Originally Posted By: Dagny

I certainly do not need another flashlight (plenty of Surefires and Fenix), but yesterday I ordered LL Bean's new "retro" LED flashlight. Only 200 lumens, but once upon a time that was pretty good.

Takes two "D" batteries, seven hour runtime. Metal body.

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/88820?feat=flashlight-SR0&page=retro-led-flashlight

[color:#3333FF]A 1950s-style, metal-bodied flashlight with a modern 200-lumen LED bulb.

Vintage style features a rugged metal body

Bright LED bulb never needs replacing

Runs up to 7 hours on two D batteries, not included


I don't mean to knock that light; if styling and appearance is important that light looks cool. But I don't like D-Cells compared to CR123a. They're expensive for the power they provide, their self discharge rate is higher than CR123A, their shelf life is shorter and they don't work as well in the cold. They are much larger and heavier as well. Seven hours runtime isn't great for two cells. While it's not as bright my Pelican Nemo has good output and 50+ hours on 3 x C-Cells. And it's easy to find a light that takes 3 x CR123a that run for 10+ hours.


Originally Posted By: hikermor
200 lumens is still 200 lumens and is a light source that is perfectly adequate for most tasks. The lumens race is rather silly, although it is nice to have variable outputs available for those occasions when one really needs 1000+.

On a day to day basis, what really comes in handy, IMHO, is protracted run time....., the more the better.


For EDC/daily use I agree that sheer lumens isn't the biggest issues. Candela is more important, and form factor is bigger still. The light should be the right size and durable enough to stand up to use & storage. Max light output is irrelevant if the light is broken.
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