EDC Flashlight

S

slight

Joined
May 22, 2011
Messages
883
Im looking for suggestions for a smaller tough flashlight for edc. Something with a pocketclip.

Preferably not too much more than 100, though i can find extra money if it is justified.

ive been looking at surefires and a glo-toob
 
http://www.tacticalleds.com/HDS_Systems_Clicky_120_Lumen_Tactical_LED_Flashlig_p/edc-t1b-120.htm

By far one of, and in my opinion the (all of these, not just the 120...depends on your budget) best EDC light on the market. Build quality that is superior to even Surefire, VERY conservative output numbers, features and functions on par with the multi mode Chinese lights, great user interface, 100% user programmable (although most people leave them as is out of the package), waterproof to 66 feet, US made, lifetime warranty.....it just doesn't get any better.

Don't be put off by the "rated" output. Keep in mind there is a significant difference between what a Chinese made light is rated at, and what a US made light is rated at. That's why a 200 lumen Surefire can run all day long with, and often superior to, a 300-350 lumen Chinese made light. What I'm getting at is don't be fooled into the lumen chasing game while you're looking. It's a very easy trap to fall into.
 
Save the dough, invest in a surefire e2dl. Comes with clip and lifetime warranty, not that you need the warranty anyways since its built like a tank! Check out 4sevens lights. I picked a small one for $34 very small, very bright.
 
Many many "good" lights out there
First you should decide on what battery you want to use
then how many of them.
I edc a single cell AAA titanium 4sevens Preon in my left pocket
and Fenix P2D single cell CR123 in a pouch on my belt.
I have a few Surefire 6P's which run 2 CR123 batteries.
All these lights are pretty tough.
I have upgraded the surefire heads (lamps) to something\I think is better for my purposes.
Anyway,choose your battery(s) then look at whats available.
 
i never thought of batteries. something smaller to cut down on weigh. i usually carry a lighter,pen,knife,phone,money clip so the bulk can add up in my pockets.

ive also been playing around with throwing a cheap keychain light on my knife lanyard
 
I have an olight m20 that has 340 lumens, anodized aluminum, strobe, and low light for under a hundred bucks.
 
My EDC is a Nitecore D10, the newer version is the D11. It runs on a single AA battery with infinite variable brightness. Built like a tank. It has been with me for over 2 years now. The cost is very reasonable and well within your $100 limit. I also highly recommend the EX11 if you prefer CR123 batteries. Pocket clip is extra but bombproof and well worth getting.

I have a glo-tube and they are very nice but as a primary EDC it only gives ambient light, you can not direct or project it. It is great for lighting up a tent but not walking in the dark.
Good luck in your search. There are so many great options available.
trldad
 
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Here's another vote for 4Sevens. Got this as a Christmas present last year and I've used the crap out of it even since.

20110704_img_0273.jpg


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Beckerhead #42
 
I just got this Sunwayman V10R and it's great. I love the infinitely variable control, momentary/forward clicky, and build quality. I wish they made a 2 cell version too. Within your budget, and you'll love the light.
 
i switch between a Nitecore D10 which uses "AA" batteries, and the one currently in my small 5th pocket is a 4Sevens Quark Mini Titanium CR123, i've got the S3 model which is unavailable now but the S2 version is available at around $67 on Amazon. nice and bright and i can't tell it's in my pocket.

I also carry in a bag/lunch box a Fenix LD20.

I will also repeat the suggestion of the HDS light. I will be adding one to the fold soon.
 
HDS Systems. Look around and pick-up one of the 170T models. If you keep your eyes open you can find them for $135-$150. For another $50 you can get the 200 Rotary, which I feel is well worth extra expense, but it doesn't have a clip.

If you just want some good but cheap lights checkout 4Sevens
 
A 4sevens Preon 2 is as good as it gets for an edc flashlight IMO. 160 lumens OTF, three modes (low, mid, high) As well as strobe and beacon mode. Pocket clip and is no bigger then a pen. Rocks.... check it out. $50
 
Surefire U2. The best! (I know it is a bold statement, but I think it can be backed up). Fully adjustable output, so you can control the runtime available. Not too big (I carry the U2 Porcupine every day and never have a problem toting it around).
 
The Nitecore D10 is a great light but it is a bit too big for my EDC setup. For me, I really like the Maratac AAA and the Preon 1. They are both great lights, very small and cost WAY less than your cost point.
 
There are TONS of lights out there to go with. There are several questions you have to ask yourself though to determine what will fit your needs.
Size, battery, battery life, brightness, modes, waterproof, bombproof...

When I answered most of those questions to my satisfaction, I really liked what the Fenix LD10 R4 had to offer (& now there's an R5 with some pretty good stats). It's a decently small light (It's just a hair over 3 7/8" & about 7/8" wide), fits my hand nicely. It runs off a single AA (easy to find & pretty inexpensive), 34 hour run time on low, max of 132 lumens(the light it throws lights up a room well and lights up a darkened street well.), comes with several different modes (low, medium, high, SOS, Turbo & Strobe. Oh, and those modes are super easy to cycle through), It's waterproof to IPX8 standards (means nothing to me, if I can drop it in a body of water, pull it out and expect it to continue working flawlessly, then we're good), and it's made of T6 aircraft aluminum with a hard anodized finish. Seems tough enough for me.

I've had it for around a year and have used it frequently. When I purchased it, it came with a holster, a clip, a lanyard, extra o-rings and an extra tailcap switch rubber. It's well under $100, even the new R5 is around $55.
 
I've got my first "nice" flashlight on it's way to me. It's a Streamlight Strion LED C4. It was $80 but I offered a trade that got accepted.

I know nothing about flashlights though so I have no clue if it's a good one or not.
 
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