Last time, we compared headlamps, so this is the second part of our light comparison review: handheld flashlights. It's that time of year again, when autumn trail races are held all over the country. If you're wondering what kind of handheld flashlight to get, this article might be helpful
table of contents
What to look for in a handheld light
Headlamps are a staple item for night runs, as they shine from a high position, providing bright illumination over long distances. However, when fog appears, the diffused light of a headlamp can make the field of view completely white, rendering it completely unusable. In such cases, using the spot light of a handheld flashlight can make up for the shortcomings of a headlamp. Not only is it useful in fog, but the fact that it shines from a lower position than a headlamp also makes it easier to see the road conditions, as shadows are cast by uneven ground surfaces such as rocks and tree roots. On the other hand, holding a light in your hand can be stressful when swinging your arms while running. Therefore, we compared three handheld flashlights, taking into account not only brightness but also weight and size
Test run impressions of a popular hand light
Ledlenser MT10
Size/Weight ★★★★☆ Lighting Power ★★★★★ Functionality ★★★★★
The slightly heavy body and the gimmick that lights up softly the moment you press the switch give this product a high-quality feel. It has four brightness modes: three levels plus strobe, and what's surprising is that it can be used for up to six hours in power mode (1000lm) thanks to a dedicated lithium battery. You can switch between wide and spot light by extending the tip of the light. The switch on the head is easy to operate, as it fits perfectly under your finger when you hold it, and also serves as a battery level indicator
Light distribution image (spot light)
Light distribution image (wide light)
When you set it to spot light in power mode (1000lm), the light reaches an infinite distance. At this point, it is as bright as a motorcycle lightMH10Similarly, the MT10 can also be fitted with color filters. *It is not compatible with the MH10, so a separate filter for the handheld light is required
It can be used from a position lower than your head, so if you attach a filter and use it as a spot light, it's very reliable even when you're surrounded by fog. In medium mode (200lm), it lasts for 15 hours, and if you carry a dedicated rechargeable battery (18650 lithium-ion battery) in your backpack, you can use it all night in power mode (1000lm)
Here is ◎
- Intense brightness
- Long-life battery
- Adjustable light intensity
- You can easily change the color of the light by using color filters
This is a pity
- Somewhat heavy
GENTOS Flash Series SG-405
Size/Weight ★★★★★ Lighting Power ★★★☆☆ Functionality ★★★☆☆
When it comes to flashlights for trail runners, the Sen series is the one to go for. Thanks to its palm-sized, lightweight design and excellent cost performance, it's by far the most popular in competitions. The SG-325 is well-known, but the SG-405 is an evolution of it. Compared to the previous model, brightness has increased from 150lm to 250lm. The weight remains almost the same, and the same features are available, such as the ability to switch between wide and spot light by turning the tip and the on/off switch on the back of the unit
Light distribution image (spot light)
Light distribution image (wide light)
I had the impression that the light distribution of affordable lights, not just the Sen series, was square due to the lens cut, but I was surprised to see that the improved version's wide light was round and natural. It also has a 100lm increase, so I feel this is a normal improvement. However, as a trade-off, the runtime has been reduced from 10 hours to 7 hours, which is a bit of a trade-off. The SG-405 only has an ON/OFF switch, and brightness cannot be adjusted
Here is ◎
- Compact size and light weight
- Cost performance
This is a pity
- Lighting time is a little short
NATHAN Zephyr Fire 300 HAND TORCH
Size/Weight ★★★★☆ Lighting Power ★★☆☆☆ Functionality ★★★★☆
I was interested in the NATHAN flashlight because of its unique shape and the fact that it's rechargeable. Thanks to the 24-degree angle at the tip, I'm grateful that I can illuminate my feet without straining my wrist. Since you secure it by inserting your hand into the belt, there's no need to hold onto the flashlight itself. It won't fall even if you let go, so it reduces stress while running
The rear of the light is equipped with a red LED (flashing), making its presence known to those behind
Light distribution image
The surprising lightness is obvious the moment you pick it up. And because it's secured with a strap, you can ride without even realizing you're carrying a light. It has four brightness modes (three levels + strobe), and it's easy to use, as your index finger just touches the switch when you hold it. There's an emergency siren button next to the main switch, which sounds a high-pitched siren when pressed. As with the red LED on the rear, this light's functionality may be more useful in urban areas than in the mountains
Here is ◎
- It's so light and easy to hold that you'll forget you're holding it
- Comfortable angle that makes it easy to illuminate your feet
- Adjustable light intensity
This is a pity
- The brightness is a little insufficient for use in the mountains
conclusion
Comparing these three items, I felt that the NATHAN Zephyr Fire 300 was a bit different. The Ledlenser MT10 and SG-405 have different strengths, so depending on your ally, it could be a close match, but ultimately I came to the conclusion that the MT10 is the winner. As you can see, when it comes to brightness alone, the MT10 wins by an overwhelming margin
Left: Ledlenser MT10 Right: Sen Series SG-405
This is perhaps to be expected, as the two are priced differently, but there's another reason why I chose it. That's operability. The MT10 allows you to comfortably adjust brightness and light distribution patterns while holding it in one hand. In the mountains, you frequently adjust your light to suit the rapidly changing environment, such as switching to spot light when fog appears or turning off the light when climbing to conserve battery power. In such situations, being able to operate it stress-free with one hand is a major advantage. Of course, the SG-405 can also be operated one-handed, but the difference is clear when comparing the two
In this third and final installment, we will compare waist lights
(Reference) Evaluation results summary and specification comparison table
| Item Name | Ledlenser MT10 | GENTOS SG-405 | NATHAN Zephyr Fire 300 |
|---|---|---|---|
| image | |
|
|
| Reference price (tax included) | 16,200 yen | 4,320 yen | 7,884 yen |
| Size/weight | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Irradiation power | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Functionality | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Specifications | |||
| item | Ledlenser MT10 | GENTOS SG-405 | NATHAN Zephyr Fire 300 |
| Weight (including battery) | 156 | Approximately 110 | Approximately 118 |
| Maximum light output in catalogue | 1000lm | 250lm | 359lm (back 8lm) |
| Maximum irradiation distance as listed in the catalog | 180m | 140m | 104m |
| Catalog maximum irradiation time (HIGH) | 6h | Approximately 7 hours | |
| Catalog maximum irradiation time (LOW) | 144h | Approximately 7 hours | Approximately 12h |
| Waterproof level | IPX4 | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Dimming | 3 levels + strobe by switch | None (spot/wide adjustment possible) | 3 levels + strobe by switch |
| charging | Dedicated USB battery | 3 x AAA alkaline batteries | Dedicated USB battery |
| Battery level indicator | ○ | ||
| Other options |
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Kohei Tsushima
Blog:Because it is there
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