How do you carry your flashlight?

mkjellgren

mkjellgren

Joined
Nov 1, 2005
Messages
1,592
Hey guys, quick question about flashlight carry. I recently stepped up from my trusty fenix ld01 light to a MUCH more powerful, but chunkier eagletac d25c clicky. Both lights are almost exactly the same length, but the eagletac, with its single cr123 battery (versus 1 AAA in the fenix) is quite a bit thicker. In the past I had carried my ld01 in the bottom of my pocket with a small lanyard or occasionally attached to my keychain. The ld01 is so small and thin it disappears in the bottom of the pocket, so much so that I never felt the need to use the pocket clip. Such is not the case with the eagletac, which I have been carrying clipped to my left front pocket since my knife is clipped to the right, but I'm still undecided as to whether or not I like carrying a flashlight clipped. I'm sure I'm just not used to it yet, but I feel a little funny with clips showing on both pockets. I've thought about throwing a lanyard on the eagletac but its just a bit chunky to be banging around in the bottom of my pocket, and being a tail clicky light, I feel like the lanyard might get in the way of use.

So, with that said, what kinds if lights do you guys carry? And how do you carry them? I'm finding I really like the form factor of the AAA lights for edc, but man oh man do these cr123 lights put out a lot of light (300ish lumens on turbo with the d25c)...they're just a bit thick.
 
I tried repeatedly to get used to a pocket light but no joy. Lost the small lights and left the larger lights @ home or in the car. I carry pinch lights on zipper pulls. Handy, bright, not in the way, hands-free and easy to bring to bear.
 
oregon said:
I tried repeatedly to get used to a pocket light but no joy. Lost the small lights and left the larger lights @ home or in the car. I carry pinch lights on zipper pulls. Handy, bright, not in the way, hands-free and easy to bring to bear.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I've carried those little squeeze lights in the past, but I've since spoiled myself with more powerful, feature filled "real" lights.
 
I started with a Streamlight Microstream. Stuck thru and clipped onto my FR belt loop. Small and out of the way. Then I went to a Sunwayman M10R (CR123) in the same spot. It's tight in the belt loop but fits, more noticable when I move. Just got a Titanium Innovations IlluminaTi and discovered just how TINY a single cell AAA light can be. And at 132 lumens on high it's more than adequate for my edc needs. It rides in the same spot and I just forget about it. Next I will be looking for a Maratac AAA.
 
Usually in a dual pocket sheath with a BRKT Mini Fix River:

img1042gk.jpg
 
I usually carry either a Quark CR123 or 18650 in a minimalist drop-in belt holster stolen from a similar Fenix light. Deployment is fast because the light is right there on the belt, but its also small and unobtrusive. For me, one of these lights with the open top belt holster is the best combo of big lumens and small size.

IMG00130-20110109-1720.jpg

Small open-top nylon belt holster from Fenix, center.
 
Sunwayman V10R TI in Kydex by CBLME
clbme2.jpg


Muyshondt Aeon on paracord around my neck

And a big light, either a 6p or 9p in a nylon holster
This is the old 9p holster, it now lives in one by ripoffs
9pcarry.jpg
 
Fenix PD30 in its nylon belt sheath.
Max 257 lumens with 2 x CR123A batteries
Four settings plus strobe and SOS
I love this thing!
 
I carry mine in a leatherman sheath in one of the two little elastic side pouches that come with the sheaths. Pretty handy little edc sheath. Leatherman, pen and flashlight in mine. My light is a AAA Maratac solid copper light.
 
I clip it under the armpit of my biker vest.
 
Thanks guys, seems like many of you have gone the belt holster route. I'm not really much of a holster guy in general, but if I start carrying too much more gear, I may not have a choice. I think I might try the belt loop idea today and see how I feel about it.
 
I wear BDUs or tactical pants or shorts almost all the time now all i have that fit..lol..if its BDUs i clip my microstream under the cargo pocket flap close to the button . If i am wearing my Vertx pants [ By the way the best non tactical looking tactical pants i have ever worn ] i clip it to the pocket inside my cargo pockets either way i have to be careful to remember its even there . Havent washed it yet but i bet its gonna happen .
 
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I carry a Streamlight Nano on my keys and it fits my bill. When hiking and hunting I carry two led Maglites in holsters on my bag straps.
 
I've tried to do the small flashlight thing with a aaa fenix and a photon but they just added bulk to the bottom of the pocket. I didn't think I would ever edc a light and then I tried one with a pocket clip. Now I'm never without it. I hate pocket clips but they sure do work by distributing the bulk rather then everything in the bottom. I'm using a Sunwayman M10A and love it.
 
Fenix PD31 with 2 extra batts in the front chest pocket of my Carharrt c95 :) If it is not jacket weather it goes in the door well thingy of whichever vehicle I am in .
 
mkjellgren said:
Hey guys, quick question about flashlight carry. I recently stepped up from my trusty fenix ld01 light to a MUCH more powerful, but chunkier eagletac d25c clicky. Both lights are almost exactly the same length, but the eagletac, with its single cr123 battery (versus 1 AAA in the fenix) is quite a bit thicker. In the past I had carried my ld01 in the bottom of my pocket with a small lanyard or occasionally attached to my keychain. The ld01 is so small and thin it disappears in the bottom of the pocket, so much so that I never felt the need to use the pocket clip. Such is not the case with the eagletac, which I have been carrying clipped to my left front pocket since my knife is clipped to the right, but I'm still undecided as to whether or not I like carrying a flashlight clipped. I'm sure I'm just not used to it yet, but I feel a little funny with clips showing on both pockets. I've thought about throwing a lanyard on the eagletac but its just a bit chunky to be banging around in the bottom of my pocket, and being a tail clicky light, I feel like the lanyard might get in the way of use.

So, with that said, what kinds if lights do you guys carry? And how do you carry them? I'm finding I really like the form factor of the AAA lights for edc, but man oh man do these cr123 lights put out a lot of light (300ish lumens on turbo with the d25c)...they're just a bit thick.
Click to expand...

Don't get rid of that LD01 yet. I carry mine every day with a 10440 rechargeable cell in it, and it's reported to put out around 200 lumens. This light is fantastic, and as you said, pretty much disappears in your pocket.
 
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