A lot of carefulness is needed when looking for the ideal tactical flashlight to purchase. The product should be able to help you accomplish your activities; whether indoors or outdoors as in the case of camping. Even if you weren’t born choosy, this situation will be an exemption.
An ideal tactical flashlight needs to be robust in construction to not only last longer but also to be able to endure most, if not all, of the difficult situations. Remember you can’t just bump into a flashlight in the market and rush into buying without examining it to ascertain that it will meet your expectations.
So what exactly should you look out for in tactical flashlights? Are these versatile sources of light that complicated to the extent of having to select one in a pool of so many of them?
Well, in this article we’re going to have a comprehensive look at some of the key features to pay attention to whenever you’re in the market for tactical flashlights.
Here they are:
1. Amount of light emitted
The amount of light emitted from these flashlights are always determined by the amount of lumen it emits. In fact, lumen is simply the amount of light per second emitted by any object. A tactical flashlight that has a higher lumen output is likely to be brighter than one with a low lumen output.
However, flashlights with higher lumen outputs are known to consume power faster as a result of their brightness. Currently, flashlights are available in models that allow you to choose the lumen output that matches your intended use. These are usually the best models as they help maximum your battery life.
There are others that have strobe features to produce ultra-bright light to help keep you out of danger by creating some form of confusion. Bright lights can confuse attackers and wild animals from attacking you in the wilderness during camping.
2. Intended Use
What are you planning to do with the tactical flashlight? Where exactly will you be using the device? If you are planning to have your flashlight with you at the campground, know exactly that it should have features to help it easy to use during the outdoor activities.
Don’t expect much similarities between flashlights meant for indoor use to the ones meant for outdoor activities. The latter are designed in a way to make them portable. To get a tactical flashlight of your choice, you need to first identify how you are going to use the item and in what kind of environment.
3. Quality
The importance of these flashlights have seen an increase in their numbers in the market. While there are some that have been made to quality and to eventually form part of your protection gear/self-defense, some are cheaply made. In as much as we are all concerned about costs of all commodities we purchase, it is important that you don’t compromise quality for money.
Your precious life worth more than the few amount you want to save. On matters to do with your life, never compromise on quality regardless of your financial situation. This shouldn’t, however, mean that you only have to buy the most expensive models.
Just look for flashlight that is well-built and is well-priced. A well-made flashlight will always have some guarantee/warranty from the manufacturer. No manufacturer with no ill intentions can probably walk away from their products.
4. Battery runtime and type
For how long can the flashlight at optimum without going off? What does the manufacturer say about the flashlight’s batter runtime when it operates across the different modes? In fact, go for what is said the duration the battery will hold charge when it is turned on to the brightest mode.
A good flashlight should be designed to operate with a battery that doesn’t lose charge quickly. While checking on the battery runtime, it is also important that you know the type of battery that is fitted in the flashlight. Are the batteries available in the local market to make replacing easier especially after the original ones are dead.
Apart from the battery’s availability in the market, knowing the type inside can help you determine its runtime. There are battery-manufacturing brands that have been in the market for relatively long durations and are known to produce some of the best batteries. Go for flashlights with the top quality batteries.
Know if the battery is rechargeable, disposable or renewable.
5. Beam type and distance
How light produced by your flashlight is dispersed is usually determined by the lens reflector surrounding the bulb or Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). These reflectors are available in 3 common types which are fixed/flood which usually produces single beam widths. These are most suited for use in camps or when walking in darkness.
The second beam type is the focused/spot. This usually yields a single beam that has been condensed to form a spotlight that penetrates long distances. These are ideal for applications such as route-finding.
The third beam type is the adjustable which allows the beam width to be adjusted to focused from wide or any other width as deemed fit.
Apart from the beam type, the distance the beam covers should also be taken into consideration. This distance is always given in meters and is the last point where the flashlight’s brightness diminishes. This distance often varies with the brightness mode selected for use.
Wrapping Up
Tactical flashlights are very important for outdoor activities. However, getting the best ones has been a challenging task for most of the campers. Having looked at some of the features you should concentrate on while shopping for the tactical flashlights, your search has already been simplified.
You can check out for the latest and brightest tactical flashlights and choose what will perfectly work for you. Do you think this article has helped in your search for the best tactical flashlights? Is there any other factor that you feel is very important and has been left out?