A flashlight description full of numbers can be overwhelming, and manufacturers often highlight just one parameter — power in lumens. Meanwhile, comfort and usefulness are determined by several things at once.
Lumens vs. range
Luminous flux (lumens) determines the total amount of light emitted, while range depends on the beam focus and the reflector. A flashlight with a high lumen count but a wide beam will light up a room, but will not illuminate a distant target. For work in the field look for information about range in metres or intensity in candelas.
Operating modes
- several brightness levels — lets you save battery,
- strobe mode and SOS — useful in emergencies,
- zoom (beam focus adjustment) — from wide light to a focused beam.
Power supply
Rechargeable flashlights 18650 or those using other lithium-ion cells provide a large energy reserve and the ability to recharge, while models using AA/AAA batteries are simpler to power in an emergency, because you can buy batteries anywhere. It is worth having spare cells in the set.
Durability and construction
A housing made of anodised aluminium is light and durable. Check the ingress protection rating (IPX) — IPX4 protects against rain, while higher values allow immersion. A good flashlight also has a rubberised button, a secure grip and the option to attach a strap.
Headlamp or handheld?
A handheld flashlight gives greater range and is better for observation, while a headlamp leaves both hands free — indispensable when pitching camp, hiking at night and working on equipment.
Choose your model in the categories Tactical flashlights i Headlamps.
Photo: Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons.
