rate" charge on your credit card!
High output flashlights are far from inexpensive. Do you - really - need one? That is your decision. I like them and finding the one(s) that are the least expensive, yet excellent functionality/durability has been fun, even if a bit expensive. I hope my experience will be of use to you.
I have had "more than one" incident during after dark walks, where a really bright flashlight has kept them memorable, rather than problematical. If you are out after dark, a good flashlight is worth every penny.