How to choose a lantern: A Practical Guide

Uninitiated person may seem that in the selection of the flashlight is no big deal. Indeed, there to choose from? Lamp, battery and enclosure.

However, in reality things are not so simple. Instead of light bulbs have long been used modern LEDs from the batteries and accumulators can diversity dizzy, and the technology and materials used in the modern flashlight, directly moved from Space area. Therefore, when choosing the right device for you need to consider many different factors and characteristics.

The purpose of the purchase

First, you need to determine what features should carry a flashlight. Maybe you just need to highlight yourself in a dark entryway. Then the model has to be extremely compact and economical.

It is quite another thing, if you're going to the countryside or an evening bike ride. In the first case it is better suited Headlight model that leaves hands free. Cyclists should also note the presence of a powerful beam, emergency flashers, and the possibility of mounting on the steering wheel.

Each lamp is designed for use in specific situations, so before you buy you need to think about it. For example, the popular lantern Convoy C8 is not very compact size, so it is hardly suitable for everyday wear.

But this model has a durable aluminum body with moisture protection. Flashlight features a powerful highly directional beam that can shine over a distance of 200 meters. Therefore Convoy C8 ideal for use outdoors, cottage or in any situation when you need to illuminate distant objects strongly.

The lamp has a few modes of brightness. Furthermore, there is feed mode SOS signal, which can be useful in an emergency situation.

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main parameters

After determining the target must go to careful analysis specifications. They, incidentally, is not so little. To understand some of them will have to refresh the knowledge of school physics course.

Here is a brief list of features:

• Brightness determines the amount of outgoing light.
• The intensity of the luminous flux shows how effective brightness. It characterizes the quality of the optical system: LED reflector focusing system, an electronic control circuit.
• Dalnobojnost measured in meters and fixes the distance at which the saved illuminance at 0.25 lux.
• Working time is defined as the time interval during which the luminance decreases from the maximum to 10% of magnitude.
• Protection against external conditions defined by the international standard IEC 60529 and is designated by an alphanumeric code. More details can be found in the degrees of protection this article.

What to look for in the first place?

First of all, we should be interested in the brightness of the device, which determines other parameters. Note, however, that different manufacturers may use different methods for determining the luminous flux for their lamps. Some measure the light flux coming directly from the lamp or diode, excluding losses in the optics, which allows to obtain somewhat overestimated values.

Other manufacturers specify the luminous flux leaving the lamp, taking into account losses in the reflector, glass or lens. This method of objective measurement, but the numbers are obtained at the output is less than the first case.

To put things in order, in 2009, was adopted by a special standard ANSI / NEMA FL-1, which allows more reliable to compare the parameters of the devices. Most popular manufacturers of LED lights use it it now.

A good example - the lantern JETBeam E10R. It has a tiny size that gives you the freedom to carry it in your pocket, man purse or handbag. In this case, the beam brightness is 650 lumens, which is more than enough in the urban environment.

Availability in JETBeam E10R five modes greatly broadens the scope of its application. Thus, the minimum level allows you to simply highlight a few meters in front of him. But at maximum brightness of the beam strike the eye so that it can be used to protect against attacks.

Anodized lamp housing securely protected from water and can survive a drop of up to one meter. The presence of built-in microUSB-charging for AA-size battery allows you to not worry about buying batteries.

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Food

In modern lamps in various batteries can be used as an energy source. The type of food depends on the brightness of the beam, the work and the final cost of the device, therefore, to the issue should be taken very seriously.

If the flashlight is needed from time to time, you can use regular AA batteries or AAA. They are inexpensive and sold in any retail outlet.

The price of batteries is significantly higher, also have to take care of a special charger. However, these investments will pay off quickly if you use the lantern on a regular basis.

In good LED lights are most commonly used size batteries 18650. They have become popular due to the reliability, safety and long service life. These elements provide a high energy density, excellent discharge cope with large currents, and can operate over a wide temperature range.

A typical example of a flashlight with a similar battery - EagleEye X2R. It has medium size solid aluminum body with diamond shaped notch by which lies securely in the palm. The apparatus is protected from dust and water IP65.

EagleEye X2R shining a focused beam of neutral white light at a distance of 100 meters. There are three modes of brightness, switch between them by pressing the button located at the end.

one battery size 18650 is used for the lamp power. The main feature of EagleEye X2R - a built-in charger. On the body there is a closed-tight plug the microUSB connector, and next - color charging indicator. Holders of this lamp can save on a separate charger and charge the battery directly into the lamp.

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