a good edc light?

S

Sasuke13Uchiha

Joined
Jun 8, 2014
Messages
93
I have been wondering what a good edc light might be? looking for something that could fit in the pocket well and has a sufficient amount of lumens to light the way. Anything under or a round 60 is good :D
 
I can recommend you read the 3 other EDC flashlight threads currently on the G&G subforum. Lots of info already available.
 
I like my Zebralight SC52. I've had it over a year, great light. The technology changes pretty rapidly in flashlights and while it was one of the better rated single AA lights when I bought it, I have no idea if it has been eclipsed by something better. I used mine this evening. It takes a bit of playing to figure how to program it. (Tons of different level options.) but once figured out it is pretty easy to use. (three levels available from off. High med Low. once on a level, like medium, two quick clicks puts it into a lower medium. two more quick clicks puts it back to regular medium output. Giving you six easily available levels of light. It sounds more complicated than it really is. Retails for around sixty dollars.

I got rid of my 123A lithium lights and went to this one that is a AA in July 2013. I got tired of buying alkalines and switched everything in the house to rechargeable AA and AAA batteries. With current technology, you don't really need lithium 123a cells anymore to get decent brightness and reasonable runtimes. My light hasn't ever gone dead on me. I just pop a freshly charged cell if I'm going on a trip or something. AA's are available everywhere, so it's no big deal anyway.

Grizz
 
I also have the sc52 and think its a great light for edc...very versatile and well built. I have quite a few lights too. Another great small light is the Maratac aaa copper... It's only 2 outputs. With a 10440 Lion batter on hight it cooks (even though Maratac says don't use Lion). And low is very usable. For daily tasks I find the Maratac very handy.
 
I really like the Sunwayman M11R.
It has a very nice magnetic control ring with preset levels that go from a very useful super low moonlight setting to a very bright eye searing high. The mid level is more than enough light for most circumstances that I encounter.
It has a nice pocket clip that is screwed into the tail instead of a friction fit spring clip( I hate those, always seem to pop off ), is small, but not too small, and takes only one CR-123 battery with very decent run times.
Best of all, I'm pretty sure I paid less than your price limit.
Oh, they also use square threads for durability which is a very nice touch.
 
For a minimalist light, the 4Sevens Preon 1 is hard to beat.

For high output in a small size, almost all Zebralights are going to be great.

For tough/larger/high quality lights, Surefire makes some sweet lights.



There are literally tons of awesome flashlights out there. You won't be able to just buy one, once you leave the maglite/el cheapo flashlight world.
 
I just picked up a Thrunite Ti3. One AAA cell, 120lm/12lm/.04lm and hidden strobe controlled by a twisty head. Weighs nothing. Great light for $20. Also check out the TN12 by Thrunite. 1050lm on 2 123's for $50. For a 1 cell 123 the Olight S10 L2 puts out 400lm and can be had for $40 on auction sites.
 
People just recommend the light that they use, so it's hard to get any real information.

Surefire is, by far, the highest quality manufacturer. Streamlight is second, in my experience. There's a reason both brands are used so heavily by military and first responders.

After owning several, any of the single cell Streamlights makes a great EDC light. Obviously the CR123 version is brighter than the AA which is brighter than the AAA, but the wider the battery the worse it carries. The AAA version is plenty bright, I have one in my pocket as I type. It sits very low, and is very narrow so it's hardly noticeable.
 
MatthewSB said:
People just recommend the light that they use, so it's hard to get any real information.

Surefire is, by far, the highest quality manufacturer. Streamlight is second, in my experience. There's a reason both brands are used so heavily by military and first responders.

After owning several, any of the single cell Streamlights makes a great EDC light. Obviously the CR123 version is brighter than the AA which is brighter than the AAA, but the wider the battery the worse it carries. The AAA version is plenty bright, I have one in my pocket as I type. It sits very low, and is very narrow so it's hardly noticeable.
Click to expand...

I agree with you on Surefire, they are indeed the best. But for me, unless the light is mounted on a weapon I don't need it to be the best (or priced like it). I just need a utility light that works, preferably the brightest I can get at a reasonable price and size. And based on the utility lights I own (Fenix, Olight, Thrunite, Streamlight, FourSevens) they are all good quality and all do what I need, some better than others. IMO Streamlight has been passed by its competitors in terms of light output and size efficiency. Based on their current product offerings I do not consider them when looking for a light.
 
SpydrMan said:
I agree with you on Surefire, they are indeed the best. But for me, unless the light is mounted on a weapon I don't need it to be the best (or priced like it). I just need a utility light that works, preferably the brightest I can get at a reasonable price and size. And based on the utility lights I own (Fenix, Olight, Thrunite, Streamlight, FourSevens) they are all good quality and all do what I need, some better than others. IMO Streamlight has been passed by its competitors in terms of light output and size efficiency. Based on their current product offerings I do not consider them when looking for a light.
Click to expand...

I'll echo this. You don't always need a tank when a sporty car will do more for less. There really aren't too many bad flashlights anymore as long as you stick to the usual suspects. The value you get from the above mentioned lights is outstanding.
 
I just got word that Fenix will be releasing the new PD22 UE (Ultimate Edition) around Nov 7th. Cost will be around $60US. This is the single CR123 light I've been waiting for from Fenix, and the reason I haven't upgraded yet from my PD20 1st gen. It finally accepts RCR123s/16340 rechargeable Li-ion batteries and has 4 outputs - 6, 60, 200 and 400 (510 on Li-ions) lumens per charge. It also has 200 lumen SOS and 510 lumen strobe. Get yourself some rechargeable batteries if at all possible, as long as the light can use them, whether you go CR123, AA or AAA. If you go the AA/AAA route get some Eneloops and keep spares in your EDC kit. They usually run longer and or brighter than regular batteries and are more cost effective long-term.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top