In this video learn how to calculate the beam distance of a flashlight.
Finding the true range/distance capability of your long range flashlights. Using a digital light meter, Digital lux meter, or lux meter app/ light meter app on your phone.

Step 1: Step 1: Gather Your Materials

You will need.

1. A lux meter or phone with a light meter app
2. Tape measure
3. Calculator
4. A flashlight for which you wish to measure range

Step 2: Step 2. Setup Equipment.

Measure a set distance in meters away from a wall. I use 5 meters. You can go further out if you like, just make sure you record the distance because you will need to know it later.

Step 3: Step 3: Check Your Distance

Make sure that the distance your using is far enough away that the flashlight beam is fully converged. This makes a particular difference if your using a light with an aspherical lens. The beam will have a cross over point as show above. This is less critical with reflector based lights as there is not the same cross over, however falsely high readings can still be made if your too close.

Step 4: Step 4: Place Your Flashlight on a Tripod or Holding Device.

It will be easier to measure if you have the light in a stationary position and move the meter rather than the other way around.

Step 5: Step 5: Measure the Light Output

Power the light on, and move the sensor around on the wall till you find the sweet spot. This will give a better result than using the peek hold function and moving the flashlight around.

Step 6: Step 6: Record the Reading

Take the number you got from your light meter and record it. If you were on the higher settings of your meter be sure to add a zero or zeros to that number.

Step 7: Step 7: Calculate the Lux Reading

Take the number you got in step 6 and multiply it by the distance you measured from twice. Reading times distance times distance.

Step 8: Step 8;: Convert to Distance.

To convert this number to distance multiply it by 4 and then take the square root of that number as seen above.

Step 9: Step 9: Have a Blast!

Using this method we can now extrapolate the beam distance of any flashlight. For this experiment I used the Streamlight Stinger LED. Measured 21,075 lux for a beam distance of 290+ meters!

If you have enjoyed this tutorial and would like to see more, please be sure to see my other instructables and also check out my youtube channel.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn6sN4bKlFUF0YXNb...

Here you will find flashlight reviews and other tutorials about crafting great flashlights.

Thanks for watching!