I took a deep dive down the flashlight rabbit hole

matthew.Contributor - January 23, 2021

Gear

Several weeks ago I posted a query asking for flashlight suggestions, and shortly after went down a deep rabbit hole researching and testing out several models. If it’s been a few years since you’ve shopped for a flashlight, you’ll find that the days of conventional battery powered flashlights have been augmented with an overwhelming selection of new, specialized rechargeable LED flashlights that offer an array of bells and whistles. It’s clear that the boom in battery technology that’s been fueled by smartphones and electric cars has also benefited the flashlight industry.

While I make no claim of being an expert, below are some guidelines that might help you navigate the overwhelming world of modern-day flashlights, plus some thoughts on a few models I purchased and tested myself. I will note that I’m coming at this from the perspective of a prepper, and not simply trying to identify the brightest or fanciest flashlight out there.

[Image caption: From top to bottom; Olight Barton S1R Baton II, Thrunite TT20, Streamlight PrtTac HL, Thrunite Archer 2AV3, Olight I1R 2 Eos]

One of the first choices you’ll need to make is whether you want a basic flashlight powered by “old fashioned” standard batteries, or a fancy new USB rechargeable flashlight that comes with a specialized proprietary battery. Speaking purely of measurable metrics, the new USB flashlights are superior in just about every way, but lack the convenience and assurance that comes with being able to stockpile and swap out cheap, easy-to-find standard disposable (or rechargeable) batteries. Before choosing one over the other, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of each, as well as having a good idea as to how you intend to use, and power, the flashlight.

USB Rechargeable Flashlights with Specialized Proprietary Batteries

Pros:

• Significantly brighter, lighter, and smaller than comparable “traditional” flashlights.
• Can be recharged by plugging the flashlight into a USB charger, allowing for on-the-go charging.
• Represent the future of battery powered devices.

Cons:

• Extra batteries and stand-alone chargers are expensive and can be difficult to find.
• If you are separated from your USB charger, or don’t have a powersource to charge with, you’ll literally be left in the dark.
• Are more expensive.

Traditional Flashlights (anything using standard 1.5 volt AA, AAA, C or D type batteries)

Pros:

• Uses cheap and easy to find disposable or rechargeable batteries.
• Are less expensive.
• Have stood the test of time.

Cons:

• Are often bigger, heavier, and not as bright.

When making a selection, it is important to envision how you will power, and potentially recharge, your flashlight. One advantage of the USB rechargeable flashlights is that, in a power-down situation, they can be charged with a USB power-brick, portable solar or hand-crank charger, or with a car charger. It is important to note that some flashlights come with their own proprietary chargers, which often offer faster charging but will leave you in the dark if you are separated from the charger. Other flashlights come with more common micro-USB or USB-C chargers, which are easy to find but may not charge as quickly. Before investing in a USB rechargeable flashlight, it’s worth tallying all of your USB-chargeable devices and inventorying the types of chargers you’re already using to see how this new device might fit in. But, if all this talk of USB charging sounds overly complicated, or you are already invested in some standard rechargeable batteries, then sticking with traditional flashlights may be the way to go. (For a deep dive into rechargeable batteries, I highly recommend this article: https://theprepared.com/gear/guides/battery-basics/).

[Image caption: The Thrunite TT20 and Olight Barton SRII “window charging” with a Big Blue 28 W Solar Charger.]

How you intend on using the flashlight will also dictate how bright your flashlight will need to be. “Lumens” is a technical term used to describe the brightness of a light. A lumen is a unit of measurement wherein the higher the number, the brighter the light. High-power flashlights (1500 lumens and up) are ideal for outdoor use, and can be used to blind an attacker in a self-defensive situation. But you’d never want that kind of brightness for reading, digging through a BOB, or illuminating your fusebox in a dark basement. For situations in which you need to simply illuminate what’s immediately in front of you, a lumens rating of 50 to 100 will likely suffice. Many flashlights also offer a “firefly” setting (usually less than 3 lumens) which can often be enough light to get you through an emergency while allowing your battery to last for days.

Adding to the complexity is the flashlight’s “beam pattern,” which indicates how the light is directed and dispersed by the shape of the flashlight’s reflector (the mirror-like surface directly behind the bulb). Most flashlights have a beam pattern that combines a focused center with an ambient flood, and are useful across a number of situations. Specialized high-intensity flashlights have a focused beam pattern like a spotlight and are best suited for hunting and search-and-rescue type situations. Both lumens and beam pattern play a role in the overall distance the light will travel, so if you’re comparing flashlights and you find one that has lower lumens but a further throw than another, it’s likely due to its beam pattern. Don’t jump to the conclusion that the higher the lumens, or further the beam distance, the better the flashlight. For most preppers, an adjustable flashlight with low/medium/high settings (with a range of 3 lumens to 1000 lumens) will be a solid choice.

So that all said, here are some thoughts on several flashlights I’ve tested. I’ve broken things down into three categories: hand-sized USB rechargeable flashlights, hand-sized traditional flashlights, and pocket-sized every-day-carry flashlights

Good choices for a hand-sized USB rechargeable flashlight for your home, car, or BOB:

Thrunite TT20: I like this flashlight because of its versatility and wide range of brightness settings. With what’s essentially a built-in dimmer switch, you can adjust anywhere between 31 and 1468 lumens, plus it has an additional .5 lumen “firefly” setting and a staggering 2526 lumen “turbo” mode for emergencies and self-defense situations. It uses the newish and common USB-C charging cable (the same USB cable currently used for most Android smartphones) and charged faster than other USB models I tested. It is waterproof, impact resistant, and feels good in the hand. While it’s too big for pocket carry, it will easily fit in a bag or pack. The dual switch system takes a minute to figure out, but overall this is a great hand-sized, versatile flashlight.

Thrunite also offers a “tactical” version of this model, the BSS V4, which offers very similar lumens settings, but also has a pointed ‘strike bezel’ which would literally allow you to use this flashlight as a weapon, as well as an attachable red filter for light concealability. The downside, at least for now, is that the BSS V4 appears to be a generation behind the TT20. It’s still using a micro-USB charger (as opposed to the TT20’s USB-C) and it neither charges as fast or holds a charge for as long. Comparing these two lights made it clear that flashlights are now like smartphones, with improving upgraded models released faster than you can keep up with.

[Image caption: the Thrunite TT20 and BSSV4]

Another USB flashlight I tested and liked was the Streamlight ProTac HL, a real workhorse. It has high, medium, and low settings of 1000, 380, and 65 lumens, as well as a strobe setting for emergency signalling. It’s a bit bigger and heavier than the Thrunite, but it’s simpler to use and rugged as they come. It uses a micro-USB charger, which is extremely common but also a bit dated. My favorite thing about this light is that it puts itself into low mode as the battery nears empty, so you have some warning before the battery dies.

Excellent hand-sized “traditional” flashlights for home, car, or BOB

If the complexity of USB rechargeable flashlights seems a bit too much, or if you’re already invested in standard rechargeable batteries, here are a couple choices you can’t go wrong with:

MagLite Mini Pro LED Flashlight: Simple and dependable, MagLite has been in the flashlight game for a long time. Powered by 2 AA batteries, the MagLite Mini Pro pumps out 332 lumens, a fraction of what the above mentioned flashlights offer but still plenty of light. MagLites are also one of the few flashlights that you can easily adjust the beam pattern, allowing you to shape the light to fit your exact needs. I’ve had one of these for years and it’s rock solid.

ThruNite Archer 2A V3 Flashlight: Similar to the rechargeable USB Thrunite listed above, the Archer 2A V3 has high, medium, and low settings of 500, 70, and 17 lumens, as well as a .2 lumen “firefly” mode and 400 lumen strobe. This popular flashlight is lightweight and powered by 2 AA batteries.

Good pocket-sized Every-Day-Carry flashlights

It’s important to note that pocket-sized flashlights are not going to offer particularly long battery life, so they’re not great as primary flashlights, but their portability makes them perfect for EDC and get-home bags.

Olight S1R Baton II: There is no denying the popularity of Olight, who make a wide array of excellent flashlights. Not much bigger than a tube of Chapstick, their S1R Baton II offers a staggering 1000-lumens max setting, as well as four additional settings ranging between 600 and .5 lumens, which is truly impressive for its size. It’s two-way clip also allows it to easily ride in your pocket, or be clipped to the brim of a hat for hands-free use, potentially replacing a headlamp. My only gripe is the proprietary magnetic charger – it charges quickly, which is great, but if you are separated from the charger you’ll be hard-pressed to find a replacement.

ThruNite T1: The only reason this is a runner up to the S1R Barton is because it is slightly bigger and heavier, which is significant when you are talking pocket-sized EDC. But otherwise this little flashlight packs an impressive 1500 lumen “turbo” max setting, as well as dimmable high-low settings ranging from 685-15 lumens, as well as a strobe and .5 lumen “firefly” mode. Another big difference is that it uses a micro-USB charger, which isn’t nearly as fast as the Olight’s magnetic charger but would be infinitely easier to replace if need be.

A good option for a Keychain Flashlight

OLIGHT I1R 2 Eos: If for whatever reason you can’t EDC a pocket-sized flashlight, OLight’s I1R 2 Eos keychain light packs an impressive 150 lumen brightness in a flashlight no bigger than a pen cap. Charged via a micro-USB cable, this little beamer is a no brainer for anyone wanting to be prepared when the lights go out.

Conclusion

The brightness and features of the newer USB flashlights are truly impressive, and the varying options allowing one to easily recharge while on the move are an obvious plus. It’s also clear that this new battery technology is the wave of the future, and we will continue to see improvements and new innovations at a blistering pace.  However, there is no denying the value of ubiquity, and the simple fact that standard batteries can be found in every convenience store, or or cheaply stockpiled, makes it clear that traditional flashlights still hold much value.  Ultimately, the best choice from a preparedness point of view may be “all of the above,” or at least some level of diversification that considers both the immediate and long-term challenges that we hope our flashlights will resolve.

I look forward to hearing everyone’s own flashlight insights and recommendations, and while I’m no expert, I’ll try to answer any questions that anyone might have.

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Nice! Generally speaking, how do you compare the build quality of Olight against the others?

 

I have three Olights, the Baton and keychain models I mention above, as well as a Valkyrie pistol light.  They feel very durable and so far I have no complaints.  The Baton in particular is a brick.

 

I have the bigger brother to your Olight S1R. The S2R is a bit taller, and takes a 18650 battery. It is incredibly solid and there is no way it will ever bend or break. 

I do have a few scuffs, some minor scratches on the lens, and the paint is wearing off in some areas but still works just as well as the day I got it.

The magnetic charging is very convenient and a nice feature, but I agree with you matthew, that it isn’t the best for prepping because of it’s proprietary charging cable. I would be better off with a USB C compatible one that I could also use with my phone charger. The 18650 battery is a common battery in other devices though, so it might not be that bad if I had like a radio and other flashlights that worked off of that same battery and had a charger for those.

 

Just gonna throw it out there that there have been multiple reports of Olights catching fire and even exploding. One man was even killed by it because he was holding the light in his mouth. It’s questionable whether the batteries or the light was to blame but still worth looking in to.

https://www.courthousenews.com/gruesome-death-2/

 

Thanks TITW, I’ve heard similar and that’s why I asked. Olight sent us a bunch of review samples recently and there have been some pattern-matching yellow flags that smell to me like “Chinese company making a product that seems good on paper / in youtube reviews, but they cut corners on quality” kind of thing.

 

It’s also well known that they pay their influencers/YouTube reviewers for positive reviews, which is always a little sketch to me. I have no personal experience with them, but based on what I’ve seen from tactical/gun guys that I trust I wouldn’t recommend them. No denying the allure of their price though.

 

While I haven’t had any issues with Olight’s products, I wasn’t wild about their customer service.  They are most certainly a Chinese company, and cancelling an order is far more complicated than it should be. They also have a robust customer loyalty and referral point-system, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing but makes it feel a bit like a pyramid scheme.  Overall I’m much happier with Thrunite’s overall product.

 

Matt, real good reading.  Thank you.

My primary flashlight company is Streamlight (www.streamlight.com of Pennsylvania).

My requirements are versatility, understanding this takes more than one flashlight to meet. Some lights do allow for this such as allowing for narrow beam adjustment to flood, OK for around explosive gases, different color light by rotary switch.

Streamlight has a new brighter and thinner model aptly named “New Survivor” with a great feature for those with ophthalmologal / optical disabilities. Called “small cutter plugs”, the black plug reduces peripheral light and the amber one reduces eye fatigue.

My EDC is a Sidewinder aviation model ,clip – on (made to clip on helmets, gear, etc) attached to my shirt. It’s got a rotary switch for white, green, blue reading light such as needed for some pulp maps on a boat or aircraft.  My primary private citizen prepper activity is a water evacuation from here so the Sidewinder is ideal … but not all – inclusive.

For preppers dealing with an amphib environment like a boat evac, there are other companies with strobe lights that are water activated.  Thus, if someone falls out of their boat, once the unit gets wet, the strobe is activated.  Am not discussing if anyone is around for the rescue ! This is a different but still important subject for elsewhere here.

My flashlight insight / recommendation; 

For a private citizen prepper, try to avoid lights with “strike bezel”.  Mini Mag lights or knockoff brands sold a screw-on solid steel add-on attachment converting it into a rudimentary weapon. Strike bezels and mini Mag Light clubs aren’t the best way to keep a low profile and avoid trouble. I’m avoiding writing the politics to this.

So true: “upgraded models released faster than you can keep up with” !

 

You barely mention head lamps, which to me are the number one priority in lighting.  It is far easier to use a head lamp as a flashlight than the other way around..  There are situations where one or the other is preferable and it is critical to have both capabilities.

Lumen ratings are going through a bit of marketing hyperbole.  When you read the fine print, you realize that the max lumens beam is usually the so called “turbo” mode, good for perhaps five minutes duration.  Much more significant is run time at a more functional level (150 lumens or so) and this relates to battery capacity.

Good description of a technologically hyperactive field.  Congratulations!!

 

hikermore, I agree 100% with the value of headlamps, but wanted to focus specifically on flashlights for this study.  The Prepared has a great headlamp review here if you are interested.  I’d also suggest that lanterns are an essential item as well.  All three are vital and offer unique advantages and drawbacks.

 

First off, great review matthew. I learned a lot and am going to have to ask for a new flashlight for my birthday!

I agree with you and hikermor about the need for a headlight, flashlight, and lantern. I wish The Prepared had a Best Lantern article, that is something I would like to add to my preps. Not just one for camping/bugging out, but one to produce room filling light for if the power goes down at home. I want to buy multiple for every room in my house and could use some recommendations of good models. I don’t want to end up with 7 junkie lanterns that got good faked reviews on Amazon. 

I think i’ll start a forum thread here to ask everyone if they have any that they like and get some suggestions.

 

Let’s talk about lanterns.  I have several, necessary because we have experienced two power shutoffs and one unexpectd outage already this winter.

First of all, I no longer keep Colman white gas lanterns around, although I used them for years in the past.  Just too fussy, fuel storage is often a problem, and there are safety issues.  One point in their favor is that they produce heat as well as light.

My current favs are Luci and Goal Zero products.  This is not a comprehensive review of all available products, so there are probably many other additional brands that have a place.

Thee standard Luci inflatable light gives soft general light, good for low level room lighting and has an integral solar panel, so it can rcharge when the sun is out – about 20 bucks.

Goal Zero lanterns are fairly pricy but seem to stand up well.  .I like their Crush light ($20), also with a solar panel and noticeably brighter than a Luci.

I have three older models of their lighthouse mini lantern ($40) which has replaceable batteries.  They offer proprietary  lithium-ion batts for these which can be popped in when the original is recharging.  The only option for recharging these is wall power, but they feature a modest power bank capability, either 180 or 360 beam configuration, and variable light intensity settings – altogether rather handy.

The GZ line also offers higher, bulkier models, similar to the mini.

When weight and portability is a consideration, I especially like the GZ  lighthouse micro recharge, a combination flashlight, 180 or 360 lantern, and power bank capability (3000 mah and $30.)   it is good for one or two nights without recharging

All of these can be recharged from portable solar panels or wall power.  So far, this assemblage has worked for me during power outages.  Basically ou are herding electrons, using them up to provide light or power your cell phone.  I am sure there are other comparable brands out there.  Please state your preferences….

 

If I had to buy one set of lanterns (all luci, or all goal zero) which one would give me the most light output to fill a room and make it less of a dark cave and more of a normal lit room?

 

Frankly, none of the above will give you normal room illumination.  The Luci lights will give you a dimly higher room and the GZ will give more brightness; the higher rated GZ units, which I did not discuss, will give you something approaching normality, but you are really squandering electricity.  I find I am wearing one of my Zebralight headlamps, adequately lighting my immediate area.

My wife abhors the dark cave of a total blackout and finds that even a Luci light will brighten the situation.

If you really want bright, get a Coleman double mantle lantern, plenty of white gas Coleman fuel, lots of mantles (and the knowledge to install them) and go to it.  Those suckers are rally bright, at the cost of numerous disadvantages….

The electricity will return eventually.

 

The GX l600, their biggest unit is rated at 600 lumns (!!), the Mini is rated at 200 lumens and the Crush light at 60 lumens….

 

Thanks for the suggestions, that gives me some models to check out 

 

I too look forward to checking out these lantern recommendations!  hikermor is definitely correct that the brighter the light the faster the battery drain.  For a lantern, low and steady is the way to go.

I haven’t operated one of these myself, but I’m definitely interested in Olight’s Obulb: https://www.olightstore.com/obulb-3colors.html

 

I didn’t know that Olight made another lantern. Now that one is one I might be interested in. 

I like Olight as much as the next guy, I have a few of their flash lights, but their Olantern seems a bit over priced at $80. I think i’d rather have almost three of those Obulbs than one Olantern

 

An important factor to me is the belt clip.  I have several decent flashlights that are equipped with a glorified paperclip.   I just ordered a Streamlight ….fingers crossed it will hold up.