Guide to Choosing a Flashlight in 2023

 Looking to buy the best flashlight online?

 The Night Buddy team has you covered!

Here's everything you need to know about buying your next flashlight. 

What is a Tactical Flashlight?

A tactical flashlight is simply a high-performance handheld flashlight. It is tailored for use by the military and police officers to help them identify targets and use their weapons in low-light conditions.

These flashlights come with unique features and designs that make them stand out from regular flashlights. For example the Night Buddy flashlight!

It is these uniqueness that make a flashlight tactical.

A Buying Guide for Tactical Flashlights

The best tactical flashlight guarantees your protection and offers convenience in use. Here are some of the features to look for in a tactical flashlight for everyday carry:

Light Output

A flashlight’s light output is measured in Lumens. This isn’t to be confused with wattage–the measure of a light’s power consumption.

The higher your tactical flashlight’s lumen output, the brighter it is.

Today, most tactical flashlights, such as Night Buddy, come with various brightness levels that you can easily switch between. These are high, low and medium light settings.

This way, you can select different brightness levels for different situations.

For situations when you need maximum brightness, use the high mode. However, if you need less light, the low mode is the way to go. The freedom to switch between brightness levels also ensures you conserve your battery.

Some tactical flashlights even have dimmers. Generally, people prefer a lumen count of 300+.

When handling a tactical flashlight’s light output, you need to pay attention to three other factors:

The Flashlight’s Beam Distance

Beam distance is a measure of how far a light travels before finally diminishing. Tactical flashlights that illuminate a more expansive area tend to have a shorter beam distance. So, if you need your light to travel a long distance, go for a flashlight with a longer range as opposed to one with a broader range.

The Flashlight’s Beam Types

There are three beam options in tactical flashlights to choose from:

• Flood Beam - This type of light beam has a wide coverage and helps illuminate wide areas. It is perfect for indoor use, camping, mechanics etc.
• Spot Beam - This beam disperses light over a long distance and is great for fast-paced activities and spotting faraway objects.
• Adjustable Beam - This light beam allows you to shift between spot and flood beam modes.

The Flashlight’s Temperature

Temperature refers to the light’s color. Common temperatures of a tactical flashlight include:

• Warm White - It emits a yellowish light, ideal for a relaxing mood in the living room.
• Neutral White - This mimics sunlight and is neither cool nor warm.
• Cool White - This is the brightest white light with a tinge of blue.

Type of Bulb

While there are several types of bulbs to select from, most tactical flashlights use LED bulbs, thanks to their longevity and brightness. Besides, they are more efficient compared to their fluorescent or incandescent counterparts.

Here are some of the benefits of utilizing LED flashlights:

• Extended lifespan
• Energy efficiency
• Excellent brightness
• A wide color range
• Low emission of radiated heat
• Instant illumination
• Focused lighting

The Flashlight’s Power Source

The battery you use in your flashlight significantly impacts the length of time you can use your tactical flashlight for.

Here are some common battery options for your flashlight:

• Disposable Alkaline
• Disposable Lithium
• Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Batteries
• Integrated Rechargeable Batteries

The Flashlight’s Durability

The durability of your tactical flashlight is pegged on several factors, such as its impact- and water resistance.

Impact Resistance

Consider tactical flashlights made of stainless steel, titanium or anodized aluminium. Because of the strength and durability of these metals, they won’t break easily when dropped on a hard surface.

Besides, a tactical flashlight with a strong metal body is sturdier, making it an ideal self-defense weapon.

Water Resistance

A flashlight’s water resistance is also referred to as its IPX rating. If you want a tactical light that guarantees you several years of servitude even through the harshest weather, go for a water-resistant option.

Three IPX ratings are applicable for flashlights:

• IPX4
• IPX7
• IPX8

Final Thoughts

We hope you enjoyed this Night Buddy article on choosing your next flashlight!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a Flashlight Be Used for Self-Defense? How

A flashlight can be used for self-defense in three ways: as a deterrent, a blinding tool, and as an attack weapon.

How Do You Select a Good Tactical Flashlight?

To select a good tactical flashlight, consider factors such as light output, size, durability and battery type. You should also consider special light modes like SOS, the nature of the finish and your personal preferences.

Who can use a tactical flashlight?

Regardless of stature and age, everyone can use tactical flashlights for defense. There exists freely on the market tactical flashlights with no unauthorized extra functions.

At NightBuddy, we are concerned about your safety in the dark, which is why we offer tactical flashlights to ease your navigation and protect you from potential danger. Check out our products and contact us for any enquiries.