Even though headlamps have become incredibly popular among outdoor enthusiasts, the torch still remains the best lighting solution for outdoor activities. Being able to control the light and point it to the precise location that needs illuminating, as well as the huge lighting output that modern torches have, make torches the clear number one choice. Furthermore, advancements in LED technology and battery technology have made these pieces of equipment more compact, lighter and brighter at the same time.
However, if you’re new to torchlights, you might get overwhelmed by the amount of choice you will face online. You’ll come across many different brands, all claiming to produce the best torchlights. Some of my personal favorites are Olight, Nitecore, LED Lenser and ThruNite torches. These are all industry-leading brands that pave the way in terms of innovation and quality. But the problem of too much choice persists even within these brands, so if you want to narrow it down, you need to consider the following important factors.
Light Output
Most brands, including Olight, Nitecore, LED Lenser and ThruNite torches create LED-powered models exclusively. Lighting output for LED torches is measured in lumens. But lumens alone won’t help you decide on the best torch, as it only represents the highest brightness setting of the torch when powered by new batteries. It’s a great starting point, but you should also consider beam intensity and beam distance. Beam distance, as you might guess, is measured in meters, and it represents how far the torch can illuminate before the light completely diminishes. Beam intensity, on the other hand, represents how focused the light of the torch is. Some torches can cover a wider distance, while others, which have a more focused beam, cover a narrower, but longer distance.
Battery
Most modern torchlights use either lithium-ion, alkaline or NiMH batteries. All of these batteries can be either rechargeable or disposable, and the ideal type for you will depend on how often you use the torchlight. If you’re a frequent user, rechargeable batteries make more sense, but if you’re an occasional user, you might want to go for disposable batteries. Worth noting is that if you go for rechargeable batteries, you’ll have to buy a suitable battery charger.
Size and Weight
The size and weight of the torchlight depend on what it’s made of. Most torchlights are made of either aluminium alloy or plastic. Some parts are made of stainless steel for extra impact resistance, but it’s mostly aluminium or plastic. Some torchlights are thinner, while others are thicker. The thicker models are obviously heavier than the thinner ones, but they’re also more durable.
