Down with darkness! TOP-5 compact flashlights

Maglite Mini 2AA

The portable handheld flashlight from the American brand Maglite is the reincarnation of the popular general purpose model, which received an LED lamp as a quality compared to its predecessor. lighting element instead of a krypton incandescent lamp.

Maglite Mini 2AA LED measures 14.6 cm long and 1.8 cm wide, making it comfortable to grip in your hand. The corrugated surface will help to grip the handle more firmly. The body of the flashlight itself is made of anodized aluminium, which improves anti-corrosion resistance. In addition, it has dust and water protection, and is also shockproof.

Power is supplied to the LED by turning the head of the flashlight. Its further rotation after turning on the light helps to adjust the focus. If the head is removed completely, the flashlight becomes possible to use as a candle. This mode is useful for creating indoor lighting.

The maximum light output is 77 lumens, which is enough to illuminate objects at a distance of up to 141 m. The brightness of the light can be reduced to 25% from the maximum level by means of a short power interruption. Subsequent breaks will activate special slow beacon and SOS signal modes. By default, the flashlight launches the strongest mode, without storing the extreme glow mode in its memory.

Another advantage of the model is that it is powered by standard AA batteries, which can be easily purchased in if they need to be replaced. In the maximum brightness mode, the charge of a pair of batteries is enough for 10 hours and 45 minutes of continuous glow. And in combination with a reduced brightness level, the batteries provide the flashlight for 31 hours and 30 minutes.

Led Lenser P6.2

The German company Led Lenser has more than 20 years of experience in the flashlight industry. The model with index P6.2 was released to replace the popular flashlight Led Lenser P6 , which is part of the Professional series.

There is only 1 brightness level in the arsenal of the flashlight - with a light output of 200 lm, the effective illumination range reaches 120 m. It is possible to correct the shape of the light beam by adjusting the focus, which allows you to achieve coverage of the required area depending on current needs and to see even small details from a long distance. Focusing is carried out by turning the head of the lighting device.

The body of the flashlight is built according to a modular system, so it is not recommended to submerge it under water. But you can easily illuminate your way in the rain, especially since the manufacturer claims that the model is protected according to the IPX4 standard. An additional link in ensuring the waterproofness of the flashlight is the hydrophobic case supplied. And if moisture does get on the contacts, they will not oxidize thanks to the gold-plated design.

Two AA batteries support the flashlight for 25 hours. Compared to similar models, such a long autonomy deserves respect, because often at a similar level of light output, the battery charge ends after several hours of operation.

The length of the flashlight (16.3 cm) does not favor its comfortable placement in a pocket, but in the hand it lies like a glove, which is facilitated by a rectangular knurling on the handle. In general, the model deserves to be called an advanced representative of the class of portable flashlights, with which you will not feel discomfort at night or in unlit rooms.

ArmyTek Predator Pro v3 XB-H

The brainchild of the Canadian manufacturer ArmyTek belongs to the family of tactical flashlights. Such lighting devices can be used both independently and by picking them up on the barrel of a firearm to illuminate the target, as well as blinding and disorienting the enemy.

The main character of the flashlight is the Cree XB-H cold glow LED, maximum brightness which can reach 700 lm. In the maximum power mode, the central beam of the flashlight reaches a distance of up to 381 m. You can reduce the strength of the luminous flux by turning your head - the design provides 6 normal brightness levels (700/310/150/30/2/0.2 lm) and 1 special (strobe). The lamp turns on and off by pressing the button on the body, remembering the last mode of operation. When the key is pressed halfway, the tactical mode is activated (the light is on until the finger half-presses the button).

The flashlight has been used to stabilize the brightness of the glow, the meaning of which lies in ensuring a stable power of the luminous flux, regardless battery level. When the battery is low, which can be one 18650 type or two type CR123A, the flashlight warns of the need to replenish energy reserves or replace power sources using a double flash.

The flashlight body is made according IP68 standard - it is not afraid of dust and water, and is also able to survive a 5-hour dive to a depth of 50 m. Therefore, ArmyTek Predator Pro v3 XB-H can be safely taken with you for spearfishing. The front of the luminaire is additionally protected from impacts by means of a strong steel edge.

The delivery set usually includes a length-adjustable cord for a hand with a carabiner, a steel clip, a nylon Hook-and-loop cover, spare rubber seals for the body and a plug on the power button. With such a rich set, the chances of losing a flashlight are significantly reduced and it can become your faithful assistant, effectively coping with the duties assigned to it.

Nitecore MH27 Price from 4 890 ₴ →

Nitecore positions itself as the ultimate flashlight expert. And although the brand was born just over 10 years ago, its products are in high demand and are represented in stores in most countries of the world.

The Nitecore MH27 flashlight is a representative of the 2015 model range. As lighting elements in it uses a bright primary Cree XP-L HI V3 LED and three additional RGB LEDs. Flashlight operating modes are divided into two groups, switching between which occurs by simultaneously pressing the "+/-" buttons on the side of the case. The main group includes the following sequence: turbo (1000 lm) → high (250 lm) → medium (55 lm) → moonlight (1 lm) → red (13 lm) → green (19 lm) → blue (3 lm). Special modes are represented by a strobe light, a slow beacon, an SOS signal, a police flasher (alternately switching on blue and red LEDs), as well as separate flashing of red and blue lights.

Under the mode switching keys, an indicator of the remaining charge level is hidden battery, which is a single 18650 battery. The battery can be charged by connecting the flashlight to the mains or via the USB port. The process of replenishing energy reserves must be carried out until the indicator light stops flashing.

As befits an advanced flashlight, the body of the Nitecore MH27 is reliably protected from water penetration (compliance with the IPX8 standard) and is not afraid of falling from one and a half meters high. In this case, the front lens will be protected by a strong metal bezel. And in order to reduce the body's tendency to heat up during long-term operation, special cooling fins are cut out on its head part.

Perhaps the only drawback of the model is its high cost. But given the performance of the flashlight, the abundance of different modes of operation and the range of the light beam (up to 462 m in maximum power mode), this drawback can be neglected, because positive properties tip the balance entirely in their favor.