When shopping for a flashlight, one of the most important considerations is the brightness of its beam.
Measured in lumens lu as in Lucy male as in female a lumen is a unit of measurement for the amount of light emitted by the light of a torch. Brighter is not necessarily better.
Blaze a 4000 lumen flashlight at full volume inside a tent in total darkness and you’ll temporarily blind yourself and all your friends sharing the tent will yell at you. Seasoned campers bundle up for the night with a small flashlight that puts out a beam as low as one or even half a lumen for when they wake up in the middle of the night and want to search the tent for something, maybe their water bottle.
Some models can even emit a weak red light, allowing them to see in total darkness without causing eye discomfort or alarming nocturnal animals. When you need to find your way around your home during a power outage, 100 to 200 lumens will provide plenty of brightness.
For hiking or camping, 500 to 1000 lumens is usually enough for navigating in the wild or camping in the dark (if you are forced to) without being so bright that it disturbs the natural surroundings and your companions. When shopping for flashlights, you may find those that put out 2,000, 4,000, or even more lumens.
These are intended for search and rescue professionals, law enforcement, or those hoping to operate in dark, stormy weather or any other environment with extremely poor visibility. These powerful light tools provide enough brightness to illuminate a large area and identify potential hazards.
Law enforcement and peacekeepers sometimes shine 4,000 lumens or more to disorient would-be criminals and assailants and temporarily blind them for arrest without causing serious harm. One thing though: the brighter the torch light, the bigger and heavier it will be.
When weight is a concern, such as backpacking or climbing mountains, it may be necessary to compromise the number of lumens you love by having a flashlight that is lightweight and compact.
The other limitation is battery life. The brighter it is, the more power your tool will absorb from the battery. So for long distance adventures like camping, long battery life is more important than having thousands of lumens in hand. Finally, it is worth considering additional features such as waterproofing, durability and the type of bulb of the flashlight.
If you expect to take on harsh environments, you may need something that’s shockproof, dustproof, and even crushproof. When looking for a flashlight to use in the wilderness, always buy from a reputable seller for an accurately rated beam, and resist the temptation to buy cheap options advertised with high lumens.
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