Absolutely handiest item on a trip.

paulhilborn said:
At 51 yrs of age my eyesight during the day is strained for the items that lurk in dark places.
Paul
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Let me tell ya Paul, it doesn't get better with age. I find a small flashlight a needed tool for looking in closets and cupboards for stuff. But being a city boy, I've found a real world emergency use for lights. The D.C. Metro!

Being a resident of the Washington D.C. area, we go "downtown" sometimes. Anyone who has been in D.C. can tell you that the Metro system is a joke, and a bad one. Well known for breakdowns, and poor service, you ride at oyr own risk. But given the poor parking downtown, we ride.

Well, one time, my better half and I were going down to the Smithsonian, and it was a leg of the trip where the train was deep under ground. It started to go slower, and slowwwwer, and then finally stopped. The lights flickers, then went out. The yellow emergency lights came on for a moment, then they went out too. You never appreciate how dark really black dark that you literally can't see your hand in front of your face kind of dark, that it gets under ground. I had a little Dorcy one AAA keychain light in my pocket, and Karen had a AA minimag that I had dropped in a Nite-Eyz LRD unit in her purse. Those two mediocre lights lit up that Metro car, and when the driver came back through with his two cell Rayovac he was amazed how the car was lit up.

The Metro crew got another train there ASAP, and we transferred, but right after I up graded to the Fenix, and always have one on me. If I'm not certain, I carry two. They are so small, it doesn't make sense to carry a spare battery, it's just as easy to carry a spare light.

But it's amazing how well I can find that can of something in the back of a pantry, when I can read the label!:D

Carl.
 
Squashfan said:
Now I have started looking at a Fenix E11 for my keychain. I blame it all on you guys!
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Fine, I'm happy for that... it's awful handy.

If you don't mind a twisty UI I'd be tempted to get a L3 Illumination 4-mode with Nichia 219 emitter instead though. About the same size and form factor but has a firefly mode and the 219 is a fantastic 4500K high-CRI emitter. Also for more money Peak lights are tempting too but the way my E11 looks I'd feel bad putting one of those through the same abuse.
 
Thanks for the suggestion! I have had trouble operating the AA maglite with twist head one handed. No arthritis, I just can't seem to grip the head to turn it sometimes with one hand. This had lead me to prefer a tail cap switch. Other than that, I like that the L10 because it comes in my favorite color and it can tailstand. But you do have to suffle through modes. Something else I didn't care for in the AA maglite. I switched to a maglite XL50 and have been very pleased with it. Batteries last me 3-4 months. I just need a light on my keys so I can find my stuff in the car at night and get into the house.

The E11 can't tail stand but I think I could loosen the head and just leave it on low. Also, one handed tail cap operation. Big plus when trying to unlock the front door in the dark.

I also looked at the Photon light II but I don't think it will be bright enough.
 
jackknife said:
I have to admit that the AA and AAA have completely taken over my flashlights. All other flashlights have fallen by the wayside, and I made a conscious decision to standardize my stuff. Everything I use that takes batteries, flashlights, emergency radios, heart/blood pressure monitor, all take the AA/AAA batteries.

With the advances that they have made in LED technology, the Big D cell and even the C cell lights don't seem to be as efficient in combining portable size, run time, and power. I think some of the young guys are spoiled by the new flashlights. I remember the old D cell flashlights from when I was a kid, and how you got a mild yellow spot of light for about an hour or two before it gave out. Even the little Fenix E01 puts the 1940's and 50's flashlights to shame. Now a 2 AA minimag LED seems like a light saber next to what I grew up with.
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You are spot on! I have converted all my old 4D Maglights to LED, and one was just about out of battery, got another 3 hours of nice bright white light out of them. It's truly amazing what the new ones will do.

Got an E01 and E11 today at REI. Forgot I had some $ left from their "rewards", so they were "free". Kind of... :D
 
Apparently this has been known for a couple weeks but I just found out... noticed this AM a thread over on CPF, the fenix E11 is being discontinued :(

I hope that that means that they are introducing something newer and better... and that they don't get rid of the tail switch, just make it tailstand and include a pocket clip this time...

now if I were buying a pocket light today I think I would try a Jetbeam RRT-01... but that is almost $50 more than a new E11, and takes CR123As...
 
A little more in-depth comparison of my common carries:

(l - r: Streamlight ProTac 88039, Mag-Lite XL200, Feniz LD15)
emq9.jpg


Streamlight ProTac:

80 lumen (high), 10 lumens (low)
5.7" long
Runs on 2 AAA
Fully o-ring sealed
3 settings - high, low, strobe
Glass lens
Aluminum housing
Tail switch

Mag-Lite XL200

172 lumen (high)
4.8" long
Runs on 3 AAA
Fully o-ring sealed
Adjustable beam
5 modes - high, low, strobe, night light, SOS
172 lumen max
Aluminum housing
Tail switch

Fenix LD15

117 lumen (high), 8 lumen (low)
3.15" long
Runs on one AA
Fully o-ring sealed
Glass lens
Aluminum housing
Twist switch

The Streamlight is my newest addition, and so far I'm really impressed by it. It's a really well-built, slim package, and inherently roll-proof. Output is plenty for most things I need it for on an EDC basis. Toggling between modes on the tail switch takes a little getting used to, but so far that's about as much criticism as I can come up with.

The Mag-Lite is the bruiser of the bunch. As others have already noted, it's wild to think about how much output and functionality the XL200 has for its size, compared to a double-D incandescent Mag of not that long ago. For the price, I would highly recommend this light. With 5 modes operated from the tail switch, it takes a little getting used to, but it all makes sense and is fairly straightforward. As with any flashlight, the most important function is "high" when you need it, and with both the Mag and the Streamlight, it is the first option when you click.

I've had the Fenix for a while now, and it has yet to let me down. Great output for its size and battery requirements, solidly built and easy to pocket. I also have a Fenix EO1 on my keychain, and both are durable as heck and just keep working, no matter what. Fenix lights are simple and awesome.
 
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N8N said:
Anyone considering an E01 I would encourage to consider an E11 instead... only a little more expensive and larger (AA vs AAA) and WAY brighter on high... a little brighter on low... probably one of the best gear purchases I've made as I use it more than anything else regularly found on me (save for a money clip)
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I like the E01 because of the long run time. What's the run time on the E11, on high and low settings?
 
Personally I think the E01 is a better keychain light, as it will keep working right down into the bottom of the battery. And as good as the E11 is, AA lights are not as suited to keychains IMHO. The E05 sits in the middle, but because it is brighter, and regulated, it won't fully finish a battery.
 
gadgetgeek said:
Personally I think the E01 is a better keychain light, as it will keep working right down into the bottom of the battery. And as good as the E11 is, AA lights are not as suited to keychains IMHO. The E05 sits in the middle, but because it is brighter, and regulated, it won't fully finish a battery.
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That's what has kept me with the E01, the silly long run time. I have a Peak single AA that is marginally bigger but a lot brighter. LIke a small brilliant spotlight 50 yards out. But the run time is 30 minutes to 50%, and it starts to dim from there on, so after an hour and some change, It's shot. The little E01 is like a 12 hour run time, with decent very usable light down to the end of the battery. It's all a compromise, but if a light gives me good light for a long run time, I like it. Run time is like fuel range.
 
i carry a preon 1 flashlight. i wrapped 6-8 inches of electrical tape around lower area of the light. because i usually use my teeth to hold the light and the electrical tape is very nice feature.

if its darker out i will carry a smaller 18650 light such as a fenix pd35. very cheap and replaceable. i used to carry an awesome nitecore er1 or ec1 i think and one drip onto the street walking the dog broke that light.

but nothing beats a flashlight. that is THE most used thing in my edc carry.



i carry;
knife
lighter
smokes
wallet
car key on biner
small aaa light
chap stik
fisher space pen (also a must have.... its like 12$ on line and i have had the same 2 for the last 5 years. probably only used 4 ink tubes too) and its so small closed yet normal sized open and it comes in every color
 
I need to revisit my E01s. I bought 2 of them for $25 back in late 2010 but have never really used them. I think they're backup lights in various BOBs or GHBs I have. Still using my 1st gen PD20 and 4Sevens MLR2 as my on-body EDCs and my PD35UE as my EDC bag light.
 
I have the little Fenix on my keychain but, the one I use the most is a 1xAA Fenix I got several years ago - still going strong too! The nice thing about it is that it fits into my pants pocket easily which cannot be said of the 2xAA flashlights I have tried.
 
A few years ago, I carried an EDC light, like an HDS or a McGizmo custom, which ran on 123As. But for the past couple years, I've been carrying a 4Sevens Preon Revo on my keychain. It's brighter than those old lights that cost me a few hundred bucks, yet runs on a humble AAA. I find it invaluable. I've been wanting to pick up something like a Sunwayman and EDCing a "proper" flashlight, but I honestly haven't found the need (just the want). Probably because I also have a 500 lumen, USB rechargeable Serfas bike light. I also have a UV AAA Arc on my keychain, so if need be, I can use the battery from that. And in my backpack, in the sheath that holds my LM Charge, I have an IlluminaTI with a lithium battery (NiMH in my keychain lights).

I can honestly say that I use my keychain flashlight every bit as much my EDC knives or the tools on my SAK or Squirt PS4.

Many (most?) of us these days also carry smartphones, or at least cell phones with cameras. Most of these also have an LED or 2 for a flash, and this can make a very handy flashlight. Sometimes this feature is built-in, sometimes you need to download an app or widget to turn it on. Sometimes (on older/basic phones) you have to do workaround where you activate the camera, switch to video recording, and turn on the recording light. The nice thing with using your cell phone's LED is that produces a very broad, floody beam that can light up the entire side of a room, the whole of your car interior, or the path ahead of you, and all without blinding you with a bright, tight hotspot. It's also far better than trying to light your way with just the screen.
 
A flashlight almost always comes in handy and is a great addition in an edc. I like Fenix lights as well, but so far my pick for an edc light is the Preon 1.
 
Here's my rationale for picking the E11 over the E01. Runtime is somewhat unimportant to me as I use an Eneloop in it. It's brighter than the E01 even on low (where I usually use it) and also has high mode if I need it. Finally there is almost no difference in price between AA and AAA cells and I don't mind the slightly larger light, so there's really no difference to me win that regard.

Of course, you have to pick what's right for you, not for me :). I'm not knocking the E01; clearly lots of people are happy with it.
 
Planterz said:
Many (most?) of us these days also carry smartphones, or at least cell phones with cameras. Most of these also have an LED or 2 for a flash, and this can make a very handy flashlight.
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There are some apps for iPhone that take advantage of this feature. Pretty handy when it's all you have. I have one called "Brightest Flashlight" available for free in the in app store. It works well.
 
My keychain lights are Fenix EO-1( slim, bright enough and very long lived w lithium AAA). AND a Photon yellow Freedom, as a back up. I've even managed to wrap the thin Photon neckline around the case and carry the spring/ magnetic clip in my bag EDC. The EDC bag has another Photon, hung to light up the inside of the bag, a Petzl E-Lght coin cell headlamp and ( recent addition ) a 2AA Streamlight Pro Tac. The Streamlight replaced a Princeton Tec Attitude or Gerber Ultra Infinity. The Infinity is really the Jeep of flashlights. It will run on an AA that is "dead" for other devices. You can use a AAA battery in a pinch, with an negative end extender made from a wad of foil. Finally it will light almost forever on a lithium AA.
 
Well, I ended up getting the E11 and a Photon Freedom White. The E11 displaced the Maglire Xl 50, which was not the original plan. The Photon went on the key ring with my car keys. Works great.
 
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