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Unquestionably, torches are one of the handiest tools a person can own. There’s nothing that can replace the functionality and versatility of a torch to light your way while you explore your campsite during the night, keep you aware of the scary predators in the woods, work on your car when it breaks in the middle of a highway, or even when you drop something tiny in the darkest area of your house.
If you don’t have a torch for such situations, then it’s time to wrap up your sleeves and search for one. And since many people tend to make poor choices or spend unnecessary amounts of money, I made a list of tips on how to choose the right and most optimal multi-purpose torch for you.
Consider the Brand
It’s always a great idea to start by exploring different brands and their offers. However, you’ll quickly realize that many different brands don’t even offer the value you’re looking for, and that’s why you need to carefully pick who you give your trust (and your money) to.
If we’re talking about reputable flashlight brands, Jetbeam definitely stands out in this section. Not only are Jetbeam flashlights highly trusted by many households across Australia, Europe, U.S.A, Canada and Japan, but they’re also used in multiple fields, including the military, law enforcement, aviation, marine, industrial lighting and many more. So don’t hesitate to get a multi-purpose Jetbeam light as your best ally for the darkest paths and places.
If you’re wondering what options are there for you, know that Jetbeam offers a huge range of different torches and flashlights – from mini models that fit your pocket to the most advanced tactical flashlights. In fact, their mission is to offer a variety of flashlights for all kinds of needs, featuring many different high-end technologies. Once you get yourself the most convenient Jetbeam light for your needs, you can rest assured that you’ll never be left in the dark again.
Aside from Jetbeam torches and flashlights, there’re many other brands that offer great value for the money, such as Olight, Nitecore and Fenix.
Types of Torches
Once you decide which brand you’re going for, it’s time to choose the right type of torch. Even though this is mostly a matter of preference, know that different torches may be more convenient for different uses. Let’s explore different types of torches:
Hand-Held Torches
The most common torches you’re going to spot at your favourite shop’s shelves are undoubtedly hand-held torches. This is due to them being the most convenient to use, especially when you want to illuminate your way in a certain direction. As many new technologies are developing, these torches can often fit the palm of your hand without compromising on power and efficiency, which makes this torch perfect for everyday use or tougher household jobs, unusual hobbies, etc.
Lanterns
Lanterns are the ultimate must-have outdoor tool, especially for camping trips, since they light up the entire tent area, unlike classic torches. Their greatest advantage is that they don’t rely on batteries, but rather on hand cranks. This means that you can have your tent lit during the entire night without worrying if your camping site has an available electricity source to charge the lantern.
Head Torches
Head torches have become a very popular lighting tool, especially among hikers and climbers. This is due to them leaving your hands free while providing perfectly pinpointed illumination just where you need it. Head torches feature an adjustable head strap system so they can fit you even when you’re wearing a hat or helmet. Not only are these headlamps valuable for extreme mountain sports, but they also come in handy for many tasks and jobs where you also need both of your hands and proper spotlighting.
How Are Torches Powdered?
In the torch’s battery section, we can make a difference between disposable battery powdered and rechargeable torches.
The type of batteries powering the torch is the main determinant of your torch’s brightness capabilities and how long it will run efficiently. Most of these torches use typical alkaline batteries, and depending on the size of your torch, it may use D-type batteries, AA or AAA batteries.
But with the rapid advancements in battery technology, there are now lithium batteries that can be a great replacement for the alkaline ones, since they last more and aren’t affected by some external influences such as cold weather.
Rechargeable batteries became very popular since once you have the right adapter you can charge them wherever you are – through a USB connection from a computer, laptop, even your car, AC and DC outlets and even solar panels. These batteries are also a more budget-friendly option in the long run since you don’t need to buy and replace disposable batteries all the time.
Different Bulbs
Nowadays, torches use different types of bulbs, and all of them offer different properties. The most popular and most recommended option are LED bulbs. They’re very efficient, much brighter, and last way longer than the other bulbs. LED bulbs can also come in many different colours, such as red, which are great for maintaining your night vision.
Another option is halogen bulbs, and as their name states, they use halogen gas to produce light. Halogen gas is known to give off excellent light, but on account of that will generate a lot of heat and run very hot.
Incandescent bulbs are also a popular option that is similar to halogen bulbs, with the only difference being they get their power from argon or nitrogen gas. However, they’re very weak and fragile, produce a lot of heat and last much less than any other type of bulb.
Performances
Different torches feature different performance characteristics. So, before you pick one that seems the most convenient, it’s always best to check out the specification sheet and see if it fits your needs and preferences.
For instance, the light output is the intensity of light the torch provides, which is measured in lumens. The more lumens a torch features, the more light it produces. Average torches will output around 50 lumens, but there’s a lot of models which are capable of providing an output of up to 1000 lumens. For the most part, torches producing around 200 lumens are sufficient for multi-purpose use.
Another useful feature to consider is the beam distance, which is the distance your torch can light up in front of you. For this purpose, make sure you choose the beam distance wisely, depending on your lighting needs. For example, hikers will need a larger beam distance of at least 200m. But if you’re using your torch for walking at your campsite, or for lighter home jobs, a beam distance of 50m and less will be more than enough.
The time performance is also very important since it determines how long your torch will produce light before the battery runs empty. For this purpose, know that different torches can be adjusted through their modes to make them last longer. An average disposable battery can last from 2, up to 50 hours depending on the size and cell chemistry, while an average rechargeable battery’s cycle is estimated to be 12 to 15 hours, depending on the torch and the mode you’re using.
