This article was taken from the February 2012 issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online.
Each torch was tested for general usability and ease of battery change. They all survived a drop onto concrete from 75cm (approximate holding height), though some felt sturdier than others during handling. To test for beam distance, we took the torches to an area with no street lights at 8pm GMT and their light beams aimed at a wired logo (black on white, A4). The tester and two adjudicators stepped back from the logo until details could no longer be distinguished.
Stanley FatMax 3D Aluminium
The Stanley FatMax 3D takes design cues from a socket set with large, hexagonal moulding and a sturdy build. Its aluminium body is weighty enough to feel well built, but not unwieldy, and its focusing beam has a wide range. The yellow hi-viz rubber bands at the base and head of the torch are a practical touch, but the in-handle battery compartment rattled when carrying, and it requires three heavy D-type batteries.
Wired: Feels tough and well built
Tired: Large, heavy batteries add bulk
8/10
£30
Princeton Tec AMP 3.5
The plastic and rubber body of the AMP 3.5 makes it resilient enough to cope with rough conditions, and the Day-Glo body means it is easy to spot in a rucksack. Our tester found the controls - click to turn on, click to dim, hold to turn off - tedious.
Changing batteries also proved tricky. However, the torch is compact and sturdy, and sits nicely in the hand. Another advantage is its comparatively low weight of 122g. Lack of focus mechanism means you're stuck with a wide beam, but with a range of 75 metres, it packs a lot of punch for its size.
Wired: Semi-ruggedised body
Tired: Fiddly operation
7/10
£21.99
LED Lenser P7
The gunmetal feel of the P7 is no coincidence; this compact flashlight is marketed at security services (as well as caving enthusiasts). The aluminium body and rubber button, located on the torch butt, feel durable and well built, and the sliding-head mechanism that focuses the beam is smooth and simple. For a small torch its 200 lumens are vastly powerful. The tester also enjoyed loading the four AAAs into the circular battery housing as if they were some kind of ammunition.
Wired: Brightness; build quality
Tired: An expensive option
8/10
£54.99
Rolson 95 LED Aluminium
This multi-LED flashlight does exactly what it claims - it's bright and light-weight. However, the 95 feels tinny, and unscrewing either the butt (to slot in batteries) or the head makes the thin metal scrape unpleasantly. The barrel has a knurled textured to aid grip and the rubber on/off button is straightforward to operate. On the downside, the lack of beam focus means the light is dispersed, and there is no option for spotlighting. Despite its size, the Rolson is outclassed on brightness by the smaller Maglite and Lenser. It also comes in black or silver.
Wired: Lightweight; inexpensive
Tired: Tinny build quality
6/10
£22.50
Maglite LED 2-Cell D
The Maglite feels solid and well built, and comes with a ten-year warranty. However, at 440g it is a little on the heavy side. With 114 lumens it's not the most powerful on test, but the 298-metre beam is unmatched. With a spot to flood focus, which is operated by twisting the head, this torch is versatile but remains simple to operate. To replace the batteries, just screw off the base and drop them in. Maglite claims it will withstand drops from one metre, but our tester thought it felt rugged enough to handle more.
Wired: Tough, simple and stylish
Tired: Heavy to carry around
8/10
£40
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
