Flashlight Review – Selecting The Right Flashlight

Every household, car and office should have at least one high quality, dependable flashlight.  When you look for a flashlight, there are a few things to consider, which will help you purchase the right one for you.  There are three major factors to keep in mind, are they are the flashlight’s bulb type, material and power options.

Currently, manufacturers use one of three different types of bulbs in their flashlights.  Those bulbs are incandescent, LED and HID.

Incandescent bulbs are familiar flashlight bulbs.  They are not the most durable and do not offer much by way of comparative longevity, but they are great for focused and long distance illumination.  Upfront, Flashlights with incandescent bulbs tend to be the most economical variety.  If you need several flashlights around the house to quickly locate a fuse box during a blackout, or shine a light in a hard-to-see spot, this type of flashlight should serve you well.

LED flashlights are not as bright and lack the strong beam of incandescent flashlights, but they are more durable and energy efficient. They last considerably longer than incandescent bulb flashlights.  LEDs are great flashlights to keep in your car, or as part of an emergency preparedness kit.  They are preferred for longer period illumination when you need it most.  Over time, the intensity of the LED bulb(s) may fade, but these can be easily replaced to restore brightness.

HID flashlights provide the brightest light and the most powerful beam.  They tend to be more specialized for heavy-duty tasks.  They are very bulky and have unique power requirements.  HID flashlights are not your typical household flashlights, and are primarily used for industrial and military applications.

When considering the difference in flashlight material, the two most common options are metal and plastic.  Technological advances in both of these materials have left little difference as far as durability and functionality.  Metal flashlights are usually heavier and may conduct electricity or become magnetized.  If these are concerns that are relative to your application, they’re definitely something to keep in mind.  Other than that, material is usually a matter of personal preference.

Flashlight power options are one-time use battery, or rechargeable power cell.  Flashlights that use one-time use batteries are a bit cheaper, and can sometimes be used with separately rechargeable batteries.  If you expect to be using your flashlight often, replacing all those dead batteries can be costly, and the waste isn’t good for the environment.  Rechargeable power cell flashlights will cost more upfront, but you won’t be spending money on a new pack of batteries.  When the light goes dead, you can simply plug it into an electrical outlet and recharge.

Remember, the more you consider your application and intended purpose of your flashlight, the more you can determine the features and function you’ll need in a reliable, high quality flashlight.