Ah well, only another three months of ‘dark by teatime’ to get through… Chris Rowlands illuminates the way with nine of the best modern shiners
LITTLE LAMPS The brilliant barrel Olight Warrior Nano
Besides showing you the way, tactical torches are designed to dazzle ruffians. Take this little light fantastic: just 8.1cm long, it has a switch that lets you adjust brightness levels for normal usage… but bop the button on the back and you’ll get an instant blast of 1200 debilitating lumens. £75 / olightstore.uk
The titanium titch Wuben X2 Titanium
You could choose the aluminium edition of the Wuben X2. You’d still have a small but mighty spotlight in your pocket, it would still be rugged and good for 2500 lumens, and you’d have saved over £100. But if you want a torch with a machined metal jacket, dammit, it might as well be titanium. £200 / heinnie.com
The flicky flasher
Streamlight Wedge
You never know when you might need a beam. Don’t have space for a full-fat flashlight? Charged by USB-C, this slender friend puts illumination in your pocket. Its rotating switch flicks instantly from 300 to 1000 lumens for a tactical 35-second burst, and it weighs less than 100g. £90 / streamlight.com
MID-SIZED MAGIC
The boosting beacon Fenix E-CP
Using your phone as a torch for too long will leave you offline and in the dark. Avoid both fates with this octagonal number: its LED tip offers five levels of glow, maxing out at 1600 lumens; and a flip-cover at the other end protects two USB ports, so you can refuel your blower from its 5000mAh cell. £49 / fenixlight.co.uk
The complete compact Nitecore MH12 Pro
Atorch fit for search and rescue is overkill when your dusk duties only involve locking the shed. But with 3300 lumens and a 505m range, this one can see you through some serious nocturnal spadework. It has a USB-rechargeable battery, while a strobe mode will scare off any opportunist badgers. £95 / nitecore.co.uk
BEEFY BEAMERS The long-range lantern Coast TX22R
For visibility at 500m, you could rig up a bulb and a complex system of prisms… or you could whip out this sturdy cylinder. Slide its bezel forwards to focus the beam, then dial up the power to unleash 5300 lumens for 45secs. Pulling back widens the throw, while a twist locks it how you like it. £150 / torchdirect.co.uk
The power pusher Ledlenser P18R
It’s a cruel irony that torches can illuminate everything except themselves. Thankfully, you don’t need a good view to work this one-button beacon: a single switch
