TOP best flashlights
In everyday life, flashes on smartphones have become the main source of light in short-term darkness. Often this is enough to illuminate the steps in an unlit entrance or get to the switchboard in case of power outages. Against this background, the purchase of a flashlight seems like a tribute to the past, akin to buying a wristwatch. Everything is so, but only until the phone rang while walking in a dark alley with an open hatch, and the centralized electricity was turned off for a couple of hours. When everything does not go according to plan, people who are accustomed to the greenhouse conditions of the metropolis find themselves in pitch darkness with a rapidly falling charge on the "shovel".
At such a moment, one can only regret that I did not find the time and money to buy a normal bright flashlight.For people who are ready for surprises, living or working in remote regions, extreme sports and tourism lovers, speleologists, hunters, rescuers and the military, the question of the need for a mobile, compact flashlight is not worth it at all. For them, it is only important to find a better unit, and that the product matches the price. Manufacturers of portable lighting devices are making them more perfect, more compact, more reliable, more durable, and most importantly - more efficient, and some concerns have achieved some success in this. Such organizations and some samples of their products that deserve attention will be discussed.
Specialized
Multifunctionality often comes at the expense of efficiency, so the profession or type of activity determines the narrow specialization of the equipment. A hand-held flashlight is not suitable for a miner, since his hands should be free, and the charge should be enough for a work shift, plus a margin for force majeure. A diver needs a device with the maximum level of moisture protection, and a security guard needs a strong and heavy argument that can blind an intruder with a strobe light. It’s impossible to list everything, but there are firms that give priority to the release of a narrow segment of products designed for a specific consumer.
surefire
A Southern California company that started out as a chemical power source. In the late seventies, it added the production of lighting devices to its batteries and accumulators, and already in 1979 it finally chose its marketing path in the direction of the US military-industrial complex.Do not confuse Surefire with the newly-minted UltraFire and TrustFire from China, trying to be like the American brand in everything, but having nothing in common with it except for the Fire prefix in the name. The first success of the company was a successful sample of a laser designator, which was immediately appreciated by law enforcement agencies, including the S.W.A.T. In the future, the organization developed, releasing weapon flashlights and tactical lighting devices, which determined the main characteristics of their products:
- reliability is the first requirement for military devices, therefore all structural elements are exclusively made in the USA;
- power consumption and compactness - for example, the super-compact Minimus headband is capable of delivering 100 lumens for 1.5 hours on a CR123 lithium battery;
- Durability - Housings are made from aircraft-grade aluminum or magnesium alloys for strength and corrosion resistance. Tempered glass and bezel are used to protect the lamps. All structural joints are hermetic, which makes it possible to withstand immersion of devices to a depth of up to 1 m.
Thanks to these indicators, Surefire produces the best narrow-profile flashlights for security officials, tourists, athletes from all over the world. Tactical flashlights are equipped with a mount for a Picatinny rail with the removal of the power button on the weapon handle. The disadvantage of the company is a small assortment of multi-purpose and civilian models. The release of flashlights integrated into the handguard is limited to only two models for Mossberg and Remington police shotguns.
Eagletac
A relatively young company founded in 2009 in Washington by retired officer and avid hunter Dan Lam.It quickly gained momentum, releasing more than thirty models of flashlights by 2020, which have deservedly become top-end ones. The company has occupied the tactical specification segment, but continues to work in related areas. To date, the Eagletac range includes not only models designed for mounting on Mark or MX series firearms, but also models for everyday use of the Clicky series.
Almost all samples are made of duralumin alloy, but there are also items made of titanium. There are practically no plastic parts in the design of the lanterns. The company uses American Cree or Japanese Nichia LEDs as a light source. To protect them, tempered anti-reflective glass and a steel crown are used. All contacts are necessarily spring-loaded, which makes them resistant to shock and recoil of large hunting calibers. The method of focusing on a number of models is electromechanical. That is, by turning the head, the reflector is extended and the current supply to the diode is increased. Such a solution has a disadvantage: when turning with the head extended, the body partially loses its tightness, and the device is fully waterproof only in the low beam mode.
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The company's assortment includes samples without rotary focus, and switching on with a change of modes occurs with two different buttons: tactical (quick start to maximum) and optional. Eagle Tak products are mainly used by hunters, tourists, "preppers" both couch and fully practicing. The only drawback of the company is sky-high prices, designed for a wealthy consumer.However, it is worth noting the full compliance of the devices with the declared characteristics, as well as the warranty service in the Russian Federation.
Universal
Most manufacturers of portable area lighting fixtures are trying to fill the consumer niches of the most profitable categories. Owning production capacities alone is not enough for the full implementation of this task: competent designers are also needed. Firms that have achieved maximum versatility of their products while maintaining efficiency should be discussed in more detail.
Olight
The brand, founded in 2006 in the city of Shenzhen, has become one of the best Chinese manufacturers of diversified lighting products. Moreover, the quality of export versions does not differ from models made for the domestic market. In China, Olight products are mainly used by law enforcement agencies and hunters, but the range covers all types of flashlights. Employees of the company have relied on compactness and practicality, not really bothering with the design, which does not detract from the main functions of their devices. For example, the miniature H15 Wave headband produces a stable 150 lumens for 3 hours, the PL-mini Walkyrie pistol grenade launcher weighs only 60 grams, and produces 400 lumens for 71 minutes at 65 meters.
The most powerful search flashlight deserves special attention - the Olight X9R Marauder searchlight, weighing 1800 grams, issuing 25,000 lumens in turbo mode for 2.5 km. All products are made of anodized aluminum, impact-resistant, moisture-resistant, with American or Japanese-made LED elements and a 5-year warranty.The price of the products, by the way, is not at all Chinese, but it corresponds to the quality, and the designers indicate all the parameters very frankly, which is worthy of respect.
LED lens
The Zweibruder Optoelectronics concern was registered in 1994 in Germany, but moved production to China by the 2000s. The quality in the end, if it sank, it is not very noticeable. Otherwise, the company remains one of the most advanced thanks to the original patented concepts, one of which was the Advanced Focus System, a system for quickly focusing the beam with the touch of a finger. Optics LED Lenser is controlled by two lenses and a reflector, providing uniform distribution of the light flux over the cone without loss of power. The smart SMART LIGHT TECHNOLOGY system regulates power depending on the battery charge, maximizing the life of the device. Moisture protection of devices is kept at a level of at least IPX6. In some products, gold-plated contacts prevent oxidation. Employees of the organization monitor compliance with production standards by Chinese performers, not allowing quality to “sag”, although this fact is considered controversial in some circles. The right materials and adherence to technology determine the price range of products as an “above average” category.
ArmyTek
The organization began its activities in 2010 by registering in Canada. Armytek Optoelectronics Inc. factories located in China, which casts a shade on the honest name of the company, but everything is not so clear.The fact is that this is the first company that set the bar for 10 years of warranty obligations, despite the fact that the declared performance characteristics of some product samples are amazing. For example, the Wizard Pro V3 model can withstand a fall from a height of 10 meters and diving to the same depth, despite the fact that it is a forehead protector.
Although you can’t even call the Wizard series a headband. These devices are more likely to be multi-flashlights: they can be hooked to a pocket, for unloading, a backpack, held in hand, attached with a magnet to metal. You can dive with them. Using only this model as an example, we can say that Armytek designers are the only ones who have implemented versatility at the highest level. The recharging system on the magnet ensures complete tightness of the structure. The collimator lens and corrugated glass distribute the light spot so that there are no clear boundaries between the central point and the periphery.
The Armytek tactical series is made in a standard inch diameter, which makes it possible to apply specific and unified weapon mounts to them. Digital regulation forces the driver to draw a stable level of current from the battery, which keeps the devices operating at a smooth amplitude until the charge is completely depleted. At the same time, the company's marketers do not overcharge, speculating on the brand, and the reliability remains worthy of recommendations from avid militarists, extreme sportsmen, tourists and hunters.
Top most powerful flashlights
Phoenix FD30
Made in a standard format and dimensions of a handheld flashlight. The Cree XP-L HI LED element produces 900 lumens of neutral light for 2 hours.Range up to 200 m, in the most focused position and turbo mode.
The device implements a rotary method of focusing TIR-optics, which is quite tight and does not go astray when carried in a bag or from shotgun recoil. Waterproof rating IP68 - withstands short-term immersion in water. Powered by 18650 battery or two CR123A batteries. Of the shortcomings:
- the protruding tactical button on the back cover interferes with the vertical installation of the device;
- a knot weak for moisture in the form of a rotary mechanism on a silicone gasket.
The gift set comes with a branded battery with an integrated micro-USB connector for charging. Shows acceptable results in its class and price range. Even taking into account the country of origin, this is a good device, although not the best of the Fenix lineup.
Acebeam K75
Chinese top search engine based on Luminus SBT-90.2 LED-element. It is stated that in turbo mode the searchlight produces 6300 lm at a distance of 2.5 km for 1.45 hours. It should be noted that this figure is given taking into account the level of the glow flux of 1 lm at a maximum distance of 2500 m.
Note! 1 lumen corresponds to 1 candela, that is, the brightness of one wax candle.
In practice, a normally lit object will be visible for a kilometer.
By and large, this is quite enough for such a “headlight” with a head diameter of 126 mm. The device is powered by 4 18650 batteries inserted into the cartridge. The disadvantages of the device include:
- the requirement for battery power is at least 10 A. Turbo mode will not start on weak batteries;
- poor balance - the head greatly outweighs;
- cold light 6500 K.
Digital lighting control maintains a smooth amplitude or adjusts to the charge level in ECO Mode. On the body of the projector there is a connector for attaching the L-shaped handle that comes with the kit. At the same time, even in the overclocked state of the lamp, the heating temperature of the case is quite comfortable, perhaps due to a well-designed heatsink. Standard protection: IP68 against moisture and immersion up to 2 m for 30 minutes, and FL1 against drops from one meter.
Armytek Predator v3 XP-L HI
Underbarrel variant of pocket ranger with XP-L High Intensity LED, delivering 1116 lumens in short-term turbo mode and 1.5 hours of operation at 930 lumens. Maximum range 424 m.
It is noteworthy that the device is designed for immersion in water up to 50 m for 5 hours. The company completes the device LEDs different glow temperatures for different tastes. Programming is quite complex, carried out by a given number of head turns. The tactical button is located on the battery cover and interferes with the installation of a flashlight with a candle. The reflector is deep and smooth. The enlightened tempered glass is protected by a steel bezel. The manufacturer gives a guarantee for 10 years, which inspires confidence.
NiteCore TM39
Search and rescue unit on the French diode Luminus SBT-90 Gen2? producing 5200 lumens for 45 minutes at 1.5 km or 2000 lumens for 2 hours. Adequate illumination of objects at a distance of 900 m. The beam is cold, side illumination is average.
Case with a pronounced heatsink and an OLED display located on it. It is powered by a battery pack with the ability to charge separately from the head directly from the mains.IP68 protection, shock resistance 1 meter. The contacts are gold-plated, the aluminum alloy body is anodized with the possibility of mounting the device on a tripod. In general, this is a killer hand-held searchlight that can compete with a car headlight.
Video test
Olight X9R Marauder
Declared by the manufacturer as the most powerful hand-held searchlight and created, most likely, for the image on the principle: "Only we can do this." The price is cosmic, but the parameters are impressive. Six XHP 70.2 Cool White diodes give out a total of 25,000 lumens in Turbo, although the designers honestly indicated that the duration of the turbo is limited by critical heating - 3 minutes.
With an economical mode of 800 lm, the unit will last 12 hours. The duration of operation is regulated by a temperature sensor, so in winter or in strong winds the device works even at maximum speed until the power source is completely discharged. This monster is powered by a block of 8 18650 batteries. Reflected light sensors are installed near the reflectors, which reset the brightness when the lamps approach point-blank to the object. With such power, the range of each LED lamp individually is 630 m, but in the floodlight layout, the entire area is illuminated at an angle of 35 ° with visibility close to daylight.
Figuratively speaking, if the Acebeam K75 and NiteCore TM39 are large-caliber sniper rifles, then the Olight X9R Marauder is a six-barreled Gatling gun.
Dust and moisture protection of the unit at the level of IPX7. The projector is held firmly in a vertical position. Even a child can handle the control algorithm. The device is certified by European standards CE and RoHS Certification. All parameters are indicated extremely honestly, and the company gives a guarantee for 5 years unusual for the Chinese.
Detailed video review. Testing the device in the last minutes.
Skin 8228
Budget Chinese for the Russian market. One cold LED at 1500 lm, in a smooth reflector, shines for 4 hours at 900 m. Adequate range does not exceed 450 m. The plastic case is bulky, with a handle-holder. The battery is built-in and replaceable. There are only two modes: at 100 and 50% power.
At the rear there is a red flashing emergency light for car drivers. Everything is extremely simple and cheap.
Camelion LED 5136
Another tactical state employee with a cold spectrum LED lamp that produces 500 lumens for 4 hours at 400 m. In reality, it consistently finishes at 150-200 m, but for its price it is quite acceptable.
A retractable head with a lens negates moisture protection and reduces mechanical resistance to focus shift when the weapon recoils. The device is powered by 3 AAA micro-finger batteries with the ability to install a 18650 battery. The device is from the category: “buy quickly, for a short time and so that it does not look so miserable”
