Characteristics and largest manufacturers of high-power LEDs for flashlights. Technical characteristics of high-power CREE LEDs What LEDs are in Chinese lanterns

When choosing or assembling a new LED flashlight, be sure to pay attention to the LED used. If the only task of the future flashlight is to illuminate a dark entrance, then almost anyone can cope with this task bright LED white glow. Another thing is the desire to get a portable lighting device with parameters for a more complex task. In this case, the luminous flux is of particular importance, that is, the ability of the flashlight to produce a sufficiently powerful beam and illuminate a wide area of ​​​​space.

Which LED brands are in the top positions, and what characteristics do their light-emitting diodes used in flashlights have?

Main characteristics

The quality of light emitted by the flashlight is controlled by the LED, which can be called, without exaggeration, the heart of the device. The stability of a flashlight's heart rate depends on many parameters, the main ones being current consumption, luminous flux and color temperature. The trendsetter is considered to be the Cree company, which produces a wide line of super-bright and powerful LEDs, including for flashlights. Modern flashlights are designed with a single LED with a power of 1, 2, or 3 W. In the one-watt version, the forward current is about 350 mA with a voltage drop of 2.8-2.9 V.

The current and voltage of a two-watt LED is about 700 mA and 3.0 V, respectively, and a similar 3 W crystal consumes approximately 1000 mA and 3.2 V. The electrical indicators given are typical for LED models of the world's leading brands.

The radiation intensity, also called luminous flux, depends on the manufacturer and family of the LED. The rated value of the luminous flux of high-power LEDs is usually measured at the maximum permissible operating current. The manufacturer of branded flashlights, along with the type of LED installed, indicates the number of lumens produced by the product.

Unfortunately, flashlight packaging often indicates inflated characteristics, including luminous flux. The reason for this is simple - any manufacturer wants to sell as much product as possible.

Luminous flux is inextricably linked with light. Modern light-emitting diodes are capable of emitting a luminous flux of up to 200 lumens per 1 watt and can be produced with any glow temperature: from yellowish warm to cool white. Lanterns with a warm white emission color (T≤3500°K) are the most pleasing to the eye, but less bright. Lighting with a neutral color temperature (T=4000-5500°K) allows you to view fine details more effectively. Cool white beam (T≥6500°K) in powerful flashlights with a long illumination range, but irritates the eyes during prolonged use.
Due to the impossibility of making accurate calculations, the lifespan of LEDs is calculated by extrapolation. At a temperature of 25-50 °C, their crystal service life can exceed 200 thousand hours, but this is not economically justified. Therefore, manufacturers allow an increase operating temperature up to 85°C, thus saving on cooling costs. Exceeding the threshold of 150°C leads to irreversible processes of crystal burnout and loss of brightness.

Color rendering index (CRI) is a qualitative indicator characterizing the ability of an LED to illuminate objects without distorting their real color. For LED lighting sources, including flashlights, a color rendering index of 75 CRI or higher is considered good.

An important element of an LED is the lens. It sets the angle of dispersion of the light flux, and therefore determines the range of the beam. The technical characteristics of LEDs must indicate the value of the radiation angle. For each model, this parameter is individual and can vary from 20 to 240 degrees. Powerful LEDs for flashlights have an angle of 90-120° and, as a rule, are equipped with a reflector with an additional lens in the housing.

Despite the sharp leap in the development of high-power multi-chip LEDs, world leaders continue to produce less powerful LEDs. They are produced in small cases, not exceeding 10 mm in width or diameter. The typical current value of such light-emitting diodes does not exceed 70 mA, and the luminous flux is 50 lm. Powerful flashlights based on them are gradually disappearing from store shelves due to worse technical characteristics and the need for series-parallel connection to increase brightness. Compared to one powerful crystal, the reliability of the circuit and the dispersion angle of several such elements in one package are much worse.

Separately, it is worth noting the four-pin LEDs in the P4 “SuperFlux” or “Piranha” package, which have improved technical characteristics. Piranha LEDs have two important advantages that make them in demand:

• distribute the light flux more evenly;
• do not require heat removal;
• have low cost.

5 largest manufacturers

A portable flashlight must not only be ergonomic, but also be equipped with a reliable LED source with a high working life without loss of brightness. In order not to make a mistake with your choice, preference should be given to world-class manufacturers of LED products.

A division of the Japanese company Nichia has long held a leading position in the production of LEDs of all types. Due to the high cost of products and increasing competition from China and Taiwan, today it is becoming increasingly rare to find their LEDs in flashlights on the European market. However, the world needs Nichia as an engine of progress. After all, the developments of Japanese companies are taken as a basis by their Chinese and Taiwanese colleagues.
Powerful LEDs for flashlights from the world-famous company Cree hold the lead not only on the American continent. Standing out due to their lower cost and high quality, LEDs from Cree are available to everyone on the European continent. A rechargeable flashlight with a powerful crystal from an American brand is a reliable friend on a hike, night fishing, etc.
Philips Lumileds is a European manufacturer of wide-spectrum light-emitting diodes. The company has achieved certain progress in the construction of outdoor lighting systems of functional and architectural significance. Philips Lumileds developers take an integrated approach to building LED systems, taking into account their design, degree of protection and ease of use.
The South Korean corporation Samsung, well known in Russia, promptly financed its division to search for new LED solutions and now has a full production cycle of emitting diodes. Samsung is not limited to producing LED backlights for its own displays. Their successes have spread to other market segments: high-power LEDs (including for flashlights), ultra-bright flash elements, as well as indoor and outdoor lighting modules.
Osram Opto Semiconductors has become famous for the excellent characteristics of LEDs from the Duris series, which are distinguished by their high luminous efficiency and color rendering index. The German company has relied on the introduction of LED technologies into industrial sectors, focusing on the production of ready-made specialized lamps and fixtures. Osram laboratories improve the performance of light-emitting diodes not only in the visible spectrum, but also make discoveries in the IR, UV and laser directions.

Scientific reports coupled with news about the development of artificial lighting indicate continued healthy competition between large corporations. We see positive trends in the development of LED technology in the constantly updated range of flashlights, surprising with their long-range beam, high degree of protection, ability to charge from solar energy and other know-how.

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The rapid development of technology and its use in the production of the most common, everyday things familiar to humans, has a downside: the need for choice. An advertisement offering to buy this particular thing will readily describe all the advantages of the product, without mentioning a word about the shortcomings, which so often occur, serve as a continuation of the advantages or come from them. It's just a matter of proper use for its intended purpose. A clear illustration of the choice can be LED flashlight, which recently entered our everyday life.

What is a lantern anyway? This is a source of autonomous lighting. It must provide enough light to perform certain tasks for a sufficiently long period of time. The battery must be either recoverable or replaceable.

Advantages of LED lights

Are there any advantages to an LED flashlight over a conventional one equipped with an incandescent lamp? The undoubted advantages include:

Features of LED flashlight markings

Having decided on the fundamental choice, choose led flashlight for specific tasks and purposes of use, information about the design features of various types of lanterns of this type can help. It would also be useful to know terminology and labeling used by manufacturers.

Design features of lanterns

Reflector

Available in one of two types: smooth or wrinkled. The focus and range of the beam depends on the choice of reflector. A smooth reflector produces a spot of light with a clearly defined central area and a sharp transition to an area of ​​weak side illumination. In this case, an important criterion is the diameter of the reflector: better focusing can be provided by a reflector with a larger diameter. The crumpled reflector got its name because of its rough structure, the purpose of which is to smooth out the sharp transition from the central light spot to the peripheral area. Such a flashlight provides even illumination to a fairly wide area, but at the same time loses in illumination range.

Spectrum of light radiation

What to choose, warm or cold LED? The light emitted by various LEDs can range from the warm yellowish color of an incandescent bulb to the cool blue of a fluorescent bulb. The choice depends primarily on individual light perception, since some people do not tolerate the light of a fluorescent lamp. Next, you should start from the tasks and possible use of the flashlight. You should be aware that cold light has worse color rendering; complete color distortion is possible, especially the colors of the warm part of the spectrum, from red to yellow, and warm green. So, grass in the light from a blue diode may turn gray. Therefore, it would be natural to use a flashlight with a warm LED in the open air - at the dacha, while fishing, on the road. Cold light seems brighter in human perception; its use in rooms where color rendering is not of decisive importance, or in winter period on the street, quite appropriate. It would not be amiss to add that the use of an LED flashlight for professional purposes, where good lighting is required, coupled with the reflection of all the nuances color range items may be unacceptable.

Batteries

How to choose batteries batteries or accumulator, what to prefer? It is more profitable to use a battery charger if the flashlight is constantly in use, and it is possible to connect to electricity. The cost of purchasing a charger quickly pays for itself. Batteries are absolutely necessary in rural or secluded areas where recharging is not possible. A supply of batteries will serve you well on a long hike or at a secluded dacha. Batteries, with their fairly long shelf life, are quite suitable for a flashlight that is intended to be used occasionally.

LED or xenon lamp

To choose an LED or a xenon lamp, you should consider the advantages of both in comparison.

Xenon lamp or HID lamp, based on a high intensity charge.

Her flaws similar to the disadvantages of a conventional incandescent lamp: fragility of the glass bulb, relatively large size and relatively short service life. Requirement for additional equipment - special starting device, ballast and battery capable of delivering high current.
Considered a significant drawback high price such lamps. Some flashlight manufacturers use a simplified version: a regular incandescent lamp with a spiral, under the bulb of which there is a coating of xenon or halogen vapor. Such lamps have some of the properties of xenon lamps, service life and efficiency are higher than conventional incandescent lamps.

Her undoubted dignity considered to be high efficiency with the ability to focus well on a powerful light flux and good color rendering.

Let's consider the choice of flashlight according to the most popular areas of its application

1. Lantern for the garden. The main requirements for a home lantern are its strength. It must be well protected from possible damage associated with falling, dust and water. Its body should be made of aluminum or durable plastic, preferably in bright colors so as not to get lost. As a battery for a country lantern, it is better to choose batteries that are easily available in the countryside, such as AA or D. A possible choice is the line of lanterns from the manufacturer Fenix ​​LD40, TK41, TK45, TK50, TK60, TK70.
   If your dacha is near the sea and you want to have a party, then perhaps sky lanterns will come in handy. You should not use such a flashlight near forest belts and meadows covered with dry grass.
2. 
   Motorist's lantern. Having a flashlight in your car for emergencies is useful, especially if your trips often take you outside the city. For repairs or minor troubleshooting, a flashlight with diffused light and a hands-free headlamp can be useful. It is better to choose easily accessible AA batteries for power supply. If you count on a flashlight not only as a light source, but also as a handy protective device that matches the size and weight of a regular mount, then you can choose from the Fenix ​​TK60, Fenix ​​TK70 models. For long road trips, cross-country trips, and off-road testing, a powerful HID flashlight is suitable. You should also arm yourself with a Thrunite Catapult V3 or TN30, TN31 LED floodlight.
3. Cyclist's lamp. Its main task is to identify the cyclist as a participant traffic and enable the cyclist himself to distinguish the road ahead. Basic requirements for reliability: ease of fastening, protection from moisture and dust. A special bicycle light is mounted on the handlebar; fasteners are usually supplied. The power supply for such a flashlight is often used in a device that operates like a dynamo. The second flashlight can be attached under the seat or on the frame; it must be powered by a battery. Lighting characteristics: the light should be even, illuminate the visible road widely enough, the distance does not matter much.
4. Fisherman's Lantern. For fishing in the dark, a headlamp is suitable, allowing you to leave both hands free. The main selection criterion here will be the choice of color, related to the need for lighting in conditions of fog or haze, which often accompany fishing near the river. The light of LEDs belonging to the cold spectrum will illuminate water particles hanging in the air, but reaching the target. Therefore, you need to choose a flashlight with a warm LED, lamp type or combined.
5. Hunter's Lantern. In real field conditions, the requirements for a flashlight are the most diverse and high. The flashlight must be durable and reliable, with long-lasting batteries. The beam of light is preferably narrowly focused, but strong enough and long-range. Specific Requirements:
   • the possibility of installation on a weapon and, accordingly, the need to withstand recoil;
   • light weight to avoid weapon imbalance;
   • be able to maneuver the control of the power button, for example, turning it on until it clicks, while the control should be simple and not require focusing attention on it.

   Many manufacturers of LED flashlights are developing a line of tactical or otherwise, under-barrel flashlights that meet these requirements. You can choose from flashlights made by Fenix, Thrunite, Eagle Tac. CR123A batteries are suitable as a battery.

Flashlights are used for different purposes: in everyday life, construction, travel. Their main characteristics are impact resistance, moisture resistance, luminescence range and direction of the light beam.

LED flashlights are easy to turn on and can be carried in your hands. They shine quite brightly and have high power. Plastic or metal is used for the body.

Plastic flashlights are lightweight, metal flashlights are not afraid of moisture, dust and shock. Models are equipped with a wrist strap and can focus beams, lengthening or bringing them closer.

Operating principle of LED flashlight:

• The LED consists of semiconductors that convert the incoming current into light radiation. The current is directed only from the anode to the cathode, creating a p-n junction.

Electrons meet holes and lose their energy, from which photons are formed. It is necessary that several semiconductors with different types of conductivity interact with each other.

• A hole is a place in a crystal lattice, after exposure to which electrons move from the upper atomic shells and a positive charge is formed.

Electrons move towards a positive charge and holes move towards a negative charge. The empty space between them is filled with electrons.

• Electrons and holes penetrate through diffusion through the layer formed in the semiconductor between areas of different conductivity. This is necessary to concentrate the same number of electrons and holes on both sides of the layer.

In this case, the stress on the intermediate layer increases. After the recombination of holes and electrons, the barrier in the p-n junction decreases and light energy is released.

Types of lanterns

• Hand-held full-size flashlights are used in cases where high power of the device for a long time is important, and its dimensions do not matter. The models are designed to be constantly held in the hands and are easy to transport.
• Hand-held compact flashlights used to illuminate the road or search for small objects in the dark. These devices will come to the rescue in unexpected situations, so they should be portable and comfortable for everyday use.
• Flashlights on the forehead allow you to work with your hands in places with poor lighting. Lighting range – up to 30 meters. Often such devices are equipped with a function to select the best mode in a certain place at a certain time.

Headlamps are used by hunters, tourists, motorists, cyclists, construction workers, and doctors.

• Tourist lanterns– resistant to mechanical stress, moisture-resistant, practical and compact devices. Most models use both batteries and rechargeable batteries as a power source.

• Dynamo lights – portable devices, which work without batteries; To activate the mechanism, you must rotate the charging handle for some time.

This device does not pollute the environment and can be used to recharge your phone.

• Diving lights have high water resistance, the function of changing the color rendition of the light flux. They have high light brightness, allowing you to illuminate objects that are located at long distances.

Most models are equipped with a mode switching function.

• Laser flashlights– devices that are structurally similar to search devices, equipped with a durable housing. As a rule, such models operate at low temperatures and have a sealed and reliable metal alloy body.

Among the advantages of such devices: small dimensions, shock resistance, several batteries included, and the presence of a remote control panel.

• Keychains– compact devices that are carried in a ring of keys. They are used to perform simple tasks; their functionality and brightness are lower than that of hand-held devices.
• Shocker flashlights– not only a personal lamp, but also effective remedy self-defense. They shock painfully even through thick down jackets.

They are characterized by durability, a stable metal body that is not subject to mechanical damage. Such devices command high prices.

• – devices used in conjunction with weapon mounts. The main function is to illuminate the target in low light. Illumination range is within 50 meters.

Technical characteristics include a narrow beam angle, small dimensions and power of the device. The metal housing of the devices provides thorough protection from water. Additional properties: remote control, mode switching.

• – devices used to be carried in hands, with high brightness and luminescence range. The devices have a large battery compartment. Illumination range – up to 250 meters.

Equipped with the function of changing the lighting angle, switching modes, with average power. The metal body is durable and protects from water.

By type of food there are:

• Flashlights that run on battery power. They are recharged from the mains, using a nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride, lead-acid or lithium-ion battery as the power source.
• Battery operated flashlights. Such devices are lighter and do not require recharging the device.

Characteristics of flashlights

Among the characteristics of flashlights are:

• dimensions;
• luminous flux brightness;
• power of the light source (LED model);
• working hours;
• number of operating modes;
• resistance to external influences (moisture and frost resistance);
• digital current stabilization;
• availability of additional accessories.

Light flow(LED flashlight brightness) is a value measured in lumens.

Uniform diffuse lighting with low brightness can be obtained in an LED flashlight with the same number of lumens; long-range flashlights provide narrow and bright beams.

The illumination range of flashlights is from 60 to 150 meters. Portable models can illuminate a space at a distance of 15 meters.

LED models:

• regular DIP LEDs,
• SMD LEDs,
• COB technologies,
• spotlight LEDs,
• RGB LEDs,
• LED strips.

DIP LEDs consist of two metal legs, a transparent plastic body with a small lens inside; the designs are easy to install and use, provide good protection from environmental influences, and practically do not emit heat.

SMD LEDs are flat, without legs, their current is supplied to the terminals, which are located on the back side of the LED; have good brightness and light output.

COB LEDs provide fast dispersion of light, floodlight LEDs are devices with high power.

RGB LEDs are equipped with a color control function. LED strip has high brightness and energy efficiency.

Maximum flashlight operating time is indicated as an average value and depends on its operating mode and battery capacity. This time can be calculated in minutes, hours and days.

Flashlight body material:

• aluminum,
• plastic,
• polymer.

The bodies of aluminum lamps are quite durable and have a cylindrical shape. Powder coating protects the metal from corrosion. Anodized lamps are not subject to mechanical damage.

There are many polymer and plastic types of housings. Polymer materials are elastic and not afraid of impacts.

Lantern length, as a rule, does not exceed 84 cm. This indicator depends on the functionality of the device. Compact hand-held models up to 15.5 cm long are used for household needs.

The weight of the lanterns ranges from 100 grams to 1 kilogram.

The kit may include:

• flashlight;
• spare O-rings;
• lanyard;
• branded card for the model;
• case;
• factory packaging;
• Charger;
• warranty card;
• user guide.

Among the accessories used:

• battery cases;
• mounts for flashlights;
• silicone grease for rubber surfaces;
• diffusive caps, red filters for illumination;
• additional buildings;
• metal clips for fastening;
• hand straps;
• button overlay in the tail of the lamp.

Features of hand flashlights:

• high power of devices;
• easy to transport;
• used in construction and in everyday life;
• Portable and comfortable for everyday carry.

• good lighting range;
• allow you to work in low light areas;
• wide scope of use.

Features of tourist lamps:

• moisture resistance;
• resistance to mechanical stress;
• practical and mobile devices.

Features of dynamo lights:

• portability and compactness;
• operate on batteries;
• do not pollute the environment.

• good level of water resistance;
• high level of light brightness;

Features of laser flashlights:

• have a durable body;
• work in low temperature conditions;
• have small dimensions;
• have high impact resistance.

• compact devices;
• used to perform simple tasks;
• low technical characteristics.

Features of flashlight shockers:

• an effective means of self-defense;
• have a durable metal body;
• are not subject to mechanical damage;
• Such devices have a high price.

• illuminate the target in poor lighting;
• used in conjunction with a weapon mount;
• have a high illumination range;
• small dimensions.

Features of search lights:

• have high brightness;
• have a good illumination range;
• with remote control function;
• equipped with a mode switching function.

Pros of types of lanterns

Pros of hand-held flashlights:

• convenient and compact;
• suitable for individual use;
• easy to transport;
• have high power.

Advantages of headlamps:

• comfortable and practical;
• allow you to free your hands;
• you can select the appropriate operating mode;
• wide range of uses.

• equipped with a mode switching function;
• resistant to mechanical stress;
• moisture resistant;
• practical and compact devices;
• have high radiation intensity.

Advantages of dynamo lights:

• work without batteries;
• do not pollute the environment;
• used in places where there is no natural light.

Pros of diving lights:

• high impermeability;
• function of changing the color rendition of the light flux;
• good illumination over long distances.

Advantages of laser lamps:

• equipped with a durable structure;
• frost-resistant models;
• small dimensions;
• high impact resistance.

• compact and easy-to-use devices;
• lungs.

• used for self-defense;
• have a durable body;
• not subject to mechanical damage.

Advantages of tactical flashlights:

• target illumination in low light;
• high luminescence range;
• good power of devices;
• remote control function.

Pros of search lights:

• high brightness;
• good luminescence range;
• the presence of a function for changing the lighting angle;
• switching modes.

Disadvantages of types of lanterns

Disadvantages of manual full-size lamps:

• heavy and weighty;
• designed to be constantly held in the hands.

Disadvantages of hand-held flashlights:

• not suitable for stationary use;
• designed to be constantly held in the hands;
• technical characteristics are low.

• unidirectional light flow;
• flashlight slipping due to loose fastening.

Disadvantages of flashlights:

• high price;
• weighty design.

• low technical characteristics;
• poor color rendering and low light intensity.

Disadvantages of laser flashlights:

• heavy structures;
• high price.

• low technical characteristics;
• illuminate a small area;
• they are easy to lose.

Disadvantages of tactical flashlights:

• high price;
• the light is directed towards one target.

• large dimensions;
• heavy structures.

How to choose a flashlight

• First you need to decide on the purpose of the flashlight. If you need it for your home or garden, a flashlight with D-format alkaline batteries will be enough. For hiking trips, choose LED lamps.
• Depending on what you need the lantern for, we determine the required size of the luminaire. Hand-held pocket devices that will be used in everyday life should be light and compact so that they are easy and convenient to carry.

For construction, you should choose lanterns that operate permanently.

• When selecting devices, take into account the conditions in which you will have to work, hunt, and travel.

For underwater sports, you will need models with a moisture-resistant body; in low temperature conditions, devices with a special frost-resistant coating are used.

• Pay attention to the power of the luminous flux. It is not recommended to buy models with too bright light for gardening and household purposes, because with each lumen the amount of energy required to operate the device increases.

For such needs, a flashlight of 10-30 lm is sufficient. Cyclists and hunters use 100 lm lamps.

• An important criterion when choosing is the glow time. Choose models with a brightness of 40 lumens from one AA battery for four hours.

Compact flashlights that run on micro AA battery, provide a glow of 12 lumens for 20 hours.

• The temperature of the light should be as natural as possible.
• Choose models equipped with several modes. The brightness of the flashlight should be adjusted to different conditions environment. This will allow you to reduce and increase the brightness at different sections of the route, and adjust the brightness of the light flux.
• If you plan to use a flashlight frequently, opt for devices that run on AA or AAA batteries. Battery-powered models are suitable for household needs.

• If there are rubber sealing rings on the threads of the lamp, then the body of the device is moisture resistant. To prevent the flashlight from slipping out of gloves or wet hands, choose mechanisms with a notch on the body.
• The best finish for the case is anodized (Type II or Type III). Consider the complete set of the lamp. Special diffusers are used to scatter light in different directions, turning spot light into flood light.
• When choosing a rechargeable flashlight, check how it is charged.

The most common charger, which is designed for a household network with a voltage of 220 V, some types of flashlights are charged from a car cigarette lighter with a voltage of 12 V, there are models that can be charged from a USB port.

• Buy lamps from the professional series, which are reliable, durable and economical. Such devices are equipped with a durable design and are well equipped.

Best flashlights:

• have a durable design;
• work at low and high temperature conditions;
• moisture and frost resistant;
• easily portable;
• portable and compact;
• have a beautiful appearance.

• Store the flashlight in a cool, dry place so that it can be reached during a power outage.
• Batteries must be replaced regularly, even if they have not been used for a long time.
• It is advisable to have a flashlight in your home and car in case of emergencies. It is recommended to store additional batteries with the device for replacement.

• It is not recommended to store flashlights at high temperatures; as a result, the batteries may leak.
• To avoid overheating of the flashlight, do not use it for a long time at maximum operating mode.
• If you are holding a flashlight and your palm begins to sweat, then you should switch to a gentle operating mode. It is recommended to replace the thermal paste in the head of the flashlight every 2 years.
• Before use, check that all parts of the flashlight are tightly screwed on. Worn silicone gaskets should be free of defects.

• No matter how impact-resistant the flashlight is, try not to drop it on the floor, as this will damage the lens and internal electronics.
• If the parts of the lamp body begin to tighten tightly, lubricate the rubber rings with silicone oil. When lubricating, it is not recommended to touch the threads due to the rapid accumulation of dirt.
• If spots of the light beam appear on the lens, you should wipe the flashlight reflector. If it does not turn on, you will need to replace the battery, wipe cotton swabs threaded elements and be sure to check the contacts.

• Children should only use the flashlight under the strict supervision of an adult.
• It is impossible to direct the light beam directly into the eyes, as this leads to deterioration of vision.
• Be careful not to allow water or other liquids to come into contact with the batteries or the inside of the flashlight.
• Damaged batteries must not be used.
• Do not leave the device unattended in maximum operating mode.

• Do not repair the flashlight yourself; it is better to contact a specialist.
• It is strictly prohibited to make changes to the design of the lamp.
• Regardless of the functionality of the device, use the devices only for their intended purpose.
• Be careful with lithium-ion batteries, they may catch fire or explode if short-circuited and exposed to high temperatures.

Warranty service for flashlights is provided for a period of 1 to 5 years, depending on the brand and type of product. To do this, you will need a warranty card or purchase receipt.

The warranty will not be provided under the following conditions:

• the product was used for other purposes;
• the rules for operating the mechanisms are violated;
• low-quality batteries were used;
• the battery has leaked;
• There are traces of mechanical damage on the device body.

LED Flashlight Repair:

• Does not turn on or flickers during operation. One way to solve this is to tighten the threaded elements. Check the battery, it may be faulty. To do this, unscrew the back cover of the flashlight and close the housing.
• If the problem is in the modular button, you should insert needle nose pliers or thin scissors into the holes and turn clockwise.
• Check how tightly the LED module fits inside the housing; loose fastening is quite common. To fix this, use round pliers or pliers to rotate the module clockwise until it stops.

You should be extremely careful, otherwise you may damage the LED.

• If the lantern produces dim light, most likely the problem is a breakdown of the driver - the system that controls the luminaire modes and is responsible for supplying voltage. To fix this problem, unsolder the burnt-out driver and replace it with a new one.
• To check the operation of the LED, you should apply a voltage of 4.2 V to the contact pads of the LED. If it does not light well, you should replace it with a new element.

Lantern manufacturers

The products are made from high-class materials, with preference given to Japanese and American ones. The range of models is wide, so everyone can choose a flashlight for any need: fishing, tourism, hunting, everyday use.

Most of the company's LED lights have the following technical characteristics:

• indication of temperature and charge level;
• automatic switch to lower brightness mode;
• automatic protection against reverse polarity and random switching on;
• signaling modes (strobe, SOS, beacon).

The range includes goods for tourism, hunting and fishing, diving, and extreme sports.

Bosch

The group of German companies is a major manufacturer of industrial and household appliances. The assortment includes a wide selection of products:

Products include flashlights, chargers, miniature batteries and batteries for.

The company cooperates with Swiss, Indonesian, American, and Chinese companies. Products are supplied to more than 60 countries around the world, have advanced technical properties, and are being improved every year.

The pricing policy corresponds to the quality of the goods.

ERA

Founded in 1983 under the leadership of TRW to sell products in secondary market. Today, the brand is a leader in the production of electrical and electronic automotive parts.

The company produces spare parts identical to original parts at an affordable cost.

Today, the brand is developing sensors, generators, ignition coils, starter traction relays and drives, and detectors. The company has developed more than 10 product lines that are key to the auto parts market.

Phoenix

The Chinese company produces premium flashlights for hunting, hiking, fishing, and search work. The products are powerful, reliable and easy to use.

The wide range of models is represented by powerful search models, camping lanterns, lamps for every day and a variety of accessories.

Fenix ​​products guarantee:

• durable ergonomic instrument housing;
• high and low beam function;
• optimal indicator of power and operating time;
• original design and reliable fastening.

The company uses innovative technologies, an acceptable ratio of quality and pricing policy.

Founded in 1993, the company specializes in the development and distribution of household electrical products. The assortment includes lamps, batteries, flashlights, and seasonal electrical goods.

The dealer network includes 400 dealers from 110 cities of Russia; goods are supplied to Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan.

Popular German company. With the help of advanced technologies and high-quality materials, specialists managed to achieve maximum concentration of the light beam. The products are represented by under-barrel, search, and headlamps.

The company's products have the following characteristics:

• tightness;
• ergonomics;
• advanced focusing system.

The company produces hand-held and pocket flashlights. The company's products are not afraid of shock, water, or dirt. Maglite flashlights are used by police officers, security guards, rescuers, doctors and firefighters.

The products are strictly certified and distributed in Western Europe, Asia and Africa. The price corresponds to the quality.

German manufacturer of power tools, construction equipment, metalworking tools and gardening tools. The company has its branches in more than 100 countries.

The company offers a huge selection of products for equipment and construction work. The company's product warranty is 3 years. Are used rechargeable batteries last generation.

The company, which produces LED lights, has been owned by SYSMAX Corporation since 2007. The company's products are suitable for campers, tourists, climbers, cyclists, and hunters.

The products are represented by a wide range of models and high-quality accessories. Warranty for flashlights is 60 months. Acceptable ratio of pricing policy and quality of goods.

Petzl

The French company develops special equipment for climbers, rock climbers and cave explorers. Recently the company has been producing:

• equipment used for high-altitude work;
• headlamps of general and special types;
• equipment used for rescue operations.

The products comply with European and international standards and safety regulations.

Trofi

The Russian company produces products for tourism and outdoor activities. The range includes alkaline and salt batteries, lithium cells, watch batteries, rechargeable batteries, different types of flashlights (headlights, camping lights, spotlights).

Uniel

Russian company engaged in the production of lighting and electrical products. The company's dealer network covers Russia, Germany, France, Hungary, Slovakia, Belarus, and Ukraine.

The range includes electrical engineering, lighting equipment for industrial and individual needs.

Products include light sources, lamps, decorative lighting, stabilizers, and climate control equipment. The products comply with modern technological and legal standards and are strictly certified.

The price corresponds to the quality of the product.

The Russian brand focuses on producing portable power supplies at an affordable price. The company produces high-quality flashlights used in various conditions.

Buyers actively participate in the process of testing and improving products. Prices correspond to the quality of goods.

Flashlights vary in size, light source used, power, and design.

The most important characteristic is the light source used.

The choice of diode for a flashlight depends on the purpose of the device and conditions of use.

Powerful flashlights include products of various types - from small pocket flashlights to large search flashlights. Such devices are used in difficult conditions where the brightest stream of light for a long time is best.

The main types of powerful flashlights:

1. Spotlights. Such devices can illuminate objects at a great distance over 500 m, the beam of light is wide. Effective at close and medium range. They are usually used for outdoor activities or hunting.
2. Long-range flashlights. The beam is narrowly focused, the range reaches 1.5 km. The light is concentrated at one point, creating a bright spot. They are used in prospecting work and in mines.

What are the requirements for powerful flashlights:

• shock resistance;
• moisture resistance;
• efficient heat removal;
• large battery capacity;
• possibility of adjusting the scattering angle;
• reliability of the design.

Important! All these conditions are met by powerful LED lights. Compared to xenon and halogen lamps, LEDs practically do not heat up, have high efficiency and high light output.

Types of flashlights by purpose

The main characteristics of LEDs for flashlights include:

• brightness;
• flux intensity, which depends on the optical system (diode, reflector, control system);
• range (distance at which illumination remains at 0.25 lux);
• working hours;
• protection from external conditions.

Diode flashlights are intended for military, technical personnel and tourists.

Military and special

The main requirement for military and special LED flashlights– case strength and moisture resistance. Military flashlights include tactical or hunting flashlights. They are attached to the gun. There are models for short-barreled and long-barreled weapons. Used to illuminate the target.

Special equipment includes search lights. They are distinguished by their overall dimensions, high level of brightness and durability. The types are divided into near-luminous and long-range. The former have a wide beam angle, while the latter have a narrow beam of light. Power comes from the battery. Used by rescuers, military, and rangers.

Powerful Cree-type diodes are installed in special and military flashlights. Flashlights with dozens of diodes can be used.

For technical staff

Flashlights for staff should be comfortable, compact and different for a long time work. Such devices must have a battery large capacity. The weight of the device should not complicate the worker’s movement. The best option would be a headlamp. Its illumination range is up to 30 meters. The flashlights are equipped with a function for selecting the optimal glow mode. Used by tourists, hunters, motorists, builders.

For recreation and tourism

Tourist lanterns must be resistant to mechanical stress and environmental conditions. Such devices receive power from a battery or accumulator. In tourism, both special and military flashlights and ordinary handheld devices can be used.

There are camping lanterns - they look like a kerosene lamp. Gives broadly directional light. Convenient when preparing for an overnight stay.

Read also Rules, requirements and standards for lighting sports and training halls

There is a type of lantern used underwater. They are used for diving. The main requirement is complete waterproofness and high brightness. Controlled by a large lever or button. The lights are powered by a battery. It is not advisable to use an underwater flashlight in air at maximum glow, since they are designed to cool in water.

Criterias of choice

Before choosing an LED for your flashlight, you need to consider the following factors:

• appointment;
• lamp power;
• Colorful temperature;
• Battery capacity;
• optical system;
• design features (resistance to mechanical stress, protection from moisture and dust, method of holding in hands).

The quality of the flashlight depends on these parameters.

Types of LEDs

Flashlights can be equipped with completely different diodes. Keychain flashlights actively use 5mm super-bright diodes.

Currently, almost all devices use Cree diodes of different series. Let's look at what types and types of LEDs are used in flashlights:

• XP-E XP-E2 – designed for keychains and small items;
• XP-G, XP-G2 – used in small flashlights;
• XM-L and XM-L2 - suitable for use in large powerful models.

Diodes marked 2 provide 10-20% more brightness.

What diodes are installed in powerful flashlights

As already noted, Cree XM-L and XM-L2 series LEDs are suitable for high-power flashlights. Diodes of the MK-R, MT-G2 (for floodlight models), XP-G2, XR-E series are also used. The brightest Luminus SST diodes are gaining popularity in high-power flashlights.

Diodes of the XM, XP, XR series have a glow angle from 90 to 120 degrees. They operate at temperatures less than 85 degrees. Maximum luminous flux – 280 Lm, color rendering index from 70 to 90 Ra. Power supply requires 700 mA (XM) or 350 (XP, XR). The power of such devices does not exceed 2 W.

The most powerful LEDs for floodlights require more current - up to 13,000 mA. Their power reaches 40 W. The highest light flux reaches 2500 Lm.

Colorful temperature

Types of diodes for flashlights may have different color temperatures. The optimal value is selected individually. Well-known manufacturing companies produce one model with different colors.

Color characteristics of LEDs for flashlights:

1. Warm White – warm shades. They practically do not distort natural colors and are more expensive.
2. Neutral White - neutral. Optimal for everyday use.
3. Cool White - cold. Used in cheap flashlights, they distort natural colors. They can be used in search lamps, as they provide high brightness.

In flashlights, the color temperature of the diodes is not the main parameter, but it is worth paying attention to. Cool colors force a person to be more focused, so they are installed in special equipment. Warm shades are suitable for lighting.

Batteries

Batteries differ in the principle of energy production. The most popular batteries are:

• lithium-ion;
• nickel metal hydride;
• nickel-cadvium;
• lithium polymer.

Pocket flashlights can use a regular AA battery. Batteries are installed in professional equipment.

Lithium-ion batteries are considered the best. They provide large capacity with small sizes, high current output, and there is no memory effect. But such batteries discharge quickly at subzero temperatures.

High-quality LED flashlights use 18650 batteries. They have a long service life, a good degree of reliability and safety.

As a rule, when the thought of buying a flashlight comes - whether out of necessity or “just in case” - few people understand that the modern flashlight is no longer what it was before. Therefore, in the minds of most people, a flashlight is still just a tube with a weak light bulb and batteries that do not last long.

Lantern in human daily life

In fact, lighting fixtures have changed a lot. Technological progress in this area is proceeding by leaps and bounds, and over the past few years a large number of models have been released that are radically superior to their predecessors. Many features have appeared that determine the reason why this flashlight is better in some conditions, and another in others. Let's take a closer look at what a modern flashlight is and what you should pay attention to when choosing.

I. Purpose and methods of using flashlights

This “baby” will be practically invisible on a bunch of keys, but will be able, if necessary, to illuminate the area for several tens of meters

Initially, you need to understand for what purpose the flashlight is being purchased. It’s unlikely just to “see in the dark”! What do you need a flashlight for: for work, for home, for search and rescue operations, hiking, scuba diving, hunting or exploring all sorts of secluded and dark corners, such as mountain caves or the depths of city sewers? Depending on the purpose of the flashlight, you can determine which of its functions are really needed, and which will only result in additional financial costs or a useless increase in weight and dimensions. For example, as a lantern for a dacha or at home, the simplest sample will suffice - not even necessarily an LED one, but even an incandescent lamp, powered by D-size alkaline batteries, because large dimensions and weight (within reasonable limits) are not in this case a decisive or even significant factor. For tourism, the best option would be a multi-mode LED flashlight with modern lithium batteries, since not only brightness is important here, but also the minimum weight of batteries that you will have to carry with you. If you need to free both hands, a flashlight with a head mount will come in handy. Let's look at the main capabilities of all types of modern flashlights from the perspective of an ordinary consumer. types of LEDs for flashlights and the benefits of each. Flashlights produced by Olight will be presented as an example.

Flashlight-keychain, or “keychain”, as the name suggests, is attached to a bunch of keys. This flashlight is intended for use at ultra-close distances - for example, to illuminate your feet or find a keyhole in the dark. For these purposes, one mode of operation with a glow intensity of 3-5 lumens is quite sufficient (this, of course, does not mean that it is impossible to be brighter). For such flashlights, the main requirements are lightness and compactness, so a simple 5 mm LED and lithium batteries in the form of thin disks (the so-called “tablets”), and the body of the flashlight itself is made of plastic. Recently, a good alternative to such flashlights are products of a traditional cylindrical shape, but very small and lightweight, using AAA batteries/accumulators for operation (in common parlance - “little fingers”). The body of such flashlights, like those of their more “adult” counterparts, is made of aluminum with protective anodizing of high hardness, less often - of polished stainless steel and titanium alloys. They often have a modern, powerful LED and several operating modes, as well as full protection from moisture. Control of the operating modes of such flashlights, as a rule, is carried out by rotating the “head”, and not by a button, since the latter noticeably increases the dimensions of the flashlight - and for the “switch”, as a backup, “just in case” flashlight, this is absolutely useless. An example of an excellent “turnkey” is the Olight i3S EOS (see).

The choice of a flashlight is primarily determined by its future purpose.

EDC flashlights(Every Day Carry- English "everyday wear")- one of the most popular categories with a wide variety of choices. There are both the simplest cheap single-mode devices and branded, expensive and multi-mode devices. As a rule, flashlights in this category are very compact, often equipped with a clip for attaching to a pocket or belt. Such lamps are used mainly in the city; their application options are very diverse, since they are already capable of providing a fairly decent brightness of the luminous flux. Multi-mode flashlights are good because at the minimum brightness mode they are convenient to shine under your feet, and the maximum glow will be quite enough to illuminate the road several tens of meters ahead. The power of such flashlights varies on average from 3-10 lumens in minimum mode, and the maximum brightness of the glow will depend on the batteries and LED used. Typically, such flashlights on one AA battery produce a maximum of about 120-150 lumens - on lithium batteries, usually two to three, and sometimes four times more. In addition, such flashlights often additionally provide flashing modes - more precisely, SOS mode (low-frequency light pulses) and strobe mode (high-frequency flashing - suitable, for example, for defensive blinding of an aggressive person, an angry dog ​​or a suddenly arriving tax inspector).
The most popular power supply for EDC flashlights is AA batteries/accumulators, sold on almost every corner; There are also options for lithium batteries/accumulators: CR123A, 16340, 14500, less often - 18650 or two CR123A elements.

Compact EDC flashlights + switch

For EDC flashlights, the body material is usually aluminum alloy with high hardness anodizing. Thanks to this, the flashlight has a sufficient margin of strength for most conditions of use, and the hard anodizing protects it well from abrasions and scratches. In addition to aluminum, stainless steel and titanium alloys are also used - however, the thermal conductivity of these materials is lower, so it is better not to use such flashlights often at maximum modes. But the appearance of polished “stainless steel” or titanium is very solid, and the latter is also almost as light as aluminum, although noticeably more expensive. The shape of the light spot for EDC use is desirable with a wide “hotspot” (central bright spot) - this will make it much more convenient to illuminate objects at close distances, for which such flashlights are intended.
An excellent example of EDC flashlights is the Baton series from Olight: S10, S15 and S20 (see -).

By putting such a diffuser on the “head” of a hand-held lantern, you can get a good replacement for a camping lantern.

Tourist lanterns- also a popular type of lighting fixtures, largely similar to the previous one; but here increased brightness is already very desirable - as well as, and this is important, increased battery capacity. Lanterns for tourism must have several operating modes, thanks to which you can easily illuminate a forest path, a table at a campsite, and the interior of a tent. For hiking or cycling, an important point to pay attention to is the balance between the energy intensity of the power source and its weight, so the best option for a hiking flashlight would be to be powered by 2-3 lithium disposable AA batteries (alkaline AA batteries are also possible, but lithium ones are lighter) - or from one high-quality 18650 battery with high capacity. The use of batteries of sizes D and C for hiking is highly questionable due to the poor weight/energy capacity ratio. Flashlights with 4-8 AA batteries or 2-3 18650 batteries can, of course, also be suitable for travel purposes - but, as a rule, it is easier to take an additional power supply for a more modest flashlight. The light spot in tourist flashlights, as in EDC, is preferably wide - due to the increased power, such a flashlight will easily illuminate fairly distant objects. It is also useful when choosing a tourist lantern to pay attention to security - especially moisture resistance. The security of the flashlight is described according to the international IPxx specification, where the first of the numbers “XX” indicates the level of protection from foreign objects (usually dust), and the second - the level of protection from moisture. Maximum protection corresponds to the IP68 index - this is ideal for a travel lantern; however, IP67 will be quite sufficient, but less is no longer desirable. Manufacturers produce a variety of accessories for tourist-type flashlights, thanks to which you can significantly expand the range of capabilities of your flashlight. For example, there are diffuser attachments that scatter light - thanks to which, instead of glowing with a narrow beam at close distances, the flashlight will illuminate the space around it like a regular light bulb or candle.

Universal (tourist) lanterns

An example of successful lantern models that can be confidently used for tourism purposes:
- Olight ST25;
- Olight R20 and R40 - great for tourism, as it is equipped with a microUSB port for charging from external sources: power bank, solar panels or car cigarette lighter (see i).
Also suitable for tourism is the Olight S20 Baton series (see).

Tactical/Hunting Flashlights designed specifically for use in combat conditions, most often in conjunction with weapons. There are flashlights designed for installation only on short-barreled weapons (pistols and revolvers), and there are options for long-barreled weapons (shotguns and rifles). Such flashlights are used to illuminate the target, as well as to blind and disorient the enemy.
When used for its intended purpose, a specialized tactical flashlight has to withstand considerable tests - this includes recoil when fired, and various shocks, vibrations, etc.; therefore, such lanterns must have increased body strength and threaded connections, as well as a more reliable “filling”. The bodies of “tactics” are made of aluminum alloys, less often - of steel and special composite materials. Previously, incandescent lamps were used as light emitters, which have now almost completely given way to powerful LEDs. Modern LEDs create a luminous flux with a brightness of several hundred lumens, making it possible to effectively illuminate targets at a distance of hundreds of meters. The “tactical” beam, as a rule, is very narrow - and this is done in order to avoid blinding the owner of the flashlight by the reflection of light from nearby objects falling into the light “cone”. A tactical flashlight usually has a direct switch button - the flashlight begins to shine before the button is locked in the on position, thanks to which you can very quickly turn the flashlight on and off, as well as give a “blinking” signal. In addition, the “tactician” can be equipped with an external button for remote activation, which allows you to quickly control the flashlight mounted on the weapon: thanks to the presence of such a button, the shooter is not distracted from observing the target.
Tactical flashlights are often equipped with a steel bezel in the form of a toothed ring, so that the flashlight can be used as an impact tool - for example, to break window or car glass - as well as an impact weapon without the risk of damaging it.
Initially, tactical flashlights usually used a pair of relatively capacious, but rather expensive and disposable CR123A batteries, but thanks to the proliferation of 18650 batteries, tactical developers began to use them as the main power supply. As rare exceptions, there are tactical flashlights powered by AA and even AAA batteries.

Examples of excellent tactical flashlights from Olight: M18 Striker, M20SX-L2 Warrior, M21X-L2 Warrior, M22 Warrior, M3X Triton
(see 10–15).

Search lights- as a rule, they are quite large and weighty, with a short glow time, but at the same time with very high brightness. Basically, there are two types: those that shine relatively close, but with a wide beam, and, conversely, long-range ones with a narrow beam of light (the effective lighting range of the latter can reach a kilometer or more). To power the LED, either several 18650/26650/36650 batteries or special non-separable battery packs are usually used here. Typically, such flashlights are used in professional activities - for example, by rescuers, huntsmen or the military - therefore they meet the most stringent requirements for product reliability and security. Examples of such flashlights from Olight: SR Mini Intimidator, SR52 Intimidator, SR95S UT Intimidator, SR96 Intimidator, X6 Marauder (see 17–20, 23).

Search lights

Headband Olight H15S Wave interesting, first of all, with the ability to turn it on and off “hands-free” - due to a special touch system

Headlamps by analogy with telephone headsets, they are also sometimes called HandsFree, since the owner’s hands remain free when working. This type of flashlight is well suited for many areas of use - including as an auxiliary “close combat” flashlight to the main “blaster”.
One of the most important parameters of a headlamp is its weight, which is why such flashlights are usually made from a lightweight aluminum alloy, often in combination with polymers or composite materials. There are, of course, forehead covers made entirely of plastic - but these are, as a rule, the cheapest models; Such budget products, as a rule, have serious drawbacks - either the brightness of the glow is too low, or the strong heating caused by the operation of a powerful light source (which cannot be avoided due to cooling problems in the plastic case), as a result of which the flashlight quickly fails. The optimal power supply for a small and lightweight headlamp is AA and AAA batteries/accumulators, as well as CR123A. If you need a flashlight that is more powerful or has a larger energy reserve, you will have to sacrifice wearing comfort, since the use of an 18650 battery or several AA batteries (less often AAA/CR123A) leads to an increase in the size and weight of the flashlight, and this makes its use less convenient. However, the complex problem of user convenience and the availability of a large energy reserve is being solved - for this purpose, headlamps with separate blocks are produced; The emitter of such a flashlight is traditionally mounted on the forehead, and the battery pack is located on the back of the head - thereby ensuring uniform weight distribution and comfortable operation with the flashlight.
The typical lumen output of headlamps is 30-150 lumens. There are also models with a brightness of several hundred lumens or more - but they are already quite weighty (from 100 g without batteries - and even more with a separate battery pack). The shape of the beam of the “headlamp” can be different and is chosen for specific tasks: if it is necessary to shine mainly at close distances, then a wider beam is desirable (it is even possible to use a uniform flood light), and if the flashlight is to be used instead of a hand-held one to illuminate medium and long distances, then This is where a narrow beam comes in handy.

Headlamps

Options for good headbands from Olight:
H15S Wave - is powered by an original Li-Ion battery or by 4xAAA, and due to the standard light diffuser it can create both a narrow beam and a wide beam (see 21);
H25 Wave - is powered by a remote battery pack, which can be put in a pocket/backpack or placed on a belt under clothing (which is especially important when using the flashlight in cold weather). Another feature of the flashlight is contactless on/off and a “power bank” built into the battery pack, which will come in very handy if necessary to recharge, for example, a mobile phone (see 22).

Underwater, or “dive”, flashlights, are used by swimmers when diving (diving) to significant depths during the day or at night, as well as during underwater hunting. The main requirements for such lanterns are complete waterproofness and sufficiently high brightness. Such flashlights are most often controlled by a large lever/button or a magnetic ring, which makes it easy to turn on the flashlight and switch its operating modes even when wearing diving gloves. Power supply - high-capacity lithium batteries of standard sizes 18650, 26650, 36650; built-in batteries are also often used, and sometimes several AA batteries. It is important to remember that it is undesirable to use an underwater flashlight - especially a high-power one - in the maximum glow mode in air, since the design of such flashlights is designed for normal cooling only in water; In the air, the underwater light can overheat and fail.

Zexus ZX-500: 300/150 lm, operating time 72 h/144 h, 3xD power supply, dimensions 100x180x85 mm, weight 420 g

As the name suggests, they are designed to illuminate a campsite or any other wide area. Most often, camping lanterns illuminate everything around them with flood light - like a candle or light bulb - but there are also options with a wide, but directional light. The main criterion when choosing a camping lantern in most cases is not the brightness of the glow, but the time it operates on one set of batteries. It is also useful for such a flashlight to have several operating modes - including the SOS distress signal mode. In addition, for a camping lantern, as well as for a hand-held tourist one, the weight and size characteristics are extremely important - a lantern with 3-4 D-size batteries is unlikely to be comfortable to carry on a hike, but a lantern with 3-4 AA (AAA) batteries or one 18650 battery is quite . Powered by D or C batteries, it is suitable for stationary use - or for camping. The body material of camping lanterns is usually plastic, metal is used less often. There are camping lanterns with built-in chargers - mechanical (you need to turn a handle, like old trucks) or solar-powered (in this case you need direct sunlight) - with which you can recharge a dead battery. Examples: Zexus ZX-500 (see).
Flashlights with adjustable focus (zoom), also known as “lens lenses,” are specially allocated to a separate category because they are somewhat popular in the ultra-budget class, but due to their design features they are not the best option for purchase. The design of such flashlights is based on a scheme with a variable distance between the lens (usually aspherical) and the LED, thanks to which it is possible to obtain a beam both in the form of a very wide light cone for short distances, and a very narrow and long-range beam (and without side illumination). Such flashlights have both advantages and disadvantages - and there are many of the latter. Designs with a movable “head” are usually poorly protected from moisture, dust and sand; moreover, the movable head part with the lens can become “loose” over time and stop being fixed in the desired position. In turn, designs with a moving LED (movable inside a fixed housing) are bad because over time the wires between the control board and the diode break off; In addition, these flashlights usually have insufficient heat dissipation, which also does not add to the reliability of the flashlight. Another significant drawback is that up to 50% of the light is lost at a long focus. Of course, there are also branded lens flashlights that are made much better than budget flashlights - however, they retain the fundamental features of variable focus. Of course, “lens cameras” also have advantages - flexibility of use; Sometimes it is useful to be able to switch from a narrow beam, used to illuminate deep dark spaces (such as tunnels or wells), to a wide flood light, which is useful, for example, for economic activities at a rest stop.

II. Characteristics and indicators that determine the level of the flashlight

The most popular “ultra-budget” lenses

There are a huge number of different flashlights on the market - and when you want to buy a good flashlight for a specific purpose (or for all occasions), you ask the question “Which one is good?” After all, you want the lantern to never let you down when it comes down to it. So, if you need to buy a really good flashlight, it should be a brand name. Well-known flashlight manufacturing companies value their image very much, so they usually take full responsibility for their product, strictly observing warranty obligations and often even providing post-warranty service. In addition, branded flashlights usually have a huge variety of control options and operating modes, so such flashlights are much more pleasant and comfortable to use. Non-brand flashlights are captivating mainly due to their price - however, in this case the buyer inevitably gets a pig in a poke. Using a flashlight of unknown origin can reveal a whole bunch of problems and shortcomings - these are low-quality materials, poor threads, poor heat dissipation, lack of moisture protection, an unpleasant “bluish” spectrum of light, poor soldering of electronics, etc. In addition, indicators of the brightness of the light and the beam range of non-brand flashlights, as a rule, is seriously overestimated - often by several times, or even orders of magnitude. Such “marketing” is designed primarily for uninformed buyers who, in addition, have poor eyesight, so that the extra zeros assigned to the characteristics do not arouse suspicion. They rivet non-branded products - no matter what Germany, Switzerland or America appears on the labels - mainly in China. Actually, Chinese origin is no longer an unambiguous synonym Low quality- many serious American and European manufacturers have been using components manufactured in the Middle Kingdom for quite a long time, or have completely transferred production to China; in addition, many Chinese companies have already achieved recognition of the high quality of their products on the world market - and lanterns are no exception. However, there is a fundamental difference between the products of a specialized plant, equipped with the latest equipment with strict quality control and staffed with well-trained and responsible personnel, and the products of some garage-basement workshop, whose employees received technical education by dismantling stolen mopeds, and to stimulate the flight of thought of designers Only gaoliang moonshine is used. However, the staff of the latter enterprises also need to feed their families - this is precisely what explains the abundance of lanterns of unknown brands and origins on sale, the quality of which varies not only from name to name, but even from copy to copy of products of the same name. It is clear that purchasing such a lantern is pure lottery. Hence the conclusion: if you need a flashlight extremely rarely (for example, to go down into the cellar to get potatoes or find a switchboard when the light suddenly goes out), then perhaps a non-branded flashlight will suffice - as long as it is not the cheapest. If the flashlight is planned to be used for more or less serious tasks - for example, hiking in places remote from civilization, exploring some abandoned corners, speleology, diving, hunting, search and rescue or military operations, where the quality and reliability of the flashlight can depends on the life and health of the owner and people close to him, you need to choose only a branded product, it will more than pay for its price.

Type of light source - all about LEDs

Back in the 1920s, Soviet physicist Oleg Losev, while studying the phenomenon of electroluminescence, predicted the appearance of solid-state, that is, not requiring a vacuum, and small-sized light sources with a very low (within 10 volts) supply voltage, and later received two copyright certificates for the device , which he called a “light relay” - here what is LED. However, the poor development of semiconductor technologies has led to the fact that for a long time LEDs were used only as indicators - luminous points of various colors. In recent years, there has been a real revolution in this area, which has led to the creation of super-bright LEDs. Before their appearance, the source of light for lanterns was incandescent light bulbs, but now LEDs have replaced them almost completely. The fact is that lamps have very significant disadvantages compared to LEDs: first of all, they have a short service life (especially in situations involving extreme conditions, frequent vibrations, shocks), as well as low efficiency - with the same electric current consumption The lamp shines much weaker than the LED. True, lamps also have their advantages; one of the most significant is the correct temperature spectrum - due to which the colors of objects illuminated by such a lamp, unlike LED lighting, are not distorted. Another advantage of incandescent lamps is the absence of additional electronics, which could potentially fail and let the owner of the lamp down at the most inopportune moment; although, of course, in high-quality flashlights the likelihood of this is minimized.

Types and varieties of LEDs

Manufacturers of LEDs, like any electronics, are constantly improving their products, so on the flashlight market you can find different types of LEDs, which are quite difficult for the average user to understand. The most popular LEDs from the American company Cree Inc.: XR-E, XP-E, XP-G, XM-L, as well as the newer XP-E2, XP-G2, XM-L2 - these LEDs are most often installed in small lamps ( except for the XM-L and XM-L2, which are very versatile and suitable for both compact EDC flashlights and powerful search engines). Cree MT-G2 and MK-R LEDs, as well as Luminus' SST-50, SST-90, SBT-70 and SBT-90 LEDs, are typically used in large, powerful multi-battery searchlights. In addition, LEDs are distinguished by brightness bins - special codes for a system for sorting LEDs by brightness. Cree LEDs have a alphanumeric designation; for XM-L(2) diodes the most common bins are T5, T6, U2, for XP-G(2) diodes - R4, R5, S2, for XP-E(2) diodes - Q5, R2, R3, for XR diodes -E - P4, Q3, Q5, R2.
Therefore, if a manufacturer or seller indicates that “a flashlight uses a T6 diode,” he means the XM-L T6 diode.

types of LEDs for flashlights, brightness

If we distribute the popular ones according to a conventional brightness scale, as they increase, it will look like this: P4-Q3-Q5-R2-R4-R5-S2-T5-T6-U2.
One of the main differences between diodes is their size, or more precisely, the area of ​​the light-emitting crystal. The smaller the crystal area, the easier it is to focus its glow into a narrow beam - and vice versa. Therefore, the old XR-E LED is the easiest to focus, and a fairly large XM-L will shine much wider under the same conditions. If you need to get the narrowest possible beam from the XM-L LED, you will have to use a fairly large, wide and deep reflector, which will negatively affect the weight and dimensions of the case. But with a small reflector on such an LED you will get a very successful pocket flashlight with a wide low beam.

Price-quality ratio

When choosing a flashlight, naturally, you should read description of LEDs and take into account the brightness of its glow. It is measured in lumens - the more lumens in the luminous flux of a flashlight, the brighter it shines and, accordingly, the faster it “eats” the energy reserve of the batteries. When comparing branded flashlights, you can more or less confidently rely on the values ​​of their brightness declared by the manufacturers; however, things are not always so perfect. Previously, some manufacturers were somewhat disingenuous when calculating lumens in their flashlights, often not taking into account light losses in the optical system at different temperature conditions, etc., as a result of which the declared characteristics turned out to be somewhat overestimated. Nowadays, to equalize the characteristics of flashlights from different brands, a special unified standard is used that defines methods for measuring brightness and range (ANSI FL1) - and if the characteristics were measured according to the ANSI standard, this will be indicated on the packaging. Often there is a kind of “strategy”: some time after starting to work at maximum power, the brightness of the flashlight automatically decreases. It's called Step Down (English: “one step lower”); Such an operating algorithm often serves only to provide the manufacturer with the opportunity to indicate the maximum possible brightness value on the packaging. However, in some cases, “stepdown” is really useful - thanks to it, the batteries do not run out as quickly as they could if the flashlight was constantly working at maximum. It also happens that a product with a more focused beam, but lower brightness according to the ANSI standard, can outperform a more powerful flashlight with a wider beam in terms of range - the optical system and the LED used play a role here. In a word, branded flashlights can be safely selected and compared according to the brightness specified by the manufacturer, if it was measured according to the ANSI standard - but it is also advisable to take into account the features of the flashlight’s optical system, as well as the presence of a “stepdown” in some models.

Reflector/aspherical lens/TIR lens - all these devices are needed to focus the light emitted by the LED; Simply put, they form a light beam.
A reflector is the best option. Thanks to it, a bright central spot and noticeable side illumination are obtained. This structure of light is very convenient for orientation in the illuminated space - both at close and long distances. In addition, the reflector can be smooth or textured (with an inner surface that looks like an orange peel). Due to the smooth reflector, the flashlight will shine further, so this option is useful for long-range flashlights, while the textured one has another advantage - thanks to it, the transition from the central spot to the side illumination occurs more smoothly, so this form of light is more convenient for close distances, which is important for EDC lights.
The aspherical lens in variable-focus flashlights creates light from a wide flood beam to a very narrow and fairly long-range beam. As described above, such flashlights are quite highly specialized and are not very convenient for comfortable use in different life situations.
The peculiarity of the TIR lens (Total Internal Reflection) is that, unlike a reflector, a TIR lens collects all the light from the LED into one beam of a predetermined width, practically eliminating side illumination. In this way, you can get a very narrow and long-range beam, necessary for search or tactical flashlights, or, conversely, a very wide beam, well suited for hiking, headlamps or EDC flashlights.

Applications of LEDs

Often, when choosing a flashlight, a consumer wants the maximum range of light from it - however, in most cases, long-range flashlights are not needed at all. Most often, a flashlight is used to illuminate nearby areas or objects located at a distance of no more than a few tens of meters. Long-range flashlights shine for a hundred meters and further - however, often with a very narrow beam that poorly illuminates the surrounding space, especially at close distances. As a result, when illuminating distant objects with such a flashlight, the user will not be able to see what is in the immediate vicinity of him - figuratively speaking, under his feet. Of course, the flashlight can be periodically moved, moving it from side to side and up and down - but in such cases it is much easier to use a flashlight with a shorter range, but with a wide beam that can perfectly illuminate everything that is needed at the same time. So, knowing quite obviously that long-range flashlights, indispensable for rescuers, hunters or the military, are not particularly useful in everyday use for everyday tasks.

The photo shows a comparison of the lighting tonality provided by LEDs of three different spectra: “warm”, “neutral” and “cold”. When choosing the light temperature of a flashlight, you need to focus on the following points: an LED with a warm spectrum of light minimally distorts the colors of the illuminated object, but has lower brightness than an LED with a neutral spectrum - and even more so a “cold” LED. With the latter, it's the other way around. Therefore, if you need a powerful search or tactical flashlight, where brightness is more important, then it is better to choose LEDs with a cold spectrum of light. If the flashlight is needed for everyday tasks, tourism, or for use as a headlamp, then correct color rendering is still more important - and, therefore, an LED with a warm spectrum of light will be more advantageous. Neutral LEDs are the golden mean both in terms of color fidelity and light brightness.

Comparison of “warm”, “neutral” and “cold” light. The first one distorts colors less, the last one is more contrasting and powerful, “neutral” is the golden mean

An ordinary AA battery with a nominal voltage of 1.5 volts with a high current consumption will not be able to produce the required voltage and will “sag”, plus the voltage will quickly decrease as it discharges - and therefore, the brightness of the flashlight on such a battery will also decrease quickly . To ensure that the brightness does not decrease along with the battery discharge, modern flashlights are equipped with special electronic power stabilizers. A flashlight with such a stabilizer will maintain the brightness mode until the last moment; and when the battery voltage drops below a certain threshold level, the automation will simply switch the flashlight to a weaker mode - which the flashlight will also stably and persistently adhere to until the battery runs out completely.

Not counting the cheapest flashlights that only have an on/off button, most modern, even non-branded, flashlights have several operating modes, including strobe (high-frequency flashing) and SOS (distress signal). Non-branded products usually have three operating modes (maximum power/average power/strobe) or five (minimum power/average power/maximum power/strobe/SOS); in this case, the average power usually corresponds to 50% of the maximum brightness of the glow, and the minimum - 10% (of course, it happens differently). In branded flashlights, everything is much more complicated. Here, operating modes can be controlled by buttons (conventional mechanical or electronic), rotation of the “head”, rotation of the magnetic ring, as well as a combination of the above. Some flashlights have a variety of sensors on board for turning on/off or changing modes - for example, a motion sensor that allows you to switch modes by gently shaking the flashlight, or an infrared sensor that turns the headlamp on/off when you wave your hand in front of it without any pressing buttons. In order to determine preferences, it is best for a potential user to try one way or another on their own, since each of them has its own characteristics - which in practice can lead, for example, to the fact that you will need both hands to control your flashlight. If this is not critical, then you can choose what you like best. Branded flashlights also have many operating modes. Here it is worth mentioning flashlights with the ability to smoothly, steplessly change brightness or independently program operating modes. On the one hand, this is convenient because you can ideally adjust the glow mode to a specific situation. On the other hand, knowing about the operating time from one set of batteries in each of the fixed modes, you can quite accurately calculate the required number of batteries that you should keep in reserve for a particular task - in flashlights with smooth adjustment, such calculations can be made perform only in the maximum or minimum brightness mode.

Ordinary aluminum reflector (reflector), TIR lens, aspherical lens (for flashlights with variable beam width)

The main (and best) material for the manufacture of modern powerful flashlights are aluminum alloys, the most important advantages of which are lightness, sufficient strength, excellent thermal conductivity and relative low cost. Also, thanks to the protective anodic coatings, which are hard and wear-resistant, flashlights with aluminum alloy bodies are quite difficult to scratch. Steel is also used in the production of housings for flashlights, but much less often - since the flashlight becomes heavier, and the LED, due to the lower thermal conductivity of steel, cools much less well during operation, which is why it can simply fail. However, if you do not need high brightness, then a flashlight in a polished steel case will be an excellent fashion accessory. Quite often there are also flashlights made of titanium alloys (usually with a polished body surface, but sometimes matte). These lanterns are not inferior to steel ones in either durability or stylish appearance - but at the same time they are somewhat lighter, and also usually much more expensive. Plastic in the design of flashlights is used, as a rule, as a complement to aluminum - or for the bodies of low-power flashlights, such as camping ones or simple headlamps.

Modern flashlights have a fairly durable, most often metal, body that protects glass and electronics from external mechanical influences. However, even after purchasing a branded lantern, you should not thoughtlessly test its strength by throwing it from the roof onto the concrete - it is still not intended for this. If you choose a flashlight for maximum protection from shocks and vibrations, then it will definitely be a tactical flashlight designed for installation on a weapon and can easily withstand the dynamic loads that occur during a shot. High water resistance level IPx7/IPx8 - when the flashlight can be safely dipped into water - is present in almost all branded flashlights, even fairly budget ones. Exceptions tend to be budget flashlights, variable focus flashlights, camping flashlights, and some headlamps that will safely survive only average rain.

Unlike batteries with an output voltage of 1.5 V, NiMh (nickel metal hydride) batteries produce a nominal voltage of 1.2 V - so some flashlights may not work correctly with them. However, high-quality NiMH rechargeable batteries, unlike batteries, usually allow branded flashlights to produce all of their manufacturer's stated lumens.
This type of battery is often called a “pinky” or “mini-finger” battery. Flashlights powered by such a battery are very small and light - their weight can be only 10-30 g. Maximum brightness is about 60-80 lumens, which already allows you to shine well for a dozen or two meters; However, with such brightness, the AAA battery will not last long, about 30-40 minutes - so such flashlights are usually used as spare ones “just in case”.
The AA battery is the most popular type of battery, which can be bought on almost every corner. Its capacity is 2-2.5 times higher than that of the “little finger” one, so flashlights on AA batteries will shine longer - and at a higher brightness (90-120 lm). Brand flashlights, when using high-quality batteries, produce about 140-160 lumens or more on a good NiMH battery. The dimensions of flashlights on AA batteries are noticeably larger than AAA flashlights - it’s not always possible to hang them on a bunch of keys - but they still remain quite compact (weight - in the range of 50-80 g, length - no more than 8-10 cm).

Comparison of the dimensions of popular lithium batteries (from left to right): 10440 (AA), 15270 (CR2), RCR123A, 16340, 14500 (AA), 18650

Flashlights powered by two “pinky” batteries are quite rare - as a rule, these are branded flashlights made in the form of a stylish pen in multiple color options. Their brightness is usually 150-200 lumens - however, they do not work at this brightness for long. However, due to the very small reflector, such flashlights provide a wide beam, very convenient for close-range lighting.

In such flashlights, the batteries are installed in series one after another, resulting in a fairly long (about 15 cm) and thin flashlight. Compared to one battery, there is already twice as much energy in reserve, so the brightness of such flashlights is also increased - and reaches 250 lumens or more; To save energy, however, you can always switch to a more economical mode. In general, flashlights with two AA batteries are the most versatile in terms of the prevalence of batteries, dimensions, weight and brightness.
One of the most popular types of power supply - both for the majority of non-branded and especially budget flashlights, and for some branded ones (at present, however, they are already structurally outdated). The main disadvantage of this type of power supply is that despite the fairly large mass and dimensions, the total energy intensity is still quite small; In addition, as a rule, such flashlights do not stabilize the brightness of the glow as the batteries are discharged.
and Flashlights powered by several AA batteries are very diverse - from tourist and simply universal ones (for 3-4 AA batteries) to long-range search and underwater ones (for 8 AA batteries). The characteristics of such flashlights are usually similar to those of powerful flashlights on lithium batteries - but they have advantages where it is easier to get AA batteries/rechargeable batteries, or for those users who prefer batteries of this size (for example, if a charger with sets of spare AA batteries is already available , but I don’t want to buy a separate charger for lithium cells and such batteries themselves).
Currently, branded flashlights using this type of battery are practically no longer found. The only exception is the very popular at one time, but already outdated baton lamps from the American company Maglite.
This type of battery is somewhat more popular than the previous one, and, in addition to Maglite baton flashlights, is also used in some models from the brand manufacturer Fenix; although, of course, this cannot be called widespread. Most often, D-batteries are now used in large camping lanterns - usually in quantities of 3-4 pieces at a time.

Two disposable batteries in the form of thin disks with a diameter of about 2 cm are used in ultra-compact key fob flashlights - usually having a plastic body and equipped with a simple 5 mm LED. Such flashlights are distinguished by their very small dimensions and weight - but the light they also produce is quite weak (however, it is more than enough if you need to illuminate a keyhole or not miss the steps in a dark entrance). For a “just in case” flashlight, such a power supply kit is through the roof.
This battery is similar in size to an AAA battery - as a result, some “key switches” that normally run on AAA batteries can also be powered by such a battery. In this case, the brightness increases by 2-3 times, but the operating time in maximum mode is significantly reduced - literally up to ten minutes. There is another serious drawback - a small flashlight with such an increase in the brightness of the glow heats up very quickly and can fail. Therefore, it is better not to use a flashlight with such a battery at maximum. The capacity of the 10440 battery is about 300 mAh, the voltage is 3.7 (3.6) V.
Flashlights powered by these disposable batteries are very rare - but the option for a “switcher” is very interesting. Element CR2 is almost 2 times shorter than 10440, but one and a half times thicker. Voltage - 3.0 V, capacity - about 800 mAh. Instead of disposable CR2 batteries, you can use a 15270 battery with a voltage of 3.0 V and a capacity of about 200 mAh.

Olight SR95S-UT Intimidator: Luminus SBT-70, 1250/500/150 lm, operating time 3 h/8 h/48 h, range 1000 m, power supply – special battery pack, dimensions 325x90 mm, weight 1230 g

A disposable lithium battery with a voltage of 3 volts is a compact and lightweight battery, and at the same time has a very decent capacity (about 1500 mAh), due to which flashlights using this battery are quite popular. Such flashlights are very well suited for EDC use, since they are very light and compact, while the brightness of the glow reaches 200-250 lumens (with an operating time “at maximum” of about an hour), almost catching up with more serious flashlights. The main disadvantage of such batteries is the cost, since instead of one CR123A you can buy 4-7 high-quality AA batteries.
Lithium batteries, similar in size to disposable CR123A batteries and designed to replace it. There are two versions of such batteries: with a voltage of 3.0 V and 3.7 (3.6) V; and if the first type of battery is absolutely interchangeable with a CR123A battery (the only difference is that the battery capacity is about three times less), then the second version with increased voltage must be supported by the flashlight itself, otherwise it may fail. If the flashlight can work with a battery having a voltage of 3.7 (3.6) V - the capacity of such batteries is greater than that of “three-volt” ones and is 500-700 mAh - then the use of this battery will provide increased brightness , reaching up to 350-450 lumens. However, it should be taken into account that with such a bright light, the body of a compact flashlight may not be able to cope with the heat removal from the LED, as a result of which the flashlight may become so hot that it is impossible to hold it in your hand and, ultimately, fail. So you shouldn’t get carried away with the maximum glow mode in such cases.
Lithium is a lithium battery, similar to an ordinary AA battery both geometrically and in terms of nominal voltage - 1.5 V - but its capacity is 2-3 times greater (about 3000 mAh), and its weight is 1.5 -2 times less. In addition, this battery can withstand high current loads perfectly, so a flashlight with such a battery will shine no worse than with a high-quality NiMH battery, and maybe even better. Main disadvantage such batteries - price; as in the case of CR123A, instead of one AA Litium, you can buy 4-7 regular high-quality AA batteries.
The battery is the size of a AA battery and has a capacity of up to 800 mAh. The main advantage of flashlights using these batteries is their versatility. When using 14500, the brightness reaches 350-450 lumens with an operating time of about half an hour; If such a battery suddenly “runs out”, then it can easily and naturally be replaced with a ubiquitous AA battery - and your flashlight will continue to shine, albeit not so brightly.
Two disposable lithium batteries installed in series one after the other. Previously, this type of power supply was most often used in tactical flashlights, less often in EDC; is now commonly used as a backup power supply for flashlights using 18650 batteries.
The most convenient type of power supply for most modern flashlights, which has gained popularity due to the best combination of overall dimensions, weight and energy intensity. The 18650 is slightly larger in size than a finger-type battery, its weight is 45-50 g, and its maximum capacity is up to 3600 mAh. Flashlights powered by this battery are very diverse - from small flashlights for EDC to fairly large tactical and search models. In general, if you don’t mind the need to buy a special charger (except for flashlight versions with a built-in charger), flashlights with this type of battery will be the best in terms of size/weight/brightness.

Thanks to the use of two 18650 batteries at once in the flashlight, an increase in the brightness of the glow or operating time is achieved, but the weight of the flashlight also increases (can reach 200-500 g) and overall dimensions. Most often, the batteries in such flashlights are installed in series one after another; sometimes a removable extender extension is used for this. There are also flashlights with parallel arrangement of batteries to reduce size. But in any case, such flashlights, as a rule, differ in power and range - with a “kill” range of up to half a kilometer or more.

A stylish flashlight made of polished titanium stands out among its aluminum counterparts - and will be an excellent assistant for every day.

This type of power supply is used, as a rule, in search (less often, underwater) lights using the most powerful diodes - like SST90, SBT70, MK-R or several XM-L2. The brightness of such lanterns reaches thousands of lumens, and their weight is half a kilogram or more; they can be either ultra-long-range with a maximum range of over a kilometer, or providing wide coverage at a range of up to several hundred meters. In any case, such flashlights require especially careful handling - because, firstly, they are quite massive and, if dropped, are more likely to fail than their lighter counterparts, and secondly, the cost of such flashlights is very high.
The batteries are as long as 18650 and slightly larger in diameter, due to which they have greater energy capacity. Typically used in powerful search and diving flashlights, although there are also compact “pocket” ones based on one element 26650.
In some cases this is a necessity - for example, in heavy-duty flashlights, where a large number of separate batteries would otherwise have to be used - in others it is done for greater convenience of the owner, since the charging process here is no different from charging mobile phone, and you don’t need to purchase any additional chargers for this. Some flashlights have a “native” battery, charged by the built-in charger, you can, if necessary, replace it with a third-party one (although this third-party one won’t always be able to charge). This can be useful if somewhere along the way the “original” battery runs out, but you still need to keep the light on.