EDC flashlight

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pokeman

Joined
Feb 1, 2008
Messages
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I'm starting to get the flashlight bug. Don't ask me why....just tell me why you carry a flashlight? Why do I want a flashlight when I'm already carrying a handgun and a Chris Reeve Small Sebenza Classic (Snakewood).

I'm looking for something (again, I don't know why) able to be carried in my pocket (along with Sebenza) as an EDC...maybe clipped to pocket...or just in the bottom of my pocket. I'll even entertain the chance I'd use a sheath (hooked to belt), but this mode of carry is fairly unlikely.

I don't want a light to beat a bad guy to death...to blind him while I reach for my gun/knife (I'll reach for the gun first). I want it for general purposes. Not real crazy about batteries (alkaline)....would probably prefer lithium...even rechargable. Don't want to spend more than 50-60 bucks.

I've had a cheap Pelican LED and the light was kinda blue (no good). I'd prefer something pretty bright...good for short to medium distance (10-25'), and that won't need to have silly duracell alkaline that goes dead and the light gets dim. I'm a first timer for flashlights so I appreciate your suggestions.
 
Fenix has some very nice (and bright) lights in AAA, AA, and CR123A, all single cells. If you want rechargeable, look for something that will take a CR123, and use RCR123's in it. Keep in mind these rechargeable batteries have the potential to become unstable. However, I've used them with no problems in SureFire, Fenix, and O-lights. I have this one incoming: http://www.fenixlight.com/viewnproduct.asp?id=19


A lot of info can be found here: www.candlepowerforums.com
 
I got started carrying one partially due to work, where I ALWAYS end up needing a flashlight for something, multiple times during the day at night.

And I realized how useful it was. Especially after the fires and blackouts we experienced here several months ago. My entire apartment complex was pitch black for hours.

Point is, sometimes old cliches are true: "you just never know..."
 
Murdok72605 said:
So you can see what you're shooting at......
Click to expand...

yeah, pretty much.

or to see in the dark.

look under car seats.

scare the cat.

spy on the neighbors.

blind your friends.



fenix will have something to make you happy. fwiw, i always carry a small flashlight in my pocket.
 
For a first flashlight and an EDC get a small, bright, single cr123 cell light. I prefer my EDC light to have a simple on/off function or at the most a low/high/off function. Lights that have SOS and strobe and 4 other levels seem to get left at home in favor of simplicity. I carry my Surefire E1L more than anything for the simplicity and the great warranty an EDC needs when it rides in a pocket all day.
 
Why carry a flashlight? Some carry an umbrella when there is a 50% chance of rain...at night there is 100% chance of darkness.;) A flashlight is also useful during daytime like looking into drawers or behind desks and other furniture. I agree with SPXTrader and check out fenix flashlights and candlepowerforums.
 
I got a Fenix L1D, single AAA battery needed.
I can't count the number of times I use it in a day, I've used it so much even the on/off button is showing signs of wear.

Once you get one, you'll think of ways to use it, don't worry you wont waste your money!
 
i have an fenix e0 and a p1d q5....get the olive finish from fenix...it actually kinda matches the sebenza finish
 
I carry a jetbeam MKII TAD Edition. It takes a single AA battery, I use the Nimh rechargable ones. Gets good battery life. Glow in the dark on off tail switch, completely waterproof, 5 power modes that are toggled by tapping the on/off switch and overall its no bigger than a folder. YOu can also buy and extenstion tube to make it carry 2 AA's. I believe i paid around $45 US for it with the accessory pack that inluded alternate tail caps, extra O rings, nylon sheath and a lanyard.

-Chris
 
First, get a Photon 2 (or clone probably can be found for about $1 these days) and clip it to the keyring - so you'll always have a light on you.

The a pocket light probably needs to be 1x AAA, AA or CR123.

Get one with a bright/efficient LED - probably not to use on the brightest level all the time - but on one of the lower levels - which then has very long runtime.

Some examples -

1x AA Fenix Digital L1D Olive Premium Q5 ($60 shipped) -
General Mode: 12 lumens (25hrs) -> 53 lumens (5hrs) -> 107 lumens (2hrs) -> SOS
Turbo Mode: 120 lumens (1.5hrs) -> Strobe

1x CR123 Fenix Digital P2D OLIVE Premium Q5 ($60 shipped)
General Mode: 12 lumens (30hrs) -> 55 lumens (5.5hrs) -> 107 lumens (2hrs) -> SOS
Turbo Mode: 180 lumens (1hrs) -> Strobe

1x AAA Fenix Digital L0D Q4 Olive Finish ($46.50 shipped)
Five output modes: 30 Lumens(3.5hrs) -> 11 Lumens(8.5hrs) -> 75 Lumens(1hrs) ->Strobe -> SOS - note this light is a twisty head so may not be quite as convenient as the clicky tail-switch of the two above.

Although not quite apples-to-apples - but the famous "ultra bright" 2x CR123 Xenon - SureFire 6P (G2), or Streamlight Scorpions of this world are rated at about 65 lumens - all the above lights are brighter on their maximum setting, and some even on lower settings.

Note: the L1D and P2D have the same head - so buying one, and the other body only - in effect gives 2 lights in one.
The head actually is the same as the 2x AA L2D too so one can even get the L2D body to get 3 lights in one.....

Some reviews -

Fenix L1D-CE Comparison Review
(not the Q5 version - but should give some idea of how well the light works the plain CE version is rated at 90 lumens in Turbo mode)

Fenix P2D-RB100 Comparison Review
again not the Q5 version - but this is going to be close.

Fenix L0D-Q4 Comparison Review

Hope some of this helps.

--
Vincent
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ARC AAA

Single mode, incredibly durable, and reliable. The design is simplistic and refined. Build quality is a step above the Fenix lights mentioned. Made in the USA. Potted electronics, better quality O-rings than your normal foreign-made light, and superior Hard Anodizing make this light something you can depend on to work in the worst of conditions.
 
symphonyincminor said:
ARC AAA
Single mode, incredibly durable, and reliable. The design is simplistic and refined. Build quality is a step above the Fenix lights mentioned.
Click to expand...

I have very high regard for the Arc-AAA - it was CPF light of the year back in 2003.

But that was good for 2003 -
LED technology has moved by leaps and bounds since then -
especially in the introduction of the Cree XR-E and the LumiLEDs Rebel-100 LEDs where we have much, much brighter and more efficient LEDs.

The Arc-AAA is still based on a simple 5mm LED and the basic $30 model is rated at 5.5 lumens (5hrs) - this really isn't any better in performance than a typical 5mm LED coin-cell light like the more recent Photon 2 or any of the cheapo clones.

The "P"remium model at $45 is 9 lumens(5hrs) compare this to the Fenix L0D-Q4 comparable low level of 11 Lumens(8.5hrs).

Build quality of the Arc-AAA is indeed top class - no doubts about that -
BUT the body tube is great because it is about as thin as one can get to accomodate a single AAA battery -
unfortunately "thin" is the operative word - the tube wall is real thin.

I am not taking anything away from the Arc-AAA which still has pride of place for me too -
but the Fenix build quality is not that far removed - if not similar - they both claim Type III Hard Anodizing - Arc claims "6061 Aluminum"; Fenix claims "aircraft grade aluminum" -
6061-T6 is one of the most common aircraft grade alumiums,
but not all 6061 is aircraft grade.

Bodies and heads -
ArcAAA_bodies2.jpg
ArcAAA_bodies.jpg

Note my Arc-AAA (circa ~2003) uses a foam doughnut around the +ve terminal on the head to prevent rattling - this is effective but crude, and a known battery crusher - in comparison to the spring in the bottom of the Fenix body tube. see how thin the Arc-AAA tube is - it is indeed a marvel of engineering - but any of the Fenix bodies are noticably thicker.

I would hazard to say in normal usage there isn't going to be much practical difference in durability and toughness between the Arc-AAA and the 1x AAA Fenix L0D -
and probably either the L1D or P2D are likely to be tougher - just due to sheer bulk of material alone.

However when it comes down to it - it's the light that they produce that should matter - and this is where any of the Fenix are streets ahead - not just in sheer brightness alone - but the beam smoothness and quality -

Comparing a Fenix L0P-SE Special with my Arc-AAA

High vs. classic ArcAAA (circa 2003)
(I know, I know, this is pretty silly...)
L0PSEhi_Arc.jpg
L0PSEhi_Arc2U.jpg

The above was an UNfair comparison - so for closer to the same brightness levels -

Low vs. classic ArcAAA (circa 2003)
L0PSELo_Arc.jpg
L0PSELo_Arc-1.jpg

At more comparable levels one can easily see how much better the beam quality is in the Fenix over the Arc-AAA.

Also remember this Fenix L0P-SE Special is slightly older technology based on the Luxeon 3 - which is noticably less bright than the Cree-Q series or LumiLEDs Rebel series -

Direct comparison between a Fenix L0D-RB80 and that Fenix L0-SE Special

vs. Fenix L0P-SE Special both using NiMH and on High -
L0Drb80_L0PSE.jpg
L0Drb80_L0PSE2U.jpg

so even the Rebel 80 is noticably brighter than the Luxeon 3 in that L0P-SE special - so a Q4 or Q5 Cree is going to be substantially brighter.

Like I said the Arc-AAA is good for its day - I still have very high regard for it (mostly for sentimental reasons) -
but I actually USE a Fenix L0D-RB80 as an EDC away from home,
and a Fenix L1D-RB100 at home.

--
Vincent
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If you want a clip (like I do), a Novatac 120 or Surefire E1B should fit the bill nicely. If you don't need a clip, I suggest a keychain sized light. CR2 or AAA sized. A Fenix L1D, P1D, or P2D is nice, but a bit large to simply have bouncing around in your pockets, so I stick with a clipped light or a CR2 or AAA keychain light for my lighting needs.

As for why you would need a flashlight? Just get one and you'll find out. After just a week or 2, you'll wonder how you ever got by without it.
 
in my original post, i think i said my price range was 50-60 bucks. well, i called an online store and spoke with a guy who recommended the following:

Nove Tac 120 T (yeah, i know it's more money)
Surefire E1B
Surefire G2 LED
Fenix P2D CE Premium Q5

The G2 was fairly big for carrying in front blue jeans pocket. The guy said the 120 T was fun to play with because of the click feel/sound of the switch. The E1B seemed to be his pick because he said the Surefire was made in USA...always great quality...lifetime warranty....smooth and won't snag/chew-up pocket like the gnarly ones. The P2D CE Prem. Q5 he said was nice...just no lifetime warranty.

I told him carrying a flashlight in a sheath was out. the E1B clip seemed like a good way to carry (clipped to pocket)...which he said the clip was removable if i wanted to (is he right?). The Fenix p2d ce prem q5 was suppose to be real bright and it was also small enough to carry loosely in my pocket. the fenix seems like it has lots of gadgets i may not need (5 functions).

The E1B and the 120T are both more than i want to spend....unless they are really worth the extra. remember, i think i'll be carrying in my pocket or will use the pocket clip. What do y'all think???? This is my first flashlight.

Also, thanks to all who have pitched in to suggest. I'm starting to get cornfused!!! Something small...LED (i guess)...something for EDC...something bright yet versitile enough to be useful in many different situations (places, distances, etc. etc.) Oh yeah, the guy thought the lithium battery was the way to go since I might leave the light in my console (car) and lithium could be better under cold/damp conditions. I don't know what to do!!!
 
I guess I missed the part about your desired price range. Although, to be honest, if you're carrying a Sebenza, you already understand the benefits of a high-quality tool. Nothing's wrong with a Fenix, but a Surefire or Novatac is a higher quality tool. Hold each in your hand, and you'd easily identify which is the better simply by how it feels, even if you knew nothing about the brands. I understand that it's your first "real" flashlight, which is probably why you might not want to spend more, but it's my opinion that if you want true quality, go ahead and spend a bit more. I'd wager that if you spend the extra, you'll appreciate it down the road (perhaps not very far down the road either), and even bet that if you got a cheaper light, you'd find it so useful that you'll soon find yourself wanting a better one and end up spending that much more anyway (which would be fine too, just give the cheaper one to the Missus or something).

Also, there isn't much in the way of inexpensive lights with pocket clips. Beats me why. Fewer still that only use 1 battery. I recommended the Novatac or Surefire E1B because, unlike all the other Surefires, and any other lights with a clip you might find (most are obsolete anyway), they carry bezel-down. The bezel-up Surefires are OK in the pocket if they're 2 cell lights, but the 1 cell lights are bezel-heavy. Not so much the L1 (longer body, but still has a lot of bezel sticking out of your pocket), but the E1L will do everything it can to jump out of your pocket. The clip on both the Novatac and the SF E1B are removable. The clip on the E1B is also reverseable, but for the reasons I just stated, you'd probably find bezel-down more appealing than bezel-up.

Of the E1B or the Novatac, I would go for the Novatac (in fact, I'm planning on getting a 120P in the near future). The Novatac has more brightness and mode options (especially if you go with the P programmable version-but it's more expensive), is brighter, and is designed to work with both regular and rechargeable batteries. It's also a very intelligent light, with step-down circuitry (automatically lowers output when batteries are dying to save juice, instead of simply dying) and protection from overheating. Plus, the Surefire has a different beam shape. Its optics focus the beam primarily forward into a single spot with little flood. The Novatac's reflector gives you a bright spot with a gradual surrounding flood, which I personally find much more useful in an EDC capacity.

Myself, I carry an HDS EDC Ultimate 60XRGT (which was a $300 light when they were new). The Novatac EDC series is a newer version of the HDS; the technology was sold, and now it's less expensive because they have much higher production numbers. In fact, it's what they're issuing to our soldiers, so you know it's a tough light that'll work when you need it to. Like Surefire, they're made in the USA. In fact, they're made right here in Tucson, literally 2 minutes walk from where I work.

So, I say buy quality, cry only once, and enjoy it. If you're not enthralled by whichever light you buy, and feel you could have done fine with a cheaper one, both SF and Novatac have high resale value retention, and you could turn around and sell (or trade) it without too much trouble.
 
if you are considering these guys suggestions about the Fenix lights, i would aso reccomend that you take a look at Olight... IMHO they have a much better fit and finish then the Fenix equivalent...
 
As for batteries, lithium primaries or NiMH or lithium ion rechargeables are the way to go. If you end up using the light a lot, you'll want to go with rechargeables, as lithium batteries, of any type, aren't cheap. Even the "cheap" CR123As can get expensive. If you don't use the light a lot, non-rechargeable (called "primaries") lithiums are your best bet. Alkalines simply suck. Pure and simple. They leak, they self-drain over time, they work poorly or not at all in cold conditions, and most importantly, they can't handle the high drain that today's electronics put on them (the same is true for digital cameras, etc). There are no alkaline CR123A batteries. Only lithium primaries and li-ion rechargeables (although LiPOs are coming out now, but these have lower capacity) are available for 123A sized.

The E1B isn't designed to work with rechargeables, but reports are that it can. However, I wouldn't expect it to. Surefire has a history of being not rechargeable-friendly (probably since they sell their own primaries). The light should work, but it's possible that the battery itself might not even fit. On high, expect 30 minutes of full brightness, with trailing brightness after that. With a primary, expect 1:20. The Novatac, with a rechargeable, also only has half an hour of max brightness. However, it's a brighter max. Either light will last many, many hours on the 2nd brightest light level. I personally would go with the 120P over the 120T because with the T, there's a huge jump between the 2 levels. 120 lumens, then 10 lumens. 10 is a nice level, but I prefer 30 or 42 lumens for close-to-mid range illumination. 10 isn't quite enough, and 120 is waaaaaay too much (and drains the battery). You don't get the nifty tactical switch with the 120P, but you can buy that separately if you wish. Geez, it really does sound like I'm trying to get you to spend money, doesn't it.:D
 
look at the Novatac 120p, Not much touches it in terms of how much it can do. single 123 cell, fully programable, quality from tip to tip. The other Novatac's in the edc series are all amazing, i have two 120p's and one 120t. The surefire back-up is another nice offering from surefire, another surefire that just came out that really performs is the new L1 cree. It is a tad large for edc IMO however if you wear loose pants the L1 might fit fine. But nothing on the market at the moment compares to the Novatacs. Check them out.
 
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