Best EDC Flash Light

R

RTAK

Joined
Mar 22, 2003
Messages
131
I know you guys will have some good advice. Looking for a reasonably priced EDC flashlight. Already have several photons and a key chain mini maglite (waste of money IMO) for the little stuff, but looking for a few more lumens. Considering the Surefire G2 or an Inova. Would like to stay around $50-$75. Give me you thoughts, advice and recomendations. :confused:
 
I prefer the Surefire E2e as an EDC flashlight, but the G2 would work well, also. The Inova X5 puts out a nice flood-type beam, relatively bright but not nearly as bright as the E2e or G2 (the G2 can currently be purchased for less than $30 at many places, BTW)

I personally carry the E2e & a photon 2 - seems to cover the bases pretty well.

Sam
 
I have 2 lights that make it into the edc rotation regularly. The CMG Ultra (20 dollars +/- a buck or 2) and a PrincetonTec Attitude.

The CMG runs on 1aa, is quite bright and has a long runtime. The current battery in mine has about 12 - 15 hours on it and is still plenty bright.

The Attitude uses 4aaa stacked side by side. Its very easy to carry by placing it head-first in the watch pocket of my jeans. It i also bright and has an even longer runtime then the CMG. I got mine for about 20 bucks.

I also have a Streamlight 4aa 7LED light that is just about at the limit of what I would consider EDC size and does not normally get used for that, but if you want bigger then its a good light.

The Inova I dont own (yet) but have read good things about it. They also have a single LED 1aa model coming out but not exactly sure when.

We had a Sure-Fire which is definately a good light, but I could never get used to the way it sucked through expensive batteries so fast, something to consider if you intend to use the light very often.
 
I'm going to sound like a cheap skate; as much as I love flashlights, my real concern is that I *see* and I love that cold, blue light.

Sure, I'd love an E2E with an LED head; ain't going to happen unless the wife gets a second job.

I bought a 4AA Dorcy LED for 12 bucks and that included the 4 batteries. I flicked it on in a dark room after my eyes had adjusted to the dark, and nearly blinded myself. My search for a flashlight is over, and the unit will run 200 hours to boot.
 
Hey guys....first thing you should know is that I am cheap. While I don't mind spending good money for excellent products....I'll take a bargain anyday provided I'm getting a quality product. I'm looking for the best value for the dollar, hence the G2. I'm not hung up on having the best brand, just the best quality in my price range. Keep the recomendations coming. ;)
 
....the Surefire E2-e HA....admittedly at the highend of your range in price, but worth it!!

Larry S.
 
Originally posted by RTAK
I know you guys will have some good advice. Looking for a reasonably priced EDC flashlight. Already have several photons and a key chain mini maglite (waste of money IMO) for the little stuff, but looking for a few more lumens. Considering the Surefire G2 or an Inova. Would like to stay around $50-$75. Give me you thoughts, advice and recomendations. :confused:
Click to expand...


RTAK, there are lots of options when it comes to lights, so what is your preference? LED? Incandescent? Plastic/polymer body or metal/aluminum? Do you want something that runs on CR123 lithium cells? AA alkalines?

First get rid of that archaic Mag Solitaire and enter the 21st century with an Arc AAA. You won't be dissapointed.

Personally, I carry an Inova X5T and and Arc AAA as my EDC lights. They are bright, sturdy and do the job when I need them. LED lights may not have the throw that incandescents have, but their battery life is outstanding and you don't have to worry about replacing burned out bulbs/lamps.

Surefire lights are considered the "darlings" of tactical flashlights, and the G2 is a great introduction to their line of lights. Other incandescents worth looking at are the Princeton Tec Tec 40 (runs on 4 AA batteries), Streamlight Scorpion, and the Pelican M6. The Pelican M6 is a good bang for the buck buy if you're looking for an affordable metal flashlight with Surefire-like qualities, but be aware of tailcap issues with the some M6 lights.

Incidentally, if you go with a CR123 cell light, buy them online. Those lithium batteries can be expensive, so don't pay full retail. You can get good deals online from www.sunnbattery.com or www.cheapbatteries.com rather than paying over $10 for a 2 pack of CR123 batteries.

You can check out several informative reviews of LED and incandescent lights at The Light Site and The LED Museum.

Also, if you've been bitten by the flashlight bug, Candle Power Forums is the place to go.
 
If you need 123-A batteries go to Surefire's site....last I heard they were selling theirs (proven in tests to be superior to all others) for $15.00/doz. plus shipping. Why pay more for less!!

Larry S.
 
I suggest the E2e-HA.

My concern is that you will feel the need to have a KL4 5 Watt Luxeon Bezel for it and that will cost you. The good news is that we don't know how much it will cost you or how long you have to save up for it as no release date has been erm released. In fact we know very little about the KL4 other than from those who have seen it (like myself).

If you want to get more runtime out of the SF123A batteries then SureFire has a lower output longer runtime Lamp - the MN02. They even have this lamp in a E2e for those who specifically want it - the model is called the E2o (Outdoorsman)

Al
 
It just is the best all around pocket light on the planet. I have an HA model, but the one I carry on me person is an E2E-SG satin grey anodized model. The G2 is a great light for the price and my wide keeps one in her purse, but the E2E is just so much cooler. It's at the top of your price range, but worth every penny IMHO.

There's lots of other good lights around and I've got both Inova models (X5, X5T) lots of (now mostly unused) MAgs from AA to 6D and a number of other lights, but these days I always reach for a Surefire first.

jmx
 
http://www.san.surefire.com/cgi-bin/main.pl?pgm=co_disp&func=displ&sesent=0,0&prrfnbr=685

the surefire deal on sf123a lithiums...

getting an Inova X5MT for $70CAN shipped expresspost insured, at month end. Buying a dozen batts at May mid-month, and that's my run cost for the year(I think... 20hrs/set* 6 sets... shortest total will be 4-6months). Comes with a pair in it, with about 30min on it(of 20hr run time).

bayou lafourche has the x5 on cheap...
 
My EDC lights include an Arc AAA and an X5T.

As mentioned above not the brightest in the world but more than sufficient for what I use them for. I tend to prefer the floodlight as opposed to the spot anyway so the X5 is perfect.

Battery life is a real plus on these things too.
 
Another light to consider maybe some new ones from Streamlight. http://www.streamlight.com/tasklight_info.htm

They have both regular bulbs surrounded by LEDs. Apparently you can select which bulbs to turn on depending on whether you need the brightest possible light or runtime.
 
Surefire E2e. You won't be sorry.

Excellent size, fit, finish, beam, warranty, range of accessories. Expensive but worth it.

Ask people on candlepowerforums and I bet you get the same answer.
 
I know you will!! That's what I did before I bought mine to use at work. Work = Executive Security Officer
Great little light!!!!

Larry S.
 
I carry an E2E HA off duty with my pistol. It gets uses a lot and rides in a On Scene Tactical scabbard. The wife just needed a good utility light. I got her a G2. Very hard to beat for the price. By far the most popular light for my job is a 6P. For duty use the batteries last longer than you would think. Of course we use them only as tac lights for car stops and searches etc and have 8Xs and Stingers for normal light use.
 
mercop makes a good point -
People see "60 minutes runtime on a pair of $2.50 SF123As" and freak out. 60 minutes runtime lasts longer than you think if you don't use SureFires as 'general' illumination. As a "tactical" tool, the High Output Lamp Assemblies with 20 minute runtimes is plenty.

I guess you've got to have the right light for the job...

Al :)
 
You can HALVE that cost per battery with Surefire's deal on their website....see earlier post for URL......$1.25/ea.(without shipping, of course :-))

Larry S.
 
I believe shipping is free above a certain amount direct from SureFire.com

SF123As are0 $1.25 each so a pair would be $2.50 to power a P60 for 60 minutes.

It reminds me of the old days when people would break into camera shops and steal only the $7 each Duracell DL123As...

Al :D
 
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