EDC Flashlight Recommendation?

I'm partial to Nitecore. The NDI is a perfect edc and the SR3 as a backup in your ruck and such.

Matador-
 
Check out CountyComm.com. They have a AAA light that is about 3" long, has great light output and good battery life. Thy make it in Aluminum and SS. Cost is about $23.00. I have that and a Fenix, both same size and output but the CountComm is cheaper and has better battery life.
 
I have not very much experience with other brands than Fenix. There is a Fenix E01 on my keychain and especially now the days are getting shorter, I have a Fenix LD10 in my jacket when I leave home.
 
While I have Surefires and Streamlights I like Fenix for bang for the buck. I've got several which I've posted pics of in other threads. I've also got the NiteCore EZ AA and EZ CR2 but don't really use them since I prefer clicky lights. I got the EZ AA because I wanted a small AA light "just cuz", and got the EZ CR2 only because I've got about 20 brand new CR2 lithium batteries that I have no current use for, and the light was on clearance.
O/T isn't there a version similar to the iTP or MaraTac AAA that has a clicky switch instead of twisty? I can't remember which one it is but would also like to add a small bright AAA light to my arsenal.
 
I love my Nite Core EX10. It's about the size of a 12ga shotgun shell and puts out about 130 lumens and only need one cr123 bat. Stays on my keys and has been a wonderful light so far.
 
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Most people get hung up on maximum output when selecting a light and ignore a light's lower settings. One thing I REALLY like about the Quarks (and a few others) is the inclusion of a VERY low setting. The Quark's "moon mode" is a mere .2 lumens. At 3:00 AM, when you need to find something in a pack or take a trip to the bathroom, even .2 lumens can seem too bright. I use the lower settings on my light far more than I use the highest. In fact, I almost never use the highest.

My AA lights are for the times when I know I'll need a light. For EDC it's AAA. Most recently (and probably for a long time) is a Preon 2AAA. It doesn't go as low as I'd like but it's SO easy to carry (and insanely bright for such a small light.)
 
Oh yeah, forgot to mention the Nite Core has 100 different brightness settings. It's a digital dimmer that can take the light from 100% to 1% just by holding the button down. You can get max 130 lumes or all the way down to 5 lumens. And I think the 5 lumen setting will last for like 3 days straight. Extremely useful little light.

Check out this Demo...
[youtube]irqhuV8Xo_A[/youtube]
 
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Scott Free said:
Most people get hung up on maximum output when selecting a light and ignore a light's lower settings. One thing I REALLY like about the Quarks (and a few others) is the inclusion of a VERY low setting. The Quark's "moon mode" is a mere .2 lumens. At 3:00 AM, when you need to find something in a pack or take a trip to the bathroom, even .2 lumens can seem too bright. I use the lower settings on my light far more than I use the highest. In fact, I almost never use the highest.

My AA lights are for the times when I know I'll need a light. For EDC it's AAA. Most recently (and probably for a long time) is a Preon 2AAA. It doesn't go as low as I'd like but it's SO easy to carry (and insanely bright for such a small light.)
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Ditto - I just purchased the Preon 2 and the Quark 123 Turbo. They are all and more. I like the lower settings. Longer run times.
 
I bought my brother a Fenix LD01 for EDC. It comes with a clip, or it can be attached to a keychain. It has amazing brightness for something that small and runs on 1 AAA. I bought my wife a Fenix E01 to put on her keychain. It doesn't have different brightness modes, but it gets bright enough and lasts a while. It also runs off of 1 AAA. Both these lights are waterproof to IPX-8 standards. They come with extra o-rings as well.

My EDC light is a Fenix LD10. The models discussed earlier are too small for my large hands. The LD10 is a fantastic light and it runs off a 1 AA. With a lithium battery the thing is nice and light and well perform well. It has 6 modes, but the dimmest mode has been sufficient enough for most tasks. The light comes with a clip, lanyard, and sheath of sorts so you have different carrying options.

Personally, I am not sure if I am willing to shell out the cash for surefire stuff. Fenix is high quality stuff at a very good price point.
 
Quark Mini AA Neutral vs. fenix L0D Q4... Goes to the fenix still, but just barely and for only one reason- the Fenix AAA clip is better than the non-existant Quark Mini clip. Otherwise the quark wins, even if it is a slight bit larger. If 4Sevens comes out with a good solution to this clip issue, it will replace my L0D in the pocket/on the keychain.
 
I EDC an iTP C7T on my belt and a little button light on my keyring. Planning to get an iTP EOS flashlight soon, they are pretty small and really bright. :)

Heber
 
Rat 1 said:
Streamlight Microstream is a pretty cool edc light.
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No, its even better than that.

I've got a single AAA Microstream, it's better that the Fenix or Arc I did carry, and puts out just as much light as the Energizer AA. The finish is much more durable, milspec AFAIK, and the push forward clicky works great intermittent or full on. I get 90 mins of runtime with rechargeables, and have changed the battery maybe twice since September.

The pocket clip and shape work well, it doesn't ride up, and I haven't dropped it. I carry it on the left side, operate it left handed, and it works OK for a right handed person.

O'reilly's sells them in their mechanics flyer, you might have to order one, but they keep dozens in the local warehouses. I'd rate the lumen output at a guesstimate of 25-35. It will light up engine compartments on a sunny day, and in a dark basement, will put out a nice controlled beam with centered hotspot.

I've compared it to a 2 AA Rayovac rated at 60 lumens, it has the same throw lighting up a neighbors house 100+ yards away, about half as bright.

For an EDC I find it quite usable, not excessively bright making the transition to a dark room, good enough to combat sunlight, easy to carry, simple to operate. It's well rated by flashlight forum users, too.
 
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