EDC Bag Flashlight?

A

acropolis5

Joined
Jun 22, 2006
Messages
122
I'm looking for a lightweight, rugged, waterproof, decently bright and longlived, AA or AAA battery(s) flashlight for my EDC bag. Ability to use lithium battery(s) and to be stood on end as a candle lamp are plusses, but not deal breakers. I already have a Photon and a coin cell headlamp (PT Scout) in the bag and a Fenix EO1 on my keychain. Right now I'm thinking about a Prncetontec Attitude or a Fenix LD10 R5? Given my specs, I'd like to have your suggestions.
 
I am kind of a frugal person and flashlights that cost $50+ are not in my vision for purchase although the 2 and 3 D cell LED mag lights come close. I like them for general use and the focusing ability.

A couple that have caught my attention in the last year is the Rocky which I purchased as a two pack at Sams Club for $26. They are 130 lumens and quite a buy as far as I'm concerned. I purchased six total to spread around. The other one I like that is cheap is the one by Coleman which has different light intensity settings. I believe Lowe's sells these now as well as Walmart.
 
For EDC purposes I carry a Streamlight Microstream. I found mine for less than $15 and it's bomb proof. Portable, light weight, bright, good battery life, durable and inexpensive. Fits my EDC requirements flawlessly.

Specs:
CASE MATERIAL: Corrosion and water resistant, machined aircraft-grade aluminum alloy,Type II MIL-Spec anodize plating. Available in matte black finish.
DIMENSIONS: Length: 3.5 inches (90 mm) Body Diameter: 0.6 inches (15 mm)
WEIGHT: 1.04 oz. (29.7 grams) with battery
LENS: Unbreakable and scratch resistant polycarbonate lens
LIGHT SOURCE: 0.5 Watt High-Flux LED; 30,000 hours rated LED life
LIGHT OUTPUT: Up to 20 Lumens Typical
ON/OFF: Push Button Tail switch (with momentary on-off)
RUN TIME: Up to 1.5 hours of regulated runtime
BATTERY: One (1) “AAA” battery
FEATURES: Tailcap switch for momentary On/Off.
O-Ring Sealed, shock proof and drop tested construction
Water resistant per IPX4; in accordance with specification EN 60529:1992
High Strength “Break Away” safety lanyard.
Unbreakable pocket clip

I've found the battery life to be much longer than the official specs.


streamlight-MICROSTREAM.jpg

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3537348915_a9ce611e33.jpg
 
This might not be quite what you're looking for, but I really like my Fenix E05 XP-G R4 version. It's about 30 lumens and produces a very decent flood illumination. It's bright enough for pretty much anything close quarters. Effective range, I'd say about 1-15FT, give or take.

I love showing lights like this to people who have no clue what a good flashlight is. I tossed it into a glass of water and everyone jumped like it was going to explode. " OMG! You're going to wreck it! " followed by "Hey the light's still on!" Then the inevitable, "Hey, where can I get one ???"
 
You might get more responses in Gadgets & Gear. This really doesn't pertain to W&SS.
 
4sevens Quark 2AA = 30 days on moonlight setting
4sevens Quark AA = 1o days on moonlight setting

I love mine! And they're very affordable!

Also, this is probably more G&G oriented as LMT66 said.
 
JMAN86 said:
For EDC purposes I carry a Streamlight Microstream. I found mine for less than $15 and it's bomb proof. Portable, light weight, bright, good battery life, durable and inexpensive. Fits my EDC requirements flawlessly.

Specs:
CASE MATERIAL: Corrosion and water resistant, machined aircraft-grade aluminum alloy,Type II MIL-Spec anodize plating. Available in matte black finish.
DIMENSIONS: Length: 3.5 inches (90 mm) Body Diameter: 0.6 inches (15 mm)
WEIGHT: 1.04 oz. (29.7 grams) with battery
LENS: Unbreakable and scratch resistant polycarbonate lens
LIGHT SOURCE: 0.5 Watt High-Flux LED; 30,000 hours rated LED life
LIGHT OUTPUT: Up to 20 Lumens Typical
ON/OFF: Push Button Tail switch (with momentary on-off)
RUN TIME: Up to 1.5 hours of regulated runtime
BATTERY: One (1) “AAA” battery
FEATURES: Tailcap switch for momentary On/Off.
O-Ring Sealed, shock proof and drop tested construction
Water resistant per IPX4; in accordance with specification EN 60529:1992
High Strength “Break Away” safety lanyard.
Unbreakable pocket clip

I've found the battery life to be much longer than the official specs.


streamlight-MICROSTREAM.jpg

100_6546.jpg

3537348915_a9ce611e33.jpg
Click to expand...

Both my wife and I have the two cell version of this light. They are IMO the perfect light for an EDC bag.

Bruceter
 
My brother gave me a cool little LED flashlight, It has a built in battery and solar panel (No batteries to carry! :) ) Its not tiny but its lightweight and waterproof...check it out. www.hybridlight.com is the link/company site. I think you guys would like these.
 
The Fenix LD20 is the best little light i have came across so far.
I use lithium AAs in it.. Has a great Turbo mode and a strobe.
6 inches long and little under 7/8ths at its thickest part.
 
acropolis5 said:
I'm looking for a lightweight, rugged, waterproof, decently bright and longlived, AA or AAA battery(s) flashlight for my EDC bag. Ability to use lithium battery(s) and to be stood on end as a candle lamp are plusses, but not deal breakers. I already have a Photon and a coin cell headlamp (PT Scout) in the bag and a Fenix EO1 on my keychain. Right now I'm thinking about a Prncetontec Attitude or a Fenix LD10 R5? Given my specs, I'd like to have your suggestions.
Click to expand...

I saw no price range. The prices I know of for AA or AAA flashlights range from $5 to $150 or so. I'm going to say you need to get a tk20 or some other 2+ AA flashlight (around $50). You've got the small and portable down, so you need a bigger, brighter flashlight. I actually wear a Cr2 Warm 4sevens on a necklace for my small light, and carry a c3 with warm malkoff dropin. You don't want the same light level or it's COMPLETELY redundant, you want to get some range. I happen to do a lot outdoors, so I am completely wedded to warm emitters. Of course, for a lot more, you can get a ridiculous light with several hundred lumens. I will say for myself anyway, I want at least one light that has a low level, and one that has a ridiculously bright level. If they can do both low and high, great, but point is, having multiples of an item means I like to go for more specialized uses.

Zero
 
For single AA:

Fenix LD10
Quark (regular, not tactical) AA

For double AA:

Fenix LD20
Quark AA^2

If a super low low (moonlight) mode would be handy for you, I'd opt for the Quark. I also find the tailstanding capability of the Quarks to be a little more stable. The lanyards that come with the Quarks are also very nice if you are interested in that.

All I run in my AA and AAA lights as far as cells are concerned are the Energizer Ultimate Lithiums. Lots of folks love the Sanyo Eneloops for rechargeables.
 
lwt210 said:
For single AA:

Fenix LD10
Quark (regular, not tactical) AA

For double AA:

Fenix LD20
Quark AA^2

If a super low low (moonlight) mode would be handy for you, I'd opt for the Quark. I also find the tailstanding capability of the Quarks to be a little more stable. The lanyards that come with the Quarks are also very nice if you are interested in that.

All I run in my AA and AAA lights as far as cells are concerned are the Energizer Ultimate Lithiums. Lots of folks love the Sanyo Eneloops for rechargeables.
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Agreed on all points.
 
I would look at the new gen. Zebralights. I do not know the specs for the AA, but the 123 will go from Moonlight up to nearly 200 lumens, will tailstand, and gives the advantage of also being a headlamp. They also are straight bodied as opposed to the previous right angled head. They can be had for a bit more than the 50 that you mention. I would not be overly concerned with the 50 dollar mark as with anything, you get what you pay for. My original SF 6P is nearly 25 years old and still works fine.
 
+1 on the 4Sevens Quark Regular AA². The XP-G R5 version offers almost 2 hours on max mode, and as Iboschi said 30 days of moonlight mode. The newer XP-G S2 version has less run time on max mode but is overall brighter than the R5 and has a longer runtime on moonlight mode. One word of note, many Candle Power Forum members have reported greenish tints on the S2 emitters 4Sevens is using. It is said that this was also the case when the R5's had just rolled out, so you may want to wait off on the S2 for a while if green isn't your thing. YMMV.

For a bigger light I would also throw in the Fenix TK45 as an option, although it is much more expensive. It takes 8AA cells - no lithium's and alkalines are not recommended. It will give you 2 hours on turbo, and about 9.7 days on it's lowest setting.

For a AAA recommendation I would say the 4Sevens Preon ReVO or ITP A3 EOS Upgraded would do the trick (ITP does not table stand unless it is modified). Maybe even a Fenix E01. The tint on the E01 may not be the brightest, or prettiest, but you get 21 hours runtime (about half is in normal mode, the other half goes into moon mode).
 
moshow9 said:
I have a Preon Revo SS and getting that thing to tailstand is a chore.

Other than that, it is a great little AAA light. I am also fond of my Maratac AAA polished stainless and Fenix LD01 ss. I prefer the Revo due to the disco modes that are hidden in the UI.

Run all of those on Ultimate lithiums too. I'd stick to AA for a primary light and AAA to a keychain backup light if I were the OP.

I have a Quark mini Ti CR2 coming Monday that is going to take over for my off duty watch pocket light.
Click to expand...
 
I went with an LED mini-maglite, use lithium batts. Doubles as an impact weapon too.
I added the 'Lite Bite" attachment on mine too.
 
I've carried the Streamlight Microstream and Stylus Pro and they are both excellent edc flashlights. Light weight, plenty rugged and they throw out a decent amount of light. Battery life seems to be ok too.
 
I like the Preon 2. I have one ... er ... three. Takes up very little room in my EDC bag.

33b0388.jpg


Preon 2 Specifications

LED: CREE XP-G S2
Max Output: 120 ANSI lumens
Material: Hard-anodized Aircraft-grade Aluminum
Lens: Optical-grade glass lens with anti-reflective coating on both sides
Water resistance: IPX-8
Battery: Two AAA, included (see voltage range to select acceptable batteries for this light))
Operating Voltage Range: 0.9V-3.0V
Seven Output Modes:
Low: 3 OTF Lumens, 23 hours
Medium: 26 OTF Lumens, 6 hours
High: 120 ANSI Lumens, 0.8 hours
Strobe
SOS
Beacon (Hi)
Beacon (Lo)
Dimensions:
Length: 5.05 inches
Diameter: 0.55 inches
Weight: 0.8 ounces
 
Thanx to everyone for your input. My thinking has changed. Im now looking at the Zebralight SC51. It fits all my spec.s and has the longest runtime. Comments??
 
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