Light Meter
The Light Meter tool measures a flashlight's beam distance, which is how far it can project usable light.
Testing flashlight beam distance
To measure a flashlight's beam distance:
- Go into a dark room.
- Place your phone on the floor, screen up.
- Enter the distance at which you will hold the flashlight from the phone (e.g., 3 feet / 1 meter).
- Holding the flashlight at the set distance, point it at the phone screen and turn it on.
- Move the flashlight around while maintaining the set distance and keeping it pointed at your phone.
- Once the reading stops changing, the beam distance has been determined.
- You can click 'Reset' to test another flashlight.
Choosing an appropriate beam distance
The beam distance you need depends on how you will use the flashlight:
- For camping, a shorter beam lets you see your immediate surroundings.
- For hiking, a longer beam lets you see farther ahead - try starting with 300 feet (100 meters).