Search or rescue work, spending the night in a tourist tent, lighting car engine parts, swimming to the seabed, and just an evening walk today cannot do without a bright beam of a powerful LED flashlight.
Advantages of LEDs
Unlike an incandescent bulb, an LED will last 50 times longer. Made of durable plastic, has a 2-year warranty and emits a pleasant white light. Constant on / off does not affect the life and quality of operation.
Different from bulky and expensive xenon lamps by compactness, light weight, low price and longer service life. With daily continuous use for 8 hours, the LED will last 34 years. Moreover, it does not burn out at the most inopportune moment, but gradually loses the brightness of the light flux.
The main advantages of powerful LED flashlights on batteries or batteries include:
- High efficiency. Economically, the LED flashlight is more profitable, since the LED gives almost 5 times more light on the same power sources and works much longer.
- Strength. The crystalline base is resistant to vibrations, low temperatures and mechanical damage.
- Small inertia. A powerful flashlight with LEDs turns on immediately at full brightness.
- Security. The LED flashlight does not require high voltage, its temperature does not exceed 60 oC. Due to the absence of fluorine, mercury, ultraviolet radiation, it is environmentally friendly.
- Beam focusing. Powerful LED flashlights are available with a narrow beam or a uniform focus of the light flux with a beam angle from 15 to 80o.
The disadvantages include the sensitivity of the LED, like any semiconductor device, to high temperatures.
Design features of LED flashlights
Focusing and range of the light stream depends on the reflectors (reflectors) used in the design of the lantern.
Smooth reflector provides a bright light spot in the center and a less illuminated side area. Focusing is higher with a larger reflector diameter.
The rough surface of the wrinkled reflector smoothes the sharp transition between the peripheral zone and the centerlight flux. Unlike a flashlight with a smooth reflector, the beam is much wider, but less bright.
Power supplies
Today, manufacturers of modern flashlights offer the consumer the opportunity to choose batteries: batteries or accumulators. With frequent use, powerful LED flashlights on batteries are more convenient, economical and practical. The need to additionally purchase expensive charging equipment pays off pretty quickly.
It is very convenient to use battery powered LED flashlights with battery models similar in shape and size to batteries.
Varieties of LED flashlights
Divided into several types:
- Manual. The most traditional and customary flashlights are distinguished by a wide range of sizes and different power. These models come in both small pocket sizes and large heavy duty models that illuminate dozens of meters ahead.
- Trinkets. Compact, low-power flashlights designed to illuminate a small area, such as a keyhole or footpath.
- Tactical. Super-bright LED flashlights attached to firearms are used by security guards, the military and hunters.
- Bicycle lights. Shock and vibration resistant, mounted on the handlebars of a bicycle, illuminate the road for 15-20 meters.
- Forehead. Convenient fastening with straps on a helmet or head allows you to free both hands. Used by doctors, repairmen, speleologists,tourists, builders, miners and many other people.
- Long range. Heavy duty LED flashlights that illuminate the area up to 200 meters. Most often used by the military and rescuers.
Battery Features
Powerful LED flashlights, equipped with a current stabilization function, can shine brightly even when the battery is low. With full stabilization, the lantern abruptly switches to medium or low light mode at a critical discharge threshold and shines until the battery is completely discharged. In tactical flashlights, incomplete stabilization is usually used, in which the glow power is gradually reduced to a minimum and so the flashlight works on the remaining charge.
Additional features
Modern battery-powered or rechargeable LED flashlights are equipped by manufacturers with features that simplify their use, extend their life and expand the range of applications:
- The "stepdown" mode is necessary for powerful long-running flashlights to dump excess heat. This function reduces the brightness of the beam for a while and returns full power after the LED temperature drops to normal. Timely heat dissipation prevents crystal degradation and prolongs the life of the LED flashlight.
- Different glow modes make it possible to adjust the intensity of the light flux in different life situations. Manufacturers are trying to provide a logical device and convenient switching modes. Power adjustment, increased or decreased glow, allowschoose a light output that is pleasing to the eye.
- Adjusting the reflector controls the range of illumination, size and brightness of the light spot.
- Waterproof flashlights are used by both the military and rescuers, as well as tourists, divers and fishermen. The index of protection against dust and moisture is indicated on the IPX product. Flashlights marked IPX4 are only splashproof. Models with an IPX7 index can be used underwater at a depth of no more than 1 meter and longer than 30 minutes. Deep sea LED lights are rated IPX8 and above.
Some models of powerful LED flashlights may have connectors for connecting gadget chargers.
How to choose an LED light?
Today, the lighting market is oversaturated with a variety of LED lights. Before buying, studying the range, you should pay attention to some aspects:
- Purpose of purchasing a flashlight: hiking, hunting, fishing, diving or just for home.
- What characteristics should the selected device meet: maximum brightness of lighting, manufacturer, power sources, availability of modes, and so on.
- What size flashlight do you need: compact or large searchlight.
- Which mount suits your purpose: headband, handheld, lanyard, keychain, belt clip, bike handlebar mount, or something else.
- Reputation of the manufacturer.
- Case material: plastic, steel, aircraft aluminum, titaniumor high-strength magnesium-aluminum alloy, with anti-corrosion coating.
It is advisable to purchase a spare set of batteries identical to those installed by the manufacturer. When purchasing a flashlight in an online store, you save a lot of time on the purchase, prices are usually lower and you have the opportunity to study the offered assortment in detail and carefully, if necessary, consult with the seller and consult with experienced comrades.
