![]() ![]() Additionally, when used for close-range work, such a light will prove highly distracting and harsh as the small intense “hot spot” causes glare and splash-back reflections from illuminated objects. This type light is of limited value for tactical applications where the need for situational awareness and large search areas demand much broader illumination. Such a light will project light a long distance but only cover a very limited area. A flashlight with a high Candela rating may have a bright spot in its beam that is extremely narrow. While this specification may be a bright spot (pun intended) for manufacturers wishing to manipulate ratings for marketing purposes, it is a serious detriment to consumers shopping for the best flashlight for their particular application. The FL1 Standard considers only the brightest point of a flashlights beam. The actual equation for converting Candela to FL1-rated beam distance is:Ĭandela measurements are taken at a particular point in space and specify brightness only at that point. if a flashlight has a rated beam distance of 100 meters, it may be suitable for tactical applications within 50 meters or so). Because the Standard’s mandated calculation is based on a very dim object intensity of only 0.25 lux (roughly the illumination provided by a full moon), users of tactical flashlights should consider the useful beam distance to be approximately half of the official rating (i.e. The FL1 Standard for rating flashlights uses this Inverse Square Law, along with measured peak Candela output to calculate a hypothetical beam distance specification. Simply put, this means that if you shine a flashlight on an object 30 meters away and then shine it on an object 10 meters away (1/3 the distance), the nearer object will be nine times (9X) brighter. The intensity, or brightness, of light is known to diminish according to the Inverse Square Law. Since intense light will travel farther than weaker intensity light, Candela output can be used to estimate the distance at which a light source can provide illumination. Lumens measure the total amount of light output while Candela measures the intensity or brightness of the light at any given point. ![]() Lumens and Candela are somewhat analogous to Current and Voltage and should never be confused. (For more information on Lumens, please check out this earlier blog.) Although Lumens are often mistakenly believed to be a measure of “brightness”, the Candela is actually the unit of measure of brightness (luminous intensity). In the end, whenever I need a smaller light for daily carry this is the light I tend to reach for.While considered by consumers much less frequently than Lumen ratings, Candela output is an important consideration for selecting the best tactical flashlight. Most people would be just fine getting this over higher-end lights. While I'd probably still feel more comfortable with cloud defensive types of lights on my rifles and while I don't regret paying the money for a cloud defensive handheld light, this light would be perfectly fine for most situations and saves a lot of money. If a momentary tail switch could be added this light would be close to perfect in my opinion. For an admin light this isn't a problem but for tactical purposes it isn't great since I can't quickly scan an area. You have to push the button in and then the light doesn't come on until the button is fully released. Second, and more important to me, it doesn't have a momentary on. It doesn't really affect performance and isn't very noticeable at distance but that is something higher-end lights don't have an issue with. First, the beam is not uniform and appears splotchy against solid surfaces-especially up close. The brightness levels are also well spaced. ![]() The candela on this light actually seems to come close to the Cloud defensive MCH HC which is rated for 71,000 candela. It does get very hot but most small lights do. It is much brighter, shines much farther, and doesn't seem to have much of a step-down in brightness even after running it 5 minutes straight. The Fenix PD25 is the only other light that I've found that fills that role. I've looked long and hard for a small flashlight with a 16340 or 18350 battery that has a deep-carry pocket clip so it disappears and a tail switch for quick use of the light. I always carry a flashlight for administrative tasks or tactical applications such as a need to positively ID someone or something. For perspective I have many flashlights from different companies-Fenix, Thrunite, Wowtac, Olight, Streamlight, and Cloud Defensive. ![]()
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