Article Categories
» Arts & Entertainment
» Automotive
» Business
» Careers & Jobs
» Education & Reference
» Finance
» Food & Drink
» Health & Fitness
» Home & Family
» Internet & Online Businesses
» Miscellaneous
» Self Improvement
» Shopping
» Society & News
» Sports & Recreation
» Technology
» Travel & Leisure
» Writing & Speaking

  Listed Article

  Category: Articles » Shopping » Article
 

Flashlight Buying Guide




By James Gregory

Gone are the days when buying a flashlight meant one would automatically seek out Maglite. Whilst recognising the impact and unprecedented success of the Maglite design, LED, HID (High Intensity Discharge) and Xenon technology along with ultra strong casing materials means that the flashlight has evolved to a state where the more powerful the beam does not necessarily mean the larger the flashlight.

When seeking out high performance, reasonably priced lighting tools it is easy to become swamped by the amount of brands on the market. Flashlight technology at the beginning of the 21st century offers a baffling variation of bulb type, body material, body size, power source and price range. This guide is a brief overview of the salient points worth consideration when buying any quality flashlight.

In the same way that feet measure length so lumens measure brightness. The higher the Lumen count the brighter and further the beam will show. Occasionally you may find brightness levels measured in Candlepower or Candelas, this describes a unit of light at source. One Candlepower/Candela is equal to 12.57 Lumens.

Perhaps the most significant breakthrough in lighting technology was the L.E.D. (Light Emitting Diode). The L.E.D. produces light on a molecular level as distinct from a normal bulb, which heats a filament therefore using more energy to produce less light. As a result an L.E.D. will last a lifetime and dramatically lengthen the life of a battery. They do, however, vary in purity. Like diamonds, at the point of production some produce clean white light whereas others have a very slight blue, violet or green tint.

Xenon Lights produce a broad spectrum of light (including infrared) and can be made to have a high maximum lumen output by the inclusion of Xenon gas in the bulb thus enabling light to be produced at a higher pressure, but they are comparatively less efficient users of power. H.I.D technology (High Intensity Discharge) uses a Xenon bulb slightly differently with the addition of a tubular outer bulb and an inner arc tube with a cerium-doped quartz partition in the bulb to block out most ultraviolet. HID torches have lumen output of approximately 500-1000. Lighting technology could be described as a battle between light and heat, as the energy to produce the heat detracts from that which produces the light. The undoubted master is the LED. It makes light without the need to heat a filament, thus lengthening bulb and battery life. However the power from a Xenon bulb can be astoundingly bright yet harder on the batteries.

Casing material has progressed so far as to be almost indestructible if dropped and virtually water resistant in very wet conditions. A good, quality flashlight will invariably have an Aerospace grade aluminium body and a rugged construction and design.

Manufacturers vary in quality and specialism. Surefire have a quality range of Xenon and LEDs with a comprehensive range of accessories. Ledwave produce excellent, powerful and reasonably priced LED and Xenon lights. Nextorch can boast the extraordinary Saint, capable of producing a massive 450 lumens, plus a range of ingeniously, versatile LED, Xenon and rechargeable torches.

Navigating the labyrinth of flashlight production is tricky and ultimately dependant on what job will be asked of it. Lumen output to size ratio, tough hardwearing casing material and bulb / battery life are essential elements to take into consideration when choosing a lighting tool to last and perform over time.
 
 
About the Author
James Gregory reviews and writes about consumer products. To see more products like the one in this article, please visit http://www.ee33.co.uk/

Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/article/33175.html
 
If you wish to add the above article to your website or newsletters then please include the "Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/article/33175.html" as shown above and make it hyperlinked.



  
  Recent Articles
Choosing Birthday Party Supplies
by Jeff B

Commercial carpet is a must for your commercial area
by Stephen Robins

Shopping for Men's Jewelry Online
by Liz Harrison

Is Carpet Cleaning Service a Good Choice?
by Ashley Daniels

Shop for TV Products Without the Advertisements
by Kim Thompson

Citizen Watches
by Zai Zhu

How To Save Money On Party Supplies!
by Zach Parker

Mobile phone Shop: define your mobile phone shopgping options
by Henry Kruz

Ideas for Valentine Gifts..
by fancy jameson

Last Minute Gifts for the One You Love
by Chris Robertson

Mobile Phone Deals: Choose Wisely, Talk More!
by anastasia

Introduction to Plasma Tv technology
by John Rivers

Common Misconceptions About Plasma TVs need to be serviced
by Soma

Shopping for Promotional Products…the Right Way
by John Hanksworth

Christmas Gift Ideas: To Show The Loved Ones How Much You Care
by Javier Fuller

Snowflake Jewelry Shopping Tips
by Liz Harrison

Bed Mattress Reviews Revealed
by Remy Jirek

Sweet Romantic Valentine's Day Gifts
by Jagat Joshi

Can't connect to database