Purchasing a Flashlight
Gone are the days when buying a flashlight meant one would automatically seek out Maglite. Whilst recognising the impact and unprecedented success of the Maglite design, LED, HID (High Intensity Discharge) and Xenon technology along with ultra strong casing materials means that the flashlight has evolved to a state where the more powerful the beam does not necessarily mean the larger the flashlight.
When looking for high-quality, low-cost lighting, it's easy to become overwhelmed by the number of brands available. At the turn of the century, flashlight technology offered a bewildering variety in bulb type, body material, body size, power source, and price range. This tutorial provides a quick summary of the most important factors to consider when purchasing a high-quality flashlight.
Lumens are used to measure brightness in the same manner that feet are used to measure length. The brighter and further the beam appears, the higher the Lumen count. Brightness levels are sometimes expressed in Candlepower or Candelas, which refers to a unit of light at the source. 12.57 Lumens are equal to one Candlepower/Candela.
The L.E.D. was perhaps the most significant advancement in lighting technology (Light Emitting Diode). Unlike a regular bulb, which heats a filament and so uses more energy to generate less light, the L.E.D. produces light on a molecular level. As a result, an L.E.D. will last a lifetime and significantly extend the battery's life. Purity, on the other hand, varies. Some generate pure white light at the time of manufacture, while others have a small blue, violet, or green tinge.
Xenon lights emit a broad spectrum of light (including infrared) and may be engineered to have a high maximum lumen output by incorporating Xenon gas into the bulb, allowing light to be produced at a higher pressure, however they are inefficient power users. H.I.D. (High Intensity Discharge) technology employs a Xenon bulb with a tubular outer bulb and an inner arc tube, as well as a cerium-doped quartz partition in the bulb to block out most ultraviolet. The lumen output of HID torches ranges from 500 to 1000.Lighting technology can be described as a fight between light and heat, with the energy required to produce heat detracting from the energy required to produce light. The LED is without a doubt the undisputed king. It produces light without the use of a filament, extending the bulb's and battery's life. However, the brightness of a Xenon bulb can be stunning, but it is more difficult on the batteries.
Casing material has advanced to the point that it is nearly unbreakable when dropped and is essentially water resistant in wet situations. A good flashlight will always feature an Aerospace-grade aluminum body as well as a tough construction and design.
The quality and specialization of manufacturers varies. Surefire offers a high-quality line of Xenon and LED lights, as well as a wide choice of accessories. Ledwave makes great LED and Xenon lights that are both powerful and affordable. The remarkable Saint, capable of producing a gigantic 450 lumens, is available from Nextorch, as well as a variety of clever, multifunctional LED, Xenon, and rechargeable torches.
It's difficult to navigate the maze of flashlight production, and it all depends on the work at hand. When choosing a lighting instrument that will survive and operate over time, consider the lumen output to size ratio, robust hardwearing case material, and bulb / battery life.