EDC Flashlights!

[Gov't Mule]

I've taken to carrying a Maratac AAA.
Using A Single Duracell AAA battery, Count Comm got the following results:
Medium Mode, 18-lm Output for 4 Hours
Low Mode, 1.5-lm Output for 50 Hours
High Mode, 80-lm Output for 48 Minutes

Low mode is enough for most of what I need.

This. Get the copper version for low-mode first, and cause it's one of a kind.

For more flashlight get an HDS 170 for 1xRCR123.

Both have excellent low modes, and the highs are great, too.

 

[CID25]

I've been really happy with 4seven's small lights. I have a quark AA, mini 123 and a preon 2, spread amongst my gear. All have exceeded my expectations

 

[Ultraman]

This suggestion may not make the cut, but consider a Photon Micro-light: it's a lot smaller than any of the higher powered ones (uses CRXXXX coin batteries and it is not listed in your criteria for batteries), it has a very long runtime, Output in lumens is much smaller than those suggested (maybe 4.5 lumens).

Still, you won't even notice it's there and it's very durable. I keep one on my keychain.

 

[NaturalMystic]

This suggestion may not make the cut, but consider a Photon Micro-light: it's a lot smaller than any of the higher powered ones (uses CRXXXX coin batteries and it is not listed in your criteria for batteries), it has a very long runtime, Output in lumens is much smaller than those suggested (maybe 4.5 lumens).

Still, you won't even notice it's there and it's very durable. I keep one on my keychain.

I've got about a dozen Photon and similar button cell lights but only use them as backup lights, and most of them are at home in my flashlight & accessories container.
For the same reason I listed above, I don't rely on them as main lights anymore - they're too hard to find replacement batteries for in an emergency, when vacationing (say in a third world country), etc.
That, and if I'm walking with just one or two lights, I want at least one that can provide substantial light if needed.
For example, back in 2003 I went back to Trinidad to spend Christmas with family as a mini reunion because my brother was gonna be heading to Iraq (US Army) for a year. One rainy night while chilling with him and my dad, we got a call that someone was trying to break into my cousin's bar so we drove over to check it out. This was about 3am, pitch black and pouring rain. The most powerful light I traveled with was my Surefire E1 Executive which only outputs about 15 lumens or so. It was barely enough for me to make out the thief as he jumped the wall and got away.
Ever since then I always walk with the most powerful small light I can easily carry which for me has been my Fenix single CR123 lights. I always carry several spare batteries with me just in case.

 

[.Atlas]

fenix ld05..i can hardly tell im carrying it
3 modes, 100 lumen max
2 AAA batteries

 

[Ultraman]

I've got about a dozen Photon and similar button cell lights but only use them as backup lights, and most of them are at home in my flashlight & accessories container.
For the same reason I listed above, I don't rely on them as main lights anymore - (deleted).

OK - understood. For similar reasons, I keep a CR123 Fenix P1D handy. The twist switch was finicky at first (it would not turn off), so I would not suggest this. I find the single AA "cylinder-shaped" flashlights portable, but not comfortable for front pocket carry. I am intrigued by the Maratac

 

[NaturalMystic]

OK - understood. For similar reasons, I keep a CR123 Fenix P1D handy. The twist switch was finicky at first (it would not turn off), so I would not suggest this. I find the single AA "cylinder-shaped" flashlights portable, but not comfortable for front pocket carry. I am intrigued by the Maratac

Don't get me wrong, the Photon style button cell lights are good, reliable little lights. I've got the CountyComm button cell lights, the Doug Ritter Photon, variations of the regular Photons and even "Fauxton" knock-offs. I used to EDC them but those little button cells can be costly too and from the cost/light output ratio I prefer to spend the $$ buying the CR123s in bulk. Sure they're bulkier lights (like the Fenix PD20 I EDC now) but they're a lot more durable, brighter, etc.
Also, again in a travel or emergency scenario those button cells might be hard to find. I think it's also a good idea to try to standardize the batteries you walk with as much as possible. I walk with AA, AAA, CR123 and CR2 in my BOB. I also keep a couple pairs of the CR2016 and CR2032 button cells for those Photons just in case.
When I go on vacation though I just walk with AAA and CR123 lights, though now that I have more 18650 lights I'll probably walk with one of those, most likely the PD31 and a couple 18650s.

I don't like twisties but have the P1D CE. As soon as it was available I bought the clicky body from Leef and turned my P1D into a clicky style light. Here's a pic or two:
The P1D is in the middle here:

It's near the middle here too with the stock P1D body laying in front of it. Oh, the silver Surefire is the one I used that night of the attempted break in that I mentioned above. Tough light but poor output. I haven't used it since getting my P1.

 

[hoopster]

I've taken to carrying a Maratac AAA.
Using A Single Duracell AAA battery, Count Comm got the following results:
Medium Mode, 18-lm Output for 4 Hours
Low Mode, 1.5-lm Output for 50 Hours
High Mode, 80-lm Output for 48 Minutes

Low mode is enough for most of what I need.

I keep one of these on my keychain, just not going to carry a separate flashlight although I will throw various other flashlights in my pack on occasion.
I run my Maratac AAA on one of the 3.6v rechargeable batteries which makes it extremely bright but it's nice to know I can find a AAA just about anywhere if I need a replacement.
Anyone who sees how bright that tiny keychain light is just acts blown away.

 

[NaturalMystic]

I can't find my Eneloop AAAs but as soon as I do I want to try one in my iTP. These are bright little suckers for their size!

 

[theblindog]

I'm very happy with my current EDC, its a DST

Spec:
LED:CREE XP-G (R5 bin)
Max output:220 Lumens
Material:Titanium alloy TC4
Batteries: one AA battery or any other battery with same size
Voltage:0.7-4.2V
Size:diameter:16.6mm Total length:89mm
Weight: only 32g(without battery installed)
Output & Runtime:
Using 1 AA battery:about 135 Lumens(Max) for 70 minutes
About 2 Lumens(Min) for 50 hours
Using 1 rechargeable Li battery:about 220 Lumens(Max)for 45 minutes
About 2 Lumens(Min) for 60 hours

 

[hung-solo]

easy go to Coast.com and look for the box that says "free flashlight" just pay Tree Fitty for shipping and you get a decent pocket flashlight. i have 3-4 of them now stashed around the house in case the power goes out.. great lil CHEAP flashlights. they are surprisingly built well. i think they go for 10-18 bucks in a store. 3.50 is a good deal.

 

[Lone Hunter]

MTE C3-907 . Single AA batt. 170 lumens plus many other settings well built $25 bucks. Cree R2-WC white led . Yes i own many Surefire, Quarks,Fenix and on and on.

This one is the real deal and $25 !!!!

 

[Gravitron]

If Surefires 60 lumens is not bright enough you could try a Veleno drop in. That will push it to 350 lumens OTF.

 

[GoNadz]

If Surefires 60 lumens is not bright enough you could try a Veleno drop in. That will push it to 350 lumens OTF.

I actually have a Veleno drop-in on its way to me right now. Should be here in a few days, and that will go in my E2D as well.

My EDC is a Novatac 120P, but I've been known to supplement/replace it with a 6P (w/ M60) or now an E2L from time to time..

-Nadz