Pretty overwhelming to try and pick one from the hundreds and hundreds of options out there. What I’m looking for:

  • Reliablility
  • Not an EDC light per se, but I’d like it to fit in a pocket when needed
  • USB-C charging and removable battery
  • Good battery life
  • 1000 - 1500 lumens is plenty for my use.
  • A tool, not a toy
  • The simpler the UI, the better - all I basically need is moonlight mode and around three brightness settings
  • Adjustable beam would be nice
  • Bonus: one-click turbo mode (for self-defense)

So basically, something that’s not too bulky to carry around, but something I’d be glad to have with me if I were stranded in a dark forest and kept hearing scary noises around me. ChatGPT recommended the Fenix PD35 V3.0, though it doesn’t have an adjustable beam.

  • solrize@lemmy.mlEnglish
    3·
    1 month ago

    I’m going to suggest a headlamp instead of a handheld flashlight since it’s incredibly useful to not have to hold the light to see what you are doing. And you can always hold it in your hand and use it as a flashlight. Particularly, while I realize that the price is outside the range you said (it’s a heck of a lot lower), I think the Wurkkos (Boruit?) H25S is an incredible value at $15 shipped (FIFTEEN DOLLARS):

    https://wurkkos.com/products/d25s-waterproof-headlamp-18650-headlight

    It has 1200 lumens, 4 levels, fairly sane UI, USB-C charging, and uses an 18650 cell included with the light. I have the H25LR version (similar but has a 500 lumen white led and a night vision red led, instead of two 500 lumen white leds) and reviewed it here: https://lemmy.world/post/22928160

    I use it all the time, it’s solid, or if you’re worried about reliability then heck, buy five of them and have $$ left over from your $100. There are a bunch of other variants too, though I don’t know exactly what the differences are.

    Obviously you can find more expensive headlamps if that’s what you really want, but there is not any need imho.

    I also like the HD10 which runs Anduril and is smaller, but it uses a 14500 cell with much less capacity.