What lightweight, practical flashlights would people recommend?
I want something that I could use while camping, dog walking, and general day-to-day tasks (finding something under the bed for example). Currently I use my phone torch, which isn’t particularly practical. My previous (battery powered) torches have died after too short a space of time - I want something that will last.
One with a clip would be handy, so I could attach it to a cap.
I see lots of ones online with insane lumens. 1000 lumens seems like overkill for my purposes!
Not too worried about price (within reason!)
Fair point regarding the models with proprietary chargers.
I think the Zebralight model you mentioned is the smallest I’d want to go. Do you reckon it’s a buy-it-for-life kinda product?
I’m looking it up and it seems like Zebralight is USA-only, so maybe the whole thing is moot. IMO, technology is always improving, 10 years from now we’ll have better… something. Its unpredictable, but something will be better. Maybe more-efficient MOSFETs (on/off switches relating to the power-delivery, especially in the voltage-converter circuits and/or current regulator circuits), or more-efficient LEDs, or more-efficient batteries. Who knows? Something will be obsolete in 10 years however, and you might care for an upgrade by that point.
But I’m not so loyal to brands. What I believe in is that the “AA-size” is a good, practical, flashlight for everyday carry. Then again, I know that some people prefer the 18650 (aka: Lithium-cell) that’s roughly one-size larger instead.
Here’s what I do think:
Batteries wear out over time – Replaceable Batteries are key to longevity. My own collection of AAs are thrown away regularly, as they do break down, and I do buy new ones over time. Lithium-Ion in my phones only last 2 to 3 years in my experience. I absolutely require a replaceable battery for any long-term use.
LEDs have long lifespans – 10+ years for the LED is likely. The flashlight likely won’t last for “life” as the LED is the critical component, but if we ignore the battery (which probably only has a few years of life at the best), the “next” component to likely fail is easily 10+ years of life. Other parts inside of the battery (Inductors / MLCC Capacitor for the boost circuit, and other chips) are 20+ year components.
Technology always improves – Every part I listed here has improved in the past decade. Meaning I expect 10+ years from now, that the new tech will improve again somehow.
Its the device class you should be thinking of. – Decide upon AAA-size, AA-size, or 18650-size flashlights. There’s a few custom-battery sizes outside of that, but 18650 is the “standard lithium” cell that likely is replaceable. AA-size might use Lithium-ion 14500 cells, which is also fine and standardized (albeit less popular, but its still a “standard” size with replacements available). The particular brand isn’t too important: as long as its using modern parts, you’ll get roughly the same performance as all competitors. (Be it a Zebralight or a M150 or whatever you end up buying).
So yeah, that’s your main decision: AAA-sized (180 Lumens), AA-sized for ~280 to 300 lumens (or 14500-sized, the equivalent Li-ion standard-size), or 18650-sized (Li-ion only, 1000+ lumen).
Bigger is more lumens and hours of use per charge.
Smaller is easier to carry.
Brand probably doesn’t matter as long as you choose a premium LED / premium brand of some kind.
Thanks again for the comprehensive info. It’s a shame that Zebralight are US only!
I’ll do a bit of research based on what you’ve said :)