No matter where we are and what we do, there are certain things we cannot do without one of the bare necessities in modern day – light. The invention of electricity brought about many advantages, considering we can do just about anything at night same as during daylight, and paved the way for further inventions. Prior to electricity and geniuses like Nikola Tesla, people used candles and lanterns. However, they were not that suitable for a longer use since the flame was not that easy to maintain, plus they were rather dangerous, so the search for a portable light source was ongoing. Still, it was not until the 19th century that the first torch light was created.
Living in a world of technological boom, we are certainly not new to frequent changes with tools and devices, thus torches are also not immune to advancements. From the first torch comprised of incandescent electric light bulb and dry battery, torches have improved a great deal and can also be HID (High Intensity Discharge) with xenon bulbs for big outputs, and LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). LEDs continuously gain in popularity because of their durability, high output and shock resistant properties as well as consuming low amounts of power which results in less heat produced. Since there is a vast variety of torches available, to be able to make up your mind on a specific torch type to suit your needs, it is advisable to know certain categories. Based on the activity you need them for and their purpose, there are: bike, diving, hunting and gun (military) torches.
Along with checking your bike regularly to make sure it is in its optimal condition, you also have to think of the lights you have as part of your basic equipment, especially in case of riding at night. LEDs have proven to be the best bike torches there are and since there are different kinds of LEDs, you can base your choice on the amount of output you need so you should look more into lumens. Those that are for general purposes are in the range between 50 and 500 lumens, whereas basic commuter ones are weaker. It also depends on where you will be riding, whether it is through the outskirts and into the woods, on the road or in the city.
When it is the case with diving, the type of light you need is related to the depth of the dive. Same as with bike riding, it is also related to whether diving takes place during daylight or at night. Your purchase criterion on the torch type should include the size: in case you want to have your hands free, you should look for one that can be clipped on your equipment. For the photography lovers, a torch such as the Klarus SD80 will be their best bet.
Hunting for nocturnal animals, hunters have to rely on their equipment. There is nothing they need more than proper light for a good catch. The best ones that hunters should be after are those that come in hunters kits with more accessories and gun-mounting properties. Instead of going after the brightest ones, look for those that have a narrow beam.
Military torches, or lately more commonly known as tactical, are perhaps the most advanced ones with special features. These torches are called tactical because they are a tool in a way, and you need not even be in the military to have to use some of them in self-defence. Their high output can momentarily blind an attacker (or a potential one) and give you enough time to react. Some of them come with military features, such as being gun-mounted, whereas others can be used for rescuing thanks to their long range, with some of them having beams in different colours (red and green apart from the standard white).
Batteries are another key feature to have in mind with the popular ones as of late being rechargeable, so you will not have to worry about purchasing new ones frequently. From materials, titanium and stainless steel prove to be very durable with waterproof properties, just the right investment to make.
