flashlights
Carrying a flashlight seemed pretty unnecessary until I hit my forties and my eyes started to go downhill. This is one of those items where the market is completely saturated with garbage. It’s also a deep hole for a particular kind of nerd. There are several manufacturers making excellent flashlights. A lot of the variation comes down to aesthetics, specific LEDs used, and batteries employed. Here are a couple of details that set these flashlights apart from what you get at Home Depot or whatever.
Clips that go both ways. Clip it down in your pocket or backwards on the brim of your hat.
High CRI LEDs. The “Color Rendering Index” is a value that describes how accurately colors are reproduced in an artificial light as compared to sunlight. This doesn’t seem important but when you get used to a nice high CRI light, it’s really makes a difference.
Well made. These flashlights are waterproof. Not diving light waterproof (though they have those too) but they’ll be fine if you drop them in a creek.
The big ones take 21700 Lithium Ion batteries which are pretty much state of the art as far as small power cells go. I won’t put alkaline batteries in anything I care about any more. I’ve watched them leak and destroy too many otherwise useful tools.
They charge from any USB-C power source and can charge other devices as well. This is so cool to me. Your neighborhood loses power, you have a flashlight. The power stays off, you have a battery bank for your phone. Genius.
Left to right: RovyVon Aurora A9 Cu, Sofirn PS35T, Sofirn IF22A
A few specific notes.
The RovyVon Aurora A9 Cu is a lovely little light for the pocket. It’s remarkably bright for it’s size, develops a neat copper patina with use, and has a high CRI LED as well as magnetic clip and tail cap. You can stick it places and see things clearly. I know, you’re thinking you can just use your phone. And that’s true. But this is vastly brighter and it has definitely earned a place in my pocket.
The Sofirn PS35T - this is a “flooder”. The light is designed to create a wide beam. I keep these in the car, in bug-out bags, and by the front door for dog walkin’.
The Sofirn IF22A - this is a “thrower” or spotlight. It has a fairly tight beam and will illuminate a tree a half a mile away without much trouble. Honestly, the beam could probably be used for self defense. Both of these Sofirn lights really tick a lot of boxes for me at a very reasonable price point. I don’t love everything they make but these two are winners.