Review of the best LED flashlight models. What LEDs are used in flashlights and which ones are better?

Today I will tell you about another flashlight, this topic is quite hackneyed, but I want to add my two cents. In general, I don’t really need a flashlight, but I ordered, as they say, “to the heap,” just in case. If I'm not mistaken, this is a copy of a slightly more expensive flashlight from a famous brand, but nevertheless I really liked the flashlight! If anyone is interested, welcome to cat. But I’ll say right away that I personally didn’t take any measurements, due to the lack of the necessary instruments, but I still found some measurements on the Internet. In general, Welcome!

The flashlight doesn't have much large sizes, I would say universal. This means that it can be used in many different ways: put it in the glove compartment or trunk of the car, put it on a shelf at home and use it if the power goes out, use it for night fishing, attach it to a bicycle, highlight it in the mailbox in search of the next “magic piece of paper” which sends you to the post office or just put it in your pocket. It's convenient. No, it's very convenient. Moreover, you don’t mind losing or breaking the flashlight, since it doesn’t cost much.

The purchase was made at the beginning of May, delivery took the expected time of three weeks, there was no packaging, the flashlight was packed in several layers of bubble wrap.

About the campaign: UltraFire is a world-famous manufacturer of LED flashlights, batteries, chargers, which uses modern LEDs from such global manufacturers as the American company Cree and the Korean Seoul Semiconductors (SSC). UltraFire produces flashlights of various typologies and characteristics, which are favorable in terms of price-quality ratio (price in particular). To be fair, I’ll add that there is no such flashlight on the official UF website...

Appearance: It definitely doesn’t look worth its price, which is not surprising - it’s a copy of a more expensive flashlight. Of course appearance This is everyone's business, but the flashlight really evokes a pleasant impression and you immediately want to hold it in your hands.




The dimensions are quite modest, length:
The width and height are the same:
Weight with battery:
Weight without battery:

The flashlight is made of aluminum, I really liked the workmanship, well made. On the case there are inscriptions CREE Q5 and UltraFire (there are a lot of variations regarding these inscriptions, they can write simply CREE, or without the inscription UF), by the way, they can wear off over time, but the paint (or spraying, or even chemical blackening metal) will last for more than one month. To prove to you that it is of good quality, I prepared a video especially for you in which I scratch a flashlight with keys:

Fits perfectly in the hands It’s very comfortable to hold, and all this is thanks to the recesses and slots on the case, as well as the size. There are grooves and rough slits throughout almost the entire body; they are deep enough, this allows the flashlight not to slip out of your hands. The flashlight is really nice to hold in your hands. It is convenient, for example, to take a flashlight in your hand like a handle, grasping the entire body - you can easily direct it where to shine, and it is very easy to turn it on and off. There is also a special “clip” for hanging a flashlight on a shirt (but it won’t hold it) or a special belt (but it will). I attach a photo in hand:




Let's move on. The flashlight uses a regular 2A battery(AA), you can also use rechargeable batteries, they shine much brighter and longer than with simple disposable batteries. The battery is inserted, of course, from the back, back cover unscrews. At the bottom of the cover there is a spring for the negative contact.

I took the flashlight apart with great difficulty. For a very long time I couldn’t figure out where to unscrew it, at first I thought that I needed to unscrew the zoom ring, but in fact there is another element there, it is placed so well that you can’t even see the joints. If you remove it, you can see the LED itself. Actually, here is a photo where you need to unscrew:

You can look at the lens, it is convex. Also after this operation you can see the LED module:
After all this, I took out the battery and began to work on the white plastic washer, which, after some thought, I removed using ordinary tweezers:

After I removed this washer, a small iron plate fell out:
Well, then I struggled for a very long time and tediously with unscrewing the module itself, which most likely was not only screwed, but also glued. I removed it with a beer opener, yes, a beer opener. I wouldn’t have thought of it myself, I read it in another review. The “zoom” has also been removed from the module:
Module very close up:


I went a little further pulled out the LED:

I also read in another review that that hole (because of which I stuck out the diode) has a bad effect on the heat sink, so you need to lubricate it here and there with thermal paste. Here is a photo showing: 1 - LED substrate, 2 - place where you need to lubricate with thermal paste.
I somehow lubricated these places:
Then I successfully put everything together:
And yes! The flashlight is working! :)
And when disassembled it looks like this (by the way, there are quite a few details):
There are rubber rings on all the screw-on parts, but this won't really help if submerged in water, as water may seep in due to the zoom function. And as you can see in the photo, the thread is certainly not lubricated. It's a pity. In general, the flashlight is made very well, all components fit very tightly and are even somehow protected from water. When dropped, it will definitely not shatter into parts (like some Chinese lanterns). Excellent for a Chinese lantern. It’s just a pity that it won’t last even a minute under water. Well, okay, not everyone will dive with a flashlight, but I think it will withstand the banal rain.

Further. Controls. There are two of them :)
These are on/off and zoom. The first, as I mentioned above, is located at the back of the flashlight, it’s an orange smooth button (it’s not immediately clear in the photo what it’s for, it generally looks like the LED itself, and on early deliveries of the flashlight it was corrugated), pressed elastically and tightly, of course same plus. The second element is zoom, which occurs if the front part of the flashlight is pulled upward. The further away, the narrower the beam of light.
Searching the Internet for current consumption yielded results, as a result we see:
From a regular battery 1.2V, maximum - 1.1A; minimum - 0.34A
From the battery 1.5V, maximum - 1.4A; minimum - 0.36A
From a lithium-ion battery 3.7V, maximum - 1.5A; minimum - 0.35A
In our case, the last entry is closer.
Although it is stated as 3W, it does not reach them. Although according to legend, the flashlight runs from 14500, and that’s where it is in all its glory.

The last stage before the tests. Battery used - Mitsubishi 2300mAh, the battery was purchased relatively recently, used for a maximum of 5 minutes. And yes, purchased offline. Let me remind you that the standard size is AA. Battery photo:

Well, finally! You've reached the very interesting moment in this review. Now let's see how it shines :)

First, zoom in action. I check on the wall, which is 2 meters away.
From left to right - minimum, average, maximum:

Original photos

Minimum, i.e. Without any zoom at all, the mode completely illuminated the entire wall. The medium zoom is probably optimal, since it shines and is not too bright, but the beam is not small either. The maximum zoom gives us the opportunity to look at the shape of the LED (and this is on almost all flashlights with zoom), but this is easy to fix, you need to do not the maximum zoom, but 90% percent, the beam is just as small and bright, but it is also round . Also, due to this same zoom and, most likely, the lack of thought through some details, there are many unnecessary “light” rings left. In general, maximum zoom is needed only for long distances, and is not important in everyday life. To complete the experience, of course, video (but I apologize for the lack of focus, the camera is not designed to shoot video at night):

So, now in real conditions Location - somewhere in the garages :)
(filmed in a neighbor's garage)
I decided to combine two tests: simple light and zoom. Just like in the last paragraph, from left to right - minimum, average, maximum:

Original photos

And

I don't even know what to say. Everything is exactly the same as in the previous test. At minimum zoom you can see almost everything in the garage; it’s about 10 by 5 meters. The larger the zoom, the smaller the beam; at maximum zoom the beam is too bright, it is more suitable for long distances. In general, again for completeness, watch the video:

And two more videos to finally show its capabilities:

Finally, I suggest you look at what a beam of light actually looks like (filmed thanks to some simple machinations):


And a couple more photos taken at home (beamshot, sort of):


So, the pros:
- quite compact dimensions
- very bright (the whole room in one fell swoop)
- uses regular AA batteries/rechargeable batteries
- good zoom for 5 dollars
- good quality spraying
- good body and build quality
- fits perfectly in the hand
- holds a charge well (more on that below)
- presence of rubberized rings

Cons:
- LED imprint at max. zoom
- the thread is not lubricated
- LED module not completed
- the gift box is missing :)

The flashlight is excellent, for such a price, I could not ask for more. Of course, there are a little more expensive and better flashlights. But think: do you need it? Personally, such a flashlight would be enough for me. Yes, yes, “enough would be enough.” Since now I'm going to buy "Tank007 E09" :)

By the way, what I smeared with thermal paste really helped. In general, the flashlight began to heat up less, but the main task was to transfer heat to the body. In any case, the upgrade didn't make things worse. Also, for the entire testing period (approximately 2-3 days), the flashlight, i.e. The battery is not discharged, this is about 1 hour of LED operation, now the flashlight is shining dimly, but the main thing is that it is shining, but the battery has been charged.
+58 +186

Light the way expensive smartphone in a dark alley is a bad omen.

Folk wisdom

The fact that our vision is poorly adapted to seeing in the dark has upset humanity throughout its existence. We do not give up attempts to improve wearable light sources - torches, torches, candles, oil burners, kerosene lamps, and, finally, electric flashlights.

A modern flashlight is not a simple device. We looked at the design features of the flashlights - this will allow you to more consciously choose a device based on your needs.

Technological progress in this area is proceeding by leaps and bounds, and over the past few years a large number of models have appeared that are radically superior to their predecessors. In this article we will tell you how to choose a flashlight for specific purposes.

About proper nutrition

Before moving on to the different categories of flashlights, let’s look at the batteries for them. It is worth noting that all currently used batteries and accumulators have the right to life. Despite the debates in the spirit of “AA vs CR123” that arise with enviable regularity, the question of choosing between them lies rather in the plane of personal preferences and ease of purchase and operation.

The only fact that is not in doubt is that, if possible, it is better to choose flashlights that can operate on both batteries and batteries of a certain size. This will allow you to save money by using batteries normally, and batteries if necessary.

Types of flashlights

According to their purpose, flashlights can be divided into several characteristic families. Optimization for a specific application determines the design features of the flashlight.

Keychain flashlight , as the name suggests, is attached to a bunch of keys. It is intended mainly for short-term illumination of small nearby areas - a keyhole, a mailbox or stairs in a dark entrance. Great brightness is not needed here - a luminous flux within 5-10 lumens .

Keychain flashlight

The requirements for the compactness of the device come to the fore. Therefore, miniature disk batteries or (a little less often) one element are most often used as power sources here. AAA or 10440 . The cases are made of plastic, aluminum or titanium. The controls are the simplest: one mode, one button (often instantaneous without locking in the on position) or turned on by turning the head.

Led Lenser V9 Micro with titanium case

Universal flashlights for everyday use (EDC) is one of the most numerous categories. Here you can find both the simplest single-mode devices of low brightness, and complex devices with 2-6 modes or smooth adjustment of the luminous flux. These lights are intended primarily for city life - to illuminate the road underfoot at night or for situations of sudden power outages.

Typically, a city flashlight is quite compact and is often equipped with a clip for carrying in a pocket or on a belt. It provides moderate brightness - the optimal luminous flux for most tasks is about 30 lumens . Undoubtedly, the presence of a high brightness mode will also be convenient, although it is better to use it only when necessary - this significantly increases the operating time without recharging or changing the battery. Low brightness mode and special modes (strobe, SOS) are optional.

Dual-mode flashlight

For an EDC flashlight, it is rational to use medium-capacity power supplies - a pair of elements AAA/10440 , or one AA/14500 or CR123 . In some cases, a larger power supply may be required, and then it would be logical to choose a flashlight powered by steam CR123 or one 18650 , although such models already have noticeable dimensions and are not very comfortable for constant wearing.

Compact flashlight 4Sevens Quark 123 with seven modes

The optimal body material for a city flashlight is aluminum alloys. They have sufficient strength and light weight for not too extreme applications. The shape of the light spot is difficult to recommend - both flood and spot light can be used; It would be quite justified to buy a flashlight with the ability to refocus.

Tourist lanterns - another popular variety, which largely overlaps with the previous one. As a rule, it has a greater power supply and, accordingly, larger dimensions. Here it becomes important to have a sufficient number of modes, since the range of tasks of such a flashlight is quite wide - from illuminating the road in the night forest (high brightness) to organizing emergency lighting of the tent (low brightness). Special modes (especially SOS) will also not be superfluous.

For hiking, the balance between weight and energy consumption is an important factor, so power supplies good options there will be a couple of batteries AA/14500 or C , or one battery 18650 . Battery size D For this application they seem to be too heavy.

Lantern lamps designed for lighting a large area - for example, a construction site or a camping site. As a rule, they are a lamp with pie chart directivity, although flashlights with a reflector that create a wide flood beam are also available.

Since such flashlights are almost not subjected to strong mechanical loads, plastic is often used to make their bodies, but when purchasing a device with increased power, it is better to opt for models with a metal body.

Results

Of course, dividing lanterns into types is largely a convention. In addition, the tasks that you will set for the device do not have to coincide with generally accepted ones, so take everything stated above as recommendations.

A wisely chosen flashlight can significantly brighten up fishing, hiking or diving, and provide the owner with a reliable, autonomous light source in the city. Yes, you can use other available means (the same mobile phone), but a device specifically designed for these tasks will always do a better job.

Happy shopping and may your life be bright!

Text: Alexey Adrianov

especially for

Updated: 02/16/2018 10:47:40

A compact and powerful flashlight is a device that is a reliable assistant not only in highly specialized situations, but also in everyday life. Modern models radically different from their predecessors - being quite compact and miniature, they are capable of generating a powerful and bright beam of light, allowing you to see the smallest details even in pitch darkness, and thanks to the presence large quantity diverse models, everyone gets the opportunity to choose the most suitable and functional flashlight in relation to specific operating conditions.

The best flashlight manufacturers

When choosing a high-quality flashlight for use in certain conditions, preference should be given to products from world-famous lighting manufacturers, only in this case you will have at your disposal a functional and reliable device, which will serve faithfully for more than one season. Traditionally the best manufacturers are considered:

The range of the above-mentioned manufacturers includes a huge number of models, each of which is designed to solve a specific range of problems. Before choosing a particular model, you should familiarize yourself with its characteristics, as well as study reviews from users who have tried the device in real life.

Types of lanterns. Which one to choose?

The huge variety of flashlights on sale can be divided into several conditional groups depending on their functional features, as well as from a number of tasks that they are intended to perform.

Compact device designed for everyday use. It has an ergonomic housing that houses the power source, and a halogen bulb or LED is used as a light source.

Advantages

Compact dimensions;

Low cost;

Beam width adjustment;

The power source can be either batteries or rechargeable batteries;

They produce a bright and powerful beam of light;

Minimum weight;

Flaws

When operating, you have to hold it in your hands;

High-quality professional and tactical models are expensive;

High consumption batteries;

Camping lantern

Most of these models have a body in the form of a cylinder, and the light source is LEDs mounted in a reflector in a circle. This design allows you to illuminate the space at all 360 degrees relative to the lantern and provides a soft, pleasing to the eye luminous flux. The best models are equipped with a built-in battery with a decent brightness reserve, as well as adjustable lighting intensity, allowing you to customize it to specific operating conditions.

Advantages

Compact dimensions;

They provide a soft light that does not strain the eyes;

Use in any conditions;

Low cost;

Flaws

Relatively weak light intensity, illuminating only a couple of meters around itself;

Lack of ability to generate a directional beam of light;

High battery consumption;

Popular models, characterized by compact body sizes and very economical battery consumption. The light source of such lanterns is almost always a powerful LED, paired with a reflector and a lens, thanks to which you can adjust the width and degree of focusing of the light flux. The best models have tilt adjustment and several brightness modes. With the help of a soft elastic band they are fixed on the head, thanks to which both hands remain free. They are extremely popular among hunters and fishermen, as well as among car mechanics.

Advantages

Compact dimensions;

Allows you to adjust the width of the light beam and focus;

Fixed on the head and leave your hands free;

Power source – AA batteries or rechargeable batteries;

High luminous flux power;

Flaws

Cannot be securely fixed to a hard surface;

Requires regular battery replacement;

Cannot be used as a camping lantern;

Flashlights for diving and spearfishing

Devices intended for use under water. They are characterized by a powerful and capacious battery, providing many hours of continuous illumination, as well as a bright and intense luminous flux. The design of such flashlights can be in the form of a traditional hand-held model, or it can have a headlamp form factor. A prerequisite is a durable waterproof case that allows long-term operation at a depth of 30 meters or more.

Advantages

Compact dimensions;

Capacious battery;

Powerful LED at the base of the light source;

Waterproof housing;

Flaws

• High cost;

A device whose main task is to function as a bicycle headlight. This is indicated by its key elements - a compact body, protected from moisture, dirt and mechanical influences, the presence of a bicycle handlebar mount, and a bright, powerful directional light flux with several lighting intensity modes. The power source can be batteries or accumulators, or a special bicycle generator powered by a rotating bicycle wheel.

Advantages

Small sizes;

Many different power sources, including a compact wheel-mounted generator;

Bright and directional light;

The functionality is aimed at use on a bicycle;

Flaws

High cost;

A very narrow specialization, devices of this class are not needed by everyone;

The main criteria for a flashlight

There are a great many criteria that need to be taken into account when purchasing a flashlight, and all of them have a direct impact on the functionality and applicability of the device in certain conditions.

Light source type

Modern flashlight models are equipped with either a traditional halogen lamp or newfangled LEDs. The first one gives “warm” yellow light, the second is characterized by a cold white tint. Besides. Energy efficiency indicators also differ - with brighter and more contrasting light, the LED is significantly more economical and lasts much longer on a single charge or a pair of batteries.

The most advanced flashlight models can be equipped with both a halogen lamp and LEDs, which makes it possible to choose between a light source by pressing one button.

The so-called laser flashlights are placed in a separate category; the source of the light flux is a powerful laser beam. Distinguished by its high brightness, it has a very narrow beam width, and therefore is of little use for traditional purposes and is used only by hunters as a target designator.

Brightness and luminous flux length

The brightness of the luminous flux is measured in lumens and the higher this indicator, the brighter and more powerful the luminous flux. Most of the flashlights presented have a brightness of 60-80 lumens and up to 1000-1500 lumens, the light from which is quite comparable to the high beam of car headlights.

Second important parameter is the length of the light beam. It is measured from the reflector of the flashlight until the moment when the light beam scatters to the brightness of the full moon at night. This parameter is directly related to brightness - the brighter and more powerful the lighting element, the greater the length of the luminous flux of the flashlight.

Flashlight battery life

A parameter that reflects the life of the flashlight from one set of batteries or from one charge. Reflects the time it takes to discharge from 100 to 10% of the remaining battery life. Rounding is done to 15 minutes and, accordingly, the higher this parameter is, the longer your flashlight will “live” at night.

Waterproof

Most flashlights are made in a moisture-resistant design, allowing the flashlight to be submerged to a certain depth. This criterion is measured in the form of IPX classes:

IPX4-6 means that the flashlight is protected from splashes, rain and precipitation;

IPX7 means the flashlight can be submerged up to a meter deep for up to 30 minutes;

IPX8 - the most protected models, meaning the ability to dive to a depth of up to 2 meters for up to 1.5-2 hours.

Power supply

There are two most commonly used types in this situation:

Traditional alkaline or alkaline batteries. The advantage is high versatility - new batteries can be bought at almost any kiosk. The downside is significant: when the batteries run out far from civilization, a person is left without a light source;

Batteries are a more advanced option. As a rule, they are produced in the form of ordinary batteries, and therefore can be used in all flashlights without exception. Having a large capacity, batteries provide longer time work, recharging is carried out both from a 220V network and from a regular car cigarette lighter. While the batteries are charging, you can install ordinary batteries instead and not be left without a light source in the dark;

Availability of various lighting modes

Even the most budget models have different glow intensity modes. A reasonable minimum is 2-3 different brightness modes plus a strobe mode, used if necessary to send an SOS signal. Modes are switched using a special button or other control element.

Choosing an LED flashlight

LED lights have gained immense popularity due to their high efficiency and ability to generate a powerful luminous flux. Good LED flashlight must have the following features:

High-quality waterproof housing with IPX7-8 standard;

Powerful lens that allows you to change the focal length of the light flux;

High-quality LED providing brightness of 500-700 Lumens;

Power source – battery;

Choosing a headlamp

Headlamps have become extremely popular among hunters, fishermen and outdoor enthusiasts. The best models are those that:

They have a high-quality waterproof case;

Equipped with a powerful LED capable of generating a luminous flux of 500-800 Lumens;

They have lensed optics that allow you to change the focal length of the light beam;

They have several operating modes;

The source is a battery or compact AA batteries;

Choosing a rechargeable flashlight

Depending on the form factor, preference should be given to rechargeable flashlights, the power source of which is compact AA batteries. Such devices allow you to use regular batteries instead of rechargeable batteries if necessary, and also recharge using third-party chargers. If we are talking about a battery built into the flashlight, it is necessary that its capacity be at least 2000 mAh, and its service life be at least 300-500 charge and discharge cycles without loss of capacity.

Choosing a flashlight for hunting and fishing

The lion's share of hunters and fishermen prefer to use a high-quality headlamp, capable of generating a luminous flux with a brightness of up to 1000 lumens and a beam length of up to 1 kilometer. Mandatory requirement is waterproof according to the IPX8 standard and can be used as a battery for both batteries and accumulators.

Choosing an underwater flashlight

An underwater flashlight is a compact and miniature hand-held device that generates high-intensity light and has a sealed waterproof housing. The built-in battery is also important: in order not to be left in the middle of a pond with a faulty flashlight, its capacity should be as high as possible. It would also be useful to be able to fix the flashlight on the barrel of a speargun, thereby freeing the hunter’s hands.

Choosing an underbarrel flashlight

An underbarrel flashlight is tactical equipment that not everyone needs. It is popular primarily among hunters, as well as among paintball and airsoft fans. As a rule, for such purposes, compact LED flashlights are used, powered by a battery or rechargeable battery and with the ability to change the focusing of the light beam. Such flashlights almost always come with an under-barrel weapon mount. A special case of an under-barrel flashlight are laser models, which allow you to use the flashlight as a target designator, thereby significantly increasing the accuracy of the shot.

A tactical flashlight is one of the best self-defense tools you can carry.

Why?

83% of our senses come from our vision, and approximately 50% of violent crimes occur at night, when our vision is limited. Availability of bright flashlight allows you to identify a threat, instantly blind the enemy and gain additional time for action.

This article isn't just a summary of Amazon reviews, we bought all the models we reviewed and tested them for ease of everyday wear, drop resistance, and water resistance. Plus photos of how they actually shine, which is much more useful than just the power declared by the manufacturer.

We'll start with what we believe" tactical flashlight” and compare the 5 most popular ones in the sub-$100 price range to see which is truly the best.

If you can't wait, here are the results of our selection:

What is a tactical flashlight?

In addition to being of high quality and well-balanced, we believe it should also provide the wearer with a strategic advantage in a potentially dangerous situation.

Tactical flashlights usually turned on with an end button, which allows you to do it quickly; they are bright enough to momentarily blind an aggressor, and are designed to withstand harsh external influences.

Our selection criteria

Considering technology LED lighting, we prefer that tactical flashlights had at least 500 lumens and good range, but were small enough to be easily held in one hand while having the pistol in the other hand if needed.

Having established these criteria, we began to look lanterns trusted brands, with 50+ reviews and a rating of at least 4.5 stars on Amazon. We also deliberately selected products from different manufacturers to achieve both diversity and fairness in pricing.

As for the price, we set a limit of $100 because we wanted to show the best choice in a more affordable segment of the market. If you don’t look at the price, we recommend the Surefire P3x Fury Tactical ($250).

What is a lumen?

Lumen (lm) - emitted by a source in a given area for specified time. The more lumens, the brighter the light. One lumen is equal to the amount of light received over an area of ​​one square foot (0.09 sq.m.) at a distance of one foot (0.3 m) from a burning candle.

A 100 W incandescent lamp generates about 1600 lumens. A standard car headlight ranges from 700 to 1200 lm. This information doesn’t really help you imagine what you’re buying, so we’ll accompany the article with a photo of the light from each of the samples.

Batteries

They are often forgotten, but the type of battery determines a lot - both cost, performance, and operating time... sometimes the key factor in the purchasing decision is what batteries are used in the device. lantern.

In addition to traditional alkaline batteries (AAA, AA, C, D), most modern lanterns To increase energy efficiency the following are used:

CR123: 3V, high output lithium battery, commonly used in high performance electronics. A quality CR123 battery can last up to 10 years and typically costs between $1 and $2 each.

18650 (18mm by 65mm): 3.7V Li-ion rechargeable batteries. By the way, they are used in Tesla Model S sedans. They usually cost from 3 to 6 dollars apiece. Many flashlights use either one 18650 or two CR123.

14500 (14mm by 50mm): 3.7V rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are the same size as traditional AA batteries. Typically cost between $2 and $6 each.

Criteria for evaluating tactical flashlights

We decided to evaluate the selected lanterns according to three parameters:

1. Luminous flux
2. Ease of use
3. Comfortable to wear

To evaluate usability, we look at how easy it is to turn on and off flashlight, switch between modes, hold it simultaneously with the pistol, etc. To assess the comfort of carrying, use various methods, including storing it in a holster, in a belt bag, in a pocket, and others.

But enough of the introduction, let's look at our first candidate!

1. Nitecore MH25GT: Tactical Flashlight with Better Range

• Pros: beam range 452 m, mini-USB charging, mode change by rotating the case
• Cons: large size rim
• Ease of use: 8/10
• Comfort to wear: 5/10
• Luminous flux: 1000 lm

This one has lantern The longest illumination range we have seen on the market so far, with a maximum range of 452 m. The increased diameter of the head allows the light to be focused into a stronger beam. If I had a ranch or large property, I would prefer this model as my lantern for night crawling of the area.

Plus, it comes with a lot of useful things.

Often when walking in the dark, it can be helpful to maintain your adapted night vision by taking advantage of low light. This also allows you to avoid attracting attention and avoiding detection by the enemy. However, the moment you notice movement ahead, you need to be able to switch to a stronger light to clearly identify the threat.

This flashlight Quickly switches between two user-defined modes by rotating the head and rear housing, making it easy to use for such maneuvers. I set my MH25GT to 1000lm and 50lm modes for target acquisition and night vision preservation respectively.

Beam lantern remains clearly focused even when far from the source.

It runs on a standard 18650 lithium-ion battery, or two CR123 batteries. Head part lantern slightly larger than the body diameter, so we believe that best way it is carried in a holster.

Mini USB charging is another one useful property, with it you don’t need to buy anything extra charger for the battery, or take it with you when traveling. There is a charging hole in the case and a red indicator light next to it.

2. ThruNite TN12 2016 XP-L: Best Overall

• Pros: Affordable price, easy to wear and use, firefly mode at 0.4 lm
• Cons: Heats up in turbo mode
• Ease of use: 8/10
• Comfort to wear: 6/10
• Luminous flux: 1100 lm

Flashlight ThruNite TN12 is quite good in all respects. Priced under $50, it's compact, lightweight, and durable.

The TN12 runs on a standard 18650 lithium-ion battery or two CR123 batteries. Has several modes:

• Turbo - 1100 lm
• High power - 435 lm
• Medium - 175 lm
• Low - 18 lm
• "Firefly" - 0.4 lm

Holding the switch for a second turns on strobe mode. I usually used it on high power(435 lm), from it to the “Turbo” mode is just one click. Its illumination area is quite wide, and the light is distributed evenly over it.

Firefly mode (0.4 lumens) is ideal lighting for bushwalking at night while camping. It shines dimly, allows you to preserve night vision, and also consumes almost no battery power, which allows you to use flashlight without recharging up to 74 days, according to the manufacturer.

After about 3 minutes, the rim gets noticeably hot, after 6 - so much so that it is extremely unpleasant to touch. I stopped this test somewhere around 8 minutes because I didn't want to lantern something broke due to overheating.

In general, due to the price and uniform lighting, this is the best choice.

3. Fenix ​​PD35 TAC: Best Overall (Premium)

• Pros: comfortable to wear, mini-USB charging available
• Cons: minimum luminous flux - 8 lm, difficult to find the mode switch by touch
• Ease of use: 7/10
• Comfort to wear: 6/10
• Luminous flux: 1000 lm

Fenix ​​PD35 TAC is quite good in all respects. It is sold in different configurations, itself flashlight costs about $65, but we recommend taking an 18650 for it lithium ion battery, which can be charged via mini-USB without an additional charger. Useful when traveling, or even just if you don’t have a charger handy. You can also use 2 CR123 batteries for power.

Has several modes:

• Turbo - 1000 lm
• High power - 500 lm
• Medium - 200 lm
• Low - 60 lm
• "Eco" - 8 lm

Holding the switch for a second turns on strobe mode.

The power button is in a clear place and works properly; if you press halfway, everything instantly turns on and off without problems. But the mode switch does not stand out much on the top of the case, so it is not always possible to find it by touch.

Compared to ThruNite, TN12 does not heat up so much in Turbo mode, and automatically switches from it to high power mode after 5 minutes of use, which personally allowed me to leave flashlight turned on for half an hour without the risk of overheating and breakdown.

If you are used to using flashlight in “night” mode, the minimum luminous flux of 8 lm on “Eco” may seem too bright. It provides more light than is needed for a person with well-adapted night vision.

Scattered light from this lantern enough to illuminate an entire room, while at the same time the concentration of the beam in the center is sufficient to well illuminate a limited area even at a great distance.

Fenix ​​PD35 TAC in all respects fits into our criteria for a worthy tactical flashlight, but due to its high price including battery, we've listed it in the "best overall" category with the "premium" tag.

4. Nitecore MT10A: the most compact

• Pros: small size, with a maximum of 920 lm, has a red light mode, uses both IMR 14500 and AA batteries
• Cons: not found
• Ease of use: 7/10
• Comfort to wear: 8/10
• Luminous flux: 920 lm

Nitecore MT10A - compact flashlight, suitable for constant wear, with a useful red light mode.

Flashlight About the size of an adult's palm, it fits perfectly in your pocket. That's how I carried it - as a pocket flashlight for every day - and at the same time it shines bright enough to be used as a tactical one.

It's also a great hiking flashlight, its red light allows the user to maintain night vision, and also remain invisible in the dark, since such light is not visible from afar.

Note that operation in 920 lm mode requires power from IMR 14500 batteries, which are the same size as AA batteries, but with a higher output power. AA batteries are only enough for 170 lumens. IMR 14500 typically cost between $4 and $10 depending on the quality and manufacturer.

List of modes (using suitable batteries):

• Turbo - 920 lm
• High power - 500 lm
• Medium - 180 lm
• Low - 70 lm
• Minimum - 1 lm
• Red light (I would estimate it to be about 0.5 lumens)

It produces a partially focused beam that is useful for searching and general illumination of areas.

After three minutes in Turbo mode, it automatically switches to 500 lm to prevent overheating.

The manufacturer's instructions say "do not use the IMR 14500 at low power", which is a bit strange, isn't it? What was actually meant was that one should not leave flashlight turned on and let it completely discharge, but of course you can use it in low power modes. Apparently, there was a mistake in the instructions somewhere during the translations.

5. Streamlight ProTac 1L-1AA: the simplest and most compact

• Pros: small size, inexpensive, uses both AA and CR123 batteries, all operations are performed with one button
• Cons: not enough modes
• Ease of use: 8/10
• Comfort to wear: 9/10
• Luminous flux: 350 lm

The Streamlight ProTac 1L-1AA is great for everyday carry and is small and fits discreetly in your pocket. And the ProTac line has over 6,600 reviews with a 4.5 rating on Amazon.

One of the biggest advantages of this flashlight is the ability to be powered by both AA batteries (or identical in size rechargeable IMR 14500) and CR123. This makes it ideal as flashlight for an alarm kit since AA batteries are easy to get anywhere.

Has three modes:

• High power - 350 lm
• Strobe - 350 lm
• Low power - 40 lm (with CR123 batteries)

They are switched by an end button. Some users like this simplicity, while others may find it inconvenient to constantly cycle through modes to get to the low power setting that is used most often.

Compared to flashlights, capable of producing 1000 lm, this one at 350 lm does not heat up so much. After half an hour of operation in this mode, you can feel the heat from it, but the temperature does not increase.

And despite the fact that we initially stated a minimum of 500 lm as a criterion for considering flashlight“tactical”, we just liked this one so much that we couldn’t help but include it in the list.

Our pick for small but powerful tactical flashlight.

Testing for water resistance and strength

To ensure that these qualities are in flashlights correspond to those declared by the manufacturers, we conducted a series of simple tests involving immersion in water and falling from a small height.

Turning on lanterns, they were dropped from a height of about one and a half meters onto the concrete floor 5 times:

• 3 - light down (as it would most likely fall from a hand or pocket under natural conditions)
• 1 - light up
• 1 - sideways

After that, we turned on each one and checked if it still worked in all modes. As you can see in the photo, there are a few scratches on the housings, but all the lights shine as expected.

After that, we placed the flashlights in a container of water at room temperature and kept it there for half an hour, and then checked each one again in all modes.

And again everyone passed the test. There are more than 5 in the photo because we simultaneously carried out tests for another article.

Conclusions

Product development is always a search for compromise. Depending on what you are looking for, we have different offers:

• If needed flashlight with high range - Nitecore MH25GT fits better everything.
• AND ThruNite TN12, And Fenix ​​PD35 TAC are standard tactical flashlights, Although TN12 easier to use and cheaper.
• If you want a small and convenient pocket flashlight with a good “night” lighting mode, it will suit you Nitecore MT10A.
• A Streamlight ProTac 1L-1AA for those who prefer to work with one button.

The editors would like to thank the pewpewtactical blog for this review.

08.11.2013

1. Why LED better than a lamp incandescent?

LEDs have several advantages over incandescent lamps:
- it is not as easy to break as a lamp. In the lamp, light is emitted by a fragile spiral, which is enclosed in an equally fragile glass flask. The LED shines with a small semiconductor area on which a phosphor is applied - light-emitting paint. All this is protected by a glass or silicone lens.
- it is more efficient than a lamp. Efficiency of modern powerful LEDs reaches 130 or more lumens per 1 Watt of power consumption. For comparison, the efficiency of incandescent lamps does not reach 30 Lm/W. Due to this advantage, an LED flashlight will shine longer than a lamp flashlight using the same batteries.
- service life. For LEDs it is usually at least 50,000 hours continuous operation. For a lamp, 5000 hours is a very good indicator. In addition, the service life of the LED is not reduced even with very frequent switching on and off. LED lights can have strobe, SOS and similar flashing signals, which lamp lamps do not have.
- dimensions. LED flashlights can be very small.
- ease of focusing. LED light is distributed much more evenly than lamp light. The stain becomes more even.
- allow you to adjust brightness over a wide range. The brightness of the LED is controlled by the supply current. The higher the current, the higher the brightness. Each diode model has its own maximum permissible supply current. If this current is exceeded, the LED overheats, its service life is sharply reduced, and its efficiency decreases.

2. What is Lumen?
Lumen is a unit of measurement of luminous flux. Without going into the essence of physical definitions, one lumen can be characterized as the light emitted by one wax candle, but not spreading in all directions, but collected into a beam of a certain shape.
In the flashlight world, there are two well-established concepts related to lumens.
Bulb lumen or lamp/diode lumens. This is the luminous flux emerging directly from a lamp or diode without taking into account losses in optics.
Torch lumen or flashlight lumens. The luminous flux at the exit of the flashlight already includes losses on the reflector, glass or lens.
Various manufacturers may use different ways to indicate the luminous flux of their lanterns. Some indicate bulb lumens, others - torch, manufacturers of cheap Chinese flashlights of such brands as Ultrafire, Aurora, etc. generally indicate the maximum available for specific model LED values ​​of luminous flux, while overestimating the real luminous flux of the flashlight by two or more times.
On August 18, 2009, the ANSI/NEMA FL-1 standard was adopted, allowing more reliable comparison of flashlight parameters. The standard includes the following indicators: emitted luminous flux, operating time, peak light intensity, light range, impact resistance and water resistance.
The standard is currently used by such manufacturers as Maglite, Princeton Tec, Surefire, Petzl, Energizer, Streamlight, Black Diamond, Duracell, FenixLight and others.

3.What is IPX-8?
IP - international standards for protecting equipment from environmental influences.
The first number, replaced by an “X”, indicates complete protection of the flashlight from dust.
The second, “8”, guarantees water resistance when the flashlight is completely immersed in water to a depth of more than 1 meter. The maximum permissible duration and depth of immersion may be additionally specified by the manufacturer. You can read more in our article.

4. What is anodizing?

Anodizing is a protective and/or decorative coating of metal. Protects the flashlight body from oxidation and does not conduct electric current, improves appearance.
The anodized body of the flashlight is resistant to abrasion, but is resistant to impacts on hard surfaces. Upon impact, the inner, relatively soft part of the body is dented and a chip is formed.
There are two types in lanterns: degrees II and III. The higher the grade, the thicker and stronger the anodization.
Anodizing is applied electrochemically. The part is immersed in an acid solution and an electric current is passed through it. The thickness, hardness and color of anodization depend on the temperature of the solution, the density of the transmitted current and the additional dyes used.
Suitable for both aluminum and titanium flashlights.

5. Why do some flashlights have smooth glass, while others have a lens?
Flashlights can be reflective or lens.
A reflector is a reflective bowl in the center of which there is an LED or lamp. It collects light from a source into a beam of a certain shape. Typically, the beam formed by the reflector appears as a bright central spot and a less bright area of ​​lateral illumination. From water and dust such optical system protected by flat glass with a rubber gasket ring.
Lens or the whole system lenses also collect light into a beam. When using lenses, the beam can have the most different shapes. From a uniform circle without a central bright spot to a narrow, almost laser beam with no side illumination at all.
The focusing of a flashlight with a lens can be variable, that is, the same flashlight in different positions of the lens can shine well into the distance and illuminate evenly and comfortably near.
A disadvantage of some variable focus flashlights is poor sealing. When immersed in water, liquid leaks inside, disrupting the operation of the electronics.

6. Reflector. Should you choose smooth or wrinkled?
A smooth reflector (in English terminology - smooth) is used in long-range flashlights. The light spot has a bright central spot and a sharp transition to an area of ​​weak side illumination. At the same time, for a real long-range flashlight, the diameter of the reflector is no less important. The larger it is, the better the focusing. You shouldn’t expect long-range miracles from a flashlight with a smooth reflector with a diameter of 1 cm...
The wrinkled (Orange Peel) reflector has a rough structure that smoothes out the sharp transition from the central spot to the side illumination area. This flashlight is convenient to use on short distances. The light spot is obtained with a less bright center, but large.

7.Which LED is better, warm or cold?

LEDs can have different color temperatures. That is, the light of an LED can have shades from warm yellowish, like that of a familiar incandescent light bulb, to cold, giving off a blue tint.
Which diode to choose depends on the tasks you set for yourself and individual perception. For outdoor use in summer, a warm LED is preferable.
Cold light appears brighter, but has worse color rendering compared to warm light. This is especially true for shades of red and yellow. Green grass may look gray in the light of a cold LED.
If you intend to use it indoors or in winter, when everything around is white or gray, then color rendering flaws are not so important.

For professional use, especially if you need to clearly distinguish the smallest shades of color of illuminated objects, LEDs may be completely unsuitable.

8.Xenon or LED, what's the difference?
Xenon or HID (High Intensity Discharge) lamps are similar to incandescent lamps with the difference that they emit light not from a filament, but from a high-voltage electrical discharge enclosed inside a glass bulb.
Xenon lamps have similar disadvantages to incandescent lamps, such as fragility, short service life relative to LEDs, and large sizes. Also among the disadvantages are the high price, the inability to adjust brightness, and demanding power supply. For their operation, xenon lamps require a special starting device and ballast, batteries capable of delivering very high current. Advantages - high efficiency, good color rendering, the ability to obtain very powerful light sources with excellent focusing, which is not yet available for LEDs.
Some flashlight manufacturers call xenon lamps with a regular spiral, but containing xenon or halogen vapors under the bulb. Halogen lamps have a longer service life and efficiency compared to conventional incandescent lamps and do not require additional devices for work.

9.Rechargeable batteries or batteries, which is more profitable?
If the flashlight is used regularly, every day or even every weekend for several hours, then the batteries and charger for them will quickly pay for themselves.
If you have a flashlight “just in case,” it is more profitable to power it with batteries. Also, if you go on a long hike and there will be no way to charge the batteries, a spare battery will come in handy.

10. Which flashlight should a hunter buy?
- durable and reliable,
- the flashlight must withstand recoil,
- be able to be installed on a weapon,
- have a minimum number of modes and simple controls to eliminate the possibility of confusion at the moment of shooting,
- the flashlight must be long enough for the caliber used,
- have a tactical button so that the flashlight turns on before it clicks,
- be able to use remote button,
- have reliable batteries with a long shelf life. The ideal option is CR123A batteries,
- the flashlight should not greatly affect the balance of the weapon, accordingly, the less weight the better.
These requirements are met by tactical series from many manufacturers: Surefire, Streamlight, Fenix, JetBeam, Olight, Magicshine

11. Flashlight for fishing. Which one should I buy?
The fisherman must have both hands free, which means he should pay attention to headlamps. Cool LEDs cannot penetrate fog or haze over water. Their light illuminates the water particles themselves hanging in the air, which only interferes with the illumination of the target. Based on this, the flashlight should have a “warm” LED, lamp or combined.
Headbands that meet these requirements are produced by Petzl, Fenix, Sunree, Zebralight.

12. Car flashlight, what to choose?
Depends on the tasks of the motorist.
If the flashlight will be used to repair a car or troubleshoot problems on the road, then you need free hands and a headlamp with a diffuse beam. It is better to use batteries, easily accessible AA type or a rechargeable flashlight with charging from the cigarette lighter.
If we are talking about off-road testing, where the flashlight is used for navigation, a high-power HID or LED floodlight is a good choice.
For a “just in case” flashlight that can replace a mount in an emergency, you should choose the appropriately sized Maglite S6D or Streamlight UltraStinger model.

13. Which lantern is better for a dacha? Bicycle lights usually consist of two blocks connected by a wire. A unit with a lamp or LED is mounted on the handlebars, and the second, battery-powered one, is located on the frame or under the saddle.
There are many bike racks available for handheld lights. The simplest thing, made with your own hands, is two metal clamps connected together. One is put on the steering wheel, the second one holds the light.
Long-range lights are not suitable for cycling. For a comfortable ride, the flashlight should illuminate the road with a fairly wide beam.