how many lumens for a tactical flashlight? - Page 4

Thanis · September 14th, 2009, 01:35 AM

IMHO 110 Min.

MilitaryPower · September 14th, 2009, 01:29 PM

I have about at least a dozen "tactical" lights from 175 lumens all the way to 700. At least half of them have different levels. Most of those have a strobe. At least half can use rechargeables and two are rechargeable. The dimmest light I have is a keychain light of 60 lumens. The dimmest level I have is about 5 lumens (can go lower with different colors). Runtimes can go from 1 hour to 180 hours.

I find myself in more situations where more light is better rather than worse. There are always exceptions. For a traffic stop, I want to see as much as I can and want them to see the least they can. For clearing a house I might choose a different light that is less bright, but easier to hold with a pistol. However, I can't really see myself using a light less than 120 lumens for anything other than utility work or for night vision preservation.

greenLED · September 14th, 2009, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chooie

For indoor use, between 50 and 200 (no more, probably no more than 120). For outdoor use in open areas, 120 to infinity.

That's a great observation. Despite popular comments from the flashaholic crowd (color me guilty), there is such a thing as a light being "too bright", especially when dealing with firearms and being indoors.

I've handled lights that are waaaay too bright to use indoors, especially if your eyes are "dark adapted" and all of a sudden you turn the light on. The reflection from white walls can be enough to make you think twice about using that much light (imagine what it does to who you're shining the light onto).

Interesting thing to consider... back when a SF 6P was the brightest hand-held light available, 65 lumens was "tactical" levels of lighting. As LED technology has improved, 120 lumens is commonplace and 60 is now considered "dim".

Also, IMO, single mode (and a forward, non-clicking, switch) is better than 5 modes (including SOS & strobe) that you have to cycle through to get to however much light you want.

larefugee · September 14th, 2009, 05:13 PM

I like my Fenix LD20. It has six modes from 9 lumens up to 180 lumens including S.O.S. and strobe modes. It's slim and light, taking AA batteries. Cost is ~$60.

You can watch an extensive review here: YouTube - Fenix LD20: Everything Torch Improved!

kpw · September 15th, 2009, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenLED

That's a great observation. Despite popular comments from the flashaholic crowd (color me guilty), there is such a thing as a light being "too bright", especially when dealing with firearms and being indoors.

I've handled lights that are waaaay too bright to use indoors, especially if your eyes are "dark adapted" and all of a sudden you turn the light on. The reflection from white walls can be enough to make you think twice about using that much light (imagine what it does to who you're shining the light onto).

Interesting thing to consider... back when a SF 6P was the brightest hand-held light available, 65 lumens was "tactical" levels of lighting. As LED technology has improved, 120 lumens is commonplace and 60 is now considered "dim".

Also, IMO, single mode (and a forward, non-clicking, switch) is better than 5 modes (including SOS & strobe) that you have to cycle through to get to however much light you want.

+1
The primary purpose of carrying a light for EDC is so that I can see, not to blind others, or myself by accident. I love my 200+ lumen, multi-mode lights for outdoor use. They come in handy for all kinds of stuff. The strobes are always fun to play with.
For carry, I want a lightweight, bright, but not too bright, single mode light with a fairly broad beam to light up larger areas of rooms, doorways, cars and such.

Gibber · September 15th, 2009, 09:33 PM

Fenix L1D simply blows the doors off of my Surefire G2 and the Fenix uses a cheap AA battery. It is also about 1/3 the bulk to carry. Awesome.
G2 is now used for bedside.

nfrangip · September 15th, 2009, 10:05 PM

I picked up a 2-pak of Ray-O-Vac Sportsman Xtreme lights at BJ's Wholesale today for $14.90 today. LED, 80 Lumen and uses 2 AA batteries. They're made of aircraft aluminum and seem to be pretty rugged. They also have a tactical switch - press end for light or twist for steady light. They come with clips, as well as, lanyards.

I think this is a phenomenal deal!

Chevy-SS · September 15th, 2009, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIXTO

I go against the grain here. I say that they can be to bright, especially if its intended use is in doors. Remember that the light out put can and will affect your vision too. I'd rather have a 80 or even 65 lum light that has a properly focused beam than a 120 nuke pocket torch when indoors or close quarters.

I agree. I read a good study somewhere that measured effects on indoor night vision. Most walls are painted with light colors, thus very reflective. If you have 120 lumen light bouncing off wall, it could blind you temporarily. No sense blinding yourself, lol.

The maximum brightness recommended for home defense light was about 80 lumens. Makes a lot of sense.............

-

jsnole · September 16th, 2009, 10:32 PM

I picked up a Dorcy K2, its 160 lum. Thats plenty bright enough for me and anything i need.

September 14th, 2009, 01:35 AM	#31
Thanis Distinguished Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: MI Posts: 1,704	IMHO 110 Min. __________________ NRA Member S&W 642 (no-lock) with .38 Spl +P 135 GR Gold GDHP Glock G31 & G33 with .357 Sig 125 GR. SXT Winchester Ranger

September 14th, 2009, 01:29 PM	#32
MilitaryPower Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 917	I have about at least a dozen "tactical" lights from 175 lumens all the way to 700. At least half of them have different levels. Most of those have a strobe. At least half can use rechargeables and two are rechargeable. The dimmest light I have is a keychain light of 60 lumens. The dimmest level I have is about 5 lumens (can go lower with different colors). Runtimes can go from 1 hour to 180 hours. I find myself in more situations where more light is better rather than worse. There are always exceptions. For a traffic stop, I want to see as much as I can and want them to see the least they can. For clearing a house I might choose a different light that is less bright, but easier to hold with a pistol. However, I can't really see myself using a light less than 120 lumens for anything other than utility work or for night vision preservation. __________________ Gun control can be blamed in part for allowing 9/11 to happen. "Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum" (Latin)- "If you want peace, prepare for war".

September 15th, 2009, 10:05 PM	#37
nfrangip Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Huntersville, NC Posts: 20	I picked up a 2-pak of Ray-O-Vac Sportsman Xtreme lights at BJ's Wholesale today for $14.90 today. LED, 80 Lumen and uses 2 AA batteries. They're made of aircraft aluminum and seem to be pretty rugged. They also have a tactical switch - press end for light or twist for steady light. They come with clips, as well as, lanyards. I think this is a phenomenal deal! __________________ --Nick

September 16th, 2009, 10:32 PM	#39
jsnole Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Jacksonville, Fl. Posts: 62	I picked up a Dorcy K2, its 160 lum. Thats plenty bright enough for me and anything i need. __________________ Jamie

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September 14th, 2009, 05:13 PM	#34
larefugee Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 220	I like my Fenix LD20. It has six modes from 9 lumens up to 180 lumens including S.O.S. and strobe modes. It's slim and light, taking AA batteries. Cost is ~$60. You can watch an extensive review here: YouTube - Fenix LD20: Everything Torch Improved!

September 15th, 2009, 09:33 PM	#36
Gibber Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: TN Posts: 315	Fenix L1D simply blows the doors off of my Surefire G2 and the Fenix uses a cheap AA battery. It is also about 1/3 the bulk to carry. Awesome. G2 is now used for bedside.