They start off with six Böker Plus flashlights for their debut in the Flashlight Industry:

Böker Plus FA-1:
Not only does this light have a sleek design, it has reasonable output too. Throwing out 160 Lumens, you can’t go wrong. My favorite feature of the light is that you can get away with running it off of one AA battery; you don’t need any fancy expensive batteries to operate this light. A great EDC Flashlight option. You can plan on paying around $45 for this flashlight.

Böker Plus FC-1:

Comparing this light to the FA-1, you might notice that it is thicker and shorter. It all depends on size and output. This torch throws out 250 lumens. However, you have to run it off of CR123 lithium batteries. For the size, this light has power and fits nicely in your pocket. This flashlight retails at around $45.

Böker Plus FA-2:

This body of this flashlight is a little bit longer than what a lot of people are looking for when it comes to an everyday carry flashlight (5” long). It would make a great emergency torch. A simple half twist of the head can change between the high (200 lumens) and low (30 lumens) output. This runs off of two AA batteries which is a HUGE plus in my book. It has a high output for the batteries that it takes. You can pick one of these up for around $55.00.

Böker Plus FC-2:

Now the Böker FC-2 is similar to the FA-1 and the FC-1. It is shorter and thicker than the FA-1 series flashlight. This light runs off of two CR123 batteries. On the upside This torch kicks out 350 lumens. Like the other flashlights, this has two modes and is changed by twisting the head. You can find these for around $55.00

Böker Plus FA-3:

This light is pretty impressive for the price. It runs off of three AA batteries and has a lumen output of 350 lumens! This is a beefy light with a head diameter of 1.5″. This torch is designed to throw light long distance. You can pick one of these up for under $70.00

Böker Plus FC-3:

This is a great flashlight It features a maximum output of 350 lumens; runs off of two CR123 batteries; and has a head that is 1.25″ in diameter giving the light an enormous reach (one of my favorite things about this light). I can guarantee this light will satisfy all your needs.

Quite frankly when it comes to flashlights, Böker throws themselves into the ring with their fists flying. Their quality and output is competitive with several of the top flashlight manufacturers. They are very fairly priced. I would suggest any of these lights to absolutely anyone.

Be on the firsts to buy a Böker Flashlight from BladeHQ.com.

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Surefire flashlights are among the finest, toughest, and brightest flashlights in the industry. Surefire exemplifies high-quality, durability and reliability in all their products.

Some of their flashlights are constructed with a high-strength aerospace-grade alloy which then are protected by an anodized finish of aluminum oxide. This anodized aluminum alloy construction makes the flashlight resistant to damage from impact or crushing and makes it small and light weight. Surefire also make a few of their flashlights out of Nitrolon (a proprietary high-strength, non-conductive, impact-resistant, glass-filled polyamide nylon polymer).

All Surefire flashlights produce optimal beams with no rings, hot spots or shadows. A flashlight is only as good as it’s reflector. Surefire reflectors are made from CNC-machined aluminum instead of stamped metal or molded plastic.Each reflector surface is

…covered with tiny ripples that reflect light at slightly different angles, smoothing out beam irregularities and producing a bright central area surrounded by a gradually diminishing corona. This sort of beam is perfect for tactical applications because it clearly illuminates the main object of interest while providing enough light for the observer’s peripheral vision.

Most SureFire flashlight models are made of tempered, coated Pyrex glass. This window not ‘lens’ protects the reflector and lamp from debris and water. An anti-reflective coating is applied to the window to reduce reflection loss which increases net lumen output. Some of their flashlights are modular which allows you to reconfigure your flashlight with available accessories.

Below are four SureFire flashlights (pictured above) that I feel are great flashlights to have in any situation and won’t break the bank.

SureFire flashlights are pricey, but the quality and superiority you receive in a SureFire flashlight is worth the spending the extra dollars.

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When buying a LED flashlight, there are many factors to consider: Lumen count, Run time, quality, durability and so forth. This post will go over the basic information that will hopefully help you become more informed when shopping for a LED flashlight.

Let’s start with the first thing that comes to mind when someone says LED:

What is an LED?

LED stands for Light Emitting Diode. An electric current passes through the diode which then coverts the electricity into light. LED’s are highly energy efficient; meaning most of the electricity that is converted is converted into light instead of heat. Incandescence bulbs convert about 2% of their electricity intake into light. The rest of that energy is heat loss. Keep in mind LEDs can overheat shortening their life span immensely if not properly heat-synced. There is still heat loss (just not as much). One or more LEDs are attached to a chip known as the driver which converts the AC main voltage to the correct DC voltage needed by its LED(s). These drivers can be elaborate allowing advance control of the LEDs.

Where is my white light?

An LED’s light is monochromatic which means LEDs can only emit one color. They are capable of emitting a wide range of color lights depending on what material their semiconductors are made out of. Given that the color output of an LED is based on inorganic materials, there is no ‘natural’ white light.

White light consists of a broad spectrum of colors. To achieve this high-intensity white light there are two primary methods used. One method is to use individual LEDs that emit three primary colors (red, green and blue) and combine them. Therefore forming the white-light. This method works, but may cause discoloration of the white-light later on down the life of your light bulb. Since each color uses a different material, the life span of each individual LED can differ. In other words, an LED may burn out before another. The other more popular method is produced by coating LEDs of one color—mainly blue LEDs made of InGaN (Indium gallium nitride)—with a phosphor of different colors to form a white light. This process is known as phosphor down conversion and is similar to the technology used in the fluorescent lamp.

Stick with the Standard

There many different manufacturers of LED flashlights out there. Unless you consider truly competent in all that is LED flashlights, I suggest you use the ANSI/NEMA FL1 Standard as a base when comparing flashlights. ANSI/NEMA FL1 is a standardized guide of definitions and testing methods for flashlights, headlamps and spotlights that was established in 2009. In simple terms, it allows consumers a means of comparing the most important attributes of a flashlight. Each manufacturer abides by the ANSI/NEMA FL1 Standard independently and completely voluntarily. The result is a standard that enables every individual a clear means of comparing products.

Stick to the flashlights brands that use this standard.

True or False: Higher lumens = Brighter flashlight = Better flashlight?

“The higher the lumens, the brighter the flashlight; therefore the better flashlight.” seems to be a reliable statement to follow when looking for a bright flashlight. The measure of lumens can give you a relative idea of a flashlight’s Light Output. However when it comes to LED flashlights, you should not rely on that statement alone. You should also take into account the intensity of the beam (Peak Beam Intensity): Two flashlights may have the same lumen count, but one may give a wider beam over a greater area, while the other might focus the light into a more intense spot beam. The same lumen count in two flashlights may not produce equal light depending on the quality of the flashlight’s optics system (ie reflector). Some manufacturers pair a high quality LED with a cheap reflector resulting in a weak/spotty beam or with no reflector at all and simply allow the light output be driven by the performance of the LED itself.

More LEDs, the better?

Again the above statement comes down to quality. Some manufacturers of cheaper flashlights use multiple LEDs to achieve a high lumen count but pair them with a sub-par optics system resulting in a weak or spotty beam. Another way of looking at this: Take an engine out of a Porsche and place that engine in a Pinto. You will not get the same performance out of the engine while it is in the Pinto.

Two things to remember when it comes to LED count:

1. The superiority of the beam isn’t determined by the number of LEDs but by the quality of the LED chips and optical system.
2. The more LEDs a flashlight contains, the faster it will go through batteries affecting the flashlight’s run time.

Wha? Not all flashlights throw the same kind of light beam?

When looking at the Beam Distance of a flashlight it is important to keep in mind the difference between “How far away the beam can be spotted from a distance” and “How far away the beam can illuminate an object you are looking at.” Beware of vague and unsubstantiated claims made by manufacturers. These claims may or may not be true. Beam distances displayed on the package refers to the maximum distance your flashlight can achieve when optimally focused (spot mode). Some of the best LED flashlights allow you to switch back and forth between a flood and spot beam. A flood light sheds light on a wide area but does not penetrate very far. Flood beams are good for walking, reading and performing general tasks in the dark. A spot light has a narrowly focused beam designed to provide penetrating light and usually offer a greater beam distance than a flood light. Spot beams are great for mountain biking at night or any fast-paced night activity.

“LIGHT Aziz!!”

Flashlights are thankfully more reliable than the boy in Fifth Element. The Run Time of a flashlight is sometimes as important as how bright the flashlight is. Will you be using the flashlight while backpacking or just as an emergency tool for around the house? Will you be using it under water or keeping it on for long periods of time?These are the types of questions you should ask yourself when looking for a flashlight. Run time refers to the battery life of the flashlight. Do not confuse this with the life span of a LED.  A product may say 50,000-hour LED life, but it may only run for a few hours on a set of batteries. Factors may affect the run time: Brightness of the beam, size of battery and temperature. If you are looking at a flashlight with brightness settings, the run time is based on the highest power setting. You can extend the life your battery past the official run time by using a dimmer setting. What does this mean? Brighter the light, the more electricity used, the quicker you will drain your battery. Size and number of batteries should be considered when comparing flashlight run time. You may get a longer run time with one flashlight, but it may require more and/or larger batteries. Temperature (cold, heat and humidity) affects the run time of your battery life. The cooler the temperature, the more you will get out of the battery’s life. The opposite is true: The more hot and humid it is, the shorter the battery life. While this may not be a deal breaker when buying your flashlight, you should keep this in mind when planning for its use.

The flashlight’s usage is important. If you know you will need a flashlight that will stand up to some punishment; look for a higher rating when it comes to Impact Resistance. If you will be using your flashlight during inclement weather or near/in streams or lakes; look for flashlights that are respectively Water Resistant or Waterproof. We covered a few of the main things to consider when shopping for a LED Flashlight. Beware of extravagant claims. Read reviews on flashlights before buying them. The more knowledge you have, the better purchase you will make. A well-informed purchase usually always means a happier and more satisfied you.

Need some suggestions of some quality brands to kick start your shopping? Coast, Fenix, JETBeam and Surefire are quality brands.

If you are looking for more in depth information on LED flashlights before purchasing, please read A FLASHAHOLIC’S guide to LED Flashlights—where I got a lot of my information. Brought to you by our friends at Coast.

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So this time of year we start gearing up for the holidays and one of the things that we think make great gifts are Fenix Flashlights. Fenix has a huge selection of flashlights and there’s literally something for everyone. The tiny E01 series for a car or purse, Headlamps for the adventurer (and there are all kinds of  “adventurers” : the brave spelunker, the fearless mountain explorer or the foolhardy hero who decides  to “fix” that fuel pump themselves) and tactical flashlights for the lawman who has everything. In short, flashlights make great gifts.

I never really appreciated how good good flashlights can be. I grew up with the incandescent garbage that you now find in dollar stores (and I’m not trying to be insensitive, but once you’ve had a good flashlight you can’t go back and a good flashlight doesn’t have to cost a fortune). One of my very first nice lights was actually a Surefire flashlight. I think it was actually the first LED flashlight that I ever owned. I loved that light, but I confess that it was a little bulky. It served me well for two years before finally succumbing to the brutality of my children. I replaced it with the compact Fenix PD31. I love that light and used it for everything. However, after a repair on a friend’s car it drove off into the night (with his car) and was lost. I’m really eyeing the new PD30 now. But I digress…  My point was that a really good flashlight is an essential tool for just about everyone. Even if you think you don’t need a good flashlight you’d find yourself wondering how you ever lived without one.

Anyway!  I put together a quick list of Fenix Lights that would make great gifts:

The Fenix E01 is a super compact light comes in a ton of great colors. It’s a little less than 3″ and it’s under $13.00. It’s small size makes it ideal to keep just about anywhere (pants, purse, car, emergency kit, etc). At 10 lumens it’s not super bright, but it’s better than being in the dark!

The Fenix PD30 series is a great entry level LED flashlight. Adjustable between 10 lumens and over 200 lumens this light offers a lot of options. At a little over 4.5″ the PD30 series is a still small enough to conveniently carry and makes a great toolbox or car kit accessory. The PD30 is right around $45.

If you’re looking for something bigger (and a lot brighter) then the Fenix TK30 might be what you need. With an output of up to 630 lumens and a beam distance of 225 meters the TK30 is built for serious lighting. The TK30 has so many operation modes it’s mind blowing. $130.

Finally if you need an inexpensive headlamp then the Fenix HL21 should be just the thing. At only $29 it’s a steal. Providing up to 90 lumens and a 50+ hour runtime (lower lumen setting) this hands free light is both sturdy and practical.

So there you have it! A couple of fun gift ideas that should work for just about anyone. Men, women, even kids will all appreciate the excellent portable lighting that Fenix provides. Happy shopping.

Resources: Fenix Flashlights, Surefire Flashlights.

Posted October 31, 2011 (Happy Halloween).  

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The flashlight is a pretty recent invention.  Before 1896 if you needed to visit the outhouse late at night or look for lost treasures in a dark closet you would most likely use a candle or a kerosene lamp.  Occasionally accidents and fires arose from using either of them.   This was a problem.

Into the picture comes Russian immigrant Akiba Horowitz, who changed his name to Conrad Hubert when he came to America.  He was a successful business man in the distillery business back in homeland.  When he came to America there wasn’t much opportunity for him to start again, so he decided to try his hand at a few different things including a cigar store, a restaurant, a boarding house, a jewelry store, a farm, a milk wagon route and finally a novelty shop.

At his novelty shop worked David Misell, an English inventor who on March 12, 1898 filed a patent under his employer for a “electric device” which was powered by “D” batteries which were invented in 1896.  On January 10, 1899, American Electrical Novelty and Manufacturing Company obtained U.S. Patent No. 617,592.

The first flashlights were crude at best, a couple of “D” batteries laid front to back in a paper tube with a bulb and reflector on the end.  These flashlights used zinc-carbon batteries which couldn’t sustain a constant flow of electricity and needed short periods of rest.  They also used inefficient carbon filament bulbs.  So you could use them in short bursts.  Hence, the term “flashlight” came about.
Throughout the years many improvements have been made to every aspect of the flashlight.

Today we have many different types of batteries to choose both single use and rechargeable batteries including alkaline, lithium, NiCd, NiMH just to name a few.  With the bulbs there are incandescent (xenon, halogen, krypton), fluorescent, LED (light emitting diode).  The body of a flashlight can be made from plastic, aluminum, stainless steel and titanium to name a few.

By Spencer Carbajal

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