Headlamp vs Handheld Flashlight

Which one is better – a headlamp or a handheld flashlight? Well, they both have their pros and cons and they both fill unique rolls with some overlap, so there really is no definitive answer. It is up to you to make your own choice.

Let’s evaluate the headlamp vs handheld flashlight features and benefits to help you decide which one is best for your next adventure.

Headlamps

A headlamp is essentially a hands free flashlight. These flashlights come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are of varying quality – all allow you the ability to use both hands while still shining light on your focus area.

Pros

- Operates completely hands free
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Difficult to lose while running, swimming or after a fall

Cons

- Generally not a powerful as a handheld
- Must be clipped or affixed in order to be efficient
- You must turn your head to turn the beam of the flashlight

Handheld Flashlights

These are what come to mind when someone says the word “flashlight”. Handheld flashlights cover a wide range of styles and power levels. Because of their versatility, handheld flashlights are the go to option for a variety of professionals and hobbyists.

Pros

- Extremely versatile
- Ability to alter beam strength, length and type
- Ideal for tactical uses

Cons

- Easily misplaced
- Must be aimed and does not automatically follow gaze
- Does not stay attached in the event of a fall

Regardless of which one you choose, or if you choose both, make sure you are investing in a flashlight that will do the job consistency and well. Don’t buy a cheap flashlight that cannot perform when you need it most, rather invest in a flashlight that will do the job for years to come.

Browse through Klarus Light’s website for a wide range of durable, innovative and affordable flashlights!

Flashlight lumens – How does it impact your light decision?

Choosing the right flashlight is all the about the light, and the ability to choose the amount of light you get is a key feature of a high-quality flashlight. The amount of light a flashlight produces is measured in lumens, and some flashlights even have up to 3000 lumens. That’s great and all, but you don’t always need that much light.

Let’s take a look at the most common settings you will find on most tactical flashlights and their uses.

 

1 – 20 Lumens
This is about the power level of a flashlight you would use to read a book under the covers. It is ideal for finding your car keys at the bottom of your bag, walking outside to take the garbage out and yes reading a book under the covers.

10 – 25 Lumens
This is the default setting for most flashlights. It is powerful enough to accomplish most tasks and not be overpowering in a closed space. Most “emergency” flashlights have this level of output. This setting is perfect for those random power cuts.

36 – 60 Lumens
If you like to spend time in the great outdoors, this is the setting that you will use most often. It is perfect for finding your way around a campsite or lighting your way on a late night hike through the woods.

100 + Lumens
A light that generates this much lumens is considered a tactical flashlight. This is the amount of light police officers and firefighters use when they are called to a scene. A flashlight that emits over 80 lumens has the power to temporarily blind an attack. Looking for a durable, affordable tactical flashlight? Take a look at Klarus Light’s wide range.

1000 + Lumens
This is the type of light that search and rescue parties use. It has the power to light up a forest and even further. It is ideal for finding the lost, but it is unlikely that you will ever need this output. However, it is still good to have just in case.

In addition to the ability to choose lumen output, many tactical flashlights offer the ability to select alternative lighting modes such as the strobe and SOS mode.

Don’t settle for a flashlight with one setting; choose a flashlight that will provide the perfect amount of light in all situations. At Klarus Light, you can choose from a variety of different flashlights!

What is the best flashlight for your car?

What happens in the middle of the night when your car breaks down on the side of the road? When you need to change a flat tyre in a dark parking lot? Or when you lose your keys or phone between the seat and the console?

You’re going to end up fumbling around in the dark unless you have a flashlight handy. In that case, you have no problem getting under the hood, changing that tyre or finding your keys.

A flashlight is an essential part of any emergency preparedness kit; in fact, it is one of the most important items to have when roadside assistance is too far away to help.

But, what is the best flashlight for your car? Let’s look at what a quality emergency flashlight for the car possesses:

- Convenient Size
The ideal flashlight for your car is lightweight and small. You want a flashlight that can easily fit in your glove box or inside your emergency kit in your boot.

- Long Battery Life
Batteries eventually lose their charge, and there is no way to know when or how often you will need to use your emergency flashlight, but when you do use it, you want it to work without fail!

- Easy to Recharge
Ideally you want a flashlight that is easy to recharge, preferably one that can be charged directly from your car or computer. Even if your car doesn’t have a USB adapter, there are easy adapters that transform the traditional “cigarette lighter” into a powerful USB charging port.

- Durable
A cheap, plastic flashlight won’t survive the impact of a car accident. It might not even survive daily wear and tear in your glove box or boot. It’s very important for your emergency flashlight to work all the time.

- Bright
Have you ever turned on a flashlight that’s beam is so dim it’s almost useless? You definitely don’t want that to happen on the side of the road, in the dark! Make sure your emergency flashlight offers at least 250 lumens of brightness.

Take a moment to browse through the variety of high quality, durable yet affordable LED flashlight Klarus Light has to offer!

The best flashlight for hiking

We all need a break from the office every now and again, and hiking is the perfect activity to get in touch with nature and leave all the stress behind.

But with more hikers on the trails, means a greater chance of an accident happening. In fact, hiking is one of the most dangerous activities to do if you don’t know what you’re doing. Who knew a walk through the woods could be so dangerous?

That’s exactly the problem, people think hiking is just a walk through the park, and then bad things happen. They stay out too late past dark, they go odd trail or run into a wild animal. You need to be prepared.

There are two extremely important things you must take on every hike – enough water and a good flashlight.

So, what makes the ideal flashlight for a hiking trip? That depends if you’re taking a simple day trip, or an extended hike.

With a day trip hike, almost any quality flashlight will do, as long as it’s not too heavy.

- You want a flashlight that is powerful
- You want a flashlight that is easy to use
- You want a flashlight that won’t weight you down

Beyond these points, everything else is just an accessory. However, if you are planning on a multi-day hike, consider a torch with a bit more kick.

- You want a heavy duty flashlight. Especially as when you are out there your light might become a hammer or weapon.

- You want a flashlight that is easy to recharge or has a long battery life.

- You want a flashlight that can serve as a signaling device in case of an emergency. Check the features of the light to see if it offers a strobe or SOS feature.

Sources have listed hiking as one of the top four most dangerous outdoor activities, don’t get caught in the dark, especially in the middle of the woods.

Looking for a touch, durable, easy to use flashlight for your hiking trip? Visit Klarus Light and choose from a wide range of torches, all at an affordable price!

How long will your tactical flashlight battery last?

If you are out in the wilderness, or stranded alongside the road in the middle of the night, the last thing you want is for your flashlight to flicker and die! Now you are stuck in the dark with no means of lighting your path or signaling for help…

This is why it is so important to take into account the run time of the tactical or emergency flashlight you are using.

LED life is how long the bulb or bulbs in your flashlight will last; it can vary from 30 minutes to many hours. Other than the quality of the batteries you are using, there are different factors that can impact the run time of your tactical flashlight.

Brightness Settings: It is possible to adjust the brightness of your tactical flashlight’s beam, but this depends on the flashlight. The highest setting will obviously drain the battery faster than the lowest, so always use the proper setting for the environment to preserve your batteries.

Batteries Used: Run time depends on what batteries you are using. Many tactical flashlights are compatible with different battery types, but some are more efficient than others. Changing the type of battery you are using will affect the run time in some way.

Temperature: This can also affect the run time of a tactical flashlight. Cold, heat and humidity can cause a battery to operate at less than its peak efficiency. This is definitely something to keep in mind if you are going to use your flashlight in extreme conditions.

When you are in doubt on the type of battery you should use for your flashlight, take a look at Klarus Light’s website. A wide range of flashlights and flashlight accessories, including batteries, are on offer! Contact Klarus Light today!

How owning a headlamp can help with daily activities

While it is common for most people to use their headlamp in the great outdoors, this is not always the case for everyone. A headlamp can have some common uses that you might not be aware of.

It’s great to go exploring, but sometimes you just need help with simple, everyday tasks, and a headlamp can be just the right tool.

Working on Your Car

Have you ever started working on a project and convinced yourself it won’t take that long. Well, you may have started in the day, but working on your car can take longer than expected. Whether you’re working under your vehicle or trying to see into small nooks and crannies in the engine, having a headlamp can make it a lot easier to see.

Taking out the Trash

Leaving your rubbish out overnight so it can be picked up the following morning can cause some issues if you can’t see what you’re doing. Of course you also need both hands to carry those heavy bags of trash; this is where having a headlamp can really help.

A Simple Walk or Jog

You might not be on your way to climb Mount Everest, but getting in a bit of fitness often means low light conditions after or before work. Regardless of your pace, having both your arms free can make your walk or jog a whole lot easier. Plus lighting your path makes it so much safer!

Headlamps certainly have many more everyday uses, what would you use your headlamp for?

If you’re interested in buying a headlamp, take a look at Klarus Light’s website and see if you can find the best innovative, yet affordable torch for yourself!

Six Things you can do before changing your LED

LEDs are amazing, they can last almost forever. Well, not forever, but they can last for up to 50 000 hours, now that’s a long time! 50 000 hours is approximately 5.7 years, so what exactly could you do in that amount of time?

What could you accomplish before the LED in your flashlight died? Here are six cool examples:

Master Five Disciplines
It takes a lot of practice and effort to master a specific discipline or subject. It takes about 10 000 hours of deliberate study and practice to master any subject, so in the time it takes your LED to burn out, you can master five disciplines. Time to get to work!

Get your Undergraduate Degree – And Even Start your Masters
Broaden your mind by pursuing a liberal arts degree. Despite all the hype, most undergraduate degrees take about five years to complete. So, in the 5.7 years it takes your LED to stop working, you can get your degree and even get started on your masters.

Go to Mars and Come Back and Go Back and…
With the current technology, it takes seven months to reach Mars. That means it’ll take 14 months to make the round trip. So, you can make the trip four times, and if you time it just right you can even sneak in another trip before your LED light goes out.

Sail Around the World
In a personal cruising style sailboat it will take about two years to sail around the globe! You could definitely go around the world twice and get close to a third time by the time you need to get to land and buy a new LED.

Walk the Entire Great Wall of China
How about walking the world’s longest man-made structure? Well, to walk the Great Wall of China it’ll take about 18 months. If you walked at a fast pace, you could go back and forth twice before you had to buy another LED to light your way at night.

Walk Around the World
Okay, this is a pretty big one. It took the first man to walk around the globe just over four years. Why don’t you take your time and just do it once in 5.7 years. There are some amazing places to see before your LED dies.

So, these are 6 examples of things to accomplish before your LED runs out. What would you do before your LED light died?

Klarus makes the best innovative and practical  LED torches on the planet. For the best LED torch technology - contact Klarus!

Choosing a tactical flashlight for police work

Tactical flashlights are called tactical for a reason – namely, because they are used for tactical forces. One of the larger segments of the tactical flashlight consumer market is comprised of police officers.

Police officers need a quality, powerful and dependable tactical flashlight. It’s not an option for them. It is a requirement.

So, what features does a tactical flashlight possess that are important to a police officer?

High Lumens Output

Tactical flashlights for police officers need to be bright – and being able to adjust that brightness level is certainly a plus. In most cases, a flashlight with a lumen output of 100 is suitable for most tasks; however, there are instances where a police officer will need to conduct a search and rescue operation, in these cases, an output of 200 lumen or more is necessary. That is why the ability to change total output is a necessity for some officers.

Throw (or Beam Distance)

Throw is typically measured in meters. You can find the throw length on the packaging or in the specs list found in the product details section. Some tactical flashlights have multiple throw lengths listed – depending on if they have variable power capability. When considering throw, it’s important to consider the primary use of the flashlight. If your primary patrol area is residential you will not need a throw length as long as those who patrol a rural area.

Run Time

Police officers shifts can sometimes be 12 hours or longer. With such a long time away from a charging station, it’s important that your flashlight have a long battery life. Battery life is measured in hours – as it should be. This is measured by turning the flashlight on and measuring the length of time it takes the beam output to drop to 10 percent of its peak.

Impact Resistance

Police work can be a dangerous job, and there’s a pretty good chance that you will get knocked around a bit during the course of your duties. For that reason, you need a flashlight that can take a licking and keep on ticking. Impact resistance is measured by dropping the tactical flashlight from a set distance – measured in meters – six times. The maximum distance the flashlight can be dropped without losing functionality or showing any physical cracks is its impact resistance.

Waterproof and Water Resistance

There is a difference between waterproof and water resistant. A waterproof tactical flashlight can survive a complete immersion in water. Water resistance means it can continue working after exposure to splashing – say rain. If you work near water, investing the extra money to acquire a tactical flashlight that can survive a full immersion is a good idea; if not, it’s just a nice feature to have.  The best way to determine how resistant to water the light is, is to check the IPX rating.

Size and Weight

Police officers are required to carry a lot of gear. Given the amount of weight you will be carrying on your belt, a lighter flashlight can often make the difference between a footsore night and an easy one. There is a tradeoff. Lighter flashlights do not perform as well when used as an improvised baton. For that reason, smaller-pocket sized flashlights are normally carried by detective and larger flashlights are carried by those who expect to have several interactions with potentially dangerous suspects daily.

Take a look at Klarus Light's wide range of exciting, practical and innovative LED torches. They're known as the best fl;flashlights for general and professional purposes.

Finding the Best Flashlight for the Construction Site

If you work in construction – either as a builder, architect, designer, installer or inspector – you know that your most important possessions are your tools. With a set of well-maintained, quality tools you can find work in any corner of the world. They signify that you are a craftsman. They prove you know what you’re doing and can be trusted on a job site. Without them, you’re just another day labourer.

Those in charge of the construction of homes and work spaces know the importance of quality tools. So, if you’re willing to pay a lot of money for a hammer or a drill, you should be willing to do the same for a quality flashlight for the construction site, right?

But which one? Well, let’s look at a few tasks that you might use a flashlight for on the construction site and maybe we can figure it out.

Reading Plans in the Early Morning Hours

Work often starts early on the jobsite, and in order to proceed in an orderly and effective manner, you need to make a plan. That involves reading plans. A quality flashlight with the ability to mount a diffuser (a lens that spreads the light out) will help you read your plans and formulate a work strategy. You also want a flashlight that has adjustable beam strength.

Take a look at the Klarus ST12

Inspecting Progress

Depending on the job, the structure could be almost completed before the power is turned on. That doesn’t mean you don’t need to inspect the progress of your workers. This often means going into those dark nooks and crannies yourself. Take a light that is strong enough to light up a room, but not so bright as to be overpowering.

Take a look at the Klarus XT15

Building or Installing

If you work in plumbing, electrical wiring or HVAC installation, you know that you often have to work in a crawl space or other badly lit spaces. Having a light that can be affixed to a wall or mounted via a head strap – like a head lamp – make working in these spaces much easier.

Take a look at the KLARUS Torch Headband/ Head Strap that can be used with the Klarus ST12 and the Klarus ST2C

So, given these three situations, you need a high-quality flashlight that allows you to select beam strength, is compact enough to work in tight quarters and can possibly be mounted to a headband or hard hat. Also, consider the environment you work in, investing in a light that is tough enough to take being jammed in a tool belt full of steel tools or dropped from a height every now and again would be the smart choice.

So, where can you find the perfect flashlight for the construction site? Take a look on Klarus Light’s website, there is a wide variety to choose from. Fortunately, they offer a variety of LED flashlights that will meet your needs and exceed these requirements.

Understanding a flashlight’s beam strength and length

When choosing a tactical flashlight, it’s common for people to be attracted to the variety of features offered by manufacturers of high-end flashlights. The look of a tactical flashlight can be a powerful marketing tool, but when it comes time to put cash down on the counter, most people realise that functionality is far more important than extras and appearance when it comes to making a wise investment.

Most people are concerned with two things – other than price — when deciding what flashlight to purchase: How much light the flashlight will generate and how far the beam will reach.

Light output is measured in lumens. Beam length is measured in metres.

Klarus Light designs and manufactures some of the most exciting, practical and innovative LED torches on the planet with ultra-high Lumen output. Visit the website today and place your order!

When Evaluating Beam Strength…

As mentioned, beam length is measured in lumens, but what is a lumen? The practical definition involves the use of a birthday candle. If you held a birthday candle 30cm away from your face, the light generated by that birthday candle would be equal to one lumen. This definition is a little easier to relate to for most people.

A flashlight with a 20 lumen output is suitable for reading a book. A flashlight with a 60 lumen output is perfect for lighting a dark trail. In most cases, a 100 lumens is all you will need for most purposes (police officers flashlights typically have a minimum output of 90 lumens). Anything above 100 is normally only necessary for a search and rescue situation – it’s a nice option to have, but isn’t necessary for daily use.

When Evaluating Beam Length…

Beam length is measured in meters, but it is more involved that just marking the very last point where the light is still visible. Beam length is marked at the point that the light emitted is equal to that of the light generated by a full moon on a cloudless night. There may be multiple beam lengths listed as flashlights with variable lumen output can have multiple beam lengths. In most cases, a beam length of 50-100 meters is more than adequate. Anything greater – like a 400m beam length – is normally only useful during search and rescue operations.

Make sure you understand a flashlights beam length and strength before investing in a tactical flashlight.

What makes a tactical flashlight… tactical?

If you have spent any time at all researching high-quality flashlights, you’ve seen the term “tactical flashlight” more often than you can count. In fact, this formerly descriptive and specific term has become so overused; it has almost lost all meaning.

So, if everyone is using “tactical” to describe any flashlight with a black finish, what is a true tactical flashlight? What characteristics must a flashlight possess to earn that title? What makes a tactical flashlight…tactical?

There are a few features that every tactical flashlight will possess, in one form or another.

High quality – You won’t find a tactical flashlight in the clearance bin, it is a quality investment that will last you for years to come.

Variable modes – A tactical torch must have the ability to cycle between different brightness levels and modes of operation.

Easy to use user interface – This flashlight is designed for dark, dangerous and intense situations, so it makes sense for it to have an easy to use interface. Most tactical flashlights have a tail cap switch, but side switches are also common.

Interruption modes – The ability to quickly access either a high intensity beam or a strobe light is what is known as an interruption mode. This will allow you to disorientate or blind an attacker.

High max lumen output level – Not all situations call for a 300 lumen beam, but if a flashlight doesn’t offer a max lumens output that is in the hundreds, then it’s probably not a tactical flashlight.

Tough and durable construction – You’re probably going to use your tactical flashlight in less than ideal conditions so you need it to work even at the worst of times. Quality tactical torches use aero-grade or anodized aluminium.

Carrying options – Easy access to your flashlight is a tactical requirement. Many proper tactical flashlights will come with a high-quality holster, or an integrated clip that makes it easier to deploy and harder to lose.

Weapon mount compatibility – Tactical flashlights are designed to be used with a firearm. If you have to use duct tape to mount your torch on your weapon then it’s definitely not a tactical flashlight. Always make sure your tactical flashlight is compatible with your preferred mounting method.

Browse through Klarus light’s wide variety of different tactical flashlights and find the best light that suits your duties and adventures.

The flashlight that disables you and makes you throw up

Watch out for the cops, because their flashlights might make you throw up! Intelligent Optical Systems has created the first flashlight that is so bright it can disorient bad guys and make them nauseatingly sick.

The flashlight is being developed for the Department of Homeland Security, and it uses a range finder to measure the distance to the targets eyes so that it can adjust the energy of light to a level that won’t cause permanent damage only make suspects feel sick and dizzy. It then rapidly shoots out pulses of light in an array of bright light emitting diodes (LEDs).

So, the flashes incapacitate a person in two different ways. First it temporarily blinds the person, as any bright light would, and then it pulses in different colours and durations. This affects people in different ways, ranging from disorientation to vertigo to nausea.

It’s not clear why this causes the affects that it does, however helicopter pilots have been known to crash because they become disorientated by the choppy flashes on sunlight coming through the helicopter’s spinning blades.

Of course, if you want to avoid throwing up all over the cops, all you need to do is close your eyes or get your hands on a pair of heavily tinted sunglasses. But then again, if you’re trying to avoid the cops with your eyes closed it may be a bit difficult.

Be aware, this device may look like a normal flashlight, but in mere seconds it will have anyone looking at it vomiting profusely!

Watch the video here...

Need a high quality, durable and innovative flashlight? Klarus has a wide variety to choose from, fortunately non of them will make you throw up! Contact us today and place your order.

7 reasons why you should carry a tactical flashlight for self-defense

A tactical flashlight isn’t like any old regular flashlight. It is powerful, extremely durable and originally made for police and military use. However it has become a popular self-defense tool.

There are 7 helpful reasons why you should carry a tactical flashlight with you for self-defense:

1. Lighting up a dark area will prevent an attacker from surprising you.
Always keep this in mind – dark areas contain threats! If you are walking past a dark area or corner and you can’t see what’s there, shine your flashlight on it. You have to always have light, walking past and getting surprised by an attacker is not an option.

2. Shining light directly into an attacker’s eyes.
Shining a small high intensity beam into an attacker’s eyes can blind them, plus it can be painful, giving you the opportunity to get away. It can also give you the chance to fight back if you need to.

3. Flashlights are usually welcome.
You can’t carry around a gun or a knife with you onto an airplane or into a mall, but you can carry your flashlight around with you anywhere, anytime and it’ll be okay.

4. No need for special training.
Can you press the button on your flashlight? Then you’re good!

5. Improvised as a weapon.
Some flashlights have extremely hard edges or ridges. If you are forced to fight back, you can always hit your attacker as hard as you can with your flashlight and it’s going to hurt a lot.

6. Flashlights are discreet.
Imagine how people would react if you reach for your purse when you’re paying for some groceries and you pull out a massive survival knife. Knives, guns and pepper spray may attract unwanted attention, while people think nothing of a flashlight.

7. Versatile tools.
Using a flashlight for self-dense isn’t the only thing it can do. Having one in your pocket when the power goes out, when your car breaks down in the dark, or when you’re in an emergency situation is also very handy.

Watch these informative videos to find out why tactical flashlights work for self defense and how to use them...

Why Tactical Flashlights Work for Self-Defense

Tactical Flashlight as Attack Deterrent

Tactical Flashlight for Self-Defense Counterattack

Now that you know why tactical flashlights are a must-have tool for self-defense, the next step is to choose one. Klarus provides a wide range of durable and innovative tactical flashlights. Visit their website and pick one that is perfect for you.  

Did you know there are many different types of flashlight reflectors?

The design of a flashlight reflector makes a big difference in the way the light beam is emitted by the flashlight. Without a reflector, the light would spread in all directions, like a candle. There are several different types of reflectors, each with their advantages. Here are a few…

* Smooth Reflector *

The smooth reflector is the most common type used in your average flashlights. The beam put out by this type of reflector is usually full of “rings and holes”, meaning rings of light and patches of darkness. Some of the better smooth reflectors put out a decent beam of light, but most don’t.

* Course Faceted Reflector *

In a course faceted reflector, the facets all act like tiny little mirrors, sending the spot of light in the same direction. This usually results in a very nice, smooth beam which does not need focusing.

* Fine Faceted Reflectors *

The facets in this reflector are much finer than those in a course faceted reflector. The finer the facets, the smoother the beam will be!

* Spiral Faceted Reflector *

The facets of a spiral faceted reflector have the same effect as the faceted reflectors, above, but the fine facets in a tight spiral help it achieve a smoother beam.

* Hybrid Reflector *

This reflector contains faceting, but only near the bulb. This helps to get rid of the central “hole” found in the beam from most smooth reflectors. It’s a way to produce a decent beam without the expense of making the reflectors fully faceted.

* Textured Reflector *

This last one is called many things, including “textured” or like an orange peel. This is considered by some to be the ultimate faceted reflector. Instead of facets, there is a gentle texture on the reflector that again projects a very smooth beam with little or no “rings and holes”. This type of reflector is usually found in better quality lights.

KLARUS has rapidly become one of the most sought after brands of torch worldwide. Renowned for it's durability and robust construction with high output. Get your Klarus flashlight today!

How to maintain and store your flashlight

When you desperately need your torch and you pull it out to discover it’s not working anymore, nothing is more frustrating! To avoid this dilemma you have to create a routine where you maintain and store your flashlight so it’s always ready at a moment’s notice.

 Consider using these easy steps before storing your beloved flashlight…

1. Always make sure all bits of dirt, dust, grime and water are wiped off of the outside case of the torch. Use a soft cloth and try not to dent or damage the material.

2. Ensure the threads on the body and the head are clean and dry and without any snags.

3. ALWAYS check the battery compartment for signs of leakage or corrosion.

4. Its best to remove and inspect the batteries after each use. Never leave the batteries inside your torch when you know you won’t be using it for a long time.

5. Check the overall condition of the flashlight. Are there any cracks or holes? Is the power switch damaged? For a quick fix, use tape!

6. The condition of the glass over the bulb is also important. Make sure to clean and polish it and check for any cracks.

7. Don’t forget to examine the bulb and LED itself. If there are any broken or discoloured wires, replace immediately.

8. Do you have a lanyard on your flashlight? If so, check it for any frays and make sure it is secure. The cord is the only thing holding your flashlight from falling.

9. Protect your torch against rust and corrosion. Lightly coat all the grooves and ridges with silicone grease when possible.

10. If you rarely use your flashlight, wrap it in soft protective cloth when you store it.

Even if you don’t often use your flashlight, make it a habit to check it and ensure that it is working properly. Maintaining your torch won’t take a lot of time and effort. You will be thankful you looked after it when you need it in an emergency and it works effectively!

What is the Best Colour to Preserve Your Night Vision?

Many tactical flashlight owners wish to know what light is best to preserve their night vision. They don’t want to give away their position at all times, but simply using their lights means pausing to allow their night vision to recover before moving on.

So, what colour light affects your night vision the least? Well, the answer is: It depends.

Let’s look at the science behind this answer…

For years, red was thought to be the very best light for the preservation of night vision. In fact, our car taillights are red for that very reason.  This decision was made largely based on the fact that red lights were used in darkrooms to develop film.

However, there is science behind red light being a good preserver of night vision – if not quite as conclusive as once thought.

The rods – the portion of the human eye that allows us to see in low light – are not as sensitive to light in the red portion of the colour spectrum as they are to others. So, it follows that red cones – the portion of the eye that sees the colour red – could pick up red light without sacrificing night vision.

It’s a logical conclusion, but it doesn’t quite work that way.

Regardless of the colour used, whether it is blue, red or green, the chemical in the eye that allows night vision – rhodopsin – is quickly broken down. The issue rather than colour is brightness. So, in order to preserve your night vision colour is less important than intensity.

But relying strictly on your night vision has its drawbacks such as:

- Not being able to see directly in front of the eye.

- Not being able to distinguish colour.

- Reduced detail recognition.

So, what is the answer? You need a tactical flashlight that can cycle through the various colours in the spectrum and allow you to vary intensity as needed.

Fortunately, the Klarus XTQ1 can offer you that capability. By adding the colour filters you can cycle through white, green, red and blue. Allowing you to alter the intensity – the most important aspect to retaining night vision.

Klarus Light designs and manufactures some of the most exciting, practical and innovative LED torches on the planet with ultra-high Lumen output.

How to start a fire with a flashlight

You never know when you could find yourself in a situation where you need to make a fire. Whether you’re stuck in the woods or need to create a signal somehow, knowing how to build a fire could be the difference between life and death!

These easy and simple to follow instructions will show you how to use your flashlight to start a fire. When building a fire always be careful and only use this method in an emergency situation.

Step 1 – Items

- Flashlight
- Tinder or dead grass and leaves. Just something that will ignite safely
- Secondary tinder: a pile of dead grass for the campfire
- Common sense!

Step 2 – Break the glass cover

Break the glass cover of your flashlight and get all the glass out of it. Do not damage anything else.

Step 3 – Take out the bulb and break it

Break the glass of the bulb, but be careful not to damage the filament inside.

Step 4 – Put it back in the flashlight

Screw the remains of the bulb back into the flashlight.

Step 5 – Place tinder

Put the tinder or dead grass and leaves into the top of the flashlight. Make sure to fill it to the top.

Step 6 – Turn it on

It may take a few tries to work, but it should work in the end if you’ve done it right.

Step 7 – Move the fire

Move the fire over quickly to the secondary tinder on the ground. This should create a larger fire!

There you go, you’ve built a fire using your flashlight! 

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How to play flashlight tag

Flashlights don’t only have to be used for protecting yourself against attacks or finding criminals in the dark, they can also be used to play the fun, after-dark game – flashlight tag!

Flashlight tag is a great family game, plus it’s simple to play and requires very little equipment.

Staying up late and playing in the dark turns a simple game of tag into an exciting adventure that will be remembered long after.

What you’ll need:

- At least 2 or 3 people, with 4 or more it’s even more fun!
- An open area
- A dark night
- A Flashlight

Safety guidelines:

When playing games in the dark, especially with younger children, it is important that you be extra careful about safety.

Check for hazards

Before it gets very dark outside, scout the playing area for potential dangers:

- Holes
- Low hanging branches
- Logs and other tripping hazards
- Tables and other obstacles

Set the boundaries

Before you begin the game, make sure all the players know where the boundaries are and how far they can roam.

Agree on a signal

Decide amongst yourself on a code word to yell or some other signal that children can use if they feel unsafe or scared. Using the signal should bring the game to a halt.

Use common sense

Never play flashlight tag, or any other running games, near a campfire or where there is traffic.

Let’s play:

- Choose one person to be “IT”
- “IT” gets the flashlight
- “IT” closes eyes and counts to 50
- Everyone else runs away
- “IT” opens eyes, turns on the flashlight and searches for the others, who can continue to run around
- When someone is found, “IT” shines the flashlight directly at that person and calls out their name
- The found person then becomes “IT”

Playing flashlight tag is a fun, lively game, with players frequently changing their hiding places during the course of the game, which adds a fun twist.

Klarus designs and manufactures some of the most exciting, practical and innovative LED torches on the planet with ultra-high Lumen output. For the best in LED Torch technology, Klarus is the brand. 

Flashlight History

From the beginning of history, people have always needed portable light sources. Torches, candles, oil lamps and kerosene lamps were designed to be carried around, but they could be dangerous because flame was the source of light. Inventions of incandescent electric light bulbs and of dry batteries at the end of the 19th century enabled a solution for this problem.

The first dry cell battery was invented in 1896. It was an improved variant of the previous version in the way that its electrolyte was a paste instead of liquid. Because of that, it could work in any position and it would not break or spill that easily. It was a perfect power source for a portable light source.

In 1899, English inventor David Misell invented the first flashlight. It had three D batteries placed in a tube that acted as a handle of the device. Batteries powered a small incandescent electric light bulb and a simple contact switch turned light on and off. They were called “flash” lights because they could not throw light for too long and you had to turn them off to “rest” from time to time. Early flashlights ran on zinc-carbon batteries that could not give constant current for long periods of time.

The first flashlights did not sell too well because of the behaviour of the batteries and because carbon-filament electric bulbs were inefficient. Replacing of carbon filament with tungsten and improving of batteries made flashlights a more useful device, which increased its popularity and it started to replace lamps with flammable fuel. By 1922, there were several different designs of flashlights. There was classic cylindrical variant, a lantern-shaped version that could be left to stand, a reflector type for lighting a greater area and a small pocket variant. Different varieties and usefulness were reasons of the high demand, which resulted in 10 million flashlight users by the same time.

Modern flashlights generally have similar parts and work basically the same. They most commonly use incandescent light bulbs or LEDS. Incandescent light bulbs have a tungsten filament in a glass bulb in the atmosphere of a vacuum or of gas xenon, argon or krypton; noble gases that reduce evaporation of filament and with that make lamp last longer.

Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are electronic elements, semiconductors that emit light. Types that are used in flashlights are of white high-power kind. They are much more efficient than incandescent light bulbs and last longer. As a source of energy they mostly use batteries, but they can use accumulators or super-capacitors, they can be charged by solar power or mechanically. They are made like key rings or pens, as headlamps on helmets, with clips for mounting on rifles and as high power reflectors. We have them on mobile phones and in hundreds of other variants.

The flashlight is an object that basically started as a novelty and then turned into a necessity with thousands of possible uses. Pretty impressive, right?

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What are High Tech Military Flashlights?

Military operations often need special equipment. Since some special operations take place in the dark, flashlights are needed. Special high tech versions must be used in many cases to offer both illumination and give signals as well. They are used by the military as a unique method to provide a line of sight when using weapons as well as helping in the field.

What Do High Tech Military Flashlights Look Like?

The one distinct feature is that they often come in combat camouflage colours. The military flashlight typically has a tan shade or a deep green camouflage colour. Some come in standard black. The reason for these shades is so that the devices can blend easily into several different backgrounds. Special operations sometimes need to be concealed and these colours provide perfect concealment.

What Kind of Light Do High Tech Military Flashlights Emit?

They can emit light that is up to three times brighter than usual flashlights. This gives service personnel the ability to see action more clearly. This can make or break an operation where service personnel must gain intelligence from afar. Some devices emit red as well as white light. Red light is not bright and can be used to see without giving away your location.

What Are the Differences Between Ordinary Flashlights and High Tech Flashlights?

One main difference is the source. High tech flashlights use LEDs to emit the light needed. Traditional bulbs are fluorescent. LEDs can cover a larger square footage while being more energy efficient. Light sources in modern devices tend to be LED rather than fluorescent.

Where Can High Tech Military Flashlights Be Used?

They are designed to work in a variety of temperatures. Due to the variances in operations and different places that warfare and training take place, they must be able to work in arctic weather, as well as in desert climates. They can work in sub-zero temperatures as well as in extremely high temperatures Military equipment should be heavy duty and able to withstand harsh treatment. They are standard issue and will be used for several years by soldiers before being replaced.

Military tactics are often aided by specialized equipment. One of the smallest and most widely used is the flashlight!

Looking for an affordable, yet reliable flashlight? Place your order on Klarus Light today!