Flashlights Wiki

Table of Contents

Flashlight Glossary

Essential Terms

What Makes a Good Flashlight?

A quality flashlight combines reliable performance, appropriate brightness, good build quality, and features that match your intended use. Unlike the cheap flashlights of the past, modern LED flashlights offer incredible brightness, long runtime, and durability.

Key qualities of a good flashlight:

Key Specifications Explained

Understanding Brightness Units

Lumens

Lumens measure the total light output from the flashlight - think of it as the total amount of light produced. More lumens = brighter light, but also shorter runtime and more heat generation.

Lux

Lux measures how bright the light appears at a specific distance - it's lumens concentrated over an area. A focused beam will have higher lux readings than a wide flood beam with the same lumens. Think of it as light intensity at the target.

Candela

Candela measures the intensity of light in a specific direction - it's what determines throw distance. Higher candela means the light can reach farther. A throwy flashlight has high candela, while a floody light has lower candela but spreads light wider.

Simple Analogy: Imagine a garden hose - lumens is the total water flow, lux is how wet you get standing at a certain distance, and candela is how far the water can shoot.

Important: Higher lumens isn't always better. For many tasks, 200-400 lumens is perfectly adequate and provides much longer runtime.

Warning: Many unknown or cheap brands claim extremely high lumen outputs (like 50,000+ lumens) that are completely false. These numbers are marketing gimmicks and the actual output is usually much lower. Stick to reputable brands with honest specifications.

Beam Distance (Throw)

How far the light reaches effectively, measured in meters. This depends on both brightness and beam focus.

Runtime

How long the flashlight runs on a single battery charge/set. Runtime decreases significantly on higher brightness modes.

Water Resistance

IPX ratings indicate water resistance:

Flashlight Types

EDC (Everyday Carry)

Compact lights designed for daily pocket carry. Usually 50-500 lumens with good efficiency and multiple brightness levels.

Tactical

Built for professional use with features like:

Headlamps

Hands-free lighting worn on the head. Essential for camping, hiking, and work where you need both hands free.

Lanterns

Area lighting for camps, rooms, or workspaces. Provides 360-degree illumination rather than a focused beam.

Work Lights

Designed for job sites and professional use. Often feature magnetic bases, clips, or stands for hands-free operation.

Weapon Lights

Specialized lights designed to mount on firearms. Require specific mounting systems and activation switches.

Keychain Lights

Ultra-compact lights for basic tasks. Usually 10-100 lumens with simple operation.

Switch Types

Forward Clicky

A switch that turns on when the button is pushed, but locks on when the button is completely pressed in. To turn the flashlight off, you need to press and then depress the button completely. Popular for tactical applications due to momentary-on capability.

Reverse Clicky

Must be fully pressed to turn on - no momentary operation. Often used in lights with multiple modes accessed through the switch.

Side Switch

Located on the side of the flashlight body. Often electronic switches that allow for multiple modes and programming options.

Twisty

Turn the head or tail of the light to activate. Simple and reliable, but slower to operate than button switches.

Pressure Switch

Remote switches for weapon-mounted lights, allowing activation without reaching for the light itself.

Battery Types & Power

Disposable Batteries

AA/AAA Alkaline

CR123A Lithium

Rechargeable Batteries

18650 Lithium-ion

Built-in Rechargeable

Battery Safety & Testing

Important Safety Note: Always use protected lithium-ion batteries unless you understand the risks. Cheap, unprotected batteries can be dangerous.

Testing Used 18650 Batteries: If using salvaged laptop batteries, follow this procedure:

  1. Measure cell voltage - if less than 2.5V, recycle it
  2. Charge the cell - if it gets hot during charging, recycle it
  3. Measure voltage off charger - should be 4.1-4.2V
  4. Wait 30 minutes, measure again - if below 4V, recycle it
  5. Store for 3+ days in cool, dry place
  6. If voltage drops more than 0.1V from recorded voltage, recycle it

How to Choose the Right Flashlight

1. Define Your Primary Use

Different uses require different features:

2. Consider Size vs Performance

Smaller lights are more convenient to carry but have limitations in brightness and runtime. Find the right balance for your needs.

3. Battery Preference

Choose based on your usage patterns:

Common Use Cases

Everyday Carry (EDC)

Outdoor Activities

Professional Use

Home & Emergency

Important Features

Essential Features

Useful Features

Advanced Features

Remember: More features often mean more complexity. Choose features you'll actually use.

Maintenance & Care

Regular Maintenance

Battery Care

Troubleshooting

Common Issues & Solutions

Light Won't Turn On:

Flickering Light:

Dim Output:

Switch Problems:

Battery Acid Leakage:

Charging Issues (Built-in Charging):

Thread Wear:

Safety & Best Practices

Battery Safety

Usage Safety

Trusted Brands

Pro Tip: Notice a flashlight missing from our GearScouts.com comparison? That's likely because it's not from a trusted brand! 😉 We only feature flashlights from reputable manufacturers with proven track records. If you see unknown brands prominently featured on Amazon, they're often pushed because of higher profit margins and inflated specifications. Save yourself the headache and stick with these time-tested brands below.

Premium & Tactical Brands

Budget & Value Champions

Enthusiast & Custom Brands

European Excellence

Mainstream & Consumer Brands

Specialty & Professional

Pro Tips

Buying Tips

Usage Tips

Money-Saving Tips

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Purchasing Requirements Checklist

Before asking for recommendations, consider these questions:

Final Advice: The best flashlight is the one you have with you when you need it. Choose reliability and appropriate features over maximum specifications. Start with your actual needs rather than wanting the brightest or most feature-packed light.

This wiki is maintained by GearScouts.com. Have suggestions or corrections? Let us know!