Anglehead flashlights were first introduced in World War II. Back then, these lights were designed for deployed military personnel and soldiers rather than the common citizen. Fulton Industries was the company contracted to provide these military-standard flashlights which is why they are still the leading brand in the market. Nonetheless, many developments have taken place since then and the true definition, of what is an angle-head flashlight and its uses, is not restricted to military.
As the name suggests, a typical anglehead flashlight still retains the original design that has the light positioned at a 90º angle to the base (containing the battery). This design allows you to set the flashlight sitting on a platform to illuminate an area and fixes various limitations of the conventional straight flashlight.
Uses of Anglehead Flashlights
The uses of an anglehead flashlight are quite obvious and straightforward. As aforementioned, they were originally designed to solve the limitations of existing flashlights. It still serves the needs of any flashlight in addition to other applications. Some of the uses include;
• Camping
Just light camping flashlights, anglehead flashlights can be used for outdoor ventures that stay late in the night. They are ergonomically designed and can be used to focus on various positions without twisting your arm. What’s more, they are made of durable highly compacted plastic that can be finished in various colors to camouflage in the wilderness.
• Hands free use
Anglehead flashlights sit at a right angle to the base that hold batteries. This allows you to sit it on top of a horizontal surface to illuminate an area to take care of other tasks or use both your hands. You can also use it to focus on the area you want to work on. In fact, this is the area where anglehead flashlights are so prevalent.
• Harsh environment
Designed for military use, anglehead flashlights feature various properties that make it ideal for harsh conditions. They are made using a range of materials including waterproofing o-rings and extra lenses for replacement. You can also find extra bulbs compatible with the crookneck design.
Anglehead Flashlight vs. Conventional Flashlight
Anglehead flashlights can be used in all areas conventional flashlights are used and come with various brand-independent features. You can find traditional lights with incandescent bulbs or choose the modern LEDs. LED options are better as they use less energy to produce the same amount of light and also offer more power.
Originally, the military-grade flashlights were made of metal which allowed soldiers to use them as a weapon if need be, but this exposed them to corrosion if not well maintained. Modern flashlights offered for general application feature durable plastic and are more appealing to civilians.
The main difference that exists between anglehead and conventional flashlights is the shape.
Summary
Finding anglehead flashlights should not be a problem in the modern market as most manufacturers are shifting towards more convenient efficient designs. They provide the better option based on their unique shape. However, you should carefully review each offer to ensure other aspects such as durability (material used), light intensity and quality are acceptable.