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Flashlights for guns

Flashlights for guns

Flashlights for guns

A flashlight on the weapon is an indispensable tool for every warrior. With its help we can light up in places with poor lighting conditions without having to change the grip. Using a strobe, it is even possible to temporarily blind an opponent. For each flashlight there are several important parameters that determine the performance and use/focus of the flashlight.
So think about what you expect from a flashlight before you buy. 

Flashlights for rifles 

Rifle flashlights are designed for use on long guns. They have strong power and a long range radius. They are longer in size. Different types of mounting rings or rails are used to attach them to guns. You can also attach different types of accessories to these flashlights, such as pressure switches that allow you to control the flashlight directly from the gun. 

Our Tip:
Find out what Lumens or Candles are and how many you need in this category.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flashlights for pistols

Pistol flashlights, on the other hand, are smaller in size than rifle flashlights. Although they reach a shorter distance, they have a high intensity, in short, they are intended to be used at shorter distances. That is why most of them include a strobe. Admittedly most of these flashlights have universal mounting on pistols, but some may have plates for specific pistols, such as glock etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flashlight accessories

Flashlight accessories are various accessories such as all sorts of mounting rings or pressure switches. Pressure switches allow us to comfortably operate the flashlight without having to adjust the grip of the gun. They are most often mounted on the RIS rail or on specialized M-LOK mounts, some of which allow us to arrange the wiring. Different coloured filters can be used as additional accessories. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you can see, we will be able to choose a flashlight for each weapon. But what are the most important parameters to look out for when choosing a flashlight? We will explain this below.


Important parameters

Each flashlight has specific parameters that are crucial for its selection. People today look at practically one parameter, namely the number of lumens. But this parameter alone cannot tell you about the quality of a flashlight. Therefore, it is important to remember and clarify these parameters. 
There are two basic ways of measuring the performance of flashlights. Candela is one method of measurement and lumens are the other method of measuring flashlight performance. Both lumens and candela have specific methods and the tests for each must be performed as described in the ANSI/PLATO FL1 standard for flashlights. The 2019 ANSI/PLATO FL1 standard, developed by PLATO, details specific testing and reporting methods for portable lighting products that emit directional light. When ANSI FL1 icons are included on packaging, consumers and vendors can be assured that the performance data reported is tested to industry standards.  

Candela

The candela (cd) is a unit of luminance in the International System of Units and measures light output per unit angle emitted by a light source in a particular direction. The candela is measured at a distance of 30 metres from the front of the light to the light sensor and is measured by the brightest part or 'hot spot' of the beam. This candela measurement takes into account the size of the reflector, especially its shape, and how the lens will affect the amount of light sent "down" on the object you are trying to illuminate.

Lumens

Lumens (lumens) indicate how much light a flashlight emits. It is measured at the light source, i.e. immediately in front of the bulb. For this reason, the number of lumens does not tell us anything about how far the flashlight is able to shine. This factor depends on how the light is bundled. A focused beam shines further than a wide beam. This is why you must always check carefully when comparing two flashlights. Today, manufacturers already indicate in the parameters how far the flashlight is able to shine. 
Many people consider lumens to be the "best" criterion for choosing a flashlight, but this is not always true. The amount of light (lumens) and beam downward (candela) should be guided by what your application is, as opposed to the "bigger is better" rule. If you were to use the light for close work (reading a map, lighting the way, loading a magazine, starting a fire, tying fishing lines, etc.), the brightest output won't be as important to you as the beam shape and adjustable light output. High output would not be desirable for these applications and you could blind yourself while working. 

Interesting fact: You may have also come across the ANSI designation in connection with lumens. This is an American standard for measuring lumens. This designation makes it easy to compare flashlights and thus decide on the right option. 

When looking at the tactical use of flashlights, the choice would likely be a combination of high lumen output, ample candlepower and a narrow light cone. 
How many lumens do you need?
As we wrote above, lumens give us the brightness of the light. But how do we know how many lumens you need? Each profession requires a different intensity of lamp. Here is a small overview of the number of lumens with example activities:

10-20 lumens for close tasks (e.g. reading a map)
20-150 lumens for simple tasks (e.g. moving around the room)
160-200 lumens for longer distances (e.g. lighting a well-marked path)
200-500 lumens for good illumination of a larger area (e.g. if you need to find out where a bad marked path leads).
600-1000 lumens camping, fishing, walking, hiking and running at night
1000-3000 lumens outdoor activities
More than 3000 lumens hunting, police, search and rescue


So when choosing your flashlight, don't just start from a "brighter is better" philosophy with candela or lumens, but start with what your use will be.

LUX
Lux is another parameter indicating the amount of light on a given surface. It is actually the number of lumens per m2. You won't come across this figure very often in flashlight specifications, because lux depends on the distance between the light source and the surface.

The material of the case and the overall durability

This factor is just as important as lumens etc. for choosing a flashlight. Incorrect material selection may damage the flashlight or possibly cause injury to the operator. The materials from which flashlights are made are varied. Cheaper options, such as various small key flashlights or headlamps, are most often made of plastic. Their power is not strong and they are lightweight, hence plastic is the ideal option. The more specialized ones are made of aircraft grade duralumin. The latter is suitable for tactical use, tourism, etc., for example, simply where stronger is needed. Such torches are built for strong power, which results in strong heating. Their advantage is that a large number of these flashlights are designed for use on firearms. (Can be, but again, cut down on our use of AS junk)
Other examples include:
Impact resistance
Flashlights with high impact resistance are designed to withstand drops, shocks and other physical stresses. Therefore, such flashlights are suitable for use on guns, for hiking, etc.
Heat dissipation
Flashlights with efficient heat dissipation mechanisms ensure that the light source stays cool even during prolonged use. This reduces the possibility of burning the user and also extends the life of the flashlight.

Waterproof
Waterproof flashlights offer reliable function even in wet environments such as caves or during rain. Waterproof flashlights will also have no problem functioning even after digging in water. The marking of these flashlights, for example, is IP68 
Battery protection
Most good quality flashlights also have protection for the battery itself. Whether it is a charge indication, protection against recharging (incorrectly inserted batteries in the flashlight), or protection when charging the battery directly in the body of the flashlight.

Flashlight functions

Tactical flashlights have a large number of functions. Below we will introduce some of these modes that may help you in your decision making.
Spotlight mode
In spotlight mode, flashlights emit a concentrated beam of light, allowing you to illuminate objects in the distance with exceptional clarity and brightness. This mode is ideal for activities such as hiking, camping, or search and rescue missions where long-range visibility is critical.
Stroboscopic mode
Stroboscopic mode includes rapid pulses of light that can disorient potential threats and alert you to your location. This mode is especially valuable in emergency situations as it helps increase your visibility to others and can act as a deterrent in self-defense scenarios.
Red light mode
In situations where night vision function must be maintained, such as military operations, this mode is very useful. Unlike white light, red light has a minimal effect on your eyes adjusting to the dark, allowing you to see clearly while maintaining night vision.
Tactical mode
Tactical mode equips flashlights with specific features such as quick access to strobe or high-intensity modes, as well as flashlights that have increased durability and some that allow mounting on weapons. 
Zoomable beam
The zoomable beam mode allows users to adjust the focus of the light, zoom in on specific details, or enlarge the illuminated area.
Twist and Click
Flashlights using a twist and turn mechanism provide intuitive control and mode selection. By twisting the head or end of the flashlight, users can easily switch between different modes.

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