EDC Lights?

M

mark_tsend

Joined
Apr 15, 2014
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4
I'm looking for a good EDC light. I'm not really one for a pen light but those other wider and stubbier lights are more of what I'm after. Saw the Jetbeam RRT01 looks great but a tad bit too pricey for me. Looking for anywhere from $20-55. Any suggestions?
 
If you can flex your price just a little bit, zebralight has been the best EDC light I've found. I currently carry an H52w which is from their headlight series so it has a right-angle head and comes with a strap. It's incredibly bright, incredibly compact, and gets great battery life for a 1xAA light of its caliber.
 
Streamlight ProTac 2AA works fine and can be had for about $30. Decent runtime, bright, and three modes (Hi, strobe, low) for whatever task is at hand.
 
Absolutely have to agree with chrispy, I have the exact same light, it is amazingly versatile and currently has the highest output for a single aa battery on the market. Others claim the same or higher, but it's mumbo jumbo. Also, it has a perfect pocket clip.

The only thing is, it feels robust but is tiny, I can clip it to my t shirt and forget it's there. I actually had it on one of the lowest modes and told my wife I was Iron Man. Got a great eye roll.
 
I currently have a Fenix EO1 AAA and it is great for around town. In the woods it is a bit low on Lumens.
I had and just ordered a new Maratc AAA Gen3 that has three settings 1.5, 40 and 138 lumens. This light rocks.
There are a lot of good light to choose from. Other brands like Surefire and Streamlight make great EDCs depending on how much light you need.
 
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Fenix E series lights are right in your budget. I EDC the E05(1xaaa), and it sees the most use, but the E11(1xaa) is a great little thrower. Not as much punch as some, but a good balance of runtime and output, and very sturdy for the price. Its just been updated, and I have no reason to think the new one (E12) is going to anything but great.

There are better lights, but at your budget, Fenix will do the job, unless you have some other need.
 
Great point onetrickpony. the pocket clip on the H52w is superb. Rides really low and can be inverted for head-up or head-down carry.
 
You could step up to Four Seven Quark Pro QP2L-X for around 60-70 dollars depending on where you look. I've had it since Christmas and love it.
 
Another very happy Fenix E01 user here. I've been carrying this light for about 2 years now, and it's been great. Not one of the brightest lights, but insane long run times on battery, extremely reliable, and enough light for real world use in most situations you need to see. The back shelf in a basement storage room, under a car seat, working under the kitchen sink. I even use it as the light for the dogs last walk of the night in the woods out back. Bright enough to see the trail for about 30 feet. If I need more light, I have a AA minimal LED that has great throw in the woods. But so far, in 2 years, I haven't run into any situation the little E01 hasn't been enough light.

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Hairlesstwinkie said:
You could step up to Four Seven Quark Pro QP2L-X for around 60-70 dollars depending on where you look. I've had it since Christmas and love it.
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Yep, I carry the same torch every day and love it as well. Great size, easy to manipulate and it has a great assortment of modes to choose from. The mode that I use the most is the Moonlight mode. It is the perfect amount of low light. Just enough to see what you're looking at and it gives off zero glare of metal objects. The other lights that I have used ( a couple of Surefires, which are great as well, and an Eagletac which wasn't too shabby either) the low light setting was adequate but if you are trying to look closely at something the 5 or whatever lumens they would give off is just a bit to much for some tasks. The high and strobe are awesome too. Where Surefires have a strong tight high beam, the Foursevens beam is powerful as well but floods the area a bit more.

The CR123A can be a bit expensive but they are powerful and run for a good long while.
Also I wish the pocket clip allowed for a slightly deeper carry. By no means a deal breaker just a preference.
 
Fenix makes great and flashlights, I've got several of them. The one I'm carrying every day for almost 5 years now is a E01. It lives on my keyring and I found that it provides enough light in most situations. Once a year I replace the battery, just to be sure.

During winter time, I used to carry a LD10 in my pocket, but found the E11 to be more comfortable. It's a bit smaller and lighter. I also have a LED Lenser P3, which is about the same size as the E11, but it feels not as solid.
 
jetbeam pa10. AA pocket light that has an XML that will put out 650lm with a 14500, bought one and just gave it to my mother. Will be getting another. was $37 on the big river.

is there a battery preference?
 
Maratac AAA, less than $30. 3 settings. Perfect light.

I just picked up a Maratac AA Right Angle Tactical Flood. A little bigger, 3 settings, very cool.

I have a Kydex carrier on my key ring, gets used almost daily.
 
Thrunite Archer 1a is a great inexpensive aa EDC light, very bright with multiple modes and a good pocket clip.
 
jackknife said:
Another very happy Fenix E01 user here. I've been carrying this light for about 2 years now, and it's been great. Not one of the brightest lights, but insane long run times on battery, extremely reliable, and enough light for real world use in most situations you need to see. The back shelf in a basement storage room, under a car seat, working under the kitchen sink. I even use it as the light for the dogs last walk of the night in the woods out back. Bright enough to see the trail for about 30 feet. If I need more light, I have a AA minimal LED that has great throw in the woods. But so far, in 2 years, I haven't run into any situation the little E01 hasn't been enough light.

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I'll second this. Jackknife did a review of the E01 a while back, and I got a couple. He's right on the mark, small and handy. Unobtrusive in the front pocket.

If you want something that disappears on a keychain, the Photon 2 works well. They can be aggravating when they get wet, but they are handy most of the time.
 
chrispy513 said:
If you can flex your price just a little bit, zebralight has been the best EDC light I've found. I currently carry an H52w which is from their headlight series so it has a right-angle head and comes with a strap. It's incredibly bright, incredibly compact, and gets great battery life for a 1xAA light of its caliber.
Click to expand...

I was going to suggest Zebralight also. Best small LED I've found for the price.

Grizz
 
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